February 8, 2010
It has been a week since our Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary, and how overwhelmed with gratitude Joan and I are for the wonderful time we had together. There were over four hundred who attended in person and many times that over the web. Numerous comments have come back on how the conference had a personal impact. After nearly three years absence from public ministry, we were so amazed at all the people who came from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. For many of us, it felt like a reunion.
As Ryan and Elissa and their team opened Thursday evening with praise and worship, we all sensed such an amazing presence of God which continued in every service. It was obvious that there was an open heaven over us and the prophetic word flowed freely. There was such a passion for our nation’s spiritual destiny that united our hearts, lifting each service higher.
Bill Prankard opened the conference with a message that stirred fresh vision and hope in us all. On Friday morning, Len Zoeteman brought revelation about the spiritual force that has been opposing the prophetic voice in our nation. Francis Armstrong and Kenny Blacksmith spoke a strategic word in the afternoon.
While Kenny Blacksmith was not originally scheduled to be a part of the conference, circumstances allowed him to come and this was so strategic. Not only did he share about the Forgiven Journey (see www.i4give.ca), he was able to bring a timely word that impacted Joan and me immensely.
One word that really impacted me was a word by Francis on Saturday afternoon. He shared how he recalled seeing a documentary on television about a wounded lion. A typical lion’s enemies would stay at least 100 meters distance, but for a wounded lion that had survived his ordeal, that sphere had grown to 300 meters. He prophesied over Joan and me that our roar was now three times more powerful. This meant a great deal to both us.
Faytene ministered encouragement on the effectiveness of prophetic gatherings such as the Cry and U4D. She also ministered healing from her generation to ours. Kenny led us in prayer of release for Joan and me and for the Body of Christ in Canada.
I believe the overall theme for the conference was about declaring an end to the winter season and the release of a new season spiritually. The prophetic declarations were strategic in closing the previous season and releasing a fresh new season. These declarations I believe have helped open a spiritual portal in Calgary.
We are already making plans for our next Unite for Dominion conference in Ottawa, July 1-3. More details will be sent out by email in the weeks to come. We are also making preparations to launch a television program in the months to come. Several persons have already volunteered to partner monthly with us to make this possible, perhaps you might feel called to support this endeavor regularly.
Please forward this email to those who you know who may be interested and encourage them to sign up for our e-news at our website.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Our Nation will Arise
January 20, 2010
Every Monday evening as we gather for our weekly marketplace prayer meeting in our office, we have been receiving words of direction in preparation for Unite for Dominion conference on January 28-30.
This week, our prayers and thoughts were obviously with the people of Haiti, but we also shared how thankful we all are for the nations Canada and America. Our two countries are among the first to respond with money and physical aid to this nation in great need.
We have friends from our city, Ralph and Cindy Molyneux, who were on a mission to Haiti with Compassion Canada, and who arrived in the country 1 hour before the earthquake. They describe their experience as 30 hours of hell. Their hotel collapsed minutes before their arrival with some members of their party in the structure when it collapsed. Sadly, one person who was in their party perished.
They tell how their driver immediately began to take them to the Compassion headquarters, directly across from the Canadian Embassy. The Embassy sheltered them for the night, though they had to remain outdoors because of building damage, and then they were evacuated by the Canadian Armed Forces the next day to the Dominican. From there, they boarded a flight to Montreal and then they described something that took place just as the plane began to land. Those on board spontaneously broke out in song in our national anthem, O Canada! I was so blessed to hear this and it inspired me once again to look ahead to the transformation of our nation for a Kingdom of God purpose.
It was reminder to Joan and me why for the past decade or more, we have repeatedly declared the destiny of Canada and it’s role as storehouse nation for the world, and a catalyst for spiritual transformation. Psalm 72:8 is inscribed over the entry to the Peace Tower in Ottawa, a clear reminder for us all about the vision our founding fathers had for this nation.
For a short time, it appeared as though Joan and I had been knocked out of the battle for our nation, but on that Monday night as we worshipped, a tangible presence of God settled in on us and several began to prophesy.
The essence of those words said that we are in a time of spiritual transition in our nation and that the Kingdom purposes would be accelerated. There were words of provision for strength and resources. There were words that indicated a new level of urgency in compelling people into the Kingdom. (Luke 14:23).
I anticipate our time at Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary to experience a fresh release of Holy Spirit to empower our prophetic cluster in a new way. Something is happening in 2010 that will cause an acceleration of the things of God in our nation. In an earlier blog, I spoke of a word the Lord had given us weeks earlier that the winter is over. Winter represents dormancy, but following winter comes spring, when new life comes forth in abundance.
When we gather in Calgary, I am expecting new life to spring forth and prophetic direction for the coming season. Please join us and help create a critical mass of believers who have vision and faith for what is to come.
Every Monday evening as we gather for our weekly marketplace prayer meeting in our office, we have been receiving words of direction in preparation for Unite for Dominion conference on January 28-30.
This week, our prayers and thoughts were obviously with the people of Haiti, but we also shared how thankful we all are for the nations Canada and America. Our two countries are among the first to respond with money and physical aid to this nation in great need.
