Together We Stand!
First let me start by saying happy New Year to everyone. I know I’m a little late with this, but I’ve been so busy that I am just now getting a free moment so I decided to share with you what’s been going on in my life.
I can’t believe that we already have a month behind us. Let me tell you when 2010 began, I hit the ground running and it’s been non-stop ever since! Some of you may know that we started the New Year with the opening of a satellite church in Fort Worth, Texas. It has been an amazing experience for our congregation as we utilize satellite technology to link two locations together for one virtual church service. And let me tell you, we’ve been experiencing an awesome move of the Holy Spirit in Dallas and Fort Worth! There has been a real coming together of people from all nationalities, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds for one purpose. Isn’t it amazing to know what happens when people get together on one accord?
We also saw a great coming together on an even broader scale. When we heard of the sad news of the earthquake in Haiti, people from all over the world began to unite. Strategies and plans were being put into action to assist the suffering country. It seems like it was just yesterday when the new year rolled in, and I was sharing with my congregation and my partners that in 2010 God would release life changing direction, but you need to have systems, order and structure to be able to maximize what He has given you. In other words, you need a strategy, you need a plan!
Establishing systems, order and structure puts us in a better place. It enables us to visualize and map out meaningful work and goals that we need to accomplish. When we have taken the time to put order in our own lives, this gives us the ability to help one another. Who would have guessed that this message would have been so important? Just 12 days into the year, the world community demonstrated its ability to lend a hand when the catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti, affecting the lives of millions. So many people were left without food, water and shelter, while others needed medicine and health care, but had limited or no access to these necessities. So as we continue our journey into this new year, we must realize that 2010 is more than a new year, this is a new decade, and with this new decade comes a new mindset! I think many people from all over the world have proven this. As many regions of the earth are fighting wars, and facing tragedies, still there has been an overwhelming worldwide response to Haiti, which has given us all hope. It is comforting to know that even though there are tragedies occurring from one end of the earth to the next, the fact that the world community would join together to help people in need, shows that there is still compassion running through the veins of humanity.
Despite the fact that we have a long way to go, the encouraging aspect is that people are still joining together. Children from around the world can see the children in Haiti and say, “I want to help.” Some of the most well-known celebrities who are used to having the spotlight shine on them have even helped turned Hollywood’s attention to Haiti. These stars are sending a message to the world that we all need to help our fellow brothers.
This new decade is speaking to the heart of mankind. Even though many of us have experienced individual challenges, the heart is what it’s all about. There’s still more work to be done, but don’t get discouraged as you set out to better the life of someone who is in dire need; someone who would be satisfied just to eat a piece of bread or a bowl of rice for dinner; someone whose life is extended by having access to a clean drink of water. Galatians 6:9 teaches, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” This horrific event touched the heart of mankind, but sometimes the heart is the first to grow weary, weak and tired. In the midst of these difficult times, setbacks and struggles, don’t allow your heart to get weary. I want to encourage you to stay positive, prayerful and systematic! I want you to continue to help the people of Haiti; I encourage you to lend a hand to your neighbor down the street who may need a lift to the doctor’s office; I encourage you to buy a box of pampers or a bag of groceries for a mom who is struggling to care for and feed her hungry children. In other words, find someone who needs help, and don’t be afraid to reach out and touch a life. Don’t close the door of compassion. Though some of us have lost homes, jobs, cars and the like, there’s one thing that God doesn’t want us to lose, and that is our compassion for one another!
Partners, with your help, we can do this together. Your assistance has helped us provide food, water and other necessities, and we believe you can help us to continue our mission as we work to restore and renew hope. We’ve already sent a team over to Haiti and we’ve supplied food, clean water systems and medical supplies through MegaCare, the humanitarian division of the ministry. If you would like to help me to help the people of Haiti visit ThePottersHouse.org.
On another note, I have exciting news to share with you. But first let me share something with you that touched my heart. Recently, four of the Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen attended service at our Dallas location. Our congregation welcomed these fine gentlemen with a standing ovation for writing history as the country’s first black fighter pilots. I was so honored that they presented me with a customized charcoal image of their combat plane for my contribution to change. But I couldn’t do what I do without you, so hats off to you for your continuous support of the ministry. Together we have made a difference in the lives of many and we will continue to make a difference whether we’re reaching out to former inmates who have joined our TORI program; homeless people who have received food and clothing; battered women who have received counseling and other services as well as clean water and housing for people overseas. So thanks.
