Posts Tagged ‘Holy Spirit’

THE LATTER RAIN MOVEMENT

Posted: June 10, 2026 in A movement rising, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, Remnant, Revival History
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1

RADICAL DISCIPLES — A REMNANT REVOLUTION

Revival Series

The Glory, the Restoration, and the Warnings of Mixture

Prophetic restoration, laying on of hands, gifts of the Spirit, and the need for discernment when revival fire and human excess collide.

INTRODUCTION: WHEN HUNGER AND DISCERNMENT MUST WALK TOGETHER

Revival history must be approached with both hunger and sobriety. It is possible to honor what God restored through a movement without defending everything that eventually became associated with it. It is equally possible to identify doctrinal errors and human excesses without denying that sincere believers were seeking the presence and power of God. Mature discernment refuses the easy extremes of either romanticizing every manifestation or dismissing every spiritual experience. It asks where the Holy Spirit was genuinely at work, where biblical truth was recovered, where human ambition entered, and what the Church must learn from the mixture.

The Latter Rain Movement remains one of the clearest examples of this tension. Emerging in the aftermath of the Second World War, it carried a passionate expectation that God was restoring neglected dimensions of New Testament Christianity before the return of Jesus Christ. Its adherents emphasized prophecy, spiritual gifts, healing, the laying on of hands, spontaneous worship, the equipping of the saints, and the restoration of apostolic and prophetic ministry. Many of these subjects had either been neglected or confined within narrow denominational structures. The movement therefore appeared to many spiritually hungry believers as a fresh wind of restoration.

Yet the same movement also became associated with serious problems. Prophetic words were sometimes treated as unquestionable divine decrees. Leaders could exercise authority without sufficient accountability. Biblical truths concerning spiritual maturity were occasionally expanded into exaggerated teachings concerning perfected end-time believers. The laying on of hands could be treated as though gifts and offices were mechanically transmitted by human decree. The language of restoration sometimes produced elitism, and the expectation of supernatural power sometimes outran the formation of Christlike character.

The history of the Latter Rain Movement must therefore be studied as both a testimony and a warning. It reminds the Church that God does restore neglected truth, but it also demonstrates that genuine spiritual hunger does not eliminate the possibility of error. Revival fire must burn upon a biblical altar. The Holy Spirit never asks the Church to choose between power and truth, for He is the Spirit of both.

THE POSTWAR PENTECOSTAL SETTING

The Latter Rain Movement arose during a period of profound cultural and spiritual transition. The Second World War had left nations devastated, societies disoriented, and millions of people searching for meaning in the aftermath of extraordinary human suffering. Within the Church, Pentecostalism had already moved beyond its early beginnings and had developed denominations, educational institutions, missionary organizations, and established patterns of church government. This growth brought stability and legitimacy, but some believers feared that Pentecostal institutions were beginning to preserve the memory of revival more faithfully than the living experience of it.

Early Pentecostalism had been marked by prayer, spiritual hunger, expectation, sacrifice, missionary zeal, and an intense conviction that the gifts recorded in the New Testament remained available to the Church. By the 1940s, however, some younger ministers believed that institutional Pentecostalism had become cautious, predictable, and resistant to further restoration. They did not necessarily reject the earlier Pentecostal movement. Rather, they believed that Pentecostalism had stopped short of everything God intended to restore.

This dissatisfaction must be understood within the larger restorationist impulse that has repeatedly appeared throughout Church history. Restorationist movements begin with the conviction that some dimension of apostolic Christianity has been obscured, neglected, or lost and must therefore be recovered. Such movements can call the Church back to biblical truth, but they can also become dangerous when their leaders assume that they alone represent the final or complete work of God.

In February 1948, a revival emerged among teachers and students associated with Sharon Orphanage and Schools in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. The atmosphere had been prepared through prayer, fasting, Bible study, and exposure to the healing revival then taking place in North America. Participants reported prophetic utterances, healings, spiritual gifts, and intense experiences of the presence of God. The meetings soon drew ministers and seekers from outside the immediate community, and the teachings associated with the revival began spreading through independent Pentecostal congregations and ministerial networks.

The movement came to be called the “Latter Rain,” drawing upon the agricultural imagery found in the prophets. Its leaders and supporters believed that the outpouring at Pentecost had been an early rain connected to the planting of the Church, while a latter rain would prepare the Church for maturity and the final harvest at the end of the age. This interpretation produced a powerful sense of eschatological urgency. Participants believed they were not merely experiencing another local awakening but were witnessing the beginning of a divine restoration that would prepare the Body of Christ for the consummation of God’s purposes.

THE BIBLICAL IMAGERY OF THE LATTER RAIN

The expression “latter rain” arises from the agricultural rhythms of ancient Israel. The early rain softened the ground for planting, while the latter rain helped bring the crop toward maturity before harvest. Because Israel’s life depended upon these seasonal rains, the prophets could use the imagery to describe divine blessing, restoration, and covenant faithfulness.

Joel declared:

“Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain.”

— Joel 2:23

The prophecy continues with the promise that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, producing prophetic speech, dreams, and visions among sons and daughters, young and old, servants and handmaidens. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter interpreted the outpouring of the Holy Spirit through Joel’s prophetic language, declaring that the extraordinary events occurring in Jerusalem were connected to what the prophet had spoken.

