Let the River Flow (November) 2010 Conference

For the last ten years or so, the Maranatha Christian Fellowship has been holding an annual revival conference called ‘LET THE RIVER FLOW’ with prominent and world-renowned Christian revivalists, prophets and generals of intercession as guest speakers and ministers.

Maranatha (a Hebrew word which means ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’) is a Christian church established 30 years ago by a missionary couple from Buffalo New York who heard the call of God in their lives to come and start a ministry here in Cebu city. Reverend Joseph DiSarno and his wife Doreen (who heads the Intercessory ministry of Maranatha) have labored and have faithfully ministered to countless lives bringing the message of the kingdom of God and demonstrating God’s love to thousands of street children through the Simbahang Pambata Ministry (SPM). SPM feeds around 800 street kids every Saturday and pray for them and their parents as well as teach them the Word of God.

Ten years ago, Maranatha experienced a mighty visitation from God, which has resulted in many changed lives. Drug addicts were set free without rehab but just by the mere Presence of God in meetings in the church. Out of those encounters, one drug addict has now become a pastor and is living for God. Many other miraculous events have taken place as well as many challenges and attacks but the Presence of God remains strong in the church services to this day.

It was in the first ‘Let the River Flow’ Conference that a pastor from Manila caught a vision from God to start Jesus Revolution, a prayer movement that has since then impacted many cities all over the world.

LTRF (Let the River Flow) is a three day conference with the sole purpose of inviting God to minister to broken lives, to weary servants of God from all denominations, to those who are bound spiritually, emotionally, mentally and even physically. The Holy Spirit is given the freedom to move freely which means that there is no set program or timetable as to the flow of the conference. LTRF speakers are used to hearing from the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do what he does best: change lives, renew and refresh ministers and even those who have never had a personal encounter with God. LTRF is for all people who are seeking God’s manifest presence and longing to experience his love and his power.

The LTRF conference will be on November 1, 2 and 3 at the UPPER ROOM, Maranatha World Outreach Center. Our main speaker/minister is Pastor Herman Martir, a Bacolod born preacher who now has a church in Texas. He has a reputation of bringing God’s glory down wherever he ministers. He also is the organizer of many Christian gatherings of such ministers as Cindy Jacobs, Lou Engle, Stacey and Wesley Campbell and many others. The conference will start at 9am. There will be morning, afternoon and evening sessions. General registration is P350.00; student registration is P200.00. For more inquiries, please contact Mary Ann at 2532491 and 2535939.

November 1, 2 and 3, 2010 / Monday to Wednesday.
General registration = P350.00
Student registration = P200.00

Monday, November 01
8am - Registration
9am - Morning Session
2pm - Afternoon Session
7pm - Evening Session


Tuesday, November 02
8am - Harp and Bowl
9am - Morning Session
2pm - Afternoon Session
7pm - Evening Session


Wednesday, November 03
8am - Harp and Bowl
9am - Morning Session
2pm - Afternoon Session
7pm - Evening Session

Fresh Fire 2009 // CONSECR8: Raising Up a Nazirite Generation

**Fresh Fire 2009 conference emphasizes the need for consecration among the lives of the youth of our nation. **


Cebu City -– Fresh Fire 2009, a three-day youth conference with a theme of consecrating oneself for God, will be held at the Maranatha World Outreach Center from April 9 to 11, 2009. Fresh Fire gets its theme from the word Nazirite, which means to be consecrated; to separate from common to a sacred use; to be officially declared holy; to give one’s life completely to a particular purpose; and to be devoted irrevocably to the worship of God.

In the Old Testament, a Nazirite is someone who desired to separate themselves unto the Lord for a determined season through following a strict set of rules. In the New Testament, a Nazirite is a disciple of Christ who is willing to leave everything for the sake of Jesus. Total devotion to Jesus is what consecrated lifestyle is.

The Philippines claims to be the only Christian nation in Asia and yet it ranks as one of the top corrupt nation in the world. There is apparently a need to draw a line between religion and a life of true devotion to Jesus. This year’s Fresh Fire conference aims to do just that.

