Horrific Persecution of Christians by Islamic Radicals

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Kent

Today I received a photograph that has troubled my mind significantly. What evil lurks in the hearts of mankind? How could Cain murder Abel? Why are humans so frequently diabolical to one another? Yes, I know of the atrocities of history, but it seems that in 2012 everyone should be decent, kind, and humane.

Islamic radicals locked a building full of Christians in their church building, added an fuel source, and burned them all to death. The photo is of their martyred bodies lying in the church-yard.

There is no doubt that I have not prayed for the persecuted church as I ought. Our sisters and brothers are in grave danger throughout the world and their deepest desire is for people like you and me to pray for them.

I am giving thought to posting the photo. I wonder if posting would stir other Christians to increased intercession? Would others be moved to action? Could we move governments to intervene? Or, would it simply give a stage for the darkness, wickedness, and hatred against Jesus and his followers.

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Christianity: More Than A Relationship

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Kent

Following are my message notes from the introductory talk to the series, Christianity: More than a relationship.

Christianity: More than a Relationship

One of the most influential teachings of the late 1960’s and the 1970’s was the emphasis upon people having a relationship with Jesus Christ. We can’t over emphasize how much good this unique emphasis provided to turn millions of people toward Jesus.

About 50 years later we see that the predominant world-view is significantly different than it was then, which requires us to formulate our presentation of Christianity with a different emphasis.

“Not religion, but relationship” was the hot phrase. We now know that religion without relationship is lifeless and destructive and that relationship without religion leads to absurdity.

Religion is defined as “a personal or institutional set of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices.” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion

We see all three components of religion’s definition in the life of Jesus.

Attitudes Matthew 5:3-12
Beliefs John 6:51, John 8:23, 12,
Practices Luke 4:16

Jesus, by this definition, was a religious Man.

The best I can tell, Jesus never summed up his life and teaching with, “Start a relationship with me.”

He did say, “If you love me, (then) keep my commandments.” John 14;12-17

Maybe we can say it this way: My Attitudes are in my heart and soul. My Beliefs are in my mind. My Practices are in my life.

Interestingly, the first known use of the word “religion,” is the 13th Century and the first use of the word “relationship” is 1741.

From my perspective, prior to the historically new use of the term “relationship” Christianity was understood to be an interrelated system of attitudes, beliefs, and practices.

Posted in Weekend Talks | 2 Comments

Live Stream of the Holy Spirit Conference

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Kent

Click here to watch the Holy Spirit Conference live stream. All services are scheduled at Alaska standard Time.

“The Generous Spirit for the Growing Harvest”

Monday, January 16

9:30 – 10:30 RT Kendall “The Gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11”
10:45 – 11:45 Juan Angel Castro: The Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11: The gifts of the word of
knowledge, the word of wisdom, and prophecy.
6:00 – 6:45 Joe Castleberry, “Becoming Generous People of the
Spirit.”
7:00 – 8:00 Pastor Edgardo Montano

Tuesday, January 17

9:30 – 10:30 Billy Amaya El Salvadora Pastor – the Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; The gifts
of faith and healings.
10:45 – 11:45 Joe Castleberry, “Becoming Generous People of the Spirit, part 2.”
6:00 – 6:45 RT Kendall, “The Gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11.”
7:00 – 8:00 Alejandro Amaya El Salvadoran Pastor – The Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; The
gift of miracles and discernment of spirits.

Wednesday, January 18

9:30 – 10:30 Joe Castleberry, “Becoming Generous People of the Spirit”
10:45 – 11:45 RT Kendall, “The Gifts of the Spirit in Isaiah 11.”
6:00 – 6:45 Daniel Funes El Salvadoran Pastor – The Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11: The gifts
of tongues and interpretation of tongues.
7:00 – 8:00 Joe Castleberry, “Becoming Generous People of the Spirit.”

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Why We Evangelize by Dr. Alejandro Amaya

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Kent

MCA Anchorage, AK 01-08-12
Why should we evangelize?
Pastor Alejandro Amaya

Main Text: Acts 1:8 (AMP) “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”

A. What is evangelism?

Evangelism comes from the Greek word evangelistes which means one who announces good news.

1. In a general sense, it is anyone who proclaims the mercy and grace of God that is available through Christ Jesus.

2. Evangelism is telling people that they matter to God.

B. Two important reasons why we need to win the souls

Reason # 1. Because Jesus was a soul winner

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV) “There is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

Luke 19:10 (NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

a. Jesus came to save the lost.

