by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

The Azusa Street Revival was catalytic and played a significant part in the expansion of the Pentecostal movement around the world. This revival was marked by a hunger to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. People from around the world flocked to Los Angeles to be a part of this great move of God and to receive impartation to take back to their nations. They, like many in the early church in Acts (see Acts 2), waited on the Lord until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and also spoke in tongues. This all-consuming encounter with God drew people into a revival that swept across the world.

I have been struck lately by Matthew 3:11-12 where John the Baptist said,

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and He will clear the threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

While Azusa Street was marked with a Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I believe that the next great move of God will be marked with a BAPTISM OF FIRE. Fire purifies, refines, sanctifies, and makes holy. It causes all the dross to dissipate and only the gold to emerge. Asking for the baptism of fire strips off any enemy of the cross of Christ, even good things that are distractions. There’s no greater way to be surrendered than when we are willing to ask God to send His fire over every detail of our lives, relationships, dreams, thoughts, and ask Him to burn away anything that is not from Him for this season. When we realize the price He has paid for us (see Romans 8:32), we will be willing to become living sacrifices (see Romans 12:1) and we will continue to lay our lives on the altar to burn for Him continually. It says in Leviticus 6:8-13,

The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

What would happen if we lived in a baptism of fire daily? What does it look like to be a burning one in this generation?

There is more for each one of us today. I believe God is asking us to call out for the fire of God to come and consume anything that might get in the way of all He wants to do in our lives. I encourage you right now to ask for the fire of God to fall upon you and for this fire to burn away any bitterness, unforgiveness, double-mindedness, offense, fear, shame, insecurity, disappointment, hopeless, or discouragement. Ask God to search your heart to see if there is anything holding you back from all that He has. Wait on Him for a few minutes.

As the Holy Spirit brings up people and situations, today go and be reconciled. If someone has an offense against you, go and make amends quickly. Give no foothold for the devil in this time of great awakening that’s coming. Always remember that our battle is never against flesh and blood (see Ephesians 6:10-18) and that you have authority in Christ to tear down every stronghold or enemy of God that tries to oppose you (see Romans 8:31). Stay deeply connected and knit together with the Body of Christ in this season, for they will also be your armor bearers. When the fire falls and the pruning begins and you feel the pain of things leaving in your life that you were once comfortable with, ask for even more fire. He wants to purify us so we are prepared to carry what He is about to pour out across the earth. He is looking for pure and holy vessels that He can possess and fill with His Holy Spirit and with fire. I encourage you to pray the following prayer outloud:

God, I ask right now for a fresh baptism of fire over my life. Let your fire fall on every single detail of my life. Burn away anything and everything that is not in line with You in Jesus’ name. Purify with fire all of my relationships, thoughts, dreams, desires, and situations. Burn away anything that is contrary to your nature or that will hold me back from all that You want to do in and through my life in this season. I surrender all and ask for the fire of consecration to come and set me apart as a burning one for You. Let my love for You be marked by purity, holiness, and a burning passion. Fill and possess me with Your Holy Spirit and with fire. I am all Yours. My life is in Your hands. Have Your way in my life today whatever it looks like and no matter the cost, all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

*I encourage you to get involved in The Call Azusa to take part in re-digging this well of revival at Azusa Street to bring American back to God in our day.

*To learn more about the Azusa Street Revival and Baptism of the Holy Spirit for today see Spirit Flood: Rebirth of Spirit Baptism for the 21st Century in Light of the Azusa Street Revival and the Life of Carrie Judd Montgomery)

*To read about an encounter when fire fell on the sacrifice in a ministry school totally consecrated to God, see A Time of New Birth: Consecration with Rees Howells and the Welsh Revival

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

“But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 

Matthew 14:27 (NIV)

Do you feel like giving up? Are you in a storm right now where you feel close to drowning? Do you feel stuck in an area that you can’t seem to move forward in? Do you feel that something keeps trying to hold you back from your destiny? Are you in a relational conflict that seems hopeless, a financial pit, a struggle at work, or are things just not lining up the way you imagined?

Let’s just be honest, storms are horrible. I don’t like them any better than anyone else. However, I believe there is a hidden treasure somewhere in the midst of the eye of the storm if we just have eyes to see (Isaiah 45:2-4). Somewhere in the center of the storms we are in, Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him and walk on water (Matthew 14:24-33). Somewhere hidden beneath the relational conflict is a gem. Somewhere buried beneath the mountain of debt we are facing, is a pearl of great price. Somewhere in the midst of confusion is a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:4-7). Somewhere in depths of uncertainty stands Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the way through the storm you are facing. He is all-powerful. He is the always the answer.

Peter was in a boat in the middle of a storm and feared for his life (Matthew 14:24-33). When he saw Jesus, he and his friends didn’t recognize Him; they thought He was a ghost. Sometimes it might be easy to miss Jesus or even mistake Him as a ghost when we are in a storm. Our vision gets clouded when things comes against us. We don’t see clearly. However, when we hear Him say, “It is I, do not be afraid,” it gives us peace, assurance, and courage.

What if Jesus is right in the midst of your storm, ready to deliver you but you can’t recognize Him? Ask Jesus what He looks like in the midst of the conflict or struggle you are in right now.

If He truly is the way, the truth, and the life, then stepping outside the boat into even greater danger to cling to Him is the only answer really. We must be where He is. Peter had to be closer to Jesus in the storm. It didn’t make any sense at all. He never set out to “surf” in the storm. He didn’t want to do the impossible so he could brag to all his friends. No, he just had to be near his friend Jesus. He knew that no matter what storms might come his way, being near to Jesus was always the safest place to be. What a beautiful friendship.

