Preparing for Visitation: Part 2

Dear Friends,

We are just about an hour (Eastern Time) from the New Year and from our special seven days of fasting and prayer for miracles, breakthrough, and answers from the Holy Spirit.

We will be having a couple of special times of “Corporate” Prayer and Ministry times during the week that we would like to make you aware of.

Each morning I will be “live” on RAVEN TV for one hour of prayer and ministry at 7:00 AM (EST) and then Melanie will be joining me nightly at 9:00 PM (EST) for another hour of prayer & ministry. We will be praying and taking prayer request live at that time and would love to see you there.

You can either go to www.BigGrace.com and click on the RAVEN TV button to join in, or you can go to www.RavenOutreach.blogspot.com to be a part too.

Preparing for Visitation: Part 2

I have been receiving many email requests for special prayer needs during our seven days of prayer and fasting. These prayer requests range from needing a miracle for a terminal illness, to the salvation or a loved one, to a financial breakthrough and many for wisdom and direction for the New Year.

While some of these may appear to be more serious or even urgent that others—not of them are so big that they would cause the Holy Spirit to even break a sweat in moving miraculously on our behalf! I am believing for EVERY PRAYER requests to be answered supernaturally!

As I said in my last message—this is not the time for im-possible thinking, but rather Him-possible thinking! If we had the power to accomplish any of these things (from what seems to be the simplest to that which appears most urgent) then why on earth would we even waste our time praying in the first place!! We have got to have God move in every singe situation that we will be bringing before Him over the course of the next seven days!

It says in Matthew 12:15, “…great multitudes followed Him and He healed them all.” I am glad that is doesn’t say, “Great multitudes followed Him and He healed the easiest cases, or the not-too-serious ones.” No---He healed them ALL. I am glad that we serve the God of the ALL!

But before the enemy quickly slips in and whispers, “Well that we Jesus doing that and YOU are certainly not Jesus”—let me show you this scripture from the Word of God.

Matthew 10:1 “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”

Now look who is the one sent to heal ALL manner of sickness and ALL manner of disease and to have power against unclean spirits: His disciples!

I love that He calls them “disciples” or mathetes which is a learner or a pupil. Some would argue that these guys were Apostles and thus given a more lofty or powerful position than we are. Granted, they did operate and possess a duty that was very specific for their time and for their needs—but by no means was the empowerment limited to just those twelve.

Consider this: In Matthew 10:1 Jesus calls them “learners” utilizing the Greek word mathetes to describe who He had given this supernatural power to walk in the realm of the Him-possible. This is extremely important for you and I during this time as we are going to be dealing with the same obstacles that they were: unclean spirits, sickness, and disease.

Now look closely at the next verse: Matthew 10:2 “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these…” and He gives the list of names. Notice that He now refers to them as apostles in this verse. This is not the methetes or the learner-pupil, but rather the apostolos or the delegate-ambassador!

You might ask: Why is this extremely important? The answer is found in verses 6 & 7, “…Go…to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

The duty of the apostolos or delegate-ambassador was to specifically to go to “the lost sheep of the house of Isreal (the Jews) and to preach that “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” The duty of the mathetes or the leaner-pupil was to walk in “power over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal ALL manner of sickness and disease!”

We may not we accounted as one of the original twelve Apostles, but there we are ALL CALLED to be His disciples!

Matthew 16:24 “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Just six chapters from the call and commission to the “learner-pupils” He extends this place (disciple) to any that would “deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.” The interesting part about this is that He says, “If any man will come after Me…”

This sounds harmless and unspectacular enough doesn’t it? “Just come on! It’s no big deal. Just get moving.” That is the idea that could easily be ascertained by just merely passing over quickly what Jesus was trying to say, but that is not the meaning at all!

He said, “Come” or erchomai, which is to “get established in your place of influence!” DO NOT MISS THIS NEXT PART!! This is where we will see the application of the “come” in regards to what we are believing God to do in the next seven days of prayer, fasting and consecration (and beyond!)

Acts 5:15-16, “…they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.”

There are a few things that you will immediately catch in this passage: 1) They brought forth the sick. 2) There were multitudes 3) They were vexed with unclean spirits 4) He healed everyone.

Those (4) things are obviously an echo of Isaiah 58:6 and of Matthew 12:15 and you probably noted that in your mind instantly upon reading those two verses—but there is something that I know you missed in it that makes this verse so critical and important to you and I right now.

How were they healed? “That at the least the shadow of Peter passing by…”. That’s it! They knew that “at the least” they would be healed because of Peter passing by!

This is going to BLOW YOU AWAY! The word translated “by” here in Acts 5:15 that was instrumental in seeing miracles happen is the same word (erchomai) that was translated as “come” in Matthew 16:24 “If ANY man will COME..”. (or) If any man will get established in His (rightful) place of influence!

When we “position ourselves” and “get established” in that place that He has called us to get—then at the very least, THIS will bring a miraculous outcome to those who we over-shadow with our prayers and intercession!

In Acts 5:15-16 they brought the sick, bound and oppressed and because Peter had established himself in the least (learner-disciple) place and as a result everyone was healed! THAT is where I am planning on being during this time we have strategically set apart to establish 2007 in the miraculous promises of our Lord Jesus!

Isaiah 58:6 “This is the type of fasting that I am after: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

We must be EXPECTANT and ESTABLISHED.

Colossians 2:6-8 “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Don’t get bullied out of your victory by anything or anyone during this time! Let not the philosophies, deceitfulness, or traditions of men be successful in cheating you out of your answer! Don’t let your flesh get you “out of position” to grab your miracle as it passes by!

Next time: What is it going to take to get me there??

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

“Happy New Year!”

PS. Continue to email me concerning your prayer needs and your desire to stand with us during this time. PastorTroy@BigGrace.com

Preparing for Visitation: Part 1

Isaiah 58:6 “This is the type of fasting that I am after: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

Many times we ask the question in regards to a season of fasting as prayer: What is it that I expect to happen as a result of this time of consecration unto the Lord?

The real question should be: What does the LORD expect to happen as a result of my time of consecration unto Him?