Now, on to my news…I am so excited to share with you that I am preparing for a powerful three-day revival that you don’t want to miss! If you’re looking to rejuvenate your soul and refresh your mind, then you must attend the Holy Week Revival beginning Wednesday, March 31 through Friday, April 2. I will have special guests Pastor Sheryl Brady and Israel Houghton who will minister to you in Word and song. We’re going to have one revival, but it will be held at two locations in Texas. If you can, I want you to join me either at the Allen Event Center or the Fort Worth Convention Center. Also, don’t forget on Easter Sunday, April 4th, we will hold service at three locations, so in addition to our regular Sunday services in Dallas and Fort Worth, you can join me for Easter service at the Allen Event Center. I hope to see you there. We’re going to have a good time rejoicing in the Lord. (If you want to take a sneak peek, check out the link at ThePottersHouse.org/revival. There you can get updates…)
Be blessed!
Bishop Jakes
Hello Bishop,
Great to hear from you thanks for the words of encouragement today. I was blessed on Januray 7th when you spoke at Jericho City Of Praise in Maryland. God Bless you and continue the great work for the Kingdom…
thankyou for being faithfull to your calling Bishop Jakes, I am one of many who are better for it. since its your first blog of 2010, just thought Id share that when I woke up early on New Years day, God put it on my heart to look at the S.O.S. plan on your website and it really has helped me to have focused goals that I can pray into and work on.
God bless you, I remember you in my prayers.
Bishop Jakes has resonated a loud cymbal in our ears, couples with a love for people and to see people develop; lives can be changed if we STOP, take a moment to pray and move toward someone in need or those in need STOP, take a moment to pray and take a stand to begin your plan in life. It’s a fact that less than 5% of men have a life plan, so how can we lead our own home much less this need decade and all the challenges it brings.
Now it’s time we all STOP, take time to pray and develop a real conversation (not on CNN, blogosphere or on facebook posts) with a real God that has real answers for us all…. answers that He’s been waiting to give us since before we were in our mother’s womb, our blueprint (our plan for living abundantly.) This plan that Bishop Jakes refers to is not a meant to be a pulpit for everyone, or even a missions trip to Haiti but where has God planted you? What influences has He given each one of us uniquely to use for Him. I learned early on in my salvation that God mustn’t be “Plan B” when all else in the world has failed and we have been picked up and dusted-off by Christ. His plan is for Christ to pick us up, dust us off and rediscover the God-sized vision we have been running from our entire life. Even those in the pews are shaking their heads as you read this saying, yes, yes… again, yes… I was born for more.
Bishop Jakes, thank you! Thank you for taking time to not forgo a message two months in the making, to make a plan and “BEGIN AGAIN in 2010.” We all have that God-sized vision that we are decisions away from discovering; the spiritual vision, the relational vision, the physical vision, the financial vision and the career vision. Don’t tell God anymore about the economy… tell the economy about YOUR GOD and TAKE A STAND.
Looking Forward,
Paul Jacobs
Blueprint for Life Ministries
2.25.10
Hello Bishop Jakes!!
The S.O.S. is a wonderful acronym because with it many task have been completed. It has kept my plans in order and on track. It’s like the UPS Check that the math teachers expect their students to use. It’s also like the scientific theory because it allows you to think through what you need to do next. Even with all my obstacles, I have accomplished a great deal using the S.O.S. idea. It really keeps me focused on what I need to do next. Having some type of system at what ever you do helps me to do what I need to do because it lays out your procedures. Being organized about it, and meeting deadlines which takes order and sequence. Then to have some type of structure in place of how you will do what you do, and what to do next. I have found it to be so helpful. I’m still working hard at the endeavors I have set out to do and with keeping the S.O.S in mind, it’s working!! I see how you get so much accomplished!! Have a blessed week!!
Keep being blessed in all the work that you do. You are truly an inspiration.