The Latter Rain Movement correctly recognized that the Church must remain expectant for the activity of the Holy Spirit. Scripture does not present the Spirit as a theological concept to be confessed while His gifts, voice, and power are functionally excluded from congregational life. The New Testament Church was born in an atmosphere of divine visitation and remained dependent upon the Spirit for witness, direction, sanctification, ministry, and mission.

Nevertheless, great caution is required when turning biblical imagery into a rigid historical timetable. Joel’s prophecy found a decisive fulfillment at Pentecost, as Peter explicitly declared. While Scripture certainly teaches continued outpouring, refreshing, awakening, and spiritual empowerment, the distinction between an apostolic “early rain” and a separate end-time “latter rain” should not be treated as though every detail of that framework were plainly stated in the biblical text. Theological systems must be built upon careful exegesis rather than spiritual excitement.

The central truth remains secure: God pours out His Spirit, restores His people, and prepares a harvest. Yet the Church must resist constructing speculative doctrines that go beyond what Scripture clearly establishes. Biblical imagery may illuminate the activity of God, but it must not become a foundation for claims that cannot withstand careful examination.

THE RECOVERY OF THE MINISTRY OF THE BODY

One of the most important contributions associated with the Latter Rain Movement was its renewed emphasis upon the active participation of the whole Body of Christ. In many congregations, ministry had gradually become concentrated in the hands of a few ordained leaders. The pastor preached, prayed, counseled, visited, administered, and carried nearly every visible responsibility, while the congregation gathered primarily to listen and receive.

The New Testament presents a much broader vision. Paul taught that manifestations of the Spirit are given to believers for the common good and that every member of the Body has a function. The gathered Church was intended to be more than an audience watching a gifted minister. Believers were to bring psalms, teachings, revelations, tongues, interpretations, prayers, encouragement, service, and spiritual gifts under the ordered government of the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote:

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

— 1 Corinthians 12:7

This principle challenged passive Christianity. The Latter Rain emphasis helped awaken believers to the conviction that the Holy Spirit desired to operate through the whole congregation. Prophecy was not restricted to the pulpit. Prayer for healing did not belong exclusively to a recognized evangelist. Worship was not merely a preliminary exercise before the sermon. The saints themselves were to be equipped and activated for the work of ministry.

This recovery would influence later charismatic and independent church movements, many of which embraced participatory worship, small-group ministry, healing prayer, prophetic encouragement, and the equipping of ordinary believers. The underlying biblical principle was sound: every believer has been called into the life and mission of Christ, and the gifts of the Spirit are distributed according to the sovereign will of God rather than human rank.

However, the recovery of participation must remain joined to order, maturity, and accountability. Paul’s correction of the Corinthian church demonstrates that spiritual participation can become chaotic when personal expression is not governed by love. The apostle did not silence spiritual gifts, but neither did he permit believers to exercise them without restraint. His instruction was that everything should be done unto edification and that the spirits of the prophets were subject to the prophets.

The Spirit does not produce disorder under the excuse of spontaneity. A genuine manifestation of God does not remove personal responsibility. The believer remains accountable for how, when, and why a gift is exercised. The recovery of congregational ministry is therefore not permission for every impulse to be presented as revelation. It is an invitation for the Body to mature in discerning and stewarding what the Holy Spirit gives.

PROPHECY AND THE RESTORATION OF THE VOICE OF GOD

Prophetic ministry occupied a central place within the Latter Rain Movement. Its advocates believed that God was restoring prophecy as a normal expression of the Spirit’s work within the Church. This challenged theological traditions that had either confined prophecy to the writing of Scripture or reduced it to inspired preaching.

The New Testament plainly teaches that prophecy continued within the apostolic Church. Prophets ministered in Antioch, Agabus foretold a coming famine, Philip’s daughters prophesied, and Paul devoted substantial attention to the proper exercise of prophetic gifts in Corinth. He wrote that prophecy speaks unto people for “edification, and exhortation, and comfort,” and he instructed believers not to despise prophetic utterances.

At the same time, Paul immediately joined openness to testing:

“Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21

These instructions establish the necessary balance. Prophecy must not be despised, but neither must it be accepted indiscriminately. The Church is not permitted to choose between spiritual receptivity and biblical discernment. Every prophetic word remains subject to evaluation.

The Latter Rain Movement helped recover the expectation that God could speak through prophetic ministry, bringing encouragement, conviction, direction, and confirmation. Many believers testified that prophetic words strengthened their faith and awakened a clearer sense of calling. Such ministry, when practiced humbly and biblically, can serve the Church by drawing attention to what the Holy Spirit is emphasizing.

The danger developed when prophetic utterance was allowed to carry more authority than Scripture permits. In some settings, prophets became functionally unchallengeable. A prophetic word could determine a person’s ministry, geographical assignment, marriage, church membership, or future direction. Those who questioned the word risked being accused of rebellion, unbelief, or resistance to the Holy Spirit.

This was not biblical prophetic ministry but spiritual control clothed in prophetic vocabulary. New Testament prophecy does not establish an alternative magisterium through which leaders rule the consciences of believers. Prophecy may confirm, warn, strengthen, or illuminate, but it must never replace the believer’s responsibility to know God, search Scripture, seek wisdom, and follow the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, prophetic revelation must be distinguished from prophetic interpretation and application. A person may receive a genuine impression yet misunderstand its meaning. He may interpret the revelation correctly but apply it prematurely or to the wrong situation. Mature prophetic ministry recognizes these distinctions and therefore speaks with humility rather than presumption.

