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Prophetic Word...
... Profound Response
By Dr. Frank Parrish
The day was warm and the large tented “sanctuary” was filled to capacity. We had already enjoyed several days of strong ministry and Bible teaching. In my final session, I was exhorting the Mexican pastors about what God desired to do in their nation, and their value and importance to God’s Kingdom work. The pastors truly received the word into their hearts, and spontaneously began to shout, “Viva la Mexico” (Mexico lives)!
But the atmosphere became even more electric when I shouted back, “Viva Jesus [pronounced hay-soos]” (Jesus lives!). The Mexican church leaders jumped to their feet and began to shout with me, “Viva Jesus”, raising their hands and voices in praise to the Living Lord!
You’ll read more about what prompted this joyous and openhearted response in just a moment. But I relay this story to illustrate just one of the many reasons it was such a joy for Wendy and me to again participate in church leaders’ seminars in Mexico! What a blessing for us to return to this land, and to worship the Lord and fellowship with our Mexican brothers and sisters.
Mexico is much in the news due to the violence stemming from the unchecked activities of organized crime and drug cartels. But what you do not see in the media is the ongoing and powerful work of the Holy Spirit bringing salvation and hope to the people of Mexico. Let me take a few minutes to share with you the noteworthy Kingdom news that we were able to witness firsthand.
Strategic And Profound
Prior to every ministry trip, Wendy and I set aside times for fasting and prayer. We pray for the events and for those who will attend. We also wait upon the Lord, tuning our hearts to what the Holy Spirit would desire to do and say.
Accurately teaching and ministering to pastors from God’s eternal Word is always a priority for us. We know that teaching the Bible will impart life, wisdom and transformation to those with hearts that are open to both receive and do what is pleasing to God.
But decades of following Christ and ministering have also taught us the necessity of a current, vital prophetic word that speaks to the heart of what God’s present desire and direction would be for a people or nation. We cannot demand that from God – but we always take time to open our hearts and ask for Him to reveal to us His desires.
As you know, the ministry focus of World MAP is on the leaders of the Body of Christ. Thus, we are charged with the responsibility and privilege of teaching and ministering to the leaders of nations! No, they are not necessarily the political or economic leaders; they are even more influential than that. They hold a higher position, one of spiritual leadership in a given nation.
Therefore, we believe that the King of all kingdoms, nations, tribes and tongues might very well have something strategic and profound to say to His chosen leaders when they gather, amen?
Thus, we wait upon the Lord to hear from Him and be directed by His Spirit before every ministry opportunity He gives to us.
A Watershed Moment
One morning, as Wendy and I were praying together about Mexico, the Lord began to stir our hearts and reveal a glimpse of His heart toward Mexico in this hour.
He showed me a picture of a plumb line being lifted over the nation. My thoughts went to related Old Testament passages concerning judgment (Amos and Zechariah); yet I did not sense that this was an issue of God’s judgment.
Instead, I had an overwhelming sense that God desired to bring an adjustment or realignment in the spiritual realm that would begin a restoration of God’s eternal purposes for Mexico. These purposes had been opposed for millennia by the presence of an oft-welcomed demonic principality – the spirit of death.
Mexico has a long cultural and religious history involving death and rituals related to death. For example, the Mayans and Aztecs practiced human sacrifice for centuries. The presence of other religions introduced over time in Mexico also emphasized and exalted death over life in Christ.
Yet, in spite of its history, I had a profound sense that a watershed moment was at hand, that this was a significant hour for Mexico.
Our English word for “time” takes two forms in New Testament Greek: chronos, meaning any period or duration of time; and kairos, which is a significant moment in time. The word kairos in the New Testament denotes a moment of sovereign visitation or the fulfillment of divine purpose.
I felt strongly that a “kairos” moment of visitation is at hand for the Body of Christ in Mexico. This is to be a time of restoration as opposed to judgment. But I also had a clear sense that those who would not willingly come to the Lord for restoration would remain subject to the oppression of the spirit of death.
