LETTER OF INVITATION TO SCHEDULE A PRAYER SEMINAR IN 2010
LETTER OF INVITATION TO
SCHEDULE A PRAYER SEMINAR IN 2010
You have heard the simple, profound statement: “Only one life, it will soon be past; only what is done for Christ will last.” I marvel at how quickly seventy-four years of life has sped by. I marvel at being in the fifty-seventh year of ministry. It seems like it was just yesterday that I preached my first sermon in Berea, Kentucky.
To celebrate the 30th year of the prayer seminar ministry, I would like to conduct many domestic prayer seminars in 2010—thirty seminars, if possible, would be one for each year. That would be an appropriate way to celebrate thirty years. Already we have a number of international seminars scheduled. While I know that God opens and closes doors, I believe that it is important to share the availability of the prayer seminar with a number of churches and friends that at some point hosted a prayer seminar or have inquired about a seminar. On the other hand, we would like to schedule new churches. No church/group is too big or too small to host a seminar.
A prayer seminar is a six-hour event that can be provided in one day (either Saturday or Sunday). Generally, when there is a Saturday seminar, I am available to preach on Sunday morning. There are other possibilities. Sometimes churches begin on Friday evening and finish on Saturday. Although I have not promoted it, a number of churches have felt that a “prayer revival” is best for them, beginning on Sunday morning and ending on Wednesday night. I am flexible in regard to scheduling.
A brochure is available describing the seminar. A complimentary copy of the prayer seminar workbook, which is the basic teaching tool, is available upon request and is an invaluable resource to enhance learning. Each participant is given the workbook whether there is a contribution (suggested $5) or not. Since JGHM is a faith ministry, there is no set fee. We ask the sponsor to inform the people ahead of time that a love offering will be received and then promote the offering. We ask that travel expense be provided if at all possible. To keep the expenses as low as possible, I am happy to be hosted in a private home.
To facilitate rapidity of communication, my suggestion is to use E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to facilitate communication. You will find helpful information on this website. By the way, be sure to turn the praise player on when you check out the web site and listen to some of my favorite music. More and more “Give Me Jesus” touches my heart. Read the testimonies/recommendations to experience a flavor of what can happen in a seminar
I will be in Nigeria December 3-22, but will check E-mail regularly. Generally, we have found that if you will provide three possible dates that one of them will work. May God continue to be Jehovah-Jireh to you, your family, and your ministry day by day. I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your consideration. May God get glory out of all our work during 2010.
Testimonies
Of all the speakers I’ve heard speak about prayer, no one has touched my heart more than Dr. Henry. He does not come with enticing words, but rather the Word of God. And when he begins speaking on prayer, you begin to sense the Spirit of God moving in and through the congregation and upon people’s lives. He just takes you to the Word—the best book on prayer I know.”
Bible Pathway Ministries
Murfreesboro TN
On behalf of all of us here at Park Avenue, I want to thank you, again, for the blessings of this past Sunday. I believe that it will go down as one of the great days in the history of our church, as far as spiritual growth is concerned. God used you in a mighty way and we give Him the glory for all that He did through you.
Park Avenue Baptist Church
Nashville TN
I am unable to find the words to express the joy and deep appreciation for the prayer seminar you conducted in our church Sunday, November 30. I do not believe I have ever attended any seminar, or training conference of any type, that was more helpful to me than your prayer seminar. I am confident I speak for our members, as well.
First Baptist Church
Vernon AL
One of the great blessings of our Nigerian Crusade was the prayer seminars conducted by Dr. Henry. Not only were the lives of the Nigerians blessed, the American pastors received a true revival in their lives. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God in each seminar to make a difference.
Luther Rice Seminary
Lithonia GA
I certainly wish to express my appreciation for your coming and sharing the prayer seminar October 5. This seminar has made a difference in my life, my wife’s life, and the lives of many people in the congregation. I appreciated the practical handles that you shared which made it helpful to implement prayer in our lives. I’ve known for years that I ought to pray more. Your practical helps showed me how to do it. Thanks again—keep up this worthwhile ministry.
