April 2011
Spring has sprung and we are well into 2011. We have been petal to the metal at Joe Oden Ministries. We’ve had a full plate with all the travel, baby Noah’s arrival, teaching at C.F.N.I., outreaches, conferences, revivals, etc. We wouldn’t want it any other way! The time is short and we must work now while there is still light.
One of the projects we have started back is a weekly outreach to the homosexual community in Dallas, TX (“Oak Lawn”). At this point, we have around 25 people going out every Friday night to one of the largest homosexual areas in America. This is something that God strongly put on my heart. As I look at the landscape of the USA, it seems that the homosexual agenda is stronger than any other agenda being pushed at this point.
It would be safe to say that tens of thousands of homosexuals congregate in Oak Lawn every weekend. It’s not just something that happens on the weekend; it has become the culture of that area. In a several mile radius, everywhere you go is under the influence of gay and lesbian lifestyles. The largest gay and lesbian church in America is in this area. The sad truth is that the church in Dallas has for the most part abandoned one of its largest mission fields in the entire city.
The pull of my heart is that if we don’t act now and reach this group of people that Jesus dearly loves, it may be against the law in years ahead. Do you remember what a pastor would say at the end of a wedding ceremony? It’s a statement you’re probably familiar with, but hasn’t been said in decades. “Speak now or forever hold your peace.” This is where I believe the church as a whole is in the United States. Many have not known how to deal with people that have alternative lifestyles, so we have abandoned them.
One of the reasons the homosexual agenda is stronger and has a louder voice in America than many churches is because they are unified. They have a strong agenda, and that is for homosexuality to be a part of our culture as a nation. If the church doesn’t preach the Gospel and shine the light of Jesus Christ, America will turn another page and the foundation will be permanently altered. It is time to speak now or forever hold your peace.
I am working on having a citywide training in Dallas to help the church learn how to minister through grace, love, and truth to the gay and lesbian community. We will be meeting at a local church. Our goal is to have well over 100 people trained and reaching out at least two nights every week so that we can maintain light in these areas that Jesus shed his blood for. The culture of America has not changed yet, and if we begin to speak now, I believe we can keep our Godly foundation of marriage between a man and a woman. God is looking for the spirit of Ezekiel in the cities of America where people begin to stand in the gap and cry out to God, and then begin to speak his word in grace, love, and truth.
A few weeks back on one of the outreaches to Oak Lawn, a young man experienced the power of God and fell out on the sidewalk. He then began to manifest demons; this is the Gospel in action. The bible says if you cast out demons by the spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. We are seeing the light of the Gospel push back darkness. Whenever the demons begin to manifest, they are nervous because their power has been challenged. The Bible tells us that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. It’s time to step out of the church on this powerful promise! Please continue to pray as we endeavor to fulfill this call from Jesus Christ. As we partner together, we are seeing the kingdom of God come to earth.
This past month, we’ve seen God do AMAZING things through local church outreaches, conferences, and revival meetings. Around 200-250 people got right with God during the month of March. While in San Francisco, we watched God move in dynamic power. I had the privilege to minister in a church where Smith Wigglesworth, Amy Simple-McPherson, and Maria Woodworth-Etter preached. Many people were delivered and challenged to live a holy life. The highlight was mass-deliverance for many of the people in attendance. Below is a quick testimony I received through our website as a result of this trip:
So I was in your meeting last night. I am a PK and for years my parents have fought me on my dress-code, I like fashion, however risky as it can be. I have calmed it down since giving my heart back to the Lord but still needed work. I was definitely convicted last night. I don't think it was anything different that I heard, it was just great timing. I cleaned out my closet last night...I just wanted to say thank you for speaking the TRUTH!
The Breakthrough Dallas conference with Carlos Annacondia, Sergio Scataglini, Claudio Freidzon, myself, and Cindy Jacobs at Gospel Light House was also a great success! The power of God came down in all of the meetings and so many people were revived, saved, delivered, or healed. Around 150 pastors attended the conference and testimonies have poured in. Some of the services were held live on Daystar. I was also honored to be with my good friend, Pastor Jason Duren. It was a great weekend of revival! Another exciting event was reaching around a thousand homes while at Dallas First Assembly. March was an amazing month! Thank you so much for all of your prayer and financial support! I have read all of your prayer requests and keep you and your family in my prayers.
It takes teamwork to make the dream work!
Blessings,
Joe Oden