by leaps and bounds
An Arise Ministries Network
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Chris Carroll of Forerunners For Christ shares an in-depth study of scripture that will bring enlightenment and if applied, can lead to spiritual growth.
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John 15:1-2 Pruning, Growing, and Moving Forward
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By Kim Eidel
With praise and worship music playing in the background, an atmosphere of peace and serenity settles over the studio. Various brush strokes whisper over painted backgrounds on canvas while pent-up emotional bondage is placed at the feet of Jesus. Dusty Smith, a youth leader, teacher, and prophetic artist in Logan County silently prays over the troubled youth who have gathered in the studio seeking help for personal issues. Many young people seek Dusty for guidance, who in turn trains and directs their attention to the cross through the gift of painting.
Through the leading of the Lord, Dusty encounters individuals who suffer from depression, tendencies for self-harm, emotional needs, and other similar type struggles. Part of her ministry involves setting up “healing classes” where students and those who are afflicted can take all the hurt they have inside and express what they are feeling on canvas while worship music permeates the air…the combination of surrendering these emotions with an open heart to Jesus and painting expressions that words cannot utter help make that connection. Many testimonies have emerged that God healed them through art; when anxiety starts to surface, these individuals have learned to give it God and begin to paint and His peace washes over them as they pour their hearts out to him through artistic expression.
Because Dusty is an art teacher (and she teaches other classes as well) at Beth Haven Christian School in Omar, WV, she has an art studio handy to offer these types of classes. Healing art classes are available as needed at the school during lunch and after school. She also has after-school classes in her church and in her home. Dusty has a heart for the hurting and she is deliberate and flexible with her time in allowing the Holy Spirit to use her to bring about healing, restoration, and deliverance to those in distress.
But, like with anything, the devil knew her heart and the outcome of an effective ministry she was to have. With that in mind, he tried to destroy what God would later use for His Glory. Five years before she started painting, she got carpal tunnel in both hands so bad that they were both numb. Doctors were puzzled because she didn’t have a job or hobby that usually is the culprit for this type of ailment. After a successful surgery and recovery on both hands, Dusty continued in the ministry she had been a part of for many years. Dusty was a Youth Leader for the Regional Church of God in Delbarton (the same church the “Jesus is Better” revival started in 2016 in the Southern part of WV) where she ministers to about 65 students. With her gift of flair and creativity, she designed and produced many dramas and human videos that her youth group participated in and ministered to others.
It was during a lifestyle of prayer and delving deeper in the Word combined with a refusal to limit God that an urge to learn to paint began. Up until this time, she never did any drawing or painting. Dusty shared her heart with her husband who went out and purchased a couple of canvases, paints, and brushes for her. She sat down to paint and the ideas, themes, and a knowing that didn’t make sense in the natural took place. She approached this season fully surrendered unto the Lord and listened and allowed herself to be led by the Spirit. The outcome was so worth trying something new…a finished painting sat at her finger-tips that amazed anyone who saw it knowing she had no prior training or knowledge of the craft. Later, when she discovered that this was an on-going occurrence and when her human abilities became limited by what she envisioned and what she could actually do, she watched videos on painting techniques and studied up on specific methods that would aid in her endeavors.
Pictured is one of Dusty’s paintings. Dusty had always been a very visual person, but when she started to paint it seemed like her vision became stronger and images became as vivid as a photograph and she was able to paint what she saw. She started to feel led to go to the Bible and tie the vision she received with the Word of God. This continued on for a while and when the Lord saw that she was being faithful with what she had and where she was, he advanced her gift to the next phase…Dusty started operating in the Prophetic Art.
When asked what is the prophetic art, Dusty answered, “Prophesy edifies; it offers God’s children a word of encouragement and helps people with their walk with the Lord.” She went on to declare that part of her ministry is to make the invisible God as visible to others through her painting. As she draws closer to God daily through the Word, prayer, and worship the Lord gives her a vision and she paints what is in her spirit. Dusty elaborated, “Many times the Lord gives me a visual of something He wants someone to know; to feel something He wants someone to feel; to see what He wants someone to see; or to be aware of something He wants them to be aware of.” She takes this visual and brings it to life on canvas and presents the visual message to whom it was intended.
Many times people will ask if she will paint something during the worship service. Dusty participates and basks in the Spirit that is present during the worship service and paints what the Spirit inspires her to create, leading to an inspirited masterpiece.
Dusty allows the Spirit to inspire her as she paints during a worship service. Dusty specifically and deliberately seeks and allows the Spirit to lead her. She surrenders unto Him and chooses to be His hands, His feet, and His voice. As part of that journey, she records and saves the ideas He gives her in a notebook and sometimes He has made known to her a particular image to be put on canvas, or He tells her one of the ideas will be used soon.
