Revival Yearnings

True preaching is a miracle.  An ordinary man called and anointed of God, after painstaking study and agonizing struggle, receives a message from God which the Holy Spirit first preaches to the preacher’s own conscience.  A preacher is the only man who knows what it’s like to give birth, a process aptly described by the phrase “wrestling with God.’” He prays over this word from the Lord, organizing, re-organizing, writing, thinking, putting it in communicable form.  He sometimes doubts himself.  He prays.  He reworks the message.  He prays.  Often, he goes back to his first impressions.  On Saturday night, he dreams.  It’s a nightmare, actually.  He dreams he is standing before the people unprepared (sometimes, undressed.)  On Sunday morning, Satan tries to talk him out of that message.  One of his kids is sick.  He fusses with his wife, then tries to fix it.  He arrives at church.  Something has gone wrong.  The church didn’t get cleaned.   Two Sunday School teachers didn’t show.  Neither called.  Between Sunday School and worship someone stops him in the hallway. “Preacher, we’ve got a problem!”  Or, “You need to do something about…”  Or, “I’ve got a bone to pick with you.”
In the sanctuary, the attendance seems to be down.  The ones he was especially hoping to be here for this message are out today.  During the singing, he honestly tries to worship, at the same time praying, “O God help me; I’m not ready.”  Finally, he steps into the delivery room, his pulpit.  The first few sentences don’t have the dynamic, dramatic effect he had anticipated.  The Holy Spirit is a million miles away.  He keeps talking.

Then something happens, inexplicably, imperceptibly.  He is gradually aware of Another Presence standing behind the Sacred Desk with him.  He no longer feels unsure, unprepared, undressed, alone.  He is caught up in the message and the moment.  The Spirit of Jesus is speaking through him.  The Word of God, a fire shut up in his bones, becomes a flash of lightning that streaks across the congregation, igniting hearts, convicting of sin, converting souls.  His silent prayer changes from “O God, I can’t do this” to “Thank you for making me a preacher!”

One of the ancient confessions of faith states that “The preaching of the Word of God IS the Word of God,” meaning, of course, when it is faithfully, accurately and spiritually preached.  Or, as John Stott put it, “To preach is to open up the inspired text with such faithfulness and sincerity that God’s voice is heard and God’s people obey Him.”

A friend of mine, Richard Owen Roberts, once told me of hearing Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Westminster Chapel in London.  The Doctor was preaching on The Glories of Christ. Mr. Roberts was in the gallery (balcony.)  He was so enraptured by the message, so caught up in the heavenlies thinking on the altogether lovely Jesus that he lost awareness of everything and everyone around him.  Suddenly he came to himself and looked around.  The gallery was empty and there were only three or four folks on the main floor of the sanctuary.  The service had been over quite some time!

I remember the first time I heard Mr. Roberts preach.  It was at Glorieta.  From the first word out of his mouth I was captivated.  For the next hour and a half, I sat entranced by the spiritual preaching of the Word of God.

Lloyd-Jones once said, “If there is no power, it is not preaching.  True preaching, after all, is God acting.  It is not just a man uttering words; it is God using him.  He is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.”  Or, as Paul said, “in demonstration of the Spirit and power,” and, not “in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit.”  That’s the kind of preaching that exalts Christ, brings conviction and conversions, and is an instrument in promoting Revival.

November 5-12, I’ll be in Autlan, Jalisco, Mexico.  Half a dozen pastors, a couple of missionaries, and I will be teaching a Conference on Expository Preaching.  My subject is The Spiritual Nature of Preaching.

Terri and I are getting settled in our little travel trailer, sitting on 42 acres in the high desert of New Mexico.  Some dear friends practically gave us this property.  We love it.
Please note our new address and phone number.  And please continue to pray for the Lord’s provision through His people of an extra $20,000 for travel expenses for next year. The opportunities to get before thousands of lost people with the Gospel are limited only by resources.  I am ready and willing to go through the countless open doors we have.

