SPECIAL WORD FROM OUR BISHOP
This morning I am scheduled to return to the pulpit (during our vacation) but the Lord compelled me to write and give you a word that He gave me concerning you in a dream on 7/14 while in Charleston, SC during our family reunion with Pastor Brenda's portion of our
family.
7/14/2007
I awoke early in the morning about 2:50am after the following dream:
Brenda and I went to a large church to minister. (However, I didn't recognize the city or building.) We returned later after a short break following the benediction and was asked by an elderly lady for prayer for the healing of someone she knew that was present in the audience/congregation.
What followed seemed a bit strange, but I was led to a person that was in a very large box which was in a wheelchair. I had to push the person who was in the large container/box to a vehicle/van. While doing this I was praying. I did not know who was in the box.
When I got to the car, I had to lift this person while still in the box and help place it and him/her in the vehicle. As I did this I began to speak Holy Spirit prompted exhortations to the person. The only exhortations I remember are:
"Tell the person I AM GOING TO CREATE WHAT'S MISSING. JUST TRUST ME. I AM GOING TO CREATE WHAT'S MISSING."
After giving this word, I opened a flap that was on the side of the box to see the person in side. (I had been praying and speaking the exhortations through this opening.)
At first all I could see was that the person was a man. After I spoke these words light came in and I noticed that it was you Chris. You were sitting in a black Nehru type of suit with a white ban shirt or clergy collar. You were smiling and you looked very rested and about five or ten years younger.
I don't know how you looked before the prayer but I kept hearing also: "Three days . . . in three days." Then I was reminded of the story of Lazarus. Simultaneously, I was awakened.
I don't know what all of this means. However, the Lord assured me in prayer that HE would be doing the miraculous in your lives during this season of your (you and Carol's) personal development and life's work and that you are to trust HIM completely.
Many great things are going to happen. I know that it has been hard. But, don't dwell negatively on the past. As always, learn from it and move on wisely and lovingly. l This is a new season. God will defend you and uphold you in your integrity. Tremendous increase is coming in this season. Remember to intentionally and deliberately give HIM all the glory!!! Stay focused and on point through prayer and obedience.
This is a season of tremendous fulfillment in your lives and the lives of those you
lead and even for the city Harrisburg and region.
I am led of the Spirit to end this exhortation with this word from 2nd Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
May the Lord God Bless You, your family (here and there) and the entire congregation and related ministries of Fruitful Life. May the Lord bless Harrisburg to see and embrace it's providential destiny in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.
Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Love to All.
Grace & Peace,
Bishop
We're not here to build a big ministry. We're building people.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A NEW MEETING PLACE
Carol and I are pleased to announce that we have a new meeting
facility. Starting this Saturday evening, we will begin meeting on
the West Shore at the Holiday Inn WEST. It's in a great location on
Carlisle Pike, sitting between HWY 81 and 581. It's in a location
where everyone and anyone can get to it easily. There are stores,
restaurants, and shopping malls all around us.
We are in the BEST location, you could possibly think of, for
launching a new ministry. The hotel actually houses several
ballrooms, conference rooms, and even a night club.
The nightclub is very popular with the 20's and 30's generation. In
fact we'll be meeting directly over the night club each week. We'll
be wrapping up our meetings around 8:00-8:30pm and we understand the
night club gets going around 9:00-9:30pm. It's a perfect set up for
outreach and ministry for us. God has set us up in the most wonderful
and amazing way.
We have been received by the hotel staff with the utmost in grace
and favor. I cannot explain how much favor God has given us there.
They have been abundantly pleasant toward us. They have given us "red
carpet" treatment, offering a choice of rooms and meeting times. They
didn't even ask for a deposit. They just asked for our credit card to
hold the reservation each week. They have even given us a 3 month
contract as a trial run, so that WE can determine if this will work
out for us.
We have never been shown so much hospitality from the business
community since we moved here. We have finally found the right place,
the right people, and the right time to release FRUITFUL LIFE into
this region.
It's been a long journey, but hey y'all, "WE'RE BAAACK!"
We look forward to this Saturday.
We will get started at 6:30PM as usual.
