The first quarter of 2010 has brought with it some interesting personal and ministry changes for me. It is a wise person, they say, who can see the finishing of one season and the beginning of something new and prepares for it. I saw this around 2 years ago and hopefully being a wise person, I knew that it was time to prepare for a transition in relation to the position of pastor of the church in Brisbane. Last year we took a faith step and I began this transition to make way for Pastor Leanne and Mark Williams. The transition is complete and instead of being involved in the day-to-day running of the local church, I am now free to embrace a new season of kingdom ministry. As my last blog explained, I got married on Saturday 27th March to a very wonderful and fun loving person, Elizabeth (Liz) Bell - an amazing lady.
 
For those who may not be aware of what I do, this means I oversee - apostolically, the CityHarvest churches in Camp Hill Brisbane and Caloundra, the work of CityHarvest International and its various ministries in Australia and internationally, as well as the Australian Prayer Network (I founded the network back in 1993). On the citywide front (my city of Brisbane), I'm still actively involved in the leadership of Yes! We Care - kingdom assignments and acts of compassion, and the annual Lord Mayor's Prayer Breakfast: I also serve on several national and international boards. Although my heart for the local church remains the same, (I'm a shepherd at heart) my focus and God's favor for me is now on being available beyond the local church, speaking and ministering on matters relating to church and the kingdom, as well as other areas of interest. With the release of my 2 books last year, ‘Heaven's Answer to Earth's Dilemma' and ‘Obtainable Wisdom', they are beginning to open up for me some new opportunities.
 
On a new and exciting note:

One strong component in the ministries that CHI is now developing, along with its other established ministries, and one that will become a key focus for me, is my groundbreaking training course Vocations 4Life. I find that most people have a small and incomplete view of what it means to be human. Not only is each person a truly incredible work of divine love and purpose, but so too is the entire creation. We are made in God's image, the pinnacle of His creative handiwork, the object of His affection, and placed in this creation to fill out His divine purpose. To grasp more fully this reality, our view of life, work and ministry needs to be enlarged. My Vocations 4Life course is designed to bring about that change.
 
This course has grown beyond my first imaginings and I expect it will go even further than I can imagine right now. With the world being so reachable because of the Internet, the possibilities of where this knowledge can release greater kingdom ministry are endless. Vocations 4Life has a proven track record in releasing people into their ‘all of life ministry'. 
 
Due to the amazing faithfulness of God, I am now more available to travel and open up new training opportunities, seeking to equip and release people in all walks of life, into their calling and vocation. That's exciting!
 
This move is another big step of faith for me financially and in other ways as I rely on the prayers and encouragement of my intercessors and others as I move into this new season.

It is my intention to make myself available to serve the body of Christ in this new season allowing me greater freedom to travel and speak, wherever there is an invitation.
 
Please feel free to contact me in relation to invitations to speak and minster.

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A couple of other things we are doing right now:

• Training Egyptian Pastors & Leaders - Sept 2010. I have been asked by some of my Egyptian friends to help, over the next 3 years, train and equip pastors and leaders from across Egypt. So this September we will send a group of Australian Pastors to train over 150 Egyptian pastors and leaders. To help us facilitate this strategic training program, we are asking people to consider financially partnering with us. Each leader costs $50 per head. This covers transporting leaders from all over Egypt, housing and feeding them for a week. Connect with this important equipping program by logging onto the following secure PayPal website and donate $50 or a $100 dollars.

http://www.vocations4life.com.au/shop/products/Pastors-Training-Egypt.html

• Un-Lock North Africa Prayer Journey 16-30^th Oct 2010. Libya & Malta. Join me, my CHI team and the Australian Prayer Network, on a strategic prayer journey to uncover the heart of God for these lands and peoples. This is the fourth expedition in our Un-lock North Africa campaign. Become a part of history and call forth God's Kingdom blessings. To obtain a brochure on this Prayer Journey email Jonathan on:

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