The Body of Christ

Greetings to Church Alive and the Northwest Arkansas Body of Christ,

The Holy Spirit is working in Northwest Arkansas. Allow me to share some observations of what I am seeing. People are beginning to understand their value in and to the body of Christ. The scripture tells each one of us that are born-again have God-given gifts. They are to be discovered and developed. We are to put them to work in everyday life. We use these gifts at home, work, in small groups, and the larger gatherings of the church. Every member of the body of Christ is important. I pray we will come to know and believe that.

Jesus is helping our leadership team to create and provide opportunities for His church to minister. Some people and gifts are more public and some more private. All are necessary. Paul, the apostle, tells us in I Corinthians chapter 12, the hidden gifts are absolutely essential. In the body of Christ, I see people serving one another by taking meals to the sick, cleaning houses and doing laundry for the overwhelmed, repairing things for widows and single women who need a helping hand, and working in the nursery. Some are meeting one on one and couple to couple for encouragement and discipleship. I watch as others quietly give to meet the needs of others to improve their lives. It is marvelous in my eyes! Soon, we will be serving the workers at all seven fire stations in Bentonville with a meal once each month. The love and heart of God is breaking out in our midst. May we excel still more. My excitement is that we are beginning to live up to our name… Church Alive!

I am thrilled to hear and see people operating in spiritual gifts in our small groups and larger gatherings. May we continue to mature and allow the Holy Spirit to use us. This is the age of the church. We will see increased outpourings of spiritual gifts, signs, wonders, and miracles through the body, not just leadership. One of my desires going forward is to hear the testimonies from people who have been touched by the Lord and used by the Lord. Then, may these testimonies spread like wildfire in our surrounding communities. The result being unsaved people coming to Christ and His reputation being highly exalted in Northwest Arkansas.

Finally, I recently witnessed numerous spirit-filled churches in our region coming together to pray and minister to one another. No pastor or leader is looking for glory or recognition. The glory went to God and an obvious hunger was present to see the body of Christ come together in unity. We had this prayer night at New Hope Assembly hosted by Pastor James Longmate. He was quick to say that this is a regional body of Christ meeting, not only for His fellowship. We had 8-9 churches represented and about 200 people in attendance. The Holy Spirit was poured out in powerful prayer. We had a time for an open microphone. Several had prophetic words from the Lord and encouraging testimonies for those gathered there. Our hope is to come together again in a few months with 12-13 churches participating together. When we come together in unity, there the Lord commands the blessing… His kind of life forevermore! [see Psalm 133]

The result will be the rise of a significant “Church Triumphant” instead of a “Church Trampled” by the enemy and mediocrity. Currently, our culture and the enemy laugh at the self-absorbed church. God is hearing our cry and things are changing! Let’s be a part of the change!

Advancing His Kingdom,

Pastor Tony