Those who prophesy must be willing to have their words judged. They must also accept responsibility when a public prediction fails. Prophetic accountability is not an attack upon the gifts of the Spirit; it is a defense of their integrity. Refusing correction does greater damage to prophetic ministry than admitting error ever could.

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND PROPHETIC PRESBYTERY

The laying on of hands became another prominent practice within the movement. Scripture provides substantial precedent for the practice. Hands were laid upon individuals in connection with blessing, healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit, commissioning, and the recognition of ministry.

Paul reminded Timothy:

“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

— 1 Timothy 4:14

He later wrote:

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

— 2 Timothy 1:6

These texts demonstrate that prophetic ministry and the laying on of hands played a meaningful role in Timothy’s commissioning. The Latter Rain Movement therefore did not invent the practice. It recovered an element of apostolic ministry that had become unfamiliar in many portions of the Church.

Prophetic presbyteries prayed over believers, identified gifts, confirmed callings, and commissioned ministers. Many individuals experienced genuine encouragement and clarity as mature leaders prayed over them. The practice reinforced the biblical truth that ministry is recognized within the Body and that calling is not merely a matter of private ambition.

Problems arose when the laying on of hands was treated as an automatic mechanism through which spiritual gifts or ministerial offices could be transferred at human discretion. Some leaders appeared to assign gifts, titles, and destinies as though they possessed sovereign authority over the distribution of the Spirit. The biblical teaching that the Spirit distributes gifts “severally as he will” was sometimes overshadowed by the perceived authority of the presbytery.

The laying on of hands does not make human leaders the source of spiritual gifts. God may use prayer, prophecy, and commissioning as instruments of impartation, but the Holy Spirit remains sovereign. No apostle, prophet, bishop, pastor, or presbytery possesses the authority to manufacture a divine calling.

Paul’s caution to Timothy must also be remembered:

“Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.”

— 1 Timothy 5:22

Biblical ministry therefore includes both faith and restraint. It recognizes spiritual gifts while examining character. It commissions people without elevating them prematurely. It welcomes prophecy while refusing manipulation. The laying on of hands should confirm the work of God rather than create dependence upon the person performing the ceremony.

FIVEFOLD MINISTRY AND THE RESTORATION OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

The Latter Rain Movement placed particular emphasis upon Ephesians 4 and the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Its advocates argued that Christ had given these ministries to equip the saints and that Scripture never explicitly declared that apostles and prophets would disappear from the Church.

Paul wrote:

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

— Ephesians 4:11–12

The recovery of fivefold language challenged church structures in which the pastor had become the single dominant office. It also emphasized that the purpose of ministry leadership was not to perform all ministry personally but to equip the saints. This was a necessary and biblical correction.

The apostolic and prophetic ministries contribute essential dimensions to the Church. Apostolic ministry establishes foundations, advances mission, confronts territorial limitations, and builds according to heavenly patterns. Prophetic ministry calls the Church into alignment, reveals the heart of God, brings warning and encouragement, and sharpens spiritual perception. Evangelists gather the lost, pastors care for the flock, and teachers establish believers in truth.

Yet titles can be restored more quickly than character. When apostolic language returned, some leaders claimed authority that their lives and ministries did not substantiate. Networks could become centered upon dominant personalities rather than mutual submission to Christ. The concept of spiritual covering was sometimes used to create hierarchical systems in which believers feared questioning or leaving a leader.

True apostolic ministry is recognized by foundation, sacrifice, endurance, fatherly care, sound doctrine, missionary fruit, and conformity to Christ. Paul did not establish his apostleship through ceremonial clothing, organizational rank, public admiration, or demands for honor. His apostolic life was marked by suffering, labor, tears, persecution, humility, and a consuming concern that Christ be formed within the churches.

Apostolic restoration without apostolic character produces religious empire. Prophetic restoration without prophetic accountability produces spiritual confusion. The offices of Christ cannot be separated from the nature of Christ.

WORSHIP, THE SONG OF THE LORD, AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD

The Latter Rain Movement also contributed to the development of spontaneous and participatory worship. Congregations began embracing prophetic songs, singing in the Spirit, extended seasons of praise, and musical expressions that moved beyond predetermined hymn selections. Worship was increasingly understood as ministry unto the Lord rather than merely preparation for preaching.

This emphasis drew upon passages concerning psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, and the worship patterns associated with David. The Church in Antioch was ministering to the Lord when the Holy Spirit spoke concerning the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul. Worship can therefore become a setting in which believers become attentive to God’s presence and responsive to His direction.

The recovery of spontaneous worship helped many congregations move beyond rigid formality. Musicians learned to listen rather than merely perform. Believers participated rather than observed. Scripture was sung, prophetic songs emerged, and worship became an extended encounter with God.

Nevertheless, worship is especially vulnerable to emotional manipulation. Music possesses tremendous power to affect the human soul. Repetition, volume, musical progression, lighting, and group expectation can produce intense emotional responses. Such responses are not necessarily false, but neither do they automatically prove that the Holy Spirit is moving.