Groton Heights Baptist Church
Groton CT
“I knew that!” is an often repeated phrase today, and for many a pastor in the prayer seminar, it could be phrased, “I taught that!” So often, however, is that “other voice” that is heard. Dr. Henry is just such a voice bringing a seminar on prayer that refreshes and revitalizes the weary heart with long-known truths and fresh, exhilarating insights. Our one day with Dr. Henry has changed the prayer lives of our people as God’s Word was used to challenge, uplift, exhort, and instruct. Any one of us would do well to give more time to prayer; any church would do well to give one day to prayer with Dr. Henry.
Faith Baptist Church
Beaver Springs PA
What a delight it was to have you share your love for the Lord and the informative prayer seminar. The comments were numerous this year, even more so than last year. Many were moved to grow closer to the Lord and to be consistent in their prayer lives.
Gloucester County Community Church
Sewell NJ
Thank you, thank you, thank you—for the prayer seminar. Can people sit for over six hours to be instructed in the work of prayer? They can! Time speeds, interest grows, and conviction comes by the Holy Spirit. Growth and change come out of the Holy Spirit’s work as your prayer seminar proceeds. I have heard only positive, and grateful, expressions of appreciation for the changes God has produced. I can say without hesitation that I learned more about prayer in the seminar than I learned in seminary and in over thirty years of pastoral ministry. Your humble help was felt by so many people here. I will pray for you as long as I live, and for your ministry.
Calvary Reformed Church
South Holland IL
The spiritual impact of our recent prayer seminar will surely be felt for many weeks to come. Our people are still talking about it and have asked us to schedule another seminar in the near future. The workbook is an excellent learning aid and the study of prayer was one of the most exhaustive studies I have ever had the privilege to encounter. Our people really appreciated the day. I believe the great element of the seminar was your Spirit-filled leadership. God certainly has His hand of blessing upon your life and has equipped you for a unique and much needed ministry. I am happy to recommend you to any church that is serious about the importance of prayer. Thank you for sharing this day with the First Baptist Church family. It was truly a wonderful day!
First Baptist Church of Perrine
Miami FL
We in missions have long emphasized the vitalness of prayer if we are to be effective in the ministry to which God has called us. At the same time, it is easy to become so involved in ministry that we fail to pray personally as we ought. God uses Dr. Henry in a precious way to drive home this truth. In our opinion, you will not go wrong to schedule a prayer seminar with Dr. Henry at your earliest convenience.
Missionary Tech Team
Longview TX
Indeed, we know that prayer is the hardest work in the ministry. Therefore, it is strategic that in a place such as ours, where we equip full-time servants of Christ, that the students be aware of the greatest source of power, and yet the greatest area of conflict. Thank you, Dr. Henry, for your clear, concise, and convincing seminar that is based on the Word of God, for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Harry E. Fletcher, President
Washington Bible College
Lanham MD
I would like to introduce the fine ministry of Dr. J. Gordon Henry and his Prayer Seminar to your church. Dr. Henry has developed the finest Prayer Seminar in our nation and it has expanded to an international scale. He is in constant demand across this country for this one-day seminar. Many people say that God moves in one day in the same manner as He would in a week of revival. The results of the seminar are outstanding. Dr. Henry is a very capable teacher, with the gift of preaching and teaching. Your people will be moved to a deeper commitment to Christ and their prayer lives. Just reading the Prayer Seminar Workbook brought a blessing to my life. In addition, Dr. Henry is one of the most interesting speakers I have ever heard. I know you will thank me for this recommendation when you experience the seminar.
Ben Rogers Evangelistic Association
Jacksonville FL
Dear Dr. Henry:
Having just concluded your prayer seminar here at Goodfellow Air Force Base, we cannot thank you and God enough for the work God has done through you. It was a unanimous consensus that this was by far the best spiritual growth services we have had in memory.
One chaplain who attended the prayer seminar, a seventeen-year service member, stated that he has never been part of a special series of services or workshops for spiritual growth that was better than the one you led us this past month.
