After much prayer and planning, it's great to be finally able to announce the final details of my visit to Kenya next month. This is an important visit and all prayers would be really appreciated. The purpose is two fold.

1. Formulation of final business plan for International Car Export business into Kenya

In a time of intercession and prayer for Cornwall this week I had an overwhelming sense of God’s presence and I believe a prophetic unction or anointing came over me. What I saw in the Spirit I will try to describe as follows:

Not many would deny that we are living in the age of the instant. We want everything now, and we’re not prepared to wait for it, whatever ‘it’ may be. In fact we’ve gone so far that it doesn’t even matter what ‘it’ may be anymore, we just know that we want ‘it’ and want ‘it’ now!

Further to our current structuring and preparing for the future, there has been some considerable advances which I am really excited about, as it will postion TOM into a place that will facilitate expansive growth for years to come. What I share is not new and indeed the way forward means taking the old ways back.

With the growth of TOM over the last year, there have indeed been many challenges and some setbacks. But in all these things, the Lord has brought us to a place of complete dependency upon Him and in the crucible there has been some refining and purification taking place, but through the process comes greater clarity and revelation which have helped to draw the new map to be navigated.

Part of this clarification has been in understanding the nature of TOM and adopting the right culture for its mandate to be fulfilled.  The situation has been a complex and difficult one to work through, but we are committed to provide the right culture and spiritual framework for the movement of TOM to flourish and fulfill it's God given mandate. It is the inbred nature of man to seek to establish "empire" or institution and naturally there has been external pressure to yield in this direction. For instance the hierarchal approach of administration, properties, funding etc which belong to the old mindset of what a "ministry" looks like. I do not suggest to discredit many wonderful ministries and organisations doing a great work who follow this institutional model, but this is not the model for TOM. Indeed there is a need for proper organisation and accountability but not at the expense of freedom of individuality and the pioneer spirit which must be given full freedom and support if we are truly to redefine the boundaries our Christian faith and experience. We cannot allow ourselves to get bogged down by the limitations of human tradition or "principles of this world" (as Paul writes in Colossians). TOM is primarily a pioneer movement which must remain on the cutting edge. With that in mind, our role as International Directors is not to control but to facilitate the right culture for the movement to thrive, and secondly our role is as guardians of the values which form the core of TOM. The "success" of TOM rests not on the various projects and ministries around the world, but upon the godly character, anointing, commitment and passion of those who are involved. But ultimately, if we are to "succeed" it will not be because of anything which we have done so much as what the Lord has done because of the willing vessels who were surrendered to His purpose and plan. Just like Abraham, we cannot know where we are headed, but we do know the architect and builder, Amen!

The significance of what I am sharing is huge. Our focus is not upon the work but upon the worker, not upon the mission but upon the missionary. We are stepping back from "hands on" involvement and accountability with various TOM expressions around the world, and we are releasing TOM into the hands and responsibility of its associates. We want to officially recognise those that God has called to join and participate with us, then leave the outworking of the TOM mandate to those appointed. Any other way is simply unworkable and unsustainable. We have to operate on a basis of trust in the associates, and of mutual responsibility for what the Lord has given. For each nation, this means that we want to officially recognise TOM associates, but the outworking of the TOM mandate is totally in their hands and of course in the hands of God.

This leaves things very open where there are many potential ways forward, in a way there are greater dangers, but also the greatest opportunity for significance and freedom of the Holy Spirit. This approach, we believe, truly positions us in a movement culture, where we are joined together through shared values and common convictions. We also believe this follows the example of the first true Christian movement in the book of Acts, and if I remember correctly they were involved in the greatest revolution the world has every known!!

Message from Mike of Time Out Mission International

Warrior Wisdom

Introduction

There is an aspect of our Christian life which calls for a particular emphasis of character. In both the Old and New Testaments the analogy of warfare and being a soldier of God is clear. But there is more to being in the army of God than simply wearing the uniform. Yes it is true that we are all soldiers, but the term does not denote any particular quality or characteristic. In an army there can be good and bad soldiers. Soldiers who are courageous, and those that shy from the battle line. There are those who can be self seeking (as in the case of Achan), and those who demonstrate amazing levels of self sacrifice (as in David's mighty men). In 2 Tim 2:3 Paul encourages Timothy "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.". It is not enough to be a soldier, we must learn how to be a good soldier, how to become warriors. Soldiers can be defeated, but warriors secure the victory. In these days, there is a pressing need for the people of God to put on the whole armour of God and to take their stand. To enforce upon the earth what God has already accomplished in the Heavens. These are not days for the faint hearted, or for those who are caught up with the distractions of the world, but the call is for the army of God to arise and shine. As with the servant of Elisha who beheld the "horsemen and chariots of Israel", may God enlighten us by His Holy Spirit that we see the battlefield correctly and understand the principles and lifestyle necessary to overcome.

Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at how we can turn every situation into a victory, and how we can find delight in each trial.

Last week we began a new teaching series on Warrior Wisdom, and suggested that it is not enough simply to wear the uniform, but to truly be victorious requires a serious commitment and understanding in the ways of God and spiritual warfare. This week we take a look at the importance of intimacy which empowers the individual and allows revelation.

Week 2
The secret life of the warrior

One aspect on God's nature is that He is entirely confident in himself and His own ability. He has no self doubt, and has complete self awareness of who He is. God believes in himself! In His mind there are no niggling anxieties eroding away His confidence. And this is how he wants us to be also. To have confidence which is unshakable, to be completely steadfast and unwavering in our opinion about who He is and about who we are in Christ.

Having been back home for over a week from the last mission to Kenya in August/September this year, I have had time to reflect on all that took place and its significance for both the present and future. Without doubt the Lord has a plan in mind, and amazing things in store for Kenya and in particular Western Kenya where we spent much of our time.

Responding to an invitation at the national conference in Benin focussed on transformation of the nation by taking the seven mountains, Howard and I were pleased to be able to minister at the conference which was at the national conference centre in Cotonou. The conference was well attended and we believe some significant new Divine Alliances were made. We were able to establish a number of new relationships with brothers and sisters in Benin, but also to spend time with old friends in fellowship and quality time together.