That was his first challenge to the first group He chose:

Matthew 4:19 (NIV) “’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’”
That was his mandate to the last group who followed him to the mount where he ascended to heaven:

Matthew 28:18-21 (AMP) “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, ‘All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).’”

That is Jesus challenge to us all:

Acts 1:8 (NIV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

b. Jesus would go where the people was.

Jesus was criticized by the religious leaders for going to visit with sinners.

Luke 15:2 (NIV) “But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”

c. Jesus said “Go and force them to enter.”

Luke 14:23 (NIV) “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’”

Reason # 2. Because the Harvest is ready

a. Jesus felt compassion for the lost.

Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV) “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

b. The Harvest is huge and ready and could get lost if nobody picks it up.

Matthew 9:36-37 (NIV) “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’”

c. It’s imperative that we go out and seek for the lost.

Luke 14:23 (NIV) “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.’”

C. Three Obstacles to Evangelism

Obstacle # 1: Lack of Confidence

2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT “We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant.”

Obstacle #2: Lack of Consistency

Jesus said we are salt… but He went on to say…Matthew 5:13b NLT “What good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.”

Obstacle #3: Lack of Concern

Luke 19:10 NLT “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

a. The church is asleep and the souls are getting lost.

Proverbs 10:5 (NIV) “He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.”

b. Not to share the Gospel is a sin.

James 4:17 (NIV) “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

D. Evangelism starts with Prayer
• Let’s pray for the Lord of the Harvest to instill compassion for the lost in our hearts.
• Let’s pray for your non-Christian friends, family, and associates to come to know Jesus.
• Let’s pray for boldness so we won’t be intimidated to share our faith.
• Let’s pray for open doors to share the Gospel.
• Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us to people who need Jesus.
• Let’s pray for the Lord of the Harvest to put the burden of the Latinos of Alaska in our hearts.
• Let’s pray to be a church of the Great Commission.

Posted in MCA Iglesia Torre Fuerte, Message Response, Ministry Development, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Power of Prayer

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Kent

Following are the message notes for Pastor Alejandro Amaya’s talk, The Power of Prayer. Enjoy!

Alaska, 01-15-12
The Power of Prayer
Pastor Alejandro Amaya

Main Text: Jeremiah 33:3 (AMP) “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).”

Amazing things happen when we earnestly pray:

A. We experience Revival in our life.

1. We pray from the bottom of our heart and the Holy Spirit reveals our true spiritual condition, resulting in
brokenness, repentance, and surrender of our life and desire to please Him.

Psalm 51:3-4 NIV “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”

Psalm 32:3-5 (AMP) “When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]–then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!”

2. To experience revival we must practice confession

What is Confession? Confession is to verbalize our spiritual shortcomings and admit we have sinned before God. The New Testament Greek word for confess means “to agree with God” concerning His opinion of a matter. It also means “to admit guilt.” When we confess our sins to God we agree with God concerning the sin in our life. Through prayer The Holy Spirit and His Word help that sin to be revealed.

Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’”

1 John 1:9 (NIV) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

3. There cannot be an effective prayer life where sin maintains its grip in the life of a believer.

Romans 6:23 NIV “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

4. Confession is the most painful part of personal prayer because it implies our responsibility to change that
sinful situation in our life. There is an inner battle of the will.

Galatians 5:17 NIV “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”

Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

John 10:27 (NIV) “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

B. We experience Breakthroughs in important areas in our life.

1. Definition of Breakthrough-According to the Free Online Farlex Dictionary the word “breakthrough” has the
following meanings:

a. An act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or restriction
b. A military offensive that penetrates an enemy’s lines of defense
c. A major achievement or success that permits further progress

2. Synonyms of Breakthrough-According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary some synonyms of breakthrough are:

a. Advancement
b. Enhancement
c. Improvement
d. Refinement

3. Different areas of our life where we may need Breakthrough through Prayer:

a. In the realm of the spirit with some strongholds

1. Depression

2. Out-of-control emotions such as anger and rage, that can cause us to say hurtful things to our
loved ones, which we later regret
3. Angry outbursts when we don’t get our own way

b. In the realm of our personal habits

1. People sometimes have cravings for sweets and fats. 2. Drunkenness, use of substances, pornography or other impure and ungodly desires

c. In the realm of relationships, marriage, or finances

1. Creating strife by undermining people, criticizing, and gossiping
2. Sex outside of marriage; fantasies or thinking about and desiring inappropriate sexual activity
3. Financial crisis, job loss, compulsive consumerism

d. It may be also in the area of ministry. Perhaps you don’t see the results you expected in your ministry.
You need a fresh anointing, or encouragement and the power of God to move with passion in your ministry.