WE WILL NOT MEET FOR PRAYER ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. In the meantime, we will start having prayer at 5:30pm at
the hotel, one hour before our start time.
We look forward to what God is going to do in this NEW MOVE OF GOD!
facility. Starting this Saturday evening, we will begin meeting on
the West Shore at the Holiday Inn WEST. It's in a great location on
Carlisle Pike, sitting between HWY 81 and 581. It's in a location
where everyone and anyone can get to it easily. There are stores,
restaurants, and shopping malls all around us.
We are in the BEST location, you could possibly think of, for
launching a new ministry. The hotel actually houses several
ballrooms, conference rooms, and even a night club.
The nightclub is very popular with the 20's and 30's generation. In
fact we'll be meeting directly over the night club each week. We'll
be wrapping up our meetings around 8:00-8:30pm and we understand the
night club gets going around 9:00-9:30pm. It's a perfect set up for
outreach and ministry for us. God has set us up in the most wonderful
and amazing way.
We have been received by the hotel staff with the utmost in grace
and favor. I cannot explain how much favor God has given us there.
They have been abundantly pleasant toward us. They have given us "red
carpet" treatment, offering a choice of rooms and meeting times. They
didn't even ask for a deposit. They just asked for our credit card to
hold the reservation each week. They have even given us a 3 month
contract as a trial run, so that WE can determine if this will work
out for us.
We have never been shown so much hospitality from the business
community since we moved here. We have finally found the right place,
the right people, and the right time to release FRUITFUL LIFE into
this region.
It's been a long journey, but hey y'all, "WE'RE BAAACK!"
We look forward to this Saturday.
We will get started at 6:30PM as usual.
WE WILL NOT MEET FOR PRAYER ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. In the meantime, we will start having prayer at 5:30pm at
the hotel, one hour before our start time.
We look forward to what God is going to do in this NEW MOVE OF GOD!
Friday, June 1, 2007
GO FOR IT!
(Prophetic Word to Chris and Carol Green)
Sir, the Word of the Lord comes to you today as one who stood beside, one who has looked upon, one who has stood beside and held the shield, for today, says the Lord, do I place your feet on higher ground. For this day, I have destroyed the argument of the enemy. It is has been destroyed over this house (Metro Christian Worship Center) and it is destroyed over your house (Fruitful Life).
For the connection, which I have brought with you and this man (Bishop Raphael Green), is a Godly one, and even so shall your FRUIT BE GREAT! Therefore, man of God, see the multitudes for surely I have ordained them for your place. Make room, says the Lord, and stretch your tents. The tent pegs of your house, stretch them. Make room for MIGHTY increase and surely that which you have prayed for, that which you have spoken to ME in private, I will MAKE AVAILABLE and MANIFEST PUBLICLY! This is the Word of the Lord to you today!
For, man of God, take up the pen and prepare to write. Now this is funny to me, but I’m looking at comic books. (Would you just worship the Lord in this place for a moment)
You are to make this come about. This is the Spirit of God. I’m just exhorting you, now. This is the Spirit of the Lord, (I) just encourage you to GO FOR IT! GO FOR IT! Don’t back off of it.
And woman of God have I not put MY word in your mouth? Have I not stirred you? Have I not reached into the broken places? I have seen the pain you’ve come through, says the Lord your God, but out of that pain I bring forth an incredible beauty. Open your mouth, says the Lord, open your mouth, wide. I promised you, I will fill it. Let the prophetic word come forth, says the Lord, and SURELY, SURELY, a crown I have fashioned for your head. - Bishop Flynn Johnson, May 20, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri
Sir, the Word of the Lord comes to you today as one who stood beside, one who has looked upon, one who has stood beside and held the shield, for today, says the Lord, do I place your feet on higher ground. For this day, I have destroyed the argument of the enemy. It is has been destroyed over this house (Metro Christian Worship Center) and it is destroyed over your house (Fruitful Life).
For the connection, which I have brought with you and this man (Bishop Raphael Green), is a Godly one, and even so shall your FRUIT BE GREAT! Therefore, man of God, see the multitudes for surely I have ordained them for your place. Make room, says the Lord, and stretch your tents. The tent pegs of your house, stretch them. Make room for MIGHTY increase and surely that which you have prayed for, that which you have spoken to ME in private, I will MAKE AVAILABLE and MANIFEST PUBLICLY! This is the Word of the Lord to you today!
