The Immigration Debate

Thank you for the editorial about Christians and immigration policy (Fire in My Bones by J. Lee Grady, August). It’s a shame that evangelicals are mostly against immigration. 

When people visit my church in Texas from up North and observe the powerful exhortations from the Word of God given by these foreigners, they say their opinion of immigration has changed. I wish all the bigmouths that don’t understand could spend a week in the Rio Grande Valley and meet “those people.”
Elder Dino Tuttle
Alamo, Texas

U.S. immigration policies have been racist—in favor of Mexicans! How long can a nation retain its integrity when its laws are rewritten to serve illegal aliens?
Meanwhile Cubans, Haitians and Chinese immigrants who’ve ventured to our shores in search of freedom have been forcibly turned away. No other race on the planet has enjoyed the blind eye of the U.S. Immigration Service as have Mexicans—not Peruvians, Colombians and especially not whites.
Marilyn W. Lathrop
Hagerman, New Mexico

I am a school bus driver who has had personal experience with the children of Mexican illegal immigrants in the Chicago area. These kids are in gangs and they are very prejudiced against white children. They are abusive and rebellious. They carry knives and often get suspended from school.

They are a serious threat. If you have the courage you should do a report on this. I cannot give my name because of the sensitive situation I am in.
Name withheld
Bedford Park, Illinois

What would Jesus do with illegal aliens? He went into the temple and turned the tables upside down. Yes, he loved every sinner there, but He did not love the sin. Allowing illegal aliens to live without fear of reprisal or eviction is turning America into a den of thieves.
John Meaux
Crowley, Louisiana

Katrina’s Silver Lining

Thanks for the great article on the Gulf Coast recovery effort (“One Year After the Storm” by Joe Maxwell, August). One very fascinating fact is that God has used young people to transform cities in the region. The younger generation of students has rallied to meet the needs of those around them.

Campus Crusade for Christ helped send 15,000 students to the Gulf region by the end of April. The response greatly overwhelmed us, and we were humbled by how God massively mobilized His work force.
Shane Deike, National Director
Ethnic Student Ministries
Campus Crusade for Christ
Orlando, Florida

Jews and the Gospel

I read your article about the need to support the state of Israel (“Why Israel Matters” by Robert Stearns, May). When ministries make their main focus something other than the proclamation of the gospel, or they choose to ignore or even contradict the need for Jewish people to receive the gospel, they go against Scripture. We need to speak the message of truth unashamedly.
Harold Marsh
Akron, Ohio

When I see pictures of the horrors perpetrated by Israel against the innocent, defenseless people of Lebanon, I am appalled that many so-called Christians turn a blind eye to the suffering and death inflicted by Israel. Is there no crime Israel can commit that would remind you that you are followers of Christ?

I pray daily for the people of Lebanon. Israel’s aggression should be forthrightly condemned by all Christians.
Mike Stamper
Windsor, Connecticut

Inconsistencies in Charisma?

J. Lee Grady wrote a column called “Clouds Without Water” (Fire in My Bones, May) in which he criticized the “superstar syndrome” in many churches. It seems that his column was in the wrong magazine.

I agree with the column. However, many of these “superstars” and “wells without water” appear regularly in Charisma in their slick, catchy, superstar ads. Grady said that the superstars need a “brotherly kick” for tolerating unbiblical attitudes. It seems that the superstars who are appearing in Charisma might need to be kicked out of the magazine if you are serious.
Manning Strickland
Spartanburg, South Carolina

No to Christian Yoga?

I’m in total agreement with Laurette Willis and her take on the “Christian yoga” movement (News, July). We Christians today try to put the “Christian” label on things that are established institutions of the world. The Bible teaches us to be different, and to be separate from any influence of the world.
Zachary Mitchell
Fox Lake, Wisconsin

I strongly agree with Laurette Willis in her effort to discourage all forms of yoga. That’s why I am deeply concerned about Susan Bordenkircher’s promotion of so-called Christian yoga. It’s imperative that this matter not be treated simply as a disagreement between two equally sincere Christians. Much of the church is being overrun by Eastern paganism, idolatry and demonic religious teachings.
Del Yoda
Epworth, Georgia

More on Brownsville

With regard to J. Lee Grady’s article about the Brownsville Revival (Fire in My Bones, July), I believe Grady’s motive in writing this was pure. It served to be provocative in that it caused, or at least ought to cause, churches to examine what went awry so we learn from those mistakes.

We Christians have a propensity to remain quiet, and sometimes we even ignore failures or biblical discrepancies. God wants to teach us all.
Bob Windel
Hutchison, Minnesota

I find it ironic that Charisma celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival in April and then ran an article accusing the leaders of Brownsville Assembly of God of mishandling a move of God in our day. The fact is that more people came to the Brownsville revival than Azusa Street, and Brownsville lasted three times longer. What will people say about Brownsville 100 years from now?
Larry Bogenrief
Willowick, Ohio

George Barna’s Revolution

With regard to the debate over George Barna’s book Revolution and the debate over house churches, I agree that small-group meetings can become a setting for anarchy. But is that worse than the megachurches that treat all hurting souls with a quick prayer of deliverance? Both are horrible witnesses to God’s character.
Sandra J. Robb
Chesapeake, Virginia

I do not believe traditional churches should disband. No church is perfect. There is no justification for leaving the traditional way of meeting just because I do not want to be subject to anybody or because a church or leader offended me.

I pray the Lord will help us, and that He will open believers’ eyes to see that this is the enemy’s work against the church.
Sam A. Olanipekun
London, England

There is no way I could imagine a small group of unaccountable mavericks speaking to the spiritual issues that confront my family and me. Revolution sounds like old-fashioned “rebellion” to me.
Sam Crisp
via e-mail

Yes, George Barna did cross a line in his book Revolution. It was a line that needed to be crossed. His book is a wake-up call to the church.
Matthew Thompson
Rockingham, North Carolina

My fear is that house churches made up of family members or close friends with no oversight or accountability have the potential to cause just as much damage as large churches that have moral or financial failures. The church is not the problem. We are the problem because we are the church.
Karen Rogneby
St. Louis, Missouri

I see good points on both sides of the house-church debate. I think unity must first come from traditional pastors. It will take men and women of God who are strong in their walk with the Lord to sanction house churches with loose oversight.
Russell Miller
Statesville, North Carolina

There is nothing wrong with house churches if they are genuine New Testament churches. But “innovation” has become an American idol. If I have to choose, I’ll take the traditional approach, thank you, as long as it proclaims the resurrection of Christ and manifests signs of Holy Ghost power as recorded in the book of Acts.
Jerry Rodgers
University Park, Illinois

I don’t think the traditional church should disband. In my ministry on the streets I’ve found that people are very interested in receiving Christ, yet a lot of them are not that interested in being a member of a traditional church. The church must make changes so people will have a different impression of what it is about.
name withheld

My Turn

I always appreciate J. Lee Grady’s opinion, though I may not agree with everything he says. However, he gives an unfavorable impression of the way pastor John Kilpatrick, the Brownsville Assembly of God leadership and its members handled the revival (Fire in My Bones, July).

