In August of 2020, amidst the turmoil of the Covid pandemic, a profound spiritual encounter unfolded for my son and me in Cane Ridge, Kentucky. As we stood upon the sacred ground that had played a pivotal role in shaping the spiritual fabric of our nation, we felt an unmistakable presence of the Holy Spirit.
Our visit coincided with the 219th anniversary of the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which only intensified the significance of our pilgrimage. The curator’s warm hospitality allowed us to tour the historic Meeting House, and with each step, we felt the weight of history and divinity converge.
Surrounded by the echoes of passionate worship and fervent prayer, we spent hours reflecting on the past, dreaming of the transformative revival that had taken place there. It was during this sacred time that the Holy Spirit spoke to me, urging me to embrace the calling of discipleship in the same manner that Jesus had mentored His disciples.
This divine mission ignited within me a fervent desire to understand the essence of Christ-like discipleship. What does it truly mean to disciple others as Jesus did? I began to comprehend that discipleship is not merely a transfer of knowledge but a profound, transformational journey where the love and wisdom bestowed upon us by the Father is poured into others.
This process ignites a new birth, birthing a spiritual metamorphosis that ultimately reflects the very character of Christ in those we guide. Returning to Jacksonville, I felt a pressing urgency to delve deeper into the Gospels, highlighting not only Christ’s teachings but also His unique methods of discipleship.
Sadly, I have observed a scarcity of authentic discipleship within the church today, with many leaders operating from a place of fear rather than faith. Jesus, in His wisdom, commissioned the seventy disciples without exhaustive preparation, trusting that they would learn through experience.
This radical approach challenges the norms of contemporary ministry, where leaders often hesitate to empower others, fearing potential mistakes or failures. The conversation around Apostolic Oversight urges us to rethink our understanding of authority and leadership within the church.
Derek Prince’s assertion that true authority reflects the liberty of the Kingdom of God resonates deeply in this discourse. Apostolic leadership should embody the spirit of servant leadership, fostering an environment where grace abounds, and individuals are encouraged to embrace their Kingdom calling without the heavy burdens of legalism.
The contrasting models of leadership paint a stark picture. Those who lead with an iron fist often perpetuate a cycle of fear and condemnation, inhibiting the very transformation they seek in others.
Instead of nurturing spiritual growth, such approaches can suffocate potential, convoluting the essence of what it means to be part of the Body of Christ. The story of Peter, who was restored by Jesus shortly after his denial, serves as a poignant reminder that grace and restoration should be at the forefront of our ministry, not punishment and prolonged penance.
In my years of ministry, I have sought to steer clear of authoritarian tendencies, encouraging those I disciple to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Ministry is inherently imperfect, and mistakes are part of the learning process. Jesus exemplified this understanding, cleaning up the messes of His disciples and transforming their missteps into teachable moments.
This nurturing approach stands in stark contrast to the controlling methods prevalent in some Apostolic circles today. The current landscape of un-kingdom Apostolic ministries demands our attention. The early church fathers birthed a movement that transformed cultures, infusing society with the supernatural power of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Today, however, many ministries seem to conform to worldly religious spirited patterns instead of embodying the radical love, grace, and mercy exemplified by Christ. As we reflect on the lessons learned from our encounter in Cane Ridge, we are called to rekindle the spirit of discipleship that Jesus modeled.
By prioritizing love, grace, and empowerment over fear and control, we can cultivate a new generation of Kingdom-minded leaders who are equipped to bring about transformative change in their communities.
We must as a Body, begin to operate in a higher level of spiritual discernment. I am often amazed at those whom I warn to beware of an active spirit of religion, do not recognize it until the damage has been done. The scriptures give multiple warnings about discerning of spiritual entities that are not of the kingdom from false prophets to false apostles.
I believe we are in a time when Holy Spirit is purposely honing the spiritual warrior strategies within the Ecclesia to where He is even establishing a Remnant within the Ecclesia to fill the role of modern-day Watchmen.
Yet until the Church surrenders to His Lordship, they will be left naked and prime prey for the realms of darkness to continue bombard ecclesia congregations through out this nation, hijacking the destines of the sons and daughters of God in this generation.
Let those of us who see this, begin to enter into our prayer closets and start releasing prayer missiles that are purposed to impact the spiritual strongholds, that not only shall they be demolished, but those whom they have taken captive, set free.
2025 (5785) is the year of open doors, the Lord has positioned us in this year with great opportunities so that His Remnant may prevail in doing sever biblical portioned damage to the camps of the enemy, in order for His Ecclesia to take back the territories that the Church has surrendered over the past several decades.
In closing, I know personally for me, my journey from the visit and subsequence conversation with Holy Spirit at Cane Ridge to today serves as a powerful reminder of the divine calling we all share as His Body— to pour out the love and wisdom we have received and to inspire others to follow in the footsteps of Christ.
~Dr. Russell Welch
Elder / Apostolic Teacher: Highway to Heaven Church and Founder and Shepherd of Remnant Warrior Ministries / Remnant Warrior School of Spiritual Warfare.
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Radical Disciples - A Remnant Revolution 