Tag Archives: Christianity

Dear Radicals

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Dear Radicals,

When referring to the current condition of the small town Church and the resulting small town Christian it is impossible to avoid words like; lifeless, impotent, ineffective, useless, unproductive, and vain. Our problem is not that our fortifications have been torn down or that we are surrounded and out numbered by the enemy; because neither are true. Our demise is not due to battle worn and weary saints who are hard pressed on the right and yielding at the center of the battle line. Our failure is found in the fact that no one seems to be able to find the battle field any more.

In Stanly County, where I live, we have managed to deceive ourselves into believing that we have somehow created a truce with the forces of darkness and everyday we hope and pray that they keep their end of the bargain. We are distressed with anyone who may suggest that the battle is still on and that God is still looking for soldiers who are willing to lay down their lives for the cause of Christ. After all, talk like that might make waves and bring discomfort to our already laissez-faire lives.

The truth of the matter is that the enemy is not at the gate but he is already within our borders, populating our schools, sitting in seats of power, attending our churches and even sleeping in our own beds. The most degrading and demoralizing fact of all this is that those who claim to be Christians don’t seem to know or care. We would rather hang on to our tedious traditions than to turn over the tables. As a result hundreds needlessly die as church goes on as usual. In times like these, church attendance skyrockets while spirituality declines to a record-breaking low.

Every generation and every community has a demonic yoke that oppresses, captivates, and binds. However, where sin abounds graces does much more abound and for every yoke, there is anointing! There is an empowerment being provided by heaven without regard to gender, race, age, or education and it’s available to all who will. It’s time to give the radicals something radical to do!

If you’re ready to become a Radical Disciple sign up today and receive more information about how your spiritual life can be drastically changed and how you can be on the bloody edge of what God is doing in the earth today.

The World’s First Flying Church!

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The Russian military have pioneered a new way to bring Church to the battlefield. They’ve designed a church structure that can be parachuted into any battlefield and produce instant worship services for their military personal and you don’t even have to add water!

It’s being called, “The World’s FirstFlyingChurch” which is pretty awesome considering that it comes complete with paratrooping priests! According to Russia Today (RT), these churches consist of an army tent, mini-theater, diesel power source, air conditioner and a refrigerator. The airborne church is reportedly needed because there are special sacraments in the Orthodox Church that demand a substantial number of utensils.

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18,19

Being a Pastor and a Church Planter I know what it means to have “Church In A Box” but this is taking it to a whole nutha level! We all know from Matthew 16 that the gates of Hell have no effective defense against the “Church” that has been established on the revelation of “Christ” and commissioned to bind and destroy.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could drop this hell razing institution right in the middle of an Al-Qaida’s Training Camp,Tehran’s Azadi Square, or better yet in the middle of your work week or your next family reunion?

Thankfully the triumphant Church has no need for utensils or sacraments! All this devil-stomping Church requires is, “two or three”.

“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:18,19

I don’t know what you may be facing today but I do know that we can parachute the Church right into the middle of your situation with the power of agreement. Send me your prayer request today and let’s stand in agreement for your total victory in Christ Jesus.

CLICK HERE to Submit Your Prayer Request

Join Our Team at ECC

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Our mission at ECC is to know Him and to make Him known by teaching families to walk in faith and we’d love to join forces with you and your family. We believe that God has a place for you in the body of Christ and that sound Biblical teaching will not only help you find your place of purpose but will also empower you to be effective in every area of your life.

Someone recently asked, “What’s your vision for ECC?” They were referring to the facilities, location, and attendance. Pastor Alan’s response was a little surprising when he said,

“My vision is that you and your family will have a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, know how to pray and get results, and that you’ll be strong in your faith. If we can accomplish that, everything else will fall into place.”

Does that sound like a Church you’d like to be apart of? We thought so! We want you to be on the ground floor with us as we build a dynamic house of worship and a hospital of faith. Whether you’ve never been in church before, whether you’ve been hurt in the past, or are just looking for something new; we’d love to meet you.

You’re invited to join us THIS Sunday at 6PM!

Our Church is located in Red Cross, NC on HWY 24\27 right across from West Stanly High School, beside Dollar General, in the white L shaped building.

Don’t miss out on what could be one of the funnest experiences of your life!