To say “the word ‘revival’ now has a hollow ring” and to imply that Brownsville leaders “dropped the ark” is unfair and fails to keep in proper perspective the amazing job Kilpatrick did in shepherding the revival from 1995 to 2003.

I am a practicing attorney in Pensacola, Florida. Before I started representing pastor Kilpatrick, I attended the revival off and on from August 1995 until February 1997. I would never have been willing to represent him and the church at no cost had I not seen and been completely convinced they were doing everything within their power to manage the revival above board and with a pure heart.

We must remember that pastor Kilpatrick, worship leader Lindell Cooley, evangelist Steve Hill and the church paid a massive price to host the revival. No one bore more responsibility than Kilpatrick. His steadfast leadership guided the revival longer than any church-centered revival in the history of this country! That fact alone is an amazing testimony to the quality of his leadership under very difficult and unique circumstances.
R. Larry Morris
Pensacola, Florida

Reason to Live
By Jaime Jamgochian, Centricity Records.

Jaime Jamgochian’s Reason to Live brings the listener back to the heart of worship. Her sincere ballads and passionate songs of praise reveal an honest cry to love and know God. Songs such as “Hear My Worship” and “Devoted” will inspire you to throw down any image you have that does not reflect authentically who you are and reach for the place where God reveals His mysteries to you. Jamgochian offers her heart with this release, encouraging listeners to see worship as a lifestyle that doesn’t end when the music stops. Be prepared—her CD beckons you into the presence of God, where only the surrendered can enter.
Jevon Bolden

Surrounded
By Men of Standard, Integrity Gospel.

Men of Standard are one of gospel music’s premier vocal groups. Surrounded, their latest release, marks two firsts for the group: their debut on Integrity Gospel and a change from quartet to trio after the departure of Michael Bacon. The new CD showcases their trademark harmonies while adding an edgier style, thanks partly to production by Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary). The 10 tracks include potential urban-radio hits such as the exciting “I Will,” the funky “Everybody” and the reggae-infused “Alright,” which features rap icon Heavy D. The disc also includes collaborations with Tye Tribbett on the rock-tinged “Yours,” and Grammy-winner Kirk Franklin on the prayerful “Latter Rain.” Surrounded is a statement of Men of Standard’s commitment to musical quality and relevant ministry.

Twanna Powell

Living for You
By Gateway Worship, Integrity Music.

This new collaboration by the music team of Gateway Church, near Dallas-Fort Worth, contains an energetic range of styles—from contemporary to Euro—and makes for an exciting journey into worship. The songs of Living for You span some of the emotions we experience in the presence of God. “Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King” expresses the heart’s desire to be indwelled by the Spirit of God. “Reason I’m Alive” brings out uncontainable thanksgiving to Jesus the life-giver, the one who sacrificed all to give eternal life. The accompanying DVD of the live recording takes this package to another level while adding a visual demonstration of Gateway Church’s heart for God.
JEVON BOLDEN

Uncommon Days
By Circleslide, Centricity Records.

Centricity Records’ new band Circleslide finally arrives on the musical scene after winning the title of Best Contemporary Christian Band at 2003’s Music in the Rockies, sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. The collection of polished, modern-rock tracks on Uncommon Days creates an impressive musical experience. Highlights include the soaring rock of “Home,” Euro-rock sounds on “Noah,” the explosive hard-rock of “Weatherboy (C’mon C’mon),” the contemplative “Up to the Sky” and cutting-edge worship on “Sun of My Soul.” Uncommon Days was scheduled to release last year but was delayed. Thankfully, the music isn’t dated and even carries a feeling of newness. This is sure to be one of the finer rock releases of the year.
Dewayne Hamby

BOOKS

The Confident Woman
By Joyce Meyer, FaithWords, hardcover,
272 pages, $22.99.
Popular Bible teacher Joyce Meyer’s latest book offers a jolt of encouragement to those who want a healthy sense of self-worth based on having confidence in the Lord and trusting themselves because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Meyer, who publicly speaks of times in her past when she was molested by her father and other men and describes trials she’s undergone from being a people-pleaser and having a controlling personality, writes about the process God used to make her a new woman of confidence. She says confidence is found in doing the best we can with what we have to work with and that this process begins with self-acceptance. Any woman who struggles to have a healthy, wholesome and godly self-image would enjoy and learn from this book.
Tracee N. Mason

Furious Pursuit
By Tim King and Frank Martin,
WaterBrook Press, softcover,
224 pages, $14.99.
Many books have been written about chasing after God, but in Furious Pursuit: Why God Will Never Let You Go, authors Tim King and Frank Martin make their case that the Bible is a passionate romance story detailing God’s relentless pursuit of an intense relationship with His children. King and Martin explain that believers tend to dwell on their own failures and inconsistencies and only when they begin to accept the scope of His grace and love for them can they start to experience true peace and freedom. Both authors contribute insightful and interesting stories to make their points, and their use of the courtship-marriage analogy works well. Furious Pursuit presents the topic of God’s love in a compelling and reader-friendly style. A companion workbook is also available.
Jeff Friend

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
By Peter Scazzero, Integrity Publishers,
224 pages, hardcover, $19.99.
Peter Scazzero seeks to bridge the gulf between emotional and spiritual wellness in his new book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. He provides a well thought out and organized work that takes believers step by step from religion to relationship—healthy, whole relationships with God and His people. He believes humanity was created to experience deeply God’s love and that His love empowers Christians to be who they were designed to be in God, and then live in this position with authority. Scazzero helps readers identify dead areas in their emotions and spirituality and then guides them toward restoration by pointing them to God’s transforming love. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality extols the importance of being emotionally healthy and spiritually whole so that God can fully express His glory through His children.
Jevon Bolden

Captured by Grace
By David Jeremiah,
Integrity Publishers, hardcover, 256 pages, $21.99.
Hundreds of years separated the lives of the apostle Paul and John Newton, writer of “Amazing Grace,” but their stories have interesting parallels that demonstrate the vastness of God’s grace. David Jeremiah uses portions of Newton’s hymn and Paul’s letters to illustrate how grace transformed the lives of “a wretch” and “the chief of sinners” into powerful believers. Jeremiah does not simply quote Scripture or song lyrics and offer a few thoughts on each passage. He skillfully breaks them down into understandable, heart-lifting concepts through stories and practical applications. Captured by Grace is divided into three sections—Grace for the Past, Grace for the Present and Grace for the Future. These provide a clear, informative picture of God’s grace and all its many wonderful facets.
Jeff Friend

MOVIES

Everyone’s Hero
Twentieth Century Fox, Rated G.
Opens Sept. 15.
Everyone’s Hero is a charming story of a son’s love for his father. Yankee Irving loves the game of baseball, but he’s little and not very good—no one likes having him on their sandlot team. Yankee feels as if he can’t do much. His dad works at Yankee Stadium, where Babe Ruth is the star player. When Mr. Irving is accused of stealing the Babe’s magic baseball bat, he’s fired. Yankee is determined to do whatever it takes to help his dad get his job back. He knows who stole the bat and he’s going to get it back. A lot of people help Yankee along the way—including a talking baseball and bat. This little boy learns to believe in himself and in the end surprises everyone. Lots of funny antics and scenes will keep kids hooked to the story and laughing along. The entire family will enjoy watching this adorable, family-friendly film.
Leigh Devore

