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Issue link: http://magazine.kcm.org/i/1321384
In 1967, something new was going on in America that I knew nothing about. It was called the Jesus Movement. Their way of living, and the message they carried of God’s love, prepared people for the Lord. Even I was being influenced by the Jesus people who were on a mission to give people hope for their lives and for the world. Like so many others, I was confused about my own life and the world around me. I had no clue that my answers could be found in the Lord. I certainly wasn’t looking for answers in the Church. I was living the life my father had warned me about when I was 12: that if I started using pot at a young age, it would lead to other things, possibly even heroin. In 1971, I found myself exactly where my dad had “prophesied” I would be—waking up from a heroin-induced stupor. When my first thought that morning was, I want to do that again, right now, I remembered his words and at that moment I realized I needed help. I realized I needed Jesus in my life! I began my pursuit of the things of God, and He guided me every step of the way! And guess where He took me? He took me to church! He connected me with a church deacon who took me under his wing. This man and the people of that church welcomed me and made me ready to meet the Lord. They helped me to know my heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. And they led me to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit. And here’s the great part, I wasn’t the only long-haired, drugged-out, spaced-out person they welcomed into their church. That Spirit-led church family became a loving, accepting, forgiving family to Vikki as well—before we were married. They gave us hope for our future. They gave us the light of Jesus. They helped make us ready for a right relationship with the Lord. When God brought me to the church and I met Jesus, everything changed and my life has never been the same! These days we are living in mirror the days when I was young and headed down a path of destruction. Young people are craving answers. Our nation and our churches are craving real leadership. Voices are coming at people from all directions as we live under the influence of social media and biased news media. The truth is, each of us has a part in God’s Anointing to make people ready for the Lord. Every day He brings people across our paths who are searching for answers and a way out of darkness and confusion, much like we all were at one time. I thank God that His plan is for all His people—that’s you and me—to be His voice to our generation. God has placed an awesome calling on the Church and her leaders. We are experiencing a new and fresh presence of the Holy Spirit. I believe God is asking us to pick up the spirit of Elijah and John—the spirit that readies people for the Lord. He is entrusting us to minister to their needs—then ready them for the Lord. As we rely on the Holy Spirit of our God and the love of Jesus to do the work, we can depend upon a fresh authority and a fresh anointing from God, enabling us to stand out, step up and declare together to all people, “Get ready! Your most amazing days are yet to come!” V Dennis and his wife, Vikki, are co-founders of Dennis Burke Ministries in Arlington, Texas. For more information and ministry materials go to dennisburkeministries.org. ********************************************* ********************************************* Digital issue magazine.kcm.org ******************************************** BVOV : 37