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		<title>Join The Revolution</title>
		<link>https://joburgicc.net/2016/08/11/join-the-revolution-2/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joburg Webdeacon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2016 15:20:11 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[JULY 2016  &#124;  VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 4 Download Bulletin PDF Version EDITORIAL BY DR. TIM C. KERNAN [Editor’s Note: In many respects, the planting of the City of Angels International Christian Church (CAICC) on May 6, 2007 was the beginning of God’s new SoldOut Movement! Therefore, the CAICC Bulletin from that first day’s publication became [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5 style="text-align: right;">JULY 2016  |  VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 4</h5>
<p style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.lagosicc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016.pdf">Download Bulletin PDF Version</a></p>
<h3>EDITORIAL BY DR. TIM C. KERNAN</h3>
<p>[Editor’s Note: In many respects, the planting of the City of Angels International Christian Church (CAICC) on May 6, 2007 was the beginning of God’s new SoldOut Movement! Therefore, the CAICC Bulletin from that first day’s publication became the “Millennial Harbinger” for God’s honor, His great people and His great commission of the evangelization of the nations in this generation. Yet, the Spirit has called Elena &amp; me to serve Him in more of a traveling ministry focusing for a week or two on our key congregations both inside and particularly outside the United States. It is therefore with great joy that I hand over the last of my responsibilities associated with leading the City of Angels Church – the Editorship of the CAICC Bulletin – to the more capable pen of Tim Kernan, the Lead Evangelist of the CAICC and dear son in the Gospel. As Tim &amp; Lianne have already taken Elena’s &amp; my beloved City of Angels Church to unpreceded heights in attendances, baptisms and contributions, I believe the same will hold true of the CAICC Bulletin as Tim will sound this trumpet for God’s glory! Elena &amp; I assisted by our precious sister Karen Maciel will continue to detail the miracles of the movement in the monthly Good News Emails. Please keep us in your prayers. We are family… to the end, Kip McKean]</p>
<p><strong><em>“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” </em>Luke 6:18-19</strong></p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_1_Image_0003.jpg"><img decoding="async" class=" size-large" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_1_Image_0003-1024x681.jpg" alt="TODAY, AT THE 2016 GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, RD &amp; APRIL BAKER AND THE DUBAI MISSION TEAM ARE BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">TODAY, AT THE 2016 GLOBAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE, RD &amp; APRIL BAKER AND THE DUBAI MISSION TEAM ARE BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!</div>
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<p>Jesus came to start a <strong>REVOLUTION!</strong> Jesus’ radical dream was the ember of a spiritual fire that in one generation consumed the entire world by giving inspiration to men and women in the grip of spiritual destitution. This dream envisioned the poor to become rich in good news; those in dungeons of hopelessness to break free of sin; and the blind to have a vision for the future of God’s people! For Jesus, the very Kingdom of God would expand at such a rate so as to change this dark, putrid world as a light dispels darkness and reveals beauty and as salt gives flavor. He pictured a future for all mankind which <em><strong>“no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him!”</strong></em> (2 Corinthians 2:9)</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0002.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0002.jpg" alt="KOLBY GRAY &amp; REBECCA RICO ARE BEING SENT BY THE SPIRIT TO THE MIGHTY LONDON CHURCH TO AID IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF EUROPE!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">KOLBY GRAY &amp; REBECCA RICO ARE BEING SENT BY THE SPIRIT TO THE MIGHTY LONDON CHURCH TO AID IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF EUROPE!</div>
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<p>Jesus’ church represents the only lasting refuge in a world of sin and pain. Of all the revolutions in history, the true Christian Church was the only one to truly free mankind. Every other effort to “be good without God,” in other words to offer solutions to the world’s problems without Divine direction, has ultimately failed to last. Gamaliel’s words echo in our ears, <em><strong>“If their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men!”</strong> </em>(Acts 5:38-39)</p>
