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THE MYTH page 20
Gaining Confidence
for moving forward in the New Year
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The Myth of Coextistence
From clever slogans to celebrity endorsements, we are bombarded with seemingly peaceful messages of coexistence. But beneath the veneer of a utopian coexistence, a battle for world domination is raging. This sneak-peak into Robert Stearns’ new book will inform, and shed light on the current clash of cultures.
BY ROBERT STEARNS 8
Extreme Makeover Coming to the Church in America
Global apostolic leader Larry Kreider takes us on tour—looking at some of the amazing stories of revival from around the world. But what about us? What about our schools? Neighborhoods? Offices? Churches? We need to cry out for God radically move in America, and we can be a part of God’s plan by touching one life at a time.
BY LARRY KREIDER 34
No Turning Back
Don’t miss this word from Robert— a vision for the year ahead. Now is the perfect time to get right and go forward. No turning back!
BY ROBERT STEARNS
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Exalting the Christ of Christmas
Getting in the Christmas spirit? We have much to celebrate at this special time of year, but it’s so easy to lose sight of what that actually is.
BY DR. LARRY & JUDI KEEFAUVER 20
Gaining Confidence How to Move Forward in the New York
Have you started to think about New Year’s resolutions? Don’t fall into the trap many do of not following through on the changes that lead to success. For the first time in KAIROS, America’s #1 Confidence Coach reveals the key you’ll need to achieve your potential. Happy New Year!
BY KEITH JOHNSON 26
Not On Our Watch
Israel Solidarity Rally Makes Statement at the UN
As world leaders assembled for the UN-sponsored Durban III conference, another strategic, international event was taking place only a block away. Pro-Israel demonstrators flooded Manhattan to protest the UN’s anti-Semitic Durban III conference, declaring that its lies would not go uncontested. It’s our hour; it’s our watch. Are we awake and aware as watchmen on the wall?
BY MARIE JOSEE CHAISSON KAIROS 2 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
kairos - (kiros) n. A Greek word for time. Specifically, a period of time characterized by good fortune, urgency, and favorable opportunity; a kairos moment is typically one of short duration which must be seized or it will be lost.
Robert Stearns EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER
LARRY KEEFAUVER, D.MIN. EDITORIAL ADVISER
SARAH WOLF ASSISTANT EDITOR
ANDREA GAGLIANO ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
JOEL JAMES MANAGING CONSULTANT
DAVID G. DANGLIS LAYOUT & DESIGN Kairos is published quarterly by Kairos Publishing, a division of Eagles’ Wings. CONTACT: Eagles’Wings, P.O. Box 450, Clarence, NY 14031 Phone: 716.759.1058 email: office@eagleswings.to Website: www.eagleswings.to ADVERTISING SALES: Please direct all enquiries about advertising rates to Andrea B. Gagliano at Abel Communications, P.O. Box 146, Winter Park, FL 32790; phone 407.539.3994; fax 407.539.2180; email abelcomm@aol.com MISSION STATEMENT: KAIROS is the official magazine of Eagles’ Wings and the KAIROS Ministry Partnership. KAIROS exists for the purpose of proclaiming prophetic themes and words that are timely and relevant for the Church today. KAIROS serves to cross communicate these essential themes through the various key ministries present in the KAIROS Ministry Partnership, thereby ensuring that each issue’s message reaches many of the different streams of influence present in the Body of Christ. REPRINT POLICY: You are welcome to copy originals from KAIROS without permission to do so. Please be sure to include the date and year of the issue. Copies are not permitted to be published or used for resale. ADVISORY BOARD: Steve Fry, Larry Kreider, and Jim Bolin. Advertising in KAIROS does not necessarily imply editorial endorsement or a reflection of ministry doctrines and values.
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opening thoughts EXALTING THE CHRIST OF CHRISTMAS It’s a Wonderful Life is a movie. It’s a myth; not truth or reality. Life is not wonderful in and of itself, and there is no shortage of things we can point to that prove this . . . Israel is facing attacks on every front. Christians are embracing materialism and pursuing immorality in epidemic proportions. Believers throughout Asia and Africa continue to suffer grave persecution. In the midst of all this pain, suffering and trial, do we really have reason to overflow with joy? The American Dream (as defined by Will Marre and others) may make for a prosperous paycheck, but the human ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not the true meaning of Christmas—let alone the theme of the Christian life! We must embrace an attitude of joyous exaltation of Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, King of kings and the Son of David!
