Jesus compels godly allegiance – teaching us to pray (Matthew 6:10): “Your kingdom come; your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Later, Jesus declares (Matthew 11:12) “The kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing.”
Of course, you ask: “How’s that working out?”
Israel
One answer comes from the history of Israel. As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God told them they would not take it quickly. They were too small. Wild animals would multiply. God delayed their possession until they grew large enough. God told them they would take it “little by little” (Exodus 23:30, Deuteronomy 7:22).
Gospel progress in Helena is often little by little.
The Bible shows us Israel’s progress was checkered with some steps forward and many reverses – caused by their own sin. Some setbacks included deportation and being ruled over by those who were largely ignorant of God. Onward?
Jesus
Then came Jesus. Somehow this itinerant carpenter/preacher from despised Nazareth – this Word made flesh – this miracle worker – is connected with God and loves people as no one else ever has – speaking the truth as no one else ever has. Then he is crucified.
What?!
Three days later, he rises from the dead! Many verify this person is Jesus!
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will empower his followers to be his (Acts 1:8) “witnesses in Jerusalem” (where he was rejected), “and in all Judea” (where he was crucified) “and Samaria” (where he was despised) “and to the ends of the earth” (where people were ignorant of him).
So, how’s that working out?
The Unfolding Mission
Although the book of Acts shows there was still “little by little,” there were also remarkable advances – including the dramatic conversion of arch-enemy, Paul, into Gospel Herald. So, while the world the flesh and the devil continued to “increase” (Matthew 24:12), that same word for “increase” – “multiplication” – is used to describe the surprising growth of:
- the number of the disciples (Acts 6:1,7),
- the church (Acts 9:31), and
- the influence of the word of God (Acts 12:24).
Onward!
Some who wrote the New Testament were so impacted by this growth that it became part of their greetings when writing to the churches. For example: 2 Peter 1:2 – “May grace and peace ‘be multiplied’ to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” Jude 2 – “May mercy, peace, and love ‘be multiplied’ to you.” Higher math!
Here in Montana, such multiplication has been evident through the Will Graham Celebrations. They took place 9/6,7,8 in Helena; 9/11 in Hamilton, and 9/13,14,15 in Great Falls.
Holy Spirit/ “Us”
For how those Celebrations came to Montana, let’s go back Acts 15:28 – ten words in English, seven words in Greek: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.”
Ponder that staggering confluence!
Here is a brief history of how this Celebration seemed good to us – here.
In 1995, Franklin Graham, Will’s father, came for a series of meetings at our Civic Center. Lowell Bartels and his team diligently prepared. Churches came together. Friends, who had not yet come to faith were invited. Many responded. Angels rejoiced. Good seeds were planted.
In 2016, a committee I led helped coordinate the effort to bring many Montanans to our Capitol lawn for a prayer meeting, August 9, 2016. Franklin Graham was visiting each state capitol during his Decision America Tour. Thousands came. Thank God.
In 2017, Scott Larson from Hamilton contacted the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and asked Will to come to Montana. A representative from BGEA, Rod Barnett, served as the advance scout. During 2017, some other pastors and I met Rod in Bozeman. And there were more meetings.
In our own Montana way, some were not quite sure if having Will Graham come “seemed good” – but others joined. Will and BGEA accepted invitations from Helena, Hamilton and Great Falls. We went to work.
In Helena, “us” meant an experienced team of BGEA leaders: Junior Castillo (TX), Jamaine Pearson (TN) Jimmy Davis (VA), and Doug Barrett (NC). They regularly began meeting with “us.” We were impressed by their integrity and willingness to walk with us each step. And, they kept calling “us” to pray.
Soon, “us” meant our local stellar team:
- Administrator, Sheree Vainio;
- Arrangements: Norine Rice;
- Children’s Ministry: Dave Howe;
- Communications Team: Roger Lonnquist;
- Counseling and Follow-up: Rob Lawler and Ted Clark;
- Finances: John Lagerquist;
- Pastors’ Team: Darren Hales;
- Prayer Team: Jim Stumbo;
- Students’ Team: Bob Veroulis.
- I was chosen as Team Leader. Other key pastors helped: Keith Johnson, Jeff Richards, Paul Goodman. Catholic leadership prayed for us. Eventually, there were 30 highly involved churches.
In January, Will came to meet leaders. These “launch” breakfasts in Helena and Great Falls grew “us.” From January until the time of the Celebrations, we had 17 distinct events in Helena – including multiple Christian Life and Witness training events. Dozens of letters and documents as well as hundreds of visits and phone calls grew “us.” We had12 team meetings. And there were innumerable emails – for five weeks before the Celebration, each week day I sent out 180 – 4500 altogether.
None of us could have brought the talent to Helena that came with Will. During the event our fairgrounds rocked. 4,952 came in Helena – 1,207 in Hamilton – 5,889 in Great Falls. 35,368 watched online. 1460 registered either professions of faith or rededicated their lives to Christ. Four percent made no decision but asked for prayer. Many seeds were planted. Speaking of seeds, one local youth pastor said that it took him ten years after attending a BGEA event to come to Christ.
So, we come back to our original question: “How’s gospel progress working out?”
Friend, what’s your opinion? One of our leaders told me: “Like many state capitals, Helena is a hard place spiritually. We kept missing our markers. But, in the end God came through. He motivated people. God is at work here.” Psalm 118:23 – “This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