The answer to the later question begins with the first verse of the text that will be central to this time that we have set apart to seek Him, and His ways for our lives, families, and ministries in the year 2007.

If you have heard me say it once, then you have probably heard me say it one thousand times, “Expectancy is the birthplace for the miraculous.”

I can only speak for myself, but I need a miracle for 2007---no, let me correct myself---I need MANY miracles in 2007! There are things that I desire to occur in this coming year that will not and cannot happen short of a miracle. Having said that, I want to position myself for the miraculous in this coming year in ways that I failed to in 2006! This begins with “expectancy.”

Expectancy = confident belief and anticipation concerning the probability of a future event.

Can we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ walk in that type of expectancy on a daily basis? Can we walk in a confidence and an anticipation that transcends the seen and instead relies upon the unseen? Do we really trust in the Lord to the degree that it produces in us a heightened probability in regards to the things that He has placed upon our hearts and lives?

I believe that the Word of God provides us with the answers to all of these questions. We are shown the manner in which we can position ourselves in the pathway of miracles!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

Because of the ministry that the Lord Jesus has so graciously called me to do for His Kingdom, I am constantly inundated with messages, emails, comments, etc regarding what other people think about me, Raven Ministries, or how/what we should be doing.

The thing about it is—at the end of the day—I am only concerned about the “Thoughts (He) thinks towards (me).” Those are the thoughts that really matter. Those are the thoughts that bring with them the expected end of Jeremiah 29:11! Those are the thoughts that lives, ministries and even nations are changed and transformed by! Those are the thoughts that we need to be focused upon in 2007.

If Melanie and I had headed the “expectancy” of others concerning our lives and ministry to the Lord Jesus Christ we would have been in trouble! They said:

“Your marriage will never last more than a year.” It has lasted more than 20!
“You will never be in the ministry.” They obviously missed on that one!
“You can’t feed hundreds of people.” We’ve fed tens of thousands!
“You can’t start RAVEN in New Orleans.” We have them across the Nation.
“No ONE will listen to you on the streets” Thousands have come to Christ.

This “expected end” or expectancy is the manifested product of “seeking Him (praying) with all one’s heart.” Your anticipation concerning the things of God will be equivalent to your dedication to seeking the face of God!

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

When we seek Him diligently through dedicated times of prayer and fasting it transitions us from a place of im-possibilities to a place of Him-possibilities! THAT is the place that I want to dwell in!

The English prefix “im” means not or without. For example; Something immovable is a thing that is without the ability to move. Something immoral is something without morals. To be impetuous is to do something without thinking. If I am forced to improvise I must advance without a plan.

Because I live in the realm of HIM-possibilities instead of impossibilities I should always be able to MOVE (“in Him we live and move…”) and walk in a righteous MORALITY (“be ye Holy for I am Holy”). My mind should always THINK His thoughts (“as a man thinks in his heart”) and His PLAN should always be before me (“the steps or plan of a good man are directed by the Lord”).

Expectation should be our motto through this season of fasting and prayer!

Next time: What should I then expect- loosing, undoing, setting free, breaking yokes!

How to Experience and Maintain Personal Revival

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life.
2. Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you. Make restitution where God leads.
3. Examine your motives in every word and deed. Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your heart daily.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your walk against complacency and mediocrity.
5. Praise and give thanks to God continually in all ways on all days, regardless of your circumstances.
6. Refuse to obey your carnal (worldy) nature (Galatians 5:16,17).
7. Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Develop utter dependence on Him with total submission and humility.
8. Study the attributes of God.
9. Hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
10. Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
11. Appropriate the continual fullness and control of the Holy Spirit by faith on the basis of God's command (Ephesians 5:18) and promise (1 John 5:14,15).
12. Read, study, meditate on, and memorize God's holy, inspired, inerrant Word daily (Colossians 3:16).
13. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
14. Fast and pray one 24-hour period each week.
15. Seek to share Christ daily as a way of life.
16. Determine to live a holy, godly life of obedience and faith.

Six Vital Questions About Prayer

Q: What Is Prayer?
Simply put, prayer is communicating with God. Real prayer is expressing our devotion to our heavenly Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him.

Q: Who Can Pray?
Anyone can pray, but only those who walk in faith and obedience to Christ can expect to receive answers to their prayers.
Contact with God begins when we receive Jesus into our lives as Savior and Lord (John 14:6). Praying with a clean heart is also vital to successful prayer. We cannot expect God to answer our prayers if there is any unconfessed sin in our life or if we are harboring an unforgiving spirit (Psalm 66:18; Mark 11:25). For God to answer our prayers, we must have a believing heart and ask according to His will (Matthew 9:29; 21:22; 1 John 5:14,15).

Q: Why Are We to Pray?
God's Word commands us to pray (Luke 18:1; Acts 6:4; Mark 14:38; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:1,2).
We pray to have fellowship with God, receive spiritual nurture and strength to live a victorious life, and maintain boldness for a vital witness for Christ.
Prayer releases God's great power to change the course of nature, people, and nations.

Q: To Whom Do We Pray?
We pray to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. when we pray to the Father, our prayers are accepted by Jesus Christ and interpreted to God the Father by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26, 27,34).

Q: When Should We Pray?
God's Word commands us to "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We can be in prayer throughout the day, expressing and demonstrating our devotion to God as we go about our daily tasks.
It is not always necessary to be on our knees, or even in a quiet room to pray. God wants us to be in touch with Him constantly wherever we are. We can pray in the car, while washing the dishes, or while walking down the street.

Q: What Should We Include in Our Prayers?
Although prayer cannot be reduced to a formula, certain basic elements should be included in our communication with God: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (ACTS).

