CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 10

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

We return to the hangar for the 3^rd session, and are just in time to catch the end of what Stephen O is sharing. The worship ends, and without delay, Miki goes up, Bible in hand, followed by Amas his interpreter. He picks up where he left off, stating that we cannot expect to carry the life of Christ without dying to ourselves. He explains that God is looking for men and women who will be ministers of the spirit. He reads from Colossians 1: 28-29 where Paul declares that He preaches Jesus Christ, and that it was for this purpose and that he laboured and no other reason. For Miki, it is evident that ministry is meaningless if we are not working with this objective in mind.

He suggests to the leaders gathered in front of him that if God hasn’t called them into the ministry, it might be better for them to quit now. Because when they start to realise the cost of ministry and the price they will have to pay, it will become very evident to them what they have to do. For when the Lord shows you things, the choice is then yours… either to run away or to stand on that foundation. The law of God is written on the tablets of our hearts; it is real and living in us. Miki asks if they have realised that much of Paul’s epistles are a description of his own life, how he embraced the cross and dealt with issues in the spirit! One can sense that Paul was a man whose life had been laid on the altar, and who carried the life of Christ.

Miki declares boldly that they cannot waste any more time to make a decision. It’s either the message of the cross, or their downfall as leaders. God is calling them to take a step further, to make a decision, and it will lead them to repentance for the way they have served the Lord.

Slowly people come to front, humbly, with broken hearts. Almost three quarters of the congregation are standing at the front now; and, Stephen G joins Miki to pray for them. The sound of weeping fills the room as leaders repent before the Lord. The meeting comes to an end, and slowly they make their way back to their seats. Stephen O closes the meeting by thanking CTMI for being such a blessing to the body of Christ. On this note, Friday’s meetings end.

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 9

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

We return to the hall where everybody is enjoying the song, ‘Jesu, Jesu, Siyakudumisa’. Then, without further ado, Stephen Gachengo goes onto the platform. This afternoon he wants to share briefly about the revelation of the gospel. He declares unequivocally that it is only when the Cross is revealed to his heart that a man will be able to submit his life to Christ. It has nothing to do with understanding teaching. God has His way of doing things, and he uses a special anointing to do so. He reminds everybody that there was a reason why Jesus took the twelve apostles aside for a time and invested in their lives. Sharing from his own experience, he recalls how before he met Miki Hardy, he felt that something was missing in his life. He loved God but recognised his need for an authority over his life, a father in the spirit.

He encourages everyone to understand that what they need is not just titles, but true apostles carrying a genuine anointing and true revelation from God. He reads Ephesians 3:1-5, that speaks about the mystery which had not been revealed in other ages. He explains that the key phrase here is: ‘revealed by the Spirit’. God is a God of order and has anointed Apostles and Prophets to bring the revelation of the gospel to the Church. When we look at the Church in general today, we can see that these ministries are sadly lacking; as a result, there is neither anointing nor order. He points out that one of the strengths of the early Church was their link with this anointing, which brought security and protection to the Church. We must bear in mind that problems that occur in the Church are spiritual; therefore they need to be solved in the spirit.

To Stephen, it is obvious that Africa needs this revelation so that order can come back to the Church! He goes on to explain that CTMI is not a denomination, but a ministry that brings churches together to work alongside each other in unity of spirit through the revelation of the Cross. He has no doubt that this gospel that must be preached throughout the world.

In closing, he reads one last verse in Romans 1:9, and highlights Paul’s earnest desire to visit all the churches to impart the revelation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to the people. As he invites everyone to stand, he states his sentiment that they should pray to become true sons, men who are not independent but who carry the heart of the Father for His Church and for the flock. Many are crying and rending their hearts before the Lord as the Holy Spirit moves amongst the congregation.

After a while the room quiets down and he returns to his seat. Stephen Okwalinga closes, thanking Miki and the CTMI Team for being such a blessing to the body of Christ.

Everyone heads off for a short break…

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 8

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

This morning, after a short time of praise and worship, Miki goes onto the stage, saying that it is so good to hear the Word of God again. Suddenly, he is interrupted by some technical difficulties; remember we’re in Africa! Soon thereafter, he continues, declaring that he wants to share about the life of Christ, which is by far the best life that any Christian could desire. He invites everybody to open their Bibles to Galatians 2:18-20, and explains that the verse shows we are no longer subject to the desires of our flesh, because we have Christ who lives in us. He concludes that if Christ doesn’t live His life in us, then we are serving Him with who and what we are. He goes on to say that if we find it hard to repent at times, it’s because of our flesh; but when Christ lives in us, we will find it easy to repent quickly.

