New Frontiers Men's Retreat

I just got back about ten minutes ago from Atlanta for the Southeastern Regional Men's Retreat for New Frontiers. I have really enjoyed getting to know more about New Frontiers. I think that there model of leadership, particularly in the area of the apostolic ministry is solid, biblical, and practical.

However, the theme for this year's men's conference was not the apostolic ministry but rather biblical masculinity. John Lanferman, the apostolic leader of NF in the United States, took us three times to the story of Elijah. He noted that Elijah was not a "well-balanced" prophet, but rather a fiery preacher who was zealous for God. He knew he was God's man, in God's place, at God's time. However, Elijah was a man like us (James 5:17), and he was tempted to quit and throw in the towel. We looked at 1 Kings 19 and Elijah's encounter with God on the mountain after the incident with the prophets of Ba'al.

It's interesting that God, being like a father, told Elijah to basically get back in the game and do God's work when speaking to him in the "low whisper" (v. 12).

...And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place... (1 Kings 19:12b-16 ESV)

Later, we heard about how Elijah put his mantle on Elisha and mentored him and the sons of the prophets in 2 Kings 1 and 2, and how Elisha received a double portion of the spirit that was on Elijah.

Carl Herrington, pastor of Jubilee Church in Atlanta, also spoke to us about the spiritual battle we are in and encouraged us as a community, and not as isolated individuals, to take up the armor of God in Ephesians 6. He noted how many churches in the West act as though the spirit realm doesn't exist, or at least minimize it.

The worship music was awesome and I was prayed for the receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which I did receive by faith. I praise God and hope and pray for more of the Holy Spirit as I continue to follow after God.