<p>Every disciple is called to be a leader in this <strong>REVOLUTION!</strong> We are small in number, but what we lack in numbers we make up for in commitment to our cause. We back up our words with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Luke 10:27) As the American Revolutionary Samuel Adams once wrote, “It does not take a majority to prevail&#8230; but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”</p>
<p>Consider what we, as a band of SoldOut Brothers and Sisters empowered by His Spirit have been able to do around the world:</p>
<p><strong>Lagos, Nigeria:</strong> This Tenth Crown of Thorns Planting is the pillar church for all of Africa! They celebrated their Inaugural Service just one month ago on June 26, 2016 with 155 in attendance! With a mission team of 11 courageous souls led by the indomitable Andrew &amp; Patrique Smellie, God added to their number the eight in the remnant group and 11 baptisms, 1 restoration and 2 place memberships! So after one short month, the Lagos International Christian Church now numbers 33 sold-out disciples!</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0001.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0001.jpg" alt="ANDREW &amp; PATRIQUE SMELLIE AND KIP &amp; ELENA MCKEAN AT THE LAGOS ICC INAUGURAL SERVICE WHERE GOD BLESSED THEM WITH 155 IN ATTENDANCE AND 3 BAPTISMS!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">ANDREW &amp; PATRIQUE SMELLIE AND KIP &amp; ELENA MCKEAN AT THE LAGOS ICC INAUGURAL SERVICE WHERE GOD BLESSED THEM WITH 155 IN ATTENDANCE AND 3 BAPTISMS!</div>
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<p><strong>Manila, Philippines:</strong> At the Manila ICC Inaugural Service on June 7, 2015, the Lord blessed them with 306 in attendance! In their first year, God added to this amazing congregation 166 souls – 132 baptisms, 25 restorations and 9 place memberships directly from our former fellowship who were seeking revival! In the calendar year of 2016, so far they have witnessed 102 additions – 82 baptisms, 18 restorations and 2 place memberships from the ICOC! Kyle &amp; Joan Bartholomew have been used so powerfully by God as the Manila ICC is now 189 radical disciples! Another highlight of 2016 for the Manila Church was on Sunday, June 19th at the First Austral Pacific Rim Missions Conference, where the first ICCM Commencement Ceremony was conducted outside of the United States! The ICCM – Manila’s first four graduates were: Gina Dela Pena, Anna Malnegro, John Malnegro and Cathy Manresa!</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0004.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0004.jpg" alt="THE ESTEEMED FIRST GRADUATES OF THE ICCM – MANILA: CATHY MANRESA, JOHN MALNEGRO, ANNA MALNEGRO AND GINA DELA PENA!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">THE ESTEEMED FIRST GRADUATES OF THE ICCM – MANILA: CATHY MANRESA, JOHN MALNEGRO, ANNA MALNEGRO AND GINA DELA PENA!</div>
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<p><strong>Mexico City, Mexico:</strong> This congregation – lead powerfully through the Spirit by Carlos &amp; Lucy Mejia – has grown from 59 disciples on January 1, 2016 to now 107 revolutionaries for Christ today! However, their most extraordinary news is the founding of the SoldOut Press International – the new publishing house for our movement! Carlos serves as the President of the Board and Kip McKean is the Vice President. The Editor is the esteemed Hector Gomez and his Associate Editor is Lucy! Today, they will officially unveil their first book: ELEVATE – Jesus’ Global Revolution For Women by Dr. Elena Garcia McKean!</p>
<p><strong>Moscow, Russia:</strong> This incredible beacon of light was planted in February 2015 and is the Eighth Crown of Thorns Church! The Moscow ICC is led by a very dear couple to the entire movement – Oleg &amp; Elena Sirotkin! With 17 on the mission team and 33 in the remnant group, in the Moscow Church’s very first year, they recorded 49 baptisms, 27 restorations and 10 place memberships! At their First Eurasian Missions Conference just three months ago, God blessed them with 289 participants! Excitingly, in Russia’s fifth largest city, the Spirit has initiated the Nizhny Novgorod Remnant Group led by Sergey &amp; Elena Lamenkyn!</p>
<p><strong>Bogota, Colombia:</strong> In a dark city known for its drug trade, the light of Jesus’ <strong>REVOLUTION</strong> began to shine in April as the five-person mission team from Mexico City was joined by the 26 in the remnant group initiated by Hector &amp; Adriana Gomez. At the Bogota ICC Inaugural Service, they had an amazing 140 in attendance! So in just three months, God has grown this planting through baptisms and restorations to 49 on fire disciples!</p>
