ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
A Final Word
I Am Believing God for...
by Richard L. Schoonover
By now you probably have finished reading through this issue of Enrichment. So, what did you dream? No, I am not talking about the dreams you had after eating too much pizza before going to bed. I am talking about the dreams you have for your ministry. What are you believing God for in your church and community? What would you like to accomplish if you had the money, people, and other resources to accomplish your dreams?
Sometimes dreaming can be discouraging. We dream but do not believe we can see the fulfillment to our dreams. There seems to be too many obstacles. We don’t have enough people, money, or other resources to accomplish our dreams. We have too much opposition from others. We sometimes focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. So, we dream, but resign ourselves to the status quo. Or, we give up dreaming altogether. But life and ministry does not need to be this way.
The executive leadership of the Assemblies of God — Dr. George O. Wood, L. Alton Garrison, Doug Clay, James T. Bradford, Zollie Smith, Jr., and Greg Mundis — believe you can dream. They stand behind your big dreams. But more than this, they invite you to believe that God can help you make your dreams come true.
Some of our dreams are personal. We have goals and desires for ourselves. What will it take for you to have the Spirit-empowerment needed to reach your community? How can you become a Jesus-style leader? What is keeping you from pursuing these dreams? The Holy Spirit wants to empower you to make a difference in your church and community. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you a fresh touch as you see this dream fulfilled in you.
What are your dreams for your church becoming prophetically relevant? To be prophetically relevant, you need to be making an impact on your community. As you look around your community, you know people and families who are in need of spiritual and physical help. How can your church address their needs? Ask your leaders to join with you as you dream and believe God for creative ideas to become prophetically relevant to your community.
What aspect of your church needs spiritual renewal? How will your church be a part of an unparalleled spiritual awaking? Will you believe that God will continue to do immeasurably more than you can ask or think?
Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). You have the Owner of the church and all His power behind you. Remember, then, Jesus’ words: “You may ask me for anything in my name.” What is it you want to ask of Him? Who in your community needs to hear the gospel? How will you and your church help complete the Great Commission?
So, what are your dreams? What are you believing God for? The editors of Enrichment, along with the ELT, encourage you to believe God for even greater things. Allow God’s power to flow through you and your church to see your dreams become reality as you take part in this spiritual awakening.
Editors’ Note: Also included in this issue are excerpts from four new books from My Healthy Church and Influence Resources. Not only do we trust these articles will help you in your ministry, we hope you will take advantage of the full resources found in these books to inspire you and your church to become all God wants it to be.