1 QUOTE

“Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”

- The Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 4:14)

1 NOTE

On May 8, 1992, I dropped my nets and decided to follow Jesus. The hounds of heaven had been chasing me for months through the dorm Bible study. I finally surrendered. I will never forget how light and free my spirit was when I first became a disciple. Five days later, exactly 33 years ago, Adam Peacocke (a friend from the UCLA volleyball team) invited me to a church prayer meeting. Since I was now a disciple, I figured I should learn to pray. And Adam said the pastor knew how bbq. The pastor delivered. The BBQ was awesome. 30 college students then poured into his living room for prayer. Someone pulled out a guitar. I didn’t know Christian music existed. I thought we were going to sing some U2 or Bob Dylan.

Pastor Ken Dew then said it was time to prophesy. I had no idea what that meant. My heart began to race when he looked me in the eye and, “John, we will start with you. Please stand up.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, he delivered a two-part message from God: 

“Thus says the Lord: John, I love you and receive your conversion.” 

How could this man know I became a Christian five days earlier? My heart was filled with joy. Tears began to flow as God’s love and forgiveness flow through my soul.

Pastor Ken Dew continued with a prophesy: I had no idea what that meant. My heart began to race when he looked me in the eye and, “John, we will start with you. Please stand up.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, he delivered a two-part message from God. 

“Thus says the Lord: John, I will make you become a teacher of my Word.”  

How could I become a teacher of God’s Word? I didn’t even know there was Christian music. I wiped away my tears as I wondered what had just happened. After the prayer meeting, a man gave me an audio tape of the prophecy. With a Sharpie he wrote, “John, May 13, 1992.” 

33 years later the prophecy has come true. Immediately after the prophecy, I began to experience a strange type of hunger. The more I ate the more it got stronger. I began to devour God‘s word. I later learned this is a symptom of the teaching gift. The more of the Bible I ate was stronger than hunger. I thank God this hunger continues today. Over the last 33 years, I have completed 8 core book studies. Since 2007, I have preached 45 sermons a year in our church plants. I have taught God’s Word in places I would have never dreamed of. I have seen God create new men and women through the Word. And on this special anniversary, I thank God for calling me, His enemy, to be part of His family. I can't believe He has made me a teacher of the Word. Grace upon grace.

1 QUESTION

What is one promise of God that has become reality in your life and ministry?

Until Next Tuesday,

John