<p><strong>Chennai, India:</strong> The Seventh Crown of Thorns Planting had 101 additions their first year – 94 baptisms and 7 restorations! When I think about this sister congregation, so nobly led by Raja &amp; Debs Rajan, I think of our theme Scripture for the movement this year in 1 Peter 5:8-9,<em><strong> “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your FAMILY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD is undergoing the same kind of trials.”</strong></em> Month after month in the Good News Email, heroic accounts of disciples persevering by faith through hardships such as flooding and starvation, as well as horrific persecutions have inspired the entire movement! Lord willing, at the First South Asia Missions Conference in November, the Chennai Church will be sending out their first planting to Bangalore, India!</p>
<p>There are so many miracles around the globe that we only take the time to mention the mighty churches in London, England; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil! In the States, the SoldOut Movement now has thriving congregations in such metropolises as New York City, Chicago, Washington DC, San Francisco and our newest planting in Seattle! Added to the impact of the churches is that each SoldOut Movement Church is a “branch” of MERCYWORLDWIDE and every disciple is a MERCY Ambassador! Also the IGNITE Teen Program just finished up their 2016 week-long training event entitled, EVEN GREATER THINGS!</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0005.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0005.jpg" alt="ADAM ZEPEDA, THE DYNAMIC YOUNG EVANGELIST, RETURNS TO SÃO PAULO TO WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH RAUL MORENO – HIS FATHER IN THE FAITH!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">ADAM ZEPEDA, THE DYNAMIC YOUNG EVANGELIST, RETURNS TO SÃO PAULO TO WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH RAUL MORENO – HIS FATHER IN THE FAITH!</div>
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<p>We also must mention one of the greatest miracles in our generation, the founding of the International College of Christian Ministries! Today, July 31, 2016 at the <strong>REVOLUTION Global Leadership Conference</strong>, the <strong>Fourth Commencement Ceremony of the International College of Christian Ministries</strong> (ICCM) will be celebrated! Awarded will be 65 BA Degrees, 5 Master’s Degrees and 1 Doctorate Degree to be given to my dear friend Andrew Smellie! Last year, added to what is now known as ICCM – LA were the extension campuses: ICCM – Manila, ICCM – Portland, and ICCM – São Paulo! This year, new extension campuses will be established in Boston, Massachusetts and so excitingly in Lagos, Nigeria! This “dream become reality” was made possible when the Lord answered our prayers on August 16, 2012 as the California Bureau of Postsecondary Education approved our application for the founding of the ICCM. We received the “Verification of Exempt Status” which allows the ICCM to grant accredited Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate Degrees in Ministry according to “our” Biblical doctrines and standards.</p>
<div style="margin: 10px auto 20px auto; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.2em; text-align: left; background-color: #d3d3d3; padding: 10px; max-width: 600px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0006.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0006.jpg" alt="THE FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED BY SOLDOUT PRESS INTERNATIONAL IS DR. ELENA GARCIA MCKEAN’S DOCTORAL DISSERTATION, ELEVATE – “JESUS’ GLOBAL REVOLUTION FOR WOMEN!”" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">THE FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED BY SOLDOUT PRESS INTERNATIONAL IS DR. ELENA GARCIA MCKEAN’S DOCTORAL DISSERTATION, ELEVATE – “JESUS’ GLOBAL REVOLUTION FOR WOMEN!”</div>
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<p>Another highlight today is the sending out of the Tampa and Dubai Mission Teams! The Tampa Mission Team is led by Anthony &amp; Elizabeth Eckels. Remarkably, Tampa will be our third church in the state of Florida! The Dubai, United Arab Emirates ICC will be our Eleventh Crown of Thorns Planting and our pillar church for the evangelization of the Middle East! The valiant couple RD &amp; April Baker will serve as the leaders of this amazing church! So in just nine years, God has multiplied the 42 disciples on the LA Mission Team from Portland into almost 5,000 disciples in 68 churches, in 31 nations on all six populated continents of the world! Indeed, this is not a movement of men, but the modern day movement of God!</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0003.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_2_Image_0003.jpg" alt="MATT &amp; HELEN SULLIVAN (RIGHT) HAVE RAISED UP ANTHONY &amp; ELIZABETH ECKELS, WHO HAVE PLANTED" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">MATT &amp; HELEN SULLIVAN (RIGHT) HAVE RAISED UP ANTHONY &amp; ELIZABETH ECKELS, WHO HAVE PLANTED</div>
