The Sealed

This morning we came to realize more fully what the Lord has entrusted to us to do. This is especially in light of what we have seen the last two months as we have conducted the Basic Training here in North America.

The teaching He has given us is not simply about healing. The ultimate purpose is to equip disciples of the Lord to fulfill the Great Commission—which includes a demonstration of power to the lost as the gospel is proclaimed. The teaching presents a new paradigm not simply for healing, but has even opened some believer’s eyes to God’s word as being truly alive and faithful. Some have started to read Scripture very differently after attending the Training. In this regard, we would like to share a testimony we just received from sister Becky Hoang in Lynwood, Washington. It’s not only a testimony of healing, but much more. Becky attended the Basic Training in Seattle just last weekend.

Please click on Doubtless in Seattle to read Becky’s testimony.

We believe that the Elijah Challenge Basic Training can have significant impact on the Great Commission if it is widely taught and disseminated. With that in mind we are now in the process of having the video of the entire Basic Training uploaded to the internet. In this way anyone with a computer and high-speed internet can view it and be trained—for free.

However, there are servants of God in many poor countries around the world—primarily Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and idol-worshiping nations—who minister under very difficult conditions. They do not have high-speed access to the internet, and they do not understand English. We have a desire to go to them and to offer it to them at no expense.

At this time, we conduct The Elijah Challenge Basic Training mostly by invitation of churches who are able to pay our expenses. With the addition of the financial support we currently receive from our partners, we are able to get by financially.

However, we can do so much more if we have greater financial resources. We would go to Africa and Asia and other such undeveloped areas. We would conduct Regional Basic Training events where we would pay the expenses of the local servants of God to come and be trained with The Elijah Challenge. That could include meals, accommodations, and in some cases transportation to the Training. With more funds, we could support local pastors who plant new churches after they are trained. We are already doing this in India.

We do not subscribe to the “God-wants-you-rich” teaching which is popular in some circles of the Church today. Instead, we are putting our treasure in heaven. We keep our living expenses as low as possible. Up until only a few months ago, we were driving a ten-year-old van. We always fly economy class when we travel. We have not felt the need for a vacation in years. Lucille does not wear jewelry. We have but a pittance set aside for retirement even though we are not that far from “retirement age.” We did not spend money to purchase our home; it was an inheritance from William’s mother. Most of the furnishings in our house were also inherited or given to us by kind people. We could go on and on, but you get the point. (Besides, we are starting to feel a bit awkward sharing these things…)

In our meetings we do not talk about money or take offerings. We usually do not sell books we have written. When our books are made available at our meetings overseas, the profits have not gone to us but to the support of local ministries.

In terms of what The Elijah Challenge has accomplished around the world with its very thin finances, we feel we have been trustworthy with the little that has been entrusted to us. We are content with our present lifestyle, and it will not change when the Lord graciously entrusts greater financial support for The Elijah Challenge. We will put our treasure in heaven by equipping God’s servants in poorer countries around the world to fulfill the Great Commission.

Thank you, dear partners.

Sincerely in Christ,

William & Lucille