Fear God, be holy, and stay humble. This Christmas, we can be light shining in darkness when we embrace lifestyles and mindsets that: Fear God. The shepherds on that Judean hillside feared God when they heard the news of Messiah. Scripture exhorts us in countless passages to stand in awe of the Lord. Such reverence brings us continually to the Cross as sinners, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Utter that Jesus Prayer continually as Christians have done millions of times a day for almost 2,000 years! Pursue Holiness. Such is the mandate of Torah and 1 Peter. Christ’s incarnation opens up the reality that we can be holy and sanctified, which is God’s will for us. We are a holy nation and royal priesthood. We stand for Israel, the Holy Land, to be consecrated to God’s use and not given over to unholy purposes or peoples. We are to live pure and holy lives set apart for God’s purposes. Clean your act up. Surrender body, mind and Spirit to the Holy Spirit. Humble Ourselves. Philippians 2 describes the attitude of humility we receive as an eternal inheritance from Jesus who humbled himself for us. We walk in humility with Jew and Gentile alike. We recognize that our efforts mean nothing without the power and sanction of the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We must get over ourselves and get out of the way so that the King of Glory may come into our lives, churches, businesses and relationships. Glory to God in the highest! Exalt Christ by living out the fear of God, holiness and humility this Christmas and New Year. Now that’s the joyous life in Christ!
Dr. Larry & Judi Keefauver, Editorial Advisors, KAIROS Dr. Larry and Judi Keefauver are authors, teachers, and members of the Eagles’ Wings Advisory Board. www.ymcs.org
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Larry Kreider
Extreme Makeover Coming to the Church in America
WINTER 2012 9 KAIROS
During a recent trip around the globe, I saw first-hand the work of God. I heard of amazing miracles happening throughout the darkest places of Southeast Asia— a tumor falling off of a woman’s body whose husband was the main Muslim leader in the community, the blind eyes of a Muslim Imam instantly healed, and story after story of God using miraculous signs and wonders to turn the hearts of Muslims to faith in Jesus Christ.
new businesses. The swamp in the region has become a banana plantation. The main government leader of the village and his whole family are transformed by Christ. Violence and mugging has stopped and for the first year in memory, no one has contracted cholera. As I flew home to America, I contemplated the nation that I love—the United States of America—and our need for revival. I recalled that a few years ago, a small team of Chinese leaders, after visiting some of our more “significant” churches in America, said, “We are amazed at what the American church can do without God.” I am not minimizing the good things that our God is doing in portions of our country, but we have much to learn from our brothers and sisters who live in what are sometimes called “revival nations.” The last time I was in China I was told that more than 25,000 people are coming to Christ every day! Why not America? A few years ago while in Brazil, I was told by an Assembly of God pastor that they had recently baptized 10,000 believers in one day! Again, Why not America?
Why not America? In talking with present and future church planters from East Africa and India and beyond, I heard thrilling stories of communities being transformed by the power of God and of great favor on believers going into areas that have never heard of Jesus. One village of 10,000 near Kissumu, Kenya is being transformed by the kingdom of God. A church, which began only a few years ago, has hundreds who have received Christ and are planting churches in neighboring areas. The entire community is transformed. Believers are starting KAIROS 10 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
In each nation I visit, I look for the story behind the story that has resulted in an extreme makeover. Wherever God moves in a powerful way, I find three spiritual disciplines are practiced by God’s people: prayer, evangelism and discipleship. Sometimes we make living the
Christian life too complicated. We stray from the basics. We move away from the daily priorities every Christian must have—that of spending time with God, talking to people about God and making disciples. Remember what it was like to be a new Christian? We prayed simple prayers of faith and loved reading the Word. We knew we could do nothing without Him. When we prayed to receive Christ and be filled with His Spirit, we took Him at His Word. The Lord honored our simple faith. We shared our faith with others and did all we could to help them grow in Christ. God is placing a hunger in the hearts of His people to return to those priorities. Let’s briefly examine the basics that produce extreme makeovers in lives, communities and nations.
for years as pastor of the world’s largest church in Korea, has spoken to thousands of pastors and church leaders in America. Cho said American pastors are attentive when he
Sometimes we make living the Christian life too complicated.
PRAYER
There are no shortcuts. Time alone each day with God for prayer, worship and the Word are paramount. God has called us to trust Him, first and foremost. Matthew 28 tells us Jesus appointed a certain place to meet with His disciples. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him (Matthew 28:16-20). Jesus has called us to meet with Him and worship Him each day. The Lord tells us in John 17:3 that eternal life is to know Him. Our number one priority must be to trust Him personally through time spent with Him. This is not legalism; it is imperative in order to stay in tune with Jesus. Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho, who served
speaks on biblical principles that will help churches grow, but when he teaches on prayer and taking daily time with God, pastors put down their pencils, stop taking notes and lose interest. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, “People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” We need a fresh word from the Lord every day. If we are living on last week’s manna, we become weak and even sick spiritually. Only healthy Christians have something to give to others. We must cultivate our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus every day.