Flicka
Twentieth Century Fox, Rated PG.
Opens Oct. 20.
The beloved novel My Friend Flicka by Mary O’Hara comes to life in this modern film adaptation, Flicka. Teenager Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) and her father do not see eye to eye. Rob McLaughlin, played by country singer Tim McGraw, wants his daughter to go to college so she can choose a life beyond the family horse ranch. But ranching is the life Katy wants, and she won’t let anything stand in her way. When Katy finds a wild mustang, she is determined to tame Flicka—and prove to her father that she has what it takes to be a rancher. But Katy’s disregard for her father’s instructions puts everyone in danger. Eventually, through their disagreements and misunderstandings, father and daughter are able to gain a new appreciation of and understanding for each other. Families will enjoy the experience of seeing this classic story come to life.
Leigh Devore

FICTION – [Suspense]

Violet Dawn
By Brandilyn Collins, Zondervan,
softcover, 336 pages, $12.99.
Paige Williams is trying to overcome her tragic past. She moves to the small town of Kanner Lake hoping to make a new life for herself. But when a retired movie star disappears, Paige becomes a suspect. How can she explain what happened? Will she ever be able to put her past behind her?

[Historical]

The Prophet
By Francine Rivers, Tyndale House
Publishers, hardcover, 224 pages, $14.99.
Even as a youth, shepherd Amos saw that the priests cheated people for profit. As a man, he wonders if God sees the ongoing injustice—and if He cares. Amos avoids the corruption as much as he can. But God has a warning for those who do not honor His laws, and Amos is to be the messenger.

[Contemporary]

The Brushstroke Legacy
By Lauraine Snelling, WaterBrook Press,
Softcover, 400 pages, $13.99.
Ragni Clauson’s life is out of control. She hopes her three-week vacation will cure what ails her. But instead of weeks of leisure, she fulfills her mother’s request to restore her great-grandmother’s old cabin. As Ragni and her troubled teenage niece repair and restore the homestead, they reconnect with their heritage and gain a new perspective on life.

New On DVD

Though None Go With Me
GT Media
$19.98
Based on the novel by Jerry B. Jenkins, the Hallmark Channel movie Though None Go With Me is now available on DVD. Cheryl Ladd stars as the older Elizabeth Leroy Bishop, a woman who dedicated her life to God as a young woman. For five decades her faith is tested through a multitude of tragedies and circumstances. Bishop comes to realize that her commitment to God affected more than just her own life.

Thank You God for … Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies
Exclaim

Entertainment
$14.99
Boz the Green Bear Next Door DVD series helps children ages 1 through 6 learn developmental principles while exploring God’s world. On the newest DVD, Thank You God for…Bananas, Bubbles and Busy Bodies, Boz and 4-year-old neighbor twins Drew and Gracie learn about being active, eating right and staying clean. Each DVD in the series includes three 15-minute stories, music, games and other bonus features.

Preaching to the Choir
Codeblack Entertainment
$19.99
Twin brothers Teshawn and Wesley Tucker are not the best of friends and lead very different lives. Wesley ministers to people as a pastor of a church in Harlem. Teshawn is a hip-hop star. But when Teshawn gets into trouble, he has no choice but to turn to his estranged brother. Surprisingly, Teshawn becomes a great blessing to the church choir. And Pastor Wesley discovers he has a lot to learn when it comes to love and redemption.

‘More for your money’ describes many of the latest resources for students of the Bible
Today, Bible reference materials typically are released not only in traditional book form but also as computer software, with the latter option becoming increasingly popular—given the capability it provides of packaging multiple products together in one program.

Though the cost savings accrued from software usage can be significant, perhaps the greatest benefit of the digital form is the time savings it affords. A world of information can be as close as a click away, eliminating in some cases the need to leaf through countless reference books during study.

For the technologically challenged, however, there remains a wealth of reference materials in the traditional form to choose from. Whether you’re a layperson, Sunday school teacher, Bible-study leader or senior pastor, a wide variety of biblical reference books and software is available, no matter your budget or the translation or the format you need.

Helpful Terms

Before shopping for Bible-study materials, it is helpful to acquire at least a working knowledge of the standard reference products available to readers.

Dictionaries define the terms found in the biblical text. Encyclopedias explain the times and traditions of biblical people and places. Concordances show where specific words, phrases or ideas occur in the Bible.

Commentaries contain comments from scholars that explain the meaning of Bible passages. Handbooks give introductions and overviews to books of the Bible.

Atlases include maps and illustrations that show where biblical events occurred. Lexicons list words that appear in the Bible and their equivalents in the original biblical languages.

Given a grasp of the fundamentals, readers are better positioned to select from the plethora of products on the market today. In the list that follows are some of the more popular reference materials available, many of which come in both book and software formats.

Bible Study Resources

A classic reference text for today’s readers is The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Thomas Nelson). The concordance is completely updated with extra Bible study helps—including a 200-page topical index—and includes convenient pronunciation guides for readers.

For students of all ages there is The Student Bible Dictionary (Barbour Publishing). It contains definitions and explanations of hundreds of Bible words, names, places and concepts. Scores of full-color charts, maps, photographs and illustrations help to clarify the text and add visual appeal.

The Holman Illustrated Study Bible (Holman Bible Publishers) features the Holman Christian Standard Bible, one of the five best-selling translations of the Bible. To assist readers in contextual study of the Bible, more than 1,000 four-color maps, charts, photographs, reconstructions and supporting graphics are placed within the biblical text.

The Interlinear Greek-English New Testament (Baker) is a helpful tool for greater comprehension of the original Greek language used in writing the New Testament. Useful in devotional as well as exegetical study, it includes a Greek-English lexicon and New Testament synonym listing.

For those who dig archaeology, there is the new Archaeological Study Bible (Zondervan), which features nearly 500 full-color photographs of places and artifacts that explain the historical context of the people and stories of the Bible.

Also new is Zondervan’s Africa Bible Commentary, edited by Nigerian theologian Tokunboh Adeyemo. Described by pastor Rick Warren as a “monumental work” that would benefit every Christian, the volume features commentaries by 70 African scholars analyzing such issues as poverty, war, worship, prayer, AIDS, and race and ethnicity.

Another popular reference product is the perennial best-seller The Ultimate Bible Reference Library (Thomas Nelson) on CD-ROM, which offers a vast library of state-of-the-art Bible study tools, including $1,500 worth of unlocked resources.

Also from Thomas Nelson is its eBible for PDA Essentials Library Edition, which is readable on both Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld devices. It contains Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Nave’s Topical Bible, the Illustrated Bible Handbook and several other works.

Bible reference software is available not only for handheld personal computers but also for other portable computing devices.

iPocketBible (Avanquest), for Apple Computer’s wildly popular iPod digital media player, comes with unabridged text and audio and is meant for devotional reading and serious study. It works with Apple’s iTunes on both Macintosh computers and PCs. Using iTunes, you can drag and drop books or chapters of interest from the Bible or import the entire Bible for listening.

