A Return to Our Roots

If you've been around this group of churches called the Vineyard long enough to hear the stories, you'll know that this whole kingdom movement was really launched by a group of young people who had a dramatic encounter with the Spirit of God.
In short, Lonnie Frisbee visited the Calvary Chapel in Yorba Linda, California, called everyone under the age of 25 to the front of the gym, and invited the power of God to visit them. The results were dramatic- kids began healing the sick and getting prophetic words, introducing their friends to Jesus and going on ministry trips to pray for people around the world.

John Wimber embraced this empowering and went on to train people all over the world to obey Jesus' words AND to do Jesus' works.
Healing and empowering were essential aspects of the early Vineyard because it's the reality that we see throughout the New Testament.
When I was 18 years old, this thing that we call Kingdom Ministry absolutely hooked my heart. I knew I was in it forever- I'd been drafted!

Last night we got together with a group of young people from the Halifax Vineyard. There were maybe 25 kids there and a group of youth leaders. We played some games, ate some food and then we worshipped Jesus, and talked about how He calls each of us to do His ministry.

After I told some stories about seeing God at work, we asked Him to give words of knowledge about physical conditions He wanted to touch. A 12 year old boy with chronic asthma responded and a group of kids came around and prayed for him. The power of God hit him and his whole body began shaking with tremendous energy. (It's always remarkable to see the same phenomena occur in vastly different groups around the world whenever God touches people; As far as i know, this young man had no grid for any of this). Anyway, his breathing immediately improved, and he went on to pray for other kids in the room.

The Holy Spirit was touching kids around the room, healing conditions and empowering them in dramatic ways. Times change, movements change, but there are some core values that must never escape us. Learning to do the ministry of Jesus is one of these!

We're going into the elementary Sunday School class this week to train the little children to pray for the sick as well. I'll post an update soon.