The conference is marked with powerful worship and anointed teachings / preachings in the Holy Spirit as well as fun and exciting workshops for young people. These include:

1.) Prophetic Worship
a. Guitar
b. Drums
c. Vocal
d. Keyboard

2.) Dance

3.) Theater

4.) Fine Arts

5.) Photography

6.) Moving in the Prophetic

The Fresh Fire youth conference was launched in 2004 and its meetings have since been held during the Holy Week. “Fresh Fire is the annual youth camp of the Maranatha Christian Fellowship (MCF). It actually began as Joshua Camp,” Napoleon Lumasag, Youth Pastor of MCF, says of the yearly event. “I felt led by the Lord to change the name from Joshua Camp to Fresh Fire. I got that from Leviticus 6:13, where it says ‘A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.’ And to kind of emphasize that the fire of God in our hearts must always be burning and it must always stay fresh.”

“In fact in that story, the Levites are commanded to take the ashes out and dump it out to keep the fire burning and to keep the fire fresh,” explains Pastor Nap. “I feel that’s the direction that God wants us to take as a youth group. He wants to raise up young men and women who have fresh fire inside their hearts for God, who are totally in love with Him.”

In 2008, about 200 people have joined the Fresh Fire conference from different parts of the Philippines – young men and women who desired to be re-ignited and equipped for the Lord. Fresh Fire is still hoping for more young people to join this life-changing event.

Of this year’s theme of consecration, Pastor Nap says that “there is no victory without hearts of purity. I’m very excited about what’s going to happen in the conference and the days and months to come.”

The Fresh Fire 2009 conference opens its doors to delegates from all over the country on April 9, and will run until April 11 at the Maranatha World Outreach Center located at V.Gullas corner P.Burgos streets, Cebu City. Herman Martir, Senior Pastor of the Nations Worship Center in Texas, USA is the guest speaker for this year’s gathering. He is well-recognized internationally as a man of God who ministers in the manifest glory of God.

Conference registration fee is at P900 inclusive of lunch and dinner for three days. Down payment is at P150, while those who want to attend the evening sessions only may register for only P400. For more information on Fresh Fire 2009, call 582-9842 or text 0923-835-1382 and 0916-635-4774, and look for Rica Joy or Happy. Details of the conference can also be found at the Fresh Fire 2009 website at http://e4jfreshfire.multiply.com.

Contact Information:
Fresh Fire 2009
Maranatha World Outreach Center
V.Gullas corner P.Burgos streets
Cebu City, Philippines
Tel #: 582-9842
Cell phone #: 0923-835-1382 / 0916-635-4774
www.e4jfreshfire.multiply.com

Mid-Year Prophetic

I just came off a two-day revival conference held here in Cebu. It was conducted by James Horvath Ministries who brought several revivalists from all over the US and one from New Zealand.

On the second day of the conference, I had this desire to get an impartation, a prophetic word or at least a laying on of hands from Seth Fawcett, the revivalist pastor from Lower Hutt, Wellington, NZ. And although I was part of the group impartation and prophecy that Seth released to my congregation – represented by our worship team and a few Maranatha members who attended the event – I really wanted to get a personal, specific word from the Kiwi revivalist.

On my way to the evening session, I told the Lord, “I want to get an impartation from that New Zealander guy, Lord. Or a prophetic word. Or at least have him lay hands on me.”

So, the evening session began. The worship was amazing… and exhausting. After a while, when the singing was coming to a close, Dr. James Horvath (the main speaker) calls on Seth and tells him to point out the five (or so) people the Lord had earlier pointed out to him. Seth starts calling out people, identifying them by what they were wearing. I was just looking at Seth point people out, while deep inside I was hoping, wondering if I might be called out.

Then his eyes scanned the audience and locked on to me. He points to me and says, “the man with the…” He wasn’t able to say ‘stripes’ (which was what I had on – a striped shirt) but his hand made line gestures on his shirt and I knew he meant me.

It was so surreal. In my mind I was like, “Wow! Na-single out jud ko!” God really heard my heart’s desire. I was a bit nervous – I was actually shaking while making my way to the altar. Grabe jud maka-amaze si Lord!