Also for iPod is Zondervan’s TNIV Bible for iPod, an interactive DVD-ROM.
With the popularity of the iPod has come an increased market for Macintosh computers. More publishers are now creating products for the growing group of Mac users.

The Zondervan Scholarly Bible Study Suite for Macintosh provides an impressive array of study tools. Included are three lexicons, two concordances, four analytical tools, three dictionaries and 15 other texts.

Thomas Nelson offers Mac users the Word Biblical Commentary CD-ROM Mac Edition, which features powerful search capabilities, views of multiple translations of the original Greek and Hebrew and bookmarks to note verses of interest.

Other electronic study choices range from the software version of printed study Bibles to entire libraries of Bible helps, such as Logos Research Systems’ Scholar’s Library, Parson Technology’s QuickVerse, Biblesoft’s PC Study Bible, Tyndale House’s iLumina and Thomas Nelson’s eBible Bible Study Library.

Software products will give you more for your money in Bible resources. A traditional reference-book library can cost as much as several thousand dollars. The typical software user generally can expect to spend closer to $200 for as much, if not more, reference material.

SPOTLIGHT

Stirring the Pot

Derek Webb is giving away his latest CD

Singer-songwriter Derek Webb attracted attention when he released Mockingbird, a collection featuring strong messages on issues such as poverty, AIDS and war. His goal was to apply the words of Christ to how believers live today and how they treat others. “I wouldn’t consider [the record] anti-war but pro-peace,” he says. “That is really the work of the Christian—to be pro-peace, to be pre-emptive about peace.” It’s a message he thinks is so important that in September he released the disc free at his Web site, www.derekwebb.com. “I don’t want to give people any reason to not engage with this record,” Webb says. “It’s so important that we have these conversations.”
DeWayne Hamby

Prayer Point

While most of the world was watching the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Christians in Sri Lanka were caught in the middle of a civil war that at press time had left dozens dead and thousands displaced. This month, we encourage you to pray that:

Enrollment is up at America’s Christian universities, and a new generation of leaders is in training.
A decade ago Christian colleges and universities would never have thought about capping their enrollment. But today, as young adults look for deeper purpose in their lives and vocations, faith-based schools are becoming a popular choice.

Between 1990 and 2005, enrollment at Christian colleges and universities increased 70.6 percent, according to a study conducted by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

“We believe that a big factor in growth is academic quality,” says Robert Andringa, who spoke with Charisma shortly before he retired as CCCU president in June.

“More evangelicals embrace higher learning” such as doctorate degrees, he notes, and the number of these new scholars who want to teach grows each year. More and more, they want “to work where their faith is encouraged and is allowed to be integrated into their teaching,” he says.

In Southern California, Azusa Pacific University (APU) has gained about 100 students a year, which administrators say is forcing them to cap enrollment. A four-year university known for its business, nursing and education programs, APU has roughly 4,200 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate students and distance learners.

“We want our students to have the opportunity to form relationships and possibly a mentorship with their professors; therefore, we have reached a point where we’re having to cap the freshman class,” says Dave Burke, director of undergraduate admissions at APU. “We want to keep the student enrollment at a size that enables students to have a full, rich college experience in a personal, relational environment.”

To accommodate its growing student body, APU plans to plant new campuses. “We’re planning to expand Azusa Pacific University global-learning communities all over the world,” he says.

With nowhere to expand their campus, administrators at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, also are feeling the heat of increasing enrollment, which is roughly 3,900. “Lee’s growth over the past 20 years has forced us to consider the possibility of capping enrollment … but we’re continuing to accept students each semester,” says Phil Cook, assistant vice president for enrollment at Lee, which was founded by the Church of God.

Andringa attributes the blossoming enrollment to an emphasis at Christian colleges on preparing students for a calling rather than a career. “Rather than educating for simply a career, our campuses train students to pursue a calling in life that is fulfilling and prepares students to positively impact their communities,” he says.

Like many Christian colleges, Lee integrates service opportunities into the curriculum and encourages students to think critically about their role in society. “All Lee students are required to complete a general education core, a minor in religion, service learning [80 hours in four years] and global perspectives [a study-abroad program],” Cook says. “Also, our Center for Calling and Career assists students in focusing their gifts and talents into the vocation to which God has called them.”

Administrators at North Central University in Minneapolis also built service opportunities into the curriculum.

“Students are required to fulfill a number of service hours every semester that can be fulfilled through volunteering at a local ministry, church or charity,” says Susan F. Detlefsen, North Central’s director of media relations. “This emphasizes our commitment to making sure that students are learning to serve while at college.”

Increasingly, Christian colleges also are being recognized for their academic programs. Texas-based Baylor University was listed in U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2006 edition, and Asbury College was listed among the most comprehensive colleges in the South. Meanwhile, The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report ranked Oral Roberts University (ORU) as one of the best colleges in the western United States.

“We want students to know who they are in Christ,” says ORU Dean of Student Development Clarence V. Doyd Jr. “We offer students the whole-person education—mind, spirit and body.”

Even secular institutions are finding that spiritual development matters to students. A recent Beliefs and Values Survey given to college freshmen by researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that three-fourths of college students are searching for meaning and purpose in life.

Similar numbers said they had high expectations that their college experience will help develop them emotionally and spiritually. Nearly half the respondents said it is “very important” that they have opportunities that will help them grow spiritually.

“The recent Spirituality in Higher Education Report by the Higher Education Research Institute clearly identifies the importance of campuses helping students explore their hunger for spiritual things,” Andringa says. “Most people are religious. There is a demand for institutions with a clear purpose and track record in addressing the needs of the mind, body and spirit.”

Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, met students’ spiritual needs in an unintended way last February when revival unexpectedly broke out.

“It was during the last hour of chapel service,” says Joy O’Neil, assistant director of campus ministries at Asbury. “Students started going down to the altar to worship and pray. The service never ended.”

O’Neil says the week of nonstop ministry brought greater unity to the campus, helped heal broken relationships and motivated some students to “surrender all” to Christ.
“Students said that the revival helped give them direction in their vocation,” she told Charisma, “and it helped deepen their spiritual growth in Christ.”

My Turn

I am disturbed by Fire in My Bones (“Barna’s Dangerous Proposal” by J. Lee Grady, June.) Grady rejects the move of the Spirit of God in home churches. His next to last paragraph is a terrible generalization because he stereotypes those who follow God’s leading to begin a church in their home. I can tell you we are not all “revolutionaries … angry … cynical … disrespectful of godly authority … who flit from one place to another and then leave as soon as someone confronts … [our] pride.”

God told us to just make a place for His presence where He can minister to His people. We are not calling people unto ourselves or to our leadership style. We put no confidence in our abilities, only His. We are challenging people to have a closer relationship with Jesus—a place of intimacy with Him. He is the only one who can meet them in their pain and deliver them.

I am disappointed that a magazine whose name reflects the gifts of the Holy Spirit is now afraid of what He is doing in the earth. If you ask Him for a fish, He won’t give you a snake! You should be encouraging people to pursue His presence wherever God is calling them, not thwarting it due to your limited experience.
I invite you to the House of Hope in order to broaden your understanding of what God is doing.

