May 2011
With everything that is taking place in America and around the world, we can see through Matthew 24 that Jesus is coming soon. With the turmoil in the middle east, the different wars and rumors of wars, the severe earth quakes, the love of many grown cold and growing cold around the world, and different political unrests in many nations, we can clearly see that the stage is being set for Jesus to return. We have an opportunity right in front of us to reach this nation and the nations of the world like never before. As we have been reaching out in cities here in the United States, there has been a fresh openness in the people we are ministering to. In light of everything that’s taking place, many are open to hearing the Gospel that weren’t in years past. This is the season to begin to reach this nation and the nations of the world because the time is short and the harvest is plentiful.
I am so thankful that we are partnering in the harvest of many people coming to Jesus and reaching thousands with the Gospel. If there was ever a time to partner with the goal of winning souls, it's TODAY.
While in Hector, AR this past month, we had an absolutely amazing weekend. We mobilized around 100 people to reach their city and the surrounding cities. I was reminded of what John Wesley said, “Give me 100 men who hate nothing but sin and fear nothing but God, and we will shake this generation!” We saw this take place as many were shaken by the power of God. Souls were saved and people were healed throughout the city.
One element of these outreach weekends that excites me the most is the fruit that remains: the evangelism director and team that was set into place in this church. We placed a young man in the role of evangelism director and established a team of around 50 people that will continue to meet, pray, strategize, and reach their community on a continual basis.
During this weekend, as in many, there were several people who testified that Sunday morning of being terrified to share the Gospel. But after they stepped out, God began to use them and they overcame their fear. Now they have faith and expectation that God is going to use them to win the lost. I love to see people who have never done evangelism step out of their comfort zone and realize that God will use them, and that He is not a respector of persons.
There was a real manifestation of the fire of heaven in these services. Many were healed of life-long diseases such as arthritis. One man had not been able to move his arm above his head in years, but did for the first time that day. Many were baptized in the Holy Spirit for the first time, and there were around 75 people who repented of their sins and got right with God. It was a home run! Our partnership makes weekends like this possible.
While in Garland, TX at a wonderful spanish church, I ministered 3 days of revival services. Many miracles took place those nights. One notable miracle was a lady who had been deaf in her left ear for 20 years receive full restoration of her hearing. It was amazing to witness the miraculous power of God in action. Another young lady that was around 12 years old had some sort of crippling disease in her legs. She testified and told me that for the first time in her entire life, she received mobilization in her legs that she had never experienced in her life. It was a true sign and wonder! Another lady who suffered from MS with severe nerve damage got out of her wheelchair for the first time in 3 months. She testified that it was indeed a miracle from God. In addition to all of the healings, there was well over 100 people who repented of their sins and received Christ. The pastor of this church contacted me and we plan to schedule a time for me to return for more revival services.
As you know, we are reaching out to the gay and lesbian district here in Dallas, TX. I was informed of a powerful testimony that took place on one of the outreaches. About six weeks ago, one of the students from CFNI prayed for a man who had cancer. After he had prayed, the man testified that he felt something leave his leg. About 4 weeks later, while they were ministering in that area again, the same man approached them and said that he was now cancer free, according to the report of his doctor. This is what it’s going to take to shake the United States: Miracle Power being released in the streets.
We also had the privilege to minister and mobilize a church to reach their city in College Station, TX. We were able to set an evangelism director and team in place before we left. During this outreach I knocked on the door of a self-professed witch. I began to talk to her and she began to open up about her practices of witchcraft. As we know, the blood of Jesus is stronger and the Holy Spirit is more powerful, so I asked her if I could pray for her. As I laid hands on her, she confessed that she had never felt the power of God like that in her life. The Bible says, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We were also in west Texas on Easter Sunday. God used us to be a part of a great harvest of souls. Around 75-90 people repented of their sins and gave their lives fully to Christ. It was an amazing day. The fire of heaven ignited the gathering, and we knew that Jesus was in our midst.
I was asked a few days ago to be a part of planning a global outreach with the goal of touching millions around the world. Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Cindy Jacobs, Dr. Rodney Howard-Brown, and many others are teaming together to be a part of this. We are currently planning to hold this event on the weekend of Pentecost next year. This excites me because it has the potential to bring in a great harvest of souls and train possibly tens of thousands of people to share the Gospel.
We want to thank everyone for all of your prayer and support. We are truly a team as we partner together. I pray this newsletter reached you safe and sound with all of the April storms and tornados. If you have any prayer requests, please send them. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon.
Blessings,
Joe Oden