February 2006

We celebrate the fifth anniversary of the PrayNorthstate ministry with praises to God for His goodness in our land and in our lives! Psalm 23 speaks of God anointing the heads of His servants, guiding our paths into His righteous presence, and setting a table in the presence of many enemies. In Northern California today we still see people hungry and in need of employment; epidemics of alcohol and drug abuse and domestic and gang violence; much division between the churches, generations, ethnic groups and political parties; and a rising tide of other culture-of-death features like abortion and pornography.

Yet we also see the launch of our Paah-ho-ammi prayer project with the cooperation of fifteen churches from across the streams of the Body of Christ, along with Simpson University, Mercy Hospital, and countless local government agencies. We see the ongoing results of the last such effort in the rise of Redding to number one in the nation in investment housing, records broken in hotel room sales for 2005, and the restoration of timber sales as an economic indicator. We see the numbers of traffic fatalities in the area holding and we see schools that we have prayer-walked becoming California Distinguished Schools. We see culture-of-life ministries like Carenet and LifeLight, Restoration Enterprises and Good News Rescue Mission, Faithworks and Salvation Army – to name a few – leading the fulfillment of many prophecies about this region by the simple act of supporting one another and operating in terms of God-given vision instead of man-driven ambition. We are watching the commercial business community more and more following this example and the Lord is blessing that following.

We witness a process of transformation that is maddeningly slow – because we want God to change our circumstances and He means to do this by changing our character. But the sweetest symbol of all of this grace came in January when Jim was invited to preach at an Episcopal Church in Seattle, Washington. A previous pastor, Dennis Bennett, launched the renewal of the spiritual gifts movement throughout the Body in the sixties. His ministry – though we never met – had such a formative impact on us that PrayNorthstate is inconceivable without that influence. For Jim to be privileged to speak into the life of Bennett’s former congregation as they seek the path of God in the new century is a coming full circle combined with the truth that God is indeed always doing a new thing. It is at once the most humbling and most exciting sacramental outburst we can imagine.

CURRENT PrayNorthstate EVENTS

We will offer two intercessors’ summits in February. The first is sponsored by Carenet Pregnancy Center of Tri Counties, and co-sponsored by Salvation Army and New Hope 4 Square Church of Red Bluff. It will be held at New Hope, at the corner of Walnut and Johnson Streets, in Red Bluff, from 7:00 to 9:30 on Friday Evening, February 17, and 8:30 to 5:00 on Saturday, February 18. The second will be hosted and sponsored by Scott Valley Berean Church in cooperation with Fort JonesCommunity Church and Callahan Community Church on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25. Breakfast and lunch are provided and there is a registration cost of $20.00 per person. For more info or to register, call Carenet at 530-246-7075, or Scott Valley Berean at 530-467-3715 respectively.

As always, the summits provide both teaching and practice for the ministries of Prayer Vanguard and Lighthouses of Prayer. Summits this year will include a special emphasis on what we have come to call Prophetic Acts with Impact – prayer and ministry activities that tend to provide objective witness to God’s glory.

We lead special prayer vanguards this month in Win River Casino – supporting the praying Christians inside – and at the offices of the Red Bluff Daily News. The latter is in partial fulfillment of a vision calling for us to bless each media outlet in the region.

PRAYNORTHSTATE RADIO and TV FOR FEBRUARY

PrayNorthstate Radio launches into our sixth year of ministry with Loni McIntosh on February 4. Loni is a minister to youth who is herself in her twenties, with a potent portion of God’s Holy Spirit on her. We move to February 11 with guests LaVerna Nixon and Larry Liebscher of Imago Dei Ministries – LaVerna is the new California director of this established ministry to the sexually broken of all kinds.. On February 18 we talk with Pete and Suzie Lorenzen of Outreach America – phoning in from the Gulf region ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. We round out the month on February 25 with best-selling local author Cindi Martinusen as she releases her fifth novel.

PrayNorthstate TV opens February with Brenda Ballentine of the Northern CaliforniaBurn Foundation and Camp Eagle Flight on February 4 as the foundation prepares for its second annual telethon. We continue the television side of PrayNorthstate on February 13 with law enforcement chaplains Cyndee Thomas and Mindi Russell – sisters who share a common ministry and family ties from two ends of our region. On February 20 we feature Salvation Army Captains Wayne and PatriciaWetter and their vision for a ministry that touches the whole person and the whole region. The last Monday of February – the 27 th – we talk with worship leaders Kevin and Kristin MacDougald – two young people molding leaders of the Body as they teach leadership in worship.