And so, Seth starts prophesying over the people the Lord pointed out to Him. Then my turn comes. The prophetic word wasn’t that lengthy but it was what I needed.

“I’ve seen you! You will prophesy with an instrument. It may not be in a church setting. It may just be between you and the Lord. But you will prophesy with your instrument.”

This is just part of the prophesy that I got. I still have to ask my friends what they heard, because portions of it flew right past me – I was just really blown away. This guy doesn’t even know I’m a keyboard player in my congregation, and I don’t think Seth recognized me as one of the worship team members from the day sessions of the conference. So, to me, that prophetic word was really an encouragement from the Lord

So, this encounter again proves that if you just ask of God, He will answer, and that the only reason we have not is because we ask not.

Amazing God! I’ll be asking for more revelations, impartation, prophetic words from Him from now on!

Let the River Flow 2008: Kingdom Vision

Feb. 19, 2008 Tuesday 10:00 am
Pastor Rich Oliver

Kingdom - His rule, His power, His reign

God wants to see our government, our community, our schools changed.

God has transformed us and called us to be world transformers.

God is looking for people who will go where He goes and will say, "Lord, what are we going to do now?"

A revelation in our spirit about God's Kingdom will teach us about all we need to know.

CHARACTERISTICS OF KINGDOM PEOPLE:

Kingdom people have a GENUINE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER.

It’s not just about God knowing our heart, it is also about KNOWING WHAT IS IN GOD'S HEART.

EVERY MOVE OF GOD BEGINS WITH PRAYER.

Breakthroughs come when you have the HABIT OF PRAYER.

Kingdom people have prayer as a CORE IN THEIR LIFE.

Kingdom people RECEIVE REVELATION FROM GOD... it is supernatural.

Expect dreams and visions from God. He has something for us; EXPECT GOD TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.

The young do not have any preconceived ideas of how things are going to be done. We need to have that kind of spirit in us that says, "LORD OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART. I WANT TO KNOW YOUR POWER."

Kingdom people are WILLING TO BREAK TRADITIONS.

We need to ALLOW GOD TO CHANGE OUR WHOLE THINKING just like He did to Peter. He broke the traditions of religion and society FROM A RIGHT HEART.

We need to SUBMIT OUR HEART TO GOD TO SEE HIS KINGDOM ADVANCE.

Pray for a teachable and accountable spirit.

Kingdom people LISTEN FOR GOD TO SPEAK.

God gives vision for a purpose. We have to wait on the Lord and ASK GOD TO UNDERSTAND THE DREAM.

Ask God and WAIT FOR THE REVELATION TO COME.

Kingdom people have EARS TO HEAR. We don’t have to keep moving when God is not moving.
YOU NEED WISDOM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VISION.

Pray for understanding with the vision.

Kingdom people OBEY THE LORD.

God is doing a new thing in our midst. We need to KNOW THE VOICE OF THE LORD and must BE WILLING TO OBEY THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

RADICAL BREAKTHROUGH REQUIRES RADICAL OBEDIENCE. He is looking for a people of faith who TRUSTS AND OBEYS BEFORE THEY KNOW.

OBEDIENCE TELLS THE FATHER THAT YOU LOVE HIM AND TRUST IN HIM.

Our relationship with Him is BASED ON FAITH RATHER THAN KNOWLEDGE.

Kingdom people are WILLING TO BE CHANGED.

More and more people will WANT TO BELONG BEFORE THEY BELIEVE.

We have to be willing to CHANGE OUR VIEW OF THE KIND OF PEOPLE GOD WILL SAVE. We have to ACCEPT EVERYONE because God's Kingdom is bigger than what we picture in our mind. We should purposely embrace these changes.

Pray for a willingness to be changed.

Kingdom people LIVE IN THE SPIRIT.

We need to LISTEN, WALK AND LIVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. He will take you right to the edge.

His interest is FOR US TO GO TO PLACES WE WILL NEVER GO ON OUR OWN.

Kingdom people RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR DIRECTION AND FOR EMPOWERMENT.