For the Harvest,
Dan and Terri Grindstaff

Home (definition: wherever Terri is) is always my favorite place to be, especially after 45 days in eastern Africa.  I love Africa and the people there. It’s become like a second home to me.  But it’s always good to be back. International travel and cross cultural evangelism always has its challenges, but this time the challenges were unique.  It is never dull! And this trip was quite an adventure!  I personally witnessed many professions of faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. The responsiveness of these precious souls to the Gospel never fails to stun me. I must tell you I make the message as clear and as true to the New Testament as I know how. I preach the Holiness of God, the just demands of His Law, our failure and inability to live up to those demands, judgment, Hell, the Incarnation and sinless life and deity of Christ, the Atonement of the Cross, Christ the only way of salvation, repentance, faith, the Lordship of Christ, following Him to the death.  And still they come to Christ!

What’s especially unique about the area I just came from is that it is made up of a majority of a radical world religion adamantly opposed to Christianity. They reject the deity of Christ, the Trinity and the Bible way of salvation.  They say Jesus was a prophet and not the last or most important prophet at that.  That’s their official doctrine and many branches enforce their beliefs with violence.

But God is doing some tremendous things among these lost souls whom we refer to as “POW’s.”  They are not the enemy, they are held captive by the enemy of their souls to do his will. However, through many different means, the Lord Jesus is setting captives free and opening the eyes of the spiritually blind.

Our Anglican friends in this African country led over 500 people to Christ the week before we got there, doing door to door evangelism.  Many of them were “POW’s.”  These are the George Whitefield, John Wesley and John Newton kind of Anglicans, dear friends and brothers.
One of our drivers, a “POW” whom I witnessed to all week brought his 19 year old nephew who is dying of AIDS to us to pray for him and lead him to Christ. Kulwa may have weighed 70 pounds.  His heart is full of the love of Jesus now.

We were called into the Minister of Education’s office because of complaints from a “POW.”  We talk about smoking, drugs and alcohol and sex outside of marriage and other issues young people face around the world.  Then we explain we are going to give the Christian solution.  They are free to leave. Their headmaster knows ahead of time. Remember, we were in areas that were 99% “POW.”  The M of E was clearly upset and was about to shut us down.  I explained simply and quietly what we do and say (while others with me were praying silently.)  All of us witnessed the miracle.  Inexplicably, her countenance was transformed from intense and angry to calm and peaceful right before our eyes, and she said, “All right, please continue your work.”
After an assembly, the headmaster asked to speak with me.  She was obviously under conviction.  We went into her office and she gave her heart to Jesus.

A trip to a village to witness a baptism of former “POW’s” was cancelled at the last minute because of an outbreak of cholera.

I saw many professions of faith preaching in churches. One Sunday, I was in church for 11 hours!

We had an 11 hour bus ride.  The “facilities” were alongside the rode whenever the driver took a notion to stop and stretch.

On a Tuesday, I spoke at a high school.  There were 600 students out under the trees. Several of these committed their lives to Christ.  This was an area that was 99% of the prisoner of war world religion.  I have to be cautious from now on in my articles about naming this religion or even in some cases the countries I’m in.  I’m not trying to sound mysterious; it’s for the protection of our personnel on the ground there that stay behind when we come home.  Early Wednesday morning we were awakened by immigration officials who demanded our passports and then took us down to the immigration office.  The man in charge said we were guilty of crimes and were facing three years in prison.  He wanted money naturally to make everything go away.  But he wasn’t bluffing.  I told him we didn’t bring enough money (I deliberately did not bring any to the office. I’ll do my best not to use your gifts of God’s resources to pay bribes.) He thought that was unfortunate and said as much. He was very angry.

Obviously, we eventually got out and got our passports back or I wouldn’t be home telling you about it. All I am free to say is that a whole lot of you were praying for us and a few phone calls were made.  And yes, we are free to go back.  Our God reigns!  The pastors we were working with were deeply encouraged and fired up!  They said, “We can do this!” (school ministry)  That’s what we are always looking for, local pastors and evangelists who will follow up in the schools through the doors we’ve opened and catch the vision to expand their ministry.  These guys really got it, and honestly I think our arrest helped.