A perfect example of one of these sketches in a notebook being used was when the Lord gave her a vision of angel wings. Not long after that someone came up to her and asked if she would do a memorial painting for someone who had passed away. She immediately knew the angel wings were to be incorporated into the painting. As she was working on the piece while praising the Lord and spending time in His presence, she kept hearing a particular word and discerned that this word was to be a part of the painting. When this happens, which it has often, she finds a way to integrate the word into the art piece because it is a personal word from the Lord for that individual.
Another example that made an impact on quite a few families with the angel wings was when she was asked by family members to paint a “miscarriage painting memorial”. Dusty was led to paint a woman holding a baby; the baby had angel wings and was holding a piece of the mother’s heart. This painting was titled, “Missing Piece of Me” and really ministered to these women. Because this piece hit close to home to so many women, 50 different families asked for a copy of this painting and purchased it to hang in their homes.
As wonderful as this all sounds, some may be inquisitive of her background and her personal testimony. It may be a shock to some to know that Dusty was a “bus kid”. When she was eight years old, the Regional Church of God had a bus ministry and the only way she was able to attend church was through the church bus. She gave her heart to the Lord during these years and became involved with kid’s church, then later with the youth group and participated in dramas, plays, and the various events that took place. She was faithful and hungry for the Lord. Because of her zeal and spiritual maturity, Dusty taught Sunday school when she was just 16 years old. By the time she was 18 years of age, God had called her to outreach ministry and she has been working in ministry ever since. The encouraging thing about this is that Dusty is living proof that the efforts churches go through involving bus ministry can be highly effective. Dusty mentioned that she wouldn’t know where she would be today if were not for the church providing transportation for children and for those who lack a vehicle.
Dusty is very appreciative of the church where God planted her, and for the pastor she serves under. She is especially appreciative that her pastor and his wife support the unorthodox and creative ways in which the Spirit flows through and uses her. A pastor encouraging and supporting ministry through the people of the church is vital to a healthy and successful church.
In retrospect, allowing God to move in any way in which He chooses and not limiting Him and trapping Him in a “box” of narrow-mindedness is one sure way that we are flowing in the new and the here-and-now. Allowing him full reign and deciding to be “all-in” is a must for one to spiritually develop and for our churches to grow and flow. This is the mind-set Dusty has and the foundation of her thriving ministry. When asked for her advice on starting out or growing in ministry, Dusty strongly suggests to seek His face and to not limit Him. She goes on to say that when you have a vision for something, pray about it and back it up with the Word of God…then do it. “Don’t say God is not this or that. God is an amazing creative God who made the rainbow, the universe, orbits, space, and so on, and so on.” she emphatically states. “Don’t think something is too out there or too different or too hard. God will use what you have and make up the difference. Don’t see Him through someone else’s eyes… see Him through your eyes; after all, He made you different and unique, and your relationship with Him is different and unique.”
Dusty passionately goes on to say, “Know and develop a special relationship with Jesus personally; that combined with you embracing who you are and your unique perspective and interaction with your Creator…that is when things will start to get wild. When it does, let it happen. Get so close to God that you know what it looks like when He smiles. Get so close to God that you know what His voice sounds like…when He wants you to intercede for someone…get so close to Him that you can feel Him, smell Him, and have an instant knowing when His presence is there.”
Dusty ends her interview with another piece of good spiritual advice…”Stop putting limits on God. He is more than words on a page; He is more than just a church service; more than a revival…He is your heavenly Father who created you for a specific purpose.”
It is with this purpose in mind combined with knowing who He is that should inspire us to relentlessly pursue the One who knows everything about us, including the number of hairs on our heads.
Your heavenly Father divinely knows you, wholeheartedly accepts you, and dramatically loves you. After-all… Jesus thought you were worth dying for. God did not create a waste of space or a seat warmer. He created you to be used to advance His Kingdom… He created a masterpiece… He created- YOU!
If you would like to contact Dusty Smith for more information, to inquire of a painting, to schedule a special painting class, or to book her for a prophetic worship painting engagement, her contact information is listed below.
Phone: 304-928-0087
Email: firebrand_13@hotmail.com
Facebook: Dusty Smith and Dusty Smith, Prophetic Artist
If you would like to speak to Beth Haven Christian School or to make a donation (scholarships for students unable to attend due to finances) the contact information is listed below.
Beth Haven Christian School
140 Beth Haven Rd
Omar, WV. 25612
304-946-4447
Kim Eidel is an Apostolic Minister and founder of Arise Ministries — a non-profit religious organization and its divisions — that teaches the “how-to’s” of faith and practice.
With a mandate to serve, encourage, empower, and disciple through speaking engagements, live events, writing, and broadcasting, Kim equips others to grow spiritually and to develop a closer and more personal relationship with the Lord.
Kim is an ordained minister through the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and is the Executive Pastor at the Refuge Church of God in New Martinsville, WV and has a degree in education. She is also the author of several published articles and enjoys teaching the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Kim and her husband, George, live in West Virginia with their four children.
