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WORLD MAP IN WEST AFRICA – 2009
From Frank Parrish’s Journal
The Road to Breakthrough
By Frank R. Parrish
“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1Tim 4:13,16).
What a glorious time in the Lord we enjoyed in West Africa in September. The more than 2,500 pastors and key leaders who attended the six World MAP Spiritual Renewal Seminars were very open and receptive to both the teaching of God’s Word and the moving of the Holy Spirit. And He responded powerfully to their hunger!
I know that the fruitfulness of these conferences was directly due to the fervent and consistent prayers of World MAP’s supporters and Prayer Corps team. I cannot thank you enough. Though there was challenge and spiritual opposition all along the way, each and every time God broke through and won the victory!
My thanks also to Pastor Fred Davis for being such a gracious ministry partner and for introducing me to the church leadership in West Africa.
Because I am leaving for another ministry trip shortly after returning from West Africa, I’ve asked our editorial team to take excerpts from my African journal and create a brief report about the seminars. I trust you will be able to sense the profound impact that World MAP conferences have in all the areas of the world where they are held – and that you will also enjoy this small taste of “life on the ministry road” in Africa!
September 4-5
“…After three crowded flights and many crying babies, I arrived in Benin on Sunday at 4:30 a.m. Unfortunately, neither my luggage nor my carry-on bag that I was forced to check arrived with me. Hope to get it before the first conference begins on Monday at 9:00 a.m., as I only have my Bible and the clothes I’ve been wearing for almost 24 hours straight. Not even my razor or toiletries...”
September 6
“…Enjoyed lunch with our host, Pastor Nazaire. I learned that Benin is the birthplace of voodoo and much slavery... They are witnessing God moving in great power of late, with signs and wonders. Voodoo is slowly being driven back and defeated. The Church has a strong desire to see the power and love of God demonstrated...”
September 7
“...Day one of the conference in Cotonou with more than 1,300 pastors... Spoke on being ‘Pastors Of His Presence’; God moved powerfully from the start. The pastors are very open and hungry/receptive... Ended the last session by leading a powerful ministry time with words of knowledge for the pastors – God did some real ‘heart surgery’… Then dinner with Pastor Nazaire – small house, big meal, lovely family… Still no luggage, so haggled on the street for some socks and undergarments. Pastor Nazaire had a friend quickly make me three shirts in vibrant African colors…”
September 8
“…Day two. The first session, I taught on ‘The Kingdom of God’; second session on ‘The Power of the Kingdom: Anointing’. The pastors were very eager to receive and responsive… a strong outpouring of the Holy Spirit in fresh anointing and Holy Spirit baptism. Fred taught on spiritual maturity. Pastors were blessed… In the final session, I shared lessons from the life of Paul… During the concluding ministry time, I sensed the Holy Spirit’s desire to set pastors free from generational bondage, curses and areas of personal failure. Though the people in Benin are not known to be demonstrative, there was a huge outpouring of prayer and repentance. I then had them turn and pray for one another. Again, a most unusual intensity and fervency. I sensed the Holy Spirit’s desire to bring freedom to them, their churches and their nation, and I declared that to them – their response was massive! … I had taught them earlier on the three-fold biblical significance of a clap offering (striking covenant agreement with God; spiritual warfare to scatter the enemy; and as a declaration of praise). With that understanding, we gave a mighty clap offering to the Lord. It went on and on, swelling into a roar of praise. It grew in its intensity, and I could sense a spiritual warfare taking place in this act of worship that was breaking the devil’s hold on Benin. Strongholds related to voodoo, ancient curses and idols were toppling. The way was being opened for the Benin church to further step into her destiny as determined by the Father. This was truly a spiritually significant moment, and pastors were powerfully blessed and encouraged…”
September 9
“…Final day of this conference. I spoke for two sessions on ‘Ten Key Principles of Ministry’. Very well received. After lunch, I got the good news that my luggage had arrived back in Benin completely intact after taking a three-day mini-vacation to Togo. The even better news was that our shipment of 2,200 Shepherd’s Staff equipping books for the pastors in West Africa had been released from customs! We were able to hand out copies to every pastor at the Cotonou conference, along with a certificate of attendance and a copy of our ACTS Magazine teaching on ‘Anointing’… Their overwhelming gratitude reflected the fact that although Benin is open to the Gospel, it is exceptionally difficult to obtain solid Christian material… These pastors have very little training and no other resources but a Bible, usually without any study helps… The pastors were so grateful for the materials and the conference. This was apparently the first time anyone had come to Cotonou and welcomed pastors from across denominational lines and taught and ministered to them… How blessed we were to be with them!”
