When we finished up our last two stops on the “Movement” tour there was such a sense of peace from God in the car as we drove off. Here’s a recap of the events…

 Helsinki

We spent two nights at ESY church in downtown Helsinki. Both nights were such explosive times in God’s presence. The atmosphere was charged with an expectancy of God’s Spirit moving in our midst. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus when he promised “those that hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied.” God’s kindness leads to our repentance, which ushers in His presence in a life transforming way. Many gave their lives to the Lord those two nights. The Kingdom had come.

In these last days we must remember that God’s kingdom will never look like the kingdoms of this world. Our attempts to super-impose the successes of this world onto the kingdom of heaven will only result in frustration. To do so is like mixing oil and water… it only leaves a mess on the floor! When asked by Pontius Pilate if He was a king Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not from here.” (Jn. 18:36)

During the second night of meetings in Helsinki a lyric emerged in our time of worship. We started singing this refrain:

“It’s the sound of the Lion

It’s the sound of the Lamb

It’s the sound of heaven

Being spread across Finland”

The singing and dancing would not stop. There was such a bold sound arising in our voices. As bold as lions we were. As gentle as the Lamb He was. God was drawing out the “kingdom within”.

 Karjaa

Throughout the entire ministry tour there was such a theme in the spirit regarding “beauty for ashes”. Both in the natural and in the spirit there was a sense of tragedy written in the pages of Finland’s history. But what seemed tragic in one regard was really an opportunity for God to be glorified. We sang a refrain using the scripture from Is. 61:3 in just about every meeting. The lyric goes, “Beauty for ashes… beauty for ashes… out of the flames rise a beautiful name like beauty for ashes…” It was only fitting then that our final meetings were held in a building that used to be the local fire station. I sensed the Spirit saying, “You are in the safest place you can be when in the fire of My jealous love… I am with you there.” Now a memorial building, the venue was such a beautiful codicil to all that God had spoken regarding our time in Finland. The memorial building was rented by the host church due to the anticipated number of people attending the meetings. Janne and Jyri from ESY church in Helsinki were able to come and support with their musical gifts. Though a small town of only about 9,000, Karjaa encountered God’s jealous love in a powerful way. Destiny was declared over the youth of that city as so many have been rescued from drugs and substance abuse. Pastor Kenneth and his family came to the area only a few years ago and there was no real presence of God in the youth. Now they are hosting youth every week, feeding them, and telling them about the good news of Jesus the Messiah.

Every generation has the opportunity to be nation shakers. In Karjaa God is doing it one youth at a time. Pastor Kenneth relayed a story of how one of his teenage sons went camping with some of the youth of the city. These certain boys were not saved at the time but were “in transit”. Because of their affinity for darkness which has plagued the youth of that region, some of the boys started to call upon the devil with the intent to stir up mischief. Kenneth’s son stood firm in his faith by rebuking them and he began to pray in tongues. Suddenly the Holy Spirit rushed into their campsite and ALL of the boys began praising God in tongues. Consequently those boys gave their lives to Jesus… but it only took one to stand in the gap. This is the reality of the kingdom. It only takes a few. A little bit goes a long way. COME ON JESUS!!!