A-Adoration
To adore God is to worship and praise Him, to honor and exalt Him in our heart and mind and with our lips.
C-Confession
When our discipline of prayer begins with adoration, the Holy Spirit has opportunity to reveal any sin in our life that needs to be confessed.
T-Thanksgiving
An attitude of thanksgiving to God, for who He is and for the benefits we enjoy because we belong to Him, enables us to recognize that He controls all things - not just the blessings, but the problems and adversities as well. As we approach God with a thankful heart, He becomes strong on our behalf.
S-Supplication
Supplication includes petition for our own needs and intercession for others. Pray that your inner person may be renewed, always sensitive to and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Pray for others - your spouse, your children, your parents, neighbors, and friends; our nation and those in authority over us. Pray for the salvation of souls, for a daily opportunity to introduce others to Christ and to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Raven Fasting & Prayer Begins Jan. 1st

STEP 1: Set Your Objective
Why are you fasting? Is it for spiritual renewal, for guidance, for healing, for the resolution of problems, for special grace to handle a difficult situation? Ask the Holy Spirit to clarify His leading and objectives for your prayer fast. This will enable you to pray more specifically and strategically.

Through fasting and prayer we humble ourselves before God so the Holy Spirit will stir our souls, awaken our churches, and heal our land according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Make this a priority in your fasting.

STEP 2: Make Your Commitment
Pray about the kind of fast you should undertake. Jesus implied that all of His followers should fast (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14,15) For Him it was a matter of when believers would fast, not if they would do it. Before you fast, decide the following up front:

1. How long you will fast - one meal, two meals, etc.

2. The type of fast God wants you to undertake (such as water only, or water and juices; what kinds of juices you will drink and how often)

3. What physical or social activities you will restrict

4. How much time each day you will devote to prayer and God's Word

Making these commitments ahead of time will help you sustain your fast when physical temptations and life's pressures tempt you to abandon it.

STEP 3: Prepare Yourself Spiritually
The very foundation of fasting and prayer is repentance. Unconfessed sin will hinder your prayers. Here are several things you can do to prepare your heart:

Ask God to help you make a comprehensive list of your sins.

Confess every sin that the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and accept God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

Seek forgiveness from all whom you have offended, and forgive all who have hurt you (Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4; 17:3,4).

Make restitution as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit according to His command in Ephesians 5:18 and His promise in 1 John 5:14,15.

Surrender your life fully to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Master; refuse to obey your worldly nature (Romans 12:1,2).

Meditate on the attributes of God, His love, sovereignty, power, wisdom, faithfulness, grace, compassion, and others (Psalm 48:9,10; 103:1-8, 11-13).

Begin your time of fasting and prayer with an expectant heart (Hebrews 11:6).

Do not underestimate spiritual opposition. Satan sometimes intensifies the natural battle between body and spirit (Galatians 5:16,17).

STEP 4: Prepare Yourself Physically
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consult your physician first, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some persons should never fast without professional supervision.

Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to the Lord in prayer. Do not rush into your fast.

Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.

Eat raw fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.

Your time of fasting and prayer has come. You are abstaining from all solid foods and have begun to seek the Lord. Here are some helpful suggestions to consider:


Avoid drugs, even natural herbal drugs and homeopathic remedies. Medication should be withdrawn only with your physician's supervision.

Limit your activity.

Exercise only moderately. Walk one to three miles each day if convenient and comfortable.

Rest as much as your schedule will permit.

Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety.

Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the "blahs." Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.

The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, increase your liquid intake.

STEP 5: Put Yourself on a Schedule
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with the Lord. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.

Morning
Begin your day in praise and worship.
Read and meditate on God's Word, preferably on your knees.
Invite the Holy Spirit to work in you to will and to do His good pleasure according to Philippians 2:13.
Invite God to use you. Ask Him to show you how to influence your world, your family, your church, your community, your country, and beyond.
Pray for His vision for your life and empowerment to do His will.
Noon
Return to prayer and God's Word.
Take a short prayer walk.
Spend time in intercessory prayer for your community's and nation's leaders, for the world's unreached millions, for your family or special needs.
Evening
Get alone for an unhurried time of "seeking His face."
If others are fasting with you, meet together for prayer.
Avoid television or any other distraction that may dampen your spiritual focus.
When possible, begin and end each day on your knees with your spouse for a brief time of praise and thanksgiving to God. Longer periods of time with our Lord in prayer and study of His Word are often better spent alone.

A dietary routine is vital as well. Dr. Julio C. Ruibal - a nutritionist, pastor, and specialist in fasting and prayer - suggests a daily schedule and list of juices you may find useful and satisfying. Modify this schedule and the drinks you take to suit your circumstances and tastes.

5 a.m. - 8 a.m.
Fruit juices, preferably freshly squeezed or blended and diluted in 50 percent distilled water if the fruit is acid. Apple, pear, grapefruit, papaya, watermelon, or other fruit juices are generally preferred. If you cannot do your own juicing, buy juices without sugar or additives.
10:30 a.m. - noon
Fresh vegetable juice made from lettuce, celery, and carrots in three equal parts.
2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Herb tea with a drop of honey. Avoid black tea or any tea with caffeine.
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broth made from boiling potatoes, celery, and carrots with no salt. After boiling about half an hour, pour the water into a container and drink it.

Tips on Juice Fasting
Drinking fruit juice will decrease your hunger pains and give you some natural sugar energy. The taste and lift will motivate and strengthen you to continue.

The best juices are made from fresh watermelon, lemons, grapes, apples, cabbage, beets, carrots, celery, or leafy green vegetables. In cold weather, you may enjoy a warm vegetable broth.

Mix acidic juices (orange and tomato) with water for your stomach's sake.

Avoid caffeinated drinks. And avoid chewing gum or mints, even if your breath is bad. They stimulate digestive action in your stomach.

When your designated time for fasting is finished, you will begin to eat again. But how you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.

STEP 6: End Your Fast Gradually
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative, even dangerous, consequences. Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.

Here are some suggestions to help you end your fast properly:

Break an extended water fast with fruit such as watermelon.

While continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, add the following: First day: Add a raw salad. Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning. Third day: Add a steamed vegetable. Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.

Gradually return to regular eating with several small snacks during the first few days. Start with a little soup and fresh fruit such as watermelon and cantaloupe. Advance to a few tablespoons of solid foods such as raw fruits and vegetables or a raw salad and baked potato.

STEP 7: Expect Results
If you sincerely humble yourself before the Lord, repent, pray, and seek God's face; if you consistently meditate on His Word, you will experience a heightened awareness of His presence (John 14:21). The Lord will give you fresh, new spiritual insights. Your confidence and faith in God will be strengthened. You will feel mentally, spiritually, and physically refreshed. You will see answers to your prayers.