EVANGELISM
Jesus spent much of His time with the tax collectors and sinners. His heart went out to those who did not live the way God wanted them to. The people who were suspicious of Jesus were not the sinners but the scribes and the Pharisees—the religious leaders. People are looking for authentic Christianity. A friend told me he is a believer because a lady getting gasoline at the gas station where he worked took a few minutes to tell him how her life was changed by Jesus. WINTER 2012 11 KAIROS
Jesus is the answer to every problem. He is the great Redeemer. He came to restore completely every man, woman and child who will open up their hearts and lives to Him. The
things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:1-2). Paul exhorted Timothy, who was his disciple, to find another disciple who would disciple another. I challenge you to ask God for one reproducing disciple (a person willing to mentor someone else next year.) The person may be someone at work or school, a family member, an acquaintance from church, a friend or a person who is lonely. Pray and ask someone to meet with you every few weeks (maybe for coffee or tea) and talk about your walk with Jesus, and pray for them daily. Mentoring can change the world, one person at a time. God is wooing His people back to prayer, evangelism and discipleship. I find a renewed hunger for God throughout our nation. I have great hope for our nation. The rain is coming. An extreme makeover for the church in America is on its way! K
Unless those we disciple are doing the same for others, we are only counseling. Scriptures tell us, “. . . how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14). We are commissioned by our Lord Jesus Christ to reach those who have not placed their trust in Him.
MAKING DISCIPLES
Jesus spent most of His time with His disciples. Through this simple concept, Jesus reproduced Himself in His followers and the gospel spread throughout the world. Call it what you want—mentoring, discipling, coaching or spiritual fathering and mothering—it is all basically the same thing—caring about the spiritual growth of another believer and training them to do the same for others. Unless those we disciple are doing the same for others, we are only counseling, not making disciples. Counseling is great, but Jesus has called us to make disciples. Paul really grasped this truth of disciple-making when he told Timothy, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the KAIROS 12 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
Larry Kreider is Director of Dove Christian Fellowship International, a network of house churches that spans six continents. Larry gives Apostolic oversight to over 200 congregations worldwide. He is dedicated to raising up church leaders, and is involved in a variety of unity and youth discipleship efforts, as well as traveling as an inspirational speaker. Larry has authored over 30 books, and lives in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with his wife of over 40 years, LaVerne.
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Robert Stearns
The
Myth
of Coexistence WINTER 2012 15 KAIROS
Have you seen the bumper sticker? The word is “CO-EXIST.” But rather than being spelled out in normal type, it is the symbols of various religious or social persuasions that form the letters. The Muslim crescent is the C, the Jewish star is the X, the Christian cross the T, etc. The theme seems nice— a peaceable sentiment. All religions are just one letter in a long chain, which, if linked together, can form meaning and cohesion for society. This “bumper sticker theology” is, of course, exactly the message we (JudeoChristians) are being bombarded with on a constant basis from the other two primary houses of thought that currently dominate the world’s stage (Islamists and Secularists): • The militant secularists tell us that the diversity of our ideas is our strength because they really believe that to be so. • The radical Islamists infiltrating the Judeo-Christian institutions of Western Civilization are telling us the same thing—not because they KAIROS 16 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
truly believe it, but because they know it’s what we want to hear. The irony is that the traditional values under assault in this nation are derived from the one genuinely tolerant worldview there is. All of this is rather unpleasant . . . Wouldn’t it be easier to slip back into a misinformed haze and believe everything will somehow work itself out? And if not, what am I advocating—intolerance? No. I am pointing out the undeniable truth that if we continue to allow the values of tolerance and multiculturalism to be hijacked and redefined by those who only wish to do away with them altogether, we are very soon going to find ourselves living under the same conditions we came to this country to escape. The well-meaning West has unsuspectingly walked away from the very foundations that gave it strength at its inception; and now, a man-made, unattainable idealism called coexistence is about to lure us away from any vestige of freedom and genuine tolerance that remains on the earth.
THE REAL WORLD
I want to offer that, after being raised in America (this melting pot of pluralism and multiculturalism), and after having spent a considerable amount of time in the Middle East (where cultural and religious walls and barriers are as thick as they are high), I am concerned that we as Americans often make the mistake of interpreting our world through a very, well, American lens. To assume everyone
Wouldn’t it be easier to believe that everything will somehow work itself out? feels the way we do about civil liberties is a catastrophic mistake. We tend to think that the rest of the world really is like Epcot Center. It’s not. Unlike the last experience you had at Disney, the reality is that around our world, horrible—really horrible— things are happening. Slavery is rampant in the world today. The brainwashing of children to become suicide bombers. Honor killings and female genital mutilation in the name of religion. These and other horrific practices are commonplace in many parts of the world. And they are being carried out not by a few lone individuals, but fostered and even legislated by dehumanizing groupthought that controls societies. It’s time we admit something. The parties coming to the table (Islam, Secularism, and Judeo-Christianity) have irreconcilable differences. We must realize that the horrors we are addressing are not circumstantial issues or even mere governmental policy. What is fueling them is an ideological issue that runs deep into the soil and roots of people groups around the world. The fact is that we cannot coexist with those who refuse to coexist at all.