Bill Giuliani
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania

God and Uganda

I praise the Lord for the exciting revival in Uganda (“Uganda’s Miracle” by Kyalo Nguku, July). However, your article paints too rosy a picture of President Yoweri Museveni. He changed the constitution to allow himself to run for a third term, and then he ran an unfair campaign that included the unjust imprisonment of the main opposition leader.

The revival in Uganda is real, but government corruption is too. Christians need to pray for authorities, but we should not make others believe that a leader is a saint when his actions often speak otherwise.

The majority of Christians were against changing the constitution to allow a power-hungry president to continue to rule. The story implies that Museveni was part of the revival. Actually, the Lord is doing it in spite of him.
Ernst Lutz
Rockville, Maryland

Praying for Jerusalem

Thanks for publishing Robert Stearns’ article about Israel (“Why Israel Matters,” May). We in Kenya totally stand with Israel.

As we remember the terrorist bombings in the Kenyan cities of Nairobi and Mombasa, we will wholeheartedly support Israel with our prayers, especially when we set aside October 1 for the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. We humbly ask the United States, Great Britain, Canada and other African countries to join Robert Stearns and Eagles’ Wings for this important event.
James Onyango Owuor
Nairobi, Kenya

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is an extremely powerful and anointed initiative that gives the body of Christ the unbelievable opportunity to join together globally in prayer. I hope you will run more articles throughout the year to help continue drawing believers together toward this end.
Judy Cashatt
Dayton, Oregon

I am tired of hearing the mantra “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” How many years has this been going on and yet the situation gets worse?

The nation of Israel needs to be shaken until they admit they’re still stiff-necked like Jesus said of them. May God raise up an army of Stephens, not compromisers, who are not afraid of the word “controversy” and who will speak truth to the Jewish nation.
William Arensman
Waxahachie, Texas

In Larry Selig’s article about tourism (“Finding Jesus in the Holy Land,” May), he said people who tour Israel will have unique encounters with the Lord.
My wife and I went there in November and found it to be anything but a unique encounter.

The ministry we toured with shuttled us around like cattle from one site to another in a group of 340 people. We were rushed through the experience. We became very grieved and frustrated.

Please tell your readers to carefully select their tour and go with smaller groups if possible. Some of these tour groups go so often that they forget how special it is for first-time visitors.
Milton Hooper
Warner Robins, Georgia

What Happened at Brownsville?

Thank you for J. Lee Grady’s editorial about the aftermath of the Brownsville revival (Fire in My Bones, July). We have been members at Brownsville since 1988. Your article was balanced and fair.

The revival was great, but no one here had a handbook on running a revival. It appears many mistakes were made.

My conclusion: If Brownsville Assembly does not survive, though I think it will, what happened here was worth the cost of one church.
Douglas Broxson
Pensacola, Florida

Comparing the Pensacola revival with the ark of God was right on. Everyone seems to remember Uzziah’s mistake in touching the ark, but even more serious was the sudden death of the 50,070 men of Beth Shemesh for looking into it. Is it possible that God would not have us “look into” His modern-day moves among men?
David Roberts
Quakertown, Pennsylvania

No revival has ever continued indefinitely, though every revival has left its own distinct mark on human history—and so it is with Brownsville. It was therefore painful to read Grady’s question, “Did the leaders of this movement mishandle the anointing of God’s presence?” The revival team poured out their lives night after night. We would do better to honor that great sacrifice.
Charles and Dotty Schmitt
Silver Spring, Maryland

I commend Grady for taking a risk by asking the “hard” questions! He spoke in love without judgment, and with brokenness and honesty. Truth can endure hard questions, some of which needed to be asked.

Do not fear. Keep bringing these important matters to the body of Christ. We need to know.
R. Sequeira
Rancho Cordova, California

I was never privileged to attend the revival meetings at Brownsville, but I was greatly blessed by the music and the news coming from there. I just wanted you to know that not everyone found your article to be critical.
Phyllis Simmons
Richlands, Virginia

Editor’s note: In J. Lee Grady’s column about the Brownsville revival, he stated that attendance at the church had dropped to 500. Leaders of the church say attendance is currently 1,000. Charisma regrets the error.

We encourage all readers who benefited from the Brownsville revival to help retire the church’s $9.5 million debt. You can send donations to Brownsville Assembly of God, 3100 W. DeSoto St., Pensacola, FL 32505.

God—In or Out of the Box?

Your article about Christians who don’t go to church was great (“God Is Out of the Box” by Ken Walker, July). It was well balanced and positive. I was out of church for 2-1/2 years, and in all honesty it was an awesome experience. I’m a former youth pastor who attends church now, but I am struggling to fit back into regular church.
name withheld

I don’t agree with Charisma’s criticism of house churches. The many house-church folks I know are among the most deeply spiritual people I have ever met. They have left the traditional church in favor of a more New Testament position.

I agree that some who have left their local churches have done so as a result of being wounded by controlling pastors. We have had to minister to many of them, helping them to forgive and to be healed.

I have ministered on every continent for more than 45 years and have been a part of many major new things, including the charismatic renewal of the 1970s and Youth With A Mission. I must say that the current, developing, worldwide house-church movement is the most biblical, spiritual, workable, simple, easily reproducible Christian movement in the world.

Please take another look—for your sake and for the sake of your many readers.
Nake Krupp
Salem, Oregon

I part company with Charisma’s hypercriticism of George Barna’s book about the house-church movement and his vision of a new movement of God already in progress. People are tired of the “stage” version of Christianity that involves folks gathering to watch an entertaining performance of “anointed” players. With 40 million AIDS orphans in the world, there is no time to lose in the fight for the “least” of these.
Robert Rubinow
Massillon, Ohio

Driven By Eternity
By John Bevere, Warner Faith,
hardcover, 256 pages, $19.99.

The latest book by popular conference speaker and best-selling author John Bevere, Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today and Forever, has the makings of an instant Christian classic. Bevere, author of The Bait of Satan, delves into questions everyone asks, such as: Why am I here? How can I make my life count? What will happen when this life is over? Weaving teaching and storytelling, Bevere creates a parable about the imaginary city of Affabel and six people—Double Life, Selfish, Charity, Independent, Deceived and Faint Heart—to illustrate how the choices we make in life are the keys to how we will spend eternity and what we will be doing there.
Tracee N. Mason

Between Heaven and Ground Zero
By Leslie Haskin, Bethany House Publishers,
hardcover, 192 pages, $17.99.

Leslie Haskin offers a play-by-play account of her morning routine at her job on the 36th floor of the World Trade Center, Tower One, on Sept. 11, 2001. She vividly paints the jarring scenes of people being injured, escaping, jumping or dying, but graciously avoids overly gruesome details. Haskin shares the good that God has done in her life by using this tragedy to bring her into a complete relationship with Him. Pointing out that she did not know Sept. 11 would be the last day she would see some of her colleagues alive, Haskin faces the fact that she did not tell them about Jesus, while challenging readers to love the gospel enough to share it. This survivor has allowed God’s healing and grace to raise her to a new life of helping others. She has since founded Safe Hugs, a ministry for women and children who are homeless and victims of domestic violence. Between Heaven and Ground Zero serves as a gentle reminder not to forget 9/11 but even more so to carry out the Great Commission at all times.
Anna Flynn Stewart

It’s Your Time
By Eddie Long, Whitaker House,
hardcover, 192 pages, $19.99.