A single fast, however, is not a spiritual cure-all. Just as we need fresh infillings of the Holy Spirit daily, we also need new times of fasting before God. A 24-hour fast each week has been greatly rewarding to many Christians.

It takes time to build your spiritual fasting muscles. If you fail to make it through your first fast, do not be discouraged. You may have tried to fast too long the first time out, or your may need to strengthen your understanding and resolve. As soon as possible, undertake another fast until you do succeed. God will honor you for your faithfulness.

I encourage you to join me in fasting and prayer again and again until we truly experience revival in our homes, our churches, our nation, and throughout the world and most importantly for a fresh, new vision to reach this world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

No LIVE Raven Web Cast Tonight

There will not be a LIVE Raven Broadcast tonight because some of our teams will be conducting after-Christmas food outreaches, while others are either out or town or on the road traveling during the Holiday. The LIVE broadcast will resume next Tuesday January 2nd with a special prayer and ministry emphasis. Details below:

For the past (16) years of ministry, we have opened each calendar year with a special time of prayer, fasting, and consecration before the Lord. This time that we set apart has ranged from 3 to 40 days of fasting and prayer and we have seen the hand of God move powerfully during this time of seeking Him

The results of this season of intense prayer and consecration have truly been the catalyst for the heart and vision that God has entrusted us to over the years. Initially being strictly a “Church” thing when we pastored in Texas, it has since spread to include our teams and friends around the nation who have joined with us for vision, victory and revival.

This year, we are calling a (7) day fast, beginning at 12:00 AM on January 1st (that would be midnight on the 31st) and culminating at 12:00 AM on January 8th (that would be midnight in the 7th).

I will be posting information regarding this period of fasting and prayer throughout the week on our blog (www.ravenoutreach.blogspot.com) for you to read. I will include directives, Biblical truths concerning fasting, and the opportunity for you to send in your prayer requests for us to all stand together for.

Next Tuesday’s LIVE Raven-Cast will be one hour of LIVE Intercessory prayer from our home-studio here in Daytona Beach. We will take your prayer requests and stand with you in faith during that time.

If you desire to join with us during his time of fasting and prayer, please email me to include you on the prayer-warriors list for the duration of the seven day season. They type of fasting that you do is between you and the Holy Spirit. (I will deal with various fasts this week on the blog).

Personally, I typically do a no-solid food, liquid-only fast. I avoid milk products (whole food) and concentrated fruit juices as well. That is how I fast, how you decided to participate should be based upon your personal health and spiritual convictions.

This passage of scripture will serve as the basis for this special time of ministry and consecration before the Lord.


Isaiah 58:6-12 “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Those from among you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.”

I will deal with each of these challenges and promises in the blog as the week progresses! God has some AWESOME things in store for His Body in 2007! Let’s start it off with a time of HEARER and HEEDING!

Let me know that you are standing with us during this time of prayer and fasting!

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn – PastorTroy@BigGrace.com

“Guiding more towards HEAVEN in 2007”

Raven Ministries International, Inc.
P.O. Box 1987
Daytona Beach, Florida 32115

(386)682-4141

“Your GIVING keeps us GOING”

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM

RAVEN MINISTRIES

All of us with Raven Ministries International and our Raven Teams across the Nation wish to extend to you and your family a very Merry Christmas during this special time of reflecting on the greatest gift ever given in the history of mankind: Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World.

While familes gather around this nation and give gifts to their children, friends, and family as a token of their love for one another---the Word of God says that, "God so loved the world that He have His only begotton Son..."

This great gift would not be wrapped in colorful paper and placed beneath a decorated tree, but would come into this world wrapped in swaddling clothes and hung upon a cross for the payment of our sins and for the redemption of all who would come to Him in faith and repentance.

May this Christmastime we a time when all of us see and walk uprightly in the greatest gift ever given--Salvation; because of the unprecedented love of the Father.

Blessings,

Pastor Troy & Melanie Bohn

RAVEN IN MEXICO...TAKING JESUS BEYOND BORDERS

RAVEN: TAKING IT TO THE STREETS!

RAVEN POST (TX) went out and demomstrated "Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men" this Christmas weekend in the West Texas town of Post. This awesome team, led by Pastor Todd Bohn & Pastor Les Looney loaded up nearly 400 wrapped gifts onto a flatbed trailer and made the rounds through some of the needy neighborhoods.

Joining the "caravan" were a team of people excited about taking a little holiday cheer and a lot of the love and message of Jesus out "to the streets!"

Braving the chilly cold, the team took gifts to all the children in the homes and went in and ministered and prayed for each one as well. Bro. Brad Perez of Raven Post reported that they picked up several "helpers" along the way as several teenagers wanted to go with them to help out!

Raven Midwest took to the streets of Southbend, Indiana this weekeded to provide a Christmas dinner and free "shopping" for needy families to come and pick out a gift for their children. Raven not only provided the gift, but made wrapping paper available for the parent to personally wrap the present themselves.

Said Raven Midwest Director, Terry Shuff "We wanted the parents to be able to come and shop for their child. Wrap the gift for their child, and then give the gift to the child from the family---not from Raven Midwest. It is important for kids to get something from Mom & Dad this time of year."

The many that came out were treated to a delicious "home cooked" meal of real mashed potatoes, fried chicken, ham and the trimmings!

For a full report on the South Bend outreach go to www.ravenmidwest.blogspot.com

ALSO-- Check out the report from our York, Pennsylvania outreach at www.raveneastcoast.blogspot.com

AND--Raven West Coast Outreaches held this past week at www.ugo4God.blogspot.com

"A used school bus to transport outreach teams" - $2500

"4200 Toys taken to needy children in Mexico" $10,000

"Feeding the homeless on a Saturday in Chicago" - $200

"A plane ticket to travel and preach the Gospel in Texas" - $300

"Over 10,000 souls brough to Jesus in the past 24 months" - Priceless

In the past two years we have purchased three school busses for the ministry at an average of $2500 each -- and you have helped us do that.