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By Kim Eidel
Many words have been used to describe the highly anointed evangelist, Angela Stress. Acknowledgements such as, spiritual fire cracker and power house speaker are just a couple examples.
This energy packed minister is well known for her testimony of arising from a pit of drugs, alcohol, prostitution, and prison to become a mouth piece for God with manifestations of His glory. Angela’s life story in many ways reflects facets of Joseph in the Old Testament, arising from the pit to the palace.
Angela’s story begins as a young girl growing up in McDowell County in West Virginia. As a daughter of a coal miner, Angela was close to her family and to Jesus. When she was ten years old her world was ripped apart due to her parent’s bitter divorce. Like many children, Angela thought the divorce was her fault. This mindset sent her into a downward spiral of defeat and depression. With only having limited contact with her father, Angela felt rejected, unworthy, and she had a hard time trusting anyone; she no longer felt safe.
Angela was not like the other children and now her current circumstances fueled her not fitting in. She was an active and loud child and the churches she went to had a hard time loving and accepting her. These churches offered religion instead of acceptance, love, and help. She was met with rules and regulations and she had a hard time meeting their expectations and her rejection issues became more solidified. She soon felt imprisoned with condemnation and began to see God as a tyrant and a punisher. Angela’s last hope was dissolved due to this and her world became that much darker.
Determined to end it all, she attempted suicide several times. One of those attempts was almost accomplished with a plastic bag.
Even with counseling with a social worker for emotional and mental disorders combined with medications, she had no peace. Her torment grew within her month after month.
During her teen years, Angela considered life as a nightmare. In an attempt to minimize her pain, she began to cut her wrists and her arms. She regularly began to smoke, drink, and look for love and acceptance from boys and men.
She was blinded and didn’t see her value or worth; her spiritual and emotional bondage engulfed her deeper in discouragement, despair, and depression. This led to several more attempts of suicide.
What Angela was unable to see was that even though she ran from God, He didn’t leave her. In her attempt to end her life while in the pit, God had other plans. His intervention and grace, though not recognized at the time, was sustaining her. It would still be a few years with her delving deeper in the pit before redemption and deliverance would be embraced.
Angela transitioned into adulthood with the same level of turbulence and self-destruction as before. Due to a critical spirit, negativity, and brokenness, she often sabotaged her relationships. This led to a couple failed marriages. She had a mistrust of men in general and was always on guard as a defense mechanism. She would often build a wall to isolate others. This type of behavior led to the demise of her first marriage.
Leaving her daughter regularly with her mother, Angela went on a two year wild spree consisting of going to night clubs, partying, heavy drinking, and relationships with men. It was during this promiscuous lifestyle that Angela once again became pregnant and married the man she thought would be “the one”. Unfortunately, “happily ever after” turned disastrous and propelled her deeper in the pit.Due to her husband’s high drug use and multiple adulterous relationships, Angela’s insecurities and rejection issues intensified leading to the return of her cutting herself.
To try and save her marriage, she allowed him to introduce her to drugs. Because of her addictive nature, she instantly became hooked and her focus shifted to keep her “high” going. Because of her new found drive for drugs, Angela lost custody of her second child and she and her husband relentlessly pursued ways to accumulate more drugs.
Becoming a narcotic’s dealer, they would drive from state to state visiting numerous doctors’ offices to retrieve pills to use and to sell. Over time, her husband’s luck ran out and he was caught. The authorities placed calls to all the doctors’ offices they used and cut off their supply.
Instead of using the time to run to and cry out to God, Angela succumbed to her addiction. Strung out on drugs and with her supply depleted, Angela unknowingly was going through withdraw when a dealer friend introduced her to Dilaudid in a liquid form that needed to be administered by needle. This new addiction accelerated her to a whole new level…a new hell.
The path she was now on led to their losing everything. With her body craving this new liquid gold, she turned to stealing and prostitution to feed the frenzy. Life and people no longer held any meaning to her; chasing after the next high was all that mattered.Angela remembered enough of the Word to know that where she was and the direction she was going was detrimental to her life and her eternity. Because the Lord declares, “I will never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5), His Holy Spirit penetrated through the dense haze of her hell to woo her.
Surrendering to the persuasive love she glimpsed, she attended a couple of churches while in her deteriorated and drug induced state. Once again, she found judgement and condemnation. These churches missed their opportunity to minister to a desperate, hurting, and hungry soul because they were not able to see past her addiction.
This rejection reinforced Angela’s view of herself as being subhuman. With all hope of deliverance and restoration eradicated, she plunged deeper into her downfall by her decision to steal checkbooks, write bad checks, and use checks on closed accounts. She even “bought” a car with a stolen checkbook. Viewing her immense downward spiral, Angela attempted suicide several more times with drug overdoses. She was at rock bottom and the taste of despair exponentially increased to the point where she called out, “Jesus! Do whatever it takes to get me back to you; even if it means putting me in jail. I just wanna get back to you!”
