HOLY GHOST MINISTRIES

Allowing God to be God once again!

 

 

NEWSLETTER MARCH 2007

 

Signs follow Believers

 

Since our last newsletter, God has been moving greatly.  Over the past few weeks Living Grace Bluegrass Gospel ministered at New Harvest Family Worship Center in Brookland, Arkansas, West Point Baptist Church in West Point, Arkansas and I preached at Power of Freedom Ministries in Warm Springs, Arkansas and Restoration House of Praise in Conway, Arkansas.  God moved in different ways in each venue, ministering as He wills to the people present. 

 

What a delight to be with the fine people of New Harvest Family Worship Center and Pastor Marty Russell.  We were fortunate to provide the afternoon singing at their recent Homecoming service.  God took over and a wonderful time was spent with the Lord at the altar by many there.  Several people responded to the altar call and came forward for special prayer.  The pastor and I laid hands on the sick and anointed them with oil.  The Holy Spirit ministered to people as evidenced by the tangible presence of God.

 

We were also pleased to be able to minister in song at the West Point Baptist Church as well.  God provided a sweet presence and we enjoyed praising God through bluegrass gospel.  It was so wonderful to be welcomed into another church where God is lifted up and His message is proclaimed without reservation.  If you are seeking a church that shows the love of Christ and you live near West Point, Arkansas outside of Searcy, you should attend this church.  I know you would be welcome there.  Thank you to our dear friend Glenda Faith, for arranging for us to be there.

 

God moved wonderfully at Power of Freedom Ministries and Restoration House of Praise as well.  At Power of Freedom Ministries a man recovering from substance abuse accepted Christ for the first time while he held his young son in his arms what an awesome sight.  Many came forward for healing and four received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. 

 

At Restoration House of Praise, God touched the believers there as well.  Pastor Macon made me feel so welcome as I ministered to his church congregation.  God moved upon my heart as I shared with them about Ghana West Africa and what God was doing there.  I felt led to give Pastor Macon a gift that had been given to me in Africa.  While in Ghana a dear African pastor and his church gave me a wonderful gift that I treasured.  I took it with me to display to the congregation as I shared a bit about Africa.  As I spoke, God laid it upon my heart to give that treasure of mine to my new African American friend, Pastor Macon.  As I shared what the Holy Spirit prompted me to do, and I placed the gift upon Pastor Macon, some in his congregation were brought to tears.  Pastor Macon said, No one has ever given me something like this before.  I told him praise God, and I had never given something of mine that was so treasured away before either!  Lay up your treasures in Heaven the Word says I felt led to put that into practice and what a wonderful feeling.  May the Lord richly bless Pastor Macon and Restoration House of Praise!

 

Power Corrupts, and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

 

Psalm 124:1-8

A Song of degrees of David.

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; ²If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: ³Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: ⁴Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: ⁵Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. ⁶Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. ⁷Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. ⁸Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

 

Praise God!  Our help is in the Name of the Lord!  I am so glad to know that even when satan uses deceit, treachery and traps to ensnare us, we are delivered from all his evil designs by our Lord Jesus Christ.  Saints, the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians chapter 6 is raging today.  Satan is pulling out all the stops; he is using everything and everyone that he can to cause distress and havoc within the lives of Christians and the Kingdom of God.  We must be vigilant that we are not falling prey to teachers with itching ears or preachers with power trips. 

 

Not too long ago, the Church in America was rocked by news that another star preacher had been engaging in secret sin.  What the devil meant for evil, God will turn into a blessing.  I am saddened every time I read that a minister of the gospel is caught in a situation that brings shame upon himself, and by association, Christianity in general.  The latest scandal to rock the Pentecostal and Charismatic arms of the Body of Christ was indeed a letdown for many, but it may be a blessing as well.  Christians should keep their eyes on God and not a man.  The fallout from this particular scandal though damaging to the image of the American Church leadership, may end up being a blessing in that the members of the Body of Christ are being reminded that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely (An observation that a persons sense of morality lessens as his or her power increases - The statement was made by Lord Acton, a British historian of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries).

 

Unfortunately, if it were not for some who are more interested in power and prestige within the Church, America would very likely be experiencing the same revival spirit we are seeing in places such as Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and Latin America.  Dont you find it ironic that Book of Acts signs are occurring in large numbers in the third world, but are sparsely recognized within America today?  The American Church though wealthy, is sick.  Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Just as Jesus was speaking to the church of Laodicea in Revelation chapter 3, I hear Him boldly proclaiming in the spirit to the American Church today!

 

Oh yes, in a few pulpits you will hear the pure gospel being preached, but in many you are not hearing anything of heaven  and hell, sin and repentance,  choosing life or choosing damnation it is all about how to make American churchgoers more comfortable.  Wonderful men and women of God that are willing to stand up for Jesus Christ and reject church politics and its religious politicians are being runoff by religious power mongers all over America.  Of course, they are runoff because they are trouble makers, old fashioned or for whatever reason the powers that be can think up to malign their character.  But in reality, you will find that religious power mongers tend to cut off those that rise up within the church body that have qualities or attributes they find threatening to their power in most cases out of jealousy or inadequacy. 