The biblical test of worship is not simply what people feel during a service but what they become afterward. True worship produces surrender, obedience, holiness, reconciliation, humility, and love. If people fall to the floor but rise unchanged, the physical manifestation alone proves very little. If a congregation sings of total surrender while tolerating pride, exploitation, immorality, or injustice, the language of worship has not yet become the life of worship.

The Father seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and in truth. Spirit without truth can become emotional mysticism. Truth without the Spirit can become lifeless formality. Biblical worship requires both the transforming presence of God and obedience to His revealed Word.

THE MANIFEST SONS OF GOD AND THE DANGER OF EXAGGERATED RESTORATION

One of the most controversial developments associated with portions of the wider Latter Rain stream concerned teachings often identified with the “Manifest Sons of God.” These teachings drew heavily upon Romans 8, where creation is described as waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God.

The biblical doctrine of sonship is glorious. Believers have received the Spirit of adoption, are being conformed to the image of Christ, and will participate in the liberty of resurrection life. The Church must indeed mature beyond spiritual infancy. God intends His people to reveal the nature of His Son through holiness, love, authority, and obedience.

However, some expressions of the teaching moved beyond biblical maturity into speculation concerning an elite end-time company. Certain teachers anticipated a corporate body of perfected believers who would attain extraordinary spiritual power, overcome death, or exercise dominion before the bodily return of Jesus Christ.

Such claims shifted the center of eschatological hope away from the triumphant return of Christ and toward the spiritual attainment of a select company. The biblical promise of resurrection was in danger of being reconstructed as the achievement of superior revelation, impartation, or corporate maturity.

The sons of God reveal Christ; they do not replace Him. The Church participates in His victory; it does not become the independent source of that victory. Believers are being transformed into His image, but they do not become additional messiahs. The distinction between the Head and the Body must always remain clear.

Paul located the transformation of the saints within the victorious action of Christ:

“For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:52

Christian maturity should therefore be pursued passionately, but it must not be confused with speculative claims of perfected immortality before the coming of the Lord. Every doctrine of sonship must remain centered upon union with Christ, dependence upon Christ, and submission to Christ.

WHEN RESTORATION PRODUCES ELITISM

Every restoration movement faces the temptation of spiritual superiority. Once believers become convinced that God is restoring truth through them, they may begin to view the wider Church with contempt. They no longer see themselves as servants called to strengthen the Body but as an advanced spiritual order possessing revelation others cannot understand.

This tendency can be reinforced by language concerning the elect, the overcomers, mature sons, the apostolic company, the remnant, or the final generation. Such biblical concepts can be used properly, but they become dangerous when they create a spiritual caste system.

The faithful are not identified by contempt for less mature believers. They are known by loyalty to Christ, endurance under pressure, obedience to Scripture, love for the brethren, and refusal to compromise. A true remnant does not boast in possessing hidden truth. It trembles before the responsibility of carrying truth faithfully.

Encounters with the glory of God should produce humility. Isaiah saw the Lord and became conscious of his uncleanness. Peter encountered the authority of Jesus and became aware of his sinfulness. John saw the glorified Christ and fell at His feet as dead. Scripture does not present divine glory as a means of enlarging human self-importance.

When revelation produces arrogance, something has become corrupted in its reception or interpretation. The closer believers come to the holiness of God, the less interested they become in advertising their spiritual rank.

PERSONALITY, POWER, AND THE LOSS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Revival movements frequently grow around powerful personalities. God genuinely uses leaders, evangelists, teachers, prophets, intercessors, and apostolic pioneers. Biblical honor should be given to those who labor faithfully. The danger arises when honor becomes adoration and influence becomes immunity from correction.

Spiritual hunger can make people vulnerable to charismatic leaders. Believers may travel long distances to receive a touch, impartation, mantle, prophecy, or commissioning from a celebrated minister while neglecting prayer, Scripture, obedience, family responsibility, and service within their local congregation. They may come to believe that proximity to the gifted vessel guarantees spiritual advancement.

This personality-centered culture creates the conditions for abuse. A leader’s moral failures may be excused because of apparent miracles. Financial secrecy may be overlooked because the ministry appears fruitful. Manipulation may be defended as spiritual authority. Critics may be labeled rebellious, religious, or demonized.

The New Testament does not allow giftedness to excuse ungodliness. The qualifications for leadership recorded in the pastoral epistles focus primarily upon character, family life, self-control, reputation, doctrinal stability, and faithfulness. A person may possess a powerful gift while remaining immature, proud, or morally compromised.

The Corinthian church possessed abundant spiritual gifts, yet Paul still described its members as carnal. This distinction is indispensable. Giftedness is not maturity, manifestation is not character, and public power is not proof of divine approval.

THE CHURCH’S RESPONSE AND THE NEED FOR CAREFUL JUDGMENT

By 1949, concerns about Latter Rain teaching had become serious enough for established Pentecostal denominations to respond formally. Critics objected to what they considered unbiblical extremes involving personal prophecy, the impartation of gifts through laying on of hands, the restoration of apostolic offices, and practices that could undermine congregational and denominational order.

Some institutional opposition may have reflected legitimate concern for doctrine and accountability. Some may also have reflected the natural resistance of established organizations toward movements they could not control. Revival history demonstrates that institutions can condemn genuine renewal, while renewal movements can dismiss necessary correction as persecution.

