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Mission for Revival
Two months before coming to New Zealand, the Lord made us aware that He would not tell us why He was sending us here until after we arrived. Three months after our arrival on Waitangi Day in 2003, the Lord began a process of revealing our mission. At that time, I was invited to speak about historical revival at Vision College. While organizing the information I began collecting on this subject in 1968, the Holy Spirit made me aware that God wants to move similarly in New Zealand. A local pastor, who heard me speak, responded by starting a prayer meeting where we began interceding for biblical revival. Next, the Lord told us to use the resources we have (teaching materials, videos, dvds, music, and books) in ways that would make others hungry for biblical revival. The next step was to begin networking with like-minded brethren because it will take the whole body of Christ to make revival successful. Then we began visiting the churches in the region where we lived to get an idea of their strengths and needs so we would understand how to help and pray for them.
During this process, we became aware that the main thing God wants us to do is provide teaching and discipleship materials to those who are converted to the Lord Jesus Christ when the revival begins. We intend to use a First Principles course, which I began developing while still in Bible school (1968-72). We will also use a Bible Survey course, which I began developing a few years before coming to New Zealand. Both courses were completed during 2006.
The Lord has not yet made it clear regarding all the means He wants us to use for discipleship training. Satellite schools within the local churches should be part of it because that is one of the best ways to involve the whole body of Christ. It may also help to establish a training center from which to coordinate the satellite schools. However, we desire to avoid starting another denomination. The goal is to build up the church without further fragmenting it.
It is important to recognize that the church in God's eyes is made up of everyone, who has been truly born again according to biblical standards. We have met such people in many different denominations. The church, over which Jesus Christ is the Head, cannot be found in any one particular denomination. Jesus Christ is the Savior, not the church. We want to build His kingdom, not our own. Many pastors we've known see allegiance to the Lord Jesus as their first priority, and the denominations they're involved with as merely a means to serve Him. We find it easy to work with such men of God because they want to build His kingdom too, and not their own.
Every historical revival in the past came in response to diligent, fervent prayer. God doesn’t want to come for a visit. He wants to come to stay. Revival is also sustained by prayer. Hence, we also have a vision for 24/7 centers for prayer and worship. These are best supported by local churches networking together in biblical unity. Any center we may start will function under our oversight until the local churches are ready to run it themselves. However, we will not “pass the baton” to them when they claim to be ready. That is how false brethren infiltrated one denomination in New Zealand to subvert it. Evil people also did the same thing to some leaders of a revival that began in Timaru during the 1960’s. God will let us know who is ready to assume leadership and when to give it to them.
We use the word, biblical, as an adjective to modify revival and unity because we do not want our vision to be confused with the counterfeits or the ecumenical movement among unregenerate modernists. Thus, we desire a revival that will emphasize salvation, holiness, and righteousness as the result of repentance from sin and a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We desire joy without foolishness. We desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit without counterfeits. The most important thing of all is that the focus of revival should be upon the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no place in genuine revival for pet doctrines, personal agendas, flaunting one’s “spirituality,” etc. True revival is only about God.
We believe one of the main objectives God has in mind for revival in New Zealand is to prepare us for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In order for Him to gather a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish, we need Him to heal our blemishes, iron out the wrinkles, and remove the spots. One of the main keys to holiness is the presence of God. Thus, we must learn to live in such a way that we attract and abide in His presence. Worship, prayer, reverence, faith, humility, meekness, a love for the truth, and a hunger for righteousness are keys to attracting God’s presence.
“Christian” rock music, which is so prevalent in some churches, is no different than the strange fire offered by Aaron’s sons in the O.T. We should be worshipping God with music that attracts His presence instead of worldly crowds. We should not be playing for the fans in the stands, but for the Coach. Thus, we are also promoting a standard of reverent music that God approves. The spirit of the world has hijacked enough churches in New Zealand.
God has blessed a variety of music styles throughout church history. He is blessing much of the music produced by Messianic Jews like Paul Wilbur, which has a distinct Jewish style. He has blessed the Celtic-styled music written by Revival In Belfast. He has also blessed the music written by others, whose style is uniquely different from Jewish and Celtic saints. Thus, style is not the issue, but holiness.
What is briefly described on this page will be explained in greater detail on subsequent pages. If you desire further clarification about anything, please submit your questions to our email address. We have called this web site God Defend New Zealand because it is the title of their national anthem and contains a prayer, which we believe God wants to answer.
Please note that the advertising on this site is not here by our choice. If anything offends you, do not blame us. However, we believe most, if not all, of the advertisers have good intentions.
