"And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent'" (Luke 4:42-43).
Ministers know what I mean when I say, 'we know pressure'.
Pressure to please people. Pressure to have the church service shorter, and longer, and sing this music and teach that topic. Pressure to be funny, to be serious, to be 'deep' (whatever that is) and to be relevant. Pressure to reach the neighborhood, yet maintain everyone's needs within. Pressure to pay off the building and simultaneously add an addition. Pressure to live within budgets and do more with less. The list goes on and on. If we're not careful, we'll try to make everyone happy instead of simply hearing from God.
Jesus was pressured too.
The crowds were growing, people were getting healed, and His fame was spreading. Who wouldn't want His problem? The people pressured Jesus to stay with them for extended meetings. But Jesus was adamant. His success was not measured in numbers or dollars or healings. His success simply came from 'OBEYING GOD'. This was the yardstick by which He measured everything.
Jesus was not distracted from His purpose... "to seek and save the lost". So He moved on to other towns where they had not heard of His salvation. He left the "reached" to find the "unreached".
What's pressuring you? What's keeping you from being His ambassador to the lost? Our supreme task is to reach the unreached. Our life's purpose is only complete when we obey God.
The crowd will keep us busy inside the church until we retire, and we'll still be frazzled and unfulfilled. But when we obey God and take His love 'outside' the church, our fire will burn brighter, the sky will be bluer, and the grass will be greener.
'Obeying God' is the best 'pressure-relief' valve ever!
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
www.oasisworldministries.org
P.S. The Oasis Team will be in India February 11-March 1. Please keep us in your prayers. We will conduct four "Gospel & Healing" Festivals, three "Ignite the Fire" Training Seminars; dedicate seven churches and 17 fresh-water wells that were recently completed. During the final few days, I will be meeting with our National Evangelists for training and encouragement.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Upwards of 10,000 receive Christ's forgiveness!
"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples" (I Chronicles 16:24).
By God's grace, I have just returned from our inaugural trip to Liberia, Africa.
I wish you could experience the energy and passion these dear people of Liberia have for Christ! They have suffered 14 years of pure terror during their civil war. There is no electricity in the entire country except what is generator-driven. The burnt-down and shot-up buildings are everywhere. Yet these resilient people are hungry for God to heal their wounds so they can rebuild their lives.
"THANK YOU" for your prayers and support. There was much spiritual battle being waged, but there was great victory as a result. We saw God do many incredible works during our two weeks of ministry:
By God's grace, I have just returned from our inaugural trip to Liberia, Africa.
I wish you could experience the energy and passion these dear people of Liberia have for Christ! They have suffered 14 years of pure terror during their civil war. There is no electricity in the entire country except what is generator-driven. The burnt-down and shot-up buildings are everywhere. Yet these resilient people are hungry for God to heal their wounds so they can rebuild their lives.
"THANK YOU" for your prayers and support. There was much spiritual battle being waged, but there was great victory as a result. We saw God do many incredible works during our two weeks of ministry:
- Four fresh-water wells drilled and dedicated in areas that have no clean water
Over 600 pastors of all denominations attended our two pastor's schools - Two 5-day open-air crusades in rural and under-reached areas of Tubmanberg and Kakata
- Over 100 physical healings recorded by our Oasis team
- And we believe over ten thousand people will have received forgiveness from Christ as a result of this trip! photos...
The actual number is difficult to pinpoint because God gave great favor for me to preach the message of "repentance and reconciliation" on a "live" secular radio station, FM Truth, that covers the whole nation of Liberia and parts of three surrounding nations. This message of repentance and reconciliation was heard by as many as 200,000 people! I am sure thousands more prayed for salvation over the radio.
I also met a man with an amazing story of transformation like that of Saul of Tarsus. This man was 'bred' to be the high priest of his tribe. Liberia and the surrounding countries knew him as a killing machine because he was the most fierce terrorist known to Liberia. They named him 'General Butt Naked'. When he was under a demonic spell he fought the opposing armies with a machette and without a stitch of clothing. Demonic forces protected him from the bullets of opposing terror groups and armies.