Bishop,
I thank God for the example you are to me. I admire your tenacity in the face of the challenges you face and ask for more grace for you and your family. I have been especially blessed by what you have done to honor these african american men who were the first black fighter pilots. God bless you it takes a man of honor to honor other men. It takes a man of vision to see the dreams of others come true. Have a wonderful revival ahead.
I love you bishop and God bless and Keep you.
Pastor Nsikak David
The Wise Family Church
Lagos, Nigeria
God bless you Pastor T.D.! You are my favorite, bringing the Word to me in a way I i understand, and how your sermons excite me, encourage me and at times make me weep. GOD CHOSE YOU, FOR ME, AND SOOOOO MANY OTHERS. Thank you for being a true servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope one day to be able to meet you and shake your hand. And I have been called to be a Christian Counsler. To take my suffering lessons in my life and help others, in the spirit of Jesus and Compassion. Please pray for that and how to teach my young ones about how Jesus is the most important and for them to understand. And my husband, who is a unsure believer. I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU! See you in heaven ol’ pal.
Elizabeth (Ella) Faust
Thanks Bishop for sharing this touching information especially about the 4 airmen that have made a mark in the American history. Congratulations for planting a new church in Fort Worth, may God increase your sphere of influence and protect you, your family and ministry by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Paul (Durban, RSA)
Keep it up Bishop, you are a blessing to me, my family and ministry.
Goodmorning Bishop Jakes,
Congratulations to you and your staff on such a huge accomplishment! I know that God will continue to bless you and your ministry because of your hunger and thirst for God. He keeps drawing many people to Him through ministries like yours.
Much Love and Many Blessings,
Dawn
Hey ! Happy New Year to you and your Family
I am so excited about all of our new campus and I have been driving for over 10 years to the Dallas location, and I said (2010) I was going to move closer and become more active in church so i could feel closer in a big membership and so my (2) kids could be active as well because thats how I grew up, I just cant go to any church you know bishop, i have to stay where i can get the food i need for a divorced,single parent,businessowner, mother, and caregiver. To make a long story short i grew up north and i love where i live (frisco) and i love the enviroment for my kids so to have a church moving to allen (10 mins away vs 40 mins) is a blessing yes many have been called be few are chosen, i am so excited i hope we stay and bulid a wonderful foundation for our childerns childerns childern ! Its so many people that want to attend my church but they say it is to far ! Everybody that gets in my chair i have been telling them and they are on fire!!!!! I am beliveing God for (3,000+) on easter sunday so you wont leave (LOL). so i dont have to move to be more active!!!!!
love you and first lady so much
lady nancy
Man of God,
Its so good to hear this clarion call from you. I hold in high esteem your sense of responsibility for the masses of men you have been called to reach. Thank you so much for obeying God’s call.
Abayomi,
Ibadan, Nigeria
I learned a lot here, you are really good at this topic
.
Dear Bishop,
It is not too late to put things right about the year. It is easier done now than latter.
I am thinking that the Lord is trying to remind us of our responsibility to the needy beyong just praying. This is a call to ‘True and Acceptable worship’
“As many regions of the earth are fighting wars, and facing tragedies, still there has been an overwhelming worldwide response to Haiti, which has given us all hope. It is comforting to know that even though there are tragedies occurring from one end of the earth to the next, the fact that the world community would join together to help people in need, shows that there is still compassion running through the veins of humanity.”
I really feel compelled to reply to this. I lived in Haiti for one year. The school I taught at is now rubble, I have no way to know if my students are alive nor the staff that I bonded with while there. I pray for their lives and their souls everyday.
While there, I was privileged in a sense to get an insiders view. I did not go as a missionary, I went as a teacher and a mistress. I lived the life of a Haitian woman and I lived the life of a Haitian. I saw things that we can not accept or tolerate as Christians or as North Americans or as humans period.
It is a culture void of human dignity (I say this generally as I have met some beautiful Haitians) They think nothing of killing and kidnapping their own children for money at Christmas. They think nothing of maiming the children, or beating them.
This is a culture that has been held back in the Victorian era.
As we pray and try to bring them hope and food that we also bring them enlightenment and the understanding of the value of life.
While many are Christian, I pray that they find the true meaning of Christ and that they live by his values and understandings and not by the ones many have chosen.
I have prayed also for those who have not listened to the cries of Haitians and have waited for this to happen.