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

PrayNorthstate is again coordinating Paah-ho-ammi teams in three strategic arenas of daily prayer. The social welfare team asks God to bless our county with peace as registered in reduced levels of crime and suicide. The economy team seeks the practical reality behind the prophetic declaration of Reddingto be re-named AbundantSprings as measured in reduced levels of unemployment and the appearance of new prosperity indicators such as the restoration of timber sales. And the public health team prays for a healthy community as manifested in reduced traffic fatalitiesand cancer admissions to the hospital. Once again all teams will pray for protection of young people as participants pray daily for the area assigned to their team. In addition, fifteen congregations in Shasta County have covenanted to pray for all of the prayer issues at their Sunday worship services – and others are welcome to sign on by contacting us. Teams will meet monthly for prayer and support, although meetings are not mandatory. The project will conclude with a worship service – again at Simpson – on Thursday, May 4, at 7:00 PM – the National Day of Prayer – and results will be published as they are received. The closing service will be held in Room 204 of the LaBaum-Rudat building. Other counties desiring this ministry should contact us.

The Northern California Burn Foundation holds their second annual telethon – Hearts for Burned Kids – on Sunday, February 12, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Camp Eagle Flight – a proposed year-round camp for children suffering burn injuries and the heroes who rescue and care for them at their own risk. The event is remarkable in that it is the first telethon to feature six hours of locallygenerated programming. Every television network in the region has provided support at no charge, from air time to facilities to equipment. On camera hosts include Jim and regional celebrity Royal Courtain. Guests include Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Eddie Money. The telethon can be seen on UPN 21, RCAC 11, and KGEC 26/Cable 15. Regent Broadcasting (radio) is a co-sponsor. Win River Casino has cancelled their weekend entertainment to provide facilities and they are permitting the prayer-walking of the facility.

Reconciliation of all kinds is one of two anchor points for PrayNorthstate,the other being concerted prayer for community transformation. (We believe one can come only in company with the other.) We plan to devote the month of March to this issue on PrayNorthstate Radio and guests have been scheduled for each Saturday of the month who have experienced significant reconciliation with a parent or child.

In Shasta County – Redding’s Bethel Church hosts a conference called Eyes and Wings from February 7-9. Featured speakers are Wesley and Stacey Campbell of Praying the Bible International and Be A Hero. The former is a ministry of worldwide proclamation of God’s Word with power; the latter is a ministry of mercy for the helpless. The Campbells are prophetic ministers who believe authentic prophecy always has a pragmatic component. They are joined by Bethel’s senior pastor Bill Johnson and senior associate Kris Vallotton. Registration is $55.00 per person and $85.00 per couple. Call 530-246-6000 or go to www.ibethel.org for info or to register.

The Northgate Aglow Area Team will host a workshop in navigating the prophetic dimension of the Kingdom on earth on Saturday, March 11, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event will actually be held at Mountain Chapel in Weaverville and the keynote speaker will be Pastor Wendy Backlund – co pastor with her husband, Steve – of the host church. There is no charge and drinks and desserts will be provided. Participants should bring a sack lunch. Phone 530-623-2922 for information or to register. The Northgate Area Team is the leadership team for Aglow International in Shasta County.

In Tehama County – The Ancient Paths seminar is an exploration of the Word of God with specific applications to marriage, family and life issues. It is not a counseling ministry, but many who attend claim multiple healings of the heart as they pray what they have learned. The course is being offered at Zion Ministries in Red Bluff and Canyon View Assembly of God in Foresthill. Phone 530-529-1836 (Red Bluff) or 367-2272 (Foresthill) for info or to register.

In Butte County – the regional pastors of the Chico hub held a pastors’ prayer summit at the YWAM (Youth With a Mission) base at Richardson Springs from January 21-23. Pastors were invited from all over Northern California to share a time of worship and prayer and fellowship – with God and with one another. These gatherings are in their fourteenth year and a feature is that there is neither teaching nor agenda – just presence. The cost this year was $75.00 per person and the event is intended for pastors from across all of the streams of the Church Body.

The Gridley Prayer Vanguard blessed the practice of a certified public accountant and the Gridley Police Department on the day in January. The Gridley Police Department has been the subject of recent prophetic statements to the effect that it would be part of the leadership of civic and spiritual renewal for the city. Chief Gary Keeler welcomed the prayer team and joined them in prayer and blessing for the department and city. The team was followed by Pastor Nick Sorani (the following week) of Gridley First Presbyterian Church – home base for the Gridley PV – who brought refreshments to police and fire fighters provided by the church. The team also blessed the local middle school in January. Plans in February call for taking the ministry to Marysville, where St. John’s Episcopal Church will be blessed as they seek to be faithful to God and His Word in some very difficult times for their denomination. This Gridley team is truly in ministry to their whole region!

