The Barnabas Secret Formula for Soul-Winning

I love these simple yet profound words recorded in Acts 11:24, Living Gospels about Barnabas. I think these words contain the three-part secret formula for a life that wins souls to Christ. 

“Barnabas was a kindly person, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. As a result large numbers of people were added to the Lord!”

So, “kind” plus “Holy-Spirit-filled” plus “strong faith” equals “souls saved.” I love that. Dearest Lord Jesus: Let these things be said not only of Barney but also of Kerry. Amen. 

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

God’s Forgiveness of Us Demands Our Forgiveness of Others

If we want God’s forgiveness, we must forgive all others.

This parable that Jesus told is so convicting and should be convincing to us that we must forgive others as God has forgiven us. 

“Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.””

Matthew‬ ‭18:21-35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Some January 2020 Images

Today, I am sharing some of my favorite January 2020 images...

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Artificial or Real

A preacher was once confounded as to why a Shakespearean actor performed to a packed theater every weekend while he, a preacher, had many empty seats in his local church each Sunday. So he made an appointment with the actor to see if he could learn why. 

The actor said to the preacher, "Perhaps the reason people come to see and hear me is ‘I make things artificial seem real, and perhaps the reason people do not come to see and hear you is you make real things seem artificial?’"

Preachers, let’s get real with God’s Word. A good place to begin is Psalm 51, perhaps the most real of all the Psalms.

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Be Very Patient with Everyone

Patience is perhaps the most underestimated and most undesired slice within the fruit of the Spirit. Some even foolishly say things like, "Don’t pray for patience." Well, "love is patient" so we cannot have the fruit of the Spirit apart from patience, and that alone makes me desire it. 

I am beautifully challenged towards patience by the commentary that Oswald Chambers gives for 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Let me share the verse first and then the commentary.

The verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:14

"We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]."

‭‭The Oswald Chambers commentary:

"Don’t lose patience with others if they do not see at once what you already see. God’s word exhorts us to be patient with all people. It brings to mind the question; How long did it take God to put me (to put you) where i am (where you are) now?"

So i pray: "God you are Love and you are patient, please make me like You! Amen!"

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

The Alpha and The Omega

In Revelation 1:8, the Glorified Jesus referred to Himself as "The Alpha and The Omega." Part of the meaning of this title is: "Whatever He starts, He will be there to complete."

With this idea in mind, I must admit that Philippians 1:6 is a great "Alpha and Omega" passage: 

"I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return]." ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

How encouraging is that!!! 

P.S. Another synonym for "Alpha and Omega" that really intrigues me is: "lock, stock and barrel."  I’m guessing "the whole kit and caboodle" works as well. :)

”I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Look, God’s Home...”

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

Hell is Forever!

Everlasting fire. 

Alone. Yes, alone.

i am Without God. 

i am Without Hope.

i am Without Heaven.

O, that i had a moment more to repent of sin.

But.. it will NEVER be.

i sealed my own doom. 

Holy God’s mercy WAS extended to me.. 

 Yet.. i refused!!!! Now it’s..

..TOO LATE! FOREVER!

— The Lost Soul’s First Day in Eternity, Remix

J.M. Humphrey, 1912, Book

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“Love You Forever” — My Favorite Children’s Story Book

In 1987, our firstborn, a son was born. Many gifts were given in honor of his arrival. The favorite gift given also became my favorite children’s story book. It’s titled, “Love You Forever.” Have a listen:

https://youtu.be/pb8jV8cqC4M

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Comfort Our Hearts

Let us pray:

Comfort our hearts, oh Loving Lord. 

Really, we slightly reword our prayer and say, Continue to comfort our hearts, oh God, for Your trustworthiness thus far makes You worthy of all our trust, today, even for forever.

Your promise to comfort us is true, for The Comforter has come and has stayed and has been altogether our assurance for all of our days. Praise You, Loving Lord. 

Finally, comfort others through us. Make us Your extensions of peace. Amen and Amen. 

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis   

Brutally Honest Valedictorian Speech

This valedictorian’s speech is transparent, courageous, challenging, inspiring and brutally honest.

https://youtu.be/T76FdtKreNQ

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

FOUR WINDS FORECAST — January 2020

<This is my monthly e-letter to pastors and leaders of the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene and shared on my blog for those who care and partner with us innovated.>

January 20, 2020,

FOUR WINDS FORECAST — January 2020

Dearest Philadelphia District Family — Pastors and Leaders: 

I pray deeply, even now, that you will know intimately the beauty of our Lord’s holy presence in your life, in your family, and over your ministry. Amen. 

