Prepare the Bride...

My life has predominantly been deeply connected with ministry. Although I have only recently (in the past five years) begun working vocationally in ministry, I was raised in this environment. My parents were involved in vocational ministry, I participated actively in my youth ministry, engaged with a Christian sorority, and subsequently became the youth director of the youth ministry at the young age of 19. I have always felt a profound calling to contribute to the preparation and enhancement of the Church for God's return. My favorite book of the Bible is Acts. I yearn for a complete revival, an awakening where entire communities are transformed. I am not interested in merely participating in a transient emotional experience or a short-lived event where the desire for God's presence fades shortly after. I aspire to witness a profound and lasting transformation, with countless individuals passionately devoted to God in an undeniable way. I am committed to ensuring our light does not diminish.

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While I deeply desire His presence, I aim to actively engage with it rather than remain passive. I seek to embody His presence through my daily life, so that those around me may experience salvation, healing, liberation, and provision. In the book of Acts, as the church expanded, its members were transformed, collaborated harmoniously, and ensured that everyone's needs were met. They did not confine the church to four walls but became living, breathing tabernacles, spreading the gospel wherever they went (living it out; Ephesians 2:4-10). This is our intended purpose.

Having dedicated much of my life to ministry, I have witnessed a wide range of experiences from various perspectives. I have been part of the congregation, served as an apprentice, and led as a shepherd. I recall asking my father why people would express such fervor in church yet return home unchanged. Children often reveal truths adults overlook. I observed my father and stepmother's consistent character, though I learned this was not always common. If, as a young person, I could believe in God as the King of kings, Alpha and Omega, Yeshua, Jehovah, I wondered why adults struggled with the same convictions. I remember being a young adult facing my own failings, feeling compelled to step back due to strong convictions, yet being encouraged by Elders to continue. It is no surprise that this same passion remains deeply ingrained in me as a 35-year-old married mother and pastor.

A few nights ago, I awoke weeping, seeking the Lord's guidance. Though I may not express my concerns publicly as often as I wish, the current state of the church and those identifying as Christians deeply concerns me. My heart aches for the church's improvement, and I frequently pray for unity. We are often divided by personal opinions, politics, unforgiveness, and bitterness. Many have turned churches, pastors, and leaders into idols, neglecting a personal relationship with God. Those who are hurt by these 'idols' often turn away from God, associating Him with the imperfect individuals who have caused them pain.

God does not demand perfection, but He does require our submission, obedience to His Word, and a full connection with Him (1 Samuel 15:22-23, 1 Samuel 7:3, Mark 12:28-30). When we sin, He expects us to approach Him with humble, repentant hearts (turning away from sin; Acts 3:19-20). The problem arises when we persist in sin, hardening our hearts to the Holy Spirit and pursuing selfish desires, losing the ability to hear His voice. We become complacent with worldly pleasures while maintaining our roles in ministry. This is a perilous path, as God may eventually abandon us to our depraved hearts and minds (2 Timothy 3:1-9). We might temporarily deceive ourselves into believing we've fooled others with a double life, but God offers limited chances to repent to protect His flock from harm.

This is the awakening we witness, and unfortunately, it will continue. Pastors and leaders are succumbing to sin because their character cannot sustain the prominence they have been given. When they fall, their ministries often collapse with them as hidden sins are exposed. Everything will be revealed, and many will bear the consequences of leading others astray, abusing, misleading, and causing harm. For those who have exploited their gifts for personal gain, God does not require such actions. He has called and appointed you for His glory alone. No one shall boast in the presence of the Lord!

I fervently pray that we all recognize our errors and return to our first love, surrendering to God and emulating the dedication of the disciples and apostles. I pray we understand that the God we proclaim, preach, and teach is the Worthy One for whom we should be willing to live and die. I pray we set aside our opinions, prejudices, and politics before approaching His throne, as He needs none of it. The book of Ezekiel is replete with instances where God judged the sins and idols of both the children of Israel and the Gentiles. Do you know where His judgment began? It started with the false prophets, idolatrous leaders, and those living double lives, exploiting their positions. As history repeats itself, I hope to see this pattern cease.

I am grateful for Grace that comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. However, this is not our license to continue proclaiming God and living opposite of the God we proclaim. While we are all imperfect humans, as shepherds, church leaders, elders, etc. we are called to live to a different standard with Jesus as our example (1 and 2 Timothy, Titus 1-3). We are not meant to sit on pedestals but we are required to live at a higher standard. Where is the reverence that we have for Holy, perfect God? Have we made Him as common as man? When you say yes to the call of ministry at any capacity, you are then responsible for your life and the lives of those God calls you too. If you decide to say yes but live two different lifestyles, the blood of those you turn away from God will be on your hands (Ezekiel 3:18, Ezekiel 33:1-33, Jeremiah 23:1-3, 1 Peter 5:1-14). God has given the blood of His son for each of us, so be careful to care for His sheep well. I know this all may seem harsh, but this is the word of God. I believe it is meant for us to feel the weight of the call in which God has called us to. We don't need anymore celebrity churches or preachers.

We need the pure unadulterated gospel that leads us all to true relationship with God, holy conviction, and life change. He is calling for clean hands and pure hearts that worship Him in Spirit and in Truth ( Psalm 24:3-5, John 4:23-24). He is calling us to be true shepherds who will lead his flock back to Him and destroy the head of the enemy. It is my personal prayer and declaration for the Lord to purify the hearts of leaders and to uproot anything in me that does not bring Him glory. It’s all about Him for me, but even I sometimes allow self and emotions to get in the way. We all get there or have gotten there, but here is time to turn the page and right your wrongs.

For those who do not have a vocational call to ministry, but call themselves a Christ follower or disciple, Paul lays out the sort of life we should live and strive for in the book of Ephesians. It is the responsibility of every believer to have a relationship with Christ, to pray and seek the face of the Lord, and to read the word. God is patiently waiting for us to "get it right" (2 Peter 3:9). I pray that we would all come to the knowledge of God and His expectations for us as His children. I want so badly to see the bride come together in unity and in purity. This is when we will see true, lasting revival that will save cities at a time. This is when we will walk in the full power and authority as the church of Acts. God is not coming for a broken, fragmented bride divided by denominations and opinions prostituting itself to the highest bidder. He is coming for 1 bride, 1 church! There is so much connected to this, so much to say. I can only say so much, so I will rely on the Holy Spirit to do the speaking to the hearts of those who read.