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<p>As we near the end of the Crown of Thorns Project Phase #1, we now have planted eleven of the twelve pillar churches. Just as the last leg of a marathon is the hardest, we must now complete Phase #1 of the Crown of Thorns Project with the same fire and zeal with which we began! So next year, to celebrate the sending out of the Twelfth and Final Crown of Thorns Mission Team – Hong Kong, China – the GLC will be held in Manila, Philippines! Lord willing, August 3-6, 2017 will be the dates for this historic event in the tenth year of the movement!</p>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_1_Image_0004.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/July-2016_Page_1_Image_0004.jpg" alt="KAREN MACIEL (LEFT) AND REBECCA RICO CELEBRATE THE BEGINNING OF AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER IN EACH OF THEIR LIVES!" /></a></div>
<div style="max-width: 600px; text-align: center;">KAREN MACIEL (LEFT) AND REBECCA RICO CELEBRATE THE BEGINNING OF AN EXCITING NEW CHAPTER IN EACH OF THEIR LIVES!</div>
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<p>Like the farmer sowing in tears, we are already beginning to reap with songs of joy! (Psalm 126:4-6) Let us dig deep and draw closer to God than we ever have! I would like to challenge every disciple in all the USA Churches to get out in front of our Thanksgiving Special Missions Contribution and put aside at least $100 towards our personal goals by the end of this August! This is the goal of the City of Angels Church. As the American thinker William James once wrote, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”</p>
<p>It is an honor to be together with all of you here at the 2016 GLC! Just one question is to be answered by every participant over the next three days: Are you ready to join Jesus’ <strong>REVOLUTION</strong>?</p>
<p>In His Majesty’s Service,<br />
Dr. Tim C. Kernan</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“The Lord added to their number&#8230;”</em> </strong>Acts 2:47</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">CAICC HARVEST SUMMARY FOR 2016</h3>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">(THE FIRST 213 DAYS OF 2016)</h5>
<table style="margin: 10px auto;" width="435">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: left;">JULY SUNDAY ATTENDANCE AVG:</td>
<td>1,246</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JULY WEEKLY BENEVOLENCE AVG:</td>
<td>$745</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>JULY WEEKLY CONTRIBUTION AVG:</td>
<td width="70px">$33,969</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BAPTISMS:</td>
<td>178</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RESTORATIONS:</td>
<td>34</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLACE MEMBERSHIPS:</td>
<td>69</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TOTAL ADDITIONS:</td>
<td>281</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SENT TO THE MISSION FIELD:</td>
<td>78</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">THE CROWN OF THORNS PROJECT</h3>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">THE PLAN FOR WORLD EVANGELISM FOR THE SOLDOUT MOVEMENT</h5>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,<br />
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”</em> Acts 1:8</strong></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #22699c;">“JERUSALEM” – LOS ANGELES</span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #22699c;">“JUDEA AND SAMARIA” – USA &amp; CANADA</span></h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>JUDEA:</strong><br />
<span style="color: #008000;">LAS VEGAS, PHOENIX, SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO, AND SANTA BARBARA</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>SAMARIA:<br />
</strong><span style="color: #008000;">BOSTON<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> <span style="color: #6111ed;">CHARLOTTE</span><span style="color: #000000;">,</span> CHICAGO<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> DALLAS-FT. WORTH<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> DENVER<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> EUGENE<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> GAINESVILLE<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> HILO<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> HONOLULU<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> HOUSTON<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> <span style="color: #6111ed;">MIAMI/FT. LAUDERDALE</span> <span style="color: #000000;">(2017)</span><span style="color: #000000;">,</span> NEW YORK CITY<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> ORLANDO<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> PORTLAND<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> SEATTLE<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> SYRACUSE<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> TAMPA<span style="color: #000000;">,</span> TORONTO AND WASHINGTON DC</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #22699c;"><strong> “TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH”</strong></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PHASE