Yet one day God appeared to him in a vision and said, "Why are you a slave?" He realized that his demonic powers were no match to that of Jesus and received Christ as his Lord and Savior. He spent a period of time being discipled in the Christian faith. Today, General Butt Naked has been renamed 'Joshua'. He shared parts of his incredible testimony with us during five of our ten crusade nights. For more about the redemption of General Butt Naked, click to his story...
Please be in continued prayer as we get ready to return to India in February.
To God be ALL the glory!
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
http://www.oasisworldministries.org/
Monday, January 5, 2009
Remarkable Report of Repentance
"Oh Lord, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws....O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name" (Daniel 9:5, 19).
Happy new year from Liberia, Africa!
I couldn't wait to share this incredible report with you! But first I want to thank all of you who have been praying for us. I am feeling well and adapting to this new and faith-filled culture. The civil war has taken its toll on this country, but the war has drawn the people closer to the Lord. While poverty abounds, people are resilient and cautiously looking forward to 2009.
When God led me to go to Liberia, I felt He put a message of 'repentance and reconciliation' on my heart. While here, we have joined with the pastors and people to repent of sins not only in our lives but, as Daniel did, we have been repenting for the sins of the nation (Daniel 9).
The ONLY hope of unity in a country is for people to be able to forgive from the heart, and move on for the future. The ONLY way we can completely forgive others is through the love of Jesus Christ.
Here is an incredible testimony. On Sunday morning, January 4, I arrived at our host church to preach 'repentance and reconciliation' to about 150 Liberians. Three weeks earlier, one of the largest secular stations, FM Truth, was scheduled to be at this church and was forced to cancel due to equipment failure. Little did I know that this radio station rescheduled for this morning. I addressed upwards of 100,000 people over the radio-LIVE-reaching all of Liberia, parts of Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Guinea! God had appointed a time for His message of 'repentance and reconciliation' to be heard all across the country! God's favor came as I preached about the forgiveness that is only found in Christ. I told people to pull over their cars and join us in prayer as we cried out to God to forgive the heinous Liberian sins of plundering, rape and murder. This was a marvelous window that God ordained, because He so dearly loves Liberians!
I have much more to tell, but please be praying for us as we now move our crusade and pastor's school to Kakata, Liberia, where our team is working hard to get ready for a great move of God. It is my privilege to humbly represent you as we love this war-torn nation with Christ's love.
I wish you a happy new year in Christ!
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
God's Miraculous Healings in Liberia
"...they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well" (Mark 16:18b).
The Oasis team is doing well and the Liberian people are very friendly and open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hot and humid describes the climate here, and we are melting like popsicles. The Liberian people are true survivors and very adaptable. Everything is run by generators, so there are few places to escape the heat and humidity.
We just completed the first of two three-day pastor's schools. Over 400 pastors attended and were encouraged, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The teaching included hands-on application of Mark 16:18 where disciples of Jesus are instructed to lay hands on the sick. As a result God healed 18 people who struggled with chronic body pain!
Currently, we are in the midst of our first five-day crusade in Tagmaberg, Bomi County. In the first two nights, 950 people made decisions to follow Jesus! Over 2,500 people have attended with the largest crowds to come.
The native pastors have marveled at the size of the crowds and have exclaimed, "We have never seen this many healings!"
Tonight at the crusade,a former rebel soldier will share his story about how Jesus has turned his life around. During the civil war, the people knew him as a ruthless killer. His remarkable transformation after receiving Jesus Christ reminds me of Saul's story before he became Paul.
In addition, four fresh-water wells are being drilled at remote villages that currently do not have running water. The goal is to have them completed before we return home for dedication ceremonies. Just ahead the Oasis team will travel to Bummi Hills for the second pastor's school and crusade.