We have friends from our city, Ralph and Cindy Molyneux, who were on a mission to Haiti with Compassion Canada, and who arrived in the country 1 hour before the earthquake. They describe their experience as 30 hours of hell. Their hotel collapsed minutes before their arrival with some members of their party in the structure when it collapsed. Sadly, one person who was in their party perished.
They tell how their driver immediately began to take them to the Compassion headquarters, directly across from the Canadian Embassy. The Embassy sheltered them for the night, though they had to remain outdoors because of building damage, and then they were evacuated by the Canadian Armed Forces the next day to the Dominican. From there, they boarded a flight to Montreal and then they described something that took place just as the plane began to land. Those on board spontaneously broke out in song in our national anthem, O Canada! I was so blessed to hear this and it inspired me once again to look ahead to the transformation of our nation for a Kingdom of God purpose.
It was reminder to Joan and me why for the past decade or more, we have repeatedly declared the destiny of Canada and it’s role as storehouse nation for the world, and a catalyst for spiritual transformation. Psalm 72:8 is inscribed over the entry to the Peace Tower in Ottawa, a clear reminder for us all about the vision our founding fathers had for this nation.
For a short time, it appeared as though Joan and I had been knocked out of the battle for our nation, but on that Monday night as we worshipped, a tangible presence of God settled in on us and several began to prophesy.
The essence of those words said that we are in a time of spiritual transition in our nation and that the Kingdom purposes would be accelerated. There were words of provision for strength and resources. There were words that indicated a new level of urgency in compelling people into the Kingdom. (Luke 14:23).
I anticipate our time at Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary to experience a fresh release of Holy Spirit to empower our prophetic cluster in a new way. Something is happening in 2010 that will cause an acceleration of the things of God in our nation. In an earlier blog, I spoke of a word the Lord had given us weeks earlier that the winter is over. Winter represents dormancy, but following winter comes spring, when new life comes forth in abundance.
When we gather in Calgary, I am expecting new life to spring forth and prophetic direction for the coming season. Please join us and help create a critical mass of believers who have vision and faith for what is to come.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Calgary will be a portal.
January 17, 2010
This past week at our Monday Marketplace prayer meeting, a number people present were sharing with us how they would frequently see the number 11:11, much more than mere coincidence and they were wondering what significance, if any, this number might have. In the past, we have seen numbers which we felt were associated with scriptures which had specific significance for us at that time.
Joan shared how she too was seeing this number over and over and I know this to be true as she has pointed this out to me many times over the past many weeks. Just the day before, she took this to the Lord in prayer and felt directed to Hebrews 11:11. This passage says that Sarai received strength to conceive seed and bear a child, though she was well past the age. Joan felt that Lord was telling us that He was imparting strength to not only conceive, but to also bring a vision to full birth. We felt this related to something new that is bering released in 2010. After sharing this, another person pointed out that the numerical date for that day is written 01/11/10, another unusual coincidence.
As we entered into worship, we began to hear this word, “Calgary will be a portal, Calgary will be a portal.” Then Joan shared from Acts 16:25-34 in which Paul and Silas, having been beaten and imprisoned began singing praises at midnight and all the prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake and all the prisoners chains were loosed. A significant move of God followed that established one of the strongest 1st Century churches located in Philippi.
Joan felt that a key to releasing what God wants to do in this hour would be through extended times of worship that would release unprecedented angelic activity so that chains will be broken and prison doors opened. We believe if we follow this direction, Calgary will be a portal for the presence of God to be released.
Many years ago, Joan and I felt directed by the Lord, to plant shoes in various cities as a declaration to possess these locations for the Kingdom of God. On January 21, 2007, while on a ministry trip to Edmonton and Calgary, Joan and I planted pair of shoes in Edmonton and Calgary, in part because we were believing for a broadcast license for both cities, which we learned later was unsuccessful.
In Calgary, we planted these shoes outside a Tim Hortons restaurant, mostly for a lack of a better place, and then went into our vehicle to pray over this “prophetic act”. As we did, the presence of God invaded our vehicle in a powerful way. It was so unmistakeable that Joan immediately spoke out loud, “what is that?”. It felt like a mini whirlwind in our vehicle and it left us wondering what significance this experience was to have.
Today, exactly three years later, we believe it has relevance to the upcoming National Prophetic Summit, Unite for Dominion on January 28-30 in Calgary. We feel God is saying to us that He wants to do something unique and new at this summit.
Also, we have just learned that Kenny Blacksmith, a well known national First Nation leader will be attending Unite for Dominion along with other leaders from his team. Kenny is leading a national gathering of First Nations which will respond to the apology delivered several years ago by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a very significant time in Canadian history. We are very pleased to have Kenny be a part of this conference and believe this no coincidence. To learn more about Kenny’s gathering, go to www.i4give.ca and about our conference, www.unitefordominion.ca.
This past week at our Monday Marketplace prayer meeting, a number people present were sharing with us how they would frequently see the number 11:11, much more than mere coincidence and they were wondering what significance, if any, this number might have. In the past, we have seen numbers which we felt were associated with scriptures which had specific significance for us at that time.