Standing In Faith With You,

Encounter Christ Church

12 Simple Steps to Spiritual Growth In 2012

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At the dawn of each new year faithful believers around the country make resolutions to get closer to God and to commit themselves to more serious spiritual growth. Regrettably, much like our weight loss goals, these resolutions quickly evaporate as we get back in the swing of things and the pressure of our daily routine kicks in. I heard someone say, “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year resolutions.” It’s funny because it’s true! Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Proverbs tells us that the key to a successful spiritual life, is keeping the Word of God in front of us at all times. That’s because God’s Word is our ONLY means of spiritual Growth!

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.” Proverbs 4:20-22

There are some simple things each and every one of us can do to grow spiritually this year.

12 Keys to Spiritual Growth in 2012

  1. Place Bible verses on your refrigerator and your bathroom mirror. Don’t open your fridge or pass by that mirror without reading them out loud.
  2. Tie a string around your finger to remind you to pray that day (you’d be amazed at how effective this is and it’s a good conversation starter).
  3. Read at least one chapter in your Bible everyday.
  4. Call your Christian friends just to discuss Bible passages.
  5. Keep Bible verses in your wallet or your purse.
  6. Listen to preaching and teaching while you’re getting ready in the morning or driving in your car.
  7. Choose a friend to keep you accountable to the study of God’s Word.
  8. Memorize a Bible verse.
  9. Make it a goal to find a way to pray and speak God’s Word in every place you travel or visit (Pray in every room of your house).
  10. Commit to attending every service at your Church.
  11. Each week determine to become the answer to someone else’s prayer.
  12. Take time to Worship God for who He is, each and everyday.

Start the New Year off right with our devotional called, “The Pinhead’s Guide to Prayer“. Each day this week read one article in this series and within 7 days you’ll see a drastic turn around in your spiritual life!

Happy New Year!

Humble and Proud of It!

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“…Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant… And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant…” 1 Kings 8:54-59

We may fail and allow hindrances into our prayer lives but if we’ll embrace God’s promise, It will never fail.

Put On Your Overalls

“… and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

 The first step in removing hindrances to your prayer life is to clothe yourself with Humility. One translation tells us to put on the “overall” of humility. In the same way that cloths protect us from the elements and exposure; humility will protect us from the storms of life.

Inevitably, some religious temple guards (the keepers of how things “ought to be”) will exclaim, “Ooooh… don’t you dare pray for patience!!! God will humble you!” Are these spiritual wet blankets right? Are there things we should be afraid to pray for? I don’t think I could answer any question with a more emphatic, “NO”!

Don’t be afraid to pray for humility or anything else for that matter. God is not going to hurt you… EVER. “Well Pastor, I read in the Bible where God cursed so and so…” Sadly, most people don’t understand the difference between a Permissive Verb Tense and a Causative Verb Tense. When we read in the Old Testament that “God smote them”; these statements are in the “permissive verb tense” and can literally be translated, “God had to allow them to be smitten” because of their disobedience. (Deut. 28:1, 15 explain the true cause of blessing and cursing)

“… and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:5,6

I’m Proud of My Humility!

If humility is one of our greatest assets in prayer; pride is our greatest liability. God resists and refuses to go along with the proud. What is pride? What is humility?

Contrary to popular opinion, humility is not, self debasement and pride is much more than a haughty attitude. Let’s add one more verse to the context of 1 Peter so that we can get a better understanding of what this great Apostle is trying to tell us.

“… and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:5 - 7

Did you see it? Real humility is, “casting all your care upon Him”.

So, what is this evil thing called pride that comes assuredly “before a fall”? What is it that’s so repugnant that God resists and refuses to go along with? Pride is caring for your own cares. We’d like to think of pride as something scandalous, outrageous, and uncommon… at least in our own lives. Regrettably it’s far less offensive to our senses than we’d like to think and so common that we’ve become comfortable with it.

Pride is so insidious that it most often disguises itself, with the aid of religious tradition, as humility and it can lie dormant for years. How can you tell if you’ve been infected? The symptoms are easy to spot if you know what you’re looking for. If you hear the following statements out of your own mouth, you may be dealing with a major infestation of pride;

“I don’t know how I’m going to get through this…”

“I can’t take this anymore…”

“God, I’m just so unworthy…”

And the coup de gras, “I’m just an old sinner…”

It’s religiously correct to make such statements but they are pride masked as humility. When you say that you, “don’t know how you’re going to get through this” or “I can’t take this anymore”; you’re saying that you have taken the responsibility of caring for your own cares. When you say, “I’m so unworthy” or “I’m just an old sinner saved by grace” you’re taking the burden of your sin and your worth on your own shoulders. This is pride at its best.

