Pat Harrison, President & Founder

Whenever I share on love, someone usually points out that Jesus called the Pharisees and scribes “whited sepulchers” (Matt. 23:27) and that He used a whip to drive the money changers and vendors from the temple. How can that be love?

Others will cite examples from the Old Testament of God’s disciplining the Israelites or His instructions to destroy completely their enemies as proof that God isn’t all love. They can’t equate those actions with love. To them love is a feeling accompanied by goose bumps and starry-eyed looks, and it means you never have to say “I’m sorry” (the line from the 1970 movie Love Story). Unfortunately, they don’t understand God or His nature because they haven’t developed a relationship with Him. They haven’t prayerfully and carefully studied His Word and asked the Holy Spirit for revelation of what they have read.

By Buddy Harrison, Co-Founder

When you use the word “prosperity,” people automatically think “money.” But Biblical prosperity is more than money, wealth or possessions. Now those things are certainly a part of Biblical prosperity, but that is not all that Biblical prosperity encompasses.

Also, we Western Christians must remember that prosperity is relative. By that I mean, what is prosperity to someone in the U.S.A. isn’t necessarily the same for someone in another nation, particularly what we call Third World nations. For example, $100,000 doesn’t buy you that much anymore in America, but it sure can buy you a bunch of stuff in any African nation. I know some national pastors in Africa who could reach more people if they had that much money.

By Lonnie Hilton, National Director

When Pete and Jill Darling contacted me about the destruction Tropical Storm Lee left behind, the staff immediately began to pray. We prayed for supernatural favor and divine connections. Though the devil meant to destroy this church, we prayed that God would turn the situation around and use it to bring the community closer together. We prayed for God to be glorified. We also contacted you, our FCF family, and gave you the opportunity to walk in covenant with your brothers and sisters at FCF of Apalachin, New York. And look what the Lord has done! Let Pete’s testimony encourage you, for God is no respecter of persons. If He did it for one of His kids, He’ll do it for another. After all, He’s a loving, compassionate Father, and He’s in the blessing business.

By Jon Coats, Youth Coordinator

In any organization or with any age group, we must realize that change is not easy. When handled correctly, it produces lasting fruit. However, when not handled correctly, the Godly change we are trying to bring in our lives or ministries can actually be the downfall of our influence and trust. In approaching any type of change, we must first count the cost.

The story of Nehemiah is a great example of what we should do before trying to launch out and bring about any great change. In the story of Nehemiah’s task to rebuild Jerusalem, we find the process by which he went about not only to build, but also how he found God’s favor to have a pagan king underwrite the project. Before Nehemiah attempted in building anything, he prayed and planned.

By Arden C. Autry, PhD

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”  1 John 1:3 NKJV

How do you know the Jesus you know is the real Jesus? What is your basis for confidence? When I’m teaching, I often ask this question, and the answers are predictable. Someone will say, “I recognize the real Jesus through knowing what the Bible says about Him.” Another will say, “I know the real Jesus because the Holy Spirit makes Jesus real to me.” Both responses are correct, as part of our confidence that we know the true Jesus. But to get to the other main element of our confidence, I usually have to ask another question: “Did you know Jesus before you knew Christians? Or did you know Christians before you knew Christ?”

By Gail Buse, International Ambassador

More often than not, when people hear the word “missions,” they think Africa, India, or the Amazon jungle. They picture an arduous journey and silently hope God doesn’t call them to go. But that is not an accurate picture of missions. Really, “missions” means sharing your time and testimony with those who haven’t heard the Gospel. Jesus told the disciples to go to the world, starting with Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and then the uttermost parts. In other words, your missionary opportunity starts right next door with your neighbor. It starts in your community. You don’t need to travel to another nation. You just need to travel next door. You just need to open your eyes to the needs, follow after compassion, and let the Lord direct your steps.

Last year Lynette McCleland traveled with me to India, but before she had gone overseas with the Gospel, she and her husband and their church family went right next door—to their own city.