Four12 Global

God has chosen and called us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to go to the ends of the earth to make disciples of nations (Matthew 28:16-20). But this call comes at a cost. It requires us to die to our comforts and conveniences, and to be prepared to suffer, even to lose our lives for the Gospel.   The cost is great, but the Gospel is worth suffering and losing our lives for. Also, Jesus has promised that the Holy Spirit will help us and give us power (Acts 1:8) as we obey and give ourselves to this great call. Just say “yes” and be available to Him.

God has chosen and called us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to go to the ends of the earth to make disciples of nations (Matthew 28:16-20). But this call comes at a cost. It requires us to die to our comforts and conveniences, and to be prepared to suffer, even to lose our lives for the Gospel.   The cost is great, but the Gospel is worth suffering and losing our lives for. Also, Jesus has promised that the Holy Spirit will help us and give us power (Acts 1:8) as we obey and give ourselves to this great call. Just say “yes” and be available to Him.

We can sometimes have an expectation of how the Lord will respond to us. We limit our thinking of how we believe the Lord wants to treat us. The story of the Centurion's servant (Luke 7:1-3) shows us that the Lord wants us to have “interrupting faith” that allows Him to break our boxes and enjoy His favour.  What is “interrupting faith"? It exists in a humble heart that is expectant but not entitled. It is the kind of faith that releases power anytime, anywhere, and knows that God always has a better way. Finally, interrupting faith can create unprecedented possibilities. With Jesus, anything is possible – miracles can happen and demons can be cast out by the power of the Spirit.  As a response to his message, Euan felt in particular to call any young people who struggle with sexual impurity and who want freedom in this area to come to the front for ministry and prayer.

We can sometimes have an expectation of how the Lord will respond to us. We limit our thinking of how we believe the Lord wants to treat us. The story of the Centurion's servant (Luke 7:1-3) shows us that the Lord wants us to have “interrupting faith” that allows Him to break our boxes and enjoy His favour.  What is “interrupting faith"? It exists in a humble heart that is expectant but not entitled. It is the kind of faith that releases power anytime, anywhere, and knows that God always has a better way. Finally, interrupting faith can create unprecedented possibilities. With Jesus, anything is possible – miracles can happen and demons can be cast out by the power of the Spirit.  As a response to his message, Euan felt in particular to call any young people who struggle with sexual impurity and who want freedom in this area to come to the front for ministry and prayer.

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul pleads with believers to “live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received”. Every person who has received Jesus has been called by Him. We shouldn't confuse calling with the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. The gifts may enable our calling, but they aren't the calling in itself. Because all believers are called by God, no believer is a “celebrity”, and no believer is called just to cheer on others who clearly “have a calling”.  The calling of every believer is to receive (mercy, grace, kindness, the gifts of the Spirit, power, etc.) from Jesus, and then to serve others with what they have received. If it is dry serving Jesus, it is because we have stopped letting Jesus serve us. It is as we let Him serve us that we have something to give to others (John 13:8).

In Ephesians 4:1, Paul pleads with believers to “live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received”. Every person who has received Jesus has been called by Him. We shouldn't confuse calling with the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit. The gifts may enable our calling, but they aren't the calling in itself. Because all believers are called by God, no believer is a “celebrity”, and no believer is called just to cheer on others who clearly “have a calling”.  The calling of every believer is to receive (mercy, grace, kindness, the gifts of the Spirit, power, etc.) from Jesus, and then to serve others with what they have received. If it is dry serving Jesus, it is because we have stopped letting Jesus serve us. It is as we let Him serve us that we have something to give to others (John 13:8).

Family matters. The first sheep Jesus calls us to disciple and lead are our family. While ministry is important, we must bring our families through in the Lord and not sacrifice our children on the altar of ministry.  Using the household of Stephanus as an example (1 Corinthians 16:15), Jonathan explains that God's desire, and the greatest blessing for a family, is salvation. We should therefore make it a regular practice to pray for our family. In addition, we should serve our families and be in their lives daily. Serving is the antidote to a “selfie” culture. God also requires devotion to the things of God. He is not looking for fans but followers who seek the Kingdom of God first (in finances, interests, relationships, schedules and troubles). Finally, we are to outdo one another in showing honour. Honour is the reward for a life devoted to Jesus.