Joan shared how she too was seeing this number over and over and I know this to be true as she has pointed this out to me many times over the past many weeks. Just the day before, she took this to the Lord in prayer and felt directed to Hebrews 11:11. This passage says that Sarai received strength to conceive seed and bear a child, though she was well past the age. Joan felt that Lord was telling us that He was imparting strength to not only conceive, but to also bring a vision to full birth. We felt this related to something new that is bering released in 2010. After sharing this, another person pointed out that the numerical date for that day is written 01/11/10, another unusual coincidence.
As we entered into worship, we began to hear this word, “Calgary will be a portal, Calgary will be a portal.” Then Joan shared from Acts 16:25-34 in which Paul and Silas, having been beaten and imprisoned began singing praises at midnight and all the prisoners listened. Suddenly there was an earthquake and all the prisoners chains were loosed. A significant move of God followed that established one of the strongest 1st Century churches located in Philippi.
Joan felt that a key to releasing what God wants to do in this hour would be through extended times of worship that would release unprecedented angelic activity so that chains will be broken and prison doors opened. We believe if we follow this direction, Calgary will be a portal for the presence of God to be released.
Many years ago, Joan and I felt directed by the Lord, to plant shoes in various cities as a declaration to possess these locations for the Kingdom of God. On January 21, 2007, while on a ministry trip to Edmonton and Calgary, Joan and I planted pair of shoes in Edmonton and Calgary, in part because we were believing for a broadcast license for both cities, which we learned later was unsuccessful.
In Calgary, we planted these shoes outside a Tim Hortons restaurant, mostly for a lack of a better place, and then went into our vehicle to pray over this “prophetic act”. As we did, the presence of God invaded our vehicle in a powerful way. It was so unmistakeable that Joan immediately spoke out loud, “what is that?”. It felt like a mini whirlwind in our vehicle and it left us wondering what significance this experience was to have.
Today, exactly three years later, we believe it has relevance to the upcoming National Prophetic Summit, Unite for Dominion on January 28-30 in Calgary. We feel God is saying to us that He wants to do something unique and new at this summit.
Also, we have just learned that Kenny Blacksmith, a well known national First Nation leader will be attending Unite for Dominion along with other leaders from his team. Kenny is leading a national gathering of First Nations which will respond to the apology delivered several years ago by Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a very significant time in Canadian history. We are very pleased to have Kenny be a part of this conference and believe this no coincidence. To learn more about Kenny’s gathering, go to www.i4give.ca and about our conference, www.unitefordominion.ca.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Your Reward is Me
January 10, 2010
Your Reward is Me
After a two week hiatus for the Christmas holidays, once again we gathered in our office for our Monday Marketplace prayer meeting and I think all of us were eager to enter in to the prayer time and to hopefully receive a word from the Lord for the year to come.
As Ryan and Elissa led the worship time, you could immediately sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in a special way and all of us were earnestly worshiping in the Spirit. Early in this time, I began to hear these words in my heart, “Your reward is Me, your reward is Me”, over and over.
My first response was to question why I was hearing this phrase over and over, it seemed to be out of step with the focus of our prayer time. I thought to myself, how does this relate to the direction we are seeking for the new year?
But as the worship continued, more and more revelation began to come to my understanding. I thought about Luke 24 and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who were the first to see Christ after His resurrection. Though these two were not part of the 12 disciples, the death of Christ had impacted them deeply and they spoke of it while walking on the road. Then unknown to them, Christ joins them on their journey and immediately they begin to tell Him about the recent events in Jerusalem and Christ’s crucifixion.
Then the stranger began to share with them from the scriptures how Christ was to suffer and die in order to enter His glory. As evening approached, they entered a village for the evening and they constrained Him to enter with them. As He broke bread and blessed it, the scripture says their eyes were opened and they recognize the resurrected Jesus who then suddenly disappeared before them.
At that moment they declare, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road... ?” These two disciples, who had such deep loss and despair and all their aspirations and hopes dashed, were suddenly experiencing the first appearance of the resurrected Christ, even before the inner circle of disciples. Why, I wondered?
I felt the answer was in the words I was hearing, your reward is Me. Yes they had experienced immense loss, but the reward for this loss was His manifest presence. I believe the Lord was showing us that in this coming year, God is exchanging the loss in our lives with ... Him, His tangible presence. I have heard several other prophetic leaders, including T.D. Jakes declare this year would be a year of the double portion and others have declared it a year of restoration.
Over the past three years, Joan and I have experienced great loss, and Joan perhaps more than me. Our nation has suffered loss spiritually and I’m sure each of you could identify loss in some area of your life. Like the two disciples in Luke 24, I believe the Lord is saying that we can exchange the loss in our lives for a greater measure of Him. Sometimes we focus on various blessings, whether financial, spiritual or natural, but the reality is the greatest blessing we can receive is His presence.
