I believe He’s done it again! The Lord has given me another vision – this time, a vision of visions.
Ten years ago, before boarding the aircraft for Cairo to commence our wonder-filled, eight years assignment with Maadi Community Church, I did something quite strange … I whispered to my wife, Beryl, “This is going to be bigger than Ben Hur” (referring to that gigantic, blockbuster movie production, starring Charlton Heston – and what took place in our lives and Kingdom expansion impact was indeed bigger than Ben Hur!
CCI has asked the Lord for the whole of Africa!
On the 5th of May, I will be boarding an aircraft for Nigeria. The purpose of my trip is to fulfil a personal undertaking I made some time ago to return to Lagos and Ibadan to strengthen the small groups development work that commenced there in 2004 (with a follow-up visit in 2006) with resident pastors, Kolawole Oladimeji and Elijah Samuel of the Dominion Impact Church.
Elijah is CCIs Field Director for Africa. I’m getting on in years and I want to invest all that I am, and have, in Elijah and ‘Kola’, equipping them for every Kingdom expansion opportunity the Lord has purposed to extend to them.
(For this part of the trip I am going to be accompanied by two great mates on the CCI team, Dave Quak the pastor of a new church on the Gold Coast here in Australia (Living Temple Christian Church) and Nick Truscott, who we will pick up along the way in Dubai).
CCI has asked the Lord for the whole of Europe!
After booking my flight to Nigeria, I noticed a Skype indicator flashing on my wife’s computer in our office at home. It was late in the day, and I felt tired and I was not really interested enough to see who wanted our attention. However, through Beryl’s prompting (our wives are quite persuasive influencers) I responded to the caller. It was Pastor Kryz from Warsaw, Poland!
Although I’ve had the privilege of visiting Poland and facilitating three amazing small groups development conferences, while based in Cairo, I hadn’t spoken with Kryz for over four years. After learning of my Nigerian trip, Kryz invited me to “do it again” in Warsaw. My heart responded enthusiastically … “You bet, Kryz, let’s let the Lord do it again!” Martin and Agata Gochnio, and Izabela Pazdyka are the church’s outstanding small groups’ champions there and how privileged am I to invest all that I am, and have, in them.
(I wonder, could they be CCIs Field Directors for the whole of Europe?)
CCI has asked the Lord for the whole of the UK!
The story doesn’t end here. After flying out of Nigeria, I disembark at Dubai (drop off Nick so he can go home, and leave Dave to go back to Oz) and change carriers for Warsaw, via London. Gary Douglas is CCI’s Field Director for the UK – he’s based with his wife, Aline, in Wales. “Eagle Eyes, Gaz”, spotted my flight path to and from Warsaw, and, seeing that I was passing through London, he grabbed the opportunity to invite his old mate (me) to invest some time in Wales. I love Gaz too much to ever say “no” to him. So, once again, I contacted my travel agent to amend my travel itinerary, allowing me a four day stop-over in London.
Gary will drive to London to pick me up and take me home to Llanelli, where I am looking forward to meeting with Pastor Bill of Elim Pentecostal Church. Incidentally, the Elim Pentecostal Church is a member church of a network of 550 churches in the UK! Is your mind spinning wild, imagining the magnitude of what could result from this god-appointed meeting? Yes, I want to continue investing in Gary … all that I am, and have.
CCI has asked the Lord for the World!
Just before Christmas Beryl and I asked the Lord if CCI had reached it’s “shelf-expiry” date. Our experience has (sadly) been that Australian churches don’t appear to be ready to buy-in to our radical Small Groups Church Plan, and our flour and oil reserve was running seriously low. After emailing an Australian mining company, expressing interest to work with them, doing anything, the Lord whispered to me, “We haven’t finished yet – We’re just getting started. We’re about to do something greater than the human mind can imagine.”
Even though we see ourselves as the smallest of all garden seeds, Beryl and I believe wholeheartedly in this “vision of visions” revelation that the Lord is about to do wondrous, mind-boggling things throughout the world, through the CCI team and through our Kingdom expansion partners.
Are you ready for the ride of your life?
Join us and experience the reality and satisfaction of this vision of visions.
Bill (and Beryl) – I don’t have words to describe my thankfulness for the example you continue to set to us, through life’s ‘ordinary’ trials and the attempted attacks of the enemy – to remain steadfast in your trust in God, your faith and obedience to the Word and your unswerving desire to serve Him more, and better, and stronger whatever comes your way.
Mate, I really (REALLY) can’t wait to see you again in the departure lounge at Dubai and to spend more time with you in the summer (God’s sense of humour, timing and provision is more than miraculous). Jesus is our rock, I know (Hallelujah!) but you guys have been a rock for me and Jane over the years too – thank you.
HIS vision is well scary, because in the words of Dave P, “IT WILL GET BETTER THAN THIS” – WOWWWWW!
Love you guys – may His resurrection Glory fill you with joy and encouragement for the weeks ahead, and beyond!