September 10
“…Next conference began in Porto Novo, a smaller city northeast of Cotonou. The almost 500 pastors were eager and hungry for training and a touch from God. Again, never before had they been gathered for this type of training and ministry… I shared with them my sense that God had something powerful and significant in store for the nation of Benin. I shared several prophetic words about Benin from the prior conference, then taught them from the Word… Had a powerful and sovereign time of visitation of the Holy Spirit from the very first session… Pastors were so receptive, and so ministered to… Later that night, between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m., I was awakened by the Lord and was praying. Suddenly, I felt the ground shake. I wasn’t sure it actually happened, but as I continued praying, the ground shook again! I felt impressed that this natural sign had spiritual significance … I discovered later that earthquakes are uncommon in Benin…”
September 11
“… This morning, the pastors were talking excitedly about the earthquake the night before, wondering if it was a sign from God. I taught on the biblical significance of earthquakes, balancing it by saying that not every natural event is a sign from God. But I shared that because of the words from the Lord and the strong response of faith from the pastors, I believed that the shaking was indeed a sign for Benin. The pastors heartily agreed! It was clear to me at that moment that we were to stop and spiritually contend for what God desired to do. I led the pastors to rise up and pray for their nation and claim it for the Kingdom of God and His glory. WOW! The pastors’ response almost blew me off the platform! Strong, prolonged, fervent prayer, crying out to God for their nation. Pastor Nazaire stood and shared that he felt the thrones of Satan through voodoo and witchcraft were coming down as we prayed – that God and His hosts were casting down and breaking the authority of the ancient evil thrones of hell that had ruled over and oppressed Benin for untold centuries. The pastors shouted hearty ‘amens’ and ‘glory to God’, then continued in fervent intercession for another long, extended time… I sensed that we were to conclude with strong praise to the Lord, as a way to ‘fill the spiritual vacuum’ where demonic thrones had once been. A new throne – the Throne of God – now needed to be established in Benin (Ps 22:3). As we worshiped and shouted praise to God and welcomed Him to rule over Benin, there was a profound sense of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit moving in our midst. I had also taught this group of pastors on the significance of a clap offering. The praise of these normally reserved pastors moved into clapping that grew into an almost deafening roar. Their worship and warfare went on for almost ten minutes! At times, I just stood back in awe and watched how the Holy Spirit was moving. Hallelujah! This conference was such a blessing to the pastors as God gave them a breath of hope and new-found faith in their hearts… they received new vision and a deeper understanding of their part in God’s Kingdom purposes…”
September 12
“… We enjoyed a much-needed day of rest for the team and fellowship with our host pastors… they prayed for my now-hoarse voice to be restored…”
September 13
“…Four of us in a small, stiff riding truck over bad roads. A long, nine-hour trek as we passed through many villages on our way to Parakou – settled into our rooms about 10:00 p.m. The next conference begins at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow…”
September 14
“…Parakou has long been a center of voodoo, witchcraft and other demonic activity… I could sense the spiritual oppression. Much discouragement among the pastors, yet the Church is expanding in that area… The first day of teaching went well, but I was aware of hell’s resistance… I felt the need for breakthrough in the conference and for these pastors… asking the Lord for that…”
September 15
“… Awesome rainstorm last night. Rain fell in buckets, knocked out power for the conference… This morning I sensed we needed breakthrough, so taught on 1 John 3:8, 4:4; Matthew 16:18, and the significance of joining together to press back hell and darkness which cannot resist the Church … reminded the pastors that all authority and power has been taken from hell and is with Jesus (Col 2:15), who gives it to His people to fulfill the Father’s will (Matt 28:18-20)… Had the pastors stand and do warfare, resulting in a great outpouring of strong prayer for their area and nation. The building had lost power, so we had no lights, microphones or fans working; yet, as we pressed into the Lord in prayer, I sensed the atmosphere begin to shift and give way. Suddenly, the lights flickered. We continued in prayer until there was a definite sense of spiritual breakthrough – and suddenly all the lights and power came on! The pastors broke out in spontaneous praise and worship… there came a lightness, and a feeling that you could breathe more easily… Taught them briefly about ‘thrones’ (Ps 22:3), then together we lifted a great and sustained praise to God… Continued the rest of the day with teachings on ‘Anointing’ and ‘Principles of Ministry’… pastors were so responsive, and the Holy Spirit so strong in our midst…”