You’re Not A Sinner Saved By Grace

If you take time to think about it, you’ll realize that this really is a masterful deception and that’s why it has ensnared millions of Christians. Are you “just an old sinner” or have you been saved (transformed into a new creature) by grace? It can’t be both. The prideful take on the “care” of their past sins. The humble on the other hand, cast the care of their past onto the Lord and allow their sins to be thrown into the sea of forgetfulness, all the while accepting a new life, with a new identity, and a clean rap-sheet.

Here’s 1 Peter 5:7 in the Amplified Bible;

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”

Humility is truly a virtue that destroys all the hyphenated self-sins of our day; from self-indulgence to self-sufficiency. Humility paves the way for success in prayer because it unlocks the greatest power in the universe. Listen carefully to the words of Peter;

“…God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

If God can find someone who will Humble “themselves” (notice that He will not do it for you – or to you) then He will give them something called, “GRACE”. Humility releases the divine force of grace into our lives.

Like most things of importance in God’s Word, the church had managed to rob any real power or meaning out of the word, “grace”… to the point that we really don’t know what it is any more. We think that maybe grace is just a distant cousin to mercy… or perhaps it’s just a likable personality trait that God has which allows Him to put up with us. Grace is so much more than anything we have learned or imagined.

Study these verses and meditate on them as you realize what it is that God has promised to give to those who “cast their care” over on to Him.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith…” Ephesians 2:4 – 8a

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7

What is it that’s powerful enough to save the vilest sinner? Grace! How can someone be born again and totally transformed and translated from darkness to light? Grace! In fact, Paul says that we have been “quickened (made alive) together with Christ” by the power of Grace. Grace is even powerful enough to “justify” us.

To be justified means to have your past wiped away to the point that it’s “Just-As-If-I’d” (just-if-ied) never sinned. The awesome power of Grace has the ability to wipe out your past even from the sight of the Infinite One. Praise God!

All we must do to receive this wonder-working power into our lives is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and to cast all of our cares over on to Him. Don’t wait another minute… do that right now! Take your care, your anxiety, and your need for control, recognize it as pride, and cast it onto the shoulders of the One who’s able and willing to bear it. You just might find yourself rejoicing with the Apostle Paul saying, “Your grace is sufficient for me”!

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers… Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”

Philippians 4:6 (The Message Bible)

Satan, The Lord of the Rings, and Plastic Cups

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We live in a time where fear reigns while faith seems to be smothered under the maniacal power of what “could be”. Can you remember as a child when you were utterly paralyzed by the slightest sound outside your bedroom window or the echo of strange noises coming from a dark hallway.

As children we’re often frightened by a simple sound or noise we can’t identify. Upon further inspection we see that it was just the wind or the settling of the house yet we were so sure it was some evil monster hungry for little toes (better not let my arms or legs hang over the bed… just in case)!

Is it really that different now that we’re adults? We may not be frightened by things that go bump in the night but should a doctor mention the word, “Cancer” fear grips our hearts. We have many fears that plague our minds and steal our faith. I think that if we allowed a little further inspection, we’d find that there’s really no reason to fear.

Fear Is Just A Noise

Fear is just a noise that sparks the darker side of our imaginations and imprisons our minds in the shadows of hopelessness and doubt. It can seem so real but we must remember… it’s only a noise!

Where else can we see this best illustrated than in Hollywood? These masters of manipulation can take the most benign scene and turn it into something terrifying with a simple score. By just adding music or a sound effect they can artfully turn any knee slapper into a screamer.

Let’s take Lord of the Rings for example. Rarely will you find any creatures more hideous than the Balrog and the Ringwraiths. The bellowing sound of the Balrog’s roar and the Ringwraith’s scream are enough to make anyone’s blood curdle. See for yourself…

The Balrog

Did you hear that otherworldly roar?! When sitting in a darkened theater surrounded by the sound of this beast, your seat trembles just a little bit and so does your heart but what’s the real origin of the Balrog’s roar? Did someone manage to drill far enough into the earth to pick up the sounds of Hell itself? Upon further inspection you may be surprised at what you’re actually hearing. It’s not the demented yell of a diabolical demon, the sound is actually made by an ingenious sound effects crew dragging a cinderblock across the floor! The noise isn’t as intimidating when we see it for what it really is.