Dr. Henry, your prayer seminar ministry is perfectly suited for the military community. Its scope touches the need of Christians from all religious backgrounds. Your presentation is done with a sensitivity and conviction that does not offend the spiritual sensitivities of such a diverse group as a military chapel community, yet touches all involved with the challenge to walk closer to God.
Your prayer seminar has infused spiritual life and excitement into our chapel program. People now have an interest to pray, learn about prayer and walk closer to God. The seminar not only challenged nominal Christians to take seriously their relationship to God but also your seminar opened the eyes of mature Christians who thought there wasn’t much more they could know about prayer.
To the person, every participant of your seminar stated that they were touched by God through your ministry and that their prayer life took a definite turn for the better.
We can only say thank you and thank God for your gracious ministry.
Chaplain, Captain, USAF
Protestant Chaplain
Dear Dr. Henry:
The prayer seminar you presented at Goodfellow AFB was absolutely outstanding! It was the highlight of this past chapel year. People are still talking about the favorable impact the Holy Spirit made upon their lives through your ministry.
Your seminar was perfect for the military community. Each night we had every major denomination in attendance. Your appeal is clearly across the board to all Christians.
I’ve been a military member and chaplain for 18 1/2 years. Never have I had such a life-changing impact on spiritual life of a chapel. I thought I had organized, systematic, daily prayer life. Little did I know all the room I had for improvement. It has been a month since the seminar and I know of a dozen people who are following what we learned in the seminar. My wife and I are included in the dozen. As a direct result of this seminar, we started a weekly prayer meeting.
Your seminar brought new spiritual life into our Chapel. I highly recommend your seminar to any church or chapel.
Chaplain, Lt. Col, USAF
Center Chaplain
EXCITEMENT BUILDING!
EXCITEMENT BUILDING!
NIGERIA
- 6 - Prayer Seminars (English)
- 5 – Prayer Seminars (Hausa)
- 6 - Prayer Ministry Associate Training
- 1 - Nation-wide Prayer Meeting (8 hours)
ABUJA > KAGORO > KANDUNA > LAGOS > GOMBE > JOS
Update from Sunday Bwanhot
Nuhu Leo indicates that the response so far is overwhelming and he has fears if our resources will meet the needs. I assured him that we will be ready to reprint more workbooks. So he will put the printers on standby so that if we have that need they will work hard to meet the need.
My prayers daily have been that God will overwhelm us in every turn as far as these seminars are concerned. I pray that God will raise people to give over and above the nearly $15,000.00 budgeted for these seminars. I also pray that we will have more people turn out than we could imagine, run out of our workbooks and get more printed in record time. I am also praying that God will raise a significant number of Prayer Ministry Associates. I am praying that by the time we finish these seminars we will all be overwhelmed at what God did - something more than He has ever done through the Prayer Seminar ministry. We will have great testimonies to share including the salvation of souls.
We will believe God to do all that for the glory of His name.
Since 1985, God has opened doors to share the prayer seminar in fifty-five nations. Since I retired from my position in education, I have attempted three trips a year. We have taught thousands upon thousands on the populated continents. We have testimonies abounding indicating the long-term effect of the seminars on individuals and churches. The impact in Nigeria has been the most visible fruit of any nation: (1) a organized prayer ministry teaching the prayer seminar to thousands in hundreds of churches; (2) bringing about what was reported as A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING SWEEPS NIGERIA!; (3) Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) reports growing in membership from 2.2 million in 1988 when we began to 4.6 million members now.
To provide 20,000 prayer seminar workbooks and cover traveling/lodging/food expenses for three team members, the budget is $14,682. Over the years, we have discovered that when we have one hundred contributors making an investment in eternity through the prayer seminars that our financial need is met. As of November 24, seventy-eight gifts have been received totaling $11,140. We need twenty-two additional contributions to give an additional $3,542 to meet the budget. Above all, we need to ask in faith for God’s hand to move in this matter.