The presence of institutional opposition therefore proves neither that a movement is false nor that it is true. Every criticism must be evaluated on its merits. Likewise, a movement cannot defend every error by claiming that religious systems always persecute revival.

The mature response is to examine doctrine, practice, fruit, leadership, and long-term consequences. Where biblical truth was restored, it should be received. Where excess entered, it should be rejected. Where people were wounded, the damage should be acknowledged. Where institutions responded out of fear, that should also be recognized.

Discernment is not strengthened by rewriting history into a simple conflict between heroes and villains. Human beings are more complicated, and revival movements often contain sincere faith, genuine anointing, theological error, personal ambition, and institutional reaction at the same time.

SEVEN TESTS FOR REVIVAL FIRE

The Latter Rain Movement provides the contemporary Church with essential tests for evaluating revival.

First, every doctrine and manifestation must remain subject to Scripture. The Holy Spirit does not contradict the written Word He inspired. No dream, prophecy, angelic visitation, vision, miracle, or spiritual experience possesses authority to overturn the testimony of Scripture.

Second, Jesus Christ must remain central. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ. When the conversation becomes dominated by mantles, impartations, titles, angels, portals, prophetic personalities, hidden mysteries, or spiritual ranks while the cross and lordship of Jesus become secondary, the movement is drifting from its center.

Third, the fruit must be examined. Jesus taught that trees are known by their fruit. The relevant questions are not merely whether meetings are exciting or manifestations unusual. Does the movement produce holiness, humility, love, reconciliation, justice, compassion, fidelity, and obedience?

Fourth, leaders must remain accountable. A leader who cannot be questioned has become spiritually dangerous, regardless of how impressive his gift may appear. Biblical authority is not threatened by accountability because true authority remains under the government of Christ.

Fifth, prophetic words must be judged. The Church must resist both unbelief and gullibility. Prophecy should not be despised, but every word should be weighed, tested, and interpreted within the boundaries of Scripture.

Sixth, the vulnerable must be protected. The quality of a revival is revealed not only by what happens upon the platform but by how people are treated away from it. Financial integrity, moral accountability, care for wounded people, and protection from manipulation are spiritual matters.

Seventh, encounters must lead to discipleship. Revival is not sustained through endless meetings alone. Its lasting fruit is formed through repentance, obedience, doctrine, prayer, community, mission, and conformity to Christ.

CONCLUSION: WE NEED THE FIRE, BUT WE ALSO NEED THE ALTAR

The Latter Rain Movement cannot be understood responsibly as either an entirely pure revival or an entirely counterfeit movement. It arose from genuine spiritual hunger and helped recover important biblical emphases concerning the gifts of the Spirit, prophetic ministry, congregational participation, laying on of hands, worship, and the equipping of the saints. Its influence continued far beyond the original centers of the movement and contributed to later charismatic and apostolic expressions.

At the same time, its history reveals the dangers that arise when experience outruns exegesis, when revelation is not tested, when leaders become unaccountable, and when restoration produces elitism. Genuine fire can become mixed with human ambition. A true gift can be administered immaturely. A biblical truth can be extended into an unbiblical system.

The Church must not respond by extinguishing the Spirit. Fear of excess has often produced congregations that are doctrinally cautious but spiritually lifeless. The answer to false prophecy is not the rejection of prophecy. The answer to abusive authority is not the rejection of all authority. The answer to manipulated worship is not cold formalism. The answer to counterfeit fire is holy fire burning upon a biblical altar.

Paul’s command remains essential:

“Quench not the Spirit.

“Despise not prophesyings.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21

These instructions belong together. The Church must not quench the Spirit, but it must test everything. It must remain open without becoming gullible, discerning without becoming cynical, and hungry without becoming careless.

The lesson of the Latter Rain is therefore not that the Church should retreat from the supernatural. It is that the supernatural must remain under the lordship of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, and the government of holy character.

We need the rain.

We need the fire.

We need the gifts.

We need the prophetic voice.

We need apostolic foundations.

But above all, we need Jesus Christ enthroned over everything that bears His name.

When the fire falls, the altar must already belong to God.

Stay tuned, the journey continues…..

A voice of fire to the Remnant,

— Dr. Russell Welch

Dr. Russell Welch is a published author, prophetic teacher, apostolic builder, and founder of faith-driven publishing and media initiatives. He is known for crafting bold, Kingdom-centered messages that call the Ecclesia into maturity, doctrinal clarity, and governmental authority. With a passion for equipping the Remnant and honoring generational legacy, Dr. Welch writes and teaches at the intersection of Scripture, history, and spiritual governance, challenging believers to live as sons and daughters who legislate Heaven on earth through truth, holiness, and unwavering fidelity to Christ.

Be sure to check out his book, Spirit Wind People: Those Who are Moved by the Impulses of Holy Spirit, available exclusively on Amazon.

Amazon Author Page

The Watchmen of Our Day: From the Walls of Israel to the Throne Room of Christ

Posted: May 20, 2026 in A movement rising, Kingdom Teaching, Remnant, Spirit-Wind People, Spiritual warfare, Watchmen of the Lord
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

No longer watching from walls alone — now seated with Christ, filled with Holy Spirit, and sounding Heaven’s trumpet in the earth.

In ancient Israel, watchmen stood upon the walls of the city. Their assignment was not decorative. It was not poetic. It was not religious theater. They were stationed in elevated places so they could see what others could not see, discern movement on the horizon, and sound the alarm before danger reached the gates.

