1.\tEverything is God\u2019s initiative. <\/strong>Its true historically, theologically. It is God who initiated. It is the Mission of God. We are not trying to draw God into our mission<\/strong>. He gives us the chance to get caught up in his mission. God came to us while we were helpless, dead, enemies of God. We weren\u2019t seeking God. God knew you from before time, before he created anything. He chose us, we didn\u2019t choose him. God\u2019s free grace runs through our DNA as a movement.<\/strong> God came to us in amazing mercy. It has given us a sense of destiny. There is a purpose about my life. I didn\u2019t stumble on this. God had an idea before he interrupted my life. God chose us in spite of who we are. \u201cThe grace of God upon my life is not dependent on me, on what I have done or deserved.\u201d Terry spoke of a time recently where he was singing that song and couldn\u2019t continue for laughing at the wonder of what God did with him, a backslidden Christian. \u00a0God\u00a0has a purpose for us and he broke in. We should ask him, Lord I want to know what you have called me for.<\/strong><\/p>\n 2.\tGod\u2019s enabling and empowering.<\/strong> The coming on of the Holy Spirit was not just an academic issue for Terry, it was an issue of life and death. Even when he tried to live as a Christian and be a witness he couldn\u2019t do it. Coming on of the Holy Spirit changes everything. He wanted to receive power. When the Spirit came upon someone, the next word is nearly always \u201cand.\u201d<\/strong> He comes on us not simply for ourselves. When power comes on us we are transformed. It changed everything for Terry at the age of 22. He wanted to serve God at that time. God\u2019s Spirit changed things. When you believe in the coming of the Spirit you are wrestling with things like what PJ spoke of yesterday. Terry told his testimony about how he got filled and then shared the testimony with others. It leaves many enigmas and challenges. There are times when our hearts are aching because we don\u2019t see more. But we need to spend more time with the Holy Spirit, get to know him, and experience more power. We need more of the Holy Spirit. We don\u2019t dial down our engagement with the Holy Spirit in order to be more missional!<\/strong><\/p>\n Submission isn\u2019t saying yes all the time<\/strong>. Make your point, argue your case, at the end we say \u201cWe are in this together\u201d and you all go. Comradeship where we discuss issues. Terry spoke about some of his team, and who will be continuing the work moving forwards taking more responsibility.<\/p>\n David Holdon<\/strong> who he had known since a boy, now a spiritual father. David Devenish<\/strong> who again he has known for decades, has become a phenomenal leader, teacher, travelling into the Muslim and Russian-speaking world. Colin Baron<\/strong> who is willing to travel thousands of miles to sit and talk to key players and unravel stuff. Often out of the light, behind the scene. Perceptive, sees round corners. Simon Pettit<\/strong> was a major contributor, with his passion, love for God, laughter before he died suddenly. David Stroud<\/strong>, who has become a statesman, in God, such leadership skills. Now more UK-based apostlic teams are emerging. Jeremy Simkins<\/strong> who has grown into a man of weight. Just seing all that has happened in the North has been encouraging said Terry, men rallying to Jeremy\u2019s leadership and gift. Mike Betts <\/strong>coming through, young men wanting to be with him, his passion for God. Guy Miller<\/strong>, who has raised up churches in Portugal, Spain, India. God is raising up these ministries.<\/p>\n In Africa when Simon suddenly died, he had already handed his church over to Stephen Van Rhyn<\/strong> who is helping other churches there. PJ Smyth<\/strong> who has such evidence of the hand of God on him, and a great church coming to birth. Scott Marquis<\/strong>, who is hard to keep up with in his work in Southern Africa. Steve Oliver<\/strong> who met with God in Cape Town, planted out in South Africa and saw poor people who were raised up to become pastors. Suddenly called to Dubai. Such a strategic place. Edward Burio<\/strong>\u2026 you cant keep up with him! Handful of churches that have grown massively since. Transforming society. Working with the poor. A father to thousands. John KpiKpi<\/strong> who came to Brighton as a student, now working into 7 nations into West Africa. Teams coming out from one team. John Lanferman<\/strong>, overseeing the work in America from coast to coast, with churches being planted. Same values are there, and it keeps growing. Lee Yarboroguh<\/strong>, in Mexico, now a number of churches in Mexico. Right across the nations. There are many others who have been with us for many years. Men like Steve Tibbert, and others who serve.<\/p>\n Terry explained that tonight we are praying for the current snapshot like in a family. \u00a0It is recognizing what already is happening. But in the wings are many other young men coming through who are breaking through, he listed men like Matt Hatch, Joel Virgo, Tope Koleoso<\/strong>, and others. \u00a0There are growing ranks of them. It is about a transition from one team to many. \u00a0There will be more teams in the future. People will rally to one of these band of brothers.<\/p>\n The apostles will often meet together, for a season Terry will still join with them.\u00a0\u00a0Gathering of equal interdependent apostles which Dave Devinish will facilitate. Some apostolic figures will travel between the teams.\u00a0He sees that the men coming through in Newfrontiers are brilliant skillful men. They can carry the passion and drive. Terry felt he could be in danger of becoming the blunt edge, we need the sharpness of a new generation<\/p>\n Terry believes God has given him great promises for the future. He will still be traveling. Later this year he will be going to 5 places in the USA, where only 2 of them will be Newfrontiers. He is increasingly being invited into other worlds. Going wider.