(With Denver Blue and Gregory Smith - Revival, First Baptist Bronte TX. - November 2006)

   Earlier this year, I attended a conference in Dallas led by popular author and professor Dallas Willard.  I was deeply struck when he made the following comment: "What we really need in our churches is not more money & not more people.  What we really need in our churches is more people that are Christ-like.  That will be enough to set the whole bundle on fire."

   Dr. Willard hit the nail on the head.  We don't really need more of anything in our households of faith except to start living up to the example set before us by Jesus.  We need that more than 40 days of purpose.  What good is purpose if our aim is not grace.  We need that more than the prayer of Jabez.  What good is that mantra if all it does is feed our selfishness.  We need that more than experiencing God.  What good is such a heavenly experience if we don't share some of it with those caught up in the hell that surrounds us.  Our children don't need to have the Bible taught to them in school as much as they need to see the Bible lived in us in all we say and do.

   Two-thousand years ago, Jesus sat down on a hillside and preached the greatest sermon ever heard.  We know it as "the Sermon on the Mount."  It is found in Matthew 5-7.  It is such volatile stuff that believers are still stumbling all over it.  It is as controversial as Hitler's Mein Kampf and Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto.  Jesus dared to issue such commands as "love your enemies" and "do not judge."  He dared to place conditions on God's forgiveness by stating we would receive (from our Heavenly Father) as good as we give (to our fellow man.).

   Jesus meant just what He said.  His admonitions are not open for debate.  And to prove He meant it, on another day He climbed another mount and died just what He lived!  Right before His death, He gave us a new command - "Love one another."  And then he added, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)  Strange.  He didn't say they would know by the doctrine we fastidiously keep.  Nor did He say they would know by our piety.  He said they would know by our love.  That is what those outside the church are desperately seeking.  And unfortunately, when they examine our fellowships, they are finding little to draw them in.  But if they ever saw in us what Christ intended them to, look out!  Such a church will go up in holy smoke, and our Father will be pleased by the aroma.

(Robert, Worship Leader Jeff Gore, and Pastor Doug Johnson - Revival at First Baptist Church, Pipe Creek, Texas - May 2001)

Do you really go wherever?  Since October 2004, Wherever Ministries has responded to almost every call and opportunity that has come into our office.  Only once have we turned down a revival - and only then because we felt the church's adamant revival theme could best be met by another ministry.  Beginning in 2010, we will prayerfully consider every call to speak.  However, because more calls are coming in; because we are beginning to prayerfully initiate evangelistic events on our own; because we are seeking to redeem the time; because we are seeking to balance home and ministry, every request can no longer be honored.  Please don't let that fact inhibit you from calling.  Your church or setting may be the very place God's Spirit wants us to be.

Do you require a certain fee to come to our church?  Beginning in 2010, we are making some changes in this area.  We will either come for a love offering plus expenses or for a set amount to be determined ahead of time.  There are several reasons for this change. 

     First, we are attempting to launch a major evangelistic campaign called 'the Jesus test."  We feel God's Spirit has placed this emphasis and strategy upon our hearts.  We are attempting to respond to this tremendous undertaking with undaunted faith and we unashamedly ask churches and individuals to join us in this bold endeavor.

     Second, only about 30% of the churches where I preach graciously cover expenses (travel, meals,  etc.)  We have not asked for any church to do so in five years.  Consequently, we have joyously preached a few free revivals.  And we will continue to do so as God leads.  We don't want our far west location to be an inhibiting factor to any church who feels led of the Holy Spirit to ask us to come.  This is the reason we have stated we will come on an either/or basis - either a love offering plus expenses or a predetermined fee.  The predetermined fee will be based upon each individual church.  We average about 24 revivals/events a year.  Therefore, the predetermined fee will be based upon how much a church pays their pastor (total package) for each week.  For example, if a pastor makes $750 a week (salary, housing, insurance, etc.), we will ask the church to double that weekly amount and the fee to preach a revival in that church will be $1500 for the week.  In this way, I will also be able to provide salary, housing, insurance, etc. for my family as well.  And again - the fee will be different for every church.  Or the church can opt for a love offering and expenses.

Which version of the Bible do you use when you preach?  I preach from the NIV (New International Version).  I use a variety of translations in conveying the meaning of the text  For example, I often quote from the King James Version, the Revised Standard Version, the Cotton Patch Gospel, and The Message.  A few years ago, I was asked to preach one revival using the King James as my main text and I gladly complied.

Do you have a certain worship leader that you recommend?  I have been blessed to work with many gifted worship leaders from a diversity of musical styles and backgrounds.  If asked, there are certain worship leaders that I would recommend because we complement each other's ministry nicely.  (See Favorite Worship Leaders column on the right.)  However, I would make sure that they would be a good match for your church.  I am open to working with whoever God leads you to invite.

Do you preach the same messages everywhere?  Yes and no.  Yes, there are certain messages that God has given me through the years that He leads me to preach more regularly than others.  No, I do not come to your church with only 5 or 6 gospel bullets in my gun to preach at your church.  God continues to give me new sermons regularly.   I treat each revival differently.  I will bring 70-80 messages with me and preach the ones He leads me to preach.

Do you prefer to stay in homes or at a hotel?  Again, I am easy.  I have stayed in both.  Whatever is best for the church, I will do.  If I do stay in a home, I always want the host family to know that, early in the week, I often require a lot of time in study.  Since I do not predetermine the messages ahead of time, I often spend time prayerfully discerning which sermons God wants me to preach once I have arrived in your town.

What do you normally like to do during the course of a revival?  As shared above, I have found a consistent daily time of meditation and study a must.  Also, because revivals are often accompanied by the continuous eating of good food, I will spend some time in exercise.  I will either find a place to walk around your community or spend time in the fitness room at the hotel.  Other than that, I am wide open to whatever the pastor needs to do during the day.  I have done a little bit of everything during revival meetings.  I have visited people and invited them to revival services.  I have witnessed.  I have visited in the hospital.  I have visited places of historical significance.  (At one revival, I spent most of the day at Horsehead Crossing).  I have explored caves.  I have played sports.  However, my first goal is always to minister to your church and to your pastor and staff.

Do you recommend special nightly emphases?  I leave that totally to the discretion of the pastor.  In some churches, a nightly focus is very effective.  For example, Youth Nights always seem to go well.  I have a good rapport with teenagers (Must be all those years in Youth Ministry) and they respond well to God's messages through me.  Special services at outdoor locations away from the church have also proved effective.  I have preached in football stadiums and in revival tents.  Cowboy or Western Night is well attended in most Texas towns.  A hot-dog supper and sharing the plan of salvation with children before Family Night has led to several decisions.