FAULTY MULTI-CULTURALISM
There are several other significant reasons why coexistence isn’t possi-
ble among these three contending houses. One main reason is that this interpretation of coexistence does not allow for a dominant culture. Superficial coexistence is not attainable because it does not allow for a dominant culture. Without one, true, agreed-upon standard for judging cultural expressions, we find multiculturalism to be a distorted reality that cannot ultimately survive. By default, there must be a dominant culture or house of thought governing any given society, or else nothing will hold it together and it will crumble from lack of cohesion. Not every perspective within that culture must embrace the full extent of the principles by which it is governed—on the contrary, a minority group may even benefit from those governing principles without adopting the full cultural paradigm of the majority. But as long as a benevolent culture is allowed to prevail, its uplifting benefits will guide and protect the everyday life of all its adherents. What the dominant culture adopts as its position regarding the existence of God will, for better or worse, set the tone for the whole society. The way some societies view God as violent invariably leads them to promote and commit acts of violence against those of a different mindset. By contrast, others, like the majority of those in the Judeo-Christian house, understand God to be a God WINTER 2012 17 KAIROS
Humankind as a whole is headed toward a great divide. An irrevocable split. An un-mendable parting of ways. of love, who values the dignity and worth of all human beings. America, at its core, has been founded and developed within a Judeo-Christian ethos, or worldview. I am not going to debate whether Thomas Jefferson was a Christian (doubtful) or a Deist (probable), but the fact of the matter is there is a plethora of evidence that proves, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that this nation’s framework has been based on the moral code of the JudeoChristian scriptures. This biblical worldview has framed what we know today as Western Civilization—from America to Argentina to Britain to Italy to Australia. And, Israel. But all that is changing.
THE TREE OF LIFE
Consider how this insight from C.S. Lewis (The Great Divorce) describes this dynamic perfectly: “We are not living in a world where all roads are radii of a circle and where all, if followed long enough, will therefore draw gradually nearer and finally meet at the centre: rather in a world where every road, after a few miles, forks into two, and each of those into two again, and at each fork you must make a decision. Even on the biological level life is not like a river, but like KAIROS 18 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
a tree. It does not move toward unity but away from it . . .”1 Humankind as a whole is headed toward a great divide. An irrevocable split. An un-mendable parting of ways. The distorted values of tolerance and multiculturalism are being used by those who would convince us it’s possible to coexist in peace forever without God. However, this is far from reality. The myth of coexistence, like all myths, will one day be relegated to the realm of bedtime fairytales and childhood fantasies. Only the truth will remain. K This article is adapted from an excerpt of No, We Can’t by Robert Stearns, Chosen Books, ©2011. ISBN 978-08007-9520-7. All rights reserved. 1 C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce (New York: HarperCollins, 2001), VIII.
Robert Stearns is a gifted teacher, singer and musician, and has authored several books—most recently No We Can’t. He is the visionary behind The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, and the executive director of Eagles’ Wings, a dynamic international ministry involved in discipleship, worship & equipping conferences and humanitarian aid. He has led thousands of Christians on pilgrimage to Israel, and lives with his family in New York State.
Keith Johnson
Gaining Confidence
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How to Move Forward in the New Year
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The price of progress is
change WINTER 2012 21 KAIROS
If you’re anything like the millions of Americans who regard January 1st as a fresh beginning, you have made some New Year’s resolutions (or have at least thought about it.) Let’s be honest. A fresh new year with no mistakes in it seems like the perfect excuse to dump a bad habit, pick up those barbells or finally make good on the resolutions you made in January 2010! As today’s Westerners, we have more information and opportunities at our disposal than our ancestors could have dreamed of. The world seems like our oyster, and if we could just focus and achieve our goals, we could attain a life that’s fulfilling beyond our wildest dreams. And the truth is, virtually all of us could be much more productive, vibrant and satisfied than we now are. Why not? By eliminating some negative influences in our lives, and embracing more positive practices, we wouldn’t be far from our personal goals such as deeper relationships, a stronger heart, second language fluency, or culinary expertise. Yet we’re all too often like those millions of other “resolution-makers” in another sense as well, in that we give up on our precious resolutions before Valentine’s Day. Why the cynicism? Why the lethargy? Why the defeatist mentality? KAIROS 22 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
I want to suggest something to you, which I hope will change the way you approach your life decisions. It’s a small thing, but one that explains a lot. The reason we fail to learn, grow and change into the people we want to be is due to a lack of confidence. Learning is an act of confidence, and if we lack that key attribute, we run the risk of not achieving our full potential during our time on this earth. As I travel across the world helping leaders build confidence, I’ve noticed that the best and most confident leaders are those who love to learn. I’ve also observed that the greatest organizations are learning enterprises— places where ideas are the currency of success. Yet so many of us resist learning and embracing the new ideas that change brings. We give up on our goals before we give them a chance. The deeper question is why?