For, man of God, take up the pen and prepare to write. Now this is funny to me, but I’m looking at comic books. (Would you just worship the Lord in this place for a moment)
You are to make this come about. This is the Spirit of God. I’m just exhorting you, now. This is the Spirit of the Lord, (I) just encourage you to GO FOR IT! GO FOR IT! Don’t back off of it.
And woman of God have I not put MY word in your mouth? Have I not stirred you? Have I not reached into the broken places? I have seen the pain you’ve come through, says the Lord your God, but out of that pain I bring forth an incredible beauty. Open your mouth, says the Lord, open your mouth, wide. I promised you, I will fill it. Let the prophetic word come forth, says the Lord, and SURELY, SURELY, a crown I have fashioned for your head. - Bishop Flynn Johnson, May 20, 2007, St. Louis, Missouri
Thursday, November 23, 2006
This Is What I See
I know the last few blogs have sounded like I'm not sure we're supposed to BE in Harrsiburg, but that's not what I'm getting at. The main issue for me, is "What are we supposed to be DOING in Harrisburg?"
To explain the reason for the impasse, I must deal with the prophetic words that mentioned Philadelphia as a place of ministry for us. I must deal with the 30-year vision of a production facility in St. Louis. I must deal with the apostolic calling to establish many churches, training and sending out pastors.
Also to to answer that, I must go back to what the Lord continues to show me over and over again. The one thing that HE brings to my heart is the one thing that I have shunned to even talk about because I didn't want to be perceived as being some big shot, know it all, self proclaimed producer.
What I see, is a Production House. That's all I've ever seen. Even when we were in the building, I tried to set it up to look like the set in a television studio.
I can fully describe what I see. The TV Production studio is set up with a sofa and love seat. I see tables and chairs with a backdrop that looks like we're in the living room of a home. I see, off to the side, a second stage area for a live band. I see an audience set up like what you might see on the Oprah show, ovation seating that rises up on tiers with the front row at eye level of the stage and rising up a few rows until you reach the back.
From the TV production set, I see Carol and me teaching with Power Point and video clips. I see question and answer sessions. I see guest, like my pastor, being interviewed and teaching. I see seminars and wokshops. I see musical guest and comedians. I see all of it being taped to be aired on local cable TV, internet streaming video, and distributued by DVD's.
The facility also has other studios within it: animation studio, music and video editng suites and a computer graphics lab. Then there are the many floors that provide video and table games, a computer lab, a coffee house and a library.
I don't know if you can call it a church that has a production house or a production house that host a church. I just know that, that's what I see. The reasons I've struggled the last few weeks with the true direction of the Lord for Fruitful Life is because the more I try to pursue establishing a church, the more this picture comes up into my spirit.
Almost 30 years ago, God gave our oversseer a vision. Part of that vision involved a multi-media center in St. Louis. The Lord spoke forth the names, "Chris and Carol" when HE showed him that part of the vision. I have carried this in my spirit ever since he told us about that vision. Also, when we were commissioned and released in May 2004, the prophet mentioned Philadelphia several times. So with all these visions and words of knowledge, I need the wisdom to know what portion of the vision we are supposed to do in Harrisburg.
SO the question is, do we establish the production house in Harrsiburg, or should we be establishing a church in Harrisburg? Is it both or is neither one of these a part of the purpose for being in Harrsiburg? Is it something completely different like establishing a cable TV broadcast, just to help unite the church community in this region.
According to the Word just brought forth from our Bishop, we are to invest in the place where God has us. I believe that means God wants us to sow into the lives of the precious people we meet with each week in our home. I believe that it also means we are to sow into the works of other pastors and leaders in Harrisburg. That's all we can do anyway because we have nothing else to offer at this season.
I'm receiving training on my job to be an internet steaming video producer. I'm beginning to believe that our main purpose for being in Harrisburg was for training, education and preparation for the next level of our calling. We can still provide ministry to people while we are here, but it may never have been meant to be the place to acquire a facilty or operate from a public building. If it is, GOD will have to open those doors. We will not push or drive the church congregation for those things.
