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My good friend of half a century likes to say that we have lived in apocalyptic times since Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, but now we live in unusually apocalyptic times. We opened October with the Pray Cal School of Prayer – at which some eighty people experienced a supernatural healing in their bodies and the Supper of the Lord was celebrated with half a dozen pastors of many denominations co-presiding – you decide which miracle was more miraculous. A delegation from around the state gathered in a hearing room of the state capitol – sponsored by a state senator – releasing many words from the Bible over the state and celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Two days later another delegation met with the governor – at his request – and prayed and prophesied over him. The state was called into forty-days of prayer and fasting for the state – beginning on Rosh Hashanah and ending on Veteran’s Day. This is good news of biblical proportions.
At the same time torrential rains followed wildfires to batter Southern California. (They were prophesied.) We face a special election in which measures to address tragedies such as abortion on demand for children and ways in which associations designed to protect their members actually exploit them are mixed with measures that only shift power from one group to another and try to hold new young teachers accountable for everything that is wrong with public education. Letters to editors are filled with more hatred than we have seen before – at least in my lifetime – and pollsters ask us to vote on whether same sex marriage is good for children – or even for same sex couples – as though voting could change what God has ordained. The times are critical.
There is more good news. Two schools we prayerwalk each year were named California Distinguished Schools; a third applies this year. Two more saw their test scores rise by more than fifty points. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors – at our request – voted unanimously a Culture of Life Week to honor Christian ministries. Two ministries – Carenet and LifeLight Pregnancy Centers – held their major annual fundraisers the same day and gave lavishly of their resources to each other’s success; the resulting events broke records. PrayNorthstate and you were instrumental in praying all of this in.
At the same time several churches refused to carry publicity for one because they said they supported the other. These are unusually apocalyptic times; we had better pray hard.
CURRENTPrayNorthstate EVENTS
PrayNorthstate continues the season’s schedule of prayerwalks through various public schools in November. This ministry has been so successful that two of our local schools received California Distinguished School recognition (another applies this year) and two more saw their test scores rise by some fifty points in one year. We will be visiting the following schools this month:
Saturday – November 5, 10:00 AM – West Valley High School, Happy Valley Road, Cottonwood
Sunday – November 6, 2:00 PM – Shasta Meadows Elementary School, Yana St., Redding
Saturday – November 19, 10:30 AM – Dunsmuir High School, Spruce St., Dunsmuir
PRAYNORTHSTATE RADIO and TV FOR NOVEMBER
PrayNorthstate Radio begins the month of Thanksgiving with Bill Grubbs and Tami Allen (owner and manager respectively) of the Breaking New Grounds coffee house on November 5. They will discuss running a popular hangout as both business and ministry. On November 12 we feature Steve Hafen of Radio KVIP and Ken Murray of Radio KQMS discussing broadcasting as Christians in a faith-based and secular (respectively) context. The show on November 19 should have a good-smells capability, as Cal DeMercurio of the restaurant bearing his name is our guest. We complete November on the 26 thwith Jack Lauritzen and Dick Rhodes of the Teen Challenge ministry – the most successful program in history for getting teens off of drugs and into abundant life.
PrayNorthstate TV kicks off the month on November 7 as Doug Hignell and Rich Sprenkel of Hignell Development Company share their vision of a company that functions like a congregation in terms of blessing its members and the community – and turns a profit into the bargain! (Doug is the CEO and Rich is the company pastor.) with Glenn White and Geoff Slade talking about doing business as a vision rather than a product venture. We continue on November 14 with Bonnie Reimers as she unveils a ministry of prayer and support for the parents of prodigal children. On November 20 Pastor Don and Cheryl Moore talk about the ministry of Healing Rooms in Grass Valley. We close out the month on November 27 when Pastor Don Moore and Intercessor Linda Langley speak of Healing Rooms as a center of intercession for their community.
PrayNorthstate Radio is heard every Saturday Morning at 8:00 on AM 1400 KQMS. Jim is also a periodic contributor to KVIP’s Saturday Magazine, heard at 1:00 PM on FM 98.1 and AM 540 KVIP. PrayNorthstate TV can be seen each Monday Morning at 6:30 AM on Fox Channel 30/Cable 2.
WHAT’S UP IN THE NORTHSTATE
Intercessors from Redding headed down to Chico to join with local intercessors – at their request – in blessing and witnessing on the street in Chico on Halloween Night. The city was once legendary for the violence and debauchery that was Halloween in the city and has seen no major police incidents for the past two years as prayer people have cooperated with police to patrol and bless the city. This is the first instance of major inter-community cooperation in the effort and the fruit was abundant. For the first time there were more people praying over the streets than revelers on the streets and there were (for the third year in a row) no major police incidents.