I had to leave Haiti because I was too outspoken and strong and I would have been killed for protecting those I loved most. My beloved students.
God bless you all for hearing the call and for answering and for those of you who heard the cries of Haiti long before the earthquake you are truly blessed.
Happy New Year to you, your wife,and your family.
It is amazing how time is passing by so fast. But yet the fight of faith continues. I just wanted to send out a note just telling you thanking for all you have done for the Body of Christ, and the witness of Jesus Christ through your ministry. I am married now and marriage is interesting. I tell my wife all the time, the church is not my first ministry, she is. Because the bible instructs me to treat my wife as Christ treated the Church. So I continually ask myself, is this how Jesus treated the Church concerning my wife. And that alone is interesting. My wife is my ministry. And right now I am not working so my wife is also my job (LOL). I hope one day I will meet you to tell you thanks face to face. But in the mean time I hope me telling you over this blog is enough. Keep fighting Bishop. And keep preaching what God has assigned you to preach. Take care. Peace (Shalom) III John 1:2
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
Jambo Bishop,
God bless your good effort.
Nene
Happy new year Bishop.
God is very good and Im blessed to be reading your blog. You really inspire me everyday and I pray that the Lord uses you in many more ways to reach out to the world. People are hungry for love, hope and encouragement. I pray for you that this step that the church has taken will be a window for hope for many more lost souls. May God bless you, protect you, grant you wisdom, favor, peace, joy, laughter, good health and may his face continue to shine upon you.
Cheers
Greetings, Bishop Jakes, from the hills of Vermont. We would like to let you know we have been enjoying your live broadcast on Sunday mornings. There are eight of us who gather to join your morning service. I was previously a youth pastor at a local church here. I had been a senior pastor at one time and felt a call to minister to this generation. We are waiting on the Lord for our next assignment. We have been especially blessed by your service as there is not anything like Potter’s House in our region. We are taking an offering on Sundays to sow into the church. For now Potter’s House has become our storehouse. Thankyou for your faithfulness in serving the Lord.
Blessings, Pastor Tim
I think you are great. I have been trying to find this for months.
Have awonderful new year too Bishop,i love you so much your such aman of God gifted to speak the inner man short falls with the passion of Christ expose weakeness and feed the spirit with the word that makes adifference the GOSPEL.
ITS MY PRAYER THAT GOD THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST CONTINUE TO SHARE HIS BLESSING UPON YOU AND FAMILY EXTENDED TO THE CHURCH.
MAY YOU MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKE EAGLES, MAY YOU RUN WITH THE GOSPEL&NOT BE WEARY OR FAINT IN JESUS NAME
ONE DAY ITS MY PRAYER LET GOD ALLOW YOU COME TO MALAWI
LASTLY POWERFUL EASTER,
OSIYA.
Hello Bishop Jakes,
I’m so excited about what God is doing in your life which passes on to my life and many others. Thank you for your faithfulness and obedience to the call! I’m excited to be a part of all that you are doing at the Potter’s House. My husband and I, have just moved to the DFW area this past summer from North Carolina to be a part of The Potter’s House. It seems like we came at the right time–I’m just honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing at The Potter’s House. The Fort Worth outreach was awesome, can’t wait to see what’s next!! Keep going forth–as you go higher, I go higher!! May God continue to bless you and your family!!
Thank you for responding to the need in Haiti in such a way that nothing is wasted. My heart broke when I saw the pictures of the devastion that this precious group of people were left with. The need in this world is so great and it is going to take all of us to help fill it. I just wanted to thank you for being a man who we can trust to be where we cannot be. Thank you again for answering the call of God on your life. Maybe the hardness of America’s heart will be softened when we realize that if not for the grace of God, we could be going through this ourselves. We need to put ourselves in the shoes of those who have lived through this devastation and ask ourselves why we do not help. We would want love shown to us in the same manner that we should be responding. Thank you for responding with the love of Christ. Gloria
i truly enjoy all your posting kind, very helpful.
don’t give up and also keep posting seeing that it simply just nicely to follow it.
looking forward to look at much of your stories, have a good day
It is a real joy to know that you are being used of God to help others affected by the earthquake in Haiti rebuild. Continue to always seek to serve, teach, and uplift others. Is their anything specific you need prayer for?