by Garris Elkins | Mar 19, 2014 | Church, Faith, Father, Forgiveness, Future, Honor, Hope, Leadership
At my age and length of service in God’s Kingdom, I am now what some people would call a spiritual father. In most gatherings, I am one of the older pastors in the room. As we age, wisdom can increasingly be present and in operation in our lives if we have allowed God...
by Garris Elkins | Jan 12, 2014 | Family, Future, Honor, Hope, Leadership
About 20 years ago, I began asking myself four questions. I also asked the same questions of our church staff during our quarterly planning sessions. The questions helped us engage a process of evaluation where we could leave behind what needed to be left behind and...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 26, 2013 | Family, Father, Healing, Honor, Hope, Sacrifice
In high school, I took an English class from a teacher named, Mr. Bobbitt. Mr. Bobbitt seemed “old” to me – he must have been about 50 when I was one of his students. In class, Mr. Bobbitt would never let us use the word, “good”, to describe anything. He...
by Garris Elkins | Oct 21, 2013 | Church, Family, Honor, Hope, Restoration
In October of 2006, I rented a room in a lodge along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. I went there for a three-day prayer and study retreat. Each day I would hike along a graveled road high above the river. On one of these hikes, I spotted a smooth and...
by Garris Elkins | Sep 6, 2013 | Church, Dreams, Future, Honor, Leadership, Repentance, Revival
The more I connect with pastors and leaders across the United States the more I am seeing a group fatigue in the ranks. This fatigue is not from busy schedules or stress-filled encounters with difficult people. This fatigue comes from a subtle resignation that...
by Garris Elkins | Aug 22, 2013 | Apostle, Church, Dreams, Future, Honor, Identity, Kingdom of God, Obedience, Revival, Transition
This morning, as I prayed about a coming new season in my own life, I began to hear the Lord speak, not only to me, but also to many in the Church who sense an old season has passed and a new season has come. I am calling you to exploits in My Kingdom that are beyond...