It’s Your Time: Reclaim What the Devil Has Stolen will light the flame of any believer who has been in a season of “expectation” while waiting for the blessings of God. Eddie Long minces no words as he challenges the believer to take possession of all the territory God has given him. Using ancient Israel as his example, Long shows the reader how the God of Abraham is the same miracle-working, battle-defeating God today that He was long ago. Long doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that in the process of taking dominion over the land many believers will come away with permanent scars. He uses relevant topics that arise in everyday political, educational and socioeconomic settings to show where the believer should be taking the initiative to rise up and conquer. This book is full of authoritative encouragement. It definitely will pump life back into dead dreams and shelved destinies.
Jevon Bolden

The Spirit-Filled Small Group
By Joel Comiskey, Chosen,
softcover, 191 pages, $12.99.

Joel Comiskey has authored 13 books, many dealing with the worldwide cell-group movement. In The Spirit-Filled Small Group: Leading Your Group to Experience the Spiritual Gifts, Comiskey challenges those involved in small-group meetings to embrace the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in their gatherings. Practical steps are given on how to prepare for and follow the Spirit’s leading, as well as ways to encourage each member to identify and use their spiritual gifts. At first the book seems almost simple (no small task for an adjunct professor who holds a Ph.D. from Fuller Theological Seminary). But Comiskey builds a strong case for the necessity of Spirit-filled, small-group ministry by revisiting the New Testament church, where members met in homes and the gifts of the Spirit were in operation. Noticeably missing from the book, by the author’s own admission, are topics such as leadership training and small-group dynamics. Although more might have been included about safeguards for avoiding excesses and maintaining balance, this book inspires readers to reach for the highest spiritual goals in small-group ministry.
Angela R. Munizzi

The Supernatural Ways of Royalty
By Bill Johnson and Kris Vollotton,
Destiny Image, softcover, 232 pages, $14.99.

The Supernatural Ways of Royalty is a refreshing take on the believer’s place in Christ. Rather than focusing on the curse of sin after the fall of man, this book positions itself around who the believer is as God’s redeemed, His royal priesthood, and His princes and princesses. Johnson writes: “It is difficult to build something substantial on a negative.” He says that by getting the believer past the stage of being “sinners saved by grace” and into the reality of being sons and daughters of God, the cry of all creation to see God’s glory revealed through His children will be answered. He says Jesus’ Great Commission will be filled with all the accompanying signs—the dead will be raised, the sick will be healed, and the brokenhearted will be mended. This book will set the reader on a triumphant path of being part of the glory of God not only in eternity but also in the here-and-now.

Jevon Bolden

Answered Prayer—Guaranteed!
By Frederick K.C. Price, Charisma House,
hardcover, 240 pages, $19.99.

Frederick K.C. Price, pastor of the 22,000-member Crenshaw Christian Center in Inglewood, Calif., and a leader in the Word of Faith Movement, brings his teaching on prayer to believers from all faith traditions in Answered Prayer—Guaranteed! The Power of Praying With Faith. Next to salvation and receiving the Holy Spirit, Price asserts that “there is no issue in all of a Christian’s spiritual life that is as critical as getting prayer right!” He instructs Christians on six different types of prayer found in the Scriptures—agreement, faith, consecration and dedication, praise and worship, intercession, and binding and loosing—and gives seven steps for receiving answers to petition prayers. Price emphasizes that “no” is not an answer believers will hear from God when they pray according to His will. Offering clear examples from personal experience, Answered Prayer—Guaranteed! directs readers to reconsider their prayer practices and challenges believers to see how faith fits into their everyday walk with the Lord.
Christine D. Johnson

Bible Study

Daniel
By Beth Moore, LifeWay Press,
Leader Kit $199.95.

Interested in how to live a life that influences the world rather than living a life under its influence? Students of Beth Moore’s new Bible study on Daniel will get an enlightening history lesson with extremely relevant applications for today. This study will help readers identify and avoid the Babylon mind-set of self-centered self-gratification and will encourage godly living in a hostile environment. The Daniel study is different from past studies by Moore in that the video sessions are done first and the homework expounds upon that material. It is an 11-week study that is divided into two parts. Part One covers living godly in a pagan world; Part Two, eschatology. Wisely, Moore avoids sounding dogmatic, acknowledging different views. She offers her position while encouraging more investigation as she emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God’s invincible and everlasting kingdom.
Deborah L. Delk

Music

This Is Me
By Kierra Kiki Sheard, EMI Gospel.

Kierra Kiki Sheard, fresh from whirlwind success with her debut disc, I Owe You, and her subsequent remix project, has released her newest CD, This Is Me, a collection of inspirational contemporary gospel and urban tracks. Sheard frequently offers worship and evangelistic messages on the disc in songs such as the low-key “It Is What It Is,” which has a central message about life after death. The title track, also featuring a mellow vibe, is a testimonial track. The tempo picks up on danceable tracks such as “Why Me” and “You’re the Only One”—songs of thankfulness and worship—the rap fusion of “Have What You Want,” and the celebration atmosphere of “You.” Sheard is served well by the slick production and memorable songs on the disc that will no doubt further cement her status as a promising new gospel artist.
Dewayne Hamby

Testimony
By Virtue, Integrity Gospel.

It has been three years since Virtue’s last album, Free. But the hiatus proves to be worth the wait after hearing Testimony, their most consistent and strongest album to date. Testimony comprises 14 tracks that feature the harmonies of sisters Ebony, Heather and Karima laced over hard-hitting production provided by Fred Jerkins and Lashawn Daniels. Virtue shows its growth artistically and personally with this CD. The first single, “Follow Me,” is already garnering major radio airplay. Testimony also includes potential crossover hits such as “123 Praise,” a hard-hitting hip-hop track featuring Christian rapper T-Bone. True to their roots, Virtue also expresses emotive songs with such tracks as “Thank You Jesus” and “Nothing Ever Mattered” as well as possible future worship classics “Holy, Holy” and “Praises to You,” which features Stellar Award-winner Martha Munizzi. Testimony is a breakthrough project that should take Virtue’s music ministry to the next level.
Twanna Powell

Blue on Blue
By Leigh Nash, One Son Records.

One of the new solo artists to debut this year also has one of the most recognizable voices. As singer for Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash experienced breakthrough success in mainstream and Christian circles, most notably with radio smash-hit “Kiss Me.” Although Nash has contributed solo work to a few compilation projects, Blue on Blue is the first full-length debut project to showcase her distinctive vocals. Like some other straight-ahead pop releases from Christian artists, Nash’s Blue is the result of songwriting from a Christian worldview and revolves around marital and maternal love. Highlights include the power pop of “Ocean Size Love,” the moody “Blue,” the bouncy “Cloud Nine” and the sweet “My Idea of Heaven.” Blue on Blue is a fitting new entry point for Nash and should leave listeners both thankful for this new beginning and clamoring to hear more from her in the future.
Dewayne Hamby

Unleashed
By PK7, Integrity Music.