One thing we know for sure; the ministry in our home is very affective. We know for sure, to continue with that. God has even sent confirmation through my mother's dream concerning this. That's why I said that of all the things we have to consider and work through, I know we are to go forth with the in-house aspect of our work in Harrisburg.
To explain the reason for the impasse, I must deal with the prophetic words that mentioned Philadelphia as a place of ministry for us. I must deal with the 30-year vision of a production facility in St. Louis. I must deal with the apostolic calling to establish many churches, training and sending out pastors.
Also to to answer that, I must go back to what the Lord continues to show me over and over again. The one thing that HE brings to my heart is the one thing that I have shunned to even talk about because I didn't want to be perceived as being some big shot, know it all, self proclaimed producer.
What I see, is a Production House. That's all I've ever seen. Even when we were in the building, I tried to set it up to look like the set in a television studio.
I can fully describe what I see. The TV Production studio is set up with a sofa and love seat. I see tables and chairs with a backdrop that looks like we're in the living room of a home. I see, off to the side, a second stage area for a live band. I see an audience set up like what you might see on the Oprah show, ovation seating that rises up on tiers with the front row at eye level of the stage and rising up a few rows until you reach the back.
From the TV production set, I see Carol and me teaching with Power Point and video clips. I see question and answer sessions. I see guest, like my pastor, being interviewed and teaching. I see seminars and wokshops. I see musical guest and comedians. I see all of it being taped to be aired on local cable TV, internet streaming video, and distributued by DVD's.
The facility also has other studios within it: animation studio, music and video editng suites and a computer graphics lab. Then there are the many floors that provide video and table games, a computer lab, a coffee house and a library.
I don't know if you can call it a church that has a production house or a production house that host a church. I just know that, that's what I see. The reasons I've struggled the last few weeks with the true direction of the Lord for Fruitful Life is because the more I try to pursue establishing a church, the more this picture comes up into my spirit.
Almost 30 years ago, God gave our oversseer a vision. Part of that vision involved a multi-media center in St. Louis. The Lord spoke forth the names, "Chris and Carol" when HE showed him that part of the vision. I have carried this in my spirit ever since he told us about that vision. Also, when we were commissioned and released in May 2004, the prophet mentioned Philadelphia several times. So with all these visions and words of knowledge, I need the wisdom to know what portion of the vision we are supposed to do in Harrisburg.
SO the question is, do we establish the production house in Harrsiburg, or should we be establishing a church in Harrisburg? Is it both or is neither one of these a part of the purpose for being in Harrsiburg? Is it something completely different like establishing a cable TV broadcast, just to help unite the church community in this region.
According to the Word just brought forth from our Bishop, we are to invest in the place where God has us. I believe that means God wants us to sow into the lives of the precious people we meet with each week in our home. I believe that it also means we are to sow into the works of other pastors and leaders in Harrisburg. That's all we can do anyway because we have nothing else to offer at this season.
I'm receiving training on my job to be an internet steaming video producer. I'm beginning to believe that our main purpose for being in Harrisburg was for training, education and preparation for the next level of our calling. We can still provide ministry to people while we are here, but it may never have been meant to be the place to acquire a facilty or operate from a public building. If it is, GOD will have to open those doors. We will not push or drive the church congregation for those things.
One thing we know for sure; the ministry in our home is very affective. We know for sure, to continue with that. God has even sent confirmation through my mother's dream concerning this. That's why I said that of all the things we have to consider and work through, I know we are to go forth with the in-house aspect of our work in Harrisburg.
"No, you didn't miss God"
Carol and I just received the most wonderful letter from one of our dear daughters. We've known her and her husband since , well let's just say before they were married. We know and love all three of their daughters and we cannot imagine our lives with out this family in it.
We had a true set up encounter meeting and conversation during our recent trip to Saint Louis. We had a serious reconnection, reconcilation and restoration of our relationship. I've been writing some very soul searching logs lately and this note came from our daughter in the midst of all I've been feeling. She had no idea and yet she wrote the following:
Pastor Chris and Carol
WE DO WIN,
Even when the picture that is painted before us looks so like we don’t, we actually have already won.