What would that look like in our lives? What does that look like for us today in the midst of the present storm we are facing? Can we really see God do the impossible by simply keeping our eyes on Jesus and moving towards Him? It worked for Peter. 

When Peter kept his eyes locked on Jesus, he did the impossible and drew nearer to Jesus. It was only when he took his eyes off of Jesus and “saw” the wind that fear crept in. Do you realize that it’s impossible to “see’” the wind. We can see the effects of wind, but we can’t see wind itself. Peter saw and believed a lie rather than keeping his gaze on Jesus.

When we throw off every distraction, every obligation, and every lie that comes against us and run with everything inside of us to Jesus, the impossible happens.

What would happen today if our only agenda was Jesus?

What if we were so moved by Him, that we could do nothing but throw ourselves at His feet and just worship Him because He is worthy? What if we weren’t trying to see any breakthroughs or miracles, but we just wanted to see and to be close to Him?

Peter didn’t walk on water to say he surfed or to do the impossible. He just wanted to be closer to Jesus in the storm. He didn’t know where else to go so he put himself in greater danger to be with the one he loved. May we do the same today. No matter what it looks like, may we go out to meet Jesus in the deeper places still.

May the eyes of our hearts be opened today in a new way to recognize Jesus even in the midst of the storms. May we lock eyes with the One who loves us more than we know. May everything else fade away in the light of His glorious presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

*************************************************************************************************

7 Practical Tips for seeing Jesus in the midst of storms:

• Regardless of the surrounding circumstances, worship Him because He is worthy (2 Chronicles 20).

• Praise Him for His character and nature, focusing on the opposite of what you are facing. (For example, if you are struggling with lack, praise Him for being your Provider. If you are hopeless, praise Him for being a God of hope, etc.)

• Practice thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Reflect on moments in the past when God came through in a similar situation. Thank Him for His faithfulness in those situations and also thank Him ahead of time that He is also going to get you through this storm.

• Trust that God is good, is for you, and is working behind the scenes on your behalf to bring you into a greater measure of abundance as you press into Him (Romans 8).

• Realize that you are on the verge of a great breakthrough and that on the other side of this storm is something special. Let your worship, dance, and prayers be even more fierce. Gather friends to worship and press in together. Allow the storm cause your roots to go even deeper today.

• Don’t be afraid to go even deeper into the storm if Jesus is there. Be courageous and step outside of the boat.

• Cling to Jesus and never let go!

Further Resources

To listen to the very first time I ever released this message which later turned into me writing a book about it, listen to the podcast session below. I believe you will be encouraged and experience the fire of God.

To read a book that this blog post influenced, check out Walking on Water.

To take a journey with me more in depth through my Encounter Ecourse which includes a whole session on this theme of Peace in the Storms check out the Walking on Water Ecourse below.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, Ph.D.

Upon reflecting on our 3-year anniversary at Destiny House this Valentine’s Day, I have been struck lately by the synergy of 3s. We have received 3 floors and the alignment of the whole house at Destiny House in just under 3 years. In the next few months we are going to expand and inhabit the duplex next door that was only an empty dirt lot when I moved in February 2012.

So much has happened in the past 3 years at an accelerated rate. Even now, Bethany who lives upstairs at Destiny House is very pregnant and about to have her 3rd baby. She is going to have a home birth. God has put it on our hearts as a community to create an environment of worship on the floor below her while she is giving birth so that the baby’s first introduction to this world is in God’s glory. Quite prophetic of our mandate at Destiny House to help launch and birth destinies from a place of God’s glory.

There are lots of trios that are arising in our community lately as well. We have 3 people from Destiny House who are passionate about cooking and have aligned to do prophetic catering together. The worship team for our 3 year anniversary was comprised of 3 special people coming together bringing a beautiful synergy of giftings. There are also many other unions and partnerships coming together both in and outside the house that are bearing fruit. Identifying ourselves as a Levite tribe of worshippers at Destiny House, we also recently discovered that Levi was the 3rd son. Jesus also arose on the 3rd day.

3 of the dancers who live here created a beautiful tapestry while dancing on a white sheet with paint. By the time the dance was over, they were wonderfully decorated with different colors, as was the cloth. It produced a powerful expression of the beauty that is created when 3 align together for one purpose. Kind of like the Trinity.

The incredible Katharina, Elisa, and Carmella!

There is something about the number 3 for this season. I have heard that one person can pull 100 pounds but 2 together can pull 300 pounds. There’s something about synergizing that multiplies the impact. I wonder what would happen if 3 people came together. Could they pull 500 pounds? Jesus talks about how if 2 or more met to pray, He would hear them. What would happen if 3 people aligned to pray?

“When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of Me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” (Matthew 18:18-20 MSG)

Going even beyond that, what would happen if we built upon the disciples being sent out 2 by 2 and sent people out 3 by 3? What more might be released?

In the midst of the development of the revival history class I am co-teaching at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry with an incredible leader for our generation named Mark Brookes, the theme of the Trinity has been highlighted to me lately. In the 1800s there was an awakening of people discovering how good Jesus really is. They began to see Him as a friend and even a lover rather than a distant far off King. In the early 1900s, our world was infused with fire from heaven and a powerful impartation of the Holy Spirit. There were outbreaks of the Holy Spirit revival fire around the world including Azusa Street, which was a catalytic center of revival at that time. The power of the Holy Spirit was reintroduced to the church. Then in the 1990s we began to see a wave of the Father’s love poured out. The Toronto Blessing was also referred to as the Father’s Blessing. People began to receive the love of the Father in a new and powerful way.