In Southern California – The Azusa Street Revival of 1906 brought spiritual gifts and a lively relationship to the Holy Spirit back into the Body and birthed several church denominations into the bargain! Many ministries and many thousands of Christians will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of this watershed event from April 25-29 in Los Angeles. Whatever branch of the Body is called home, this celebration is of historic and contemporary importance. Contact azusastreet100.net for information on participation.

UPCOMING PrayNorthstate EVENTS

In the first five years of our ministry we gave the intercessors’ summit only twice in Southern California. In the next three months we will be giving the summit twice more in that region – both offerings in San Diego County and both in churches of our own denomination. God is so good! The summit will come to St. Timothy’s EpiscopalChurch in Rancho Penasquitos on March 10 and 11, and to Church of the GoodShepherd in Bonita on April 21 and 22. The summits will reflect a special emphasis on instruction and practice in the area of prophetic acts that practically impact their communities in measurable ways, as well as in the ministries of Prayer Vanguard and Lighthouses of Prayer. Note: In March we will begin asking a $25.00 per person donation for registration at these and other conference events.

Jim will return to Olympia, Washington, to offer the new workshop titled Prophetic Acts with Impact – a weekend entirely focused on those practical prophetic activities. He will teach at Daniel House – a house devoted to intercession for the state and set up a mere block from the state capitol. Washington features many of the same culture-of-death issues that are so seemingly intractable in California, and their leadership is interested in learning how to establish such ministries as Paah-ho-ammi and speaking the whole Word of God over their cities. The event is scheduled for April 7 and 8.

In February we will begin preparations for the 2006 edition of The Bible: Up Close andPersonal. This public reading of the entire Word of God over the City of Reddingis scheduled for May 1-4, but the preparations begin early in the Spring. Please write or e-mail us if you want to help.

WHAT THE COORDINATORS ARE UP TO

Jim preaches the Paah-ho-ammi launch service at Simpson University (Mod 82 next to the gymnasium) and at New Hope 4 Square Church in Red Bluff at 10:00 AM on Sunday, February 5. Jim and Diana take Prayer Vanguard to Family of Faith Christian Center in Bella Vista that afternoon. They take a prayer team back to the state capitol in Sacramento later in the month. Jim preaches at 10:15 AM in Fort Jones Community Church on Sunday, February 12, and shares MC duties at the NorCal Burn Foundation Telethon that afternoon back in Redding. On Sunday, February 19, he preaches at Etna Berean Church at 10:00 AM. He is back in Redding to preach at River City Church on Sunday, February 26 – also at 10:00 AM. Jim also speaks at Dunsmuir Christian School on each Tuesday Morning of February at 8:15 AM. He will accompany the Gridley Prayer Vanguard to Marysville on Saturday, February 4, and he will lead the Vanguard walk at Win River Casino on Saturday, February 11.

And what is Diana doing besides accompanying and assisting Jim on many of his travels and doing everything that Jim forgets that keeps the ministry going? She is re-modeling the entire kitchen of the Wilson home since all of the appliances in this custom-designed kitchen chose to meet their final reward in December. And between 2 and 4 AM she makes violins – when it is quiet!

PrayNorthstate PRAYER LIST

Please pray for the Board of PrayNorthstate: Jim and Diana Wilson, Dr. Andre VanMol, Supervisor Mollie Wilson, Charles Davidson, Charlie Harper, Bob Newell, 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, Fox 30/Cable 2 TV, Crown Motors, Dove Acres, David Charlsonand Summit Funding, Children First Foster Family Agency, and Dr. Todd Royse. Pray for Imago Dei Ministries, Pray California and Pray Cal’s Listening Team.

Pray for Emmaus Way Ministries and for Israel, for missionaries Bill & Lori Gardner (Kenya), Doug & Dianne Phillips (Mexico), John & Jana Knoch (Fiji), Eljon &Jennifer Ago (Albania), Bob & Lorelei Newell and Jeff & Julie Watson (Philippines), Erin & WendyO’Neil (Northern Ireland), and Tugsuu & Gantuul (Mongolia and China). Pray for the KingdomInstitute School of Business,Businesstry Concepts, the Hignell Group, Anne Kalvestrand, Clint & Annette Emry, 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.