Please continue to pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country, and that those who are thirsting for "Living Water" will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Thank you for holding us up in prayer.
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
The Oasis team is doing well and the Liberian people are very friendly and open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Hot and humid describes the climate here, and we are melting like popsicles. The Liberian people are true survivors and very adaptable. Everything is run by generators, so there are few places to escape the heat and humidity.
We just completed the first of two three-day pastor's schools. Over 400 pastors attended and were encouraged, equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The teaching included hands-on application of Mark 16:18 where disciples of Jesus are instructed to lay hands on the sick. As a result God healed 18 people who struggled with chronic body pain!
Currently, we are in the midst of our first five-day crusade in Tagmaberg, Bomi County. In the first two nights, 950 people made decisions to follow Jesus! Over 2,500 people have attended with the largest crowds to come.
The native pastors have marveled at the size of the crowds and have exclaimed, "We have never seen this many healings!"
Tonight at the crusade,a former rebel soldier will share his story about how Jesus has turned his life around. During the civil war, the people knew him as a ruthless killer. His remarkable transformation after receiving Jesus Christ reminds me of Saul's story before he became Paul.
In addition, four fresh-water wells are being drilled at remote villages that currently do not have running water. The goal is to have them completed before we return home for dedication ceremonies. Just ahead the Oasis team will travel to Bummi Hills for the second pastor's school and crusade.
Please continue to pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country, and that those who are thirsting for "Living Water" will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Thank you for holding us up in prayer.
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
Oasis team now in Liberia
The Oasis team is now in the war-torn country of Liberia, Africa. This country has seen two civil wars in 14 years and has lost its entire infrastructure; the water system and electrical grid. Unemployment has reached 80%!
The Oasis team will be traveling to remote villages near Monrovia and bringing the good news of God's forgiveness, reconciliation and healing. Among those with me is a native-born Liberian pastor who understands first-hand these people's hurts and ministers the healing touch of Jesus.
While in Liberia, we will be conducting two 5-day, open-air crusades and two 3-day pastor's schools. In addition, we will be drilling four fresh-water wells that will be installed with hand pumps.
Please pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country, and that those who are thirsting for "Living Water" will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Thanks for your continued partnership in prayers and support.
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
oasisworldministries.org
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A Continuous Feast
"A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance...he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:13,15
Now that another Thanksgiving holiday is past, may I ask you a question?
What is it about the Thanksgiving feast we love so much? The hot turkey, buttery potatoes, grandma's cream corn and the pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream are obvious. And of course, the family and friends are priceless.
But perhaps it's the celebration of 'being thankful' that we really love. Being thankful is free... contagious... and healthy. And it's FUN!
Someone once said, 'my worst day with the Lord is better than my best day without the Lord!' In other words, as Christians we have reason to celebrate all the time. Why? Because we know the end of the story. We're going to heaven...we're forgiven.... we're loved!
Just stop and think about 'heaven' for 5 seconds. Don't you have an immediate smile on your heart? Don't you feel your stress starting to melt? So how can I keep this 'feast' going?
Here's the #1 key... my feelings don't have to rule me. I CAN have a merry heart and a continual thanksgiving feast when I take control of my thoughts and feelings through gratitude. The Bible says, 'as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.' Radio host Chuck Swindoll said it best when he said that 'life is 90% attitude, and 10% circumstances'.
When things don't go the way you and I expect (which is a lot of the time), remember the end of the story.... WE WIN! Everything else on earth is temporary. Only heaven is eternal. It's enough to make a grown-up shout "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" all year 'round!
Grateful to know Jesus personally,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
Now that another Thanksgiving holiday is past, may I ask you a question?
What is it about the Thanksgiving feast we love so much? The hot turkey, buttery potatoes, grandma's cream corn and the pumpkin pie piled high with whipped cream are obvious. And of course, the family and friends are priceless.