Through the ages, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and more recently aspects of the Father have been highlighted and emphasized in the church in at different times. This is a very general overview and not meant to be a concrete representation of the church, only my reflection over the ages from some of what I have seen as I have been a student of revival history.

That brings us to our present age in the 2000s. I feel that rather than picking one theme or highlighting only one part of the godhead, there is a momentum of what has been built through the ages coming into alignment and synergy in the union of the Trinity. In light of all that God has been doing within our community with 3s and what He has been highlighting to me lately, I believe we are entering into the Age of the Trinity. This is not 3 in One; these 3 are One. This is perfect union and alignment where boundary lines are blurred because the union is so complete.

There is a new synergy available to us in this new age of the Trinity. Now, rather than just focusing on one Person of the godhead, we get access to the synergy of 3. The momentum of the revelation of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father is building to burst into the synergetic power and anointing as we understand the union these share. What would a church look like that didn’t emphasize one or the other but had a view of the whole? What kind of momentum and acceleration could come as we fused our understanding of these 3 into perfect alignment? What might happen as we dive into what the significance of the Trinity means for us today?

It is time to enter in and partake of the beautiful, creative, synergy shared between Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father. I feel that this Age of the Trinity we are entering into will also be an Age of Creativity. Creative expressions are naturally birthed when people are aligned for One purpose under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

I feel that something special will happen when we choose to build covenants and alignments with 3s in this season. There might even be more than one trio people will be a part of in different seasons. Those involved in a worship team synergy might also be linked in covenant relationships in another trio as well. Dancers might have a synergetic dance trio as well as another set of trios for other passions in their lives.

In this new Age of Synergetic Unity, Creativity, and Trinity, I encourage you to find your tribe and go as deep as possible with God and with them no matter the sacrifice. Once the Holy Spirit has highlighted your potential covenant partnerships in this season, I encourage you to pursue them with vulnerability to discover the hidden treasures that might be awaiting you within each other. As you step out, I believe you will then flourish in a destiny even greater than you could ever hope, dream, or imagine.

Don’t be afraid to invest, plant, and build. Look what happened in only 3 years here at Destiny House. In this day and age of needing to be entertained every 5 minutes with something new, I encourage you to dive beyond the surface and into the depths of God’s heart and those in your community no matter how hard you have to fight or what the cost. Synergy and depth takes time and commitment. Take courage and dive in. Beautiful things are awaiting you today.

At Zinzendorf's grave. 

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

On July 14-15, 2015, I had the opportunity to visit Herrnhut Germany with some of the Destiny House family. We got to tap into the roots of our own movement and discover the depths of a deep well of what a community unified by love and humility looks like. 

I was marked by my visit to the Moravian's gravesite called "God's Acre." Nearly all the tombstones were the same size and shape. None outglorified the other. Nothing but the words distinguished one gravestone from the other. The only exception was a  few larger tombstones to honor some of the elders including the main leader Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf. When I knelt near his tombstone to reflect on a life well lived and praise God for His faithfulness, I felt the presence and peace of God in a powerful way. Honoring a saint of old nearly brought me to tears, the presence of God overcame me. 

Moravian gravesite

I wondered what it would have looked like to be a part of a community that lived as a family, as a "church within a church," where everyone was celebrated for the gift of God they were, where there were no platforms but they were all on the same level before God. What would it look like today if each person was celebrated by their community for the gift that they are?

After going through a refining process, the early Moravian community realized that love must supersede denominational differences and barriers. Each person was important and had a role to play. No matter how seen or unseen, they were all important for the body of Christ to be able to fully function. The anointed unity found in this tribe of Moravians only came after God intervened to turn them away from years of quarreling.

It was in the summer of 1727 that God stirred the Moravian community to throw off dissension and instead choose unity in love. J.E. Hutton in his A History of the Moravian Church (1909) wrote the following account about this special season where God crashed in with His perfect love. This happened after Zinzendorf found a copy of Comenius' Latin version of the old Brethren's "Account of Discipline" in July of that year. After he read this, his eyes were open. Zinzendorf said,

"And though I have to sacrifice my earthly possessions, my honours and my life, as long as I live I will do my utmost to see to it that  this little flock of the Lord shall be preserved for Him until He come."

Hutton recounts this new awakening below: 

"As the Count devoured the ancient treatise, he noticed that the rules laid down therein were almost the same as the rules which he had just drawn up for the refugees at Herrnhut. He returned to Herrnhut, reported his find, and read the good people extracts from the book {Aug. 4th.}. The sensation was profound. If this was like new milk to the Count it was like old wine to the Brethren; and again the fire of their fathers burned in their veins.

And now the coping stone was set on the temple {Aug. 13th.}. As the Brethren were learning, step by step, to love each other in true sincerity, Pastor Rothe now invited them all to set the seal to the work by coming in a body to Berthelsdorf Church, and there joining, with one accord, in the celebration of the Holy Communion. The Brethren accepted the invitation with joy.

The date fixed was Monday, August 13th. The sense of awe was overpowering. As the Brethren walked down the slope to the church all felt that the supreme occasion had arrived; and all who had quarrelled in the days gone by made a covenant of loyalty and love. At the door of the church the strange sense of awe was thrilling. 