This principle is evident as well in Genesis 15 where the Lord appears to Abram and says, “I am your shield and exceeding great reward.” Abram responds, “Lord what will you give me seeing I go childless,..” Abram could only see his loss, but God wanted him to see that He was more than any loss or lack that Abram might perceive.
During the worship, we took time to corporately exchange our loss for the promise of His presence, but I believe this a promise for the entire Body of Christ in the coming year. I am also expecting that we will see this promise manifest in some way at the Unite for Dominion conference, Jan. 28-30 in Calgary. We would love to see you there, please go to www.unitefordominion.ca for more details on how you could attend.
Your Reward is Me
After a two week hiatus for the Christmas holidays, once again we gathered in our office for our Monday Marketplace prayer meeting and I think all of us were eager to enter in to the prayer time and to hopefully receive a word from the Lord for the year to come.
As Ryan and Elissa led the worship time, you could immediately sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in a special way and all of us were earnestly worshiping in the Spirit. Early in this time, I began to hear these words in my heart, “Your reward is Me, your reward is Me”, over and over.
My first response was to question why I was hearing this phrase over and over, it seemed to be out of step with the focus of our prayer time. I thought to myself, how does this relate to the direction we are seeking for the new year?
But as the worship continued, more and more revelation began to come to my understanding. I thought about Luke 24 and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who were the first to see Christ after His resurrection. Though these two were not part of the 12 disciples, the death of Christ had impacted them deeply and they spoke of it while walking on the road. Then unknown to them, Christ joins them on their journey and immediately they begin to tell Him about the recent events in Jerusalem and Christ’s crucifixion.
Then the stranger began to share with them from the scriptures how Christ was to suffer and die in order to enter His glory. As evening approached, they entered a village for the evening and they constrained Him to enter with them. As He broke bread and blessed it, the scripture says their eyes were opened and they recognize the resurrected Jesus who then suddenly disappeared before them.
At that moment they declare, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road... ?” These two disciples, who had such deep loss and despair and all their aspirations and hopes dashed, were suddenly experiencing the first appearance of the resurrected Christ, even before the inner circle of disciples. Why, I wondered?
I felt the answer was in the words I was hearing, your reward is Me. Yes they had experienced immense loss, but the reward for this loss was His manifest presence. I believe the Lord was showing us that in this coming year, God is exchanging the loss in our lives with ... Him, His tangible presence. I have heard several other prophetic leaders, including T.D. Jakes declare this year would be a year of the double portion and others have declared it a year of restoration.
Over the past three years, Joan and I have experienced great loss, and Joan perhaps more than me. Our nation has suffered loss spiritually and I’m sure each of you could identify loss in some area of your life. Like the two disciples in Luke 24, I believe the Lord is saying that we can exchange the loss in our lives for a greater measure of Him. Sometimes we focus on various blessings, whether financial, spiritual or natural, but the reality is the greatest blessing we can receive is His presence.
This principle is evident as well in Genesis 15 where the Lord appears to Abram and says, “I am your shield and exceeding great reward.” Abram responds, “Lord what will you give me seeing I go childless,..” Abram could only see his loss, but God wanted him to see that He was more than any loss or lack that Abram might perceive.
During the worship, we took time to corporately exchange our loss for the promise of His presence, but I believe this a promise for the entire Body of Christ in the coming year. I am also expecting that we will see this promise manifest in some way at the Unite for Dominion conference, Jan. 28-30 in Calgary. We would love to see you there, please go to www.unitefordominion.ca for more details on how you could attend.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Ministry Update: Our Journey to Date
January, 2010
Dick and Joan Deweert
422 - 13 Street N.
Lethbridge, AB, T1H 2S2
Many of you are aware of our exit from our leadership position as Founders of The Miracle Channel several years ago. This letter is bring you up to date of our journey for the past three years.
THE JOURNEY TO DATE
It is safe to say that the past few years have been a very difficult time for us and for you as supporters of our ministry as well as all those with whom we are associated. I don’t believe anyone, including myself, ever anticipated a failure to happen, but it did. Upon revelation of my moral failure, a chain reaction began that impacted thousands of people leaving many shocked, hurt, disillusioned and angry. This is something I deeply regret and daily wish had never happened. I can adamantly say today, that no one is impervious to experiencing failure of some kind. We live each day by the gift of grace from God.
I recognize the difficulty these circumstances have caused so many, but am also grateful that there were those who did not completely write us off and that today we once again have opportunity to enter ministry with our marriage and family stronger than ever.
Nearly three years ago, everything in my life came crashing down affecting everything around me, beginning with my closest relationships. My failure was a massive blow to Joan personally, to our marriage, and to our children and grandchildren. Although I succumbed to temptation and fell into sin, my first love remained with my wife and it was for this reason I made a commitment to Joan that I would do whatever it took to seek repentance, forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Joan, my children, their spouses, as well as our greater family stood with me in an attitude of forgiveness and restoration. Only eternity will fully tell the difference their decisions and actions made in the journey to rebuild my broken life. Words will never adequately express my appreciation and love toward my family and today I am so glad to say that our family bonds are stronger and more secure than ever.