Fredrick
We are where we are because of your “firey” spirit. CCI need people like you in order to take hold of the world-wide vision He has given to us. Never let anyone or anything cause the fire within you to lose its intensity. Burn bringther than ever for Him, our dear brother, friend.
He has just started to use us … and, we have not finished learning from you.
Bill
What can we say than to say Thank you God
We pray for the whole world Lord and we believe deep in our heart that the whole world is ours for you though Christ Jesus.
Dad go for it but don’t forget about me i also need some also. I am waiting for mine too.
Your son.
Dear Sir
We have just have a three and half hours meeting with Fredrick John today and we have agree to have a join mission together toward South Sudan. AS you have mentioned, C.C.I need a well trained leaders like Fredrick John, to a equip and transform lives of people in South Sudan.
Base on what you have express in your letter concerning Frederick John, my spirit rejoice and have more hope in partnership with him. The reason I am today is through his teaching and his leadership, I do believe, through our partnership, we will do more investment in people lives.
I learn that you’re on your trip to Nigeria Africa visiting Pastor Elijah Samuel and his ministry including CCI ministry in Africa; were by, Fredrick and me will be visiting South Sudan by the end of June or the first week of July 2011.
May God almighty Father grant you peace and save journey mercy to Africa Nigeria in Jesus Mighty name. AMEN.
Blessings
Pastor Saturnino Cypriano Mashiari
We are where we are because of your “firey” spirit. C.C.I need people like you in order to take hold of the world-wide vision He has given to us. Never let anyone or anything cause the fire within you to lose its intensity. Burn bringther than ever for Him, our dear brother, friend.
He has just started to use us … and, we have not finished learning from you.
Brother, Saturnino
Your words refreshed my spirit and fanned my passion all the more to take hold of Sudan for Jesus. As your fire was ignited long ago at MCC by Fredrick, it makes a lot of sense that you and he form an alliance, with the Holy Spirit, and CCI, to return to South Sudan to nurture and strengthen the first fruit of your labours there.
Please know, you have the full backing of CCI. In time, let us know the details of your mission and we will see how we can support you, Fredrick, and your support team.
Please keep Elijah informed and involved in whatever way he can to be a hands-on partner with you in this great initiative.
Please also consider connecting up with sister, Helen Achiro. She must not be left out of this great. A present partner of CCI in South Sudan is Papiti Yowan. Please check out the information on Papiti we have on our website (“Investment Opportunities”). Papiti is a former member of MCC who returned to South Sudan to plant, nurture and harvest.
I will discuss this matter further with Elijah when I see him next week in Lagos.
Praise the Lord for South Sudan, and for your passionate heart for the spiritually lost and destitute in your country.
Bill
Thank you so much Pastor Bill for your quick responses, I have already email you and copy pastor Elijah Samuel with full informations concerning the trip to South Sudan. I hope and believe Fredrick John will do the same by connecting him as well.
Concerning Sister Helen Achiro, she is also a former member of AIC when she was in South Sudan by those years and when she went back for good, she has also join AIC. When I was in South Sudan, I managed to talk to her and tell her about the prison ministry and the training of Cell Group Pastors within Prison. She was very happy to hear more about such a new news.
Mostly Sir, team work is the key to accomplish God’s ministry in reaching the lost and saving their souls in Jesus Christ mighty name. Thank you so much for your innermost concern in remembering us unification. May the Spirit of the living God the Father bound us together and encourage to follow the foot print of Jesus Christ..
Blessings to all CCI partners in Jesus Christ name.
Saturnino
This is a good time for us to remember the Lord’s promise … “I will lead you down a new path, guiding you along an unfamiliar way. I will make the darkness bright before you and smooth out the road ahead of you. Yes, I will in deed do these things; I will not forsake you” (Isaiah 42:16 parra).
Bill
Wooooowwwwwwwww (or as my Aussie mates would say “woot woot”).
This is an amazing development! Fredrick and Saturnino in Sudan. Bless you guys for this vision – I am humbled and in awe of what you are sacrificing to turn this vision into a reality and pray for God’s anointing and blessing on this mission. We will be in touch to find out how we can help in prayerful and practical ways.
Thank you brother Saturnino for your prayers for our trip to Nigeria – Africa for the Kingdom!!!
Bill,
Australia, although slow to pick up what the Lord is doing through this mighty move, has been blessed to have both you and Beryl here. You guys have changed our (Dave and I) lives completely and although it is the Lord through you (as you are two of the most humble people I will ever meet), your obedience and example has inspired me and will draw me closer to the Lord the rest of my life.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou and Praise God for you and what He has only just begun through you!!!
Jess, it’s people like you and Dave that makes ministry joyful and satisfying. What a delight it is to be in partnership with you.
Billy
I used to receive your newsletter regularly and then after the death of the senior pastor of the church I have not received any newsletter or heard from you ever since that time.
It was not intentional discovering you are still at Maadi, but I would like to receive your inspirational news letter if you still send it out.
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