Counting the number expected in Jos for the eight-hour prayer meeting, there might be as many as 40,000 participants in this venture of faith. Thus, this becomes an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in a nation, in churches, and in the lives of many of your brothers and sisters. Thank you for all the sacrificial gifts you have made for the 2009 international ministry. Your support, as usual, has been incredible.Doorkeepers in Heaven
Doorkeepers in Heaven
When the Holy Spirit began to impress upon Sue and me the need to develop a prayer seminar ministry in the early 1980s, we realized that we could not do what we felt was needed by ourselves. As I prayed about the direction to take, the Lord awakened me in the early morning hours. When I began to read the Scriptures in the Living Bible that morning, I saw the answer to our need. In 1 Chronicles 9:22b, I read: “There were 212 Doorkeepers in those days … chosen because of their genealogies …and appointed because of their reliability.” We needed Doorkeepers (partners) to stand with us. What we could not do by ourselves, all of us could do together. Thus, the Doorkeeper Program came into being. It was on Thursday, July 17, 1980.
Down through the years, the Holy Spirit has impressed His children to become Doorkeepers. With their prayer and financial support, we have been able to touch lives around the world. We have seen individuals renewed and we have seen churches revived. We have seen many, many men, women, boys and girls come to Christ. Many of the Doorkeepers are now in Heaven. Soon, I want to make a Roll of Memory with each name and date of death.
Our most recent Doorkeeper to go to Heaven was Loetta Landers. She and her husband, Phil, became Doorkeepers in 1992. I want to share with you the correspondence that I shared with Phil. You might want to print this and keep it in a handy place. Sooner or later, you will be strengthened by this information. This is prepared as a tribute to all our Doorkeepers who now reside in Heaven.
October 23, 2009
Mr. Phil Landers
Route 1, Box 16
Nowata OK 74048
Dear Phil,
You have been very much in our thoughts and prayers since we received the news about Loetta’s coronation day (as Dwight L. Moody termed his day of departure to Heaven) on Monday, September 28. Sue and I counted her a special friend who was interested in our lives and in the prayer seminar ministry. As we read her name on the Doorkeeper prayer calendar month by month, I felt a strong connection. I remember quite well the hospitality that she extended the weekend of February 23, 1992 welcoming me into your home and lives.
I rejoiced to read your crisp, concise, inspiring statement of faith—“My wife Loetta departed this life Sept 28, ’09 to take up residence in heaven.” This is what God has revealed in His Word. I encourage you to spend plenty of time studying, obeying, and claiming God’s instructions 1 Peter 5:6-7—a command, a promise, and what to do in the interim while awaiting God’s exaltation.
Keep in mind God’s words: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray to Me, and I will hearken unto you. And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Faith means that we believe and trust that which we cannot see with our natural eyes, and never put a question mark where He has put a period — even though our hearts are saddened.
I have put together some thoughts related to what happens to the Christian when he/she dies. I hope that the Holy Spirit will use these words to encourage your heart. I am enclosing a copy of the April 2006 Reflector that has a article written by the late Dr. Henry Morris entitled “Question: Is Heaven a real place?” This article has comforted me many times and I know it will comfort you as well.
Keep looking up. One day there will be fullness of knowledge—which we don't have now since we see through a glass darkly. One day we will see face to face and know fully God's purposes. If there are things Sue and I can do, let us know. We would love to have you visit us in Lynchburg anytime. Thanks for your faithful partnership in the prayer seminar ministry.
The J. Gordon Henrys
John 14:27
Absent from the body, present with the Lord
Thoughts for Phil Landers upon the death his beloved wife, Loetta, September 28, 2009.
As I think about Loetta’s coronation move from earth to Heaven on September 28, 2009—to tale up residentce in the Father’s house with her Father, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and loved ones who have gone before, it is encouraging to know that God's timing is His alone to decide. He knows best. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways, but His are better in every way than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). In assessing the journey you are going through, I encourage you to focus on some Scriptures, that you might already know, during the days ahead.