ONE: PLANT THE CROWN OF THORNS CHURCHES</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008000;">CHENNAI </span>(2014)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">MOSCOW</span> (2015)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">MANILA</span> (2015)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">LAGOS</span> (2016)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">DUBAI</span> (2016)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">HONG KONG</span> (2017)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">SANTIAGO</span> (2009)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">LONDON</span> (2010)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">SAO PAULO</span> (2011)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">MEXICO CITY</span> (2012)<br />
<span style="color: #008000;">PARIS</span> (2012)<br />
<span style="color: #b30b0b;">SYDNEY</span> (2013)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>PHASE TWO: CROWN OF THORNS CHURCHES TARGET SURROUNDING NATIONS’ CAPITAL CITIES</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008000;">ABIDJAN</span>, <span style="color: #008000;">STOCKHOLM</span>, <span style="color: #008000;">BOGOTÁ</span>, <span style="color: #6111ed;">KIEV</span> (2017), <span style="color: #6111ed;">KINSHASA</span> (2017), <span style="color: #6111ed;">JOHANNESBURG</span> (2018), <span style="color: #6111ed;">QUITO</span> (2018), <span style="color: #b30b0b;">KINGSTON</span> (2020)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> PHASE THREE: EACH CAPITAL CITY CHURCH EVANGELIZES THEIR NATION</strong><br />
<span style="color: #008000;">KOREZOUZOUA</span>, <span style="color: #6111ed;">BANGALORE</span> (2016), <span style="color: #b30b0b;">CEBU</span> (2017), <span style="color: #b30b0b;">RIO DE JANEIRO</span> (2017), <span style="color: #b30b0b;">MELBOURNE</span> (2018)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(<span style="color: #008000;">GREEN</span> – CHURCH PLANTINGS |  <span style="color: #6111ed;">PURPLE</span> – REMNANT GROUPS  |  <span style="color: #b30b0b;">RED</span> – TO BE PLANTED)</p>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://CAICC.NET">CAICC.NET</a> • <a href="http://USD21.ORG">USD21.ORG</a> • <a href="http://ICCMLA.NET">ICCMLA.NET</a></p>
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		<title>A Great Light Has Dawned! &#8211; The African Missions Conference 2016</title>
		<link>https://joburgicc.net/2016/05/06/a-great-light-has-dawned-the-african-missions-conference-2016/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joburg Webdeacon]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2016 08:02:54 +0000</pubDate>
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					<description><![CDATA[GUEST EDITORIAL: ANDREW SMELLIE – LAGOS MISSION TEAM LEADER “The people walking in darkness have seen A GREAT LIGHT; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light HAS DAWNED.” Isaiah 9:2 On behalf of the Africa World Sector, representing 15 churches across 54 countries on the continent of Africa, we [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>GUEST EDITORIAL: ANDREW SMELLIE – LAGOS MISSION TEAM LEADER</p>
<div class="excerpt">
<h5><em>“The people walking in darkness have seen A GREAT LIGHT; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light HAS DAWNED.”</em> Isaiah 9:2</h5>
<p>On behalf of the Africa World Sector, representing 15 churches across 54 countries on the continent of Africa, we are excited to announce that our Second African Missions Conference (AMC) is entitled, A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED! This historic event will be held in Lagos, Nigeria from Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26, 2016! Prayerfully, we will have brothers and sisters join us from all around the world!</p>
<div id="attachment_7484" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i1.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin5-2016-Image_0003.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-7484 size-large" src="http://i1.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin5-2016-Image_0003.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C371" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" alt="THE GALLANT LAGOS MISSION TEAM LED BY ANDREW &amp; PATRIQUE SMELLIE – THE AFRICA WORLD SECTOR LEADERS!" width="455" height="281" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">THE GALLANT LAGOS MISSION TEAM LED BY ANDREW &amp; PATRIQUE SMELLIE – THE AFRICA WORLD SECTOR LEADERS!</p>