LEAVING THE SHORES OF THE KNOWN
The very act of learning something new means you must also disrupt yesterday’s thought patterns. Accepting or even entertaining a new idea means you must leave the safety of your former way of perceiving the world—your current way of thinking —and open up to something foreign. This means leaving the protection of your comfort zone and sailing out into the unknown—even if just for a moment. The unknown is a pretty scary place for most people. Ordinary people get threatened there. Victims get frightened there. And so, the average person avoids learning and exposing him or herself to any new idea or
Why the cynicism? Why the lethargy? Why the defeatist mentality? influence that might cause them to have to rethink and alter the way they have always done things. But the fascinating paradox is that trying to avoid new ideas in order to stay safe is actually enormously dangerous. On the other hand, those who make the choice to be a confident leader have an uncommon lust to learn. They remain blindingly curious. They read books daily. They drink coffee with smart, interesting people. They have long conversations with role models whose ideas provoke, challenge and sometimes even irritate them. Confident leaders truly understand that the kind of learning which produces new ideas is the fuel of life. Everyone naturally feels uncomfortable or even scared when faced with an idea that confronts their most closely-cherished beliefs. However, those who embrace confidence understand that to resist the idea is to resist growth. The confident person understands that the price of progress is change. Progress starts the moment the mind dares to open up and learn. The insecure person refuses to pay the price of progress, and stays stuck where they are. In this place, they will eventually become extinct.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Now, about those New Year’s resolu-
tions . . . What are the things God has laid on your heart for this New Year? What is He asking you to embrace? To learn? To pursue? Whatever it is, I guarantee it will require you to let go of something; to unlearn something; to go in a different direction. It takes more than resolve to achieve your resolutions. It takes confidence! Are you willing to receive the confidence you need in order to launch out into the unknown and truly change? I trust and pray that you are. We can achieve all things through the strength Christ gives us! (Philippians 4:13). It is time for you to move forward; to learn, to grow and to come up with new ideas and possibilities for tomorrow. Be confident enough to move into an uncertain yet gorgeously exciting future. K Keith Johnson is the founder and CEO of an international organization that has successfully trained over 127,000 leaders to maximize their leadership potential and effectiveness. He’s known as one of the premier speakers on the subjects of leadership and confidence building. He is the bestselling author of three books including, The Confidence Solution —Reinvent Your Life, Explode Your Business, Skyrocket Your Income. Keith lives in Spring Hill, Florida, with his wife and daughter. WINTER 2012 23 KAIROS
KAIROS Moments Miracle from the Holy Land
A school in Ashdod has doubled as a makeshift synagogue on Shabbats for the past 40 years. In all that time, not one Shabbat service has been missed—until last week. Due to the manager of the synagogue having surgery scheduled for that week, the service was cancelled and no one showed up. That day, a missile launched from Gaza hit directly in the synagogue’s courtyard. Had the Jewish people been there for the service, they surely would have been injured. A member of the congregation said, “. . . even those who are not believers unanimously agree that what occurred was a great miracle.”
(INN) jnnnews.com
New York “hearts” Jesus
Cultural research expert George Barna is reporting an interesting finding on the faith of New Yorkers. Since the mid-’00s, New York residents are now more likely to be “spiritually active”—(attend church, pray, read their Bibles, etc.). The study also estimates the population of New York is made up of 32% Born-again Christians! A decade after the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001, this news comes as welcomed encouragement.
God Bless Israel
The Jerusalem Post reports the surprising and encouraging findings of a recent Israel Project poll. The research reveals that Americans’ support for Israel is up from where it had been. While Republican support has remained steady, approval among Democratic voters has risen ten percentage points within the past six months. In fact, the poll showed Israel to be more popular among Americans than either the President or Congress!
Philly Prays
Recently, five of the seven Pennsylvania Houses of Prayer joined together for a weekend of breakthrough worship and intercession at the birthplace of our nation. In addition to a ceremony presenting a commemorative cornerstone to Mayor Michael Nutter’s Faith-based initiative rep, daily devotionals were given from a study book, titled Declaration of Dependence. In this and in many prophetic acts, the righteous roots of our constitution were uncovered and celebrated as participants agreed with our founding fathers who proclaimed, “We recognize no Sovereign but God and no king but Jesus.” Citizens of the Keystone State report there is victory over division, and great things coming to the City of Brotherly love!
Philadelphia Tabernacle of David: phillytod.org. Don’t miss the next breakthrough event in Greater Philadelphia: the Ascend Worship Conference with Robert Stearns (see pg 37 for details).