A New Awareness
As the Lord impressed this word upon my heart, I was also remembering the current turmoil taking place throughout much of Mexico: the ongoing execution-style murders by drug cartels; daily kidnappings and thievery; rampant graft and corruption of the police, military, governmental and judicial arenas. In the natural, the nation appears out of control and the situation seems hopeless.
Yet as Wendy and I continued praying, we sensed that the escalating problems were a desperate and frantic manifestation of the principality (Eph 6:12) of death seeking to keep control over the people of Mexico – frantic because the demonic realm was aware that it was God’s desire to move in power and topple that dark throne of death and replace it with His own throne of glory!
Throughout history and now, God in His sovereign wisdom and plan chooses to use His own people to partner with Him to carry out His will on the earth. With this understanding, we began to pray for the leaders of Christ’s Body whom God desired to use in Mexico. The Holy Spirit revealed to us that many church leaders had grown battle-weary. They were beaten down and discouraged. They had developed a lesser view of themselves that was not in line with how God actually saw them.
We sensed that it was God’s desire to awaken His leaders to a new awareness of their significance, and the vital mission He has for them during this critical time in Mexico. In this process of restoring hope, we felt that the Lord wanted to give a “corrected vision” – His vision – of the Church in Mexico.
All of this was for the purpose of galvanizing the pastors and preparing them to receive gifts, callings and ministries that would allow them to be effective in serving His purposes for Mexico in this hour.
“The doors began to crack…”
I had a clear sense of three main focal points regarding what the Lord is about to do:
1. Raising up true Apostolic Ministry. This is obviously not about titles or positions of power. Instead, it is the release of true ministry function that will help bring cohesion and unity among churches and leaders, through the servanthood of Spirit-led leadership.
2. A fresh release of the prophetic, which would include both fore-telling and forth-telling. This involves greater emphases on the accurate and sound declaration of biblical doctrines and teaching, declared with a fresh sense of revelation and anointing. This clearly-declared truth born of both the written Word and the Spirit would be accompanied by signs and wonders to verify the truth. [For more on the prophetic, read the important message “Balancing the Prophetic” at the end of this seminar report.]
3. A release of intercessory ministry. As the Lord was giving Wendy and me this portion of the word, I had a mental picture of massive ancient stone doors covered with carvings. A group of people were kneeling at the base of the doors, dwarfed by their sheer size. But as the people prayed in earnest, the doors began to crack and dust began to fall. As their prayers continued, the doors were crumbling and large pieces began to fall. At that moment, the Lord spoke to my heart, “I am breaking down the ancient doors”. I sensed that these “spiritual doors” were in place to attempt to block the influence of godly men and women in Mexico, and to oppose the establishment of righteousness and the purposes of God.
True Agents of the Kingdom
At this point in prayer, there came an overwhelming sense of the Lord calling forth His people in Mexico – calling them to receive all that He had for them to become and to do.
But in order to receive, they need to embrace a new understanding of the Church. The idols that fill the Church (which are more than mere physical statues, and exist in every denomination and group) must be rejected and cast down. Replacing the Spirit of God with the spirit of religion or the works of man was to come to an end; a new place of preeminence must be given to the presence and leading of the Holy Spirit and a heart-obedience to the Word of God.
Barriers between pastors – that include unforgiveness, envy, competition and judgment – were to be repented of and cast down. It was God’s desire to create new, divinely-ordained partnerships. The bondage of generational sins was going to be broken, allowing a fresh release of godly spiritual power and spiritual prosperity.
God desires to see the Church in Mexico released and set free from the things that have bound them, so that they might be anointed for service, rise in boldness, and be unafraid to stand for righteousness and the rulership of the One true King. He desires His people to walk in the supernatural without pride, selfishness or judgment.
All of this is given by God as a divine gift of grace. It is not to be used simply for the Church to be blessed and happy, but rather that God’s people would become true agents of the Kingdom – ambassadors for Christ (2Cor 5:20) – to fulfill all God’s destiny, purpose and will for the nation of Mexico!