In the past two years Raven teams have taken a total of nearly 6,000 toys to the children of Tijuana, Mexico--you have helped us to that.

In the past two years we have fed the hungry and homeless on the streets of: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Amarillo, Chicago, Southbend, Baltimore, New York City, Daytona Beach, Austin...and others--you have helped us do that.

In the past two years I have traveled acorss the United States, into Europe and Canada to preach the Gospel in churches, ghettos, and have trained and mentored countless leaders to go and do the same--you have helped us do that.

We have found over the past two years that the Body of Christ is ENORMOUSLY generous when it comes to sponsoring and financing "projects", equipment, or things needed for disaster relief, toy distribution, or some other thing that can be "seen, felt or purchased." This is awesome.

We have also found that it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to raise the finacial support necessary to just simply "go and take the message" that transforms lives for ETERNITY to the lost and dying. While the "other things" are very necessary and serve a very valuable purpose--they will all one day wear out, be consumed and fade away.

Will you consider being a regualr "Depositor" in Heaven's Bank as this year comes to a close and a new year fast approaches? Many times the thing that a person needs most cannot be contained within a take-out container, poured into a cup, or made from a piece of fabric---what this world needs the most is a MESSAGE THAT TRANSCENDS THE SEEN AND FOREVER CHANGES THE UNSEEN!

"...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for wherre your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

"Winning them to HEAVEN in 2007"

MORE FROM THE MEXICO OUTREACH

Pastor Bobby Chance of Streetwise Ministries (Hollywood) and Pastor Rudy Gonzales of Raven Ministries (West Coast) did an incredible job of leading a team of over 100 into Tijuana, Mexico for their annual HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS PARTY.

They spent the morning ministering, feeding and distributing toys to the childern at a local church and then took the team--along with food, and toys to the children and families that live in the local dump.

The AWESOME part of the whole outreach was that it wasn't about the toys or the food--but about taking the life-transforming message of Jesus to the lost and dying. During the outreach hundreds responded to the preaching of the Gospel and the one-on-one ministry that occured througout the outreach!

THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN MET!

The RAVEN BUS CHALLENGE has been completed! As of today we have had the full $2500 to purchase the RAVEN NATION bus for the Texas teams (Amarillo, Post, Fairfield, Austin).EITHER SENT OR PLEDGED TO BE SENT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS!

Thank all of you who were so faithful and generous to help in acquiring this awesome vehicle to transport our teams to outreaches across the region. The bus will be picked up in Houston after Christmas and drive all the way to Amarillo in preparation for bringing the teams to New Orleans for the February 16-20 Mardi Gras Outreach!

RAVEN TV: Behind the Scenes...

Every week our living room here in Daytona Beach undergoes a major transformation! Over the course of several hours, the studio/set for the weekly RAVEN NATION webcast is assembled. Here is a sneak peek at what you don't see through the web cam.

A) This is where Melanie is seated just to my right and off camera. Next to her (right) is the hallogen light and in front of her is the lap top where she monitors prayer requests and any incoming information that I need to be made aware of through the chat box. On her (left) is the LCD projector that projects the same images from her laptop onto the wall (G) so that I can take an occassional glance to see who has signed on so that I can say "Hello."(B) This is the video monitor that Kayla uses to see what is coming up on the DVD player that plays the intro/outro, video clips, etc. (C) This is the main camera (D) This is where I am seated with a boom mic and an ear bud monitor for sound (E) This is the control table that Kayla is responsible for each week. On it from (L-R) sound mixer that control volume on my mic, background music, and any DVD, video; next is a CVD player (we have used as many as three for one webcast); next is the (4) channel video switch that allows us to switch from live camera feed to one of three other channels; main monitor-this is where she sees everything like you see it. (F) This is the main computer that is connected to high speed internet and receives all video and audio feeds through USB audio/video capture device.

READY TO GO!

WHERE I PUT KAYLA TO WORK EACH WEEK!

UPDATE ON RAVEN CHALLENGE

Amount needed for Raven Texas Bus
$2500.00
Amount raised/pledged as of 1:00 PM EST
$1300.00
Amount still needing to be raised for bus
$1200.00

We are over halfway to raising the necessary funds to purchase the much needed bus for the Raven Texas teams! This is just incredible to see people come together and give sacrificially during this time of year. Thank you all so much and we believe that we’ll be able to report that we have raised ALL the finances for the bus by the time we broadcast our LIVE “RAVEN NATION” Program tonight right here at 9:00 PM EST

Tune in to hear the report and news of what has been going on around the country as well!

Many thanks to: Linda (Texas), Carole (Texas), Phebe (Texas), Jeanne (Arizona), Pastor Rick (NYC), Pastor Don (NOLA), Sheila (Texas), Roger (Florida), & Raven West Coast for their giving to help us get this close!

RAVEN CHALLENGE: WE NEED YOUR HELP

We are in desperate need of a bus for our Raven Texas Teams and we have found one that is in good shape that would work perfectly in carrying the "Soul Patrol" into the Harvest Fileds!

The bus pictured above (I superimposed our logo on it!) was being offered for sale by a Christian School in Texas for $3500. The bus had a new engine put in it a couple of years ago, it has an A/C, and it also has the high-backed charter-type seats as well. The tires are all new ($1200-1800) and the bus is ready to roll!

I contacted the seller and told them what we were all about and they have offered to let us have the bus for only $2500! This is an unbelievable price--but it won't last long at this price!

Our RAVEN Teams in Texas had talked to a charter company about driving the teams from Amarillo, Post, and Austin to New Orleans for our annual Mardi Gras Outreach---and the cost was approximately $5,000! That is DOUBLE what it would cost to just outright buy a bus that we can utilize year after year and for various other outreaches as well.

HERE IS THE CHALLENGE: We need $2500 to purchase the bus

Here is how we are believing that we'll be able to raise the necessary funds to get it done.

$500.00 from a man in Amarillo, Texas that pledged this amount for a bus when we found one

$500.00 raised by RAVEN AMARILLO

$500.00 raised by RAVEN POST, Tx

$500.00 raised by our other teams (Gulf Coast, East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, Austin & Albuquerque, Fairfield)

$500.oo raised by RAVEN INTERNATIONAL (That's me and you!)