They entered the building; the service began; the "Confession" was offered by the Count; and then, at one and the same moment, all present, rapt in deep devotion, were stirred by the mystic wondrous touch of a power which none could define or understand. 

There, in Berthelsdorf Parish Church, they attained at last the firm conviction that they were one in Christ; and there, above all, they believed and felt that on them, as on the twelve disciples on the Day of Pentecost, had rested the purifying fire of the Holy Ghost.

"We learned," said the Brethren, "to love." "From that time onward," said David Nitschmann, "Herrnhut was a living Church of Jesus Christ..."

It was such a treat to have the opportunity to visit the church at Berthelsdorf where this outpouring of love was poured out. There we worshipped our King with song, dance, and tears, remembering the unity in love that was poured out nearly 300 years before.

Worshipping at Berthelsdorf where the outpouring of love happened in 1727

Following the ancient outpouring of love, on August 27, 1727, the Moravian community arranged "a system of Hourly Intercession" so that the blessing would not be lost. 

Hutton says that,

"As the fire on the altar in the Jewish Temple was never allowed to go out, so the Brethren resolved that in this new temple of the Lord the incense of intercessory prayer should rise continually day and night. Henceforth, Herrnhut in very truth should be the 'Watch of the Lord.' The whole day was carefully mapped out, and each Brother or Sister took his or her turn. Of all the prayer unions ever organized surely this was one of the most remarkable. It is said to have lasted without interruption for over a hundred years."

The Moravians birthed a movement that was marked by 100 years of uninterrupted prayer stemming from a profound encounter of rediscovering love for one another despite theological differences. I wonder what God might want to birth today within our generation as people lay down their armor, come together as one to seek, and worship Jesus alone... Lord, we ask that you do it again. Pour out a love Revolution flowing from hearts knit together in God's perfect love. Amen.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being in one spirit and purpose..." Philippians 2:1-3

It feels like Awakening Europe was a fulfillment of these words. Friends from around the world all came together for one purpose, to see Europe saved and transformed by the love of God. There was no other agenda but Jesus. There was no competition, no striving, no trying to get a higher position. If anything, people were trying to get lower still so they could lay down to worship before the throne of King Jesus. 

Family: Seeing the leadership of this event unite in prayer, worship, and praise together because they all wanted to see more people enter into the family of God was such a beautiful sight. The conference felt more like a huge family reunion  than anything else. We all just worshipped Jesus together and sought to invite even more people into our growing family as children of God. Seeing Ben Fitzgerald, Todd White, Heidi Baker, Jake Hamilton, and so many more from around the world come together for one purpose, to glorify and make the name of Jesus known in Europe was such a pure offering unto the Lord. Whether it was at the breakfast table or during the meetings, there was such a precious unity in love that marked this community of saints in a special way. It was family burning for Jesus and doing the work of the Kingdom together.

Faith: Faith marked this conference in a special way. The speakers and leaders for this event all seemed to walk in a high level of faith. Ben and Todd stepped out in faith to get a stadium for this one purpose when they didn't have the funds to pay it yet. Even when the conference started, they were short thousands of dollars to cover the expense. On the final day of the conference however, all the money came in to cover the costs. Awakening Europe was a present day Nehemiah story coming together. Only God could have unified a community of Jesus lovers to unite as one to see His Kingdom come to Europe in such a short time with everything coming together so beautifully. Praise the Lord for His incredible provision and the miracle of this conference becoming a reality. 

Hunger: The people from around the world who flocked to Nurnberg this past weekend carried a powerful hunger for Jesus. There was a desperation in their cries for more of the Holy Spirit. There was passion in their voices as they sang at the top of their lungs to give Jesus praise due His name. There was a sacred hunger present. More of Jesus at any cost was a prominent theme. Those who are hungry shall be filled.

When there was a call to encounter God's love for the first time in the Friday night meeting, the people streamed down from the stadium and literally ran on the track to the end of the field so they could consecrate their lives unto the Lord. There was even one point during Walter Heidenreich's session that a girl ran on the field as fast as she could towards the front of the stage. She was hungry and desperate for more of God. The crowd cheered her on and the security guards tried to catch her. She made it nearly to the front before she was surrounded and then fell to the ground. She was hungry for more of God at any cost. Her hunger reminds me of the time in the late 1990s when Heidi Baker ran up to the front of the church in the middle of Randy Clark's message because she was so hungry for more. She was marked by his prayer that day. Hunger truly does attract the heart of God. 

One Thing: The conference started out with no agenda but worshipping and encountering Jesus. The very first night, the Holy Spirit took over that stadium and flowed through the voices with beautiful praise to Jesus. Heidi Baker was scheduled to speak Saturday night with several other smaller meetings and sessions that day. She felt God drawing her to come away and be with Him that day before the evening session. She was torn because she would have to cancel meetings to do that and she didn't want to let people down. One by one she began to cancel her other meetings so she could spend the day with Jesus and prepare for the evening. She modeled Psalm 27 in such a special way. When she spoke that night, she even mentioned how God can accomplish more in one minute in His presence than in a lifetime without it. She had made the right choice. Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

This conference was marked by the One Thing. The family of believers came from around the world, unified by the Holy Spirit, carrying faith for the impossible, drawing hungry hearts together all to see the name of Jesus be glorified in Europe. Thousands were saved. Many were set free from shame. Multitudes were activated to be Jesus to those around them in their everyday lives. Many in and outside the stadium were healed and encountered the love of God like never before.