Promise Keepers band, PK7, recently released a CD designed especially to ignite men into an intimate relationship with God through passionate worship. Unleashed offers 11 in-depth praise and worship songs with rock acoustics, intimate lyrics and heartfelt vocals from the cross-generational conferences in 2006. The worship is led by Jared Anderson, Drew Cline, Curt Coffield, Steve Garrett, Darwin Hobbs, Jason King, Abel Orta and Jerard Woods. The album features the up-beat, rock worship of “Hosanna.” Breaking any racial barriers with jazzy acoustics and soulful vocals, “Breakthrough” creates an intimate worship atmosphere. And balancing the album, “Offering” features a men’s choir sound to make the music more personal. This music is designed to help a man become all God has created him to be.
Nikeya S. Williams

New On DVD

Mother Teresa
Fox Home Entertainment $19.98

Golden Globe winner Olivia Hussey portrays the unassuming, selfless missionary Mother Teresa. This woman became a symbol of self-sacrifice, compassion and peace. Watch as the story of this humble yet incredibly strong woman unfolds on screen.

BrainFreeze
Tommy Nelson $14.99

In the second DVD created for 6- to 10-year-olds, the Horned Avenger and his pal, BLT (yes, a pig) take on BrainFreeze. This villain thinks he can freeze Speranza folks’ creativity by making them lose their confidence. But the hero and sidekick help the people realize that when they are not sure of themselves they can rely on God and His creativity. Bonus features include a “how to draw” section, coloring sheets, a trivia game and much more.

Nomad
INO Records
$14.98

Nomad, a new DVD documentary film series, presents Sara Groves: Just Showed Up for My Own Life. This is an inspiring glimpse into the life of a musician, wife, mother and fellow Christian. See Groves and her family minister to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and visit Rwanda. But even more than that, watch Groves’ transformation as she follows God’s call for her beyond her comfort zone. The DVD includes music from Groves as well as vignettes that could be used in small groups.

SPOTLIGHT

‘Jesus Hasn’t Changed’

Sonicflood frontman testifies to miraculous healing

Sonicflood lead singer Rick Heil grew up in a church that taught that miracles had ceased. So when at age 11 he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, he thought he’d never be free of the debilitating chronic illness. Then in 2005, with the pain unbearable, Heil opted to try yet another surgery. Dr. James Church, who is a Christian, removed two inches of scar tissue from previous surgeries then looked around for traces of the disease. He found nothing. “I grew up going to a church where they taught … that miracles have ceased,” Heil says. “Having experienced miracle after miracle in my life, I would have to firmly disagree. My Lord Jesus has not changed. He is still doing mighty miracles.”
Leilani Haywood

Prayer Point

Religious freedom is virtually nonexistent in North Korea, where Christians are either in prison for practicing their faith or forced to worship in secret. This month we encourage you to:

Barna’s Revolution

I’ve been amazed as J. Lee Grady has repeatedly knocked one topic after another out of the park (Fire in My Bones). A true big-league, home-run hitter, at least up to his trashing of George Barna’s Revolution (June). That was more like foul and whiff. No home run this time.
John L. Moore
Miles City, Montana

I would have agreed with George Barna had it not been for the hurricane that destroyed my city. Rich, large churches were the first to offer food, clothing and shelter. But this is not to discredit smaller churches that didn’t have the resources. Instead of abandoning the church, we should call on God to cleanse it of leaders who make it unbearable.
Teena Myers
New Orleans, Louisiana

Regardless of where my church meets, I intend to hold on to the New Testament principles of healthy, accountable leadership. How will anyone be trained properly and with balance without accountability? We all have blind spots and need someone who can speak truth into our lives.
Jane Hamilton
Liberty Life Center
Davie, Florida

Kudos for George Barna’s new book, Revolution. After hearing 5,000 sermons, I have had to sadly conclude that my own personal needs were never met. I would have been years ahead in my Christian experience if I had attended a weekly, confidential cell group in a home.
Arthur Falch
San Francisco, California

It appears you scanned Revolution through the lens of your own agenda and inaccurately paraphrased Barna’s ideas. Though I admit the tone is frustrated, even angry at points, you give your readers the image that Barna is pulling people out of churches across the world. Your portrayal is inaccurate and deceptive. He is not urging people to leave churches in throngs.
D.T. Brown
Austin, Texas

Perhaps house churches are popular because of the cost: no tithes or offerings. Programs tailored for kids appear no longer relevant. Apparently, house churches don’t have many children. That’s tragic. Most believers accept Christ as kids. If the church disintegrates into house churches, its moral force will be lost, speeding Christian America into the end times.
Noel Daniels
Fresno, California

Most, not all, house churches are full of people in rebellion who do not want to tithe. I often wonder who is the authority in a house church, especially if it’s their house! Without that biblical, correct and nonabusive authority in leadership, you have anarchy.
name withheld

Reaching the Saints in Utah

God bless Sandra Tanner and her husband for the wonderful, eternal work they’re doing in the Mormon stronghold of Utah (“The Bravest Woman in Utah” by John Draper, June). God is using her to reach Latter-day Saints with the gospel, despite challenges and opposition to the truth. I pray He will continue to bless them for being committed to the call.
S. Dawson
Destin, Florida

In response to John Draper’s article, I appreciate the ways God has used Sandra Tanner to help confused Mormons, but the writer presents an imbalanced and misleading view of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). I have become acquainted with many Mormons who believe everything LDS teaches them and yet are also committed Christians.
Cal Fullerton
Newport, New Hampshire
Brownsville Revival

I am saddened by the direction of Brownsville Assembly of God. However, my life is fruit of the revival. (Fire in My Bones, July). I don’t care what the critics say; Jesus was alive in every meeting.
Chris Davis
Salinas, California

I appreciate the perspective of Lee Grady regarding the revival, and I share his grief over the mistakes that happened there. Revivals are never intended to last; they are intended to revitalize the body for healthy ministry. Too often when the glory stays, so do we.
Chad Germany
Houston, Texas

Standing With Israel

Thanks for the article “Why Israel Matters” by Robert Stearns (May). We must never forget that God will always love Israel. What a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness to His promises. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem requires that we pray for the peace of its people.
Lisa Myrick
Kailua Kona, Hawaii

It is good to see that the church is waking up to stand with Israel and realizing that it’s not replacing that nation but is grafted in through Romans 11:17. I got your magazine because of the front page on Israel. I am a Messianic gentile who prefers to worship God in a Jewish synagogue rather than a church.
Alice Adams
El Paso, Texas

Christian Hope Network (CHN) of Kenya will stand with Israel in this time of great need for prayer. Though many churches in the West are not standing with Israel, we at CHN Kenya know for sure that our faith is rooted in Israel.
Rev. James Onyango Owuor
Nairobi, Kenya

You continuously quote “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” out of context for supporting the secular state of Israel even though there is no exegetical relationship. You should be informing your readers of what the rest of Scripture says, especially Isaiah 56:3,6-8. The Jews were chosen by God as a conduit of His grace for the salvation of the entire world, not just the Hebrew people.
name withheld
Sunnyvale, California