Our journey began with a 40 day fast February 27 through April 4, 2007, during which time my moral failure was made known to Joan. At the end of that fast, the Lord spoke to us both that He had received the fruits of the fast and thus we began our journey toward healing. In eternity, Joan will receive a crown as reward for the manner in which she demonstrated forgiveness and grace. Though she had the biblical right to dissolve our marriage, for the sake of our relationship, our children and grandchildren and for the nation, she chose to pursue the path of reconciliation and restoration.
Initially, with the help of a few of our close ministry friends, we were directed to some intensive counseling through a ministry in the USA known as “Restoring the Foundations”. For eight days, Joan and I spent 12+ hours a day individually and together, in crisis ministry with a couple who are certified counselors with this ministry. Although it was extremely difficult to be away from loved ones during this tumultuous time, it proved to lay a foundation of reconciliation and restoration for us.
Upon return to Lethbridge in June 2007, we asked Graham Bretherick, a certified psychologist who specializes in counseling ministers and leaders, to see us on a regular basis. Joan and I began seeing Graham and Sherry two to four hours a week individually, and then later together. Graham put us through the CPI (California Personality Inventory) test which proved immensely helpful in understanding our personal strengths and weaknesses and how we could more effectively serve each other as husband and wife. By August, 2008, Graham felt the counseling period had achieved its desired end with us and I began to see Graham once to twice a month for fellowship, spiritual guidance and accountability. We are very grateful for Graham and Sherry’s input and pastoral care during the past few years.
In June 2008, our advisors felt it was time to begin communicating to the nation, the progress that was being made in our personal restoration. Bill and Gwen Prankard kindly invited us as guests for a week on their nationally televised program, From The River. We received hundreds of positive and supportive letters and emails from this broadcast.
During this entire time, we communicated regularly with our spiritual advisory team comprised of Bill Prankard, Francis Armstrong, Len Zoeteman, George and Hazel Hill and Graham Bretherick. When possible, we also met with them in person for counsel, guidance and accountability. After meeting with these persons in February, 2009, it was agreed that a letter should be written affirming that we had successfully made the journey to personal healing and restoration and were now in a position to consider any ministry opportunity we felt the Lord opening the door to.
During the past nearly three years, the Lord has opened several doors for us in business. We were able to invest in property as well as open two businesses, Auxano Wealth Group Inc. and Basket Expressions Gift and Gourmet. We purchased a commercial building where we locate our businesses and our office. We both feel we have positioned ourselves to move forward in a marketplace type ministry that we so frequently spoke of in the past.
We now have an organization entitled Dick Deweert Ministries Association (DDMA). DDMA is a autonomous self-governed non profit corporation registered in Alberta and governed by an elected Board of Directors. We will operate this ministry association using the Unite For Dominion name.
MINISTRY VISION.
The past several years could be described as the most difficult and challenging experience of our lives. But at the same time, the trying times that we’ve been through have also produced in us a heart transformation that we consider invaluable. There is a brokenness and identification with those who are in the midst of crisis and we can empathize with their pain. Today, there is a greater compassion for those who have been marginalized or have experienced loss. There is a fresh perspective on what constitutes relevant ministry. We wouldn’t exchange any of these things in spite of the difficult process through which they have come.
Our future ministry will be focused in the following areas:
1. We have a renewed passion for our nation; to unite the body of Christ so Canada can fulfill her spiritual destiny.
2. We have a deep burden to connect a new generation to the things of God. Most people under the age of 35 tell us they do not feel the institutional church and Christian media in its present form, are relevant to their generation. Our desire is to be involved in opening new avenues of media that will connect to this generation.
3. We have great compassion for leaders in crisis. It is our passion to communicate a message of hope, restoration and reconciliation to leaders and to the Body of Christ in general. It is our goal to help leaders avoid the pitfalls we experienced.
4. We both, but Joan in particular, have a message of hope and healing for marriages in difficulty. This message needs to be demonstrated and proclaimed to our nation more than ever before.
5. We have a renewed understanding of what is termed “marketplace ministry” and we see this avenue of ministry becoming more and more prominent in the days to come.
6. Joan in particular continues to have a passionate desire to see the outpouring of God’s glory over our nation.
RESTORATION TO THE MIRACLE CHANNEL
In the spring of 2009, we requested a meeting with the directors of The Miracle Channel (for the first time since our departure) to seek forgiveness. In June 2009 we met again at our request to seek avenues of reconciliation and restoration. After these meetings, we were asked to submit a proposal of re-entry. We prayerfully drafted a proposal which we felt was realistic and made provision for the best interests of the Miracle Channel and ourselves. The board declined to act on this proposal, and therefore we have felt released to pursue ministry as God opens the doors.
UNITE FOR DOMINION
We host a weekly prayer meeting in our office building every Monday night and one evening in April, 2009, there was an unusual moving of the Spirit in worship. Many began sensing a significant shift in the spiritual realm and Joan in particular began to sense angelic activity in the heavens. Going home from that prayer meeting, all of us sensed that something significant had taken place. One person in particular felt that a special web cast should take place on July 1st, in Ottawa, called Unite for Dominion.
