Philippines August 09
Apostolic Institute of Ministries
August 19 – 24 Apostolic Institute of Ministries, Davao City.
Morning sessions we will be imparting the concepts of Apostolic Authority to the bible school students. Topics include:
- Defining Apostolic Authority – what does it mean to be apostolic (sent)
- Our Metron - Every born again believer has a unique spiritual gifting and a place or manner in which it should operate. Understanding this will allow the believer to effectively demonstrate the kingdom.
- How to Operate In Apostolic Authority - Once you know you have been empowered and what you gifting is; now it is time to effectively demonstrate authority.
20th & 21st I will be meeting with local pastors. We will be going over some of the same concepts of Operating in Apostolic Authority.
Sunday the 23rd we will be ministering in a local church, will be challenging strongholds that limit faith. Looking for God to do the stuff only HE can do!
OUR HOST
In October 1980 John and Nory Cogan and their children returned to the Philippines to witness to her family and to help in the work of God in any way possible. They financed this venture by selling all their earthly possessions, except for what they could pack in eight large suitcases. Living by “faith” for seven months, they established a church that has produced six pastors, five of whom are Nory Cogan’s first cousins. The Cogans received their missionary appointment in 1983. They live on Mindanao Island. He serves as president, administrator, and instructor at Apostolic Institute of Ministries in Davao City. He is also the missionary advisor to the Mindanao District and a member of the executive board.
TUESDAY August 18, 2009 (Philippines – 13 hours ahead of St Louis)
Manila Airport Snack
Arrived in Davao City after around 28 hours of travel time. (Flight itinerary: St Louis –> Phoenix –> San Francisco –> Manila –> Davao City). Flight from SFO To MNL was good. about 40 -50 % full. Was able to stretch out in entire row, slept ok. Arrival in Davao was interesting. Their baggage handlers insisted upon helping. Standing waiting for my luggage and one of them pointed out that international baggage claim was at another carousel. Two of them took me to the other end of the terminal (was a little concerned during the trek) to customs. I apparently did not answers the customs agents questions satisfactorily because she decided to search my luggage. Asked me at least twice who I was visiting and if I was bringing them gifts.
After the customs search, the baggage handlers insisted upon taking me to where arrivals were picked up. My flight was about 20 min early, so I waited expectantly outside for the missionary to arrive. Multiple times I was asked by taxi drivers and others if I was waiting for my wife – ?? Why am I writing this? Because it is what makes these trips real and interesting. It is their culture, it is where they live every day. It is what makes me appreciate a lot of what I am blessed with AND makes me appreciate these people more. Oh yes, the missionary did arrive, he was on time for the regular scheduled arrival. Missions, I love it!
WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2009
Our first session began at the Apostolic Institute of Ministries where 50 hungry students came together for their annual “Spiritual Renewal.” The theme this year was “You have come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” During worship you could sense a wonderful presence of the Lord. Also, there was a strong sense of direction to minister the message, “Defining Apostolic.”
Here is a short clip of the intense worship!
During the lesson I defined the difference between power and authority, pointing out that authority is the use of someone else power. Apostolic is being sent with a commission to represent someone else. So spiritually, apostolic authority is being sent and authorized to use Jesus power to represent Him to this world. To effectively do this, we must have the faith to go an do what we have been authorized to do.
Nearing the end of the message, as I encouraged the young people that they could lead the way to revival and spiritual demonstration, the Spirit of the Lord descended and began to impart to them an illumination of what the had been sent to do. It was a wonderful sight to as they sought after God!
Seeking God’s Impartation – Such intense hunger and emotion
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Once again we gathered at the AIM and began to minister. The topic this morning was “Our Metron.” Each born again believer has been sent by God with a particular gift to either a place of ministry or particular method of ministry. When we understand this and operate in our metron, we can expect there to be the demonstration of Gods power.
Morning Worship
Also on Thursday evening we ministered local pastors and the those bible school students who were interested. Our focus was first on perspective; we act based on how we see things. To demonstrate apostolic authority we must change our perspective of what it means to be apostolic and how God desires to use us. Once again, for the pastors, we defined what it meant to be apostolic.
After preaching, the Lord moved in again (He is so faithful) and began to minister illumination to those there. It is wonderful to see Him open the eyes of understanding to the power He has placed in us.
Friday August 21, 2009
Our last day of Spiritual Renewal 09. During this session we taught “How to operate in apostolic authority.” When we know the mind/will of God we can speak to the situation we face and use His authority. After the message, the students ministered to each other, about a dozen expressed healing from various diseases and maladies!
Again, in the evening we ministered to the pastors and students. Our topic was “Becoming A Son of God.” We are all born into the kingdom as a child. The Lord expects us to mature to the place of sonship where we display His image and nature AND can be trusted to transact business for Him. Once again, our faithful God came and ministered to the hungry with enlightenment and empowerment.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Today was a rest day. Missionary J Cogan took me flying around the island. My first time up in a small plane. Wonderful view. Below is a video clip of us doing a touch n go – coming in for a landing then taking off again.
Sunday, August 24, 2009
Today we ministered in a local church. Nothing like being with the people of God. Worship was good and we ministered “Have the faith of God.” We need to see the way God see: look at the situations we face and looking beyond the natural to the spiritual, we speak the things of the spirit to them. Faith is seeing as God sees it and then demonstrating it to this world.
The Lord was able to break thru some strongholds of tradition and enlighten the people. Once again, there were about a dozen who state that they have been healed from various afflictions: back pain, shoulder and stomach problems.
Morning Worship
UPDATE
8/30/09 Received email from missionary in Philippines. Today, students from the bible school were in an outlying area ministering. The report is that there was a man with limited movement in his extremities. The students prayed for him and he has begun to regain movement in the extremities. This is what it is all about – imparting faith to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom.