I am so thankful for friends and the family of God coming together with no other agenda than to worship Jesus and to make Him famous. I truly believe that Europe indeed was awakened to hunger for something more this weekend. Hope arose in the hearts of those present. A nation was lit on fire by the Holy Spirit this week. Ripple effects for eternity will come from what God poured out this weekend. Years from now and even generations from now, stories will continue to be told about how God met us in Nurnberg, Germany at Awakening Europe. 

May this conference be a template, a new wine skin for carrying what God wants to pour out in our generation. May releasing the heart of God always come from a place of being united in love as a family. May every conference or series of meetings begin with no other agenda than to encounter the living God. May space be made to yield to  the spontaneous leading of the Holy Spirit. May a sweet sacrifice of worship and our lives always be poured out before our King. May every single gathering of believers forever be marked and led by the One Thing.

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple." Psalm 27:4

May you receive a fresh impartation of what God did at Europe Awakening. May you run after Jesus and never look back. May you realize that you need family to fulfill your destiny. May God surround you with kindred spirits who will burn with you. May faith arise to step into the impossible. May hunger increase so that you are so desperate to have more of Jesus that you will take hold of Him at any cost. May everything you do come from a place of deep intimacy with Jesus. May you be aligned once again with Jesus as the most important One in your life. May you be undone for anything else but knowing Jesus and making Him known. Amen.

See also Reformations, Great Awakenings, and New Tidal Waves of Glory on the Horizon: Europe Awakening

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

I have never seen people run to Jesus like I did tonight. Jesus Culture led some wonderful worship followed by Todd White bringing a powerful message. He talked about how when one squeezes an orange, they get orange juice but wondered why when the devil squeezes a Christian, we don't always get more of Jesus. Todd was encouraging us to be Jesus to those around us. Then at the end of his message, he called for all who had not encountered God's love to stand up. When many across the stadium stood to their feet and the crowd cheered. Then Todd told them to run quickly to the end of the stadium where a ministry team was prepared to receive them. He told them to hurry. There was a track there so they should run. After he said this, I saw across the stadium a small crowd of hungry ones running as fast as they could on the track to the end of the stadium. When they did that, I could feel the glory of God fall in a special way. It was such an anointed time. Hundreds of people cascaded towards the field so they could give their lives to Jesus.

Then after this, Todd had the several thousands gathered at the end of the field get down on their knees and repeat a prayer. Following this, he had the rest of those in the stadium extend their hands and ask for a BAPTISM OF FIRE. When people don't just say a little salvation prayer but also ask for fire of the Spirit to come and baptize them, the odds are that they are likely going to burn for Jesus immediately. God touched them as well as many others in the stadium in a powerful way. 

There was a special presence in the stadium tonight, many on the verge of tears because His presence hovered over them. When the Holy Spirit crashed in on them, they could no longer hold back the tears. 

God did a marvelous and wonderful work with many being added to the Kingdom tonight. I thank God for bringing so many to receive His great love. Ripple effects for eternity were initiated by what God did tonight. Towards the end of the session, Ben Fitzgerald and Todd White ended up on their knees and on their faces together on the stage in worship once again. The unity, brotherhood, family atmosphere here is contagious There's zero competition. This gathering is truly all about Jesus. There's no other agenda than to encounter Him and make His name famous. Everyone is yielding to the leading of the Holy Spirit and letting God have His way. I hope and pray this becomes a normal for the future of the church in this and future generations. I believe it will.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

Walking into the empty stadium before the event and knowing that in a short time the stadium would be filled with over 25,000 people from over 25 nations around the world congregrating for the One Thing, stirred my heart with peace and anticipation. Seeing friends from Redding and around the world who decided to make the trek out to Germany to be a part of this historic event and to support our friend Ben Fitzgerald birthing his dream was a special welcoming to the event. 

The evening started out with a roar from the crowd when the procession of nations came out onto the field each holding a different flag. Worship filled the stadium as the people strolled in to take their seats. Then after a few words about how now is the time to arise and shine (Isaiah 60) from Ben Fitzgerald, instead of having a packed program for the night filled with speakers and announcements, the only agenda was to love Jesus and to worship Him together. There on the stage, in front of thousands of people, Ben, Todd White, and their friends knelt down and started singing praises to their King. This reminded me of the first time I saw Heidi Baker over 15 years ago when she came to my school at the time, Vanguard University, and knelt down in front of a chapel service filled with well off white students. I was marked by her devotion to Jesus and her passion for the Lord that day. I was also marked by the simplicity, hunger, and passion of the leaders kneeling before Jesus in the stadium last night, singing songs of worship at the top of their lungs to give Him praise. 

As we all started to worship our King together in a stadium that once was used to send out evil around the world, waves of praise and clapping and spontaneous outbreaks of love towards Jesus flowed from the crowd to heaven. Many times we all just shouted the name of "Jesus" as loud as we could to proclaim His name over the nation.