We submitted this to a number of our advisors and there was an immediate agreement that the webcast should take place. All those participating in the webcast came to the event at their own expense. God met us and we felt this webcast was the seed to launch a ministry that will bring together a company of prophetic ministers to release the word of the Lord over our nation.
On November 24/09, we met with Bill and Gwen Prankard, Len and Ingrid Zoeteman and others of our leadership team, to discuss the next steps of ministry. It was unanimously agreed to proceed with a Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary, January 28-30, 2010. We have gathered national prophetic leadership and market place leaders to minister a prophetic word to lead us into a new decade.
Joan and I are prayerfully walking out this journey, and we are grateful that God is leading us as well as a company of friends into a fresh new season of blessing. We are eternally grateful to those who continued to hold us in prayer for our restoration, God will richly bless them.
Together in Christ,
Dick and Joan
Dick and Joan Deweert
422 - 13 Street N.
Lethbridge, AB, T1H 2S2
Many of you are aware of our exit from our leadership position as Founders of The Miracle Channel several years ago. This letter is bring you up to date of our journey for the past three years.
THE JOURNEY TO DATE
It is safe to say that the past few years have been a very difficult time for us and for you as supporters of our ministry as well as all those with whom we are associated. I don’t believe anyone, including myself, ever anticipated a failure to happen, but it did. Upon revelation of my moral failure, a chain reaction began that impacted thousands of people leaving many shocked, hurt, disillusioned and angry. This is something I deeply regret and daily wish had never happened. I can adamantly say today, that no one is impervious to experiencing failure of some kind. We live each day by the gift of grace from God.
I recognize the difficulty these circumstances have caused so many, but am also grateful that there were those who did not completely write us off and that today we once again have opportunity to enter ministry with our marriage and family stronger than ever.
Nearly three years ago, everything in my life came crashing down affecting everything around me, beginning with my closest relationships. My failure was a massive blow to Joan personally, to our marriage, and to our children and grandchildren. Although I succumbed to temptation and fell into sin, my first love remained with my wife and it was for this reason I made a commitment to Joan that I would do whatever it took to seek repentance, forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Joan, my children, their spouses, as well as our greater family stood with me in an attitude of forgiveness and restoration. Only eternity will fully tell the difference their decisions and actions made in the journey to rebuild my broken life. Words will never adequately express my appreciation and love toward my family and today I am so glad to say that our family bonds are stronger and more secure than ever.
Our journey began with a 40 day fast February 27 through April 4, 2007, during which time my moral failure was made known to Joan. At the end of that fast, the Lord spoke to us both that He had received the fruits of the fast and thus we began our journey toward healing. In eternity, Joan will receive a crown as reward for the manner in which she demonstrated forgiveness and grace. Though she had the biblical right to dissolve our marriage, for the sake of our relationship, our children and grandchildren and for the nation, she chose to pursue the path of reconciliation and restoration.
Initially, with the help of a few of our close ministry friends, we were directed to some intensive counseling through a ministry in the USA known as “Restoring the Foundations”. For eight days, Joan and I spent 12+ hours a day individually and together, in crisis ministry with a couple who are certified counselors with this ministry. Although it was extremely difficult to be away from loved ones during this tumultuous time, it proved to lay a foundation of reconciliation and restoration for us.
Upon return to Lethbridge in June 2007, we asked Graham Bretherick, a certified psychologist who specializes in counseling ministers and leaders, to see us on a regular basis. Joan and I began seeing Graham and Sherry two to four hours a week individually, and then later together. Graham put us through the CPI (California Personality Inventory) test which proved immensely helpful in understanding our personal strengths and weaknesses and how we could more effectively serve each other as husband and wife. By August, 2008, Graham felt the counseling period had achieved its desired end with us and I began to see Graham once to twice a month for fellowship, spiritual guidance and accountability. We are very grateful for Graham and Sherry’s input and pastoral care during the past few years.
In June 2008, our advisors felt it was time to begin communicating to the nation, the progress that was being made in our personal restoration. Bill and Gwen Prankard kindly invited us as guests for a week on their nationally televised program, From The River. We received hundreds of positive and supportive letters and emails from this broadcast.
During this entire time, we communicated regularly with our spiritual advisory team comprised of Bill Prankard, Francis Armstrong, Len Zoeteman, George and Hazel Hill and Graham Bretherick. When possible, we also met with them in person for counsel, guidance and accountability. After meeting with these persons in February, 2009, it was agreed that a letter should be written affirming that we had successfully made the journey to personal healing and restoration and were now in a position to consider any ministry opportunity we felt the Lord opening the door to.
During the past nearly three years, the Lord has opened several doors for us in business. We were able to invest in property as well as open two businesses, Auxano Wealth Group Inc. and Basket Expressions Gift and Gourmet. We purchased a commercial building where we locate our businesses and our office. We both feel we have positioned ourselves to move forward in a marketplace type ministry that we so frequently spoke of in the past.
