The Lord gave me one primary focus for our center’s watchmen
(guards) - to be laid down lovers.
Originally, I thought such things as excellence in work ethic, coming to
work on time, and faithfulness were better focuses. But, of course, Jesus is always right. Love is the foundation and substance of
everything else that is needed in this vital ministry area. God’s love makes us brave, taking us beyond
our comfort zones and into His own possibilities. As we fall more in love with Christ, cultural
and traditional hindrances are removed, barriers are broken down, breaches are
repaired, and God’s promises become more attainable. Let me share a few of the testimonies of
love’s impact in our watchmen ministry at our center.
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| Photo of some of our watchmen who are deciding to be "brave"! |
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Our watchmen represent 3 different tribes, 4 local languages
and different churches. Yet, they
supervise one another, teach one another, visit one another's homes, and support
one another. They are learning to practice submission to
one another (Ephesians 5:21).
Our watchmen also do activities to take Christ’s love
home.
One day, they had to write down 3
areas in their lives which they needed to personally improve on in order to love their wives
more.
Each of them had to share it with
their wives so that their wives could keep their husbands accountable.
Earlier this year, they decided on their own to have a day
of fasting and prayer for our center. No
food, no water. They met together early
in the morning until late afternoon.
Our night watchmen have recently decided, by their own
initiative, to have early-morning prayer together on some days during the
week. Their reason: they wanted to focus
on the Lord and worship together.
Some of our watchmen go to churches that don’t talk about
speaking in tongues, nor do they teach it.
Recently, all of our guards (except one that was away), received this
gift. Now, they are stirred to believe
God to experience more of their inheritance in Christ.
There are many other testimonies of them growing more
intimately with Christ, using spiritual gifts like prophecy for the first time
in their lives, having special encounters with Christ, and experiencing transformation
in their homes. We thank God for allowing His fire to fall upon our watchmen to prepare their hearts to experience more of Him!
Of course, our watchmen ministry is still growing in
Christ-likeness. But, we have people who
work hard to arrive on time, are learning to work with excellence, and are
faithful to God. All of the things that
I desired in our watchmen ministry, the Lord made happen in a way that I could
have never dreamed of. Honestly, His way
was easier and more fun! His love makes us
so brave, that we are willing to do whatever He wants. Jesus is worth any cost. Now, it's your time! Be loved by Christ, until you are brave
enough to do whatever He requires of you!
Love, Tyren and Tiffany Haynes
