| Pastors Conference Session 1—Call of the Intercessor Claude H. | 12-Jul-2007 | Event: Pastors Conference
Pastor Claude preached the first session today’s Pastor’s conference. It was a hot and humid day, but the church was nearly filled to capacity.
After a time of praise and worship Pastor Claude began by saying that, “God is looking over Burundi, will I find a man, woman or church that will be my heart and hands?”
He took his message from Ezekiel 22: 25-31.
Pastor Claude said that many have lost the fear of God and are speaking one way to people but they are not pure, and this discourages the body of Christ.
Continuing he said encouraged the church by saying it will be the church that changes Burundi. “Satan is afraid of one thing, the church of Jesus Christ. He’s not afraid of a religious church.”
Speaking directly to the leaders he said, “The church can’t go further than the pastor”, and said that pastors need to believe God, and that God is looking for men and women that He can trust.
Pastors need to be intimate with God so that their lives reflect Jesus Christ. If pastors are not, “the spirit of the shepherd is always on the congregation. If he is arrogant, they are arrogant, if he’s cold, they are cold, if he steals they will steal, if he’s harsh they are harsh.”
He exhorted the pastors to get alone with God. “Communion with God allows us to be intercessors.”
Pastor Claude closed by praying for the body, and then he had them turn to one another and pray. A sweet cry arose in the building and then sweet songs of worship,
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| Pastors Conference Session 2— Who’s Image Is On You? | 12-Jul-2007 | Event: Pastors Conference
Pastor Carter ministered at the second session of the pastor’s conference. He took his text from Hosea 6 and Ezekiel 8.
He started off by telling the leaders, “there is only one image of God and this image is manifested through Jesus Christ.” Then he asked, “When people of Burundi look at the church are they looking at the image of Jesus Christ?”
The question that followed was challenging, “are you willing to let the Holy Spirit examine you, and if your image is not Christ’s are you willing to give it away?”
Pastor Carter went on to say that outside images are overpowering many. He said some are using their ministry for wealth, power or reputation, and that they are not there to serve.
“God came as a man because He wanted to touch the poorest of the poor”.
A soberness hit the leaders when Pastor Carter told them the Lord had given him this message JUST for Burundi, and that “there can be no victory in Burundi unless the image of Christ is on it.”
He continued, “If you want to know what God looks like look at Jesus Christ”, and added that, “there is going to be a righteous ministry in Burundi,”
The next question put to the body was this, “Who do I represent? Have I embraced His image or another image.?
Pastor Carter told them that true ministry, power and compassion is in the image of Christ, and that you will see Him in the scriptures. “Knowing me, I will open your mind I’ll open your heart and rivers of compassion will flow through you, and people in Burundi will see the image of Christ in ministers.”
“This is a wounded society,” Pastor Carter said, “they need to see the image of Christ in the pulpit today.”
“Jesus is looking for soldiers with the right heart willing to bear God’s image and to go where He goes.”
Using the story of Judas at the last supper, he said that Judas had a choice to either dip the bread in the wine, symbolizing that he was willing to embrace the image of Christ, or reject it.
Pastor Carter then asked how many are willing to go with God, and to bear His image. “Who will be my child, touch the untouchables, feed the hungry, minister to the oppressed, who will walk with me?” He said they had a choice to make, and it had to be made today.
“Who wants the true image of Christ?”
The alter call was then given, and many people stood or went to the alter to pray and the day ended with a time of worship and rejoicing.
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