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Greetings from Maracaibo...!
Dear
Hillcrest Church Family,
Greetings
from Maracaibo, Venezuela!
Pastor
Kyle and I have arrived here in preparation for the Global Advance Pastor's
Conference where we be ministering through the end of this week. Prior to our
departure from Dallas, the last word we had from the team who was already in
the ground was that we could expect 1,500+ in attendance in each session. We
have just learned that more than 3,000 have formally registered and that number
will undoubtedly grow before the meetings begin early Thursday morning.
We covet
your earnest prayers for us and for our families back home while we are away.
Pastor Kyle and I are keenly aware of the incredible opportunity God is giving
us to touch this nation by touching so many of its spiritual leaders. Please
join with us in believing God for razor-sharp, specific messages every time we
speak and for the power of the Lord to be very much in evidence as we pray for
those in attendance.
Please
pray as well for God to orchestrate every logistical detail.
The
advance team has experienced very clear supernatural opposition as they have
put together this event. That fact, along with the deep conviction I am
carrying in my own heart and spirit, causes me to believe that the Lord has
some very special things in store for our time here. As part of our Hillcrest
Church family, we are YOUR hands extended to God's servants from across this
country. You have sent us and you will share in any victories we win or
spiritual fruit that we bear. This is the Antioch church in action - a local
congregation that loves its city but that also loves the world...and YOU are an
important part of it...!
While I
am away this next Sunday, my dear friend Rabbi Marty Waldeman from Baruch
Ha'Shem will be preaching in my place. I encourage you to do whatever it takes
to be present in service. I am so very thankful for the spiritual partnership
that God has orchestrated between our two congregations and I expect the Lord
will use Rabbi Marty to bring a specific word for us during this season. Your
presence is also a way of honoring him and the spiritual family he serves for
their very gracious hospitality to us during this season.
I am also
happy to report that we have elected four new Hillcrest Church
Trustees:
Eric Bullard, Linda Greer, Tony Lovio, and Charlie Pollinzi. They will serve
alongside Darrell Fletcher, Harry Gresham, and myself. All of the eight
candidates that stood for election are wonderful people and I appreciate each
of them allowing us to put their name forward. Please be sure and keep both our
Elders and our Trustees in your prayers as we move forward. Our church is on
the cusp of a wonderful new beginning and we need God's supernatural wisdom in
order to fully take advantage of the incredible opportunity He is giving us for
the furthering of His kingdom and for His glory alone.
Teresa
and I love you and thank God for the privilege of serving you. We believe the
best is yet to come…!
Pastor
Mark Brand