GRAND TOTAL: $2500.00

Will you help me raise the $500 to purchase this bus to carry SOUL-jahs into the battle field?

You can give by clicking on the "DONATE" icon on the right hand side of this page and placing "Raven Bus" in the notation---or email me at raven@biggrace.com and let me know that you are putting something in the mail to help! We can do this if we all work together!

Blessings,

Pastor Troy

RAVEN REPORTS

December 15: The team along with 3200 toys made it across the border into Tijuana, Mexico today. It was truly a miracle that all the vehicles made it through without being stopped by the Mexican authorities who would have turned them around had they seen the amount of items being brought into the county. Thank all of you who prayed for safe passage!

The "Happy Birthday Jesus" Christmas party for the needy children in Tijuana will be all day Saturday. In addition to the thousands of toys being distributed, there will also be hundreds of free hot dogs served, fun things for the children, face painting, a bounce house, and especially lots of Jesus being shared!

The team will also being taking food and toys to the many children that call the dump grounds "home." There are a staggering amount of families and young children who live in the squalor of the Tijuana dumps. They do not have the benefit of electricity, running water, sewage disposal, or proper nutrition. On Saturday the team will be taking HOPE into an area that only knows hopelessness. Thank all of you who have prayed and given to make this possible.

I flew into New Orleans on Dec. 13th to meet up with Billy McInroy to make the arrangements for the camp location for the Mardi Gras 2007 outreach scheduled for Feb. 16-20 there in New Orleans. Bro. Billy arranged for us to utilize the facilities of the Williams Ave Baptist Church for this year's outreach. These are great facilities that will serve as an ideal base during the outreach.

Pastor Don Eskine and myself also hit Bourbon Street till early in the morning the day of my arrival and had a great time witnessing for Jesus to those in the French Quarter. We immediately had to intervene in a fight between a drug dealer and a customer. Once we started approaching, the dealer took off around the corner and we attempted to minister to the almost-customer.

As we made our way to Bourbon Street we encountered the drug dealer and spent the next hour witnessing to him! At first very reluctant and resistent---once the Spirit of God hit him, he couldn't get himself to leave! We were able to share the Word in detail with him and pray for him before parting.

Pastor Sam and Lucy will be leading the team into York, Pennsylvania where they anticipate ministering to around 1500 people on Saturday the 15th! They are takign toys to teenagers in the area and sharing Jesus with the crowd that will be gathered there as well.

Pastor Terry & Eileen Shuff and Pastor Lance & Leigh Prathaftakis are taking a team of about 30 to conduct the Homeless Christmas in the Lower Wacker section of Chicago on Saturday the 15th. They are taking a full Christmas Dinner out to serve on tables & chairs to the homeless there and distribute blankets and warm clothing as well.

Pastor Todd & Christy Bohn held a Post Christmas Party on Friday December 15th that brought out many people from the local community that were unchurched. The local Wells Fargo Bank allowed the team to use their banquet facility free of charge for this event.

HUGE PRAYER REQUEST

Pastor Meredith Lindsey of Raven Fairfield had back surgery last week to correct a problem with dumbness in his legs. He is scheduled to undergo a second procedure to eleminate chronic pain on the 29th. Please keep him in prayer that God will bring a rapid and complete healing to this awesome soul-winner! We need him on the battle field!

Pastor Brandon Romero of Raven Southwest celebrated his 30th birthday this month! God is doing some incredible things in and through this young man's life. Please keep he, his wife Christy and son, Cole in your prayers as they find themselves on the frontlines in Albuquerque and in the cross-hairs of the enemy who will stop at nothing to hinder the work of the ministry.

Pastor Alex Hill of Raven Austin celebrated his 35th birthday this month! Pastor Alex is a powerful man of God and is doing a great job in establishing Raven Austin within a local fellowship there in the city. Pray for the continuation and expansion of this work and in the church (Horizon Fellowship) that he is equipping for this task.

Tonight's RAVEN NATION Broadcast

Tune into tonight's RAVEN NATION LIVE broadcast for a special look at New Orleans and our annual outreach to the City during the infamous Mardi Gras.

The RAVEN NATION program with Pastor Troy D. Bohn will begin its LIVE FEED at 9:00 PM EST from Daytona Beach, Florida. Prior to the live program we will have two hours of special programming being broadcasted from our florida studios.

At 7:00 PM EST we will air the one hour ABC News special "After The Storm" originally aired last fall. This program was filmed as a news team from the ABC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas joined RAVEN along the Gulf Coast in the immediate aftermath of the devestating Hurricane Katrina.

The program features our taking the news team into such places as the hard hit Bogalusa, LA and the decimated Gulf Port, Miss. areas. You will see how RAVEN partnered with friends from across this nation to minister to the needs of many following this destruction.

At 8:00 PM EST we will have a one hour time of praise and worship with the awesome worship group Newsong, whose recording Rescue became our anthem in the wake of the storm. This is a worship service recorded live that you will thoroughly enjoy.

You can enjoy the programs here--or by going to www.BigGrace.com and clicking on the RAVEN TV button and watching from our main website!

Hope to see you at service tonight!

Second Chances? To Hell and Back.

What if you "died" and found yourself facing eternity? What if you suddenly found out that the God that you had rejected because of your sin was REAL and that you were now going to spend eternity in HELL?

PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON TO VIEW VIDEO



What if during this "near death experience" your praying mother or friend, was pleading with the Lord Jesus to spare your life while a trama team was frantically working to resucitate your heart?

What if you were given a SECOND CHANCE? What do you think that you would do with it? Would your life be any differenct the Second Time Around? If you are "holding out" and waiting for the second chance AFTER you go to hell--then you are fooling yourself and have been ensnared by the deception of the devil.

THIS may be the only "Second Chance" that you ever get. Will you turn away from your old, destructive life and ask Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? Hell is a VERY REAL place and it is ETERNAL---TODAY is your opportunity to turn to the saving grace and mercy of a Holy God---tomorrow may be too late.