It was after this heart wrenching call out for help that she was recognized and arrested. At this point, Angela was a wanted criminal in four different states. She was escorted to Logan City Jail and upon her arrival, she was given a Bible. When she was delivered to her cell, she hit the cold concrete floor and surrendered her life to the Lord. This full submission to the Creator of the Universe was the beginning of her journey to restoration and deliverance.
The Lord led Angela to the prison chapel where she met a female Church of God minister. This Woman of God ministered the Word, love, and life to Angela, who devoured it up like a starving child. She learned for the first time that God loved her and wasn’t holding her past against her. This message penetrated her heart, soul, and spirit and years of bondage instantly broke off; the vice grip hold on her chest was finally released and she felt like she could breathe again. But glory be to God, this was still just the beginning.
Not long after this spiritual encounter, a female Word of Faith reverend arrived at the prison. With Angela’s agreement and receptive heart, this Word of Faith Minister took authority over the addiction and wrong mindset Angela had in the name of Jesus and the remnants of bondage was obliterated and she also received physical healing in her body for Hepatitis C that she contracted during her drug induced years. Through a couple of tests, the Hep C was now medically proven absent. Over a four year period of time this strong woman of faith taught Angela how to break down the Word of God and how to speak it and apply it to her life.
Through Angela’s determination for change and her hunger for more of Jesus, a major shift took place in her life. She diligently studied the scriptures and her new identity was now found in Christ. She chose to walk in deliverance and significantly grew spiritually. Over time, Angela had confirmations from visiting ministers through the prophetic word what the Spirit had already shown her…she had a call of God on her life. The Lord began to provide opportunities for Angela to minister to others. She started her ministry while in a place where most people felt hopeless and tainted. Through her obedience and fire for God, she started preaching in prison. She paid tithes and offerings to the local church from the money she earned. God saw her faithfulness and commitment and He blessed her. People who had wanted nothing to do with her in the past were now sending her money. She had favor and flourished while in prison. Relationships were starting to mend, including those with her parents and children. Angela took God at His Word and great things were taking place. Through His mercy and favor, 30 felonies were dropped and Angela was released early from prison.
A Thing of Beauty
God did amazing things in and through Angela Stress over the next eight years. After her release from prison, Angela continued to grow in the Lord and entered ministry full time. With the help of her Daddy-God she opened and pastored two sober living homes with over 40 adults committed to the philosophy of a 100% Christ based recovery program. Though these centers are no longer open, God used them to rise up mighty warriors for Him who are now working in ministry.
Angela started studying psychology at Liberty University; with her background, prison ministry experience, and with her ordination in ministry, Angela began to work intermittently as a counselor for Mike Barber Ministries.
She also authored a book that was published in 2013 titled, “At His Feet”. This book, along with a newsletter she writes weekly to convicts in prison are just a few other examples of her work for the Kingdom.
Angela is also used for the Lord by working as a full time Evangelist. With requests from churches and ministries in and around the states of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, she regularly delivers a powerful message of deliverance, redemption, and vitality in Christ.
In terms of her personal life, Angela has been happily married to a man of God for eight years now. They have a child together, and through God’s grace of reconciliation, she has her other children back in her life as well.
Angela can sit on the porch of her new home in Tennessee with her family and gaze at the picturesque landscape while in awe of what God has done and how far he has brought her. He took a broken beggar and turned her into a beautiful princess warrior for Christ advancing His Kingdom. The amazing thing about her spiritual metamorphosis is that her awakening began in prison. Angela is a living testimony of how powerful a prison ministry can be. Every soul is worth pursuing for His glory. Her life is proof that no matter how far gone someone is; no matter how detrimental their situation may appear…God is still God and He is still on the throne and He still uses imperfect, but willing and available people to accomplish His will and plan.It is with this fire and drive that Angela marches on…she has made herself available in His service and her heart cries, “Lord, use me!” It is this mindset and full submission to Christ that has propelled her out of the pit and into her promise land.
Kim Eidel is an Apostolic Minister and founder of Arise Ministries — a non-profit religious organization and its divisions — that teaches the “how-to’s” of faith and practice.
With a mandate to serve, encourage, empower, and disciple through speaking engagements, live events, writing, and broadcasting, Kim equips others to grow spiritually and to develop a closer and more personal relationship with the Lord.
Kim is an ordained minister through the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and is the Executive Pastor at the Refuge Church of God in New Martinsville, WV and has a degree in education. She is also the author of several published articles and enjoys teaching the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Kim and her husband, George, live in West Virginia with their four children.