<\/p>\n God is opening doors all over the place. God has given us a voice. God has plenty for Terry and Wendy to get on with. The Newfrontiers Brighton office will close. \u00a0Terry Will be going to Kingston to help in a young church there. Will be travelling. Will be going in like a grandfather. Encouraging, the responsibility rolls into the hands of the new generation. \u00a0Recently one of his sons said to him its a bit like John the Baptist \u201cYou grow less and less, they grow more and more\u201d At the end of the session Terry also especially honored Nigel Ring<\/strong> who has been so instrumental in building Newfrontiers into what it is today. \u00a0It is truly amazing what God has done through the friendship of these two men. \u00a0After all the whole thing started when a young Nigel Ring asked if his pastor friend could come and speak to some Christians in his lounge who were beginning to receive the Holy Spirit, and wonder what to do after being thrown out of an evangelical church. \u00a0My own parents started attending that church in Haywards Heath very early on. \u00a0So I have grown up watching what was a tiny group of people in Sussex grow into an army that spans the globe. \u00a0840 churches are now in Newfrontiers according to the latest figures. \u00a0What an impact. \u00a0What a wonderful way that God delights in using a few to bless the many. \u00a0As we now in effect see the beginning of many more apostolic spheres, what kind of a global impact can we all have together? \u00a0When you consider that there are of course so many other church groups that God is blessing as well that are nothing to do with Newfrontiers, you have to feel very positive about the future of the Church around the world.<\/p>\n Terry explained that he felt God say to him that for this session he should \u201cJust sit down and talk to them.\u201d He explained that he had been looking at the last part of Hebrews, and it was good stuff but it wasn\u2019t coming into a sermon form. He felt God said to him \u201cwhat […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1268,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[160,174],"tags":[595,562,598],"class_list":["post-15036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-terry-virgo","category-toam11","tag-newfrontiers","tag-prophecy","tag-terry-virgo"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/298\/2011\/07\/IMG_2523-4---blog.jpg\")
\n3.\tGod\u2019s commissioning<\/strong> We want to build on an\u00a0apostolic and prophetic foundation<\/strong>. We want to build on genuinely sent ones. Not just theologically trained, but actually sent. God must commission. God came to Moses and said \u201cI send you!\u201d It is that call that is critical. Not pleasing men but pleasing God! Matthew Parris urged Christians to stop trying to reconcile their beliefs to this age! We answer to the one who called us. We don\u2019t go with the trend. We stand for reformed theology, for charismatic ministry, for apostles and prophets, for complementary roles for men and women, for grace, etc<\/strong>. We believe God has said do it this way, we will not just copy those who say do it another way. We are answerable to him.
\n4.\tBeing a servant<\/strong>. We just do what we are told. Doesn\u2019t require explanations. If Jesus says fill the water-pots with water, if you are a servant you don\u2019t have to have an explanation you just do it. The disciples got used to doing what they were told. At key points in the history of Newfrontiers Terry explained they have simply followed the prompting of God. Such as when they were told to stop Stonliegh or this conference. We go through a process, we don\u2019t jump to conclusion. We hear it together. That\u2019s all that\u2019s needed if you are a servant. God is happy when he found David as it says he is \u201ca man who will do my will.<\/strong>\u201d We just trust him with things outside our control. We trust his ability to provide. God has promised that we would help millions of people. We are to be the servant of God. It is a massive honor to be his servant. The world is waiting to see a church that looks like it is answering to God.<\/strong> We are not meant to try to get nearer to the worlds tune. We must be out of step with the world, offering them something other than what is pulling the world down.
\n5.\tFaith<\/strong>. God wants him to trust him more than we do. God loves robust faith. Sometimes you look at a ministry that is successful and think, I don\u2019t agree with some of what they say but God loves faith. God is doing phenomenal things in our day. We are little league. God is doing massive things today. The more the China church grows (and it is millions now) their economy is becoming stronger on the back of a protestant work ethic. Beware the danger of a passive Calvinism<\/strong>. Jesus challenged his followers when they couldn\u2019t cast out a demon \u201cits your little faith.\u201d He didn\u2019t say \u201cit wasn\u2019t the will of God.\u201d He said it comes from prayer. We need to get out from cynicism.
\n6.\tPrayer is absolutely fundamental<\/strong>. \u201cA move of God will last as long as it retains the Spirit of prayer that brought it to birth.\u201d Prayer must be at the center. Make sure prayer be at the hub of what you do. Do you want to be like Jesus? He prayed a lot!
\n7.\tGathering a team<\/strong> That has been wonderful. Friends, companions. What has he gained? Friendship at a deep level. Not just co-laborers. Partners. Koinonia. Partnership. Same vision. Complementary gifts.<\/strong> People who make up for his areas of lack. Vulnerability makes a team. That\u2019s how it works. Not a lot of yes men. Not clones. \u201cI am not wroth cloning I have a team because I need a team<\/strong>.\u201d Couldn\u2019t exist without drawing on these men and women that God has built around us. Prayer partners. Men of the Spirit. Prophetic conversations. Love one another, on the same page. Want to see what someone is hearing. Get before God together as a team. Love, trust, fellowship, men of the Spirit. Men who will disagree.<\/p>\n
\nTerry said it immediately reminded him of an old prophecy given to him in his first church: \u201cYoung men prepare yourself for ministry in this place as Terry will grow less and less, you will grow more and more.\u201d In the context, the prophecy was stating that \u00a0whe would go out from that church more and more. This is the same thing that is happening now.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/298\/2011\/07\/IMG_2835-6---blog.jpg\")
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