Contact Raven Ministries: 504-202-0939 24/7

"A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY"

Before there was 9/11, there was December 7th.

"Yesterday, 7 December 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

This was the opening statement on this date sixty-four years ago as President Franklin D. Roosevelt stood before the congress of the United States of America asking for a declaration of war against the nation of Japan, who a day earlier had attacked the naval station at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

160 aircraft were destroyed. 18 ships were sunk or severely damaged and the US suffered 3,581 casualties in this surprise attack on our nations soil. Or was it a "surprise attack" at all?

We know from history that the War had already began years earlier. We just chose to call it someone else's war. Just as long as it didn't effect us, we chose to honor a "neutrality agreement" to stay out of the fight. German tanks had already rolled into Poland and Eastern Europe. Many Jews had already been detained in Nazi concentration camps and many had perished in the gas chambers as well. Japan meanwhile was terrorizing the South Pacific and building an imperial juggernaut that would soon be emboldened to take on a world super-power on its own turf.

But, weeks in advance of the first Japanese Zeroes strike on the unsuspecting, early morning servicemen and women of Pearl Harbor, an encrypted message had been intercepted and delivered to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. for examination and determination. On January 27, 1941 Joseph C. Grew, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, wired Washington that he had learned information that Japan was planning a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

No one in Washington believed him and most thought that if Japan was to attack any US interests that it would be in Manila, Philippines to disrupt naval routes. They were obviously wrong--even though they were rightly informed.History often has a way of repeating itself. While many in the US Military and government would acknowledge that their was the "potential" for an attack, their actions or inactions certainly told an altogether different story.

They failed to listen to the warnings of the man, Joseph C. Crew, whom they (the President and Congress) had appointed and confirmed as their Ambassador to Japan. His job was to know what was going on their in the land of the "Rising Sun" and report back from the vantage point of one on the "front lines."His pleas and warnings fell on deaf ears and the end result was the loss of nearly 4,000 US lives needlessly to a power who had already "tipped their hand" to their intentions.

We sometimes feel like Joseph C. Crew as well. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says that we are "Ambassadors for Christ." We have been named, appointed, and commissioned as His "front-line" representatives in a very hostile environment. From our vantage point on the front-lines of the City of New Orleans and various other places that we regularly take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to--we have intercepted "data" that reveals (beyond a shadow of a doubt) that the enemy has planned a full-out aerial assault on our "soil."Yet, there is no urgency still.

The "Church" at large continues in its lackluster, mundane and often indifferent approach in winning people to Jesus Christ in these "last days." Maybe they have forgotten that these are the "last days."2 Peter 3:2-4 says, "I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."Much of the Modern-Church has adopted this same mentality--just as it was prophesied that they would!

"If we ignore it, it might just go away" is the attitude that is prevalent in many circles. "That is such a negative message" is another common perspective as well.THIS AMBASSADOR has news for you though: The enemy has devised a plan to attack YOU and take YOU out once and for all.

The US thought that they were somehow out-of-reach and untouchable by their adversaries--and it took a catastrophe to wake them up to the realization that an invasion force desired to defeat them on their own turf.

We have got to get ready and launch a PREEMPTIVE STRIKE against the works of the devil BEFORE he invades and claims more lives! You can believe it or not--but from my perspective "on the front lines" there is an attack fast approaching on the horizon.

RAVEN MARDI GRAS...UNCUT & UNEDITED!

Each Year RAVEN MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL leads a team of SOUL WINNERS into New Orleans during the annual MARDI GRAS. This is UNCUT and UNEDITED footage of some of the things that we experienced in 2006!



We need YOU to join us for the 2007 Outreach in New Orleans,scheduled for February 16-20. The cost is only $165 per person which covers (3) meals daily, a place to sleep, shower, Raven T-shirts (that alone is worth the trip!), local transportation, awesome times of prayer, worship, training, and fellowship with some of the JESUS LOVING-EST people from across this nation!

If you are a VETERAN or a ROOKIE--this is the outreach opportunity for YOU. We work as a TEAM and would love you to JOIN THE TEAM THAT IS FULFILLING THE DREAM!

Get more details by going to www.BigGrace.com and clicking on the "Mardi Gras" link. You can register online! Don't wait...space is limited!

Weekly LIVE Webcast Tonight at 9:00 PM EST

We want to invite you to our Weekly LIVE Webcast tonight starting at 9:00 PM EST right here on this website! You can "tune in" by double clicking the little screen marked by the STICKAM.COM logo located midway down on the right hand side of the page.

You will be able to see and hear Pastor Troy Bohn broadcasting live from our main offices in Daytona Beach, Florida during the one hour weekly program. You will also be able to type in messages or questions and call in during the course of the show.

Tonights message will be "Bearing MUCH Fruit" and you will not want to miss it! Tell your friends and we hope to see you tonight!

Raven Austin (Texas)

It was a great joy to be in Austin, Texas this past weekend preaching at the Horizon Worship Center Church with Pastors Billy & Deborah Hines. This was a great time of ministry and fellowship as we spent a FULL day in the Word, ministry and fellowship that last until midnight!

I preached a message on Sunday mornng entitled, "Brearing MUCH Fruit." We were blessed to have nine people respond to the call for salvation following the Word and the Power fof God fell in a tremendous way! That evening I preached a message called "God's Mandate for Boldness." That was equally received as Pastor Hines called for those lacking in this area to come to the altars to cry out to the Lord Jesus---the altars were packed out! Praise Jesus!

(Left to Right) Pastor Troy with Pastor Hines and Pastor Alex Hill, associate director of Raven International. Pastor Todd Bohn of Raven Post brought an awesome group the 6 hours to be with us for service as well! Pastor Troy shares the Word during the morning service.

Pastor Alex and Holly Hill have been working with Horizon and the ministry staff there to assist in mobilizng the Body of Christ to reach the City of Austin in a more effective way. They have been leading teams onto the infamous "6th Street" and into local neighborhoods to share the Gospel.

Pastor Hines is desiring to establish a Raven Austin based out of their local church there! Praise Jesus!