I’d like to share with you 10 quotes that have touched my heart recently, in hopes that in someway they will also touch yours: 

1. “When Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,” we can trust Him with total confidence and be excited and grateful, too.’” 

— Lee Strobel 

2. “Holiness, not love, is the greatest thing in the world; for holiness is the basis of love.” 

— Oswald Chambers

3. ”And Peter said (to Jesus), ‘We have left our homes and followed You.’ ’Yes,’ Jesus replied, ‘and everyone who has done as you have, leaving home, wife, brothers, parents, or children for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over — now, as well as, receive eternal life in the world to come.’” 

— Luke 18:28-30, Living Gospels

4. “From the time of Cain and Abel sin has been turning family into enemies. But the Prince of Peace has come to turn enemies into family.” 

— Matt and Josh Leroy

5. “We need more daily outliving of the in-living Savior.” 

— Vance Havner

6. “We have too often forgotten God’s hatred of sin.” 

— Oswald Chambers

7. “He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love.” 

— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

8. “God can use our points of pain to help bring healing to others.” 

— Joseph Stoner

9. “Prayer is more about the God we pray to than the exact words we pray. When we understand this truth, when it sinks in, our prayer life is transformed.” 

— Sherry Harney

10. “Purity is best demonstrated by generosity.” 

— Luke 11:41, Living Gospels

Here are 3 immediate upcoming gathering opportunities: 

1. Sunday, January 26, 2020 — Date set-aside for most of our district-wide, zone Gethsemane Gatherings for prayer. “Then all the believers united in... prayer.” Acts 4:24, Living Gospels

2. Saturday, February 1, 2020 — 2-4pm, Pennsville, NJ, Church of the Nazarene — Bread, Cup, Friendship. It’s always a sacred get-together. Just show-up or contact Owen White if you have questions. 

3. Thursday, February 6, 2020 — 9am - 12:15pm, PCDC, Fairview Village. “Developing Leaders”

* Stay up-to-date by regularly checking out the updated district calendar at philanaz.org and here below are “some” of the calendar dates looking ahead. 

God is love and you are loved. pk

JANUARY 2020

* Jan. 26, Sunday evening, Zone Gethsemane Gatherings

 FEBRUARY 2020

* Feb. 1, Saturday, Pennsville, NJ, 2-4 p.m. Familiar Grounds Gathering

* Feb. 6, THURSDAY, PCDC #4, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day 

* Feb. 15, Saturday, Holiness Symposium / Royersford

* Feb. 18, Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PK leading “Lordship Living” Workshop #3: “The Advantage (Season/Campaign) of Lordship/Stewardship” / Royersford

* Feb. 18, Tuesday, District Staff and DAB, Royersford 

* February 29, Board of Ministry/Royersford

MARCH 2020

* Mar. 5, THURSDAY, PCDC #5, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village

* March 5, Board of Ministry, 1 p.m. until done. / Fairview Village. 

* Mar. 17, Tuesday, District Staff and DAB, Royersford

* Mar. 22-24, Pastor Kerry in Revival, Bridgeton, NJ

* Mar. 28, Chaplain’s Luncheon, Noon, Royersford Office, PA

* Mar. 29-Mar. 31, PK Preaching Revival, Bangor, PA

APRIL 2020

* POSTPONED: Apr. 1, Pre-School/Day Care Directors Appreciation and Resourcing Day at our Riverside Reading, PA. 

NOTE: I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT WE NEED TO POSTPONE THIS APRIL 1 EVENT. IT’S FOR A GOD-REASON. THE PRESENTER, ANGELA KOHL, FOUND OUT OVER THE HOLIDAYS THAT SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE EXPECTING A BABY. IT WAS A BIG SURPRISE BUT THEY ARE THRILLED, ANYWAY. WE WILL SCHEDULE THE EVENT LATER, LORD WILLING, AND THANKS FOR UNDERSTANDING. PLEASE PRAY FOR MY FRIEND, ANGELA!