Representatives of Pray California met with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his office – at his request – to pray for and bless him on Tuesday, October 4. This notice should not be construed as an endorsement of the governor or his program, but it is an historic and groundbreaking event very much in keeping with the statewide efforts to sow – through prayer and blessing – a culture of life in place of the culture of death that is presently so pervasive. Jim was present and had the privilege of prophesying over the governor as well. The lightest moment came when Jim – wearing his usual aloha shirt – pointed out that he and the governator were the only men in the room not wearing ties. Arnold laughed and pointed at Bishop John-David Schofield in his clerical collar, saying, “No, there’s one more.”
There are presently a number of prayer ministries visiting the state capitol on a monthly or bi-monthly basis to bless and intercede for the state and her people and culture. These ministries include Sacramento International House of Prayer, Aglow International, National Day of Prayer, Pray California and PrayNorthstate. Prayer and worship is held on the lawn of the capitol mall and in hearing rooms arranged by Christian legislators. (PrayNorthstate always celebrates Holy Communion as well.) We believe the impact of the prayer and worship is reflected in a number of bills that pass and do not pass the legislature in recent months, and in the recent meeting with the governor and his staff. We ask that people keep on with the forty days of prayer and fasting for the state – called by Pray California –through Veteran’s Day and contact us if you would like to be included in future capitol visits. Visits are for prayer and blessing only; there is no political agenda intended or tolerated – the power is all in the Spirit.
National Day of Prayer is a nearly thirty-year-old movement calling the nation to prayer for the nation each first Thursday in May. (Jim spoke on speaking the Bible over your city at this year’s national coordinators’ training event at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs.) The new vision for NDP was unveiled at the annual event on October 21-23; it calls for NDP to be a year-round event giving glory to the Lord. The theme for 2006 is America Honors God and coordinators’ are seeking activities that can extend the day indefinitely – and for people to coordinate the day and its accompanying events in every county in the land. Contact PrayNorthstate for info on your county or to volunteer; Jim will connect you with state leaders.
Aglow International is a worldwide ministry of and for women who pray and serve across denominational and national boundary lines. Northgate Advance is the area board covering Northern California from Redding to the Oregon state line. Their annual gathering was held in Weaverville at the Victorian Inn from October 28-29. U. S. Aglow Director for California and Hawaii Carolyn Suty was the keynote speaker this year. The theme for 2005 was His Kingdom Advancing.
In Shasta County Redding’s Bethel Church hosts the semi-annual Leadership Advance from Monday, November 7 through Wednesday, November 9. Pastors and other leaders come from all parts of California, from all over the nation, and from numerous overseas locations to participate in this time of soaking in the presence of the Lord and sharing with one another. The speaker this year will be Senior Pastor Bill Johnson and TBA friends. There is a registration fee of $70.00 per person and the church assists in finding lodging for those who need it. The conference was at capacity long before we go to press but the next one will be in May 2006. Contact Bethel Churchat 530-246-6000 or at www.ibethel.orgfor information.
Also in Shasta County the Board of Supervisors – after an administrative glitch over language prevented a declaration covering the whole month – voted unanimously to proclaim the week ofOctober 11 as Culture of Life Week. Jim had the privilege of introducing leaders from some twenty-five ministries who work in the community promoting a culture of life. The proclamation was issued at PrayNorthstate’s request and was prompted by the courageous decision of Carenet Pregnancy Center and LifeLight Pregnancy Center to stay the course and bless one another after inadvertently scheduling their principal fundraising events for 2005 on the same day. The ministries turned out to support one another as well as for their own events and both broke records in the proceeds that were raised for their ministries. God is good – and He loves it when we play nicely together!
In Siskiyou County churches came together with county officials and the Siskiyou Domestic Violence Task Force to support Family Violence Summit 2005. Topics included overviews of the problems and possibilities; emerging trends; administrative issues and confidentiality versus the mandated reporter. The event was held in Yreka on October 28 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
On November 21 the law enforcement chaplains of Siskiyou County will partner with the county sheriff’s office, Yreka Police Department, and the College of the Siskiyous to bring Col. David Grossman of the United States Army to the county fairgrounds in Yreka. Grossman – a staunch believer in the Lord Jesus – will deliver a workshop titled Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill. The presentation is designed to provide tools for countering the culture of death to parents and young people alike. The Monday event will be held from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and will include a barbecue luncheon; it will be held in the National Guard armory on the fairgrounds. The chaplains participate in the ministerial associations of Yreka, Weed, Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir, and all of these groups are cooperating on the project. Registration is $25.00 for the general public and $15.00 for pastors and their families. Call Chaplain Keith Bradley at 530-340-2712.