This time set apart for nothing other than to love Jesus and encounter God reminded me of what I imagine the early meetings at the Welsh Revival looked like. People came from around the world for one purpose only, to encounter God. Spontaneous worship and space for the Holy Spirit took priority.  Over 100,000 people came to know Jesus within a matter of a few months in the nation of Wales in 1904-1905. I feel we are on the verge of the next Jesus People Movement and Awakening coming very soon, where a harvest of people encountering God will far surpass what God did in Wales in such a short time. I am honored to take part in such a historic event. May all who are reading this, near and far, receive a fresh overflow and impartation of what God is doing here. May your hearts burn for the glory of God and may the name of Jesus ever be on your lips. Blessing you from Nurnberg, Germany,

Jen

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD[1]

AWAKENING EUROPE: Nuremberg, Germany July 9-12, 2015

Something is about to be unleashed in Germany this summer.                                                      

Over 20,000 people from 25 nations are going to gather together in Nuremberg, Germany July 9-12, 2015 to invite God’s Kingdom to come. In a stadium where Hitler once raised up and trained his army, Ben Fitzgerald, Todd White and others are going to gather an army of Jesus lovers to send throughout the world carrying the fire of the Holy Spirit and the love of God. Heidi Baker, Jesus Culture band, an many others have rearranged their plans to be a part of what God wants to do. Awakening Europe is just the beginning of the turning of the tide for Germany, Europe, and the world.

When I asked Ben Fitzgerald, Australian born evangelist who is also a pastor at Bethel Church Redding, why he chose Germany for this first event, he said, “God chose Germany and I said ‘yes’ to His choosing.” It was the Lord who put it his and Todd’s heart. Rather than having the people there just repent all of the time for things in the past, Ben believes “God also wants people to get to the place where they are actually walking into the fullness of what God has for them and for Europe’s future.” He sees that Germany is ripe for what God is about to do in all the earth and he believes “a great catalytic fire is going to leave Germany and go across Europe and that millions of people are going to come back to God in the next few years.”

It is in Germany’s destiny to release an army of Jesus lovers who will infiltrate the world with the Father’s love. The rest of the world will see ripple effects for eternity in what God will release at Awakening Europe; for the wells being tapped into are deep. Awakening Europe is beginning in a land steeped with rich spiritual momentum and inheritance. The Protestant Reformation, The Moravians, The Great Awakening, the Bible translated into vernacular language and printed around the world, and more has been released from this place. Germany is a land filled with momentum, reformation, and awakening to impact generations and nations.

THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther (1483-1546) lit a flame that reformed the Christianity of his day, breaking people out of religious cycles that had entrapped them for hundreds of years. It was that day when Luther posted his 95 Theses on a church door in Wittenberg. These were translated from Latin into German, printed on the newly invented Gutenberg printing press, and then quickly spread throughout Europe.

Luther’s 95 Theses were not initially intended to be a refined amendment to the pope. Originally, this was an act of inviting people to debate over these issues within the Catholic Church. However, God breathed on his declaration for justice and it served to be the catalyst to set things in motion for the Protestant Reformation which in turn transformed a religious system.

This reformation brought religious freedom and freedom from the religious spirit. It was a revolution to release the Kingdom of God to the common people. It was in Germany where old wine skins were challenged and abolished and where new wine skins were filled to overflowing with the wine from heaven. A new paradigm for the church was released where the common person could now connect with God without having to go through a priest. The world is continuing to experience the ripple effects of one sold out Jesus lover named Martin Luther.[2]

THE GREAT AWAKENING

Over 200 years later, Martin Luther’s work on the book of Romans was catalytic for another soon to be reformer named John Wesley (1703-1791). Before this happened, German Moravian missionaries already began to have a great impact on the young Englishman. While Wesley was traveling by boat to America in 1735-1736, he encountered a community of Moravians. Recalling that dangerous Sunday on February 25, 1736, Wesley wrote in his journal:

At noon our third storm began. At four it was more violent than before. At seven I went to the Germans. I had long before observed the great seriousness of their behaviour. Of their humility they had given a continual proof… In the midst of the psalm wherewith their service began, the sea broke over, split the mainsail in pieces, covered the ship, and poured in between the decks, as if the great deep had already swallowed us up. A terrible screaming began among the English. The Germans calmly sung on. I asked one of them afterwards, "Was you not afraid?" He answered, "I thank God, no." I asked, "But were not your women and children afraid?" He replied, mildly, "No; our women and children are not afraid to die."[3]

Wesley was deeply impacted by the Moravian’s trust in God in the midst of the storms. While he feared for his life, they rested secure in the Father’s love. He arrived safely to America and then upon his return to England a year later, he met another German Moravian missionary named Peter Böhler, who had just been ordained by Nicolaus von Zinzendorf. They immediately struck up a friendship and regularly spoke about theological matters.[4]

Wesley’s interactions with the Germans caused him to rethink his theology. After struggling with his own faith and being challenged by the peace and assurance found in his new friends, on May 24, 1738 in London, he “went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans.”[5] While there, he encountered God like never before. He wrote,

About a quarter before nine, while he [the minister] was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.[6]

Wesley was marked by the love of God like never before. Not long after this encounter, he went to Herrnhut, Germany for three months so he could receive even more impartation from the Moravians. He returned back home to England just in time for New Year’s Eve where he got together with his community to pray and worship into the New Year. He recalled this time together:

About three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we were recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of his Majesty, we broke out with one voice, "We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.”[7]

God crashed in on this community of saints in the early hours of New Year’s Day. This gathering of hearts became the catalytic flame to ignite the Great Awakening.

Following this outpouring, Wesley and some of his friends began open air preaching and releasing the Kingdom of God wherever they went. He and his brother Charles, later founded the Methodist Movement where they raised up, trained, and launched many lay people into the ministry. Another new paradigm for church was born. The Methodist movement later gave birth to the Holiness movement, which greatly contributed to the Pentecostal movement. Today there are over 80 million members in 133 countries under the World Methodist Council, not including other churches that have been influenced by Wesley’s legacy.[8]

Wesley opened his heart and was able to receive an impartation of God’s great inheritance from the Germans who trusted God deeply and loved to live in community together. Part of the reason Methodism has lasted so long is because it was housed in relationships and discipleship. Everywhere that Methodism has influenced can trace its roots back to the Germans.