Genesis 2:7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23. A person is soul, spirit, and body. The body is the tabernacle that houses the person who is spirit-soul. Soul is mind, emotion, and will—the qualities that constitute a person. The spirit is the part where the control seat is and where the Holy Spirit makes His residence when a person comes to Christ. The spirit of man died to God when Adam sinned (Genesis 3), but comes alive when a person trusts the Lord Jesus as Savior and is born again (John 3). The body and soul are not born again, but it is possible—when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives—for body and soul (mind, emotions, and will) to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. That is His goal for all of us. The body is not the real person, but it is the house that we live in. The real person is spirit-soul, and these two should never be separated in our thoughts. When spirit moves out, soul moves out. When soul moves out, spirit moves out.
The word "death" means separation. It is the time when the person (spirit-soul) who lives inside the body (the real person) makes his “exodus.” The Christian moves through the first heavens where the birds fly, then through the second heaven where the stars are. and on into the third heaven where Jesus is. Paul clearly tells us this in 2 Corinthians 5:1,8 when he says that when this earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolved (that is, the earthly body), we have a body not made by hands eternal in the heavens (v 1). He climaxes this by revealing that to "be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord "(v 8). Glory!
On September 28, 2009, Loetta moved out of her earthly house (escorted by angels), soared through the first and second heavens, and entered into the presence of the Lord in all its glory and splendor — in fact so great it is that "eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, nor even entered into the minds of men the things He has laid up for His children" (1 Corinthians 2:9). At the same time, her death was "precious in the sight of the Lord" (Psalm 116:15). The real person who moves into Heaven is fully conscious and is substantive. Therefore in Heaven, she will know and be known (1 Corinthians 13:12). Not only our Lord Jesus Christ greeted her, but a host of friends and relatives also. Above all, she is now home with her Heavenly Father in fullness of joy!
But that is not the end! One day the Lord Jesus Christ will return. When He does, He will bring in the air with Him those who have already gone to Heaven. Down on earth, the "dead will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 3:13-18), which means that those bodies that have been laid aside will experience resurrection (the word "resurrection" means "stand up straight"). Those resurrected bodies will move into the air and the folks from Heaven will move back into their bodies. But that is not the end of the story. At that moment, the Lord will touch those resurrected bodies and make them glorified ones — bodies that will be just like Jesus' body (1 John 3:2-3). Thus shall we ever be with the Lord! Praise God!
Now as for those who are left behind, remember that Jesus promised that He would never leave us "comfortless," a Greek word that literally means "orphans" (John 14:18). You and I are not orphans because the Holy Spirit is the "Comforter" who came when Jesus returned to Heaven (John 14:16) to be the Paraclete (which is the Greek word translated "Comforter") and literally means One called along side to help — our Helper. Then in verse 17, Jesus explained to His disciples there in the Upper Room, just hours before His death on the cross, that when the Holy Spirit came that He would be "in" us. What more can we ask! Expect the Holy Spirit to represent the Lord Jesus Christ well to meet your every need in days ahead. You can expect the Scriptures to come alive as never before as the Holy Spirit applies those Scriptures to your hearts. I know that He will.
Phil, you and your family will continue in our minds (Philippians 1:1-6), our hearts (vv 7-8), and our prayers (vv 9-11). May His sweet benediction be felt as never before during these hours that God has brought you to in your earthly sojourn. His grace will be sufficient as you trust (lean on) Him.
John 14:27
October 23, 2009
A Heritage of Learning
A Heritage of Learning
Cited from Liberty Journal (Liberty University) October-November, 2009
Dr. J. Gordon (Jim) Henry, former teacher, Academic Dean and later Vice President of Academic Affairs at Liberty University, visited campus in June, presenting Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. with several items for the school archives.
Henry was at Liberty from 1972-78 and was instrumental in attaining Liberty’s accreditation through the Southern Association of Schools and Universities (SACS), which was received in 1980.
“He was the guy who gave Liberty University academic credibility early on,” Falwell said. “He led Liberty to accreditation in record time.”
Chancellor Falwell said his father, Liberty University founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, Sr. was “committed to academic excellence from the beginning” and brought Henry on to carry out the task. “[Dad] wasn’t just interested in being another unaccredited Bible school,” he said.