We now have an organization entitled Dick Deweert Ministries Association (DDMA). DDMA is a autonomous self-governed non profit corporation registered in Alberta and governed by an elected Board of Directors. We will operate this ministry association using the Unite For Dominion name.
MINISTRY VISION.
The past several years could be described as the most difficult and challenging experience of our lives. But at the same time, the trying times that we’ve been through have also produced in us a heart transformation that we consider invaluable. There is a brokenness and identification with those who are in the midst of crisis and we can empathize with their pain. Today, there is a greater compassion for those who have been marginalized or have experienced loss. There is a fresh perspective on what constitutes relevant ministry. We wouldn’t exchange any of these things in spite of the difficult process through which they have come.
Our future ministry will be focused in the following areas:
1. We have a renewed passion for our nation; to unite the body of Christ so Canada can fulfill her spiritual destiny.
2. We have a deep burden to connect a new generation to the things of God. Most people under the age of 35 tell us they do not feel the institutional church and Christian media in its present form, are relevant to their generation. Our desire is to be involved in opening new avenues of media that will connect to this generation.
3. We have great compassion for leaders in crisis. It is our passion to communicate a message of hope, restoration and reconciliation to leaders and to the Body of Christ in general. It is our goal to help leaders avoid the pitfalls we experienced.
4. We both, but Joan in particular, have a message of hope and healing for marriages in difficulty. This message needs to be demonstrated and proclaimed to our nation more than ever before.
5. We have a renewed understanding of what is termed “marketplace ministry” and we see this avenue of ministry becoming more and more prominent in the days to come.
6. Joan in particular continues to have a passionate desire to see the outpouring of God’s glory over our nation.
RESTORATION TO THE MIRACLE CHANNEL
In the spring of 2009, we requested a meeting with the directors of The Miracle Channel (for the first time since our departure) to seek forgiveness. In June 2009 we met again at our request to seek avenues of reconciliation and restoration. After these meetings, we were asked to submit a proposal of re-entry. We prayerfully drafted a proposal which we felt was realistic and made provision for the best interests of the Miracle Channel and ourselves. The board declined to act on this proposal, and therefore we have felt released to pursue ministry as God opens the doors.
UNITE FOR DOMINION
We host a weekly prayer meeting in our office building every Monday night and one evening in April, 2009, there was an unusual moving of the Spirit in worship. Many began sensing a significant shift in the spiritual realm and Joan in particular began to sense angelic activity in the heavens. Going home from that prayer meeting, all of us sensed that something significant had taken place. One person in particular felt that a special web cast should take place on July 1st, in Ottawa, called Unite for Dominion.
We submitted this to a number of our advisors and there was an immediate agreement that the webcast should take place. All those participating in the webcast came to the event at their own expense. God met us and we felt this webcast was the seed to launch a ministry that will bring together a company of prophetic ministers to release the word of the Lord over our nation.
On November 24/09, we met with Bill and Gwen Prankard, Len and Ingrid Zoeteman and others of our leadership team, to discuss the next steps of ministry. It was unanimously agreed to proceed with a Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary, January 28-30, 2010. We have gathered national prophetic leadership and market place leaders to minister a prophetic word to lead us into a new decade.
Joan and I are prayerfully walking out this journey, and we are grateful that God is leading us as well as a company of friends into a fresh new season of blessing. We are eternally grateful to those who continued to hold us in prayer for our restoration, God will richly bless them.
Together in Christ,
Dick and Joan
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A Season of Fruitfulness
January 4, 2010
A Season of Fruitfulness
In the previous blog, I wrote about a prophetic word we had received during our weekly prayer meeting about the spiritual season of winter being over. In scripture, winter is a season of dormancy that can be associated with pruning and testing.
In 1 Peter 1: 6b we read, “though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials”. Peter acknowledges the challenge of enduring times of testing, but he follows this statement with a promise, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In John 15:2, Jesus said that the Father will prune every branch so that it may bring forth more fruit.
The ultimate goal of a winter season in our lives is to increase our capacity to bear fruit. The season of testing, trials, and pruning will always be followed by a fresh season of fruitfulness.
We have completed 10 years into a new millennium and interestingly, in the bible the number 10 is associated with testing. In Exodus 8-10, God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians, to test them. God gave Moses 10 commandments to test the hearts of men and in Revelation 2 in the letter to the church at Smyrna, He said they would experience trials and tribulations for ten days. But every season of testing includes the promise of blessing that will follow.
The past decade has certainly contained it’s fair share of trials globally beginning with 9/11 and the advent of increased terrorism, more than one economic crisis’, and an unusually high number of environmental disasters like hurricane Katrina and the destruction of the tsunami in Asia in which 250,000 perished.
As we enter 2010 and a new decade, we are entering a new season of renewal and fruitfulness and fruitfulness for the believer begins with fresh revelation. In Matthew 20 we read about the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The workers who are part of the harvest in the first hour and those who join in the 11th hour, all receive the same pay. I see in this parable, a spiritual acceleration as the harvest approaches the end and this reflects an acceleration of spiritual resources that God will make available to the church to bring in the harvest.