(Christianpost.com Aug 29, 2011)
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“How dare the Durban Conference, this United Nations sponsored event, supported by American tax dollars, single out the one nation in the Middle East which has the most progressive human rights record of all, and routinely and systematically ignore the human rights abuses of other member states?�
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Marie Josee Chaisson
Not On Our Watch
Israel Solidarity Rally makes a statement to the UN
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The 2011 Durban Review Conference, known as Durban III, has been billed as a continuation of the 2001 and 2009 United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia,
The thousands of Christian demonstrators were joined by Jewish locals, who enthusiastically joined in the cause.
and Related Intolerance previously held in Durban, South Africa and Geneva, Switzerland. These conferences failed to meet their stated objectives of addressing issues of international racism, xenophobia, and intolerance, degenerating instead into a tribunal which demonized and singled out Israel, calling her a perpetrator of racism and intolerance in the Middle East. Those who cannot remember, who consciously ignore or refuse to learn from history are condemned to repeat it. Unfortunately, in the case of the KAIROS 28 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
Durban Conferences, the international community has refused to learn from the first Durban conference and has allowed for a repeat of this antiSemitic platform first in Geneva and again in the United States. The 2001 World Conference against Racism Draft Declaration equated Zionism with racism, and charged that Israel’s so-called “occupation” of Palestine was racially motivated and therefore relevant to the Conference agenda. The 2009 conference included similar anti-Israel rhetoric, implying in part that: a homeland for Jewish people is racially based; Israel is guilty of apartheid; and that the historical accuracy of the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust is subject to debate. The Conference speakers included violent dictators and virulent anti-Semites such as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran who manipulated the racism issue to advance his antiIsrael propaganda. The recent conference (held in September 2011) was of a similar ilk. It reaffirmed the Durban political declaration, which singles out and attacks Israel alone, criticizing the nation and accusing it of human rights violations. It has never been more important to hold to the facts of history, as leaders like Ahmadinejad work to influence public opinion by distorting the facts. This Holocaust-denier has used the Durban conference to minimize the atrocities that occurred in
, ,
. the Holocaust. Ahmadinejad not only denies the systematic killing and genocide of 6 million Jews through horrific and inhumane measures, but is also working hard to propagate the delegitimization and demonization of Jews today. At Durban II in 2009, he claimed that Zionism is “a kind of racism that has tarnished the image of humanity”; that Zionism “personfies racism” and by calling on the international community to “eradicate” the Zionist “regime.” It is alarming to witness the lack of discernment being exercised by the international community in light of Ahmadinejad’s stated intent to annihilate Israel. In spite of this and in spite of his opposition to the U.S., he is regarded as a respected member of the UN, and given a platform to speak. Representatives from Iran were also elected V-P of the General Assembly, with the Durban III conference and the vote on Palestinian Statehood as
their first major assignments. In light of this occurring after Ahmadinejad’s holocaust denial and demonization of Israel at Durban II, it is disturbing to observe that anti-Semitism is not hiding its face; it’s not creeping in subtly or covertly into the United Nations. Nonetheless, the international community is predominantly silent and in some cases openly supportive of the UN’s policies toward Israel and of the Durban III conference. Lack of right judgment, justifying anti-Semitism under the banner of addressing racism issues at the Durban III conference, silence and even support for people like Ahmadinejad by the international commu-
The Manhattan prayer rally was lifechanging for many young people, who pledged themselves as advocates for Israel.
nity is building momentum in an alarming direction.
MAKING HISTORY TODAY
One week after the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas submitted an application for the memWINTER 2012 29 KAIROS
bership of a Palestinian state in the UN, a conference was held in Tehran, Iran’s capital, to call for the ‘liberation of all Palestine’ through an armed struggle against Israel. The title of the
Former Sudanese slave Simon Deng with Israeli MK Danny Danon. Deng’s speech was on the perils of intolerant Islamist regimes, responsible for the ethnic cleansing of millions of his nationals. He also stated that it is Israel, not Egypt, that has aided in the plight of Sudanese refugees, including himself.
conference was ‘International Conference on Palestinian Intifada’ and was attended by parliamentary delegations from more than 70 countries and scholars from over 100 countries. The conference called for a new intifada against Israel and against Western countries that support it. The enemies of Israel are also enemies of our Western values and culture, Judeo-Christian beliefs, and essentially enemies of anything that does not fit into Radical Islamic religious and cultural beliefs. If we do not stand up against world leaders who are using the United Nations as a platform for the spread of their KAIROS 30 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
racist and radical beliefs and policies, it is only a matter of time before our own rights and freedoms become threatened as well. As a Christian, I have often heard about Christianity’s dark anti-Semitic past of persecuting Jews and of spreading Replacement Theology. However, in this generation, we have the opportunity to say that we will not repeat history. Rather, we will stand up for what is right and support the Jewish people by standing in solidarity with the Democratic State of Israel in this critical moment in history. God established a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 promising that Abraham would become a great nation and that all nations would be blessed through him. According to Romans 11, we have been grafted into this covenant. As those who have been grafted into God’s eternal covenant, we have a responsibility to stand up for Israel. By our decisions at this time, we can shape history by taking a stand for truth. This fall, I had the privilege of seeing history made as thousands of Christians who chose to seize the moment presented to us now, united in prayer, solidarity, and activism on behalf of Israel. Throngs of Believers stood shoulder to shoulder outside the United Nations in New York this September, creating a powerful statement that the mistakes of apathy, cowardice, and tolerance that led
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The enemies of Israel are also enemies of Western values. to the Holocaust would not be repeated on our watch.
