Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I would like to share with you some scriptures and thoughts about who we are and how “The Father” sees us. “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” (Ex. 25:8) “Do you not know you are God’s temple/sanctuary and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (I Cor.3:16) “The Lord is in His holy temple/sanctuary.” (Ps. 11:4) “Do you not know that your body is a temple/sanctuary of the Holy Spirit, whom you have from God?” (I Cor. 6:19) “But the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Hab. 2:20) “In Christ you also are being built together into a dwelling/ temple/sanctuary place for God by the Holy Spirit.” (Eph. 2.22)
- One, we are “The Father’s” dwelling place, His sanctuary, His temple. This is not of our own doing. This is the desire of the One who called us into being before the foundation of the world was laid. He told the children of Israel – “make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” We see in the Old Testament that being manifested, first in the making of the sanctuary and then in the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. In the New Testament, it is we who are the temple in which God dwells, and we are being built together as the place where His glory is manifested. So, individually the Spirit of God dwells in us as well as corporately. He is molding and fitting us together, so we are built into His dwelling place, His sanctuary.
- Two, we are involved in building/making our body His dwelling place. We are not “bystanders”. We are participants. God gave Moses clear instructions as to how the Tabernacle/sanctuary was to be built. He gave David clear instructions on how the temple was to be built. The people were involved in carrying out those plans/instructions. So, we are participants in becoming the temple of the living God. He has given us His Word and His Spirit so we could help in the building of the sanctuary for the “Father” within us. That is what this Ministry is all about – clearing out all the garbage of this world that we have picked up; identifying our areas of hurts and wounds and unforgiveness; busting up destructive habit patterns; removing “critters” (unclean spirits) we have allowed in our sanctuary that does not belong there and receiving healing so we can be a “wholely” sanctuary for the “King”. As we have learned that does not happen instantaneously but requires our continuous maintenance and diligence. It also helps us to understand the heart cry of David, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me”. (Ps. 51:10). May the Holy Spirit work mightily within you so the glory of the Lord might shine through you more and more with each passing day.
February was a busy month for VMTC. We began the month with a school of prayer ministry in Redding, California hosted again by Little Country Church and held at the “Lighthouse Worship and Retreat Center” (formerly “Anselmo Vineyard”). We had 28 in attendance – 1 “first school”, and 6 “second school”. We did 25 ministry sessions and once again, saw tremendous victories. Chris and Gina Cook, who run the retreat center, did an amazing job of taking care of all our needs. Pastor Rick Caldwell did a fantastic job of taking care of all the things necessary for a school to happen. Gris Waters was the school’s director – her first time as director and she did great! Thanks to all those who served as “leads” and “supports” who came at their own expense as well as giving sacrificially of their time.
The Board of Directors met for the first time since 2020 at the San Pedro Retreat Center in Winter Park. This took place the second full week in February with all members able to be present, as well as their spouses. It was a great time of fellowship and seeking God’s will and way for the coming years for VMTC. The retreat center allowed us to take care of our meals since we were not meeting at the same time another group was meeting and we did not have enough to open the dining room. Curt and Mary Albrecht took care of making sure we had plenty to eat at breakfast and lunch, as well as healthy snacks. We ate out at nearby restaurants for supper/dinner. Our new “website” should be up and running by Easter. The board members are Bill Westlund, Tom Schrock, Bill Jenkins, Gris Waters, Curt Albrecht, Rusty Richter, Laura Jenkins, and John Thomas, our Corporate Secretary.
Our next school is WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY, July 10-12 at the Mennohaven Conference and Retreat Center in Tiskilwa, Illinois. Information and registration should be up on our new website soon. Please plan to register early because of limited housing (32+/-).
Pray for a “Prayer Ministry Weekend” at the Heritage Bible Church in Bakersfield, CA. April 19-20. Once again the challenge is finding men to lead/support.
Our fall school in Lodi, CA. is in the planning stages. Expect it will be the first weekend in October again.
Please pray for the opportunity for new schools anywhere in the United States, especially where we don’t have any VMTC activity.
Love and blessings,