The Generations

If you have heard my father preach lately you probably have heard him reference Isaiah 59:21: “As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.” Does God have the ability to work so profoundly in your life that your children and grandchildren choose to follow and serve the God they watched you serve? Yes. That was always God’s intention for the Israelites and I believe He still wants to do that through our lives today.

Many of you are aware that all five of my parents’ children felt God leading them to serve in full time Christian ministry. We had all witnessed both the good and the bad of ministry. Yet we also had front row seats to observe lives being radically transformed and to experience the joy that comes from serving God.

But then it came to the next generation: my children. As my children grew older, I became keenly aware that my walk with God would be one of the greatest factors that would determine if they chose to walk closely with God themselves. I have reached the age where I believe the single greatest contribution I will make to God’s kingdom will be the way I bless the generation that is coming behind me.

This past weekend I participated in the Fresh Encounter conference in Atlanta sponsored by BMI. It brought me great joy to hear my oldest son Mike lead two seminars and share a testimony in a plenary session. My second son, Daniel, has also felt God calling him into ministry and I will be speaking with him at a conference near Hilton head next month. But after the Fresh Encounter conference, my 18-year-old daughter Carrie approached me and told me that during the conference, God clearly confirmed that He was calling her into full time Christian ministry as well and that she is now planning on attending seminary after she graduates from college. At this point all three of my kids feel God calling them into Christian ministry. Words cannot express the blessing that is for me and my family. Each child is unique and I expect each one to far surpass what their father ever did. My role is to cheer them on as they progress down the paths God lays out for each one of them.

I would certainly covet your prayers for my children: Mike (23), Daniel (22) and Carrie (18). They are awesome young adults and the product of a wonderful mother!

Fresh Encounter Conference

We had a wonderful time at the Fresh Encounter conference February 27-28. Anne Graham Lotz and Wil Graham joined me, my father, and my brother Mel to lead out in the plenary sessions. My son Mike and sister-in-law Kim shared inspiring testimonies. Many others, including my mother, sister-in-law Gina, brother Tom, son Mike, Claude King, Rick Stone, sister-in-law Kim, and sister Carrie, all led powerful breakout sessions. We were so encouraged by peoples’ response. One pastor told me he had planned to resign his church in discouragement but that he had gained new hope from the conference. Another pastor could do nothing more as he wept than to say “thank you.” Many described it as a “life-transforming experience.” We are now praying about whether the Lord would have us provide similar conferences in other parts of the country or host a new event in Atlanta next year. We appreciate your prayers in that regard. If you would like to purchase CD’s or DVDs of the conference you will be able to find them on our web page by next month.

We are also very pleased to have the new resource, Fresh Encounter: God’s Pattern for Spiritual Awakening upon which the conference was based now available in our BMI bookstore. It is filled not only with teaching on revival but many inspiring quotes and accounts concerning revival that will greatly encourage you. I pray you will truly have your own fresh encounter with the Lord in the coming days!

Posted by Richard Blackaby at 5:34 pm