"Jesus" rejected again?

The nationally known Toys for Tots program administrated by the Marine Corp recently made headlines for rejecting an offer for 4,000 "Jesus Dolls" to be given away during their annual Christmas outreach.

The Valencia, California based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., was perplexed that Toys for Tots would reject such a sizeable offer when they were reporting a shortage of toys. The spokesman for the 'Tots program said that they didn't want to "offend" anyone by offering the Jesus doll to someone that might not be a Christian!

Do they not realize that CHRISTmas is all about Christ! Christians are the one's that truly celebrate this holiday! What better gift than a 20" Jesus action-figure that quotes Bible passages when the string is pulled! "Unless you are born again you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven" is just one of the several scriptures that the doll shares.

Well there loss is our gain! Immediately upon hearing the report, three of our teams contacted the toy company telling them that we would be MORE THAN GLAD to accept their offer! As of last Friday we have recieved word that we will be recieving $4,000 worth of the Jesus dolls to distribute to needy children this holiday season!

Lucy Croghan (Pastor Sam's wife) of Raven East Coast contacted their offices and will have the toys in time for their December 13th Christmas outreach in York, Pennsylvania. Bobby & Dot Chance of Streetwise ministry in Hollywood, California went and picked up a load of the dolls for me yesterday and will be taking them to the needy kids in Tijuana, Mexico during the Happy Birthday Jesus celebration scheduled for December 15th!

I suggest that you check out the website of the company www.beverlyhillsteddybear.com They have lots of great toy and gift ideas and an awsome game called P31 (Proverbs 31) that teaches young girls Biblical principals in a fun way. You can also email them and thank them for their donation to Raven Ministries.

Raven Midwest...Making An Impact!

Our Raven Midwest Team is truly making a HUGE IMPACT in Northern Indiana as I witnessed on my recent trip to minister and assist Pastor Terry and Pastor Lance and the local team.

(Pictures Top R-L) Pastor Troy shares with students at the Crossing Alternative School in South Bend, Indiana., Pastor Terry stands beside the boxes of brand news blankets purchased for the homeless by...get his...a local strip club owner!; Pastor Troy shares with "Webb" along Michigan Ave. in South Bend.; PAstor Troy preaches at the Crossings Sunday night service in Goshen, Indiana.

The impact that the Midwest team is having was truly evident on my recent trip into the area. Pastor Terry & Eileen and Pastor Lance & Leigh are truly leading a "Revolution" for the souls of a generation of young warriors for Christ!

Speaking at the Crossing in Goshen, Indiana on Sunday night where my dear brother in Jesus, Pastor Mike Lechlitner and his son, Josh serve--I was blessed to be a part of a rising revolution among the youth and college aged people coming there. These folks literally STORMED the altar for prayer and ministry as we closed out the service!

We had coffee with Rob Staley, the director of the Crossing Alternative Schools with campuses across Northern Indiana and heading into Chicago in the near future. He shared of the impact that Pastor Terry was having on the kids at the various campuses who many times have no father-figure and shared his desire to have a "Crossing School" located in every city that has a RAVEN Team! Thats is exciting stuff!

The community it taking notice as is evident by the "support" being given by the owner of a local strip club! His club is located across the street from the South Bend campus and he witnessed the team feeding the homeless one night.

He has since gotten involved---as the Holy Spirit is softening and ministering to his heart as Pastor Terry sharesthe gospel with him on a regular basis! He has gone so far as to place donation containers in his bar to raise support for the school and to aid and assist the needy through Raven Midwest!

You can see that this man is truly searching and he has found hte right people to demonstrate the character, love and message of Jesus Christ in the Raven Midwest team! (Get this...) He even invited the team to come and PREACH to his employees one week before opening and Pastor Lance delivered a powerful message concerning breaking free from the bondage of sin. The owner later reported that several of the employees were crying under the conviction of the Holy Spirit! I can't wait to hear the testimonies of the whole place being turned to JESUS!

RAVEN...Canada!

I was blessed to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in London, Ontario (Canada) speaking at the First Annual Accelerated Impact Conference on Evangelism hosted by friends, Bobby & Cheryl Sullivan at New Life Centre Church. Joining me on this trip was Pastor Terry Shuff of Raven Midwest.

This was a tremendous opportunity to expose some people to the Biblical mandate to reach this world for just---for the first time! Many attending expressed that they had never been involved in activel reaching out to the lost and dying and this conference provided them an opportunity to be ignited with the compassion to reach out.

Bobby certainly "worked me" good during the conference! Of the ten scheduled sessions, he had me speaking during five of them! But...I loved every minute of it :) To have the chance to share the passion of one's heart to people coming from across Canada was a true blessing.

(Pictures Clockwise from Top left) Pastor Troy sharing a word with the attendees. The altars were continually filled during times of prayer and ministry. Cheryl Sullivan was a true blessing as she led worship during the conference. Bobby addresses the crowd during one of his sessions. "A little time bowing before the Lord God of Hosts"

One of the highlights of the conference was being able to take teams out to the streets following the Friday evening service. We invaded an area that in near Western Ontario University and witnessed to many college students.

(Pictures Clockwise from Top left) Pastor Troy with two students from the University. They were both shocked to have someone there on the streets sharing Jesus with them! They said that they had NEVER seen someone doing that in their lives! I was blessed to minister at length and to pray for them.

Pastor Terry sits and witnesses to two young women in a packed cafe. The blonde was the daughter of a pastor and he confronted her about her life and the seductive clothing that she was wearing. She admitted that she was wrong and was not following the Lord in the way that she should.

These two students were raised Catholic, but were obviously not very committed to it this night! The young man was very intoxicated when Pastor Troy sat down next to them, but they were both VERY open to the Word of God as it came forth. As the issue of "drunkards not entering the Kingdom of Heaven" came up, he came under heavy conviction and the young woman was earnestly seeking something (Someone) beyond the dead religion that she had been raised in.

Part of the team loads up in the Midwest Raven Van that we drove the 6 1/2 hours into Canada!

We have already had inquiries concerning starting a RAVEN CANADA to reach out to our Northern Neighbors!!