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This year has been the busiest year for our ministry in many years. But it has been much more than just having the responsibilities of “busy-ness” in ministry. Everywhere we have gone, there has been a dramatic increase in the numbers of people coming to Jesus through repentance. It has been amazing as we have watched the Holy Spirit bring conviction of sin and stir hearts toward repentance and change. There has been a new and consistent dimension of the awareness of the holiness of God in all the meetings in ways we’ve not seen before. For all these things, we are most grateful.
We remain absolutely convinced that we MUST have revival in America and the nations once more. Anything less than that will not be sufficient to stem the moral, social, and economic hemorrhage which is presently occurring. The revival that must come is one in which God’s glory invades nations. When that happens, people will be confronted with the deadly nature of their sin and turn to God seeking mercy through repentance. For the Church, it is to return to the place of our “first love” through surrender and passion for God. Those who believe that there are political solutions or economic stimulus packages and programs that can fix the problems we face are living in a fairy tale world. The ONLY thing that can bring lasting change to our beloved nation is another Great Awakening. It has happened before, and there is every reason to believe from scripture and history that God’s great desire is to do it all over again!
But when will revival come? Is it a sovereign thing that can only happen whenever God decides? Or does the Church have a role in cooperating with what the Holy Spirit desires to do? The answer is YES to both! Revival is going to come to our nation and others! The only question is how long will it take before the Church awakens to the seriousness of the hour and meets the conditions God established for the revival according to 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. The Church does play a role in the ignition of atmospheric revival! That role does not concern the question of “if revival will come” but rather “when revival will come.” God has always sent revivals because had He not done so, the Church would have disappeared completely centuries ago! It is the hunger in the hearts of God’s people that is the deciding factor in the timing of God concerning revival. Look at the following statements that illustrate this truth.
“Any church, or any community, can have a revival at any
time if it wants to pay the price.” (Oswald J. Smith)
“I believe that we can have revival anytime we meet God’s
conditions.” (Billy Graham)
“He has put the quickening of the Church in our hands…”
(Andrew Murray)
“We must not believe in any conception of God’s
sovereignty that nullifies man’s responsibility. We are the
human agents through whom revival is possible.”
(Duncan Campbell)
“There never will be a revival till somebody makes particular
efforts for this end.” (Charles G. Finney)
“Our part in revival is to adjust the sails of our spiritual life to
catch the breeze that comes from heaven. Such adjustment
involves preparation, supplication and expectation.”
(Stephen Olford)
John Shiver Ministries is called and committed to doing all we can to stir the hearts of God’s people that we might pursue the very thing that God desires to do which is: Send another Great Awakening and bring in an immeasurable harvest of precious souls in the kingdom! We want to make Jesus famous in this nation and all others once more!
Partnership with us in India-
For the past seven years, our ministry has been committed to ministry in India. I have already been there 6 times and plan to be back again at least once, maybe twice, in 2010. At present, we are doing all we can financially to help approximately 1,000 orphans through our giving as ministry and by encouraging others we know to do the same. Because of the problems in the world economy, our ministry partner, Reverend Sudheer Kumar has told me their ministry’s income has dropped approximately 60% in recent months! The needs there are VERY real. Yet for less than $1.00 per day, a homeless child can be rescued, given a home, food, clothing, education, Jesus, and a life! Your partnership with us in this effort is most needed and appreciated.
We are also asking God to call people and churches who will partner with us as a ministry as we seek to sow the seeds of revival in nations. Since our last newsletter, we have ministered literally across America, from New York to Alaska and now we are looking toward more and more ministry outside the United States in the coming days. We have already committed to 5 ministry trips to other nations in 2010. We respectfully ask that you pray about becoming a monthly partner with us as we step out by faith to do the things God has called us to do.
We would like to invite you to visit our updated website at www.johnshiverministries.org. You can also sow on the Donate Page using a credit card or by mail at the address listed here. Or simply click on the “Donate Now” button below.
May all of God’s richest blessings be yours in ever increasing measure!
John Shiver
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Itinerary
August 28 -30 - Nappanee, Indiana, Maranatha Christian Fellowship (574) 773-9330
September 25th-26th-“Glory In The City,” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (813) 929-1970
October 4-7 Arbor World Outreach Center, Lynchburg, Tennessee (931) 759- 5181
October 23rd-25th “Glory In The City” Conference, London, England
More events to come soon.
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