RoFMI Visit to Murcia Spain May 15 to 18 2009

RoFMI Visit to Murcia Spain May 15 to 18 2009

Isn’t it wonderful how Gods timing is always perfect? So this wee band of Gods warriors found ourselves on a plane headed yet again for Spain – THIRD time this year alone – 6th time overall. It’s like visiting family now. Not to be caught short by an excess of meetings we went in a bit mob-handed with 6 of us travelling so let’s start with the team sheet

Team Sheet – Peter Barnes leading, Ruth, John, Keith, Jonathan, and myself – Chris. A motley assortment of talents but nevertheless a team whom the Lord has chosen to use from time to time. Actually, Jonathan couldn’t get away Friday so he joined us mid-way through Saturday just for the 2 days available to him. Whilst we whole-heartedly approve of a keen attitude, this may be a bridge too far as he shows the rest of us up a bit. Can’t have that now can we??

Anyway – we arrived in Alicante airport around 14:55 and the drive to Murcia passed quickly as we were all greeting and exchanging news with our hosts. It’s about an 80km drive south from Alicante to Murcia so we had a little time to pass on the way. After a welcoming meal together with the wonderful Parraga family, Pastor David is the Senior Pastor and our host, we all set off once again for David’s church which he shares with the Nigerian church in Murcia for an evening meeting.

Pastor David opened up and then called upon a visiting pastor, Pastor Victor, to say a few words. I have rarely, if ever, heard a better 5 minute ‘sermon’ It was about the feast when Herodias daughter asked what she truly wanted surprised the king by asking for the head of John the Baptist on a plate. Then Pastor Victor asked everyone what they would ask for if they were ever asked such a question. It was a really powerful ‘sermon-ette’ which went down very well indeed. Next up was Keith giving us some biblical teaching on receiving all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Finally Peter stood up and spoke about wanting to give a prophecy to a young married couple – Tracey & Ruben. Ruben’s car had broken down and it was doubted he would get there at all, so Peter spoke about ‘Philip Airlines’ – you know the one which transported Philip from the eunuch’s chariot to a place many miles away. Peter called for Ruben to arrive – for God to transport Ruben into the meeting. We looked up and THERE HE STOOD !!!! He looked somewhat surprised by his reception !! Everybody gasped in complete amazement – especially Tracey – and shaking, they came to the front where Peter delivered his prophecy to them. That prophecy, I can tell you, is a wonderful confirmation of great joy to them. What an amazing start – if someone being transported into the meeting was the first miracle, and Peters prophecy to Tracey & Ruben was the second, what else could we all expect ??

Saturday dawned bright and shining (33C temperature – that’s over 90F to some of us) Off to another town, Lorca, where we had an all day conference arranged for one of Pastor David’s planted churches. Lorca is a town some 60km Southwest of Murcia. Quite a few people were there and expectations were quite high – given the previous days events :o) First session, Keith was first up giving some prophecy teaching. He quoted Revelation 19:10(b) and the Revelation 1:3 He gave several instances of prophecy in use and ha gave some instances of what prophecy is NOT. He used 1 Corinthians 14 as ‘the prophets manual’ and made the important definitions that prophecy is both Foretelling (something in the future) and Forthtelling (a word disclosing the present) Keith also gave very clear definition from scripture of the purpose of prophecy – 1 to grow the church(1 Cor 14:3) ; 2 guidance (Acts 13:1-3); and as a sign of unbelievers. Who can prophesy – anyone (Ephesians 4:11) In an intermission Peter gave 5 minutes on how prophecy is his ministry and how it works in practice. Finally, Keith went through the prophets of old to show how they were all ordinary people who had normal human frailties – e.g. Jeremiah was a depressive; Elijah was moody; Ezekiel was a mystic; and so on. He went on to describe how prophecy is received through prayer, meditation, visions, dreams, trances, impressions, the audible voice of God, angels, music – Daniel even gave a prophecy written on a wall !! Peter wrapped up a long and busy morning by answering questions.

Lunch followed and then a surprise start to the afternoon. We were asked to go and bless the churches new building !! Peter prophesied in March that someone in government would give the church in Lorca a building for their use – that it would be used as a ‘refugee centre’ and that there would be another building given which the church would use as a hostel/hotel for 80 people. This new building was given to them by the Mayor of Lorca less than one month later. Almost directly opposite the building, across a car park, is the local Immigration office where all refugees have to register !!!! How’s that for fulfillment of prophecy ?? Hallelujah \o/ We had a tour of the three storey building and saw how it will become a day centre type of thing with areas for meetings, a fitted kitchen (already in place), a crèche, a cafe, and so on. What an amazing God we serve – Miracle number three. We blessed and anointed the building – all its entrances - and threw out any residual demonic influence still there.