The powerful prayer time that Wendy and I experienced was both exciting and sobering. It was apparent that God has great destiny for Mexico. Yet it was equally apparent that Satan was making every effort in these days to keep Mexico in the clutches of death, fear and hopelessness.
God can easily and sovereignly do whatever He desires without our involvement. But He has ordained that we, the Church of the living God, be His chosen partners in fulfilling His Kingdom will and purpose on earth. He is calling us to rise up! He has already provided for and equipped us with everything we need for victory. But we must choose to repent, respond and receive – then advance with Him into all that He has destined for us! Hallelujah!
Kingdom Feast
It was with great anticipation that Wendy and I, and Don and Lois Richter of Harvest Preparation International Ministries, headed for Mexico.
The first conference convened in Juchitan on the southwest coast of Mexico. We had been invited to speak at a unique and wonderful annual event held outside the city on a large ranch property.
The event is called La Gran Fiesta, and is organized by a retired politician and his family to bless the pastors in the region, as well as those who live nearby – all free of charge for those attending.
The annual Fiesta is four days of meetings and workshops, meals, fellowship and recreation. Several thousand people attend during the day, with the crowds swelling to many times that for the evening concerts and celebrations. The event blesses those attending, including providing a dental clinic where four dentists work almost around the clock to give free dental work.
Our ministry team had the privilege of ministering to the more than 1,000 pastors and church leaders at the Fiesta. Last year, World MAP had shipped down Shepherd’s Staffs to be handed out to all the pastors. It was an honor to personally be part of that same distribution this year.
Wendy and I had speaking assignments throughout the conference. I spoke daily in a large open-air pavilion, sharing much about the Kingdom of God and our call as pastors and leaders to walk in the power and authority of His eternal, unshakeable Kingdom. I laid a foundation from the Word of God, teaching critical biblical principles and doctrines related to the prophetic word that I would share on the final day with the pastors.
Crying Out to God
It was clear throughout the week that the pastors and others present were hungry for sound teaching and a touch from God’s Spirit, and that was still evident at my final session with them. As I began sharing the prophetic word God had given me, a hush fell over the crowd. They were taking in every word.
At the end of the session, time was short, so I simply asked for those who desired to respond to the word to stand to their feet and I would pray with and for them.
Suddenly, hundreds of pastors and leaders began to rush forward. They pressed in at the altar, kneeling on the dirt floor, crying out to God. The Holy Spirit was clearly working among them as their hearts resonated to the word for Mexico and for them as leaders.
What a glorious privilege to wait upon God, receive His word, deliver His word, and then welcome His Spirit to confirm the word and begin a work that He will then bring to fruition (Phil 1:6). Praise the Lord!
A Powerful Time of
Healing and Deliverance
Wendy ministered in a separate open-air, thatched-roof arena reserved for the hundreds of ladies who attended the conference, including many pastors and pastors’ wives. She reports:
“The women of Juchitan and I enjoyed wonderful times of ministry and fellowship together. God gave me such a love for them. I spoke several times a day on topics that included:
• God’s Call for Women
• The Power of Words: A Matter of the Heart
• Biblical Forgiveness
• Spiritual Mentoring: Becoming ‘Titus 2’ Women
“Mexico, like many countries of the world, can be brutal for women, especially in less developed areas like those surrounding Juchitan. Life in such places is hard, and consists of much work, trial and heartache. There exists rampant physical and sexual abuse, and a lack of regard for women in general. Many are treated as slaves and there is little to no encouragement in their calling or vocational potential.
“The response to these conditions can range from hopelessness and despair to a hardened position of defensive control. And neither of these is what God would desire for his precious daughters and handmaidens.
“But I saw in these dear Christian sisters a hunger for the Lord and His Word. Their challenges are great, yet they turn to the Lord for strength and help. They listened intently, and responded open-heartedly. And the Holy Spirit was very present to meet them at their points of need, both powerfully and personally. He has high calling and destiny for each of them, and I trust I was able to communicate that truth to them.
“There is just too much to tell in this short article, but I will encapsulate my time in Juchitan with two stories.