Family matters. The first sheep Jesus calls us to disciple and lead are our family. While ministry is important, we must bring our families through in the Lord and not sacrifice our children on the altar of ministry.  Using the household of Stephanus as an example (1 Corinthians 16:15), Jonathan explains that God's desire, and the greatest blessing for a family, is salvation. We should therefore make it a regular practice to pray for our family. In addition, we should serve our families and be in their lives daily. Serving is the antidote to a “selfie” culture. God also requires devotion to the things of God. He is not looking for fans but followers who seek the Kingdom of God first (in finances, interests, relationships, schedules and troubles). Finally, we are to outdo one another in showing honour. Honour is the reward for a life devoted to Jesus.

As believers, we are called to be people who follow The Way (Jesus), not our own way. Following Jesus means a willingness to follow Someone who was rejected and marginalised for speaking the truth. People rejected Him because they were offended by Him and His words. They wanted a Jesus of their own making; one who didn't make them uncomfortable.                                                                                        In the same way, as followers of Jesus, we should expect to be rejected, labelled and shamed for speaking the truth and taking a stand for Him. A time is coming when the church will be persecuted, even from within, and we must be ready for it. God will empower us by His Spirit as we lay down our lives. Many are willing to die for Him, but are we willing to live for Him?  

As believers, we are called to be people who follow The Way (Jesus), not our own way. Following Jesus means a willingness to follow Someone who was rejected and marginalised for speaking the truth. People rejected Him because they were offended by Him and His words. They wanted a Jesus of their own making; one who didn't make them uncomfortable.                                                                                        In the same way, as followers of Jesus, we should expect to be rejected, labelled and shamed for speaking the truth and taking a stand for Him. A time is coming when the church will be persecuted, even from within, and we must be ready for it. God will empower us by His Spirit as we lay down our lives. Many are willing to die for Him, but are we willing to live for Him?  

As pastors, we need to be faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel, always thinking how we can weave the Gospel into our preaches and always throwing out the net for people to get saved. We need to think about bridges to relationships - what kind of messages will reach business people, the youth, etc? We also need to consider the language we use when preaching, avoiding "Christianese" and using ordinary words that non-believers will understand instead. The best preachers are thinkers who plan how they will land their message and extend a call for response – first to those who want to get saved and then to believers.  

God never intended for our meetings to be good “productions”, but meetings led by the Spirit of God. We need to let God choreograph every meeting, expecting and allowing for the unexpected. Every meeting is a God encounter in which He wants to reveal Himself and interact with His people. As elders, we need to be attentive to His heart and His voice, ready to shift direction to wherever the wind of His Spirit wants to go. In every aspect of the meeting, even in announcements, we should look for God and remain sensitive to picking up His heart. What we see in Scripture is not a “well-oiled machine” but meetings teeming with life, where the saints play their part and contribute prophetic words, songs, testimonies, etc. Spirit-led meetings work when there is a relationship between the elders and the worship leaders in which they communicate with each other and feedback can be shared in an encouraging environment. Elders are, in a sense, a shadow of God, working together in team with Him by following where the Spirit is leading.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).  As believers, our identity is rooted in the fact that God loves us and has chosen us as His own. He has made us all ministers (priests) unto God and each other. This means that there should be no "celebrities" or "kings" amongst us - there is one King, one Hero, and His name is Jesus. God has also made us citizens of heaven; a "holy nation". Are we still grappling with sin; are we still being made holy?  The same Scripture speaks to our calling. As believers, our job is not our calling. Our purpose in life is to proclaim the Good News, and to make disciples of nations, through the church (Matthew 28:9). To whom do we belong – ourselves or God? What are we living for – our own appetites, or to declare His praises?

As pastors, we need to be faithful and effective ministers of the Gospel, always thinking how we can weave the Gospel into our preaches and always throwing out the net for people to get saved. We need to think about bridges to relationships - what kind of messages will reach business people, the youth, etc? We also need to consider the language we use when preaching, avoiding "Christianese" and using ordinary words that non-believers will understand instead. The best preachers are thinkers who plan how they will land their message and extend a call for response – first to those who want to get saved and then to believers.  