* Apr. 2, THURSDAY, PCDC #5, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Apr. 5, PALM SUNDAY

* Apr. 12, EASTER SUNDAY

* Apr. 23, NOTE: THURSDAY, Tentative Date for District Staff and DAB Meetings both as conference calls possibly. 

* Apr. 26-28, PK Preaching Revival, LaVelle, PA

* April 30, Conventions and Assembly begin, pm with a Gethsemane Gathering of Prayer and Worship 

MAY 2020

* Apr. 30-May 2, THE GATHERING — DISTRICT ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS, our Crossroads Church, Lewisburg, PA

JUNE 2020

* June 4,THURSDAY, PCDC, #8, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village

* June 18-21, PK Preaching Revival in Burlington, NJ

* June 28, Philly Campmeeting begins 

JULY 2020

* June 28-July 5, 2020 Philadelphia District Campmeeting, Erma Campground, Cape May

* July 14 — District Staff and DAB / Conference Call Meetings if necessary

AUGUST 2020

* Aug. 18, District Staff and DAB Meetings

SEPTEMBER 2020

* Sept. 12-14, PK Preaching Revival at Twin Hills, PA.

* Sept. 15, District Staff and DAB Meetings 

Sept. 19-21, PK Preaching Revival At New Holland, PA.

* Sept. 23-26, Philly Men’s Retreat TBD

* Sept. 26, Gospelrama, Philadelphia 

OCTOBER 2020

* Oct. 8, THURSDAY PCDC, 9 a’m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village  

* Oct. 9-11, PK Preaching Revival at Millville, NJ

* Oct 13, District Staff and DAB

* Oct. 14-17, PK’s Project Galilee Leaders Retreat Gathering, Cape May, NJ

NOVEMBER 2020

* Nov. 1-2, PK Preaching Revival at Pennington Grace, Trenton, NJ

* Nov. 5, THURSDAY, PCDC, 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. / Fairview Village

* Nov. 17, District Staff and DAB

* Nov. 20-22, MAC tentative 

* Nov. 26, THANKSGIVING DAY

DECEMBER 2020

* Dec. 12, District Christmas Gathering, TBA

Please remember to pray continually for me, your district servant and my beloved wife.

HERE! Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

District Servant (Superintendent)

Philadelphia District 

Church of the Nazarene

Vision Is Still Essential

Some words may well be labeled catch-words in Christianity, but "vision" is not one of them. At least not to me. 

From the beginning of my ministry, God challenged me to embrace the word "vision," even to add it to my actual pastoral title -- "vision pastor." So, for twenty-four years, every time I saw my business card, signed a letter, or sent an email, "vision pastor" was always present behind my name. 

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) is the verse I always thought of (and still think of) whenever I encounter the word "vision." Here are the words from that verse: "Where there is no vision, the people perish!" 

So, "vision" is more than a catch-word for me, because every time the word meets my eyes, my ears or my thoughts, I am challenged and inspired not to lose focus of the main thing -- "perishing souls." John 3:16 -- "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him might not PERISH, but have everlasting life!" 

One more reason "vision" is more than a catch-word for me is that I have come to realize that just as "passion" is another word for "suffering" so "vision" is another word for "burden."

Enough said.

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Temptation Scripture Saturation

Almost all day Saturday, I spent saturation in the Scripture revealing our Lord’s temptation. 

There are of course, three temptations:

1. The first is physical, yes, the devil tempted Jesus to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Jesus rebuked and resisted. 

2. The second is emotional, more like sensational, as the deceiver tempted Jesus to show off and to be spectacular. Jesus rebuked and resisted.

3. Finally, the third seems spiritual, even somewhat political, as the enemy presents our Lord an exchange option of sorts — to trade His Throne of eternal legitimate authority, for the devil’s throne of temporary illegitimate authority. Jesus rebuked and resisted.

Either way, the three temptations all have a common thread, indeed, the heart of the temptation seems to be; “Forget Who You are and take a shortcut. Don’t wait on God’s plan to be revealed. Just do it Your own way.”

Thank you Jesus, that instead of folding to the enemy’s temptations, You actually foiled his schemes. Let Your power reign in us in the hour of temptation that we might also rebuke and resist the enemy with Your Word and Worship Almighty God, alone. Amen. 

Here’s the passage below. (I may preach on it Sunday morning in Pennsylvania. Deo Volente — Whatever God Wants!)

