One Heart

It is easy to forget that the birth of the church did not take place during a tranquil time in history. World population then was less than the modern United States. Estimates are between 200-300 million people were alive in the world during the first century. 

It was not a peaceful time on earth. The gospel had its beginnings under the most oppressive government in human history. It was an epoch of constant war, intense ethnic divisions, and horrific persecution. However, the gospel not only survived in this setting, the book of Acts describes a church that thrived.

The age we live in has its own challenging realities. Yet for Christians, few things are as painful as when there is disunity in the body of Christ. The last church where I served as pastor experienced such a disruption of unity. I was slandered and betrayed. I looked around for 

minister friends to support me, yet I found judgment and vitrial instead. I walked away from the same church where I had grown up in order to avoid further heartache for those whom I pastored. This ordeal eventually cost me my credentials in the fellowship I had been a part of for 25 years. 

It was a season of walking through the valley, but I have since been restored by the Good Shepherd. As I write this article, I feel in my heart that many believers may be going through similar circumstances. Nothing causes as much agony in the church as disunity. Yet the most painful experiences we encounter can bring about the most growth in our walk with the Lord. The greatest unity can come after the greatest division. 

No matter the work or schism of the enemy, God is always uniting His church. Unity is the very first ingredient for the move of the Holy Spirit. 

In September, Katherine and I travelled to Winston-Salem to be a part of Seek Week. This regional revival conference was hosted by Central Triad Church, which has been experiencing a fresh move of God. As the first service of Seek Week came to a close, the enemy attempted to thwart the unity that is growing among believers in this region. 

Something had been said from the platform—an innocent comment, void of any malice. As he always does, the enemy twisted the words and their meaning, seeking to disrupt the unity that is so vital to any move of God. The devil is good at making something beautiful appear ugly for a moment. Yet a moment is all that the attack endured, as the misunderstanding was promptly addressed from the pulpit. Monday night came and the sanctuary was full for the second service of Seek Week.

Apart from the unity that can come after the pain of division, there is a second ingredient for revival. Nothing attracts the presence of God like spiritual hunger! The hunger of those gathered for Seek Week grew each night until it was palpable. This hunger took the form of a united desire for the public glorification of Christ. 

Herein lies the third and most important ingredient for genuine revival: The unity of the church, and the hunger that brings us together, must focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ!

As believers from diverse churches gathered for Seek Week, anointed guest ministers shined the spotlight on Jesus. The hosts of the revival conference, Pastors Michael and Annette Kelly, held a light hand on the services. God’s work was evident, and He taught us some truths.

America stands at a precipice between two spiritual destinies. The spirit of division that has gripped our nation may be bringing  us to the edge of societal collapse. One does not need to be prophetic to see that we could be on the verge of civil war. Political idealogy, often held along racial lines, and harsh rhetoric in America have descended into violence and bloodshed. Yet in the midst of the intense pain of division, God is bringing unity in many churches. 

In the sovereignty of God, the destiny of nations is something that He has left up to His praying people. What our divided nation needs is a united church. Our hunger for God and focus on Christ can bring us together. Every division and schism in the church must bow before the Lord. Are we willing to lay everything down?