Kingdom people RECEIVE SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.

Ask God for SPIRITUAL SIGHT.

DONT STOP AND BE CONTENTED WITH THE REVELATION.

Kingdom people ARE ACCOUNTABLE.

There is SAFETY IN ACCOUNTABILITY.

Pray that you are an accountable Christian so that greater revival is released.

Kingdom people PRAISE GOD TOGETHER FOR BREAKTHROUGHS.

REJOICE WITH ONE ANOTHERS' VICTORY, HEALING AND PROPHETIC INSIGHTS because we are called to be A FAMILY OF GOD that SPEAKS REVIVAL AND BREAKTHROUGH INTO OUR NATION TOGETHER.

Let the River Flow 2008: Living Our Dreams

Notes from the 2008 Let the River Flow Conference... from Arlene del Socorro {thanks!}.

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LET THE RIVER FLOW CONFERENCE 2008
Feb. 18, 2008 Monday Ladies’ Meeting 7:00 pm – LIVING OUR DREAMS

Lindy Oliver

WOMEN are NURTURERS, capable of compassion and helping and encouraging children to find their own faith in God. Women are multi-tasking people.

We are created to be DREAMERS and it is something we are not supposed to outgrow.

A DREAM is something strongly desired, something that fully satisfies.

We need to change our “IF ONLY” with ‘WHAT CAN WE DO TOGETHER LORD?”

The world is a dream stealer. Even the church can be a dream stealer. But we need to TAKE PLEASURE IN THE LORD and hold on to our dream.

PSALMS 37:4-6 DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD AND HE WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.


HOW DO WE GET FROM HAVING DREAMS TO REALLY LIVING THOSE DREAMS?

Example of Mary: LUKE 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

34 "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD."

38 "I AM THE LORD'S SERVANT," MARY ANSWERED. "MAY IT BE TO ME AS YOU HAVE SAID." Then the angel left her.


It has to START WITH THE LORD.

Share your dreams with Him. DREAMS ARE BORN OUT OF A RELATIONSHIP. Conception comes not from passion but from INTIMACY.

Believe that WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. (verse 37)
BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS. Believe the prophetic words you received and what God has placed in your heart. It’s not about knowing how it’s going to happen, it’s about WHO GAVE THE PROMISE.

We need to SURRENDER TO GOD’S IDEA like Mary.
She believed so she conceived. (verse 38)

We have to carry our dreams to its’ FULL TERM.
It was an inconvenient time for Mary to travel and she was uncomfortable during the entire trip but she proceeded to carry the dream.

DO NOT ABORT YOUR DREAMS WHEN IT GETS UNCOMFORTABLE.

Deal with the inconvenience and LOOK FORWARD TO BIRTHING YOUR DREAMS. We know there is a baby inside a pregnant woman. We don’t say there is a promise inside the womb. There is a seed, a life inside it. It is the same with your dreams. YOUR DREAMS CARRY LIFE, A SEED THAT WILL PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT IN DUE SEASON.

WE HAVE TO LABOR BEFORE WE CAN BREAKTHROUGH.
Mary’s time to labor came at a very inconvenient time in a place where there was no room for her to properly deliver her baby, BUT IT WAS GOD’S PERFECT APPOINTED TIME.

To LABOR is to TRAVAIL, STRUGGLE, STRIVE, TO SWEAT. Spend time in PRAYER to PREPARE YOURSELF FOR IT.

Breakthrough is messy, but that’s not the dream. The baby is the dream, the treasure. THE MESS COMES BEFORE THE DREAM.

If you want to see the dream come, you got to BREAKTHROUGH.

NURTURE THE DREAM.
God trusted Mary and Joseph to raise His Son. Your dream will need a lot of your time and attention, but in time, your dream will be imprinted with your life.

GIVE YOUR DREAM, YOUR VISION BACK TO GOD.
Remit it to Him. RELEASE IT AND GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS AND YOUR CONTROL OVER IT TO GOD. The dream and life we have in us has a PURPOSE and DESTINY FAR MORE BIGGER THAN US. Release your children and bless them. Know that GOD IS AT WORK IN THEIR LIVES.