We are living in the 11th hour in which we can expect an outpouring of fresh revelation that will empower the church to gather in the harvest as never before. I believe we will see an outpouring of divine revelation beginning in this season that can exceed the revelation the church has received in the past centuries.
I recently read in a daily devotional, Today God is First by Os Hillman, a quotation by C.S. Lewis which says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” (C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain) The season of winter opens the door for a great outpouring of revelation.
When we gather for the Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary on January 28-30, we are believing for fresh prophetic revelation to be released for the coming decade and beyond. I believe this conference comes at a very strategic time for the Kingdom of God and we would love to see you there.
A Season of Fruitfulness
In the previous blog, I wrote about a prophetic word we had received during our weekly prayer meeting about the spiritual season of winter being over. In scripture, winter is a season of dormancy that can be associated with pruning and testing.
In 1 Peter 1: 6b we read, “though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials”. Peter acknowledges the challenge of enduring times of testing, but he follows this statement with a promise, “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” In John 15:2, Jesus said that the Father will prune every branch so that it may bring forth more fruit.
The ultimate goal of a winter season in our lives is to increase our capacity to bear fruit. The season of testing, trials, and pruning will always be followed by a fresh season of fruitfulness.
We have completed 10 years into a new millennium and interestingly, in the bible the number 10 is associated with testing. In Exodus 8-10, God sent ten plagues on the Egyptians, to test them. God gave Moses 10 commandments to test the hearts of men and in Revelation 2 in the letter to the church at Smyrna, He said they would experience trials and tribulations for ten days. But every season of testing includes the promise of blessing that will follow.
The past decade has certainly contained it’s fair share of trials globally beginning with 9/11 and the advent of increased terrorism, more than one economic crisis’, and an unusually high number of environmental disasters like hurricane Katrina and the destruction of the tsunami in Asia in which 250,000 perished.
As we enter 2010 and a new decade, we are entering a new season of renewal and fruitfulness and fruitfulness for the believer begins with fresh revelation. In Matthew 20 we read about the parable of the workers in the vineyard. The workers who are part of the harvest in the first hour and those who join in the 11th hour, all receive the same pay. I see in this parable, a spiritual acceleration as the harvest approaches the end and this reflects an acceleration of spiritual resources that God will make available to the church to bring in the harvest.
We are living in the 11th hour in which we can expect an outpouring of fresh revelation that will empower the church to gather in the harvest as never before. I believe we will see an outpouring of divine revelation beginning in this season that can exceed the revelation the church has received in the past centuries.
I recently read in a daily devotional, Today God is First by Os Hillman, a quotation by C.S. Lewis which says, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pains; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” (C.S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain) The season of winter opens the door for a great outpouring of revelation.
When we gather for the Unite for Dominion conference in Calgary on January 28-30, we are believing for fresh prophetic revelation to be released for the coming decade and beyond. I believe this conference comes at a very strategic time for the Kingdom of God and we would love to see you there.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Winter is Over
December 20, 2009
The Winter is Over
In a recent prayer meeting we host every Monday in our office building, I heard these words ringing over and over in my spirit, “the winter is over.” For some time, I have been thinking about a scripture in Acts 3:19-21 that speaks of different spiritual seasons, times of refreshing and times of restoration.
This scripture says that the times of refreshing is preceded by repentance and there has been much repentance in the Body of Christ in the past years. For example, we have seen movements in our nation that have repented for various breaches in our past such as Canada’s rejection of the St. Louis, an ill fated ship of Jewish refugees that were turned back from our shores in the years prior to WWII. Many of us have also experienced times of personal repentance.
The promise that repentance leads to times (plural) of refreshing, but even more important, this leads to times of restoration. I like how Acts 3:21 reads in the Amplified Bible, “the complete restoration of all that has been spoken by the prophets in past ages”. Just like there are times and seasons in the natural, there are times and seasons in the spiritual realm that are important to the progress of the Kingdom of God.
In the natural, winter is a season of dormancy when it appears all life is gone, but it is followed by spring, the season when life bursts into fullness and everything appears new. When I heard the words, “the winter is over”, I was not speaking of the natural season, but a spiritual season.
As I shared this word those at the prayer meeting, each one began to declare scriptures that speak of winter, and there are many. One in Song of Solomon 2:10-14 says, “For lo the winter is past...” and then speaks of new life springing forth in a powerful metaphor. Another scripture that I really liked in Psalm 147:18 says this, “Then He gives the command and it all melts; He breathes on winter - suddenly it’s spring.” These and many others were declared.
I am convinced that our upcoming Unite For Dominion conference in Calgary comes at a crucial time for Canada. As we gather together January 28-30, we will assemble a prophetic company that will declare “The winter is over” and will speak forth the promise of new life about to burst forth. We need people of faith who understand the times and seasons like the sons of Issachar, who will gather with us to declare the new season and the many new things that will be birthed.
There is much more that can be said about this change of spiritual season and we will speak more of it in upcoming blogs. Please begin praying now about coming to the Unite For Dominion conference in Calgary.
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