Prayer Requests

Recently, for our Four Winds Philadelphia District Pastors’ Prayer Retreat, we were all asked by the retreat leader, Pastor Jonathan Merki, to send our prayer requests in prior to the gathering so a proper prayer list could be created for distribution. These were the prayer requests I sent in:

Prayer Requests:

Presence -- (That we would desire God’s essence more than we ever have and live nonstop as real sanctuaries of His presence.)

Unity -- (That our lives would make others hungry and thirsty for holy oneness with Jesus and true friendship with one another.)

Souls -- (That the Philadelphia District would be like the lifesavers of old with an urgent passion to reach the lost before it’s too late.)

Love -- (That the world will know that we belong to Jesus, by the way we love one another.)  

And 3 unspoken requests / family-related

Thanks for praying with me still. 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Four Winds Forecast -- January 21, 2019

Greetings Beloved Philadelphia District Partners:

My prayer for each of you today is that you will clearly and dearly know how very valuable your life is to Jesus, The Nazarene. May you experience the loving embrace of His amazing grace deep within your soul, in your family and especially as He ministers through you to eternal souls. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

January has been beautifully busy for me. The future is upon us! Is there an accuser to triumph over? Is there a spiritual war to overcome? Yes! Yes! Nevertheless, our King Jesus has always been, still is, and forever will be: The Overseer of the Overcomers.

"They triumphed over him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony... (Revelation 12:11a NIV) 

Friends, let us remember that the blood of the Lamb is never in question; only the word of our testimony. Therefore, let us be His witnesses in Philadelphia, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and The State of New Jersey, and to the ends of the earth beginning in our own homes.

The Lord gave me an encouraging word of anticipation to cling to in 2019 -- "Epiphany!" In other words, I am living each day anticipating a sudden revelation, yes, a miraculous manifestation of the Presence of King Jesus in and through my life. I want day-by-day "Epiphany" to happen in my own life, and I want to be His "Epiphany" happening day-by-day in the lives of others.

If God has given you a word or even a verse for 2019, please take time to email it to me at Graynalli@aol.com so you can encourage me by sharing God’s word to you for these days ahead.

Note: My word "Epiphany" is based on Matthew 2:2 (MSG) "We are on pilgrimage to worship Him." 

The Four Winds Pastors’ Prayer Retreat at Black Rock in mid-January was in the words of Pastor James Fennell: "A modern-day Pentecost experience!" 50 of us gathered for a portion of three days and prayer was the agenda. My whole soul was wondrously inspired and invigorated. Thanks to Pastor Jonathan Merki and the many partners who made sure we prioritized prayer during this gathering. I hope even more can be present in 2020. Remember, scholarships are available. Pastor Jonathan encouraged our zone leaders to host at least one prayer event together before next year’s Four Winds Prayer Retreat. Let us pray! 

MAC -- Ministry Assesment Conference was recently hosted at Lancaster Church. Pastor Byron Hannon led a wonderful team to access and equip local licensed ministers who plan to request district licenses. Pastors, please make sure you promote this among your local licensed pastors and get them to the next MAC. It is a powerful two days.

LOTS OF DATES. TAKE A LOOK:

JANUARY

* Jan. 22 DAB Meeting / Burlington

* Jan. 26 Holiness Symposium 10 a.m. at Royersford

FEBRUARY

* Feb. 2 Board of Ministry Interviews District License / Royersford (For any questions about any Board of Ministry Details please contact Rev. BW Hambrick, Chairman.)

* Feb. 4 PCDC / Fairview Village at 9 a.m. followed by Board of Ministry Meeting 

* Feb. 11-14 M-19 / Kansas City

* Feb. 23 Familiar Grounds / Saturday at 2 p.m. at Macungie

* Feb. 25 District Assembly Team Meeting / Lansdale Noon - 2 p.m.

MARCH

* Mar. 3 Board of Ministry Meetings with Ordinands / Fairview Village 

* Mar. 11 PCDC / Fairview Village at 9 a.m.

* Mar. 19 Finance Committee and DAB / Royersford 

* Mar. 24 - 26 Pastor Kerry in Revival / Pennsville 

* Mar. 30 - Chic Shaver Seminar / Lavelle

* Mar. 28-31 Festival of Life / ENC

APRIL

* Apr. 1 PCDC / Fairview Village at 9 a.m.

* Apr. 6 District Ladies Retreat / District Email was sent out

* Apr. 14 / Palm Sunday

* Apr. 21 Easter / Resurrection Day

* May 2-4 District Conventions and Assembly Lansdale & Ordination at Fairview Friday Evening (Details Coming Soon)

MAY

* May 17-19 Pastor Kerry in Revival / New Holland

* May 21 Lordship/Stewardship Lifestyle Training Workshop for Local Pastors and Church Leaders led by Pastor Kerry / Royersford 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (More Details to Come.) 