How how about those evil Ringwraiths?

The Ringwraith

These Ringwraiths are shrill enough to give Hillary Clinton chills! However, if we look behind the scenes, we discover that what we’re actually hearing are plastic cups scraping together! Of course these sounds are enhanced in a sound studio but at their core it’s just a couple of plastic cups and a microphone.

What I want you to see is that whenever fear attempts to gain access into your heart, it’s just a noise! Whether fear comes through a bad diagnosis, rejection, or the tormenting doubts that Satan incessantly introduces into your mind, upon further inspection you may just discover that it’s not as bad as you think and that “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.”

The Bible says in Isaiah 14 that one day Satan will be cast down to the abyss and…

People will stare and muse: “Can this be the one Who terrorized earth and its kingdoms, turned earth to a moonscape, Wasted its cities, shut up his prisoners to a living death?”

The Bible says that there will come a day when we will “muse” at the author of fear himself! Another translation says that we will look “narrowly” at him in disbelief saying, “Really? … REALLY?” On that day we’ll discover that Lucifer himself wasn’t all he was cracked up the be. He was just a noise; nothing more than the passing of a light breeze.

You don’t have to wait until that glorious day to have this revelation. As you study God’s holy Word, you wont be so intimidated because you’ll discover the truth behind the noise. You’ll also learn who God is on the inside of you and no cinderblock, plastic cup, or bad report will be able to rob you of your faith!

Militant Worship (Video Blog)

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If God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven, then there is one ingredient missing that we as believers must acquire. This one missing ingredient is what makes Heaven, Heaven; the presence of God.

If the presence of God is our priority then worship must be as well. Real victory takes place when you remain in His presence. Once you get in the Glory, the Lord fights on your behalf. We must realize that the real battle is not against flesh and blood and it’s not to overcome some wicked force, but the real struggle is to stay in the Glory.

We see this kind of mentality when Jacob wrestled with God at Bethel. He prevailed and God gave him a new name. His new name, Israel meant “one who strives with God” (Genesis 32). In Matthew chapter eleven and verse twelve it says, “the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force”. Friends you and I are called to be “the God strivers”!

In this message you’ll learn what it means to strive or fight for the Glory of God with what I call, “Militant Worship”. Grab your Bible, pen and paper, and enjoy this teaching.

11.20.11 “Militant Worship” Pastor Alan DiDio from Gleaning Mission on Vimeo.

Sermon Notes

Militant Worship isn’t like regular worship that passively and peaceably seeks God. When you enter into militant worship you are zealously, forcefully, vigorously, combatively and disturbingly seeking God! The reason for this is because there are external forces and internal conflicts that aspire to keep you out of God’s presence.

What Is Militant Worship?

  • Militant Worship refuses to regard circumstances or be moved by emotions.
  • Militant Worship seeks to encounter Christ amid the assailing attacks from without and the encroaching turmoil within.
  • Militant Worship is born of and works by unadulterated faith.
  • Militant Worship unconditionally rejects the suggestion that it can’t have the fullness of God right now.
  • Militant Worship requires the unified efforts of your spirit, soul, and body being in concord with the Holy Spirit.
  • Militant Worship will ultimately rout the enemy and loot the kingdom of darkness.
  • Militant Worshipers will wrestle with anything that gets between them and the promise of God even if it is God Himself.

God is instigating a large-scale invasion of this planet and His warriors are worshippers.

Sometimes worship is a sacrifice but always remember that worship is its own reward. True Worship is all that we are, rightly responding to all that He is.

2011 In Review

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Hello Friends,

I wanted to take a moment to share with all of you what you’ve helped make possible this past year. Through your prayers and support we’re taking the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the World!

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,400 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Mysterious Video of a ‘Woolly Mammoth’?

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Mysterious video has surfaced of what appears to be an actual Woolly Mammoth, alive and well, crossing a river in Siberia despite the fact that this beast was thought to have gone extinct 4,000 years ago.

We all love a good mystery don’t we? Whether it’s the Unsolved Mysteries, The X-Files, or The Gilmore Girls, it seems that by nature we’re fascinated by what we don’t understand.

According to Michael Cohen at, The Sun;

“Rumours of a handful of mammoths still kicking around in the vast wilderness of Siberia have been circulating for decades and occasionally sightings by locals have occurred. Siberia is an enormous territory and much of it remains completely unexplored and untouched by humans… It is highly possible that a number of species, extinct elsewhere, survive in the area.”