God never intended for our meetings to be good “productions”, but meetings led by the Spirit of God. We need to let God choreograph every meeting, expecting and allowing for the unexpected. Every meeting is a God encounter in which He wants to reveal Himself and interact with His people. As elders, we need to be attentive to His heart and His voice, ready to shift direction to wherever the wind of His Spirit wants to go. In every aspect of the meeting, even in announcements, we should look for God and remain sensitive to picking up His heart. What we see in Scripture is not a “well-oiled machine” but meetings teeming with life, where the saints play their part and contribute prophetic words, songs, testimonies, etc. Spirit-led meetings work when there is a relationship between the elders and the worship leaders in which they communicate with each other and feedback can be shared in an encouraging environment. Elders are, in a sense, a shadow of God, working together in team with Him by following where the Spirit is leading.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9, NIV).  As believers, our identity is rooted in the fact that God loves us and has chosen us as His own. He has made us all ministers (priests) unto God and each other. This means that there should be no "celebrities" or "kings" amongst us - there is one King, one Hero, and His name is Jesus. God has also made us citizens of heaven; a "holy nation". Are we still grappling with sin; are we still being made holy?  The same Scripture speaks to our calling. As believers, our job is not our calling. Our purpose in life is to proclaim the Good News, and to make disciples of nations, through the church (Matthew 28:9). To whom do we belong – ourselves or God? What are we living for – our own appetites, or to declare His praises?

A glimpse into three Spirit-filled days of input and encounter at the Isle of Man Conference 2023, where 1000+ delegates from 30+ nations gathered to be equipped as God's mighty army. He filled and joined hearts, healed and set many free, and ushered His Bride into a place of deeper surrender.

A glimpse into three Spirit-filled days of input and encounter at the Isle of Man Conference 2023, where 1000+ delegates from 30+ nations gathered to be equipped as God's mighty army. He filled and joined hearts, healed and set many free, and ushered His Bride into a place of deeper surrender.

A panel discussion focusing on the value and role of women in the church, and in particular what women can do (within the bounds of Scripture) to play their part in being ministers of the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. God's design is for men and women to work alongside each other as a team - fulfilling different roles, but each needing the other to reflect the nature and person of God more fully and accurately.

God's desire is for the church to multiply, just as it did in the book of Acts. Multiplication comes when believers are: “unity champions”, bold in the face of persecution, focussed on others,in apostolic partnership, and distinct from the prevailing culture.

The “method” we follow to build healthy church is to follow the ways of the Holy Spirit. We need to create space for the Holy Spirit to move and lead, not just follow our own predetermined programme. God is looking for more than faithful hard workers – He is searching for servants filled with faith and fire.

It is possible to become so used to a particular wineskin that the wineskin can become a hindrance. Having a plan (liturgy/wineskin) that brings order to our services and direction to our churches is essential, but our plans are written in pencil and must change as the Spirit leads us. It isn't wrong to prepare, but it becomes a sin if we rely on our preparation instead of relying on the Holy Spirit.

It is good to desire and exercise the gifts of the Spirit, but our motivation for the gifts should always be love for God and for people. Supernatural love releases supernatural power. If you want to walk in the power of God then love people the way Jesus loves people.

Jesus promises that “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Truth is demanding. Truth insists that we change and conform to the ways of Jesus. The world cannot accept the truth as it did not accept Jesus. The world will crucify truth so that it can continue in its blind, compromised state. For the follower of Jesus, the truth highlights our failings, our faults, our character flaws. Only when we remain in the truth do we come out of the world and its darkness.

The church is not made up of “random citizens” but of people who are known, loved and accepted. It is not simply a Sunday and Wednesday gathering, but a community that is active seven days a week. Andrew teaches us to pursue a culture that is transparent, where our troubles are not hidden in darkness but exposed to the light. The church is a community that is a safe place to openly confess our sins and bring our weaknesses into the light. The church enables each person to live in a way that produces the character of Jesus in every member.

Every person experiences mountaintop and valley seasons on the journey of life. Sometimes it is easy to misunderstand the shaping God is applying to our character as the trials of life come against us. Jesus produces good character and hope in those who learn how to remain under pressure during the stormy seasons of the Christian experience. Devotion develops as we behold and remain in Him in every season of life.

As children of God, it is important that we know not just “Who am I?”, but also “Who are We?” We need Jesus, but we also need the Body of Christ. We become more like Jesus as we connect to Him (the head) through the Body (the Church). While courses and programmes are not bad in themselves, God has called us to disciple people through the family of God. We are created for interdependence, not simply an individual, independent experience.

