The Concept

A friend gave me the word for 2009 that I was the catalyst.
“An agent that provokes and speeds change.” God uses me to say things to Christians in a unique and often humorous way that gets them thinking and willing to change. The message is eternal, the delivery contemporary.

God led me to leave pastoring in Denver last year and has given me a simple strategy to help churches and pastors. I’ve been traveling to over 45 churches a year and preaching to thousands of Christians and hundreds of pastors. Everyone I’ve talked to are concerned about the health of the church and asking how to create healthy and committed Christians. I love revivals and conferences, and want to continue to do these whenever possible. There is room for some new approaches. The encounters were started by Larry Neville and me two years ago and offer something unique. In these intense interactive events God accomplishes something exceptional. They are fast paced, more than a sermon and highly experiential and cognitive.

We were saved in revival with an all out commitment to church and discipleship. Today the climate and the environment of the church has changed. Many good Christians won’t or can’t go to church 5 or 6 times a week as they get busier and busier. Because of this and age many churches are a mix of mature and immature members, with Christians missing key pieces in faith and belief. If Christians get the right information and help they can be as effective and powerful as ever. I believe we need to think more about how to bring truth and help that fits today. This is the idea behind the encounter. I focus on two key areas: spiritual development and discipleship. In 7 hours I bring a closer connection to both God and the church.

The idea is to do something that’s not a revival but more a seminar or a retreat mixing interaction with teaching. With little worship or church business we zero in on the message. In 2009, I’m involved in three different types of encounters.

The Events

World Changers Encounter:

The World Changers Encounter is an event co-held with Larry and Janet Neville. These have been going on for two years and will be in ten different locations around the country and Mexico. These are Praise Chapel events that build synergy and challenge the fellowship to be world changers. The theme this year is purpose, perspective and perseverance. For information check www.praisechapel.com

The other two events I do alone. It can be for a single church or a group of churches involved in these.

The Catalyst:

The Catalyst deals with the world, the flesh and the devil. These three things are critical but not understood by most Christians. They lock us in to the carnal stopping the change Jesus promised. In this encounter we relook at what Christ did for us, what it means and how to apply the word and the Holy Spirit in everyday living. The idea is a spiritual saturation. This is a three day event (or weekend) to help Christians learn to change, enjoy life and make their life count.

  • Day one – defeating the flesh by obedience and repentance
  • Day two – breaking the hold of the world by right thinking
  • Day three – A real devil and Holy Spirit and how that unlocks our full potential
Discipleship – The Next level:

I wrote the X-Fools Guide to Discipleship because I saw a need for a handbook to help Christians rediscover the lost art of discipleship. The commission to reach and change the world is still valid today and the key is still disciples. Churches need to have a way of taking people from discovering God to living for him and being fruitful. This event does that.

  • Day one – Seeing the Big Picture and the personal call to follow Christ.
  • Day Two – The practical side of discipleship and building the church
  • Day three – being like Christ

The Basics

Practical:
  • This will be for three evenings or a Friday night and Saturday morning (around 7 hours)
  • It’s best when tables are set up
  • There will be workbooks for them to use and keep for themselves
Financial:
  • There is a charge of $25 for singles and $40 for couples. This is minimal for an event like this, and covers air fare and love offering.
  • The goal is to take financial pressure off the church as well as to bless us. This may make for a smaller crowd but the ability to focus on those most interested in change. We are asking those who sponsor these to do everything possible to get a minimum of 50 people at the event. This will guarantee an impact on the church.
  • Not just wanting to help but to bless my commitment is that if fifty people come the sponsoring pastor will get back $5 a person plus the same for every person after that to use however he wants. We want this to bless us, the pastor and the church.