He states that we pray and say we want the life of Christ, but we are not willing to deny ourselves! We want to serve the Lord, and believe that we can somehow minister in the spirit with this attitude; but, if we want to receive the life of Christ, then we must be ready to die! Miki continues, sharing that a few years earlier he began to run a new race and to seek Christ’s life, in order that he could serve Him in the spirit, and become a blessing to the church. When situations came his way, he realised he had no right to claim for anything, instead he only needed to humble himself. He declares to these men of God present, that they cannot deprive God’s people just because they are not ready to die to themselves and crucify their flesh. He explains that our pride is confronted when we desire Christ’s life: when a problem arises we are ready to humble ourselves and then we can continue. Miki shares that he was in the ministry for 10 to 12 years before realising that he had to surrender his life on God’s altar. Then the message of the Cross came and everything fell apart. For the first time, he understood that the call of God and ministry carried a cost.

Miki states unequivocally that he hasn’t arrived yet, that there is still a long road ahead of him. But when he looks back, he can rejoice at what God has accomplished in his life. He reads Phil 3:10-14 where Paul speaks about resurrection life and Christ living through him. Miki believes that by tomorrow everyone present will have understood what the best is that we can have from God, and the price we have to pay to get it.

In closing, Miki asks his brothers leaders how many of them realise they need God’s help. He asks everyone to stand and prays, specifically for those men who have lifted up their hands, that they might come back to the Cross. As Miki walks off the stage, the hall is pretty still.

Don’t forget… there are still two meetings to come and tomorrow is our last day.

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 7

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

Here we are once again for the last session of the day… Lazaro is joined on stage by Billy Sande, and after a short time of praise and worship, Stephen comes up. He asks everyone to stand, to place this time together before the Lord in prayer. As soon as everyone says, ‘Amen’, he begins sharing about the importance of having the foundation in our lives. He reads Jeremiah 6:19, where God’s people are reminded of the right path to walk on, as well as from the book of Hebrews, where the author recalls the Christians of old, who were ready to suffer for God.

He shares how God has a specific plan for the Church today, and that those who embrace the gospel will be used for His Church. The message of the Cross deals with our flesh and it brings us into a relationship with Jesus Christ, not in man’s mind but in his heart. Carrying on, he reads Jeremiah 2:13 where God says that His people have forsaken Him, the ‘fountain of living waters’. God wants to apply these words in our days because we have also left the true gospel. Even in the time of Jesus, people had turned the house of God into a market place. When Jesus saw this, he did not hesitate to shake what needed to be shaken; where there is confrontation there is always change, he says to congregation. Stephen sincerely believes it’s time for the Apostolic Gospel to be preached and for the Church to be shaken! Many people followed Jesus because of the miracles, but when He spoke to them about the price to pay they left.

Stephen does not mince words as he declares that if you call yourself an apostle and you don’t carry the anointing, you are making a mockery of the Church and being disrespectful towards God. This reminds Stephen of Paul’s words to the elders from Ephesus in Acts 20:22-29, where he warned them that after his departure, wolves would come in among them. Paul was warning the elders back then, but this is equally a prophetic word for the Church today. We need true men of God who are ready to defend and suffer for the Church of Jesus Christ, men who will not compromise the gospel. God doesn’t call us just to hug and be friends, but to correct and help each other in the spirit. He refers to the Samaritan woman who went into her village and told everyone that she had found the truth. She left everything behind her, and Stephen encourages the leaders present that, in the same way, it’s time to leave behind what is not true.

He invites everyone to stand and worship the Lord. A brother goes on stage to sing, and within seconds is touched and falls to his knees in tears. The presence of the Lord is tangible, as many humble themselves and worship Jesus. After a while, Stephen makes his way to his seat while Lazaro comes onto the stage to close the meeting. On that note everything ends.

See you all tomorrow!

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 6

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

The short break comes to an end and everyone quickly make his way back to his seat. Not wanting to waste time, Lazaro invites Miki onto the stage accompanied by his interpreter, who begins to share that it’s good to know what God desires to do in His Church and the plan for restoration that is ahead.

Miki reminds everyone that in the history of the Church, following on from a revival, there is always a period where everything goes quiet. Many have been striving to see God’s hand at work, but we cannot fight against or force the hand of God. He makes it clear that sometimes God closes the tap off so that He can draw our attention to what He wants to do. It’s time to be realistic and accept that the Church has lost the power of God to change lives! He points out how the believers of the Book of Acts and of the Early Church understood that sufferings were part of the road to perfection.

Miki reminds the audience that they must come back to the simplicity of the gospel and seek nothing but Christ Himself, whatever the cost and whatever it may take. He states boldly that if they could only grasp the spirit of the gospel and the heart of God they would see things in a different way. Today, it is only when problems come that we call on the name of Jesus Christ. He refers to Philippians 1:29 where Paul writes, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” He stresses that the Christian life is nothing short of identifying with Christ in His sufferings and experiencing resurrection with Him. Apostle Paul was not ashamed to say that he suffered, and Miki wants this point to be very clear.