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<p>Sadly, Nigeria is a nation known for the “darkness” of its religiosity and corruption, but at the AMC, we will have the opportunity to proclaim the “great light” and the “abundant life” of Jesus! Let us be encouraged by a quote from my father in the faith, Kip McKean, “Where it is darkest, the light shines brightest!” Fascinatingly, Nigeria is called the “Giant of Africa,” as it is the largest country on the African continent with a population of approximately 180 million and a landmass that is twice the size of the State of California! By 2050, one projection estimates that Nigeria will reach 300 million in population – a statistic that will be exceeded by only five other countries in the world: China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and the USA! Lagos is also the largest city on the African continent – home to over 21 million souls… and counting! Not surprisingly, this thriving metropolis is Nigeria’s economic and commercial center. Therefore, Lagos will serve as our key pillar city for the evangelization of all Africa!</p>
<div id="attachment_7489" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0005-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-7489 size-medium" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0005-2.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=300%2C296" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" width="294" height="288" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">THE ICC IS NOW AN OFFICIALLY REGISTERED CHURCH FOR ALL OF NIGERIA!</p>
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<p>Last year, my lovely wife Patrique &amp; I had the privilege to participate in our First AMC in the French-speaking city of Abijdan, Cote D’Ivoire! Our theme was EVERY TRIBE, LANGUAGE AND NATION! The Lord blessed us with almost 500 souls in attendance, 12 baptisms and one restoration! All of this culminated in the official planting of the Abidjan International Christian Church led by Amadou &amp; Angele Sountoura!</p>
<p>It was at this time that a remarkable event occurred – our initial meeting with Benedict Atason! Benedict was a Mainline Church of Christ preacher who had been following the SoldOut Movement for a few years. After seeing the incredible multiplication of disciples similar to the Book of Acts (which he did not witness in the Mainline Church of Christ), Benedict became eager to join the movement by being “brought to complete unity” in Christ! (John 17:23) Benedict initially contacted Kip on Facebook, asking to join the SoldOut Movement. To test Benedict’s sincerity and resolve, Kip requested for him to make the arduous western trip by bus from Umuahia, Nigeria through three other countries (Togo, Benin and Ghana) to attend our African Missions Conference in Cote D’Ivoire! This Benedict gladly did – at 61 years old – despite the fact that he did not speak any French!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div id="attachment_7488" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0004-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7488" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0004-2.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C389" sizes="(max-width: 953px) 100vw, 953px" alt="AT THE 2015 AMC, BENEDICT JOINS GOD’S NEW MOVEMENT AND IS EMBRACED BY JACQUE GROENEWALD OF JOHANNESBURG, JOEL PARLOUR NOW OF SEATTLE, AND ANDREW SMELLIE!" width="455" height="295" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">AT THE 2015 AMC, BENEDICT JOINS GOD’S NEW MOVEMENT AND IS EMBRACED BY JACQUE GROENEWALD OF JOHANNESBURG, JOEL PARLOUR NOW OF SEATTLE, AND ANDREW SMELLIE!</p>
</div>
<p>At the AMC, Kip, Blaise Feumba and I studied the Bible with him for three days. It was clear that Benedict was made into a true disciple before he was baptized into Christ! Interestingly, we learned that Benedict was also born in the same year as Kip and baptized the same year as Kip – 1972! Also, one of Benedict’s mentors and one of Kip’s mentors were fellow teachers at a Christian College in Nigeria founded by the Mainline Churches of Christ! Bonded by these common experiences, and more convinced than ever from the Scriptures that the SoldOut Movement is indeed God’s modern day movement, Benedict returned to Nigeria. Immediately, Benedict sold his car and other possessions in order to be able to attend the August 2015 Global Leadership Conference in LA!</p>
<p>On Benedict’s way home to Umuahia from the 2015 AMC, he purposely stopped by Lagos to study with his oldest son, GoodHope, who was also a Mainline Church of Christ minister, what he had learned in Abidjan. Interestingly, GoodHope had a second and more lucrative job as an Information Technology professional. His wife, Bonita, is an accountant for one of the top insurance companies in Nigeria! As well, they have a beautiful five-year-old daughter named Anita!</p>