As always, our biggest need is your consistent intercessory prayer.  Prayer for continued open doors for the Gospel. I’ll be preaching in the states in September and moving to New Mexico. Then to Brazil in October and Mexico in November. And pray that the Lord will provide the extra $20,000 I need every year just for travel expenses.

In the love of Christ,
Dan and Terri Grindstaff

Kenya/Tanzania February 17-March15, 2010

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

All kinds of problems in the early stages of this trip. One country canceled. Will be in Kenya 2 weeks, then going to Tanzania (last minute change) with 2 unknown contacts. Several schedule changes. Interpersonal relationship problems arose in Kenya. I have a severe flareup of gout. At Houston airport, had to unload and leave behind 80 lbs. of Gospels and New Testaments. At Nairobi airport as soon as we walked outside pushing 2 carts of luggage, started pouring down rain (unseasonably early.) Soaking wet. Driver got on wrong road, got lost. Ran out of gas. Bad,bad part of town, still raining lions and hyenas (cats and dogs.) Drove another hour on empty tank, believe it or not! At gas station, had fender bender. Lord, You must have big plans for this mission!

Sun. AM witnessed early morning baptism in muddy river. Women washing clothes and hauling water. Preached at Kamakowa Baptist Church on Pursuing Holiness.

Missionaries we’re staying with in Kisumu, Kenya, Wayne and Mary Lynn. They are training 7 pastors. Last year, when they were getting ready to go home for holidays, one of the pastors (they all call Mary Lynn their spiritual Mother) said, “You go home, visit your family, get refreshed, but come back soon,” then looking at Mary Lynn, said, “because we are not through suckling your spiritual breasts.” Wasn’t being crude or funny, just very African. And Bibilical. She said simply, “We’ll be back.”

“Runners”- demon-possessed run naked through villages at night.

Mr. Obama’s grandmother (who lives about an hour from here) was appointed Goodwill Ambassador. In her 90’s. First official visit..Moammar Khadafy, Muslim dictator of Libya. NOTE: I’m not making political comments or taking potshots at our President. I’m an American, and would therefore take a bullet for the President, literally. I was just in his family’s neighborhood and his name came up frequently. People would ask if I know Obama, and to tell him hello. After the election, in Kenya, people were waving palm branches and chanting, “Obama is coming, Obama is coming!” One cute little girl, maybe a year old, big brown eyes, pig tails, short, fat little legs. Asked her Mom the girl’s name. ‘Michelle Obama’

Witches on islands on largest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria, ‘mesmerize’ hippos and crocodiles and ride them from island to island. Believe it or not! Inland, they have hyenas for guard dogs. Believe it or not! Told to me by Jonathan, Kenyan evangelist.

Preached outdoors under trees at all girls Anglican school. Best assembly ever. Overflowing joy from students and teacher.

Ate lunch at house in bush, home of a pastor’s parents. Father is dead, but was polygamist. Two Mommas. Had rubber chicken, fried bananas, and cooked weeds. Didn’t hit me til next night. Up all night. Missed work next day. Not a very romantic or heroic way to die!

George said, “I never see you reading the Bible when you preach (I don’t carry one to the schools) but you are always quoting it. That is so powerful!” I told him, “That’s because when you don’t see me, I’m always reading the Bible.”

Deaf school. Amazing experience. Esther, my interpreter, asked me how I felt before I preached. I told her I was scared to death every time, after 35 years of preaching, because I’m dealing with eternal souls. She was nervous because she had never “preached” before. I explained the Holy Spirit took over once I got started. The students were thrilled to have us. Very friendly, yet shy. Most had been abandoned by parents. Received Gospel hungrily. When we prayed at end, naturally they kept their eyes open, watching Esther. 50 out of 60 followed her as she prayed in sign after me a prayer of repentance and faith. Normally, I hear people praying to receive Christ, today, I watched them pray, from their hearts, with their hands. Deeply moving experience. The spiritual reality was tangible. Later, Esther said she didn’t know where the courage came from to do what she did. She was stunned to see all these young people come to Christ.