September 16
“… Final day in Parakou, with strong teaching and response, handing out Shepherd’s Staffs and ACTS, along with certificates, and hugging the pastors… Pastor Nazaire expressed his gratitude, explaining that they had never received teaching like this in Benin that focused both on the heart of the pastor, and on Kingdom values and perspective for ministry; he and the pastors were so blessed and powerfully impacted for God’s continued work in Benin. How humbled and grateful I feel before the Lord…”
“…Five of us crowded in a small truck, heading for Natitingou. Rough roads with potholes galore for the five-hour drive! Experienced some of the heaviest rainstorms I’ve ever seen, with abundant lighting and thunder crashing right over us. Despite the downpour, we passed many people out doing their work, carrying burdens on their heads, riding their motorcycles, etc. … arrived in the evening when power was out to most of the city… our luggage got soaked, but the Shepherd’s Staffs and ACTS Magazines stayed dry… I have a fever and chills, cold symptoms, feeling miserable and knowing I have three speaking sessions starting in the morning… Lord, grant grace and strength…”
September 17
“… Got up to pray and study, feeling tired and hoarse, but expectant… It was our first day with the 200 pastors at the conference site in the outskirts of Natitingou; they were warm and welcoming, and very receptive to the teachings. Also led them into a time of warfare and prayer, claiming their city/nation for God’s purposes… another powerful time in the Lord! Great sense of breakthrough as many church leaders came together in unity for the first time… Final session involved repentance, then receiving their full inheritance from God as His beloved sons… addressed curses spoken over them or against them… powerful time of receiving the Lord’s promises, blessings, sonship. Amen!... The pastors graciously gathered around and prayed for me, which was much appreciated… got a few more mosquito bites during the night, faithfully taking my malaria meds… feeling better, just drained…”
September 18
“… Day two of the conference. Spoke on ‘Anointing’, then ‘Principles of Ministry’. Pastors were blessed, and they really received from the Lord! This was a shorter conference, so that evening we handed out Shepherd’s Staffs and ACTS to very appreciative and grateful pastors …”
September 19
“… Very hot and humid morning. At 8:00 a.m., piled into a mini-van with no air conditioning for the 10-hour drive to Burkina Faso. Roads were both good and bad; got to see a lot of Africa!...”
September 20
“… Met with Pastor Moise in Ouagadougou about possible World MAP conferences next year. He runs a large school and Christian relief organization; doing a great work in Burkina Faso. Shared Sunday worship in the church that he founded… The mosquitoes of West Africa have caught up with me and feasted abundantly – wondered if this would qualify as feeding the hungry…”
September 21
“… Left Burkina Faso for Mali. Stopped before the border in Bobo to meet with another pastor about possible conferences… had a time of ministry and prayer with him… Again, five of us in a small vehicle, with Shepherd’s Staffs and ACTS Magazines; deep breaths are impossible!... Interesting border crossings, usually 2-3 “official” stops before the border and 2-3 after crossing – each stop requiring fees to be paid. On the Mali side, we met with border officials out under a tree. It was a bit tense, as they were armed Muslims. They asked what we were doing in Mali, and we explained we were there to do pastors’ conferences. Amazingly, they asked if I would pray for them – and I did! We shook hands all around and loaded back up to leave, accompanied by friendly smiles and waving of hands and wishes for a safe trip. Though it was Ramadan, when tensions between Muslims and Christians run high, God’s favor with us was clearly evident…”
September 22
“Conference begins in Koutiala, Mali. Double interpretation of my English into two languages is causing some difficulties, but the evening meeting finished strong… Both Pastor Marc [Mali coordinator] and I sense heavy spiritual resistance; however, we feel it’s in direct proportion to the strong spiritual breakthrough the Lord desires for the pastors in this region… “
September 23