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By Kim Eidel
Tired…disappointed…confused…and hurt…these are just a few of the emotions one can feel when they encounter “shipwrecked faith”. Many people find themselves at this crossroad in life at least once. You know you heard from the Lord…but the pieces of shattered faith lies encamped around you. You still serve the Lord and you still love Him; but there is this chasm of brokenness between you and your creator. Perhaps stepping out in faith again and trusting Him seems like a big “if” right now. If this is you, then I have great news for you! He IS faithful and He does have a great outcome for you; but you simply need to rest in Him, trust in Him AND His timing AND do it His way!
We have a perfect example of this found in Luke 5:1-7. Simon, later known as Peter, and his co-workers and companions were commercial fishermen by trade. That is how they made their living. These men had returned from an unsuccessful overnight fishing trip. They were in the process of cleaning up their tools, boats, and nets. More than likely they were disappointed, hungry, and tired from the long night of work. I can imagine them cleaning up and ready to go home and get some rest before it was time to go back to work later that evening.
Then in walks Jesus and after getting in one of the empty boats he asks Simon (Peter) to cast out a bit so he can speak to the people that had gathered around. I want to point out that Peter did not know who Jesus was, but none-the-less, he did what Jesus asked with a good attitude. Peter and his men paused from their busyness of cleaning their supplies and chose to be obedient right then and there…not when it was convenient for them. Peter went with the flow of the request made by a man he didn’t know. Then, the next point to notice is that Jesus spoke the Word…Peter, whose life was about to change first heard the Word of Jesus before any transformation took place.
Photo by Giannis Grevenitis on Pexels.com After Jesus taught the people, he told Peter to take the boat and go out in the deep end and to let down their nets to catch some fish. Peter acknowledged and admitted they worked hard all night with absolutely no success, none…period. He could have operated in excuses, and if he had, to the normal way of thinking, it would have been justified. These men were tired, exhausted, and perhaps even hungry. They had worked all night with no results and they had cleaned everything up. They were done. Now here comes some preacher, not a fisherman mind you, and they were told to go out and fish. If they did what they were told it would prolong them going home; it would prolong them getting rest and sleep. On top of it all…they would have to clean up…again! Now unfortunately, a lot of people would have allowed this knowledge to sway them from being obedient. But if Peter had these thoughts he didn’t allow it to show. Instead, he responded in a way that impacted his outcome. Peter replied, “…we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again” (verse 5, NLT). He went again…he did it again because he was told to do so.
In verses 6-7 goes on to tells us that when Peter and his men acted on the word of Jesus they caught so many fish their nets began to break. They called out for their partners in the other boat to come and help with their catch. When both boats were filled with their bounty, their boats were on the verge of sinking! Talk about overflow! What was the difference? When they fished during the night they were on their own, they went in their own timing, they did it their way, and in their own effort. When they chose to be obedient to Jesus, they went out to fish with Jesus with them, they went when they were told…not on their own timetable, they did it the way Jesus told them to do it and they did it after being built up hearing the Word of Jesus.These men caught more fish than they had ever caught in one fishing trip…ever! If they had decided to give in to the flesh, to their tiredness, and to their disappointment from the last unsuccessful adventure…if they had not been obedient…they would have missed out on an incredible blessing! Perhaps Simon (Peter) would have never became a disciple of Jesus or become known as “the rock” if they had not stepped out in this particular instance.
How many times do we become so involved in our “busyness” that we either don’t hear God, or if we do, we state we will do it later when we are finished with such-in-such or when it is more convenient for us. How many times do we try and adapt something the Lord is calling us to do on our own timetable? When we do this, we are not being obedient! We are not trusting Him and our focus is more on our responsibilities or our lives. Christian, we need to put Him first! We need to step out when he tells us to step out and do what he is leading us to do…the way he wants…not the way we think it should be done.
Peter had the right attitude; he didn’t operate in worry or fear of failing a second time when Jesus told him to “do it again”. Many times people tend to remind themselves of the failure they went through and even though they feel led to do it again…they choose to remain paralyzed in fear of a repeat of failure. If they are not careful they will be find themselves consumed with a host of excuses. But the truth is, excuses will hinder your growth and it will hinder your progress. Excuses will not allow you to succeed or obtain victory.
Peter decided to be obedient and he did what Jesus told him to do…he took Jesus at his word and he did it again. Because he operated in trust, Peter and his partners were blessed in a great way because of their obedience, their right attitudes, their trust in Jesus and because of their follow-through. They went when Jesus told them to go.
We must decide to have the right attitude; we must operate in obedience, we must trust in Him and we must follow through when we feel led to “do it again”. Pray and ask the Lord for confirmation if you are not 100 percent sure of the timing…but be ready to follow thorough when it is confirmed.
When we step out like this in faith, in his timing, and when we do it his way…we will have a blessed outcome, overflow, and increase in our walk and situation that will astound us…much like Peter was amazed. When our focus and trust is on our Creator; when we trust Him to make a way…we will receive a great blessing…and a wonderful testimony to share!
