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What changes a nation?
Written by Peter Youngren on March 22, 2009March 22, 2009
Good morning! I’m writing from the backseat of a car en route to western Kenya. Our Gospel Revolution Seminar has really brought a revelation of God’s grace to pastors. Last night’s closing session was attended by Kenya’s Vice President, Mysukha Kalonzo. Pastors from every district of Kenya, as well as Rwanda and Tanzania are reporting that their lives have been radically changed.
The two issues that presently consume Kenya are corruption and tribalism. A pastor from one tribe will not darken the door of a church where the pastor is of another tribe, even if the pastors are from the same denomination. This attitude was a major contributing factor in the killings last year. Those who are supposed to carry the message of God’s love have obviously drifted far from Him, who came “not to condemn”. What’s the answer?
Not only in Kenya but everywhere, we see Christians calling for transformation, churches are praying for “a move of God” and pastors are teaching secrets of revival. Yet this “revival” remains oh so elusive. Prophetic declarations of “a greater anointing” or ” a new day of victory” seem ineffective. Here in Kenya Christians have been killing Christians. You can imagine the reaction among Hindus and Muslims; the credibility of Christianity has really taken a beating. These are the real issues we have addressed in our seminar and the answers from God’s Word have brought joy to the pastors.
Does prayer change a nation? What about prophecy? Worship? Fasting? Cell groups? The agent for change in the Book of Acts was always the proclamation of the Gospel. As the masses grasped the Good News that God in Christ has paid for their sins “once for all”, joy swept cities, many were born again and the quality of life was drastically affected. Prayer, prophecy and worship are all crucially important, but none of those things will in themselves change a nation; only the Gospel can do that.
What changed the cities such as Samaria, Antioch, Lystra, Corinth, Thessalonica or Ephesus in the book of Acts? In each case, it was the Gospel. We don’t create good morals by preaching good morals, but once the Gospel of God’s love is believed it transforms the worst sinner. Good morals are the result of believing the Gospel. Heart transformation comes first, and it leads to good morals.
This weekend we start the Festival in Kisumu, a city torn by last year’s violence. I’d love to hear from you so post your thoughts! -Peter
Jon Agudelo
~ Mississauga, ON
Capitalism vs. socialism. This was the topic of discussion at the snack bar I work at. I had the joy of expressing how changed hearts, lead to societal change. The Gospel is the way towards true revolution!
Emmanuel German
~ Winnipeg , Mnitoba /Canada
Hello Man of God!
It is good to hear from you, keep up the good work! Our Bible group here in Winnipeg are praying for you, Protection and for the power of the Holy Spirit to use you mightly so that many people will be saved.
Thanks. May the Lord our God bless you richly
Emmanuel
Curtis Grant
~ Brampton, ON
I totally agree with you. I spent many years preaching good morals but after receiving the revelation of the good news of what Christ has done, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I began a new life of freedom and victory. I now live my life focusing on what is right with me instead of what is wrong with me.
Lawrence Osodo Owino
~ Mombasa Kenya
Praise the Name of the Lord, thank God for using you to let Kenyan pastors to realize where they went a stray during elections because there was tribal grouping with the majority and the people of Kenya lost hope and faith with the religious leaders as a result of that. Its my pray that God may restore them back to be respected by their congregation and there teachings be taken serious once again because during election they were asking their congregation to vote in their tribes insteaded of guide lines to choose the right leader and many people run a way of churches as a result of that. Kisumu is my home area and the people need to know Jesus for a change because its the worst area where people believe on themselve according to how they behave. yours in Christ
Lawrence Osodo.
Pål Pedersen
~ Norway
Hi Peter, so wonderful to see what you are doing.
I was in Kisumu myself for a while ago, and I have good friends there.
We will include you and your work in our prayr today.