To move from having dreams to really living those dreams starts with INTIMACY. BELIEVE. That’s where life is conceived. Then we SURRENDER TO HIM. Choose to believe Him who is the Giver of life, share your life with Him and see a fruitful and fulfilling life in Him.

Let the River Flow 2008: Running with Jesus [part 2]

thanks to Arlene del Socorro for passing out these notes online. God bless her more!

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Let the River Flow Conference 2008
Feb. 17, 2008 Sunday Service 9:00 am – Running with Jesus

Part 2

PREREQUISITES TO GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE:

Leave the crowd behind (MARK 4:36 NIV LEAVING THE CROWD BEHIND, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat.)

See who is with you (MARK 4:36 NIV There were also OTHER BOATS with Him.)

Know who is with you (MARK 4:36 NIV Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, JUST AS HE WAS, in the boat.) Jesus came as He was on the boat – the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS, ALMIGHTY AND GREAT, SON OF GOD

Know that you have no control over the elements, but Jesus has. (MARK 4:37-39 NIV A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, don't You care if we drown?" HE GOT UP, REBUKED THE WIND AND SAID TO THE WAVES, "QUIET! BE STILL!" THEN THE WIND DIED DOWN AND IT WAS COMPLETELY CALM. )


Pastor Rich Oliver

God has spoken prophetic direction in your life but a storm meets you and you think you will sink.

IF YOU STAY TOO LONG IN A STRUGGLE BEFORE YOU CALL ON GOD, YOU WILL GET AN ATTITUDE PROBLEM. You will look for someone to blame except yourself.

Jesus said in MARK 4:40 NIV, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

He is saying why are you so afraid that you would forget my character? Do you believe in the storm more than you believe in me?

When we forget our purpose, then the activities of the Lord will surprise us. We will ask questions like “who is this?”

MARK 4:41 NIV They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!"

Don’t be caught totally off guard.

Let the River Flow 2008: Running With Jesus

thanks to Arlene del Socorro for passing these notes around. she is such a blessing.

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LET THE RIVER FLOW CONFERENCE 2008
with Pastor Rich and Lindy Oliver

Feb. 17, 2008 Sunday Service 9:00 am – RUNNING WITH JESUS

Pastor Rich Oliver

DESPAIR is the root the enemy is holding over the future, over finances, over what’s going to happen to the children.

A HEART OF REJOICING is the way to kill it. It is poison to despair.

Rejoice on the truth that the GRAVE IS EMPTY, the PRICE HAS BEEN PAID, and JESUS IS SEATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FATHER.

REJOICING brings BREAKTHROUGH.

Say to yourself, “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH.” (NEHEMIAH 8:10 NIV Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.")


Lindy Oliver


ROMANS 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Kingdom of God is here, in the person of Jesus, and He is looking for a bride who will RUN WITH HIM and change the world with Him.

Be transformed from being doers for Jesus to a BRIDE RUNNING WITH JESUS.

Everything Jesus did demonstrate the Kingdom.

MARK 4:35 NIV That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."

This is a PURPOSE STATEMENT. He is telling us let us go to the other side, to the land of the living dead.

Prophetic statements have been spoken by the Lord in your life and you are just waiting for it to happen.

You need to GET ON A BOAT and GET TO THE OTHER SIDE. You have something they need.

My Seasons in the River

I've been with the Maranatha Christian Fellowship in Cebu for four years now and looking back, the Lord has brought me through many seasons with the congregation and in my personal life.

I joined MCF in 2003, in the time when the congregation went through a season of shifting. During this season, I got swept into the river and began my flow -- my journey -- into true spiritual growth. This was also the time when I started my involvement with the MCF New Life Sounds Choir. 2003 will always be a big spiritual touchstone for me as I consider it my spiritual birth year. I really felt welcomed into the river during the September 2003 Let the River Flow prophetic conference. I literally felt growth in my spirit beginning here.