<p>After Benedict’s visit, I had the privilege to study out the SoldOut Movement’s “distinguishing” Biblical Core Convictions over Skype with GoodHope. Like his father, he too was eager to join the movement! He traveled to Los Angeles in September 2015 and was blown away by the love of the disciples! In speaking to the City of Angels Church, GoodHope shared, “You have shown me love in a way that I have never seen before!” Upon his return to Lagos, GoodHope challenged his Mainline Church to restore from the Scriptures what GoodHope had recently learned from his father and me, but was met with malicious persecution over the issues of central leadership; discipling is a command of God; the evangelization of all nations in this generation; God calls His people to be a Bible Church, not just a New Testament Church; and “to be silent where the Bible speaks and speak where the Bible is silent.” (In other words, Christians are free to do anything that does not contradict Scripture.)</p>
<p>Upon informing his boss in the IT firm about his new Biblical convictions, his boss – who is a Mainline Church of Christ elder – stated, ”I am going to make life very difficult for God’s new movement!” When GoodHope arrived at work the following day, he could not login to the network of the company. Seeing that his boss was intent on firing him, GoodHope decided to resign! This is indeed a challenging decision for a man who was living comfortably in one of the most affluent parts of Nigeria. With the loss of his job also came the loss of his home – which his job paid for – as well as his car! Yet, I never sensed a complaining or fearful spirit from him. Instead, GoodHope was zealous to uphold the standard of righteousness in such a corrupt system!</p>
<div id="attachment_7487" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i2.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0003.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7487" src="http://i2.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0003.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C431" sizes="(max-width: 798px) 100vw, 798px" alt="THE COURAGEOUS INITIATORS OF THE LAGOS REMNANT GROUP – GOODHOPE &amp; BONITA ATASON!" width="455" height="327" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">THE COURAGEOUS INITIATORS OF THE LAGOS REMNANT<br />
GROUP – GOODHOPE &amp; BONITA ATASON!</p>
</div>
<p>During my first visit to Lagos in November 2015, GoodHope and I quickly became great friends, and it was a privilege to see the conviction of his wife Bonita as well. Financial challenges due to their decision to join the SoldOut Movement, forced GoodHope’s family to move to a much more modest area. As well, Bonita now travels more than three hours to get to work. These decisions by GoodHope, Bonita and GoodHope’s father Benedict showed me that they were truly sold-out to God’s SoldOut Movement!</p>
<p>Since there was only one remnant disciple that joined us in Johannesburg, but many who joined us in Lagos, Kip and I then wrestled with the early events of Paul’s second missionary journey in Acts 16. In this powerful passage, Paul was guided by “the Spirit of Jesus” to NOT go into the Province of Asia where he desired to preach, but to travel on to Troas. (It should be duly noted that at the end of this particular missionary journey, Paul does go to Asia and this becomes perhaps his most fruitful ministry of all time! God’s timing is perfect!)</p>
<div id="attachment_7486" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0002-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7486" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0002-2.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C334" sizes="(max-width: 847px) 100vw, 847px" alt="THE GLORIOUS FIRST AFRICAN MISSIONS CONFERENCE IN ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST!" width="455" height="253" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">THE GLORIOUS FIRST AFRICAN MISSIONS CONFERENCE IN ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST!</p>
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<p>Since so many joined us in Lagos and so few in Johannesburg, Kip and I saw this as God redirecting our steps in His timing. Also, in Acts 16:9, Paul is once again guided by God, but this time in a dream. “During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia, standing and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” (Acts 16:9) Benedict’s consistent zeal for the SoldOut Movement to plant churches throughout Nigeria was reminiscent of this “man of Macedonia.” Although we had plans to plant Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016, we changed our plans to obey the Spirit’s call to plant Lagos, Nigeria as the movement’s Tenth Crown of Thorns Church!<br />
Not only has God been moving to “gather His remnant” amongst the Mainline Churches of Christ, but He has also drawn to Him courageous souls from our former fellowship – the International Churches of Christ (ICOC)! After the Lagos Remnant Group was initiated by GoodHope, Bolaji Akinfenwa – a former ICOC Evangelist who led regions in Lagos of hundreds and was the overseeing Evangelist for the countries of Chad and Benin – also joined God’s new movement! During my last trip in April 2016, Bolaji shared vulnerably with me about the deterioration of “life and doctrine” in the church he loved. This is clearly seen as the Lagos ICOC has decreased from 4,000 to 1,500 members since 2003, with little focus on baptisms. In fact, during the last two years, a total of only 25 have been baptized.</p>