Back at the ranch we started the afternoon with some praise and worship. 90 minutes later and with everyone present having a wonderful time with the Lord, Peter then reminded them of the prophecies about these additional buildings and prophesied further about things still to come – signs and wonders, 300+ people queuing to get into the church (which only holds 100), 5 churches being planted; multiple meetings nearly every day of the week, changes in local laws to allow this church to grow, future provision of all the furniture and fittings needed. He also spoke of the people receiving words of knowledge because – what is the best way to get someone’s attention – give them a word of knowledge that only they know about. “How do you know that?” opens all doors. There followed extended ministry time and ended with Peter ‘giving his own gifting away’ by laying hands on half a dozen people – “That which I have I freely give to you”. Then the dancing started – led by Peter who (to be kind) is not designed for dancing – and yet who, like many larger people, can be very nimble on his feet. THEN we had a real surprise when Pastor David announced that he was going to ordain two new Pastors. Peter and Keith then formally inducted Pastor Pedro as the pastor of Lorca and David’s son David as a Pastor in their own church at Murcia. It was a very moving moment of affirmation for both men of God as they were received by their church with prolonged applause and cheering. I may have all of this on film as I was filming most of the weekend (including the moment when Ruben appeared in the church). If we manage to get some of it on the web-site, I will let you all know. We finally made it to a Spanish pizza parlour to conclude the evening – exhausted but totally exhilarated.

On Sunday, Peter went to a new Ecuadorian church in North Murcia – I think they want to affiliate to David as well – while John & I stayed in Lorca for their morning worship. We had a time of praise and worship after which Pastor Pedro introduced me. I thought I was going to speak on 1 Cor 13 ‘Love’ (a personal favourite of mine) Well I stared speaking on this and then the Lord had me address honesty and forgiveness in marriage and in life. It became a rather more serious word than I imagined but, as I said at the time, like Peter, I never know what I am going to say next – I simply wait upon the Lord to give me something and off I go. However, it proved to be a word in season as ministry went on for over 2 hours and every person present came forward for prayer and a word from the Lord. It seems to have gone down quite well so I just give all the Glory to God \o/. One very exciting moment occurred when I was literally almost knocked off my feet during ministry as angels swept into the building. It was an amazing moment for me and although some didn’t see anything, everyone felt a sudden change in the atmosphere. Later, we were even invited to go to Ecuador !! We had lunch in Lorca before returning to Murcia around 6 o’clock.

Meanwhile in North Murcia Peter, Keith, Ruth and Jonathan had a good time at the Ecuadorian Church. About thirty people gathered in what looked like a small warehouse and Peter spoke from John 2 where Mary said of Jesus " Do whatever he tells you ". And they did. Everyone was ready to do what Jesus wanted them to do including receiving more of the Holy Spirit. The whole church was prayed for and Peter's prophecy over the pastor confirmed a dream the pastor had the night before which reduced him to tears. What a privilege it was to be there !

Evening came and some 20 of us assembled in David’s house for a time of praise, worship, prayer, and prophecy for all the leaders and pastors of the group of churches we had visited. Also there were Pastors Alf & Katherine from Sweden, the parents of one of the Murcia worship team leaders. There was much prayer and prophecy that evening and three or four people were released further into their ministries. A truly anointed and blessed time – not too much detail as much of it was personal.

So we came to the time of reflection before we flew back again. The over-riding impression – yet again – is the amazing hunger for the things of the Lord among all the people in Spain. There was immense breakthrough for Lorca – even the city seemed more free and less forbidding than on our previous visits. The churches of Murcia and Lorca under Pastor David Snr are experiencing great personal and corporate breakthrough and a unity which must please the Heart of the Father. They have also affiliated themselves with IPHC through RoFMI !!! It truly is an enormous privilege to go visit with them and to be allowed to minister there. God always always always gives us something to Glorify His name for. It is an amazing place. What a joy to just share some of it with them. What a joy for Pastor David to see his son coming into the ministry with him – and there’s four more children to come into the ministry later – watch this space David – it will happen. Next trip ?? Who knows – only God. We are ready.

Chris Bennett Co-ordinator RoFMI