Kim Eidel is an Apostolic Minister and founder of Arise Ministries — a non-profit religious organization and its divisions — that teaches the “how-to’s” of faith and practice.
With a mandate to serve, encourage, empower, and disciple through speaking engagements, live events, writing, and broadcasting, Kim equips others to grow spiritually and to develop a closer and more personal relationship with the Lord.
Kim is an ordained minister through the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and is the Executive Pastor at the Refuge Church of God in New Martinsville, WV and has a degree in education. She is also the author of several published articles and enjoys teaching the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Kim and her husband, George, live in West Virginia with their four children.
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By Kim Eidel
The Prophetic Ministry. Hmmm… What does that actually mean? It seems like almost everyday when one logs onto FaceBook there is is a “prophetic word” given by an individual or minister. How do we know what is “real and truth” and what is not? How can we trust what we read or hear, especially if there is confusion about this type of ministry?
If you find yourself wondering about these very points, then you are in a good spot. It is good to test things that are brought to our attention by and through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It is on this basis that these questions will be addressed, and we will hear from two ministers who have a great anointing in the prophetic ministry. Since the Word is our foundation for spiritual guidance, then it would behoove us to first go to the source – the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 lists the nine Spiritual gifts that are available to the body of Christ. To keep things simple and in line with our particular topic, we will just look at the gift of prophecy. The gift of prophecy is a part of the inspirational gifts and we can find out what it means by looking at 1 Corinthians 14:3. “But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them” (NLT). In other words, prophecy is the anointed speaking forth of words that build others up, encourages them along their spiritual journey, and comforts those in need. Prophecy is a supernatural utterance that comes from a person who is anointed to speak the treasures of God to the body of Christ.
It is imperative at this point to clarify the difference between prophecy and the word of wisdom. Many people have confused the regular gift of prophecy with the gift of word of wisdom for quite some time now. When an individual (who is a born-again Christian) speaks out in church or on social media foretelling the future, then they have left the inspirational gift of prophecy and have moved into the word of wisdom.
For those who think the gift of being shown something in relation to the future by the Holy Spirit as the “coolest” of all gifts, take note that there are 22 references of the importance of prophecy over the span of 4 chapters (1 Corinthians chapters 11-14) in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to desire the gifts, but especially prophecy and 1 Thessalonians 5:20 tells us not to despise (or withhold) prophecy. The gift of prophecy is used by God for many reasons. Prophecy can lift a Christian out of depression, out of negligence, out of a lukewarmness attitude, and put them back into the mainstream of the thrust of God. Prophecy can energize or jumpstart spiritual fortification. The threefold purpose of prophecy, which is to edify (build up), exhort (encourage), and to comfort others should be functioning in the church regularly. It is for His glory and our benefit!
With the importance of prophecy being established, we can now be introduced to two highly anointed minsters who have a vast knowledge of the Word and who are regularly used in prophecy and the gifts of the Spirit. After the introduction of each, specific questions in relation to the prophetic ministry will be addressed.
First, we will look at Darby Slaton out of Pennsylvania. Darby comes from a background of an Independent Fundamental Baptist where he was taught the gifts of the Spirit ended with the passing of the last apostle. It was after some personal and detrimental circumstances that the Lord was able to get through to Darby. It was through a divine appointment and an encounter with God in 2003 that changed everything for him. It was at this time that he experienced something he never had before. He wasn’t able to explain it or understand it then because of his upbringing, but he felt the presence of God and felt like all the lights were turned on inside of him. His eyes were opened and he felt the impression of the Lord speak to him for the fist time. The Lord shared with Darby that he was going to be used by God in such a way that hearing His voice was vitally necessary. In the days, weeks, and months following that Word, Darby had an insatiable appetite for the Word of God and grew exponentially in the Spirit. Through training by the Spirit and individuals the Lord sent to Darby, he developed in the ministry that the Lord placed before him and he is still working in with diligence. Darby is an ordained minister through Harvest Chapel out of PA; not only is he used traveling from destination to destination along the East Coast ministering the Word and in the Prophetic Word, but he also operates in a unique ministry as a Life Coach to those in the ministry and in the business world. Darby regularly ministers to those in the world who are looking for answers and for help.
There are many instances of the Prophetic Word that the Lord gave to Darby while ministering to others. An example of one of those occurrences happened during a service in Fredrick, Maryland where Darby was ministering in the prophetic realm. The Lord illuminated a young man in the congregation to Darby and the Spirit showed a picture of this man and a word of wisdom in regards to something that was to take place in the near future. This young man was married and heavily involved in street ministry. What Darby did not know was that this couple was in great debt. The Lord told Darby that He was going to give this young man a unique idea that he would be able to use where enough money would come in to not only quickly pay off all the debt, but where they would have surplus that could be used in their ministry.