The watchman’s task was sobering. If he saw the sword coming and failed to blow the trumpet, the blood of the people could be required at his hand. Ezekiel 33 reveals the weight of this calling. The watchman was responsible to warn, to announce, to awaken, and to call the people into readiness. He did not create the danger. He discerned it. He did not manufacture the word. He received it. He did not stand for personal fame. He stood because the safety of the people depended upon obedience.

Yet there was a limitation in the old covenant pattern. The Spirit of the Lord would come upon prophets, judges, kings, and watchmen for divine assignment, divine utterance, and divine empowerment. They spoke when the word of the Lord came to them. They moved when the Spirit rested upon them. They cried aloud when Heaven placed fire in their bones.

But now, in Christ, something greater has been given.

The watchmen of our day are not merely waiting for the Spirit to come upon them from the outside. They are born of the Spirit. They are temples of Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Living God, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Resurrection, does not simply visit them for a moment of prophetic function. He dwells within them as the indwelling presence of God.

This is why the New Covenant watchman carries a different measure of authority. Not because he is greater in himself, but because Christ has finished what the prophets longed to see. The veil has been torn. The blood has been applied. The Son has been enthroned. The Spirit has been poured out. And the people of God have been raised together with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places.

Paul writes in Ephesians 2:6 that God “raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This means the watchman of this hour is not merely standing on a natural wall looking outward. He is seated spiritually in Christ, discerning from the place of heavenly government, intercession, and Kingdom authority.

Ancient watchmen saw approaching armies.

New Covenant watchmen discern spiritual movements.

Ancient watchmen warned cities of natural invasion.

New Covenant watchmen warn families, regions, churches, and nations of demonic strategies, doctrinal compromise, cultural seduction, and spiritual slumber.

Ancient watchmen blew trumpets from stone walls.

New Covenant watchmen release the sound of Heaven from the place of union with Christ.

Ancient watchmen were stationed over Israel’s gates.

New Covenant watchmen are being raised over households, ministries, cities, regions, and nations.

This does not make them reckless. It makes them responsible. True watchmen do not speak from fear, suspicion, anger, or personal offense. They speak from intimacy, obedience, discernment, and holy burden. The watchman who is governed by Holy Spirit will not become an alarmist. He will become a trumpet. There is a difference.

An alarmist reacts to darkness.

A watchman responds to Heaven.

An alarmist spreads fear.

A watchman releases clarity.

An alarmist magnifies the enemy.

A watchman magnifies the Lord and exposes the enemy’s movement under the light of Christ.

This is why the hour requires mature watchmen. Not loud voices alone. Not social media prophets chasing reactions. Not men and women who confuse suspicion with discernment. We need those who have learned to wait before the Lord, hear His voice, test the spirits, search the Scriptures, and speak only what carries the witness of Holy Spirit.

The watchmen of our day must be rooted in the Word, filled with the Spirit, anchored in Christ, and clothed in humility. Authority without humility becomes dangerous. Discernment without love becomes accusation. Prophetic sight without biblical foundation becomes confusion. But when Holy Spirit raises a watchman, He forms both the eye and the heart. He teaches them what to see, when to speak, how to warn, and how to intercede.

The ancient watchman saw the sword and sounded the alarm.

The New Covenant watchman sees the strategy of darkness and takes his place in prayer, proclamation, repentance, decree, and apostolic alignment.

He does not merely say, “Danger is coming.”

He also says, “The King is reigning.”

He does not merely cry, “Wake up.”

He also declares, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.”

He does not merely expose the works of darkness.

He proclaims the victory of the cross, the authority of Christ, and the government of Heaven being released through a surrendered Ecclesia.

This is the hour of the watchman.

Holy Spirit is raising up men and women who can see beyond headlines, beyond political noise, beyond religious confusion, and beyond the emotional storms of the age. They are not governed by panic. They are governed by the Throne. They are not driven by fear. They are moved by the Spirit. They are not building their own platform. They are guarding the gates of their generation.

The Lord is restoring the watchman anointing to the Ecclesia. He is awakening intercessors, prophets, pastors, fathers, mothers, teachers, and spiritual warriors who understand that this is not a time to sleep at the gate. The enemy is strategic, but Heaven is not silent. Darkness is moving, but the Spirit of Truth is speaking. Nations are shaking, but the Kingdom cannot be shaken.

So let the watchmen arise.

Let them stand upon the walls with clean hands and burning hearts.

Let them speak from the Word, not opinion.

Let them discern by the Spirit, not suspicion.

Let them warn without fear, intercede without ceasing, and declare without compromise.

For the watchmen of our day are not merely standing upon ancient walls.

They are seated with Christ.

They are filled with Holy Spirit.

They carry the sound of the Kingdom.

And when they open their mouths under the authority of Heaven, the trumpet of the Lord will be heard again in the earth.

Stay tuned, the journey continues…..

A voice of fire to the Remnant,

— Dr. Russell Welch

Dr. Russell Welch is a published author, prophetic teacher, apostolic builder, author, and founder of faith-driven publishing and media initiatives. He is known for crafting bold, Kingdom-centered messages that call the Ecclesia into maturity, doctrinal clarity, and governmental authority. With a passion for equipping the Remnant and honoring generational legacy, Dr. Welch writes and teaches at the intersection of Scripture, history, and spiritual governance, challenging believers to live as sons and daughters who legislate Heaven on earth through truth, holiness, and unwavering fidelity to Christ.