<p>With the abandonment of discipling, one sister who has been a faithful disciple for over 25 years and who attended our April church service shared that both her mother and her son have cried over the lack of love in what is left of the Lagos ICOC. She simply said, “This is no longer the church we were baptized into…” Sadly, despite Bolaji’s call to repentance to those in the Lagos ICOC leadership, the vindictive nature of those around him led to Bolaji’s resigning from the ministry in 2006. Yet his zeal has been renewed as he awaits the arrival of the Lagos Mission Team! Bolaji has already brought many remnant disciples to our sister congregation who are seeking revival! At the last service before I returned to LA, the six remnant disciples had a total of 26 at church with many members visiting from our former fellowship!</p>
<p>Finally, the need to support two disciples whose visas in London had expired also became clear, as both Damilola Arulgan and Atolani Abiodun were stranded in Nigeria! Most recently, I have learned that another disciple from the San Francisco ICC, Kate Awara, must return to Nigeria as well due to an expired visa. All three have counted the cost and see this “difficulty” as God’s will for them to be added to the Lagos Mission Team to save their people!</p>
<div id="attachment_7491" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0004.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7491" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0004.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=461%2C565" sizes="(max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px" alt="TOLANI ABIODUN OF LONDON AND THE FIRST SELFIE OF THE LAGOS REMNANT GROUP!" width="455" height="558" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">TOLANI ABIODUN OF LONDON AND THE FIRST SELFIE OF THE LAGOS REMNANT GROUP!</p>
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<p>Now let me introduce you to the others that the Spirit has selected for the Lagos Mission Team: Joshua Ajayi of LA, Simon &amp; Ashley Ajayi of LA, Attalee Dixon of Gainesville, Ariel Hazelton of LA, Markesa Hill of LA, Tina Nwachukwu of LA, Iggy Odighizuwa of LA, and Macque Linder of Portland! Lord willing, today at the end of the City of Angels All Congregational Service, the Lagos Mission Team will be sent out to evangelize not only Nigeria but all of Africa! The Inaugural Service of the Lagos International Christian Church will be held on the final day of the 2016 African Missions Conference – Sunday, June 26th – at the beautiful Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos! (<a href="http://www.fourpointslagos.com/">www.fourpointslagos.com</a>)</p>
<div id="attachment_7492" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0005.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7492" src="http://i0.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0005.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C357" sizes="(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px" alt="ANDREW, PATRIQUE, NAOMI AND THE YOUNG PROPHET ISAIAH SMELLIE!" width="455" height="270" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">ANDREW, PATRIQUE, NAOMI AND THE YOUNG PROPHET ISAIAH SMELLIE!</p>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>We would be greatly honored to have you join us, as several inspiring guest speakers such as Kip &amp; Elena McKean will be traveling from nations across the globe for this historic weekend! The registration fee for non-African attendees will be $150. Please note that a Tourist Visa is required for your visit (<a href="http://www.travelvisapro.com/">www.travelvisapro.com</a>), as well as the necessary vaccinations (<a href="http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/desinations/traveler/none/Nigeria">wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/desinations/traveler/none/Nigeria</a>). Thank you for your prayers that will surely propel us to make our Second African Missions Conference an event that we will talk about in Heaven! Indeed, the darkness of this lost continent will surely recede as A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED! And to God be all the glory!</p>
<div id="attachment_7485" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<p><a href="http://i2.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0001-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-7485" src="http://i2.wp.com/www.caicc.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Bulletin_5-2016-Image_0001-2.jpg?zoom=4&amp;resize=600%2C400" sizes="(max-width: 902px) 100vw, 902px" alt="THE 2016 AFRICAN MISSIONS CONFERENCE – A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED!" width="455" height="303" /></a></p>
<p class="wp-caption-text">THE 2016 AFRICAN MISSIONS CONFERENCE –<br />
A GREAT LIGHT HAS DAWNED!</p>
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