C. We keep fresh our “first love” for our Lord and as a result, there is an increase of a more intimate
relationship with Jesus.

Revelation 2:3-5 (AMP) “I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary. But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.”

Mark 1:35 (NIV) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Psalm 63:1-5 (NIV) “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirst for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.“

Psalm 42:1 (NIV) “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”

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Welcome Dr. Alejandro Amaya

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Kent


MCA Church is pleased to welcome our guest minister, Dr. Alejandro Amaya, to the weekend services. We are greatly honored to host such a fine minister of the Gospel. When you read part of his life journey, written below, you will be delighted with God’s great work through him.

Dr. Alejandro Amaya currently serves as elder and zone pastor at Western Branch Community Church (WBCC), one of the largest congregations serving Hampton Roads in southeastern Virginia. Originally from San Salvador, El Salvador, Dr. Amaya received his Bachelors in Psychology from the Universidad Centro Americana “José Simeón Cañas”, San Salvador in 1982 and worked as a consultant in the private sector before accepting his call to the ministry.

From 1990-1999, Dr. Amaya served as Country Director for the 700 Club and Operation Blessing in El Salvador, served as a youth pastor with the Assemblies of God in El Salvador, and continued his education in the States. He received his Masters of Education from Regent University in 2000. In 2003, he received his Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Regent University and served intermittently, with his wife Mirna, as an Assemblies of God missionary and pastor from 2000-2009. Dr. Amaya also served as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Education, Regent University; Professor at Bethel College, Assemblies of God in Hampton, VA; Professor at ITA International, LLC, Virginia Beach, VA; and Professor and Chaplain at Josué Christian School, Assemblies of God in San Salvador, El Salvador. In 2009, Dr. Amaya was ordained with The Act 2 Network in Chesapeake VA and began his service at Western Branch Community Church under the direction of Senior Pastor Jim Wall.

Always dedicated to strong biblical core values, Dr. Amaya worked as a family and marriage counselor prior to his credentialing and ordination. He has also been actively involved in many areas of missions in both El Salvador and in the US. He coordinated, recruited and trained for short term missions for Salvadorian Christian Medical Association, served as an Assemblies of God Missionary to the United States from 2002-2004, coordinated and led mission trips for Operation Blessing International, Virginia Beach, and orchestrated and directed mission trips for Josué Christian Church, Bethel Church of Norfolk, and WBCC. He has continually strived to fulfill the Great Commission of Mathew 28 and to develop emerging leaders, Christ-centered men and women, with strong Christian values, knowledge, and skills needed to change the world.

Dr. Amaya, an advocate of life and marriage and his wife Mirna currently reside in Suffolk, VA. They have three daughters: Alejandra, a recent graduate of Oral Roberts University, now teaching at Cornerstone Christian School in Virginia Beach, VA; Andrea, majoring in Psychology at Liberty University; and Michelle, majoring in Biology at James Madison University.

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The El Salvadoran Assemblies of God Fasting and Praying for Anchorage

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Kent

The following letter is from our El Salvadoran church planting partners. They are preparing themselves for a week of fasting and prayer for a spiritual breakthrough in Anchorage among the Hispanic population. The MCA Church is planning to join, whole-heartedly, in this ministry of prayer.

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

We are so excited and joyous that we are taking this trip to Alaska, to share and help in the ministry, “Burning Ice”.
We are making a calling to unite in fasting and prayer the first week of January, from the 2nd – 7th of January 2012. Let’s dedicate this time of fasting and prayer for this new project. In Alaska, we will gather as a group to fast and pray together as well. The purpose of this fasting and prayer is to ask the Lord to send a GREAT SPIRITUAL REVIVAL. Brian H. Edwards explains in his book. “Revival” the following: “A time revival of the Spirit is a notable increment in the spiritual life of God’s people. This will bring a conscientious need for God’s presence and intense praying and worship. It will also bring a profound conviction of sin, a passion and desire of holiness and the willingness to share the Gospel to non-believers.

