Our ministry has been going on in Greater Cincinnati and the USA for decades. From that base we have launched Equipping Centers around the globe. We have practiced an Ephesians 4: style of ministry ever since we began. Since we have been patient and done what Jesus and the Apostles taught we have had an enormously successful impact on many nations. As one Christian Psychiatrist in Europe said, "You are world famous in _____________."
Today at lunch with two Christian brothers we discussed the famous men and women of God who came to faith in Christ and grew in the Lord as a result of some unknown minister, parent or co-worker. One of the men was deeply involved in the Occult when a co-worker invited him to come to a Christian gathering to hear a great musician. It was Keith Green and God touched this guy and his wife eternally.
Over 90% of the people who come to Christ do so as a result of a family member of friend. They will usually make a public commitment at a church or evangelistic service but the leap of faith occurred elsewhere. The witnessing was accomplished by long, patient work of someone they knew. John Calvin, for example, was brought to faith by his father.
His Roman Catholic studies began in Paris when Calvin was only 14. He started at the College de Marche then later studied at the College Montaigu. As Calvin made friends who supported the fledgling reform of the church, he began to drift from Catholicism.
He also changed his major. Instead of studying for the priesthood, he switched to civil law, starting formal study in the city of Orleans, France. He finished his legal training in 1533 but had to flee Catholic Paris because of his association with church reformers.
The key to national and international revival is "Equipping God's people to DO the works of ministry". Most of the Sweeten Life ministry focus is long term and slow. We set up centers to "Equip God's people to do the work of the ministry". They then equip folks in evangelism teaching, healing and counseling". We equip in churches and mission organizations how to multiply themselves.
We also preach and pray for the sick wherever we go. One great story recently sparked my desire to write this blog. I received a Skype call from a European Pastor. I preached at his church several years ago. After the service we had lunch and he asked if I knew how to help men and women stuck in pornography. I said "Of course". We can assist people caught in any type of unwanted behavior find freedom in Christ."
He told me that most of the men and women in his church had no intimate relations with each other but turned to TV and Video. This included all his elders and leaders. (Is it any wonder that the churches in Europe are dead?)
More later on how he responded to me. Go to the web page bookstore for Breaking Free, a book on healing hurting hearts. If you want to see people trapped in porn get free get that book!
Gary Sweeten
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