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"WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT... THINK ON THSE THINGS" PHIL. 4:8 Welcome! What a pleasure it is to be in touch with you again. The FMI Report mainly documents the previous month's activities. We would like to thank all of you who have been forwarding these messages to your friends and family. In
This Month's Report: JEFF BEACHAM'S EDITORIAL – Foolish Christians
"God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools... and He has not been disappointed.... If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world." - U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
INTRODUCTION New York City, considered by many to be the 'capital of the world,' is a very strategic place in terms of media, entertainment, fashion and economy. Most popular culture in the Western World has its origin here. There is a certain type of sophistication in New Yorkers that is quite unique. This city could almost be said to be the antithesis of the 'Bible Belt' of the southwestern United States.
SO SOPHISTICATED It has been a major challenge to see any impact for Christ in a city that is divided in many respects. Thankfully, I have seen the church make great strides for unity and speaking with one voice in the six years I have been here. The efforts of the three networks that I work with in this area (City Covenant Coalition, City Action Coalition and NJ Faith Alliance) to promote kingdom principles and cultural transformation received a major boost over the last twelve months since we decided to take a stand to uphold traditional marriage in the face of ardent efforts by 'sophisticated' (read 'radical left wing liberals' and the gay lobby) Northeasterners from Massachusetts to New York City who want to redefine this foundational institution to include any union, in addition to that of one man and one woman. Many denominations and movements that may not have stood with us on other issues united with us on the issue of traditional marriage.
Many will be aware of the three events we hosted recently, beginning with a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall last March, followed by the July 25th Traditional Marriage Renewal Day Rally on Broadway and then the Statewide Clergy Defense of Marriage Press Conference in Trenton, NJ on October 4, 2004. The recent presidential election sent a clear message that the vast majority of Americans do not want to redefine marriage.
In Luke 4:1, we read, "Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time." Jesus had successfully resisted the devil's temptation, but that was not the end of it. Satan would come back at 'an opportune time.' Despite the nation's expression of sentiments to the contrary, just a few days ago, a Manhattan Supreme Court Judge ruled that the current law on marriage in New York State is generic enough to allow same sex marriage. This judge's decision goes against three other NY Supreme Court judges who recently made rulings (one as recently as the day before this decision) upholding the current marriage laws. When one unelected public official can arbitrarily change the definition of marriage for an entire society, we have a serious problem!
OFF TO CITY HALL WE GO! Sophistication implies an acceptance of diverse cultural trends and lifestyles. Often these are at odds with Judeo Christian morality and the tolerance espoused and demanded by these sophisticates does not flow to those who hold to traditional values, who are regarded as narrow minded fools by these progressives. Despite all this, the church must have the courage to stand up for this issue of traditional marriage in the face of ridicule by the media and social elites or everything will begin to fall. So, it's back to City Hall we go! #
FEEDBACK...
"Mr. Beacham, I appreciated your words concerning Hell (see FMI Report, Jan. 2005) and the fact of it being an integral part of the Gospel message. Without the threat of Hell, lawlessness abounds, repentance ceases, and the fear of God wanes. I also wanted to encourage you in this: there are evangelists in the streets." Patrick J Burwell, Philadelphia Church member in Oak Ridge, NJ
"Dear Pastor Jeff: I am writing to let you know what an impact your message 'Healing the Hemorrhage of Hell' had on my life. I appreciate this message because Hell is not being preached from the pulpit anymore. It is refreshing to hear how direct you brought this message across to wake up those who are ignorant of the truth. I am looking forward to the time when people will take sin seriously and the fear of the Lord will return to the Church. I exhort you in the Lord to continue preaching such heart felt messages that the conviction of the Lord will bring many souls to repentance and salvation...." Elaine Barry
JANUARY EVENTS...
The Transformation of the Church - From Gotham to Glory - On January 12th, City Covenant Coalition hosted a key regional leader's meeting for metro New York. Speakers included Dr. Joseph Mattera, Pastor Bob Johansson, Bishop Roderick Caesar, Rev. Michael Faulkner, Mr. Tony Carnes, Pastor Gary Hartley and Pastor Rob Cassara. I had the privilege of moderating.
We are living in a day when the church is positioning itself to
positively affect our communities, in addition to its call to bring the
Gospel to individuals. The result is that we are in the beginning stages
of experiencing an urban transformation that will be a model for the
nation! We believe the real reason behind this is that the church is
presently being transformed. As the church goes, so the community goes!
NJ FAITH Alliance holds its first annual Conference, "Energizing Apostolic, Prophetic and Marketplace Ministries" - Many NJ leaders gathered for this keynote conference dealing with leading edge issues for the Body of Christ in the state of New Jersey.
The program was structured in three panels, each with four or five speakers presenting their thoughts on what they believe the Lord is doing with the apostolic, prophetic and marketplace ministries:
A New Apostolic Age - David Cartledge, Walt
Healy, Jeff Beacham, Abraham Fenton
JANUARY MINISTRY… Last month, we were at the following churches and events:
Sun 2nd, - Victory Christian Fellowship, Trooper, PA, Pastor Ed Crenshaw
One of the highlights of last month was a vacation/ministry trip to Australia and New Zealand. I was born and raised in NZ and lived half my life in Australia before coming to the United States six years ago.
It was good to minister for Luke Brough, senior pastor of Elim Christian Centre in Auckland, NZ. Many responded to the altar calls over the two weekends. I also spent time in the South Island with close friends, Andrew and Saskia Smith. The scenery where they live is unforgettable (see photo above right).
In Australia, my former staff and many other friends from the Hillsong Church got together for a reunion with me on my first night there. Over the next couple of days I was able to spend time with many other friends and colleagues from this amazing church which currently has nearly 21,000 members.
COMING SOON…
City Covenant Coalition National and Local Affairs Briefing with Family Research Council President, Tony Perkins and Rev. Duane Motley, Christian lobbyist in Albany, NY. March 2nd, Calvary Cathedral of Praise, 45 East 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11218.
For more information, call 718-436-0242, ext. 15 or register online at
www.citycovenant.com
TIPS AND RESOURCES… Christworld -
christworldradio is dedicated to the teaching of the Word of God An
online Christian community site including Entertainment, Family,
Money, News, Spiritual Life, Teens, Life and much more.
http://www.botcw.com/cgi-bin/se/jump.cgi?ID=16095 A LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGE AVAILABLE THROUGH FMI...
Worship Wars
"Our leisure, even our play, is a matter of
serious concern. There is no neutral ground in the universe: every
square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and
counterclaimed by Satan." - C. S. Lewis The history books of the future will tell us that in the year 2004, there were two major wars; the war against terror and the war within our own culture! Both intimately involve our nation. Jeff Beacham presents a timely and topical message to put you in the picture.
Available on DVD, audio CD and audio cassette. To order, click here
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JEFF BEACHAM REPRINT AGREEMENT: Duplication and re-transmission of original material in this report is permitted provided that complete source and website information is included.
©2004 - THE FMI REPORT IS THE MONTHLY COMMUNICATION OF NEWS FROM FIREPOWER MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, THE MINISTRY OF JEFF BEACHAM top |
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FMI REPORT - JANUARY 2005
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AN OPPORTUNE TIME
divided church."
Senior editor of Christianity Today, Tony Carnes said that God is
secretive and revelatory. "We are here to reveal that which is hidden
from view by our culture… 