“…Two strong teaching sessions, followed by a time of repentance from division, pride, territoriality, offense, envy, competitiveness, etc. Powerful! Then led the pastors in prayers of faith – to declare their new openness to being pastors of the Kingdom of God and openness to the Spirit of God. Dealt with unbelief, lies they had received, discouragement… Strong response in breaking those strongholds in prayer... Had challenges with interpreters in next two sessions, but finished very strong. I asked the conference leadership to pray over the pastors to pursue God’s presence first and foremost, becoming ‘Pastors of His Presence’…
September 24
“…Spoke in the first session on ‘The Kingdom of God’. The Holy Spirit really gave them understanding of being pastors in/of the Kingdom rather than only in/of their church. Pastors were very receptive and responsive… Discovered later that division and sectarianism are very strong in this area, with long history of rancor, judgmentalism, etc. Pastor Marc said this was a significant breakthrough… Next session was on the ‘Power of the Kingdom’. Led pastors in a strong time of receiving from the Holy Spirit. Found out afterwards that differences regarding the things of the Spirit were a major battleground for division. Yet the pastors were hungry for more of God and the manifestation of His power and presence in their ministries… I was told that after my clear biblical teaching had been given, many who were formerly resistant stood eagerly to receive… Final session was about walking as pastors of the Kingdom… very well received…”
September 25
“…First two sessions were on ‘Principles of Ministry’. Pastors were very responsive and we had a wonderful time together… Pastor Marc stood and shared that just three weeks prior, a prophetic word had come that the church of Mali was turning a page. He felt this conference marked that ‘page being turned’, and the teachings were part of what God was writing on the new page for the church – WOW!... Final session I taught ‘Lessons from the Life of Paul’, focusing on the heart of the pastor (2Chr 16:9). I had the pastors stand and pray. As momentum built, it became powerful intercession. I had them pray first for one another, then to claim their nation for God’s purposes. It was a strong time ending with a clap offering, which then grew into clapping in unison for many minutes. I felt the Lord impress me that I was hearing the sound of marching feet of the angelic armies of the Lord of Hosts being released into Mali. I shared that with the pastors and the place went wild with praise!... We were meeting at a Y.W.A.M. base, and the leader was impressed to stand and offer their training and evangelism teams to the pastors to help them – hallelujah! Immediate evidence of a new unity and a new day for the church in Mali... I found out later that some of the pastors were being physically healed during the unified clap offering of worship (Ps 133:1-3) – awesome! In the evening, a group of about 20 pastors came to thank us and give many testimonies of how they had been powerfully touched and changed… turns out none of them had been Pentecostal/Charismatic prior to this conference… yes, Lord…”
September 26
“… Taught the final session in Koutiala, prayed for the pastors, and handed out Shepherd’s Staffs and ACTS Magazines… Left for the six-hour drive to Bamako, Mali, complete with potholes that I thought would tear a wheel right off the car… Arrived safely at the missionary guest compound late in the evening…”
September 27
“…Spoke in Pastor Marc’s church on ‘Becoming a Person of Destiny’ and had a great time in the Lord… returned to our rooms with barely time to change clothes before the next conference in Bamako began… I spoke in the opening session on ‘The Pastor’s Call’. It was clear that the pastors were very receptive and eager to receive, and that the Holy Spirit was there to meet them… awesome time… After the healings and manifestations of God’s Spirit during the clap offerings in the prior conferences, Pastor Marc asked me to teach that to this group as well… they responded in faith and lifted a mighty, extended praise to the Lord!... It has been quite amazing to watch the Holy Spirit sovereignly choose out and use something as simple as the clapping of hands – simple, yet made profound by the pastors’ understanding coupled with their faith and the Spirit’s anointing – to help bring about the Father’s purposes and will… ”
September 28
“…Not enough room for the many pastors who have come, so we moved to a new, larger venue; now it’s overfilled as well... First two sessions went well, but I sensed some spiritual resistance… it’s tough at times to bring teachings that address strongholds and change mindsets, and that I pray will be prophetic in nature… Holy Spirit come… In the final session of the day, I just didn’t have peace about the teaching I had planned. As I stood to speak, I felt impressed that the pastors needed ministry, and submitted that to Pastor Marc, who concurred. I talked briefly about the spiritual axiom that you can lead others only where you yourself are going, and that in order for your church to draw near to God and experience His presence and power, you