“In one session with the ladies, I had taught from the Scriptures about the power of our words, even to create life or death (Prov 18:21). I talked about spoken words, and the accompanying attitudes, that ultimately spring from issues in our own heart (Prov 4:23).
“There were hundreds of women present, so I concluded the session by asking if I could pray for them as a group. As I quietly began to pray, I could sense the Holy Spirit moving. I led them in prayers of repentance for unfit words they had spoken. But I then felt led to ask the Lord to break the power of harmful words spoken to them and about them.
“Suddenly, there was weeping, wailing, coughing, and many other physical manifestations of the Holy Spirit working. He was breaking the power of curses and lies of limitation, rejection, bondage and more, some of which were generations old. I could sense the chains of bondage breaking and falling as these women were being set free from wounding words that they had received and believed. Then I began to quote verses of Scripture, declaring the truth of what the Lord says about His daughters. And the freedom continued to be released! What a powerful time of healing and deliverance. Glory to God!
Divinely Ordained Encounters
“Following the teaching on Biblical Forgiveness, I was approached by two women. One was a believer who had brought to the Fiesta her unsaved cousin. The unsaved woman had an expression so hardened and embittered, her face was almost distorted. Her eyes were dark, angry, empty and sad all at once. She could not look at me as she shared her tremendous struggle with forgiveness. I had no idea what had happened to her, but it was clear that life had dealt her some very cruel blows indeed.
“I reiterated that forgiveness is not denial, or pretending that bad things that happened were okay. It is not a feeling or a desire. Forgiveness is a choice of our will to let go of an event or person and release it to God for Him to deal with. Unforgiveness binds events and people to us; forgiveness frees us from the event and from those who have wronged us. She understood and expressed a willingness to forgive others.
“After more discussion, I asked her if she wanted to receive Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for her. And then the deeper struggle was revealed. She had participated in so many things that she was ashamed of, and that had been so damaging to others, she could not forgive herself. And how could Jesus ever forgive her?
“Suddenly, I realized I was standing on ‘holy ground’. The Spirit of God was there, and we were in His presence. He filled my mouth, and opened her ears, and she began to see and hear and receive the truth. There is so much more I could relay, but suffice it to say that she is now my beloved sister in Christ!
“The next day, a woman came up to hug me. It took me a moment to realize it was my new sister. She looked completely different. Her countenance was alive and joyful, and there was such peace and love in her eyes. She knew firsthand the saving and forgiving power of the Lord Jesus Christ. She was a new creation!
“And in the mercy and kindness of God, He orchestrated yet another gift of grace. Earlier that week I had ministered to a local woman pastor who had lost a child and was still struggling. God spoke to me that He had ‘many daughters’ He desired to give her. She was standing next to me when my new sister came over to hug me. I was able to introduce them, and this pastor warmly embraced this new ‘daughter’ whom she would help disciple into maturity in Christ! God is so good, amen?
“Though I was from a different country and a very different culture, the Holy Spirit makes us one in Christ. At the end of the conference, a precious young woman pressed a note into my hand. It was in Spanish, and I wasn’t able to get it translated until I was home. But it meant more to me than I can say. It said in part:
Sister, we are so grateful to God and you. This is the first time that we have been spoken to with a true and sincere love, just as if you were a Mexican. We love you and will be praying for you and your family… Your Mexican Sisters
“I believe what these dear ladies felt was God’s great love for them somehow being expressed through me. And He knit our hearts together in His love. I am humbled to be the Lord’s handmaiden, and so very thankful for your prayers and support that allow ministry to go out to the nations!”
Mentoring
Our next conference was in Huatulco, sponsored by Harvest Preparation International Ministries. The HPIM Directors, Don and Lois Richter, graciously asked Wendy and me to be part of the ministry team with them.
This venue was smaller and was a conference for only pastors and church leaders and their spouses. The theme for the conference revolved around one of the essential tasks of biblical leadership, which is mentoring (2Tim 2:2).
