Dear Elim Grace,

Since I asked you to pray for me, and since I know you did, I wanted to write to you in brief about my trip to Peru. 

My time was in the capital Lima, a city of 11 million. That’s one-third of the nation’s population. My ministry was with Taylor Barriger, pastor of Camino De Vida church. His father, Robert, planted the church some 40 years ago. And the primary purpose of my ministry was in the prophetic gift. 

Here are three lessons I learned (and am learning) from my trip. 

1. “LET YOUR YES BE YES”

Let your Yes to Jesus be your Yes to the opportunities He gives you. That’s what I’ve been learning this year as it pertains to traveling. 

There was a season when I didn’t travel. I didn’t want to. I wasn’t released by the Lord to do so. But now it seems He’s beginning to release me to a small degree. This new call and release demands of me wisdom, though. And boundaries. How much will I travel in a year? And for how long each trip? These are questions largely answered and determined by my marriage and my family. By my first calling in ministry, which is to pastoring.

Still, I have heard Jesus say to me, when it comes to travel: “Jonathan, let your Yes to me – to love and to serve me – be your Yes to the opportunities I give you.” And that’s my encouragement to you, too. Let your Yes to Jesus be your Yes to the opportunities He gives you. He is faithful and will be with you.

2. THE IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE…

As I said, the primary purpose of my visit was the prophetic ministry. And this is where I saw the biggest growth in me.

Camino De Vida church has five services on Sundays. Taylor told me Saturday night that I would be preaching at the fourth in the evening. Immediately I said to myself, “I’m preaching this sermon.” And then immediately the Lord said, “No, you’re preaching this sermon.” That settled it then!

The fifth and last service was dedicated to a special occasion. For the first time in a few years, they would be laying hands on and installing three couples to the pastoral ministry in that local church. My part was the prophetic ministry. Typically, it’s when I see the person(s) I’m praying for that a prophetic word comes. This time, though, it was different. I received three prophetic words during the time of worship. Then later when I saw each couple, I knew which word was for each. This was a new experience in the prophetic for me.

On Monday, the goal was to minister prophetically to those graduating from their Bible school. In the past, they would do this on a yearly basis. But they hadn’t done so for various reasons in the last three years. This meant that, past graduates would be joining the new graduates. So the task before me was to minister prophetically to 60 students.

I have to admit that, when I heard the number 60, I thought to myself, “That’s impossible.” The plan was to pray for half in one session to begin at 2:00pm and for half in a second session to end by 6:00pm. I was right. It was impossible for me…but not for the Holy Spirit. I knew I didn’t need to know 60 people. He already knew them. I knew my responsibility was to “step into the River” and out of me He would flow. And He did! In amazing ways! And, those who know my appreciation for all things “on time” will find it hilarious that, we ended 8 minutes early.

Here’s the thing, Elim Grace. All the things Jesus calls us to do are possible in Him. He never promises that all the things we want to do are possible in Him. But only what He calls us and sends us and empowers us to do.

3. LOVE WINS THE DAY

As Paul reminds us, the spiritual gifts mean nothing apart from love. I used to think God’s anointing came for my sake. Then I learned it comes for the sake of His Word. His name. His purposes for His people. For His love’s sake.

I have no doubt that whatever “upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3) the prophetic gift brought to Camino De Vida, it was the result of love. Your love for me as you prayed. Their love for one another. Their love for their church. Their love for their city. Their love even for me. But, above all, their love for Jesus Christ and His love for them.

In their corporate times of worship, whether Saturday (at the end of their annual youth conference), Sunday (during their services) or Monday (during the sessions), it was “on earth as it is in heaven.” Love for the name of Christ permeated and ruled all things. And that, Elim Grace, wins the day. 

Whatever the challenge or obstacle. Whatever the test or trial. Whatever the opportunity or need. Our love for Christ and His love for us means His presence, His power, His Spirit is forever the boundary of our dwelling – wherever we go, wherever He sends us, “You are there.” 

…

Thank you again, for your loving support in prayer. In many ways, God has used YOU to bless a church in Peru and used them to bless a church in Upstate New York. The earth is His! the church is His! The glory is His! 

Pastor Jonathan

P.S. If you would like to see the photos I took while in Peru, go here: PERU