As the years passed and as I began to grow more in the river, God also brought me through a season of testing and waiting. There was this dream of mine that I have had for such a long time and I thought it had been answered in 2003. I have been seeking the Lord about the fulfillment of this dream and for two years -- 2004 and 2005 -- I had been in a season of waiting on Him. It was one of the most trying times in my life. The things I thought I knew and claimed were put through the fire. But the Lord's assurance to me was through the prophet Isaiah: they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. And renew my strength He did! Looking back at that time I can say those waiting periods really molded me and trained me in pursuit of the King.

I was also brought through a season of labor and more responsibilities -- particularly in the choir. The Lord gave me some seemingly unsurmountable stuff back in 2006 pertaining to our cantata presentations and I felt thoroughly overwhelmed. But it was God's way of training my hands for war and for more. The bigger the load I got, the more dependent I became on Him. This season taught me to do the best that I can, to trust God to do the rest and rest in Him when I've done my best. He is in control after all. Not me.

Finally, the changing of seasons in the last month has brought me and my congregation -- and presumably, the nation -- to a season of war. It's now time to contend for the lost of this nation. It's time to take back by force what belongs to the Lord. It's time to stand on the authority that God has given us over this nation and over the oppressing spirits in this nation.

The preaching in the church lately has been focusing on recognizing the seasons, knowing the proper response for the season, and learning to flow with the Spirit this season. I liked Pastor Nap's word of encouragement during the revival service last night: God is drawing the men of this house (MCF) to Him and giving them the heart of Jesus so that they will care for the things God cares for; this is a season for men to become more sensitive to the things of God and the presence of God. I believe this. I feel it. God is calling the men of MCF to a deeper intimacy with Him and that intimacy will result in a heart of stone being traded for a heart of flesh -- a heart that always longs for more of the Lord.

It is an exciting season here in the Philippines and -- based on the prophecies on Elijah List -- all over the world. There is just so much more that God can do that we have not even begun to imagine or think. Ha! He's just about to blow the Philippines away! I KNOW IT!

Let the River Flow 2007: Day Three

November 25, 2007 / Sunday

Morning Session
The worship time was really powerful and God's presence was unmistakable. Pastor Joe DiSarno came up to the pulpit and sensed the Spirit asking, "Where are the watchmen? Where are they?"

Because the glory of God was so great in the hall, one of the giants in the land came crashing down -- Jezebel! Stacey Campbell called on the men to rise up and take our place of leadership, as watchmen of the Philippines, and as gatekeepers of our families. It was really amazing. I believe the men coming forward to the altar and declaring victory over the Jezebel (controlling) spirit in the nation was really symbolic of what was happening in the spiritual. Whoa! Jesus has given us the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome "ALL" the power of the enemy! Hooooooooooooooooooooo! Hallelujah! Freedom!!!

I'm telling you it was a great way to "anoint the warriors" of Cebu! Haha! Daddy!!!

The Lord's reassurance to the body was that He loves us no matter what. Therefore, we don't have to strive as children of the Father. We don't have to fall under the performance trap. We don't have to prove anything to anyone. WE ARE LOVED BY THE KING! WE ARE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE ALMIGHT GOD! PERIOD. Haha! The God who holds the universe in His hands has His eyes locked on us. Whoa!

Rise up, men of God! Rise up, WARRIORS! "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weakling say, 'I am strong!'" Rise up, sons of God! PREPARE FOR WAR!!! Haha!


Afternoon Session
The afternoon meeting was more of a time of instruction as to where our "war efforts" were to be concentrated. Stacey said she felt Cebu is going to be a place of training and instruction for the Kingdom, and that she sees the city as a spiritual refreshing station for the nation. Wow! I live in Cebu. I am so blessed! Haha!

Later on, Stacey shared part of what she and her husband, Wesley, were doing in their ministry. She shared about the need to reach out the women and children of the world, emphasizing that children at the most at risk today. She also pointed out the spirit of poverty as one of the major enemies of the Church. Looks like we've got our work cut out for us. Hehehe. Thank You, Lord.