STANDING TOGETHER FOR ISRAEL
In the months leading up to the Durban III Conference, a broad coalition of over 30 organizations (both religious and secular) including The Coalition for True Justice made up of over 25 Christian leaders and organizations, Eagles’ Wings, Stand With Us and EyeontheUN.org, came together with one voice, choosing to respond to the Durban III Conference and not be silent. This coalition spread a petition to Ban Ki-moon, which received over 1,700 signatures from around the world. Perhaps as a result of this petition, Ban Ki-moon was the only speaker to tell the General Assembly to take a stand against “anti-Semitism.” He also called on the member states to fight Islamophobia and persecution against Christians and discrimination based on gender and other minority rights issues. On September 20, over 400 Christians gathered at the Crenshaw Christian Centre in Manhattan’s Upper West Side to pray for Israel and intercede on her behalf. Christians and Jews from New Zealand, Canada, Israel, the UK, France, Germany and all over the United States flew in or drove several hours to pray for Israel. It was a powerful night. Leaders from the Tri-State area like Garry Frost, President of Concerts of Prayer of Greater New KAIROS 32 KISLEV / TEVET 5772
York; Matt Sorger, and Robert Stearns spoke and led the congregation in prayer. Along with prayer for Israel and reminders of God’s faithfulness to His covenant, there was a real sense of confirmation that the Body of Christ is walking in her destiny and calling as it relates to standing with Israel. There was also a special time of prayer and commissioning for everyone in attendance under age 30 to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem and to live lives set apart for God. The morning after this powerful prayer rally, 2,000 people gathered across the street from the United Nations to demonstrate their support of Israel. The event was covered by over 20 media outlets. The crowd was made up of Jews, Christians and people of diverse backgrounds who support Israel and see the importance of acknowledging Israel’s strong track record on upholding human rights. Although the event was primarily constituted of Christians who came to stand up for truth and justice on behalf of Israel, there were many Jewish organizations who joined them in solidarity. Jewish high school and college students, mothers, businessmen, and grandmothers raised their voices against the anti-Semitic agenda being protested. A sea of hand-held Israeli flags waved in the cool breeze of the day, peppered with signs reading “Israel We Stand with You” and “Stop the Durban Lies.” The crowd cheered as
the benevolence and stellar human rights record of the State of Israel was proclaimed. They were united in lifting up a cry to those who would try to subvert true justice by shouting, “Not on our watch!” a mantra they raised in unison throughout the afternoon. The speakers included Israeli MK, Danny Danon; ex-Sudanese slave Simon Deng; Rabbi Kermaier of the 5th Avenue Synagogue in NYC; President of the Indian American Intellectual Forum Narain Kataria; Executive Director of Eagles’ Wings, Robert Stearns and many leaders from the Tri-State Area like Bishop Carlton Brown. Rabbi Kermaier addressed his Christians friends on behalf of the Jewish community in New York by saying, “Thank you, my Christian friends, for standing with my people and the land of Israel. These are days when we need friends like you more than ever.” Robert Stearns boldly addressed the issue at hand, his voice carrying through the atmosphere, “How dare the Durban Conference, this United Nations sponsored event, supported by American tax dollars, single out the one nation in the Middle East which has the most progressive human rights record of all, and routinely and systematically ignore the human rights abuses of other member states?” Stearns went on to proclaim the many benefits that all the citizens of Israel have the opportunity to enjoy.
The petition, prayer rally and protest represented a huge display of solidarity and unwavering support and concern for the security and survival of the State of Israel from the Christian
Robert Stearns denounced the racist, antiSemitic agenda of the Durban conference, and addressed those who gathered to protest it. A sense of unity and purpose permeated the atmosphere as Stearns spoke.
community. In the midst of existential threats and challenging sociopolitical realities for Israel, there is a glimmer of hope as Israel’s allies take a stand for justice and truth. K Marie Josee Chiasson is a York University student completing an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She wrote her undergraduate thesis on the subject of media bias regarding Israel, and has been active on her campus by educating and mobilizing support for Israel. A graduate of the Israel Experience College Scholarship Program and Eagles’ Wings’ 9 month Internship, Josee served as project manager for the protest rally against Durban III. She resides in Toronto. WINTER 2012 33 KAIROS
the publisher’s letter NO TURNING BACK DEAR FRIENDS, As we approach the end of 2011,
we are looking for a sign of hope. What will the New Year hold, and are we prepared to meets its challenges? What will become of the tenuous situations that weigh on us personally, nationally and globally? What is God up to, and whom will He use to accomplish His work?