Pastors and Evangelists Conference. Preached 2 messages on the Life and Work of an Evangelist and 1 on the Power of the Evangelist.

Tom is our Kenyan contact. One morning his 4 year old son, Witte was talking through his nose. Tom asked what he was doing. “I’m talking like a white man!”

Kenyan woman, “All the Musungus (white folks) look alike.”

Flew from Kisumu to Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Slept all night on wooden bench outside airport. Drove a couple of hours to Chalinze. Stayed in Bush Guest House. I don’t think George and Laura ever slept here, it was just out in the bush. No air conditioning. Swelteringly hot. Local call to Hades! Ceiling fans stirring hot, humid air. In middle of night, electricity went off, fan stopped. I woke up in a pool of sweat. There was snow on the ground when I left home. I’m pretty sure I could bake a chicken in this room.
Jambo-hello.
Asante sana-thank you
Karibu-welcome
Hakuna matata (for those who haven’t seen Lion King)-no problem

Only place to eat is Muslim restaurant. We go there once a day for lunch and witnessing.

Even TV newscasters here use terms like “got hitched” or “kicked the bucket.”

Mungu anakupenda-God loves you

Masaai village. The tall people who dress in red and other bright colors. My dream of a lifetime was to preach to the Masaai. 40 professions of faith. One of the highlights of my entire ministry. Young man, traditional dress, sword and club strapped to his side, next to his cell phone!

Our contact in Chalinze was a Baptist pastor named Romy. Sweet, funny guy, trying to learn English. Thought I would throw him off by speaking a little Spanish. His eyes got big and he asked, “Is that Frenchie or China?”

One school cancelled because Muslim teacher put pressure on Christian Head Master.

Confederate flag on back of a bus.

Most of the staff of the Bush House became Christians while we were there. One girl, a Muslim, about 20, named Khabibe came to me right before we left for Dar es Salaam to say goodbye. She gave her heart to Jesus.

In Dar es Salaam, we are personal guests of the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Valentino Mokiwa. Very nice hotel. AIR CONDITIONED! We are downtown. We can hear the Muslims call to prayer. Darkness! Dar is 40% Muslim, rural areas, 75-100%. Preached in Anglican churches. Scott had to wear a robe at his..Ha Ha. This is a different experience for a Southern Baptist evangelist. But no restrictions were put on me.

Valentino is articulate, intelligent, very British, genuinely interested in evangelism, and deeply spiritual. They have a 10 year emphasis on evangelism, church planting, discipleship, etc. We explored ways we could work together. They have special emphasis on evangelism first week of July every year. Door to door, street preaching and evangelistic rallies in about 50 locations. Wants to turn his churches into “Matthew 28 la-BOR-atories (British pronunciation.) Has 1000 evangelists nationwide. Wants seminary style training, with syllabi for full courses in witnessing, evangelistic preaching, discipleship, etc. I believe the bishop may be the key to opening an entire nation to our ministry and we can be key to helping him achieve his evangelistic goals. He works with other denominations. Is 1st VP of Tanzanian inter church council. That’s how he knows Romy, our Baptist contact in Chalinze. He is also head of the All Africa Church Council (that’s not the exact name.) When we met, he had just returned from a private conference with the president of Uganda.

In nearly a month away from home, I personally witnessed 7514 professions of faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. To God be all the Glory!

Dan

As requested, following is an unedited, rambling journal of my recent trip to the Philippines, unfinished sentences and all.  Folks seem to like it this way.

Nov 8  Found out on the way to church this AM that I’m going to the Philippines tomorrow. Leave DFW at 5:50 AM.  Met a guy at the airport who asked me what I was going for.  After a 30 second conversation, he hands me $100. That doubles the cash I have on me to go to other side of the planet!