* May 24-26 Pastor Kerry preaching Erma Memorial Day Campmeeting / Cape May

JUNE

* June 3 PCDC / Fairview Village at 9 a.m.

* June 9-12, Pastor Kerry in Revival / Mifflinburg 

* June 24-29 NYI Camp / Dallas, PA

* June 30 p.m. -July 6 a.m. Philadelphia Family Campmeeting / Erma Camp, Cape May (More Details to Come.)

JULY

* July 19-28, Erma Holiness Campmeeting, New Jersey

AUGUST

* Aug. 17-19, Pastor Kerry in Revival / Pennington Grace

* Aug. 30-31 NYI Back-to-School / Camel Back Resort 

SEPTEMBER

* NOTE: Sept. 6-8 Pastors’ and Spouse Retreat (POSTPONED: Labor Day Weekend Seemed Difficult to plan. New Date Soon.)

* Sept. 22-24, Pastor Kerry in Revival / Ephrata Grace Point  

* Sept. 28 Gospelrama Philadelphia

OCTOBER

(Stay tuned.)

NOVEMBER

* Nov. 3-5 Pastor Kerry in Revival / Lansdale Immanuel

DECEMBER 

* Dec. 14 District Pastors & Leaders Christmas Brunch TBD

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Jesus, You Are...

Jesus, You are...

My Helper, my Hope, my Holiness...

Jesus, You are...

My Lifeline, my Laughter, my Lord...

Jesus, You are...

My Guide, my Goal, my God...

Jesus, You are...

My Desire, my Delight, my Deliverer...

Jesus, You are...

My Savior, my Sanctifier, my Shalom...

Jesus, You are...

My Righteousness, my Redeemer, my Ruler...

Jesus, You are...

My Maker, my Master, my MARANATHA!!!

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Day-By-Day

Day-by-day, i am delighted to awake and to know my God is for me. On those days when i open my eyes and it seems i am full of sighs because of the burdens of life, i am quickly embraced by hope. Yes, i suddenly remember i am not alone as the Presence of the Lord begins to comfort and encourage my whole being.

Take this week for example. It has been very busy and also very beautiful. Some days have presented heavy challenges, nevertheless, holy companionship has been undeniable everyday. 



The theme of my life these days has been and will continue to be... "Presence Matters Most!" In fact, without His Presence i know i cannot continue, yet, with His Presence i am assured the future is preferred, Yes, knowing Christ is for me, with me and within me, i surely continue forward, onward, even upward. How? Day-by-day.

Speaking of my days, here are some images posted below from this week...

Pastor Kerry Willis

Your Cross Will Become Your Crown

The blind Scottish preacher, George Mattheson wrote these words: "There is a day coming in which your glory shall consist in the very thing which now constitutes your pain."

I say, "Your Cross Will Become Your Crown."

The Apostle Paul wrote: "God will allow no suffering, no trial above what you are able to bear." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Our suffering will give way to celebration.

Presence Matters Most!
That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willis

Making Prayer Imperative

I’ve had the privilege the past few days to be in a prayer retreat gathering hosted in rural Pennsylvania. About 50 of our Philadelphia District Nazarene Pastors met together for the purpose of making prayer imperative! 

Because of prayer, we can enjoy holy communion, even friendship with Jesus. O that we would all give more prominent attention to praying. What might God do for us as a human race and his beloved church if we will only live outloud God’s words recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:14a: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and PRAY..." 

I have no doubt God is waiting to be our Helper if we will only place prayer -- once again or for the first time -- as the priority of our days and nights. 

As we left the retreat center, Rev. James told me with great enthusiasm: "God answered our prayer! We have experienced a modern-day Pentecost in many ways by being here together to pray." I’d say that testimony alone proves that God has helped us simply because we set aside time to seek Him. By purposely engaging Him with all other distractions set aside, Jesus undeniably endeared Himself to us. The fruit of our gathering will soon be known. What a glorious expectation praying together has given to our hearts! Holy anticipation is alive within us all!

Philippians 4.6 -- ...in everything, by prayer..."

Presence Matters Most!

Pastor Kerry Willis 

An Awakening Prayer

I awoke at 5:53 am this morning at our Four Winds Philadelphia District Pastor’s Prayer Retreat with this clear prayer on my mind: 

"Lord, as the wind shapes the oak tree, 

let your Holy Spirit shape my soul." 

I guess I could call it an "awakening prayer".

Later in the day we were assigned quiet time. I drove south a ways and walked through a rural cemetery. It was a cold stroll but it did warm my soul. 

Presence Matters Most!!

Pastor Kerry Willis