must walk in that as well. As I asked them to wait upon the Lord, the power in the building suddenly went out. We were in complete darkness, with no microphones or fans to move the air. I urged the pastors to continue to pray and seek the Lord, while I was fiercely doing battle in my spirit, contending for what God desired to do. As we prayed, the lights suddenly came back on. Just as suddenly, my mind was filled with words of knowledge and prophetic declarations for the pastors. For several hours, the Holy Spirit moved in our midst as we knelt in repentance for unbelief or compromise; forgave people and offenses; broke lies and curses, and declared biblical truth; turned outward in all directions to declare God’s love and salvation to Mali; and SO much more! By the Holy Spirit, I prophetically declared fruitfulness, new vision, salvation for families, provision, and more. People were called up for prayer regarding physical healing, conditions of barrenness and other needs as the Holy Spirit led. What an AWESOME time in the Lord. It is so impacting when teachings on the Kingdom of God are actually demonstrated in their midst! The pastors could clearly see the importance of being people who first come into God’s presence to receive, and who then carry His presence with them in ministry. We ended the night in a strong time of praise and worship. Also gave another clap offering that rose to a roar, and was clearly a warfare that was tearing down spiritual opposition to God and establishing His throne in Mali!...”
September 29
“…First two sessions, I taught on the Kingdom of God, and living as Kingdom pastors… there was great receptivity and understanding after what they had witnessed the night before... In the third session, Fred brought a good and very practical teaching about ‘What To Preach’… I ended the day with teaching on ‘Anointing’ and led in a time to receive… yes and amen! Pastor Marc ended the evening by informing the pastors of a citywide prayer meeting to be held the following week at a place of high ground in Bamako. This would be a first for the churches there, and I believe a key component in continuing what God has begun. The World MAP conference was also a first, bringing together pastors from so many different groups to both receive ministry and be taught from the Word… a good day, indeed!”
September 30
“… Enjoyed two very strong sessions with the pastors on ‘Principles of Ministry’… I’m personally thankful to have experienced again God’s sustaining grace and the Holy Spirit’s anointing … For the final session, I reviewed the prophetic words we had received over the last month regarding West Africa, and particularly for Mali. After each word was shared, I led the pastors to respond in warfare, prayer for each other or their city and nation, and prophetic declaration, as appropriate. Their faith was building as they received the encouragement of the words of the Lord to them. Our final offering of praise to God, and the agreement of the pastors to what the Lord had spoken, just about lifted the roof off! It went on and on and on – certainly nothing I had manufactured or even led – the Spirit of God was in our midst in a glorious, life-transforming, ministry-shaping, destiny-revealing way!...”
In Conclusion
I have never had a more clear or strong prophetic sense of God’s visitation in preparation for an even greater work as I did during my weeks in West Africa. I am greatly anticipating – along with the Church in Benin and Mali – all that God will do over the next months and years to bring His salvation and build His Kingdom.
Certainly the prayers of the saints have borne much fruit in a powerful demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s presence and the declaration of God’s Word in West Africa. I believe that as the pastors continue to receive from the Lord, study His Word and live as His active Kingdom representatives, they will see a sovereign time of visitation in this region of the world.
There is still desperate need for sound Bible-based and balanced teaching. I encountered much doctrinal error in both practical ministry application and theology. In many places, there still exists a syncretism between godly living and practice, and demonic ritual from prior religions.
The seminars and equipping materials that your gifts to World MAP provide are bringing hope, biblical clarity, strength, deliverance and spiritual health to the church leadership in West Africa, and far beyond. What you are giving to pastors “not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God” (2Cor 9:12). We join the pastors in gratitude to God for you!
Thank you for your prayers for me during this trip, and for the pastors of West Africa. I am humbled and grateful to be allowed to serve them, and to be used by the Lord to help see His Kingdom come and His will be done in West Africa, even as it is in Heaven. Amen!
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