UPCOMING Praynorthstate EVENTS
As of this writing we plan intercessors’ summits in Redding (January) and Red Bluff (February) as well as Building A House of Prayer offered as a couples’ retreat in Manton (January). We prepare to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the founding of PrayNorthstate and the launch of Paah-ho-ammi Phase II in February. However, I want to use this space in November – the month of Thanksgiving – to offer thanks and praise for the fruit of some of your prayers.
We in this PrayNorthstate network often pray for a person we know who ministers in Muslim nations around the world. We often pray that the Gospel would penetrate these nations. In the past year this worker has witnessed one hundred Muslim men profess faith in Jesus Christ after they dreamed the Passion film in its entirety. In addition, on this worker’s watch and in response to your prayers the nation of Bahrain has revoked a decades old ban on trade with Israel. During this same period the nation of Qatar has invested millions of dollars to build a soccer stadium in Israel for the join use of Jews and Arabs. Diplomacy renders the simple to be complex; consistent and focused prayer renders the complex to be simple.
Many in Northern California pray every day for reconciliation between the people of the Christ and the people of the Old Covenant. Many pray each day for the light of Christ to permeate the Arab and Muslim worlds – and for reconciliation between the children of Isaac and the children of Ishmael. Pray More and give thanks at all times.
WHAT THE COORDINATORS ARE UP TO
Jim and Diana will have a busy November after a busy October – Jim preached at Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Colorado Springs after speaking at Focus on the Family last month – this one was listed TBA at the time. He preaches at Christ the Rock Church, meeting at the Red Lion Inn on Redding’s Hilltop Drive, at 10:00 AM on Sunday, November 6, and at New Song Ministries – Larkspur at Industrial – at 6:00PM that night. Jim and Diana lead a state capitol prayer visit on Wednesday, November 9, after attending the Pray California Board Meeting in Roseville; they join the Gridley and Live Oak Prayer Vanguards for a combined activity in Live Oak on Saturday, November 12. They will lend support to Simpson University at the campus prayer day on Wednesday, November 16, and the Carenet Pregnancy Center training day in Red Bluff on that same evening. They prayer-walk Fox 30 TV in Chico on Friday, November 18, and the community of Manton on Saturday, November 19.
Jim preaches and celebrates Holy Communion at 9:30 AM at Ruth Lake CommunityChurch in Ruth Lake, and again at 6:00 PM for Lamb’s Creek Community Church in Mad River – the date is Sunday, November 13. He worships with Life Fellowship in Yreka before teaching their intercessors task group at 10:30 AM on Sunday, November 20. He will address the Dunsmuir Ministerial Association in Dunsmuir at Noon on Wednesday, November 30.
PrayNorthstate PRAYER LIST
Please pray for the Board of PrayNorthstate: Jim and Diana Wilson, Dr. Andre VanMol, Supervisor Mollie Wilson, Charles Davidson, Charlie Harper, and Frank DiSalvo. Please pray for PrayNorthstate and for the radio and TV sponsors: Taylor Motors, Hue and Cry Security, Dr. Andre Van Mol, B& T Satellite, New Song Music, Nicolette Glass, Carl Van Dyke Allstate Insurance, FIT Therapy Center, Crown Motors, Dove Acres, Dave Charlsonand Summit Funding, Children First Foster Family Agency, Dr. Todd Royce and Nor-Cal LeavittInsurance. Pray for Imago Dei Ministries, Pray Californiaand the Pray Cal Listening Team.
Pray for Emmaus Way Ministries of Tel Aviv, Israel, and for Israel, for missionaries Bill and Lori Gardner (Kenya), Colleen Schafer (Mexico), David and Tovah Potter (Mozambique), Teresa Hancock (Middle East), John and Jana Knoch (Fiji),Eljon andJennifer Ago (Albania), Bob Newell and Jeff and Julie Watson (Philippines), Erin and WendyO’Neil (Northern Ireland), and Tugsuu and Gantuul (Mongolia and China). Pray for the KingdomInstitute School of Business, the Hignell Group, Anne Kalvestrand and Carenet and LifeLight Pregnancy Centers.
HOUSEKEEPING DEPARTMENT
Correspondence – and donations – may be addressed to PrayNorthstate, P. O. Box 493743, Redding, CA 96049-3743. Call us at 530-941-3470. Our web site is www.praynorthstate.org; our e-mail is praynorthstate@charter.net.
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