By Apostle Stephen E. Gardner 

 

“The Year of New Beginnings 

Must Begin With an Old Understanding” 

To understand the future we have to understand the past. There are several things that speak not only to this year, but to this new generation of ministry leaders. Here are a few things that we should take note of as we seek to please God and advance His Kingdom in the earth. 

Fruit-bearing has been a forgotten fundamental that has resulted in a lack of focus as to what real ministry is. Additionally, it has been the outcome of most of the ministry failures that we have witnessed in the last 20 years. The emphasis have been placed on seeking “Gift-Recognition” than “Fruit-Production.” As ministers, we have wasted more time trying to get “Our Ministry” recognized than developing the fruit it takes to last in “His Ministry.” The Apostle Peter said, “If you do these things you shall never fall.”  

If we are going to “Begin to Win” we need to have a renewed focus on “Fruit-Production.” This process is done by developing the Fruit of the Spirit in our personal lives. This equates to real spiritual growth. “Fruit-Production” also relates to the Fruit of Others, such as, making disciples and developing leaders who can make disciples. 

We need to spend quality time developing and training leaders on how to make disciples of all nations, not just giving a personal word and telling them to go for it. Leaders are to equip other future leaders with the practical and spiritual aspects of ministry that will make them successful in ministry and prepared for every good work. The more complete the minister the more complete the ministry.  

There is a renewed interest in reaching out to the “Least of These” and “Saving the Lost.” Jesus has made it clear in His last words that is His mission for the disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations. The harvest is so ripe that if we lose sight of the original words of Jesus we will miss a harvest of souls unlike we never seen before.

Why are ministry leaders in other countries sensing the call to send missionaries to evangelize America? We are not fulfilling our mission to evangelize in our own backyard. Can we afford to miss this opportunity?  We have to shift our focus back to our original purpose lest we wonder in the wilderness of doing ministry that is only directed inward (to the Body of Christ) and not outward (to lost souls)

I see prophets arising and releasing words that identify where to begin harvesting new souls for the Kingdom. The new prophetic is being turned towards evangelism. Jesus gave Peter a prophetic word where and when to go fish. His obedience resulted in such a great catch that he had to call for partners to come and help. These prophetic words directed the church where to start fishing.

A new apostolic mandate is rising on the scene with an old mandate of making disciples, commissioning them to evangelize and plant churches in areas that have been overlooked or forsaken. The harvest when left unattended for too long will rot or weeds will grow and tumbleweeds will gather among them. The enemy doesn’t care about our worship style, elaborate facilities, conferences or display of gifts; his goal is to distract us from taking our spiritual giftings and directing them toward the outside harvest.

There is a fresh anointing awaiting for every believer who desires to become harvesters in the field of soul-winning. You have to have an outside anointing to reach an outside harvest. When our hearts are turned once more to this forgotten “ first love” then there will be a release of divine power, coupled with our preaching Christ, which will result in signs and wonders happening among lost souls. Returning to our “first love” will result in a fresh harvest of new souls who will enter into the Kingdom.