From Minneapolis to Tokyo, sat next to veteran missionaries on their way to China to train underground Christians to do cross cultural missions.  Back to Jerusalem movement among Chinese. They believe China is the ends of the earth of the Great Commission, so they are taking the Gospel across the Muslim world back to its origin.

High level discussions among Chinese government officials, whether to crack down even harder (unbelievable!) on underground Church or grant some measure of religious freedom. Christians’ only concern about getting some semblance of freedom is  carnality, that is, they are afraid they will become like us.

Wealthy sheik from Saudi Arabia pulled up in front of a Christian book store in neighboring country.  Walked right to Bibles.  Owner, very timidly asked, “Sir, are you looking for a Bible?”  “400 Bibles!”  “Oh, you have a fellowship of 400 in your country?”  “Actually, 800, but this will do for now.”  They loaded trunk, back seat.  “Sir, how are you going to get these across the border?”  “We know how to do this!!”

Chinese Christians have a course on how to share your testimony on the way to your execution.

Nov. 11  Roland, our Filipino contact (NEST evangelist, see www.davidstockwell.org) used to be No 4 most wanted drug dealer in nation.  The cops killed the first three. Jesus got No.4!

Impressions from Filipino schools

Sodomy is blatant. Boys wearing baby blue, flowery head bands, enhanced eyelashes, playing with each other’s hair while I’m preaching.  I preach repentance with no restrictions, no exceptions.

I’m not ‘studying’ for my sermons, just praying constantly, keeping up my regular Bible reading plan, then getting up and preaching, trusting the Lord. He never fails. I don’t consider myself a good preacher, not any more. The power is in the Word and the Spirit.

Gene (NEST evangelist) said that after Sept/Oct typhoons, just his team doing relief work and evangelism saw 8000 professions of faith.
Sign on back of jeepney (bus) God is Watching You.  Keep Safe Distance.

We do not merely present Christ, we OFFER Him—the free offer of salvation to every soul. Election is not our responsibility, nor is it our business.

The dynamics of each school assembly is unique. Some start off rowdy, full of energy; some are reverent. But in each case, all are eventually spellbound by the Holy Spirit.  I don’t know how else to put it.  I wish Terri could travel with me and see what I am privileged to witness.

A ‘church’ in Manila named “Jesus, I rebuke you in the name of Satan” church.  Yes, I got that right.

I notice a Muslim girl with the head covering.  The guidance counselor is making introductions, joking, everyone’s laughing. She doesn’t smile. I preach the Gospel, urge them to repent and trust Christ alone. The counselor is wrapping up.  The girl is now smiling. Only God knows.

School lunch room.  Something looks like soy sauce. Good flavor. Called Patis.  Remind me to quit asking how stuff is made.  Put dead fish in jar, leave for month and a half til it liquefies and ferments. Actually not bad for putrified fish squeezin’s.

This is unbelievably hard work, draining, exhausting, exasperating emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually. Satan fights for every inch of ground, for every soul whose eternal destiny hangs in the balance. We could talk about anything else, except the freeing Gospel and Grace of Christ and not experience the turmoil, interruptions, resistance and frontal attacks. And we win! I love this!

Road sign  Slow Down. Accident Prone Area

A boy came up to Scott, my fellow evangelist and partner on this trip, and said “Jingle, jingle.”  Scott laughed and said, “Jingle all the way.”  Gene explained the boy needed to go to the bathroom.

Scott told me today he had what tasted like chocolate meat.  Gene told me later it was cooked in pigs’ blood.  I made of point of sharing that with Scott. Thought it was going to end our friendship.

Pastor Nelson said during the typhoons, the water was knee deep at his church, on the second floor!