Let me say this. If you guys hadn't came to Saint Louis this past weekend we would have been in the same place in the same state of mind.
God knew that you would be where you were at that particular time, when you told us how you got the money to come and how long it took for them to find you or get in touch with you. God already knew.
Robert and I like to say he plans your future at the end. You have already won. We just have to walk it out.
This is really awesome. You are there in PA for a reason. God is forging Carol’s relatives and giving other people another chance to embrace him and, o my God, he is using the most realest people in the world in that place.
Yes, it is only for a season. No you didn't miss God.
Robert and I were at church yesterday and he started laughing and saying I’m in the same exact seat I was in over ten years ago. The enemy would try to make it look as if all of the places that we have been were in vain or just a waste of time. I leaned over and told Robert that this time we are different. The things that we have learned, we will have the opportunity to teach others, at Metro. We will be able to help with the vision of the house and to see things come to pass.
So. Yes even when it don't seem as though we heard God, the act of obedience said I'll go where you want me to go and I'll do what you want me to do.
I personally did not want to come back to STL over 5 years ago. It seems mean, but I didn't. I was comfortable where I was. Even though my mom was ill, that was her problem. "Also, on a side note we didn't know that you felt the way you did when we came back and we really do apologize. It wasn't toward you all at all. We just were dealing with issues."
But out of obedience,
When I look at my children, reading in bible study at your mom's house, it was worth it!
When I look at us coming to church and we all are being embraced and my kids feel a since of belonging, it was worth it!
Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there when no one else was there. Thanks for being the mom and dad that we didn't have. Thanks for sowing seeds into our lives and allowing us to be us. Thanks for putting us on your email list so that we can keep up with current events like you coming to town.
Robert and I are fully engaged and others may say what ever, it aint about that. We all have a job to do and that job is to serve God with everything in us in spite of all of our insecurities and hang ups.
We love you. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Shawn Parrish
We had a true set up encounter meeting and conversation during our recent trip to Saint Louis. We had a serious reconnection, reconcilation and restoration of our relationship. I've been writing some very soul searching logs lately and this note came from our daughter in the midst of all I've been feeling. She had no idea and yet she wrote the following:
Pastor Chris and Carol
WE DO WIN,
Even when the picture that is painted before us looks so like we don’t, we actually have already won.
Let me say this. If you guys hadn't came to Saint Louis this past weekend we would have been in the same place in the same state of mind.
God knew that you would be where you were at that particular time, when you told us how you got the money to come and how long it took for them to find you or get in touch with you. God already knew.
Robert and I like to say he plans your future at the end. You have already won. We just have to walk it out.
This is really awesome. You are there in PA for a reason. God is forging Carol’s relatives and giving other people another chance to embrace him and, o my God, he is using the most realest people in the world in that place.
Yes, it is only for a season. No you didn't miss God.
Robert and I were at church yesterday and he started laughing and saying I’m in the same exact seat I was in over ten years ago. The enemy would try to make it look as if all of the places that we have been were in vain or just a waste of time. I leaned over and told Robert that this time we are different. The things that we have learned, we will have the opportunity to teach others, at Metro. We will be able to help with the vision of the house and to see things come to pass.
So. Yes even when it don't seem as though we heard God, the act of obedience said I'll go where you want me to go and I'll do what you want me to do.
I personally did not want to come back to STL over 5 years ago. It seems mean, but I didn't. I was comfortable where I was. Even though my mom was ill, that was her problem. "Also, on a side note we didn't know that you felt the way you did when we came back and we really do apologize. It wasn't toward you all at all. We just were dealing with issues."
But out of obedience,
When I look at my children, reading in bible study at your mom's house, it was worth it!
When I look at us coming to church and we all are being embraced and my kids feel a since of belonging, it was worth it!
Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there when no one else was there. Thanks for being the mom and dad that we didn't have. Thanks for sowing seeds into our lives and allowing us to be us. Thanks for putting us on your email list so that we can keep up with current events like you coming to town.
Robert and I are fully engaged and others may say what ever, it aint about that. We all have a job to do and that job is to serve God with everything in us in spite of all of our insecurities and hang ups.
We love you. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Shawn Parrish
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