Mission Blog

Feb 25, 2008

Latest News on the Independence Mission

You don't have to go to a foreign country to do mission work. We have people to reach right here in Independence!

This Friday night, those who intend to help us on Saturday are encouraged to come to meet in the living room of the Mansion House at 7pm, to pray and worship together in preparation for the next day. The ministry team will also be fasting and praying though-out this week.

On Saturday, we will meet inside the Mansion House at Noon to receive last minute instructions, pray, and break into groups of two and go out and canvas the neighborhood. We’ll go on foot, door to door, inviting people to come and worship with us the following Saturday (March 8th). While there, we will also ask people how they are doing and will pray with them or talk with them if they desire it. We will have pamphlets to pass out, or stick into doors if no one is home. We may have it arranged so that some people can stand outside local businesses, like the nearby Walgreens and grocery store, and pass out invitations. We need volunteers!

The following Saturday, March 8th, at 7pm in the Meeting Hall next to the Mansion House, we will hold our first public meeting. Our musicians will lead us in worship, we will preach the fullness of the Gospel, pray for people, and make an invitation at the end for all those who desire to learn more of God and/or desire to enter into a covenant relationship with Him.

At that time the service ends, and we will spend some time speaking with those individuals who come forward, making appointments with them to come visit with them in their homes, and/or arrange for further instruction and teaching to take place in future public classes. Our aim is not to simply invoke a one time emotional response, (as in an altar call) but to bring those individuals into a relationship and fellowship with other Believers who care about them, to disciple them, teach them, and guide them into a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and prepare them for Baptism.

Additional worships, sermons and classes will take place after March 8th, to be announced later, providing an opportunity for those we began this work with to be able to continue to fellowship within a body of Believers. We intend to follow the directive given in DC 18:4d “And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism and by fire; yea, even the Holy Ghost.” We must give milk and then meat in due season. Our first directive is to lead them to Christ. As they grow and mature, the time will come when we can teach them more perfectly regarding further doctrine and the mysteries of God, but only as the Holy Ghost leads us.

This mission effort is not representative of any church, except the “Church of the Lamb of God” as spoken of in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi chapter 3:221-230. As sheep continue to be added, we would eventually end up building a branch in this neighborhood, which we would leave in the hands of Restoration Priesthood members whom we would prayerfully appoint with the Lord’s help, to continue to watch over and feed the sheep. Although members of the Ministry may occasionally assist and bring ministry in that branch, we would essentially move on to another neighborhood of Independence and the Kansas City area to begin again in reaching out to the lost. Again, we are not seeking to build up another Church, or compete with any other branch or church, but seek to bring the lost into the fold of God, and add to the Church of Jesus Christ, which is already in existence, for the purposes of building up the Kingdom of God and the cause of Zion in the Independence area.

If you wish to volunteer or become a part of the Ministry Team, (you don’t have to be a Priesthood member), please contact me by email at: hopeofzion@hotmail.com or call me at 816-645-2451
Ask for Doug.

Feb 16, 2008

In preparation for our small gathering tonight at 6pm to worship, I would share this experience, which Steve shared on the discussion board, and which I received a confirming witness from the Spirit.

"In my dream, a group of us were gathered in the living room of a house. A man dressed in a white t-shirt and jeans came through the front double doors with a black sniper's rifle which included a high-powered scope. He first pointed the rifle threateningly at the group, and then pointed it at me. In a quiet manner, I asked him if it would be okay if we worshipped. He nodded yes. As we worshipped, we entered into a different realm. We became totally aware of God's presence in the room and totally unaware of the man's presence among us. The presence of God in our midst eclipsed everything else in the room.