Henry presented Chancellor Falwell with the school’s first purpose and mission statement (which he helped write), a personal letter of “Memories of Dr. Jerry Falwell & Liberty University,” the text of his academic dean addresses and his portrait that was used at another institution where he had served.
In the letter, he talked about the first time he met Jerry Falwell, Sr. and Liberty co-founder Elmer Towns.
From his office at a college in Kentucky, “The Holy Spirit brought forth an idea that I should learn more about the new college in Virginia,” he writes. “I felt that I should visit Lynchburg and see for myself what God was doing. I attended a Wednesday evening service and met Dr. Elmer Towns. He said that I was the very person that LBC needed to help develop the program.
“Before leaving Lynchburg, Dr. Falwell urged me to join hands with him. I asked two questions: first, ‘Do you intend to develop a “real” college?’ and ‘Will the college attack other believers?’ His answers were direct. He said he wanted to be a quality academic program and become known as the ‘Harvard’ of the evangelical Christian world. He invited me to listen to tapes of his radio/television programs and see for myself that he did not attack other believers.
“I left with a contract that included primary duties to help develop the academic program that would merit accredited recognition of (SACS) and, especially a teacher education program so that our graduates would be certified to teach in Virginia. Incidentally, Dr. Falwell told me that my salary would be higher than his salary. He meant business in getting experienced administrators.”
Mark Hine, Liberty’s current Vice President for Student Affairs, was a student under Henry’s leadership. He recalls how Henry would go out of the way to meet students’ academic needs.
“He would say in convocations, if we had issues or questions with transcripts, classes for graduation, that he was in his office at 6 a.m. every day and we could go meet with him. I went early one morning. He took my status sheet and looked it over, and was able to help me graduate.”
Watching the 2009 Commencement from his Lynchburg home, Henry said he was reminded of Liberty’s early graduations; the first four were at Thomas Road Baptist Church, but the fifth was held outside on Liberty Mountain, the future site of the new campus. He writes:
“As we sat there on the platform that beautiful May Sunday afternoon, Dr. Falwell reached over and took my work copy of the Graduation Bulletin in which I had made my organizational notes. He proceeded to write something in my bulletin and handed it back.”
Henry presented that bulletin to the chancellor at his June visit. It reads:
“To Dr. and Mrs. Jim Henry, Your contribution has helped, probably more than any other single family, to make LBC a college. I shall be forever grateful. And Sue—your care for Mom will never be forgotten. —Jerry Falwell”
(Henry’s wife, Sue, took care of Falwell Sr.’s mother as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Virginia Baptist Hospital).
Henry said Falwell, Sr. had wanted him to accept the position of Executive Vice President when it was created, but Henry declined due to his pastorate at a Lynchburg church. But Henry suggested Pierre Guillermin and the choice was made.
Henry left Liberty in 1978 to become president of Northeastern Bible College in New Jersey.
The Amazing Nigeria Story
The Amazing Nigeria Story
1987-2009
Preparation—the ground laid
Twenty-two years ago, January 12-30, 1987, we took a group of twenty-four Baptist pastors to Imo and River States in Nigeria to conduct evangelistic services and provide prayer seminars. I reported this venture as “the most fruitful ministry yet” noting “prayers were answered dramatically.” There were 11,089 recorded decisions for Christ (public professions over twelve years old with informational cards on each). In addition, hundreds of children came to Christ who were not registered. 700 attended the prayer seminars and U. M. Unamba, pastor of the Baptist Church in Owerri, became our first official co-worker called to conduct prayer seminars in Ibo (the third largest tribe in Nigeria). Most memorable was the prayer seminar conducted with the students and faculty at Baptist Bible College. In my mind, I can see the students on their knees praying and sensing the moving of the Holy Spirit. The ground was laid for my interest in Africa’s most populous nation (146.3 million people)—a nation where spiritual warfare is raging, sharply divided with militant Muslims opposing every step taken by Christians. Hundreds of Christians have been killed and hundreds of churches have been burned. Islam is not a peaceful religion; ask the Nigerian Christians.