Stacey used the parable of the good Samaritan to drive home her point. In the passage, an expert of the law asks Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Then Jesus tells him the story of the traveler who fell into the hands of robbers, and how a priest and a Levite who were passing by didn't do anything to help the poor guy on the ditch. Instead, it was the most unlikely -- the Samaritan -- who extended a helping hand to the beaten man. Stacey challenged us, as Christ did in this scripture, that if we want to go to Heaven, we should "Go and do likewise" -- or as I summed it up in my notes: "Love God. Love people."


Evening Session
The last session of the conference was really something else. It was as different and as unique as the other sessions the came before it. Stacey shared to us part of what she does during her personal devotional time. We were reading passages of scripture, and singing the Word as a way of praying the Bible. It was intense. Everyone was on their feet and singing the Bible to God, singing prophetic words to the nation. It was really great. I got a lot of tips from this evening's session.


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Let the River Flow 2007 was incredible, to say the least. With the changing of season in the Philippines, it was timely to hear what the Spirit of God had to say. I believed we got what we needed in preparation for the new season. I believe the men in this city, in this nation are hearing the call of God to take their place of leadership, and are rising up. I really believe things are starting to change in the spiritual atmosphere in my nation.

I am excited about what God will do next.

"Maranatha!"


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To Pastor Benjun and Ate Malou: I hope these notes gave you an idea of what took place during the conference. God bless you guys. ;o)

Let the River Flow 2007: Day Two

November 24, 2007 / Saturday

Harp & Bowl
The second day prayer and intercession time was more intense and focused again on the nation. There was a strong cry for God's Kingdom to come down on the Philippines.


Morning Session
Before Pastor Jerome came to share the word, he prophesied over the Jesus Revolution and Maranatha worship teams. It was a call for the team members to rise up and go to the next level of faith.

Pastor Jerome's preaching was anchored on Exodus 4, where God asked Moses, "What is that in your hands?" He pointed out that God has given us what we need to do what God has called us to do. After all, God planted eternity in the hearts of men. In order for us to fulfill God's will in our lives we must recognize the purpose He has set in our hearts and the things He has placed in our hands.

Pastor Jerome urged us to not underestimate what God has placed in our hands because it can be used by Him mightily when we place it back in His hands. "It depends on whose hands it is in!" It was basically calling us to use what we have -- the talents, the giftings, the time, the resources though little it may be -- for the glory of God.

He also quoted Daniel 11:33, wherein it says "Those who are wise will instruct many."


Afternoon Session
Pastor Salome Oro shared on the topic of submission to authority. She said that the Kingdom of God is run by principles and one of them is submitting to authority to be in authority. It is important for the Christian to be under authority -- God's and those delegated by God -- especially during wartime.

Pastor Sal pointed out the benefits of submission to authority. God designed authority:
- to bring guidance
- to ensure success
- to bring confirmaton and bear witness
- to discipline in love
- to circumcise hearts
- to properly release to ministry

Our response towards the delegate authority in our lives is submission as unto the Lord. Pastor Sal stated that we need to die to self, die to pride, die to delf-preference. She also said there should be a death to any desire for self-importance -- all glory has to be given back to God, all our actions and motives should point back to the King. We must allow the Spirit of God to take dominion in all aread of our lives.


Evening Session
Stacey came back for the second evening and started the session by saying that we were getting deeper in the river -- no longer at ankle level. Stacey felt that the night was about consecration and that people needed to decide at that time whether they were willing to go all the way for the Lord. We have to be in perfect union and oneness with the Father, Spirit and Son, and that as Christ's bride we need to be completely one with Him.

Stacey read from the gospel of John (chapters 2 and 6) and showed how Jesus kept speaking in "riddles", which drove the casual disciples away. She emphasized that God doesn't want superficial believers. This was a call to truly go deeper and more intimate with God, and an echo of what Pastor Joe has been saying in past few months: "God doesn't reveal Himself to the casual.

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Day Three to follow.

Let the River Flow 2007: Day One

November 23, 2007 / Friday

Harp & Bowl
Before the 10am assembly started, we had a worship, prayer and intercession session. The spirit of intercession for the nation was heavy as it came down upon the Upper Room of the Maranatha World Outreach Center (in Manalili, Cebu).