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’ ” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the LORD your God.’ ” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.’ ” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:1-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Some Quality Quotes from Oswald Chambers

God has spoken often to me for much of my Christian life through the works and words of Oswald Chambers. 

This week is no different. I will share now some of his quality quotes based on God’s Truths. 

1. "No one can ever destroy the individual whose heart is in personal passionate devotion to Jesus." 

2. "When a Christian is filled with the Spirit, the Spirit comes to dwell within, and the indwelling Holy Spirit will make him/her incandescent (aflame, white-hot) for the glory of God."

3. "You cannot do God’s work unless the Holy Spirit infills you completely." 

4. "Entire sanctification means that the perfections of Jesus Christ have been imparted to me -- not gradually, but instantly, in a crisis moment."

5. "If you have been born again of the Spirit of God, the deep craving of your heart is to be holy." 

6. "The secret of a holy life is not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus be manifested in our mortal flesh." 

And these words from Acts 7:15b, Living Gospels, seem to go along with these quality quotes:

 "Stephen’s face became as radiant as an angel’s." (I’d call that "incandescent!" See #2 above.)

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Pastors as Prayer Leaders

Dearest Pastors:

We must be sure to model prayer as ministers of The Gospel, lest we become misrepresentations of The Gospel. And please, let’s passionately and urgently, yet tenderly call people to prayer.

Pastor, never take for granted that those who attend your church are fervently praying. 

Here’s an outline for prayer in our lives:

1. We should pray fervently in our closets (in our private spaces). Jesus did. 

2. We should pray fervently in our clusters (in partnerships, in small groups). Jesus did. 

3. We should pray fervently in our congregations (in public, yes, corporately). Jesus did. 

Want to try an easy experiment? This weekend, log how much time your worship service actually dedicates to praying. It may disturb you into devoting more time to prayer. 

Trying this simple experiment deeply disturbed and somewhat embarrassed me once. It’s true. When I logged our actual prayer time during a worship service, I was troubled at how little time we had dedicated to prayer. I enacted change immediately as the local pastor, making sure more prayer emphasis and more prayer experience became our new and necessary reality. I know God honored it and it honored God.

Pastors, you have been given a sacred trust. Use your leadership influence to increase intercession in your congregation. Christ in you is the Hope! You can do it, if you desire to be a leader from the knees up by spending more time with your knees down ... all the while inviting others to do the same.

And... you are welcome. :) 

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Build My Life

This sacred song has been like a living anthem for my own heart in worship to my Lord this week. Worship with me. 

https://youtu.be/xLSDBG1OcGE

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Prayer Retreat Session #1

Tonight, session #1 of our Four Winds Pastors’ and Spouses’ Prayer Retreat commenced in rural Pennsylvania for the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene. It was a tender and sacred evening. 

God used this passage to speak to my own heart as Pastor Mark Justice led to pray the scriptures:

"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living." ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:7-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

At the benediction, I found myself fervently praying, "Jesus, I want to see you!" Suddenly, I remembered this YouTube.

https://youtu.be/NjYeUN2zWqI

Lord, truly we want to see You! Amen. 

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis

The Acts of the Apostles

I have been saturating lately in the New Testament Book of Acts, also known as The Acts of the Apostles. What amazing things happened in those early days of the church. Reading these chapters makes me want to see such mighty acts continue in my lifetime. 

Here are a few fascinating verses from Acts 5:

“And more and more believers were added to the Lord, crowds both of men and women. Sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow would fall across some of them as he went by. And the crowds came in from the Jerusalem suburbs, bringing their sick folk and those possessed by demons; and everyone of them was healed.” Acts 5:14-16, Living Gospels

And these words also move me so deeply:

“The (religious) council... called in the apostles, had them beaten up, and told them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and finally let them go. They left the council chambers rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for His name. And, every day, in the Temple and in the city they continued to teach and preach that Jesus is Messiah.” Acts 5:40-42, Living Gospels

So i pray fervently by faith... Amazing, Lord, are Your Almighty acts. Once again please show — to us and through us —Your Divine Power to save lost souls and to heal broken lives, according to Your Greatness and Holiness. In the Name of Jesus Messiah, i pray. Amen.

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY! 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Inspiring Images from Early January 2020

Here are some images I’ve been inspired taking in early January 2020...

HERE! Presence Matters Most!

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis