A New Paradigm

For most of the almost forty-year history of the prayer seminar ministry, Dr. Henry has been the main teacher both domestically and internationally. Since circumstances made it difficult for him to travel, we are now depending on other teachers. Most of them are nationals. We have asked our Doorkeepers to become Ropeholder Doorkeepers patterned after William Carey's support when he went to India. We need prayer support as we strengthen and stabilize this method of support. Truly, we are laborers together wtih God as Paul suggested in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.

The Value of Tears

A huge difference between God's people today and when I became a Southern Baptist pastor sixty-five years ago (1953) is the absence of a burden for the unsaved (even family members and close friends). I have long maintained that it is impossible for a church to have renewal/revival with a dry-eyed conversation. I have learned by experience in twenty-seven years as a local church pastor and in even more years leading revivals/evangelistic crusades the value of tears. When a nation was in trouble long ago, God gave this directive, "Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congegation, assemble to elders, gather the children and nursing babes; let the bridegroowm go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, 'Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, where is their God?'" (Joel 2:15-17). In the beginning of every series of revival sermons I used during evangelistic/revival meetings, there was a message based on Psalm 126:5-6: "Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy; he who goes forth seeping, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him." Further, God keeps a record of our tears, "Thou tellest my wanderings, put Thou my tears in Thy bottle, are they not in Thy book?"

A New Beginning

"Working from home" is an expression that seems to be more commonly used today. After years of traveling (something I don't like to do very well), we are "working from home." When we did a twenty-six year Summary Report (1984-2011) for the JGHM BOARD OF DIRECTORS, the yearly averages were somewhat shocking.  You can read the results in the March 1918 Reflector (p 4): # Seminars: 52; # States hosting prayer seminars: 16; # Nations hosting prayer seminars: 4; Number miles traveled each year: 74,398; Days on the road each year: 125). The board has adopted a Five-year Plan (October 1, 2015--September 30, 2020), which culminates on my 85th birthday.  More information will be forthcoming.

80 years old today

Although, physically, I am not as agile/flexible as a few years ago, otherwise, I am in very good condition. My memory is good. Actually, I can learn new material more quickly today than when I was in college. My administrative skills have not diminished. So I am able to toss up several balls in the air at one time and keep them moving! What can I say, but God is good to me. He has manifested amazing grace to our family. The bottom line of Christianity is obedience. To obey is better than sacrifice. Obedience brings us to the shore of the river where blessings flow!

The Reflector

Anyone reading My Blog articles needs to read carefully each month's issue of the Reflector, now in its 61st year of publication. The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the prayer seminar ministry and to provide inspirational articles for our readers. It has been a joy to put the paper together. We pray for guidance and that what we share will be a blessing.

Board member moves to Heaven

J. Gordon Henry Ministries is a non-profit entity chartered in the State of Tennessee, my home state. A requirement is that there be a Board of Directors to oversee the work. Truly, God has given us the best board any organization ever had. For a number of years, Jeannette Rolater, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has served on our board. Her contribution has been invaluable. Now she is in Heaven. We pray for her husband, Dr. Fred Rolater. We miss Jeannette so very much, but know that we will be together again.

Thirty-seven years ago

To prepare our local church in Newport News, Virginia to launch and man a 24/7 prayer ministry, I prepared lessons on prayer and then taught them during the Church Training hour on Sunday nights. We wanted 168 people, each willing to pray one hour a week around the clock. We wanted to become a truly praying church. It took six months to write and teach. I never dreamed that one day the lessons would be organized into a prayer seminar workbook and would traverse the world in many, many languages! But that is what God did!

God is Able, Willing, Waiting

It is amazing how the Holy Spirit brings Biblical understanding. During a prayer seminar in Peru, after teaching prayer seminars around the world for well over twenty years, He spoke to me: "Remind the people that God is able! God is willing! They will readily believe these statements with open hearts and minds. Then tell them--GOD IS WAITING!" He is waiting for us to ASK! Charles Spurgeon said, "The rule of the Kingdom is asking. God did not even change this rule for His Son when He was on earth."

Lighthouses of Prayer

When a missionary to Pakistan reported a vision that he had--being picked up and carried across Pakistan and seeing deep darkness all other the nation. Then he began to see Lighthouses scattered throughout the land and penetrating the darkness. When pastors and people asked, "what are these lighthouses?" His answer was "I do not know." The story was passed down from generation to generation. After listening to the prayer seminar (with workbook in Urdu language), pastors told Sue and me the story of the Lighthouses with the conclusion: "We now know that the Lighthouses are to be: LIGHTHOUSES OF PRAYER!" Spiritual darkness deepens in the United States. The only way to push against the darkness is through Lighthouses of Prayer.

Martin Shikuku

Yesterday I shared about Martin's van. Let me tell you a little more about Martin. His wife is Anne and she is 100% with him in his ministry. They have four children and live in the beautiful Rift Valley section of west Kenya. Their city is Eldoret. Their church is Glory Baptist Church on the outskirts of the city. Through the grace of God, Martin and his people have built one of the most beautiful compounds in western Kenya.

Martin's Van

When we began our work with Martin Shikuku, he did not have his own transportation. He either walked, took a cab, or a bus. My assessment of Martin and his potential as a mighty force for the Lord Jesus Christ was quite high. After a very blessed series of prayer seminars in 2007, it was time for me to return home. He told me that one day I would return for more seminars and he would drive me in his own van! All he had was faith plus zero. God gave Martin a van and he literally wore it out. Now he needs a new one.

Heading Home

Today is Monday and the beginning of a new work week. For me it is a travel day. We will drive 100 miles to Bloemfontein. From there, we will take a flight to Johannesburg. At 8:50 tonight we begin the flight to Atlanta, Georgia USA (at least fifteen hours). Of course, it will be a day of evaluation of the time spent in South Africa. Certainly, many lives have been touched--pastors, leaders, and lay people. There have been many hours/miles on the road. God watched over us each mile of the journey. Our hearts are full of joy and gladness in being able to serve the Lord Jesus Christ and His church in South Africa. At the same time, I look forward to being home.

Safe in Welkom

Yesterday was Saturday, March 1, a memorable day spent teaching and traveling. We completed the prayer seminar that we began on Friday in the Stella area. Not only did many receive the teaching on prayer, but six made professions. During our time, we have seen sixty-one come to Christ. The rest of the day (six hours) was spent in the drive from the Northern Cape Province to Welkom, in the Free State for Prayer Seminar #13 in Leslie's church. It has been a long, arduous work, but one filled with joy because we are serving the Lord Jesus Christ. Although God has richly blessed Leslie's family and his ministry (including heading the prayer seminar ministry in southern Africa), there is obvious more work to be done. God is good.

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