Be sure to check out his book: The Consecrated Firebrand: A Warrior’s Guide to Holy Living, available exclusively on Amazon … here

Amazon Author Page

Chasing the Wild Goose: How the Celts Reclaimed the Fire of the Holy Spirit

Posted: April 10, 2026 in A movement rising, Prophetic, Remnant, Spirit-Wind People, teaching, Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

“Holy Spirit is Reclaiming the Church – With Fire”

The early Celtic believers, especially in Ireland and later in Scotland, carried a revelation of the Holy Spirit that burned far beyond the boundaries of institutional religion. They refused to reduce Him to a doctrine, a ritual, or a polite dove perched quietly on the shoulder of the Church. To them, He was the Wild Goose—untamable, unpredictable, fiercely free, and impossible to domesticate. This imagery was not born from superstition but from deep encounters with the God who moves “wherever He wills,” just as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:8. The Celts understood that the Spirit of God is not confined to human order but breaks into human history with holy disruption.

These Celtic followers of Christ lived in a rugged land where the wind could shift without warning, and they saw in that wildness a picture of the Spirit’s leading. They believed that following God meant embracing risk, pilgrimage, and obedience without a map. Their missionaries would literally set sail in small coracles without oars, trusting the Spirit to carry them to the place of their assignment. This embodied the truth of Acts 1:8, where Jesus promised power to be His witnesses “to the ends of the earth,” even when those ends were unknown. Their faith was not built on comfort but on the conviction that the Spirit leads boldly, not safely.

The Wild Goose became a symbol of a faith that refused to be tamed by religious systems. A goose is loud, bold, and impossible to ignore—much like the Spirit who descended in Acts 2 with the sound “of a rushing mighty wind.” The Celts saw this as a divine affirmation that the Spirit does not come quietly into human structures but arrives with force, fire, and holy interruption. They believed that when the Spirit moves, He overturns the tables of tradition and awakens the slumbering hearts of God’s people. Their spirituality was marked by a fierce expectation that God would break in suddenly.

This stands in stark contrast to the later religious systems that sought to confine the Spirit to ceremony and liturgy. The Celts read the Scriptures and saw a God who led Abraham into the unknown, who called Moses through a burning bush, and who empowered David with supernatural courage. They saw a pattern of divine unpredictability that aligned perfectly with their Wild Goose imagery. They believed that the Spirit’s leading was not meant to be controlled but embraced with reverent fear and joyful surrender. Their writings reflect a deep awareness that God’s presence disrupts before it transforms.

The Celtic believers also understood that the Spirit’s fire was not optional but essential for victorious Christian living. They pointed to John the Baptist’s declaration in Matthew 3:11 that Jesus would baptize His people “with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” This fire was not symbolic but experiential, igniting courage, purity, and supernatural power in the hearts of believers. They believed that without this baptism of fire, the Church would drift into cold religion and powerless ritual. Their communities were marked by signs, wonders, and a deep sense of God’s nearness.

Historically, the Celtic Church operated outside the influence of Rome for centuries, which allowed them to cultivate a raw, Spirit‑led Christianity. Their monasteries were not centers of academic detachment but hubs of prayer, mission, and supernatural encounter. They trained believers to listen for the voice of the Spirit in the wind, the waves, and the quiet places of solitude. Their leaders, like St. Columba and St. Brigid, were known for prophetic insight, healing, and bold evangelism. They lived out the reality of Galatians 5:25—“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

This Wild Goose revelation also shaped their understanding of spiritual warfare. They believed the Spirit led them into dark places not to survive but to conquer. Their missionaries confronted pagan strongholds, demonic oppression, and cultural darkness with fearless authority. They saw the Spirit as the One who empowers believers to tear down strongholds, echoing Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 10:4. Their victories were not won through strategy alone but through surrender to the unpredictable leading of the Spirit.

Today, this ancient Celtic revelation speaks prophetically to a modern Church that often prefers order over obedience and structure over surrender. The Wild Goose reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not a tame dove but the fierce, holy presence of God who leads us into the unknown with fire in His wings. He is calling this generation back to a faith that is alive, risky, Spirit‑driven, and uncontainable. He is awakening the Remnant to the baptism of fire that Jesus promised and the early Church experienced. And He is inviting us to follow Him—not with fear, but with the boldness of those who know the wind of Heaven is at their back.

— Dr. Russell Welch

Dr. Russell Welch is a published author, prophetic teacher, apostolic builder, author, and founder of faith-driven publishing and media initiatives. He is known for crafting bold, Kingdom-centered messages that call the Ecclesia into maturity, doctrinal clarity, and governmental authority. With a passion for equipping the Remnant and honoring generational legacy, Dr. Welch writes and teaches at the intersection of Scripture, history, and spiritual governance, challenging believers to live as sons and daughters who legislate Heaven on earth through truth, holiness, and unwavering fidelity to Christ.

Be sure to check out his book: The Consecrated Firebrand: A Warrior’s Guide to Holy Living, available exclusively on Amazon … here

Amazon Author Page

The Prophetic Mystery of Being a Pen in the Father’s Hand

Posted: January 18, 2026 in Prophetic, Spirit-Wind People
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
0

There are moments in a believer’s life when the hand of God becomes unmistakably visible, and my journey as a writer has become one of those living testimonies. I began writing in 2007, unaware that the Lord was planting seeds for a future season, much like Habakkuk who was instructed to “write the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2).