Let’s dedicate this fasting and prayer for the following petitions:

1. That every speaker may be used by God with anointing and power.
2. Pray for the burden/vision of our brother Edgardo Montano, his family and for all of those who have join and felt the calling of “Burning Ice”.
3. A great harvest of new souls for Christ.
4. For the Holy Spirit to break chains of oppression and addictions.
5. Pray for the new church/ministry that is about to begin in Alaska.
6. Let’s pray for the Hispanic population, that the Gospel’s seed may fall on good soil.
7. Let’s pray that our God supply all our needs, open the doors of blessings and prosperity for this new ministry.

Brothers and sisters, let’s maintain ourselves united, in spirit and mind so that we can be a blessing and help in everything we can.

See you in Alaska – “Burning Ice”!

Posted in MCA Iglesia Torre Fuerte, Venue Ministry | Leave a comment

Jesus’ Simple Teaching about You

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Kent

Following are the notes from my 2011 Christmas Day message. The message features the call of Jesus upon our lives to live right with God and people.

A Simple Christmas

Jesus’ Simple Teachings about You

Jesus taught us how to live right with God and people. Acts 8:21

• Live John 10:10
• Right 1 John 1:7
• God 1 Peter 1:16
• People Mark 12:31, 32

Jesus taught us to start by believing in Him. John 3:16

Continue by leaving sin. John 8:11

Right living with God becomes acts of righteousness.

• The first act of the righteous life is giving, privately, to those in need. Matthew 6:1-4
• The second act of the righteous life is private prayer. Matthew 6:5-14
• The third act of the righteous life is private fasting. Matthew 6:16-18

Right living with God and people reveals that your treasure is in heaven. Matthew 6:19-24

When you are living right with God and people, and your treasure is in heaven, then you can live a life free of worry. Matthew 6:25-34

Why live right with God and people? God loves you. John 3:16

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Christmas Fruit Basket

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Kent

I am noticing that many folks’ “Fruit of the Spirit” basket has been robbed by the stresses of the now famous Christmas Complexity Fatigue Syndrome. They sure love Jesus but they are, at best, grouchy, and at worst showing fits of rage (which is a fruit of a different spirit).

I am aware of the “reasons” people have for their lack of the Spirit’s fruit, but, in the end it is always simply a lack of intimacy with the Fruit Producer.

Approximately 3,000 people (about 1 percent of Anchorage’s population) claim that MCA is their home church. 3,000 folks whose Christmas Fruit Basket is full of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, self control, and faithfulness, will rapidly impact the entire environment of the community.

When people reach into your Christmas Fruit Basket may they not get the rotten and nasty fruit of the wrong spirit, but instead find the glorious work of the Holy Spirit.

After hanging out with you, are people more loving, joyful, and peaceful? Or are they more selfish, sad, and stressed?

Here is my take. If your basket is full of grouch, bitterness, and pride, please put a lid on it and enjoy it all to yourself. On the other hand, if your basket is full of the Spirit’s fruit, then take the lid off and share it with the world.

Don’t let the stresses of the season take you away from your time with the Spirit of God. Read, pray, reflect, and meditate upon the things of God and watch the good fruit grow.

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Hearing from God in Real Time

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Kent

The New Testament writers teach that God speaks today. He hasn’t lost His voice because some mystical “age” has come to an end. Some folks say that God changes the way he relates to humans based upon dispensations and the season we are in now, according to them, is one where God can not speak. From my perspective, the Bible no where agrees with this notion.

God is alive and well. He doesn’t have laryngitis. His communication skills are superb.

God still speaks.

One of the communication processes by which God speaks is called prophecy. Prophecy is a communication process that God has used throughout all of history. There are several kinds of prophetic processes through which God has and is communicating.

I see God using prophecy to communicate a bit differently in the time before the Holy Spirit was released on the Day of Pentecost and after that glorious day.

In our services yesterday, the Holy Spirit prompted Brian Michaels to speak a communication from God to our congregation. Brian’s communication aligned with the New Testament requirements for a “prophetic word” and was received as such.

In brief, Brian’s communication reminded us that the miraculous power of God in the Old and New Testaments is still active in our world of today. Believe and trust God for miracles.

A surge of believing God moved into the hearts of those who heard the message. Faith was born and re-ignited.

If yesterday was the first experience of that kind for you, I trust this blog is helpful in understanding what was happening. This type of communication from God to people is very common today and is often experienced in our ministry gatherings.

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