I wanted to share with you a word I felt the Lord impress on my heart while I was in Israel on Yom Kippur. It is, I believe, a word for those with ears to hear, and I pray it is an encouragement to you in this hour. A REMNANT IS RISING IN THE LAND. Unseen, unrecognized, they know Whose they are and have died to this present world’s ambitions. They want nothing of a consumer Christianity, where God exists for their earthly pleasure. They have caught a whiff of Heaven’s fragrant food, and just the smell has satisfied them more than the sweetest delicacies of this passing age, and motivates them to remember that they are just passing through. A REMNANT IS RISING IN THE LAND. They will not be bought or sold with position or money. They are remembering why they “got into this” in the first place— for the Lamb. For Jesus Christ’s honor, for the sake of His worthy name. Their backbones are being steeled in the furnace of affliction, and purified of contemporary dross. They are old-school, hard-core Jesus freaks, and they are not apologizing for it. The remnant is not ashamed! A REMNANT IS RISING IN THE LAND. They are blood-bought, and fiercely committed to the Word— the Logos and the Rhema. Something within them stirs because they know they are here on a kairos assignment. They realize they may have forgotten that for a moment, been diverted off the path for some years, but like soldiers who remember drills from long ago, they are coming to attention and position and awareness. They are here on purpose. They are necessary to Heaven’s narrative. (please turn the page)
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the publisher’s letter cont’d. They are not bystanders. They are the players on the stage of His-story. A REMNANT IS RISING IN THE LAND. This army is realizing they never should have eaten Babylon’s food in the first place, even if it was served in halls decorated to look like a cheap imitation of Zion. They would rather be pilgrims than settle. They would rather be fools for Christ than wise in the world’s eyes. They would rather be known in heaven and feared in hell than recognized on earth. Whatever happens to them in the world really doesn’t matter. They have locked gazes with the Lamb’s eyes, and locked step with the cadence of Heaven’s march. His remnant understand that this is the Final Act and there is no turning back now. A REMNANT IS RISING IN THE LAND. They are nowhere to be seen and everywhere to be found. There are very few of them chosen, and a great host of them who will emerge. It’s going to be very, very intense, for the sword they carry is stained with the blood of their lesser desires and their crucified carnality. They’ve had their battles, faced their own personal Valleys of Decision, and made their choice. I have Decided. To Follow Jesus. No Turning Back. We have decided. Have you decided? Ready or not, here they come. Sincerely,
Robert Stearns, Executive Publisher, KAIROS
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DESTINATIONS | ON THE ROAD WITH EAGLES’ WINGS DECEMBER 11-12 Copetown, ON
DECEMBER 18 Buffalo, NY
JANUARY 27-28 Atlanta, GA
FEBRUARY 9-11 Philadelphia, PA
FEBRUARY 17-18 Cranford, NJ
Robert Stearns ministering Ascend Worship Conference www.phillytod.org
Radical Anointed Worship Conference (R.A.W.) Robert Stearns ministering Calvary Tabernacle www.mantleofpower.org
FEBRUARY 24-25 Lowellville, OH
FEBRUARY 26 Waterbury, CT
MARCH 2-3 Chicago, IL
MARCH 12-13 Nashville, TN
MARCH 16-17 Cranford, NJ
APRIL 12-14 Buffalo, NY
MAY 10-12 Cherry Hill, NJ
Robert Stearns ministering Eagle Worldwide Ministries The Revival Centre Host: Dr. Russ Moyer (905) 308-9991 www.eagleworldwide.com
Robert Stearns ministering First Assembly of God (203) 753-8023 Host: Pastor James Lilley www.houseofprayer.org
Cranford River Conference Robert Stearns & EW Team Calvary Tabernacle (908) 709-9600 Host: Pastor Clem Salerno www.ctnj.org
2012! COMING IN
Robert Stearns ministering Love Joy Church (716) 651-0400 Hosts: Pastors Ron & Judy Burgio www.lovejoy.org
Chicago River Conference Robert Stearns & EW Team Living Water Community Church (630) 759-5799 Hosts: Pastors Ken & Chrystal Hansen www.livingwaterchurch.org
Worship Conference The Tabernacle (716) 675-2888 Host: Pastor Tommy Reid www.thetab.org 1-800-51WINGS for registration www.eagleswings.to
Atlanta Conference Robert Stearns & EW Team Life Center Ministries (770) 399-0660 Hosts: Dr. Buddy & Mary Crum www.lifecenter.org
Robert Stearns ministering Victory Christian Center (330) 536-2290 Hosts: Pastors David & Kathie Thomas www.vccoitsville.com
Robert Stearns ministering One Voice Summit Host: Pastor Steve Fry www.messengerfellowship.com
2012 Prayer Summit Robert Stearns ministering Balance Ministries Host: Pastor Delzora Terrell 888-832-0460 www.balanceministries.net
Get ready for the new Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem Epipheo! (But first, better find out what an Epipheo is) www.epipheostudios.com WINTER 2012 37 KAIROS