Despite the fact that there are a number of things that make this video suspect, from the short duration of the video to the unnecessarily blurry shot itself, it is fun to speculate!

Some say that it may simply be a bear with a fish in its mouth while others think that it could be Gov. Chris Christi washing the political stink off of himself after a hard day campaigning.

See for yourself and let us know what you think in our poll just below the video!

Why Do I Care?

Life is full of little mysteries and it’s the search for truth that adds flavor and texture to life not the mystery itself. The Bible says that, “it’s the glory of God to conceal a thing but the honor of kings to search out the matter” (Proverbs 25:2).

God has honored us with the task of searching out the hidden mysteries of the universe and Mulder was right, “The Truth Is Out There”. We don’t have to settle for pious answers to life’s most difficult questions. Through Christ we can find the answers.

In your study time today, read these verses IF you can handle the truth!

  1. John 15:15
  2. Ephesians 1:17
  3. 1 Corinthians 2:7-12
  4. Deuteronomy 29:29

Happy New Year from Pastor Alan

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Hey Guys,

It’s been a great year and I want to begin by personally thanking each and every one of you for your support in 2011. With your help we’ve begun a new ministry in Red Cross, NC and if you havent already, I encourage you to come out and see it for yourself. God has truly blessed us!

As I look forward to God’s plan for your life and this ministry in 2012 I’m brimming with vision and excitement. I’ll be sharing much more in the coming weeks but I can truly say that the message God has placed on my heart for you and the “Church” is more urgent and vital than anything I’ve received in the past decade. As my Partners and friends I ask that you continue to lift this ministry up with  your prayers. I need you prayed up for the abundance that God is about to pour out. Renew your mind and get ready!

 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. Luke 5:36-38

You’re about to receive a “new thing” from the Lord and you need to know that when you get something new you should never attach it to something old! It will damage the integrity of the new. You wouldn’t put new wine into old bottles because the old bottles aren’t flexible enough to handle the pressure of change. In this verse Jesus is dealing with the attacks of his critics who are complaining about the way he and his disciples behave. Jesus is saying that, ”Your problem with me is that your religious system is so inflexible that it would break you to receive what I’m about to do.”

Christians can be guilty of this very thing, especially at the New Year. Even us preachers, in an effort to create a tag line that sticks in the minds of our  patrons, tend to get a little too shallow in our thinking…

We Want More in 2004; God’s coming Alive in 2005; You’re gonna get it fixed in 2006; We’re going to heaven in 2007; Everything’s going to be Great in 2008; You’re gonna marry someone FINE in 2009…

After this continual barrage of marketing magic, we find ourselves in the next year, disillusioned because everything wasn’t fine in 2009 and I still need more after 2004. However, if these mindless mantras become backed by prophetic insight, they can serve as a tool of mind-renewal.

What I’m trying to say is that there is no need in having a new year if you go into it with an old mind. If God pours a new year into an old mind, this year will be the same as the last.

Do You Have A Mind to Change?

Do you have a willingness to change? If not, you’ve got till January 1st to get rid of every poison that’s hindering you and every inflexibility stopping you from getting what God has for your life! Step into this moment with a new mind!

Just refuse to waste another year with an old mind. According to ROMANS 12:1-2 we can go through a metamorphosis, not because it’s the new year but by the renewing of your mind! We do, after all, serve the Lord with our minds and so the enemy doesn’t have to tie your hands to keep you bound, he’s just got to tie up your mind with stress, worry, and self-hatred!

I want you to join forces with me, this Sunday, January 1st at 6PM and let’s start the year off right by getting our minds out of bondage.  If you can get your mind out of trouble then you can get your family out of trouble!  If you can get your mind out, then you can get your job and your health out of bondage as well! Like a baby being born, at the beginning of this New Year we’re coming out head first!

The enemy has been holding you captive by your head. The Prodigal Son may have been penniless, destitute, and in the hog pen, but before he ever came home the Bible said, that he came to himself! Something happened in his mind.

This Sunday, January 1st at 6PM  I’ll be delivering what could be the most important message I’ve ever had the privilege of sharing and I want you to be there with me. It’s sure to renew your mind and get you ready for a new year where;

The Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail in 2012!

Regardless of what church you attend or what denomination you’re from, you need to be at this service! Bring your church, your pastor, your youth-group and be prepared to leave changed and charged!

For More Info Visit Our Facebook Event Page