As in Juchitan, the pastors in Huatulco were hungry and responsive, and faithfully took notes during the many sessions we all shared together. The Holy Spirit responded to their hunger, and we enjoyed wonderful sessions with the men and women in separate sessions as well as jointly.
At the conclusion of the conference, it was our joy to give a Shepherd’s Staff to every pastor present. The next day, the host church for the conference had a graduation ceremony for those who had recently completed their Bible Institute. We were privileged to pray for each of the graduates and to give them a Shepherd’s Staff.
Inviting God’s
Kingdom Rule
Through a series of circumstances, we were asked to meet with and pray for the newly-elected mayor of Huatulco and his cabinet. The political party that was defeated in the election had been in power for more than 80 years. So this young mayor had a tremendous challenge in front of him.
We met and talked together, and the Lord used each member of the team to speak encouragement and to share prophetically what the Lord gave us. Then we laid hands on the mayor and his young team, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. We asked for God’s protection and favor for them, as they yielded themselves to God and invited His Lordship and Kingdom rule into their city. We prayed that God would often bring to their remembrance that they are servants of His, and that He raised them up to serve the needs of the people in Huatulco. May God’s Kingdom come to Huatulco, and His will be done!
Bearing Fruit
It was thrilling for Wendy and me to return to Mexico after a number of years away. We were overjoyed to witness the health, strength and growth of the churches there. We spoke with many pastors who have faithfully, over the years, used their Shepherd’s Staffs for personal study, for discipling others, and as a basis for leadership training for a new generation of upcoming leaders.
We received their thanks and gratitude on your behalf for what you have made possible for them. We take every opportunity to express to pastors that their brothers and sisters in America love them, pray for them, and believe in the purposes of God for them.
You are a vital part of what God is doing around the world. May God continue to abundantly bless you, “that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack” (2Cor 8:14).
Balancing the Prophetic
Widespread misunderstanding of the true nature of the prophetic can quench the full operation of this gift. It is often believed that the prophetic consists only of the “fore-telling” of some yet unknown or unheard-of mystery or event. But this is only one part of the operation of the prophetic gift.
This monocular perception of prophecy can ultimately lead to imbalance and abuse. Those prophesying, and those hearing, can begin to exclusively seek some “new revelation” never heard or disclosed as the sole valid expression of the prophetic. This can lead to the potential for deception or fleshly sensationalism (see the warnings given throughout Scripture on this subject, including: 1 Timothy 4:1,2; 2 Peter 2:15-18; 2 Corinthians 11:3,4; 2 Timothy 4:3,4; Matthew 24:11,12,23-28). In addition, this limited view of the prophetic creates missed opportunities for fuller and more balanced expressions of the prophetic, which are important to God’s Kingdom purposes being fulfilled.
A balanced understanding of the prophetic does include foretelling, a “thus saith the Lord” prophetic word. But also included in healthy prophetic expression is forth-telling: the clear declaration of biblically sound and doctrinally balanced truth.
There is a critical component to forth-telling that extends beyond a simple recitation of correct doctrine or theology. A truly prophetic forth-telling has the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit upon it. It may involve the declaration of a truth written 2,000 years ago by those inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet when it is quickened afresh by the Holy Spirit – anointed and appointed to be spoken at a Spirit-led point of ministry – this prophetic truth will act as a Spirit-empowered catalyst toward transformation or required action by the hearers. We catch a glimpse of this tandem dynamic of the Word and the Spirit’s power as Jesus referenced His teachings (John 6:63).
Prophetic forth-telling and foretelling are not issues of style; they are matters of genuine, Spirit-led prophetic declaration of the Word of God. Even a whispered word by the Spirit’s anointing can shatter darkness or set captives free!
In Revelation 19:10, we see that the true spirit of prophecy will always testify of Jesus, Who He is and what He has done. The validity of a prophecy or prophetic ministry is always gauged by its alignment with the already-revealed written Word of God. We must keep a balanced view of the prophetic if we are to receive its full impact and blessing.
God’s desire for the declaration of the anointed prophetic word is to increase passion for God and for His purposes to be known and fulfilled in and through His people.
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