Stearns explains in the most compelling manner what every committed Christian must be prepared for in the coming days. Israel’s history can’t be denied. Jesus came as a Jew, and as His followers we must understand our heritage. We can’t be silent when it pertains to the peace of Jerusalem.
Rev. Barbara A. Yovino
Brooklyn, New York

Robert Stearns’ article on Israel is the most important story in print right now.This one statement must be grasped: Israel is rapidly evolving into what may become the most fundamental issue to face every Bible-believing Christian in the world.
Wendy Finch McCusker
Westerville, Ohio

Hearing the unbelievable cry for the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people should shake every Christian out of the lethargy of thinking the body of Christ is exempt from this same hatred. Thanks to Stearns for his bold, passionate plea for Christians to take a stand with Israel.
Linda Lee
Elizabethtown, Indianapolis

I commend you for taking a strong stand on behalf of Israel. The church desperately needs to be informed, and it is incumbent on us to stand and take our place. Robert Stearns is a wonderful example of that.
Alice Holland
Springfield, Virginia

Christians need to have a proper understanding of what God says about Israel and the vital role the church can play in supporting this nation. I applaud your efforts in shining light on this subject.
Linda Welker
Lake Mary, Florida

The articles on Israel are educational and timely, but something is missing.We can “pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” but peace for people anywhere comes only through Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah. I pray with the apostle Paul: “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” (Rom. 10:1, KJV). Yes, we should pray for Israel, but not just for the land.
Ginger Zemelman
Overland Park, Kansas

Correction: In our profile of worship leader Israel Houghton (“A Passion for His Presence,” June) we stated that Houghton wrote the songs “No Limits” and “Friend of God.” He wrote “Take the Limits Off” with Aaron Lindsey while “No Limits (Enlarge My Territory)” was written by Derick Thomas. Houghton co-wrote “Friend of God” with Michael Gungor. Charisma regrets the error.

My Turn

I was both shocked and chagrined at the stance and content of Lee Grady’s “Barna’s Dangerous Proposal” (Fire in My Bones, June). A recent survey of the Barna Group has revealed a breathtaking picture of how much deeper, more committed, more knowledgeable and more doctrinally correct revolutionaries are compared to the average evangelical. Bottom line: Barna’s writings in Revolution (Tyndale) are complementary with our house-church stuff.

Your statement that “He wants to reinvent the church without its biblical structure and New Testament order—and without the people who are anointed by God to guide it” is just flat wrong. He would be horrified at that. 

On the matter of New Testament order, I assume you’re referring to the institutional, pyramidal “local” churches of today. That is precisely the thing that Barna’s numbers are showing clearly to be spiraling downward. He is right about revolutionaries forming house, office and campus churches. 

But his prediction that many of them will find a spiritual home grounded in a floating subculture of music festivals and large conferences is too optimistic. They won’t find the accountability of small-group relationships there. What will survive are house churches that are making obsolete audience-style Christianity that produces so many irresponsible spectators. Surveys show there’s a rapidly growing crowd of perhaps 23 million born-again Christians in the U.S. who show up for only Christmas and Easter, if that.

In the 1990s, perhaps half the U.S. house churches were composed of survivors and dropouts. But that sort of meeting now constitutes roughly 5 percent of house churches in America. The vast majority of house-church networks today are positive, biblically solid and oriented toward reaching nations. It’s a new day in the house-church scene, and I think Barna has picked up on this.
Jim Rutz, Chairman
Open Church Ministries
Colorado Springs, Colorado

K.P. Westmoreland is chronicling his adventures in ministry in a TV series called Rev’d
K.P. Westmoreland isn’t sure how he ended up in a remote village in the middle of China. Stranger still was the fact that he found himself sharing his testimony with a burn victim who happened to be a fortune teller. As Westmoreland’s missionary companion led the woman in a prayer of repentance, he looked on in utter awe.

“I watched my friend lead this Chinese fortune teller in the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus and denounce all the demonic stuff she had been involved in,” he said.

To this day, the 39-year-old is amazed by the way God has used a former drug addict from Yukon, Okla., as a national evangelist and occasional world traveler.

After his parents divorced just before he entered junior high school, Westmoreland started experimenting with drugs, alcohol and sex. Even though he was raised in church, he said he never made any strong, lasting spiritual connections with Christ.

“I questioned everything,” he said. “I never really doubted that there was a God and that Jesus Christ was real. I just didn’t want to have anything to do with Him.”

Things worsened while attending a nearby Christian college, where he was on a basketball scholarship. Westmoreland flunked out after his first year and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where his mother had moved to care for his grandmother.

“That’s when I got to the end of my rope and called out to the God that I’d heard about as a kid,” Westmoreland said. “This doesn’t happen for everybody for some reason, but miraculously He removed the addiction from me. It was immediate.”

Westmoreland returned to school a changed man. After graduation, he used his basketball skills for youth and prison ministries. He also met his wife, Teri. The couple’s 11-year wedding anniversary also marks another important milestone.

“We were miraculously called into the ministry and God confirmed it through others and through some pretty supernatural circumstances,” Westmoreland said. “We’ve never looked back. I went full time into the ministry. Financially it’s been hard. I’m not running Focus on the Family here. But 11 years later I’ve never looked back.”

But Westmoreland found that one of his old desires was still hanging around. He had a motorcycle in college but sold it to buy a car. Westmoreland searched everywhere looking for a way to create his own custom bike, but his wife didn’t like the idea. She eventually told him, “You can have a bike when God gives you one.”

The next morning, Westmoreland was meeting one of his ministry’s board members who had brought along a friend. That man proceeded to tell Westmoreland that God had prompted him to donate a custom bike to the ministry.

Commonly referred to as “the faith bike,” Westmoreland’s motorcycle has an elaborate portrait of Christ, custom crosses and “Acts 4:12” stitched on its seat. The bike looks like something that came from the popular TV show American Chopper and has opened doors for Westmoreland to minister to a whole new group of people.

“Since having this bike, I started noticing the hard-core biker dude or the trucker going out of their way to come over to me and ask me questions and look at this bike,” Westmoreland said. “Normally they … wouldn’t have looked at me and thought, Hey, that’s a guy I can relate to. But as soon as we got the bike, boom, it just happened.”

Westmoreland takes his bike most everywhere he travels. He recently chronicled some of his encounters for a TV pilot called Rev’d, which he plans to turn into a series that will air on TBN. Westmoreland is also developing a DVD curriculum geared toward young adults called The Journey in which his ride takes a central role.

“In the grand scheme of things … it is just a motorcycle,” Westmoreland said. “It gets dirty and oily and dusty, and I’ve had to repair it. It’s a wad of metal. But it’s all about what impact you have with that tool while you have it.”

Westmoreland’s impact has been widespread and at such varied places as Christian music festivals, Native American reservations, churches and of course, a remote village in the middle of a communist nation.

Westmoreland says he simply wants to go wherever God leads him. “I don’t want to be on this planet in 10 years and not be hearing from the voice of God,” he said. “That would be miserable.”
Chad Bonham in Broken Arrow, Okla.