february prayer update

On My Heart

I’d like to share something that has been strong on my heart and has greatly grieved me. Several years ago, I stumbled upon a Christian television network while I was on vacation and heard one prosperity gospel preacher after another conclude their sermons with the same application from their teaching: “Send my ministry money.” I literally got sick to my stomach as I heard these appeals and wondered how these false teachers could continue to thrive without significant pushback from the Christian community. This behavior is strongly condemned in Scripture by Jesus, Paul, Peter, Jude and John who all gave serious warnings about false teachers.

I’m hopeful that things are beginning to change thanks to Mike Winger, a popular Bible teacher. Two weeks ago, he made a well-documented video exposing the prominent preacher, Shawn Bolz, who has a history of calling individuals out of his audiences and giving them “prophetic words”. For example, he would ask things like: do you live on Cooper Street? Do you have a mother named Doris? He acted as if God were revealing these facts, but he obtained the information from Facebook. He would then go on and give “prophetic” direction to the person’s life. Many considered these words from the Lord and adjusted their lives accordingly and were harmed as a result. He also has had many instances of credible accusations of sexual abuse against his young staff.

Winger called out Bethel Church and many other ministries for creating a “cover-up culture” that neglects calling out public speakers with disqualifying habitual sins. After an initial defensive response, Bethel leaders appeared broken and repentant the following Sunday. I am hopeful that this is a turning point. I pray that these ministries demonstrate John the Baptist’s admonition to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

For the sake of a healthy, God-honoring Church and for our Christian witness please pray for healing for victims and better discernment in the body of Christ. Please pray for genuine repentance from those who have continued to promote these blasphemous ministries. I love the Church and continue to feel called to work toward maintaining unity among genuine gospel-proclaiming ministries.

GENERAL PRAYER

Pastor Ed covets your prayers. You can use the acronym OAR to pray for his speaking ministry. 

O—Open doors of ministry

A—Anointing

R—Responsive audiences

Pray also for wisdom as he mentors Adult and Teen Challenge students, open doors and open hearts for sharing the gospel on the street and fruitful ministry as he connects with pastors and ministry leaders in Lebanon and throughout the region.