But perhaps it's the celebration of 'being thankful' that we really love. Being thankful is free... contagious... and healthy. And it's FUN!
Someone once said, 'my worst day with the Lord is better than my best day without the Lord!' In other words, as Christians we have reason to celebrate all the time. Why? Because we know the end of the story. We're going to heaven...we're forgiven.... we're loved!
Just stop and think about 'heaven' for 5 seconds. Don't you have an immediate smile on your heart? Don't you feel your stress starting to melt? So how can I keep this 'feast' going?
Here's the #1 key... my feelings don't have to rule me. I CAN have a merry heart and a continual thanksgiving feast when I take control of my thoughts and feelings through gratitude. The Bible says, 'as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.' Radio host Chuck Swindoll said it best when he said that 'life is 90% attitude, and 10% circumstances'.
When things don't go the way you and I expect (which is a lot of the time), remember the end of the story.... WE WIN! Everything else on earth is temporary. Only heaven is eternal. It's enough to make a grown-up shout "HAPPY THANKSGIVING" all year 'round!
Grateful to know Jesus personally,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Over 26,344 receive Christ!
First of all, thank you to so many people who dedicated themselves to pray for us during this last trip. God supernaturally watched over us, and gave us tremendous results! Your prayers covered us in some potentially difficult situations.
As you have no doubt watched on the news, the radical Muslims have terrorized India again. This seems to happen every year or two in some fashion, but this is certainly the boldest they have been in at least 15 years.
In addition to what you saw, there are anti-Christian radical Hindus who also are killing in the name of their religion. Scores of churches have been closed, and scores of Christians have been killed for their faith. Please continue to pray for your brothers and sisters who are persecuted.
By God's grace, during this India trip we will have seen over 26,344 people pray to receive Jesus as their 'one true God'. The incredible healings abounded, and demonized people were set free. One demon-possessed woman interrupted my preaching three times as she came to the front area screaming, while scratching and clawing at herself. But on the final night, she came to the platform with the biggest and most joyous smile as she testified how she had been completely freed by Jesus!
The Oasis team conducted six open-air gospel and healing festivals, and six pastor's schools. We also dedicated six new church buildings, and drilled 16 fresh water wells... all for the glory of God! Photos from our trip>
PLEASE also pray for us as we leave after Christmas for Liberia, Africa. We will conduct two open-air crusades and two pastor's schools, all in a country that has 80% unemployment. Pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country. Thanks for your continued partnership in prayers and support. Please continue to help us as God leads you. Whether your gift is large or small, we appreciate your help so very much.
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
As you have no doubt watched on the news, the radical Muslims have terrorized India again. This seems to happen every year or two in some fashion, but this is certainly the boldest they have been in at least 15 years.
In addition to what you saw, there are anti-Christian radical Hindus who also are killing in the name of their religion. Scores of churches have been closed, and scores of Christians have been killed for their faith. Please continue to pray for your brothers and sisters who are persecuted.
By God's grace, during this India trip we will have seen over 26,344 people pray to receive Jesus as their 'one true God'. The incredible healings abounded, and demonized people were set free. One demon-possessed woman interrupted my preaching three times as she came to the front area screaming, while scratching and clawing at herself. But on the final night, she came to the platform with the biggest and most joyous smile as she testified how she had been completely freed by Jesus!
The Oasis team conducted six open-air gospel and healing festivals, and six pastor's schools. We also dedicated six new church buildings, and drilled 16 fresh water wells... all for the glory of God! Photos from our trip>
PLEASE also pray for us as we leave after Christmas for Liberia, Africa. We will conduct two open-air crusades and two pastor's schools, all in a country that has 80% unemployment. Pray that a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation will help heal this war-torn country. Thanks for your continued partnership in prayers and support. Please continue to help us as God leads you. Whether your gift is large or small, we appreciate your help so very much.
Intentional for souls,
Tom Elie
Evangelist/President
Oasis World Ministries
www.oasisworldministries.org
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