There was a cry for the children of the nation, for the fatherless generation; that Father God would father them; that the Lord would send them father figures to train them and raise them up so they can fulfill their destiny in the Lord.

A prayer for the schools in the nation was also spoken. It was a prayer for the teachers to become the leaders and instruments that the Lord would use to raise up the students in righteousness.

There was also a cry for the Filipino church, the body of Christ in the Philippines, to rise up and stand in the gap for the nation.


Morning Session
The main emphasis during the morning session was a changing of seasons. Pastor Jerome pointed out that recognizing the seasons in our lives is one of the most prophetic things we can do. There is a new season that has already begun in the Philippines and we can either be part of it or just be bystanders. Pastor Jerome said it this way: "We could either be forerunners or drifters."

There was a call to revolutionalize our way of thinking, to have a mindset of serving God and fighting for the Lord as the Philippines has now entered a spiritual season of WAR! "We must have a wartime mindset," said Pastor Jerome. He also emphasized that Satan wants to lure us to a peacetime mindset in order for us to not be on the watch. "WE ARE AT WAR!"

The challenge toward the end of Pastor Jerome's preaching was to bring the focus back to God, and to put our wartime mentality on. We were encouraged to find joy in this season of war and to be confident in the fire of God to burn inside of us.

The question that lingers in my mind is: "Are you willing to lay down your today for your country's future?"


Afternoon Session
Stacey Campbell came in for the afternoon session and confirmed the prophetic word spoken by Pastor Jerome -- the season is changing in the Philippines; it is a season of WAR! Stacey pointed out that on her way to Cebu, on the plane, she sensed the strong presence of witchcraft and demonic spirits in the land; that these spirits are oppressing and opposing Christians in the nation. She called for us to fight against these spirits for GREATER is He in us than he that is in the world.

Stacey also encouraged us to turn passive faith into aggressive faith, and to not let the enemy's design (to make us quit) take over us. Instead, we should hold on to the fact that God wants -- and enables -- us to be successful overcomers.

She also said that God is training us for this new season and that even in our trials we can be happy because there is joy in serving Him -- this is also a confirmation of what Pastor Jerome said in the morning session that God doesn't want us to live a miserable life.


Evening Session
The evening session was a build-up of what had been shared by Pastor Jerome and Stacey during the day. Stacey felt that she was in Cebu to anoint the warriors and prophesied over Pastor Joe (DiSarno) saying he's a general who's gonna be getting battle strategies from the Lord and lead the army to war.

Then Stacey read from the book of Joel (chapter 3), which is call to war, to rouse the warriors. She highlighted the importance of becoming intimate with God in relation to going into battle: "You can't go to war if you don't know you're loved!" Intimacy is the key to victorious warfare! And acts of war does not have to be big and bold all the time. Stacey shared that during her times with the Lord, He told her that "it is enough that you die to yourself daily."

Another point of emphasis that night was the importance of how we pray and live our lives, because according to Stacey, "it matters to the nation." As we stand in the gap and pray for those who cannot pray for themselves in the Philippines, we also need to show God's love and righteousness by the way we act and live. And there was also the reminder to keep praying and fasting for this nation to bring in the prophets, prophetic words and prophecies.

It is time to get serious about the weapons of warfare God gave to us -- FAITH, HUMILITY, PRAYER AND FASTING (among others, of course). Because of John 3:16 -- because God so loved the WORLD -- we need to be in warfare for the world, for the lost, and bring them into the Kingdom of God.

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Day Two to follow.

Let the River Flow Prophetic Conference 2007

Stacey Campbell was in town last weekend for a three-day prophetic conference called "Let the River Flow" here in Cebu. Man, those three days were very powerful. Also with us was Pastor Jerome Ocampo of the Jesus Revolution movement.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were really amazing days of soaking in the presence of the Lord, getting filled with His Spirit, getting equipped for the incoming season, getting connected with what the Lord is doing in the Asia Pacific region and with what God has in store for the nations in the years to come.

This series of entries is in response to Pastor Benjun (Uybengkee)'s request to post the highlights of the conference online. So, here we go.