Not long after the young man received the word from Darby, his wife, who worked as teacher with handicapped children heard about an “invention” that never materialized. She told her husband that this gadget, if reengineered, would be beneficial to her handicapped students. There was an expired patent on a crude version of what was to be a fidget spinner. The young man remembered the word of wisdom that was spoke over him and he had a clear vision of what this crude fidget spinner could become. He purchased the contraption and patent and reengineered it. Once it was completed, he manufactured it and put it on Amazon. Within four months, this man and his wife were able to pay over $150,000 off in debt and now makes between $2000-$5000 a day. Because of the idea the Lord gave him he now is able to focus more on street ministry.
Another phenomenal minister who has an anointing in the prophetic ministry is Charlie Abraham. Brother Abraham is a third generation preacher who has been in ministry 24 years. He was a pastor two different times and works as a missionary. Abraham and his family were missionaries in Indonesia for a little over three years where he made an impact on dozens of local residents of that area. He also ministered in Africa on a temporary basis where evangelical meetings, pastoral training, discipleship, teaching, and powerful services took place. He has also ministered in Japan and has regularly ministered in jails, parks, under bridges, in schools, churches, in conferences, and has ministered in revivals with signs and wonders following.
Before Brother Abraham’s Spiritual transformation, like many lost and tormented souls, he was plagued with an out of control life. He was in bondage of deep depression; he had two complete breaks downs, was hospitalized and was committed into an institution both times. His eyes were finally opened and in the midst of defeat, he surrendered completely to the Lord. Right after his salvation and deliverance, he fell madly in love with Jesus. It was at this time that a love, compassion, and a desire to share that love with others was birthed. Abraham had a compulsion to see others find freedom, deliverance, acceptance, love, and salvation. He felt a desire rise up in him to help the lost and the scattered sheep needing direction. He prayed that God would use him to bring healing to broken people and to send him to the nations of the world. He prayed for God to give him a Word for pastors that would minister to them in a way that would encourage them in their ministry. He had a heart to minister to ministers.
Along with the burning desire to see lives changed, he felt a strong urge to start interceding for people that the Lord laid upon his heart. He seriously pursued this gift of intercession faithfully for several months. Then something happened. While he was interceding for a person the Lord put on his heart, a particular Bible scripture came to him and he knew he was supposed to give it to that person. It just happened to be, even though they said nothing to anyone, it was the exact scripture they needed at that moment. This allowed Abraham a focal point to pray specifically for that individual. The Lord continued to bless him in this manner and people were amazed that the Lord would show Abraham something for them. It encouraged them and it helped Abraham to grow in the prophetic ministry. After following in this season of intercession, intense worship, and spending a great amount of time pursuing the Lord, Abraham grew in the Spirit where he would go somewhere and the Spirit would show him something about someone near him. He would go up to them and tell them what the Lord showed him. It was always something that was going on in their lives and every time they were amazed that a stranger would be used by the Lord to help them. He always followed this up by praying for them. Brother Abraham states, “My prophetic ministry was birthed through obedience, dedication, and commitment.” Now Abraham travels through West Virginia, the East Coast and beyond, mighty and greatly used by the Lord.
Because the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, He will not force anyone to do anything they do not want to do. One has to first desire the gifts of the Spirit before they can receive and operate in them. Both Darby and Abraham had this desire and the determination to pursue the Lord relentlessly. They cultivated their relationship with the Lord and in the Word. Because of this level of commitment, they have grown and developed more in the gifts of the Spirit than ever before.
Many questions have been brought forth in relation to the gift of prophecy. It seems many Christians fit into one of two categories: one, they do not understand the prophetic ministry at all, or two, they desire to learn more about it and want to know how to operate in it. With that being said, a collection of these questions have been gathered and are answered below. Both Darby and Abraham have offered their insight to these queries.Q: What about those messages that seem to be vague to the point that it could apply to anyone?
A: First of all, the Bible is for everyone. Both Darby and Brother Abraham said “Prophecy always aligns with the Word of God.” It is not truism or mentalism involving cold reading. John 10:27 states, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (NKJV). Jesus said we hear His voice, which proves He talks to us. Revelation 19:10b states, “For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus[b]” (NLT).
However, it is important that we judge all prophecy to the Word of God. If something is said that is already in the Bible, because the Word of God should be embraced and taken as truth, then the prophecy spoken can be celebrated and embraced as well.
Q: How do I know if the person giving a prophecy has the right motives?
A: As long as the prophecy lines up with the Word of God then that is something you can agree with. As far as motives, give it to God and let Him take care of it. You do your part and let God do His.
Q: What advice would you give if a message is given to an individual and it doesn’t “register” with their spirit?
A: According to 1 John 4:1 we must test the spirits and the Word given to us. In order to do this, one must give it to the Lord. Darby specifies we must sit on it, pray, listen, and wait. He pointed out that when we pray about it we should ask the Lord to either confirm it or if not from Him, to remove it.