THE COMING TSUNAMI WAVE & BILLIONS' SOUL HARVEST

German soil is embedded with Reformation and Awakening. Courage and Community marked these movements that are still impacting the world today. The things that come from Germany are not just for one generation; they impact generations. I did not even have time to mention Johannes Gutenberg, Johann Christoph Blumhardt, George Müller, Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Reinhard Bonnke, and the many other legends that also arose from German soil who all made an impact far beyond their own nation and generation.[9]

This is part of the legacy of Germany; this is part of the inheritance we can tap into. Awakening Europe is about raising up an army of Jesus lovers who will bring billions of souls into the new harvest. God wants to raise up people who will live such sold out lives that their offering to God will be felt generations from now. Great great great grandchildren will be impacted by how God is going to shake Germany this summer.

In line with the legacy and momentum already built in Germany, Ben’s dream for Germany and Europe is that Jesus will become a household name. His prayer is that “religious denominational barriers would be broken down, and that there would be a hunger in people to see others come back to God.” He is believing for a “majority, not a minority, of European people” who will be talking about Jesus and be born again. His dream is that millions of people over the next 5 years will be saved.

In preparation for Awakening Europe, Ben encourages us to “open wide the gates of our hearts for the King of glory to come in and to take over.” He wants each one to capture God’s heart for the nations and personally know the manifest love of Christ. His desire is that we “receive a vision of God’s love individually ” so we can “supernaturally be full of Jesus and be free.” When this happens, it’s going to affect everyone around us.

What if the presence and glory of God is so powerful and becomes so prevalent in our daily lives that people encounter His transformative love when they encounter us?

It’s coming. Prepare your hearts. God is gathering an army of Reformed and Awakened hearts.

It’s time to arise. It’s time to find those other burning ones who will say “yes” to wherever God leads. Find your people, and run. Run with everything inside of you into His loving arms and bring as many people as you can into that space of His glory love. Prepare your hearts for what is coming. Prepare your spirits for the biggest outpouring and Tsunami wave of revival ever to hit the earth.

The momentum has already begun. Martin Luther, the Moravians, and many others have been preparing the way. The wave has been building from generation to generation. It’s not a new wave; it’s a wave of synergy and momentum that has been forming for centuries. Layer upon layer. It’s a wave of Reformation, Great Awakening, Revival and more; and it’s rapidly on its way. Position yourselves exactly where He wants you to be in this season. Total consecration, total surrender, and total possession of the Holy Spirit are a must for this coming wave of glory not to crush us. Walk in purity, passion, and total obedience so that when the swell comes you are positioned to ride the wildest wave of your life. Ben says, “Maybe the great move of God we are waiting for will simply come when we make a move.” I agree. Grab your board and jump in. Its time to paddle out towards the horizon and position yourself to surf the biggest wave history has ever seen!

[1] Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD, is the Founding Director of Destiny House Redding, revival historian, ordained Iris Minister, and author who is excited to partner with what God is doing in Germany this summer. You can learn more about her and her ministry at www.silvertogold.com.

[2] The section on Martin Luther comes from an article by Jennifer A. Miskov entitled, “How Halloween is a Catalytic Day for Reformation, Revival, and Destiny” on http://silvertogold.com/blog/2013/10/29/how-halloween-october-31st-is-a-catalytic-day-of-reformation-revival-and-destiny

[3]John Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley, inThe Heart of John Wesley’s Journal, ed. Percy Livingstone Parker (London: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1903), 6-8. See Bill Johnson with Jennifer A. Miskov, Defining Moments (Whitaker House 2016) to learn more about Wesley’s defining moment.

[4]Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley, 33. Further, Böhler was 25. See John Telford, The Life of John Wesley (New York: Hunt and Eaton, originally 1924 but copyrighted 1998 through Wesleyan Heritage Publications), 96.

[5] Martin Luther, “Preface to the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans,” can be accessed here: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/luther/prefacetoromans.pdf

[6] Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley, 42-45.

[7]“Mon. Jan. 1, 1739. Mr. Hall, Kinchin, Ingham, Whitefield, Hutchins, and my brother Charles, were present at our love-feast in Fetter-lane, with about sixty of our brethren…” John Wesley, The Journal of the Rev. John Wesley in Everyman’s Library vol.1, ed. Ernest Rhys (London: J.M. Dent & Sons Limited, London, 1906), 169. Accessed on http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015041157986;view=1up;seq=10

[8] http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/about/member-churches/ accessed June 18, 2015.

[9] See Jennifer A. Miskov, “Coloring Outside the Lines: Pentecostal Parallels with Expressionism. The Work of the Spirit in Place, Time, and Secular Society?” Journal of Pentecostal Theology 19 (2010) 94–117 to learn how German Expressionism ties into the mix and Jennifer A. Miskov, Life on Wings: The Forgotten Life and Theology of Carrie Judd Montgomery (Cleveland, TN: CPT Press, 2012) to learn more about the development of faith and healing homes in which Johann Cristoph Blumhardt played a part.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD

Isaiah 43:16-19

"This is what the Lord says - He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters...'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past (unless feasting on His faithfulness and testimonies of old). See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.'"