God bless you so much today
In Him
Pål
Olaus Tveit
~ Treungen, Norway
There is nothing like the gospel beeing preach in simplicity. Love you`re neighboor as you`re self. Or if the nonchristians would say: see how the christians love each other. Keep on preaching this truth. and whaooo Captives will be set free. God bless and keep up the good work of and evangelist 2 tim 4: 2-5
Andrew Bamaiyi Ijiga
~ Nigeria
I am in total agreement with fact that good morals is a function of a transformed heart and such can only come through the relevation of Jesus to a people.
Dan
~ Kisumu
wonderful thing to do, it will be amazing because i and many others out there, that it will only be through prayers- and i mean prayers- that we willbe able to come back to our feet from the post election violence.
God bless you pastor for the good job that you are here to do
Isikondo (Alex) Bontongo
~ Scarborough
Hi Pastor Peter,
In such time as this we honor you Peter Youngren, I was reading book of Revelation that The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy. That testimony of Grace bring Kenya together from killing each other.
Dorothea LeBlanc
~ Halifax, NS Canada
Here are my thoughts:
First of all, I sure do appreciate your efforts and your work. Thank you for taking the Gospel and going!
Now, for my other thoughts:
It’s unbelievable that Christians are killing Christians. How is that possible I wonder? They must not have understood the message of the Gospel. Is something being lost in translation I wonder ... were they open to the Good News of Jesus only because they thought it would get them out of trouble? And then, were they resentful when the trouble didn’t immediately leave? Did they only seek healing and not want a change of heart?
Are they even aware of their need to change their minds as well? Is there really a transformation taking place? How many are actually truly becoming Christians? I wonder.
I’m sure it would be difficult for them to overcome a lifetime of tribal hostilities; that’s indoctrination and it takes years to overcome those kinds of thoughts - even after being born again. Do they understand that the ability of the Gospel to transform a life is not based on a ‘one-day-I-made-a-decision’ basis, but on a ‘daily-I-give-you-my-life’ basis.
In my opinion, much prayer - especially prayer in tongues, serious attention to and meditation in the Word of God, and daily practicing the love walk are all things that need to be taught and I wonder if those are being taught in the churches in Kenya ...
- my two cent’s worth -
Polycarp Musyoki
~ Nairobi, Kenya
Hi Peter. Thanks for the message of grace. I attented the pastors seminar in nairobi. I found that i had one foot in the old covenant and the other in the new covenant.
The Gospel is the answer for mankind!
OliviaB.
~ Seattle, WA
God is best heard in the silence. Silence consists of a lack of sound. It’s like a blank page waiting for writing. When you fast, you clear out some of the clutter inside of you because your initial wants and self-interests can get in the way of God’s voice. Clear that up a bit and you allow God to speak to you. Happy fasting!
———-
OliviaB.
Paul Tsiko
~ Ghana
The word says in PHIL 4:4 ‘‘REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.AGAIN I WILL SAY REJOICE “. So I beleive the good word of God has come to Kenya. Accepting Jesus Christ who was slain as a Sacrificial lamp bring peace, cause the Holy Bible made me to understand that Jesus is the King Of Peace and above all the King Of King .Thank God for bringing reconciliation to his Children and unity to His servants. I beleive Kenya has accepted the word of God in good faith, hence rejoicing for the coming death and the wonderful resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savour.
God richly bless you Pastor Peter!
Pastor Evans Mosioma
~ Botswana
Only the Truth can bring subtle divisions we have in many countries in Africa. To reach the lost, we must be of one language and one speech ( Gen 11: 1-6). I thank God for how He is using his anointed vessels like our Papa Youngren to tear down the outlandish walls amongst pastors all over the world and Kenya is one of the countries. God bless you and keep the fire burning.
We are backing you.
Pst Evans Mosioma ( Kenyan Pastor in Botswana)
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Jorrit Hazeleger
~ Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! The gospel revolution is going around the world, changing hearts of people, lifting up high the perfect work of Jesus Christ. The abundance of Grace takes away all condemnation and selfrighteousness. God is good