Brother Abraham pointed out that sometimes a prophecy will be mixed with a word of wisdom (foretelling of something to come) telling us something that will occur over time. Abraham reminds us that this is what happened with Sarah. The Lord told her she would conceive and give birth to a child. When she was told this news, it did not “register” with her. As a matter of fact, the Word of God said that when she heard this, she actually laughed.
Another example of this is given by Darby. Darby pointed out that in Judges chapter 6 an angel approached Gideon and called Gideon a “mighty warrior of the Lord”. Because Gideon was in fear and was hiding from his enemies; even though he was the least in his father’s house, the angel was not confirming what was a reality at that time, but what was to become. Darby went on to say that heaven and the Lord does not see us as we see ourselves. He said that we should be careful in not dismissing and casting off a Word spoken over us just because we do not see it in the natural or we have a hard time envisioning what was said.
With both of the examples as a reference, even if a “prophecy” does not register with you, first, judge it by the Word; then surrender the prophecy to the Lord and allow Him to work in that situation and you follow peace.
Q: I have received a word of prophecy or word of knowledge and it does bear witness to my spirit. Now what do I do?
A: As with anything…we wait. Pray and surrender the word given to you to Him and wait for Him to bring it to pass. Do not make the mistake of trying to “help” God out. That is what Abraham and Sarah did when they agreed to have a child through Sarah’s maid. It caused them problems and to this day, there are world-wide repercussions to the decision they made.
One thing you can do is to continue to draw closer to the Lord and spend more time in the Word and at His feet. From time to time, remind Him of the prophecy and thank him for working it out in your life in His timing. Tell Him that you trust Him…then do that very thing – trust Him. He knows what He is doing and He will not forget you.
Q: How do you develop in the ministry of prophecy?
A: First off, you must make sure you have pure motives to operate in this gift. If your desire is to grow in this gift so you can you be seen and heard as “important” in man’s eyes, then know you will never be used by the Lord is this area. Abraham said that the Spirit of love is the drive behind the moving in the gifts of the Spirit. The Lord looks on the heart and knows man’s thoughts. With that being said, both Darby and Abraham gave examples of how they developed in this gift. They both diligently sought after the Lord, they interceded out of love for people; and they both desired to be used by God. God will not force something on you that you do not want. Both men put God first and it showed in their lives. As they developed in their relationship with the Lord; as they operated in obedience and trusted in Him; as they verbally made themselves available for God to use, then little things began to happen. They chose to be faithful over the little. Many times God will use something small to start off to see if you will trust Him, be obedient to Him, and to see if He can trust you with what He is giving you. Darby pointed out that it also takes practice. As we become more sensitive to the Spirit and step out with what the Lord is giving us, we learn and grow. It takes practice…and yes, sometimes a mistake can help shape a person as long as they keep their hearts right and do not back off and shy away.
As you develop in these areas, then the following are some things you may encounter: the Spirit may give you a scripture that you know is for another person. You can write this scripture down and present it to that person and intercede for them before, during, and after the delivery. God sometimes gives His servants a dream, a vision, or we may hear something in our spirits. Still, others have said that a person seems to have a “glow” around them and words come to them when they look at the individual that is “highlighted”. Of course, in the beginning, the Spirit of God will usually start with something small and allow you to grow into the gifts of the Spirit.
Hopefully these questions and answers offered clarification on the subject of prophecy.
Since the nine gifts of the Spirit were mentioned in detail in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, we can see that it is God’s will and intent for these gifts to operate in and through the church. As children of God, we are to be open to these gifts and not shy away from them due to uncertainty or to fear. As we grow in the gifts of the Spirit and in sensitivity to the Spirit, we can and will accomplish God’s will and purpose in this life and in this day and age. Because in the end, His Word and His plan will prevail. I don’t know where you stand, but I want to make sure that I am not a hinderance; but instead, I want to be a vessel He can use. What about you?If you have questions and would like to speak to either minister; or if you would like to schedule Darby Slaton or Charlie Abraham to come and speak at your church or event, the following contact information is provided:
Darby Slaton:
Darbyslaton@gmail.com
Darbyslaton.comCharlie Abraham
304-688-6850
Signature1929@gmail.com
Kim Eidel is an Apostolic Minister and founder of Arise Ministries — a non-profit religious organization and its divisions — that teaches the “how-to’s” of faith and practice.
With a mandate to serve, encourage, empower, and disciple through speaking engagements, live events, writing, and broadcasting, Kim equips others to grow spiritually and to develop a closer and more personal relationship with the Lord.
Kim is an ordained minister through the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and is the Executive Pastor at the Refuge Church of God in New Martinsville, WV and has a degree in education. She is also the author of several published articles and enjoys teaching the principles of God’s Kingdom.
Kim and her husband, George, live in West Virginia with their four children.
by leaps and bounds 