A panel discussion focusing on the value and role of women in the church, and in particular what women can do (within the bounds of Scripture) to play their part in being ministers of the Gospel and building up the Body of Christ. God's design is for men and women to work alongside each other as a team - fulfilling different roles, but each needing the other to reflect the nature and person of God more fully and accurately.

God's desire is for the church to multiply, just as it did in the book of Acts. Multiplication comes when believers are: “unity champions”, bold in the face of persecution, focussed on others,in apostolic partnership, and distinct from the prevailing culture.

The “method” we follow to build healthy church is to follow the ways of the Holy Spirit. We need to create space for the Holy Spirit to move and lead, not just follow our own predetermined programme. God is looking for more than faithful hard workers – He is searching for servants filled with faith and fire.

It is possible to become so used to a particular wineskin that the wineskin can become a hindrance. Having a plan (liturgy/wineskin) that brings order to our services and direction to our churches is essential, but our plans are written in pencil and must change as the Spirit leads us. It isn't wrong to prepare, but it becomes a sin if we rely on our preparation instead of relying on the Holy Spirit.

It is good to desire and exercise the gifts of the Spirit, but our motivation for the gifts should always be love for God and for people. Supernatural love releases supernatural power. If you want to walk in the power of God then love people the way Jesus loves people.

Jesus promises that “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Truth is demanding. Truth insists that we change and conform to the ways of Jesus. The world cannot accept the truth as it did not accept Jesus. The world will crucify truth so that it can continue in its blind, compromised state. For the follower of Jesus, the truth highlights our failings, our faults, our character flaws. Only when we remain in the truth do we come out of the world and its darkness.

The church is not made up of “random citizens” but of people who are known, loved and accepted. It is not simply a Sunday and Wednesday gathering, but a community that is active seven days a week. Andrew teaches us to pursue a culture that is transparent, where our troubles are not hidden in darkness but exposed to the light. The church is a community that is a safe place to openly confess our sins and bring our weaknesses into the light. The church enables each person to live in a way that produces the character of Jesus in every member.

Every person experiences mountaintop and valley seasons on the journey of life. Sometimes it is easy to misunderstand the shaping God is applying to our character as the trials of life come against us. Jesus produces good character and hope in those who learn how to remain under pressure during the stormy seasons of the Christian experience. Devotion develops as we behold and remain in Him in every season of life.

As children of God, it is important that we know not just “Who am I?”, but also “Who are We?” We need Jesus, but we also need the Body of Christ. We become more like Jesus as we connect to Him (the head) through the Body (the Church). While courses and programmes are not bad in themselves, God has called us to disciple people through the family of God. We are created for interdependence, not simply an individual, independent experience.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one.” - John 17:21Hearts were awakened, re-aligned & revived at our 2022 Four12 Conference in South Africa, as over 3800 saints & leaders from partnering churches across the globe gathered in Cape Town during the first week of October. God's Spirit knit His people together in an astounding way as attendees worshipped, sat under apostolic teaching & connected face to face. May our hearts beat in tune with God's heart! Here's a look at some of the highlights. Music Credit: All Hail King Jesus, Jeremy Riddle, 100% Clearance through Musicbed.

“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one.” - John 17:21Hearts were awakened, re-aligned & revived at our 2022 Four12 Conference in South Africa, as over 3800 saints & leaders from partnering churches across the globe gathered in Cape Town during the first week of October. God's Spirit knit His people together in an astounding way as attendees worshipped, sat under apostolic teaching & connected face to face. May our hearts beat in tune with God's heart! Here's a look at some of the highlights. Music Credit: All Hail King Jesus, Jeremy Riddle, 100% Clearance through Musicbed.

Due to technical difficulties, we are not able to share the video footage from this session. Please enjoy this audio recording and we apologise for any inconvenience."The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:24-26, NIV) If we want to walk in the blessing of God, we need to be a people united in heart, mind and purpose. Jonathan kicks off the first session of the RSA Conference by illustrating how to walk in the blessing of God, and the areas in our lives that can inhibit this blessing if we don't lay them at His feet.

One of the lesser recognised attributes of God is His humility and willingness to take a lower place to serve. Although Jesus was a King, He entered Jerusalem riding on a lowly donkey. Knowing who He was, He got down and washed the disciples' feet. Although Jesus Himself is God, He submitted His will to the Father, even to the point of death. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is equally God, yet He always only honours and points us to Jesus. As Christians, we are to imitate God's humility and gladly take a lower place - using our strengths and gifts to uplift, serve and seek the glory of others.

