by Garris Elkins | Sep 26, 2015 | Courage, Deliverance, Faith, Fear, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Kingdom of God, Miracles, Pentecost, Power, Promise, Restoration, Revival, Spiritual Warfare
In the Book of Acts physical healing and deliverance from demonic powers was the result of Spirit-empowered commands, not prayers. “Rise up!” and Come out!” were the commands spoken as the Church advanced into new territory. These commands were the...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 12, 2015 | Church, Destiny, Faithfulness, Five-Fold Ministry, Future, Honor, Ministry, Provision, Redemption, Revival, Transition
During my first year of ministry, I told my pastor, Roy Hicks, Jr. the spiritual ground where I was attempting to plant our new church was hard. I was hoping for sympathy. Instead, I received truth. Roy said, “Don’t focus on the ground.” I have never...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 28, 2015 | Apostle, Church, Culture, Family, Fathers, Five-Fold Ministry, Honor, Identity, Kingdom, Leadership, Ministry, Teaching, Trust, Wisdom
About thirty years ago, I was a young pastor sitting in a long and spirited business meeting during our yearly denominational convention. A topic on the agenda was getting some heated response from the floor of the convention body. My pastor, Roy Hicks,...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 10, 2015 | Apostle, Change, Courage, Faith, Fathers, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Kingdom, Leadership, Pentecost, Power, Teaching, Wisdom
As a father in the faith, I find myself viewing the Church from that perspective. This kind of assignment slips up on you by mere time in rank and age. The realization I was a spiritual father first visited me about 10 years ago and has deepened its...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 4, 2015 | Apostle, Discipleship, Fathers, Five-Fold Ministry, Identity, Kingdom, Leadership, Ministry, Trust
There will be seasons in your life when the greatest evidence you are a leader is discovered when you turn around and realize no one is following, yet you keep moving forward toward a promise. These are seasons where some of your greatest tests will come because...
by Garris Elkins | Jun 1, 2015 | Apostle, Church, Culture, Five-Fold Ministry, Gifts, Holy Spirit, Miracles, Pentecost, Supernatural
This morning, I was reading Acts 7 where Stephen reminded a group of religious leaders of their abandoned history. The actions of Stephen took courage, especially when the existing religious system in his day also controlled the cultural power base. In some faith...