As I reflect on what God did one year ago when I didn’t have a plane ticket but showed up at the airport by faith anyway, I am undone by His goodness. The above passage was one that I mediated on weeks before the miracle happened. I needed God to part the waters of impossibilities on my behalf. Several days before my miracle occurred, I texted a friend and said, "I am believing God will make a way and that this testimony will be sent out to dismantle strongholds of fear and infuse this generation with hope in a God who loves to love us!" This is my prayer for you today as you read the full testimony or watch the video. May this story inspire you to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit regardless of the circumstances. May hope and faith arise in you to follow your heart and dive deep into the community God has for you in this season.

Who are your people in this season?

God so loves family, friends, and relationships. In the midst of transitions, the question I always ask myself and encourage others to ask is not necessarily where, what, or how but who? Who do you feel God is aligning you to run with in this next season? What do you most burn for and who else burns for the same thing (Healing, Revival, Family, Evangelism, Glory, Missions)? Our destiny is found deep within God’s heart and also within the hearts of the people He has called us to run with. How can you position yourself to dive deep into relationship with God and with the community He has for you to synergize with in this season? What does your dream of this look like for the summer?

I believe that today marks a new season in our lives. New friendships and partnerships will form this summer that weren’t there before. You will go deeper in existing friendships while at the same time celebrate and thank God for a season of life you had with some friends who are now transitioning to other things. As you step out in faith towards the impossibilities God has put in your heart, those who are called to run with you in a deeper way will arise. Stay in peace, through all the change, God’s got you and remains faithful and present. Cling to your best friend Jesus who never will leave you and is always so for you.

Yesterday afternoon, Carmella, one of the ladies who lives at Destiny House, started screaming and praising Jesus really loud downstairs when I was relaxing in my room above. Not long later she came running into my room explosive with excitement. She told me that when she was packing up, she came across a book she had for Bethel School of Supernatural Ministries about the life of healing revivalist William Branham. For whatever reason that book caught her eye more than the others so she decided to browse through it, only to find 11 $20 bills right in the middle of the book. The book has been kept on the shelf for some time and she has no idea how the money got there, but God… She said, “What an incredible answer to prayer!!! God is SO good. Lost for words, other than screaming down the house. Thank you Jesus! Life note to self: In God's Kingdom I am not bound by lack or limitation. Amen.”

So in regards to Miracle Flights or Miracle money appearing from out of nowhere, God is good and loves to bless His kids who follow their hearts and don’t look back. May you receive an incredible impartation of courage to follow your heart today, clinging to Jesus your only hope. As you step out, may you see God do miracles on your behalf, simply because He loves you. Amen.

by Jennifer A. Miskov, PhD (originally posted on May 23, 2015)

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14

Blessings over each of you during this time of transition! I want to encourage you to dive into this glorious yet beautifully dangerous path to the season ahead. I use the word dangerous because we are about to embark on a wild adventure where we must throw off all constraints and cling fearlessly to our Father in heaven. Many of us are being led by the Spirit onto the edge of a cliff where there is nothing but an unknown abyss welcoming us below. The wind of the Spirit is coming behind and leading us closer to the edge. As we are about to jump into the unknown, our only option is to cling to Jesus and trust that He is going to give us wings to fly or will catch us. This movement into the unknown is good and is actually the Lord leading us into a new level of intimacy and trust with Him.

This is what it felt like for me nearly 1 year ago when I set off for the San Francisco airport without a plane ticket. It was at the airport that I experienced God move mountains to get me to England for my friend’s wedding the following day. Next week, I celebrate the 1 year anniversary of that miracle flight. It is not surprising to me that nearly everyone I speak with is experiencing major transition right now. People are moving, transitioning jobs, graduating, birthing babies, or getting married. God is very near in the day of decision and in the midst of transition. Hold tight to Him and trust that all this shifting and change is actually Him working to align you to be perfectly positioned for what is coming next. Press into Him and trust that He is for you and working on your behalf behind the scenes (Romans 8).

As I enter into this new season ahead, the Lord has been speaking to me a lot through Joshua 3 to encourage me. Joshua was leading his tribe into a new season and into a new land. Right before Joshua was about to do the impossible and part the Jordan (in a similar way that his predecessor Moses parted the Red Sea), he encouraged his people to be led by the presence of God into this next breakthrough.

“After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: ‘When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before…’”  Joshua 3:2-4

We, too, are being led into the depths of uncertainty in order to enter a place we have never been before. We are about to go deeper in the Spirit, in relationships, in seeing God’s Kingdom come, and in being a part of an outpouring of the Spirit greater than we have ever experienced or even heard about before. We must stay true to the Word but also listen to His voice and follow His presence wherever He leads, even into unusual places.

In preparation for this great breakthrough, Joshua also called his tribe to wholly and totally consecrate themselves so they could focus on stepping into the impossibility before them.

Joshua told the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.’” Joshua 3:5

It’s time to focus and be totally set apart so we can step into all that God has for us in this upcoming season. Don’t be distracted from what God is really doing all around you. And don’t be surprised if God leads you into unlikely places or takes you somewhere you have never been before. Something beautiful and marked with destiny is on the other side of this challenge, trial, transition, fight you are facing. Put your hope in God, fix your eyes on Jesus, and be completely led by the peace in your heart and presence of God during this time. You are about to step onto ground and go places that you have never ventured to before. I bless you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, worship Him even more fiercely, be knit together in the tribe He wants you to run with in this season, and be filled with courage to cling to Him always. Enjoy the ride and know always that He is right there with you, positioning you for greater destiny, glory, and synergy.