This message will be republished soon. We feel it would be helpful to provide context to this testimony by adding an addendum. Thank you for your patience.

The New Testament likens our faith in God to an endurance race in which we are athletes who require focused and disciplined training in order to win the race of faith we have entered through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. In this session, Brad Verreynne highlights the fact that we need to make every effort to be conformed into Christ's image, because He has given us ‘entry' into the race by His own goodness and grace, and empowers us to ‘run' into His likeness and godliness.

‘What is instinct to one generation needs to be handed down to the next.' - Ashley GabrielPriscilla and Aquila took the time to explain the way of God more accurately to Apollos (Acts 18:26). Likewise, Ashley encourages one generation to pass its wisdom on to the next - to look out for our versions of Apollos. He exhorts both the young and mature to work together, as there is greater power when two generations team up - we are better together!

Church hurt is real, but there is an answer - and it starts with you!The church is the most beautiful community on earth, but when we gather people from different demographics, social contexts and cultures with a multitude of different outlooks on life, there is inevitably going to be a mess! People will get hurt in church, it is just part of life and can't be avoided. So how do we deal with it? How do we protect the unity of the church when offences arise? How do we love one another when we hurt each other? How do we deal with the splinters of life in order to protect the bride of Christ? Euan explores New Testament principles for overcoming offence and divisions caused by church hurts.

God's desire is for the church to reach, and maintain, unity in the faith. Unity, however, takes hard work and requires each person to put their carnal nature to death. In this session, Andrew reminds us that sometimes ‘the road to unity is paved with war', through trouble and division, which God allows (and even brings about Himself), to reveal what is inside us and to force us to choose whether we will follow His way or our own. We should expect divisions to increase as the Lord's return draws near. This is how Jesus purifies His church, cutting out what is not of Him and preserving His own.

To sustain and multiply the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations, in and through His church, we need to constantly be raising up godly leaders. This was Paul's modus operandi and it should be ours too. In this last session of the RSA Four12 Conference, Ryan Kingsley takes a look at how best to do this by exploring the seven C's: CallingCharacterCompassionCompetency CapacityChemistryCommissioning

God's desire is for the church to reach, and maintain, unity in the faith. Unity, however, takes hard work and requires each person to put their carnal nature to death. In this session, Andrew reminds us that sometimes ‘the road to unity is paved with war', through trouble and division, which God allows (and even brings about Himself), to reveal what is inside us and to force us to choose whether we will follow His way or our own. We should expect divisions to increase as the Lord's return draws near. This is how Jesus purifies His church, cutting out what is not of Him and preserving His own.

To sustain and multiply the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations, in and through His church, we need to constantly be raising up godly leaders. This was Paul's modus operandi and it should be ours too. In this last session of the RSA Four12 Conference, Ryan Kingsley takes a look at how best to do this by exploring the seven C's: CallingCharacterCompassionCompetency CapacityChemistryCommissioning

The New Testament likens our faith in God to an endurance race in which we are athletes who require focused and disciplined training in order to win the race of faith we have entered through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. In this session, Brad Verreynne highlights the fact that we need to make every effort to be conformed into Christ's image, because He has given us ‘entry' into the race by His own goodness and grace, and empowers us to ‘run' into His likeness and godliness.

‘What is instinct to one generation needs to be handed down to the next.' - Ashley GabrielPriscilla and Aquila took the time to explain the way of God more accurately to Apollos (Acts 18:26). Likewise, Ashley encourages one generation to pass its wisdom on to the next - to look out for our versions of Apollos. He exhorts both the young and mature to work together, as there is greater power when two generations team up - we are better together!

Church hurt is real, but there is an answer - and it starts with you!The church is the most beautiful community on earth, but when we gather people from different demographics, social contexts and cultures with a multitude of different outlooks on life, there is inevitably going to be a mess! People will get hurt in church, it is just part of life and can't be avoided. So how do we deal with it? How do we protect the unity of the church when offences arise? How do we love one another when we hurt each other? How do we deal with the splinters of life in order to protect the bride of Christ? Euan explores New Testament principles for overcoming offence and divisions caused by church hurts.