 

One true mark of a leader is that of encouragement and support for those in the church that have gifts he or she does not personally have this contributes to a healthy, well rounded local church body.  The scripture speaks clearly to this in

I Corinthians chapters 12 through 14.  No man or woman I know of has all of the spiritual gifts operating in perfection within them.  Diversity of gifts within the body of Christ is directed by the scriptures, why do some church leaders reject those that show leadership in areas where they are weak?   Why be threatened because someone else has influence or expertise in an area that you do not?  There is no telling how many churches that have been derailed by someone in a position of power that was threatened by another servant of God, just as they were becoming divinely positioned to impact their communities.  God give us leaders that are willing to give up worldly power for the presence of revival!

 

How many local churches that have split and burst apart could have been saved if the people within them would have submitted to the Lord instead of battling over their own right to power?  I submit to you that no church will split if the people within it, including the pastor and staff, are sold out to God and the leadership of Jesus Christ in all things.  You tell me the facts of a church split, and you will likely find at the root a story of someone that had personal pride, dominance or arrogance that would not back down in the face of progress.  Where people are pursuing the fulfillment of the Great Commission, you will find teamwork and focus on the ultimate goal that matters telling people about Jesus Christ.

 

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. ¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

God, I pray for the American Church to turn from its wicked ways, for the preachers and leaders of our land to lay aside their lust for power and submit to Your power.  God save us.  God cleanse us.  God purify us.  Lead us, Oh Lord, into your perfect will.  Forgive us Lord for letting You down by turning to idols of pleasure and fame.  Forgive us, Oh God, for embracing evil as righteousness in our pulpits.  God heal our land I pray.  Father, forgive us for not supporting pastors and church leaders that were speaking to us by Your spirit.  Help us to find our way back Father.   Help us to throw off this cloak of deceit that is wrapped around us.  Forgive us, Oh mighty God, for building mansions while children die of hunger and thirst in our world.  Forgive us and have mercy upon us God.  Bind Satan off of the American Church, in Jesus name I pray.

 

GHANA NOVEMBER 2007

 

November 2007 is only 8 months away.  Several Holy Ghost Partners have already declared that they would like to go to Ghana in 2007 to participate in the 3^rd Annual Kormantse Interdenominational Crusade and humanitarian projects.  If you are interested in going to Ghana, please take a moment to email our ministry and advise us of your interest, jasonrapert@holyghostministries.org.   We will be interviewing those interested to be sure they are aware of what to expect while traveling to Ghana and also that they are spiritually and physically prepared to go. 

 

Friends, dont let life pass you by having never listened closely to Gods voice and obeying His urging to tell others about Jesus.   We would love for you to go in November 2007.  There is limited space available on the trip and 4 spots are already taken for sure.  Please pray about this and let us know soon if you want to go.  You will need to begin immediately preparing for your travel regarding passports, vaccinations, airline tickets, etc.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

UPCOMING SERVICES AND ENGAGEMENTS

 

April 15, 2007

Evangelist Jason Rapert will be ministering at Freedom Church of Northeast Arkansas, located on Hwy. 67 N between Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.  Please join us at 10am for the Sunday morning service.  For more information please contact Pastor Glenn Chadwick at 870- 892-7750, http://fcnea.org/index.html.

 

June 2, 2007

Living Grace Bluegrass Gospel will be performing at the Bulls, Bears and Bluegrass private event for Cook, Cole, Pillow & Rapert of Merrill Lynch.

 

July 20, 2007

Living Grace Bluegrass Gospel will be performing once again at the Lester Flatt park near Otto, Arkansas at their annual Bluegrass Gospel festival.

 

November 2007

3rd Annual Kormantse Interdenominational Crusade in Ghana West Africa.

This has become wonderful annual celebration of unity and Jesus Christ for the surrounding community of Kormantse.  Evangelist Jason Rapert will be leading another mission team to minister during the crusade, teach leadership seminars, and conduct humanitarian work in Ghana. 

 

THE MIKE PIKE ORPHANAGE

 

As many of you know, my friend, Rotarian Mike Pike, passed away the night before I left for Ghana in November 2006.  You have read much about Mike and his love for Ghana, and most of you know that I feel led of God to try and build an orphanage in Ghana in the name of my dear friend.  Much support has been coming in regarding this effort and I need your continued prayer and support in this regard.  This is not merely a project; it is a lifetime commitment and will be without a doubt the largest humanitarian effort that Holy Ghost Ministries has endeavored to accomplish to date.  I will be reporting much more about this over the months ahead.  Holy Ghost Ministries is forming a special committee specifically to handle this effort.  If you think God is leading you to be a part of this effort, please contact me and let me know at jasonrapert@holyghostministries.org.

 

HOLY GHOST PRAYER PARTNERS

 

Partners, thank you for standing by us.  I appreciate your prayers, your notes of encouragement, your participation and your financial contributions which allow us to do ministry and humanitarian projects in the United States and Africa.  This is not my ministry, it is Gods ministry.  I am merely a steward and I want to continue to see the Holy Spirit working mightily as I have over the past few years.  As we get busier doing Gods work, please pray for my family.  Satan does not like all that we are doing for the Lord and he wars against us.  We need you to help us in spiritual warfare according to Ephesians 6. 

 

If you have a special prayer request, or would like to contact us for any reason, please do so by writing to jasonrapert@holyghostministries.org.

 

God bless you and may the Lord move mightily in your life today!

 

Always ready to do His will,

 

Evangelist Jason Rapert

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