In closing, Miki states that Paul brought a clear-cut understanding of Christian life by his way of life, and in what he wrote. He thanks the Lord for the revelation of the Cross and prays that in every meeting the Lord will deposit a seed and that the message of the gospel will be settled in their hearts. Many people are touched by Miki’s heart for them as he finishes. He returns to his seat and after some rapid announcements it’s time for lunch. The video team is scouting around for interviews as usual. We will be return shortly after lunch

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 5

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

It’s our second day and we arrive to the sound of worship in English. After the worship, Miki is invited on stage to preach the Gospel. He starts by speaking about the unity that God wants to bring within leadership. He believes that in these last days God wants to unite those who are willing to pay the price. He goes further, saying that they can even believe they are self-sufficient and be blinded to the fact that God desires to unite them!  He declares unambiguously that we can’t depend only on the born again experience to serve the Lord, there is something deeper that needs to take place in us in order to serve Him.

Miki declares boldly that without the Cross, they can never be united. The message of the Cross either brings unity or separation. Those who refuse it will hate those who accept it, and the result of this hatred is persecution. Miki reminds them that Paul wasn’t persecuted and accused by those outside the church but by those inside it, because his message was without compromise. He refers to 2 Timothy 4:6, where Paul states how he was ready to go to the end for the gospel. Miki believes that God wants to unite the hearts of those follow Jesus and are willing to take up their Cross. One of the fruits of this decision is that they want work with likeminded brothers who take up their Cross.

In closing, Miki mentions that amongst the eldership in Mauritius there has been no strife for more than twenty years.  None of them has a problem in being rebuked, and if anyone has an issue about something they is the freedom to confront each other; repentance and forgiveness come quickly. He reassures them that though it is a long road, God is not looking for perfection but he is looking for people who are ready to walk on this road. He explains that it was not without pain that unity came, but they persevered and it did come after this. Miki asks everyone to stand, as he prays that the Lord will deposit something new in the hearts of those gathered here today. After praying he returns to his seat and that wraps up the first session for today.

CTMI Uganda Leader’s Conference – Report 4

Wednesday 27th – Saturday 30th April 2011

After a short time of praise, Stephen Gachengo goes onto the stage with his translator, Billy Sande from Bungoma, Kenya, saying a loud ‘Good afternoon!’ to a rather unresponsive crowd. Most unimpressed, he repeats himself loudly, and is greeted this time by a wave of loud “Good Afternoons!” in return. Stephen declares that in a time when churches and Christians have drifted away from the pure and simple doctrine of Christ, we have the privilege of hearing the Lord calling us back to the Cross. He reminds them that it’s one thing to hear, but another to take the step and respond to what we are hearing. He goes on to share his testimony briefly. Born again in December 1973, he was a young man who loved Jesus passionately; he was ready to surrender everything for Him and the preaching he heard then was that of the Cross. He grew increasingly zealous for the church and things of the Lord and became a preacher.

Some years later, the Church entered the Charismatic movement and his desires and zeal for the Lord changed. He found himself wanting to become a ‘big’ man of God.  But after going to a conference in Mauritius and hearing the preaching of the Cross he knew he needed to come back to this message.

He encourages everyone that it’s the same message they are hearing this morning. To him, it is the beginning and the end of everything, if we desire to serve Jesus the right way. Stephen states that God is not looking at our titles or positions but for hearts that will be carriers of His life, and pure vessels! God wants to confront us and do a wonderful work in our lives, and it begins with the work of the Cross. His earnest desire is that God would open their eyes, for the spirit of revelation to come.

He reads from 1 Samuel 3, just as the Ark of the Covenant was important in the Old Testament, so the foundation is important in the Church today. Without the foundation and revelation of Jesus Christ, the power of God leaves the Church. Stephen wants to make it clear that knowledge alone cannot help us, but when revelation comes to our heart it changes everything; we just need to see what Jesus accomplished at the Cross for us. He continues saying that there is power in the revelation of Christ! To him, there is just one goal… and that is to carry the life of the spirit.

Going back to his testimony, he explains how in 1991, when he heard this gospel preached for the first time, he came home on fire. When his fellow leaders and Christians came to meet him at the airport they immediately sensed something was different; the way he talked and what he spoke about; he was a different man! A few months later, Miki came to his church for the first time; at the end of three days, Stephen realised that he didn’t have a church… it was just a group of people coming and going. “I know too much and have heard too much. This kind of attitude will block you, but if you come with a desire and a heart that is hungry, the Lord will do something. We need to come to the Lord, and desire the work of the Cross, to leave this place different from when we came, ready to defend this truth, to suffer for it, pay the price because of the conviction that has taken hold of our hearts.”

He invites everyone all to stand and pray together for a miracle to take place in their lives. “May each one of us hear the voice of the Spirit. He is speaking clearly for he wants to build his church!”