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HOME • NEWSLETTERS
JANUARY/FEBRUARY • MARCH • JUNE/JULY
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What’s New from
Christ’s Ambassadors
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April - May 2003
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Leaders Love DWJD Book
Our new book, Doing What Jesus Did, was a hit at the April 29-May 2, ICFG Convention in Philadelphia, PA. Pastors from all over the world visited our booth, many acquiring a copy. With renewed interest in the supernatural of God, leaders are desiring a way to introduce Christians to biblical manifestations of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. DWJD is an answer! To order copies, click here!
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The DWJD booth, Philadelphia, PA created a lot of interest from pastors and leaders.
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We were thrilled with the Convention this year. Many of our international missionary friends from Asia, Africa, and Europe stopped by our booth for hugs and updated us on all the possibilities for future ministry training and the expansion of MTC in their countries. The national leader from Ivory Coast, West Africa took our entire video course library and teaching manuals back with him. They will be translating everything into French for pastors and teachers in that country. Greg and Karen Fry, our associate ministers were a tremendous help in manning the booth during the entire convention. |
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Sonja and John were privileged to conduct two workshops on the Holy Spirit baptism.
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Over 150 pastors and leaders attended our two workshops on “Leading Christians into the Holy Spirit baptism.” Using our teaching from DWJD, we were privileged to demonstrate the ease by which any minister can lead Christian friends into this wonderful experience of supernatural power. |
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Many pastors and leaders confirmed their baptism in the Holy Spirit at our workshops.
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We always practice what we preach by demonstrating the actual ministry skill with those Christians who are responding to the invitation to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. This helps leaders to see how to do it. |
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Peeking at Chapter Two of
Doing What Jesus Did
Leading Christians into the Holy Spirit Baptism
by Sonja Decker
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One day I was sitting in my office when a secretary from another building stopped by to chat. Knowing I was a Christian, she asked me what I thought about that “speaking in tongues stuff.” I responded by telling her that I happened to have had that experience. She was stunned, exclaimed her disbelief that I would do such a thing, and hurriedly exited.
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The Holy Spirit baptism is for all nations, all cultures, and all Christians everywhere.
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Becoming Marketplace Ministers
I did not see her for a few days but had to laugh to myself when my company’s reorganization was announced the next week, and that she was going to be working with me. I am sure Lois thought I would be all over her, trying to convince her to “speak in those awful tongues.” However, as a corporate executive for many years, I have learned some “marketplace savvy.” That is, let them come to me with a question, share a little, then change the subject. Always leave them wanting more. Pretty soon they begin to feel safe and will inquire more and more.
That was the way I handled this situation when Lois asked me about this subject. I gave my brief testimony of how I was baptized with the Holy Spirit and what had happened since. I then changed the subject. This went on for a couple of weeks until one morning she burst into my office and said, “I must be baptized with the Holy Spirit today! I can’t wait any longer!” True to my convictions of not being too eager, I said, “That is great, but you will have to wait until lunch time. We cannot do that on company time.”
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Hamburgers and the Holy Spirit
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She anxiously waited for the noon hour. I had called a friend who worked in another building close by and asked her to pick up hamburgers, fries, and cokes and come for lunch. I had previously led her into this wonderful experience, and she was thrilled to be able to help pray with someone else to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
After we finished lunch in the conference room, we simply laid our hands on Lois, led her in a simple prayer, and she immediately received a beautiful and fluent spiritual language. It was such a privilege to see my co-worker have the same astounding life changes that I had experienced after receiving this power encounter. She went on to become one of the most dynamic marketplace ministers I know. She and her husband own a large real estate agency, and she is a powerful witness in her community.
This is one of many, many such marketplace experiences I had while in corporate America. Now most of my encounters are on airplanes, in hair salons, and with my neighbors.
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Ministering one-on-one.
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“They began laying hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:17
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Leading an individual believer into the Holy Spirit baptism is easy because you can answer their questions and calm their fears while assuring them this gift is theirs for the asking. |
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Want to host a supernatural small group?
 In our book, Doing What Jesus Did, we describe in detail on how to lead Christians into the Holy Spirit baptism. We also describe how to conduct a home group where the miraculous manifests. We show leaders how to prepare for the release of the prophetic, divine healing, and setting people free of demonic bondages.
We have prepared a special section in our new book on, “Let’s practice Doing What Jesus Did” with details on how to host a supernatural home group.
To order your copy, click here!
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DWJD Seminar held for Alaska Pastors
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Pastors James and Yvonne Brenn, Skyline Foursquare church, hosted the DWJD seminar with John and Sonja.
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Pastors James and Yvonne Brenn, Skyline Foursquare Church, Anchorage, Alaska invited pastors and leaders from all over the state of Alaska to attend our DWJD Ministry Training Seminar. Thirty attended the May 9-11 intensive on the Disciplines of the Disciple.
The leaders were very excited about our new format for learning how to conduct three different ministry skills in their home churches. This is done during the ten-hour intensive.
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Leaders and pastors were trained in healing the sick by revelation and leading Christians into the Holy Spirit baptism.
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They learned how to lead believers into the Holy Spirit baptism, how to heal the sick, and how to hear the voice of the Lord in personal ministry to others. We use our book, DWJD as the practicum guide for the seminars.
John and Sonja preached messages on “Marketplace Ministry” on Sunday. People got saved, healed and filled with the Spirit. It is very exciting to be able to share what we do with Christians in Alaska who are already operating in the supernatural of God. The Holy Spirit was given great freedom to manifest in and around the people of God.
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The lady on the left, previously healed of chronic pain, now prays for others to be healed.
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Sonja speaks at Westside
Westside Church invited Sonja to speak in a video-taped leadership series to be made available to other churches. Her topic was “How to lead in step with the Holy Spirit.” Many responded with a deep desire to hear God’s voice.
Sonja’s message on being led by the Holy Spirit was timely and well received.
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The Deckers appear on TBN
Trinity Broadcasting Network invited John, Sonja, and Linda Swearingen from Westside Church, Bend, to speak April 24 on a live broadcast from Portland, Oregon. All three shared about how MTC trains believers to do what Jesus did. It was fun discussing how miracles happen through those trained for effective marketplace ministry.
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DWJD Book Signings
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The first time seeing our names on the "big sign" at the Bend Family Christian Stores was a bit humbling.
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Our first time to autograph our new book turned out to be truly enjoyable. We prayed for a few folks for healing and talked about what God is doing around the world.
Our first signing was at Westside Church, Bend, March 26. Our second was at the Family Christian Bookstore, Bend, Oregon March 29.
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See what happened in:
January/February • March • June/July
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