There are headhunter tribes in mountains where our NEST evangelists go.  Many missionaries have been killed.  When the Dap-Dap tree is red, they have the urge to kill.  One tribe never changes clothes (or bathes.) Our guys will occasionally come with clothing; they just strip off the rotten rags and put on the new. Those who have become Christians always want to give the evangelists warm embraces. Gene said you just hold your breath and turn your head.  They serve them python and frogs, cooked whole.

At one assembly, I spoke to 1800.  Hannah, about four feet tall (high school) gave me a sea shell key ring to thank me and for me to remember.

At one school, guidance counselor told me, “This is the most difficult, needy group. I am so glad to see so many of them receiving Jesus.”

At Fortune High School today, I notice a girl sitting on front row (they were all seated on the floor,) so intensely joyful as she prayed to receive Christ. I tried to meet her afterwards, but so many crowded around to talk to me, I missed her. I noticed her getting up on crutches though. She had one leg.

Some little punk walked past a classroom where I was speaking and called me a dirty name, the worst you can imagine. The timing couldn’t have been better, however. It made for a perfect contrast. Every one of the students in the room said ‘Yes’ to the Lordship of Christ.

Just found out one school had to postpone because Hillary was in town and the roads were closed.

Had a flare up of gout because of walking up and down four flights of stairs repeatedly at a school yesterday. Nearly had to stay in today. But God’s grace is sufficient. Today, I spoke twice in a gym, on the seventh floor.  No elevator.  After I preached, the assistant principal whispered to me, “This is the first of this type of assembly we’ve had. I noticed several Muslim students praying to Jesus!”

A group of Christian students gathered around me afterwards.  “Are you an evangelist?”  “Yes.”  “We all want to be evangelists!”  I encouraged them. They encouraged me.

I spoke in three churches.  My recurring theme: REVIVAL.  It was close.

Many young people professed faith in Christ.

Dan Grindstaff

Donations are tax deductible, genuinely appreciated and urgently needed.

Dear Prayer Partners

When he left Bataan, General Douglas MacArthur made his famous declaration, "I shall return."  Well, I’m no hero, of any kind.  When we had to leave the Philippines in September because the typhoons basically put us out of business for the moment, I think the most I said to any of the brothers there was, "I sure would like to come again," or, maybe, "If the Lord is willing, I’ll be back."  I’ve learned not to make promises over which I have no control.  But, praise the Lord, I am going back.  TOMORROW!  I leave at 5:50 AM Monday, November 9 and will be back November 23.  Just found out today!!

Last time, you may recall, the typhoon hit while we were doing a pastors conference on a Saturday, September 26, I think.  We were scheduled to speak in high schools all the next week.  The schools were all turned into evacuation centers and we weren’t allowed in.  Everything has been rescheduled now and fellow evangelist Scott Nute and I are going to be preaching the Gospel and offering Christ to tens of thousands of students.

I’m writing to ask you to pray.

1. For sensitive, receptive hearts, open to the hope of the Gospel.  After the loss of hundreds, perhaps thousands of lives last month and the destruction of homes, people no doubt are asking eternal questions.

2.  For a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  I believe The Philippines is in a wonderful position for a Spiritual Awakening.

3.  That we might be a great encouragement to the pastors and evangelists there.

4.  For the financing of this trip.  I know that’s after the fact.  David Stockwell Evangelistic Association is sending me, but I need to be able to reimburse my friend David’s ministry when I get back.  That’s only right and I want to do it.  I’ll never be able to totally ‘repay’ David and Amy.  They make all the arrangements, pay for the expenses of the NEST (National Evangelist Support Team) evangelists we have on the ground, setting things up, taking us to schools and other appointments, and following through with those who come to Christ during our visit.  So I want to help at least by carrying my own load financially.  If the Lord of the Harvest impresses you to help send out this laborer into the Philippine fields, please send it to Terri while I’m gone at Dan Grindstaff Ministries, Inc., 21160 S. FM 4, Lipan, Texas 76462.  Designate it ‘Philippines’ so she’ll know.  Thank you in advance.

Dan Grindstaff

Please visit www.davidstockwell.org