Five Influences in My Ministry

As I was talking with our youth pastor from Riis Park the other day I shared some of the influences I've had over the years and how I've gained wisdom from them to add to what I now do today.  Thus, I wanted to share this list with their links so others could listen to these great men of God and glean from them as well.  I also added a timeline to show when in my life these leaders had the greatest influence.  I loved each of these men for their "radical" and "unique" approach to God and ministry.  

(Note: These are not all of the influences in my life nor the greatest- just a list that helps to share with others some of the people I've gleaned from. Also, I don't agree with everything they teach or practice- I "chew the meat and spit out the bones.") 


FIVE MEN WHO INFLUENCED MY MINISTRY

1-ROD PARSLEY | To be a Passionate Preacher | 18-19yrs Old  

Preaching like Rod Parsley was radical because he was such a great "word smith" and passionate attention holding speaker.  His preaching inspired me to memorize the Word of God and preach with passion.


2-STEVE HILL | To be a Soul Winning Preacher | 20-21yrs Old

Preaching like Steve Hill was radical because he saw thousands saved at the Brownsville Revival and I wanted every service to be like a "revival service!"


3-DAVID HOGAN | To be a passionate, signs and wonders, non-compromising church planter | 22-23yrs Old

David Hogan was radical because he planted over 300 churches in Mexico, saw the dead raised, and didn't care what people thought about him.  Thus, I translated this into being radical in the urban setting as a new church planter.  We fasted often, worked tirelessly, and allowed absolutely no grey areas for the sake of seeing God move in powerful ways.  


4-CARLOS ANNACONDIA | To believe and preach that Jesus is both a Savior and Deliverer | 24-26yrs Old

Preaching like Carlos Annacondia from Argentina was radical to me because demons got cast out while people were being saved.  Thus, I learned to not only see people saved, but also delivered.


5-CESAR CASTELLANOS | To be a discipleship based church | 27-28yrs Old

Preaching like Cesar Castellanos from Columbia was radical because he built a powerful church of over 400,000 people in Columbia on the concept of every disciple making twelve new disciples.


From 28yrs Old Until Now

When, by God's grace, my wife and I started MPI I began to seek God to give us something unique and 100% new.  Thus, when one sees what MPI is today it is the influences of my past and all the influences of the current leaders with us- but more importantly it is what I believe God gave us to do.

The nations for JESUS!

Suicide, The Reasons Why and How to Prevent It

The issue of suicide has been on my heart lately after the Newtown shootings because the shooter also took his own life.  I began to do some research and was shocked to discover that the US has a rising suicide rate and its the tenth reason for death in America.  Thus, I felt led to write this blog to offer resources and help!

Suicide Stats

Here are just some quick facts about suicide from the "American Foundation for Suicide Prevention."

• Every 13.7 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide.


• Nearly 1,000,000 people make a suicide attempt every year.


• 90% of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.


• The suicide rate has increased the last five years to a record high of 12.4% per 100,000 people.   


• Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US.  Click here for US death rates.


• Men are nearly 4 times more likely to die by suicide than women. Women attempt suicide 3 times as often as men. Click here to view.


• Suicide rates are highest for people between the ages of 40 and 59. Click here to view.

As one can easily see from the chart and stats above suicide is a major problem in the US. However, there doesn't seem to be a clear solution from the professionals.  Some blame the drug industry claiming that the rise in the rates over the last five years is due to the increase of people being given dangerous psychiatric drugs, (click to here for more info on this belief).  On the other hand, some believe that proper treatment with psychiatric drugs does produce more of a positive change than those who don't take them, thus leaving people untreated causes the real problems, (click here for more info).

To make the issue even more confusing, there is also disagreement between Christians.  Some Christians believe that all suicide is preventable and is an act of selfishness or self-murder, thus it is a serious sin against God, (click here for more info).  Yet other Christians believe that suicide is an illness just like cancer or diabetes thus the person shouldn't be thought of sinning but rather suffering from a disease, (click here for more info).

As a result of the above conflicting beliefs in the psychiatric and church worlds I believe the ones who need the most help suffer the most and can get lost in the debate.  Therefore, to avoid adding to the debate or the confusion, I would like to simply share some of the main triggers for suicide and the best ways I believe we can help prevent it. 


Some of the Major Causes or Triggers for Suicide

1-Untreated Depression (especially when combined with alcohol and/or drug abuse)

2-Bipolar Depression

3-Drug/Alcohol Abuse and Dependence

4-Schizophrenia

5-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

6-Eating disorders

7-Personality disorders

8-Sexual/Verbal Abuse

9-Intense Rejection or Bullying

10-Helplessness in Regards to the Future (job, money, family, etc.)

For more triggers that may cause suicide click here or here.


Three Ways to Prevent Suicide

1-BE READY TO HELP |  If someone is suffering from depression and mental illness we should offer them the best in help from both the church and medical science. If someone even mentions or hints towards wanting to take their own life, caring people should rally behind them and help them seek help.

2-OFFER JESUS AT ALL TIMES | When the soul and spirit is right with God it will help assist the physical body in healing.  Meaning, if I had a healthy walk with God and lost my arm in an accident, having Jesus would make my recovery easier.  Thus, incorporating Jesus and personal salvation into the mental therapy is a must because Jesus and the Bible grounds a person's hope in life and in the future, Isaiah 40:28-31.   

3-TEACH THE TRUTH ABOUT SUICIDE AND THE MEANING OF LIFE | I believe that many people don't have the right definition or understanding of life and suicide.  Thus, when things in life go wrong they may get depressed and hide it because they believe that things won't change.  Thus, they can feel suicide will make things better for themselves and the people around them. However, the Bible teaches the correct meaning of life, the value of each life, and ultimately how to have hope in this life in Jesus.  We must teach these things to our friends and family because correct theology will affect our every day lives, John 8:31-32. 


More Resources

1. Focus on the Family, a great online Christian counseling site. 

2. A powerful list of Bible verses to encourage you in times of depression, click here. 

3. If you are suffering from depression or having suicidal thoughts please ask someone for help right now.  Please start by calling this 24/7 number 1.800.273.8255 or chat online right now, click here.

Why MPI? Part 1 | Connect, Our Pentecostal Heart

1. Click here for the notes in pdf.

2. Click here to buy the book, "2,000 Years of Charismatic Christianity," by Eddie L. Hyatt.