September 2011
We had a very exciting month! I can honestly say I love what the Lord has allowed me to do. I have heard it said that if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life. Although we are very busy, God carries us and it doesn't feel like a heavy burden. We enjoy it!
As you read in our last newsletter, we planned a luncheon with Dr. Michael Brown to tackle a key issue in our society concerning the gay and lesbian movement. We were thrilled to have around 100 leaders gathered in one room to discuss how to address this area in the church and society. Through this meeting, we started a citywide outreach that will touch the homosexual community. We’re also going to have a regional conference to equip the youth and local churches to effectively communicate the Gospel in thisarena so that what the Bible teaches will not be altered. We pray that this initiative will be duplicated throughout America. The next cities we plan to reach are Washington, D.C. and Austin, TX.
I had the opportunity to have lunch in Chicago with one of my ALL-TIME heroes a few weeks back, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke. It was amazing! We discussed the Global Outreach Day that will take place next year, June 2, 2012. I have been assigned the duty of mobilizing America. Our goal is to mobilize around 100 cities in one day. We are very excited about this. Evangelist Werner Nichtagal is organizing the whole day worldwide. Some other leaders we connected with that desire to be involved are Pastor Bill Johnson, Cindy Jacobs, Sean Smith, and a few others. As you and I continue to partner together we will see this happen. Thank you for partnering with me to reach America!
The month of August was once again, wide open. Just so you know, there is no way we could maintain at this high-paced, focused, and effectiveness if it were not for a wonderful staff and interns. We were able to have four Section Connections this past month where around 225-250 people were mobilized and trained to reach four different cities. In one of the outreaches we reached around 1,500 homes in one day.
“he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” proverbs 11:25
In Livingston, Texas we had a Saturday night “Back to School” rally for kids 11 and under and gave away a large amount of school supplies. Around 450-500 attended the event. During the altar call around 125 children and adults came forward to receive Christ.
I was about to close the event but began to minister and people were being touched in a mighty way. The best part about it was that the people who were not in church were the ones getting hit by the power of God. It was the raw power of God in operation.
Just a few days ago on a Friday night ignition service to mobilize a church in Bowie, TX we had a cross-dressing homosexual come and sit on the front-row. I was so thankful and preached with grace and truth. He answered the call and was hit mightily by the power of God and fell on the floor and wept. He didn't reject God’s power and God began a marvelous start in his life. There is NO bondage too big for he Holy Spirit to break! The next day we mobilized the church to win their city. CFNI, Heartland, and Teen-Challenge students joined in our efforts. People were reached and healed or saved outside of the church!
We had a real touch of revival breakout in a Spanish church in Dallas, TX called The Gathering. The power of the Holy Ghost primarily hit the children twelve and under. One seven-year-old girl came up to me during the time of prayer with a real pure spirit and said, "Will you pray for me and my friend again; it's the best feeling we have ever had in our lives.” You and I know it was Jesus, but it was very precious. We are continuing to minister at this church every Wednesday night for as long as God leads, so please be in prayer for us about this.
This upcoming month we will be traveling extensively, as well as teaching and working with the two Bible Schools I serve (C.F.N.I. and Heartland School of Ministry). Our plate is full and we are loving it! Please continue to pray for a fresh anointing, my family, good health, travel mercies, and continued favor.
Thank you very much for all of your prayer and support. You play a great role in this team as you pray and sow into this ministry. Words cannot express how thankful I am for your trust in our mission to see America touched by the power of God and come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Together in the harvest,
Joe Oden