May 2008
A Rumble in the Spirit
“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken…and everybody’s chains came loose.” Acts 16:26
Last month, we visited an earthquake museum, and experienced a six-point magnitude simulated quake. But, real-life earthquakes occur almost daily in Japan.
Most Japanese are so accustomed to smaller quakes that they do no more than lift their heads and notice that the light fixture is swaying. But, when a stronger earthquake shakes the ground with a powerful rumble, the force ripples through everything in its path.
A Rumble in the Spirit…
Last month we attended the Japan Cell Church Mission Network (JCMN) national summit. Over 100 pastors and leaders gathered in Kansai for networking, encouragement and prayer. As an intercessor, I (Alice) was very excited about what the Lord would do at this gathering. Something always happens when His people gather to seek His face!
Each time we met for worship and prayer, it seemed momentum was building in the spirit. And, on the last morning of worship, a freedom fell over the room as both older pastors and younger leaders alike began to dance and sing to the Lord. This flowed into a beautiful time of prayer for the salvation of Japan. It felt like we were standing in the throne room as we held hands and tearfully asked God to visit this dry land!
The roar of voices crying out to God felt like a RUMBLE in the earth. I felt like the Lord was saying that something was moving deep in the spiritual realm. Because of our unified prayers, God was causing a quake, a rumble under Japan that would cause chains to fall off people and set them free.
Other exciting things we observed at the conference:
ν “Flat” Relationships – Hierarchical relationships in Japan are a cultural barrier that often hinder the move of the Holy Spirit. Pastors are considered “unapproachable” and young people too “incompetent” to lead a church. At this conference, however, there were no walls of pride to keep pastors from being vulnerable and real with younger leaders. One young person commented on how awesome the unity was because of these “flat” relationships.
ν The Call to GO – This a strategic time for Asia, and God is burning His heart for Asia into Japanese believers’ hearts. We talked with young Japanese who feel called to go to North Korea and to China to share the gospel. Older Japanese are making plans to retire and move to China to become missionaries.
We wait expectantly to see what the Lord will bring forth through this RUMBLE in the Spirit as His people in Japan continue to gather and pray. What an exciting time to be here!
You can check out a video Alice made from the prayer time at the conference on our website at www.colliersinjapan.com. See the video page under our ministry section.
Last month, we visited an earthquake museum, and experienced a six-point magnitude simulated quake. But, real-life earthquakes occur almost daily in Japan.
Most Japanese are so accustomed to smaller quakes that they do no more than lift their heads and notice that the light fixture is swaying. But, when a stronger earthquake shakes the ground with a powerful rumble, the force ripples through everything in its path.
A Rumble in the Spirit…
Last month we attended the Japan Cell Church Mission Network (JCMN) national summit. Over 100 pastors and leaders gathered in Kansai for networking, encouragement and prayer. As an intercessor, I (Alice) was very excited about what the Lord would do at this gathering. Something always happens when His people gather to seek His face!
Each time we met for worship and prayer, it seemed momentum was building in the spirit. And, on the last morning of worship, a freedom fell over the room as both older pastors and younger leaders alike began to dance and sing to the Lord. This flowed into a beautiful time of prayer for the salvation of Japan. It felt like we were standing in the throne room as we held hands and tearfully asked God to visit this dry land!
The roar of voices crying out to God felt like a RUMBLE in the earth. I felt like the Lord was saying that something was moving deep in the spiritual realm. Because of our unified prayers, God was causing a quake, a rumble under Japan that would cause chains to fall off people and set them free.
Other exciting things we observed at the conference:
ν “Flat” Relationships – Hierarchical relationships in Japan are a cultural barrier that often hinder the move of the Holy Spirit. Pastors are considered “unapproachable” and young people too “incompetent” to lead a church. At this conference, however, there were no walls of pride to keep pastors from being vulnerable and real with younger leaders. One young person commented on how awesome the unity was because of these “flat” relationships.
ν The Call to GO – This a strategic time for Asia, and God is burning His heart for Asia into Japanese believers’ hearts. We talked with young Japanese who feel called to go to North Korea and to China to share the gospel. Older Japanese are making plans to retire and move to China to become missionaries.
We wait expectantly to see what the Lord will bring forth through this RUMBLE in the Spirit as His people in Japan continue to gather and pray. What an exciting time to be here!
You can check out a video Alice made from the prayer time at the conference on our website at www.colliersinjapan.com. See the video page under our ministry section.
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