When we finished worshipping, the presence of God lifted and I could again see the room, the surroundings, and the man with the rifle still pointed at me. I had literally forgotten he was there while the presence of God was manifest; this man had been completely eclipsed by God's presence. I got up from the couch where I was sitting and walked gently over to talk to the man. I engaged him in a friendly conversation, and one of the other people with us joined in to talk to him. I looked down and noticed that he had laid his rifle down, and as I looked back up at him, a wide, relaxed smile had come across his face. I realized it had been a hostage situation and he was now, in a sense, disarmed." --End of Dream

Through this dream I hear the Lord saying, "Many enemies are in your midst and are even entering into the boundaries that I have given you. But I am calling you to come into this new place with Me so My presence fills the domain that I have given you. If you will begin to worship Me and allow your domain to be filled with My presence, then even the enemies that are targeting you will let go of their hostilities. They will be repositioned in your place of authority. This is a time when I am repositioning your enemies in your sphere of authority. If you will worship, then My presence will disarm the enemy's plan and that which the enemy had intent on doing, he will no longer be able to accomplish. Worship is key to My Harvest plan. Many of the enemies that I bring into your path will be converted and become subservient in your domain. This is an hour of DOMINION! Take dominion through worship!"

Chuck D. Pierce
Glory of Zion Ministries

Feb 4, 2008

The month of January we staged a series of mission warm-up Worship Services simply inviting some of the Saints, friends and family to come out and Worship with us. These warm-ups were an opportunity to get to know each other a little bit better, practice playing and singing together, and enjoying the act of Worship!

Our first meeting was a phenomenal, over-the-top spiritual powerhouse. The Spirit of God was so powerful, we were all ministered to. It was like God just moved right in and took over. It lasted 3 hours, and nearly half of that was spent praying for one another, performing administrations, etc.

Our second meeting was a bit smaller than the first. A number of people who were expected to come were sick, but nonetheless we were very much blessed, and there was an excellent Spirit.

Our third meeting was a challenge.

In the middle of the worship, at least two of the three musicians came under spiritual attack. One of them actually had an asthma attack. We pressed on as best we could, stopping to pray a bit, but the adversary definitely caused some feelings of discouragement to come upon us as a result.

After this third meeting, I had three different witnesses (who live in other states) either email or call me and give me a word from the Lord, telling me that what we were doing was warfare. It is a spiritual battle, and we must go into it fully prepared, with the full armor of God on, with no un-confessed or un-repented sin standing in the way.

The Adversary has worked long and hard to divide and conquer the Saints in Independence, and seek to keep people in bondage.

What the Lord has asked us to do is a viable threat to his hard work.

Satan has taken that threat serious, and he will pull out all of the stops, the tricks of his trade, so we must be sure we are standing fully under the guidance and protection of the Lord God Almighty at all times. We must stand by Faith, with nothing doubting.

God has, and will allow an initial trial of discouragement to happen. We must press on, and if there are only two or three of us worshipping and praying together, then we will be happy to do it!

Our final warm-up meeting, Feb 2, was cancelled. Two of our musicians (Joel and Donny) were very sick. Yet, the Spirit of God was tugging at me to not quit… to press on, even if I was the only one to show up and pray. I almost didn’t follow through with this, however, but I got a second witness to this when a friend called me and told me the same thing. So, we decided we would go!

My wife felt compelled to go and support the effort, and we picked up the other musician, Katrina, and went to the mansion house. There ended up being 8 of us there. We ended up receiving 8 anointings and teachings. The number 8 represents NEW BEGINNINGS in the Scriptures, and that is exactly what this fireside chat, prayers, and worship meeting became for us. We drew very close to each other, and to the Lord, and were tremendously blessed by His Spirit. Between the burning of the bosom, and the burning of the fireplace near us, we were burning up…but in a blessed way!

I was able to confess two sins in my life, which the Lord had shared with me in a dream that could hinder me in fulfilling my calling. I was desirous to be rid of it forever, and asked for prayers in this regard. I was blessed tremendously as every person there laid hands upon me and prayed silently, while 3 Elders anointed my head and prayed out loud.

Earlier in the day, one of the ailing musicians openly confessed a sin to me as well. In this there is power to overcome. What a blessing!!!

The mission’s official opening service will be March 8^th, but we have a lot of work to do between now and then. We need to come together and have some more fireside sessions like the one last Saturday night. We need to come together to pray together, fast together, seek direction and the word of the Lord together. We need additional volunteers to get the word out, and assist us in the ministry.

We would solicit your prayers on behalf of the mission effort.