Though manuscripts remained unpublished due to lack of funds, the Lord was teaching me that delay is not denial, for He alone appoints the time of unveiling. Even when the flash drive containing years of work was lost through multiple moves, the Spirit reminded me that nothing surrendered to Him is ever truly buried. Like the hidden manna in Revelation 2:17, what God preserves in secret He reveals in His appointed time.

In 2018 or 2019 a prophetic word came that struck my spirit like a divine summons, declaring that God would begin to use me “as a pen in His hand.” That word aligned with Isaiah 49:2, where the prophet says, “He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He hid me.” Between 2019 and 2023 I wrote several books and outlines, sensing the breath of God stirring dormant gifts back to life.

Then in November 2023 the enemy attempted to silence the call through a stroke, but Psalm 118:17 rose within me: “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.” The very next morning a family friend—unaware of my condition—released a prophetic word that the enemy had tried to place something on my brain, but the Lord Himself would remove it, and within minutes every symptom bowed to the authority of the Spirit of God.

Since that moment of divine intervention, the grace to write has flowed like a river that cannot be dammed, enabling me to complete at least a chapter a day on themes the Lord impresses upon my heart. Though the editing process requires patience—reviewing each word and correcting every error—I count it joy, for the One who healed me is the same One who anoints my hands to build.

Ephesians 2:10 declares that we are His workmanship, created for good works prepared beforehand, and I now walk in the reality of that truth with renewed strength. I stand in awe of the God who not only restored my body but reaffirmed my destiny, proving that His word does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Prophetic words are not predictions but invitations into divine partnership, and when we align with them, they begin to bear the harvest the Father intended from the beginning.

There are moments when the mystery weigh heavily on me, such as when reread what I have written and stand in absolute awe, realizing that revelation flowed through me that I did not consciously know I had received. Often I discover insights that seem to have been whispered in dreams or planted through something I once read, now rising to the surface like Proverbs 20:5 declares, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

Even more astonishing is when I must look up a word I have written—one I did not previously know—and find that its meaning perfectly fits what the Spirit was conveying. It reminds me of John 14:26, where Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and bring to remembrance what we did not even realize we carried. These moments humble me, for they reveal that I am not merely writing but being written through by the One who authors destiny.

—Dr. Russell Welch, prophetic teacher, apostolic builder, and author committed to awakening and equipping the Remnant to reclaim the spiritual gates of culture for the Kingdom of God.

If this message has stirred your spirit and you desire to go deeper, I invite you to explore my books available on Amazon. Each one is written to awaken, equip, and mobilize the Remnant with fresh revelation and practical Kingdom authority.

You can find them at amazon.com/author/russell.welch—resources crafted to strengthen your walk, ignite your faith, and empower you to reclaim the gates of influence for the glory of God.

A message of Spiritual Course Corrections

Posted: January 30, 2025 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Spirit-Wind People, Spiritual warfare
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
0

The following is a picture into the 20 years of life and ministry which includes set backs, detours, road blocks and many course corrections, written from a humble heart filled with gratefulness to a loving God..

This morning during my walk with Holy Spirt and the SkyBear (my German Shepherd) I was led to look back on my life since 2001.

On December 31 of that year I decided to get a fresh start and moved to Jacksonville for what I thought would be a short stay, as I came here to attend a school to get my CDL.

But Holy Spirit pointed out that it was a path ordained of the Father, for little did I know that it would lead to me attending a Church service where I would repent and rededicate my life to the Lord after 20 some years of living in rebellion.

 I came down to attend a school to my CDL, which I did and started driving for a company based in Jacksonville with plans of driving around the country.

But Holy Spirt showed me that because I was avoiding the call on my life to preach the Gospel, which the Father called me to do when I was just 10 years old while sitting in a Methodist Church in Patten Maine

My plans of driving around the country, however that thought came to an abrupt end when I fell off the top of a load and messed up my right knee. This took place in the spring of 2002 Holy Spirit then showed me that the Father allowed an accident to happen so as to redirect my life to the steps that would lead me to fulfill His calling on my life.

 During my recovery I decided to attend ministry school and met a man of God, Dr. Don Lynch, who became my Spiritual father.

Also during that time, I found myself looking a the Christian Mingle dating website where I happened across this beautiful Filipino, who just happened to be here on a student visa and was attending Brownsville Revival School of Ministry in Pensacola Florida.

We began chatting and during the Thanksgiving break she came to Jacksonville to visit her former pastor and his wife who had pastored a Church in Hong Kong, where she was the Sunday School teacher.

We began dating and I would drive to Pensacola where the school was and attended a number of powerful revival meetings. Then at the beginning of  February (2003) I had a dream where Jesus led me to an ocean beach, He bent down and picked up two small stones and said “One of these stones has been brought here from another nation having flowed with the currents of the ocean, for the Father purposed the time when they would be joined together.

So has He brought Emilie (My wife’s name, for those who know her by her nick name Millette) to be joined with you in marriage. I was overwhelmed and went out a bought an engagement ring and decided to ask her to marry me while I visited her for Valentine’s Day.

Now do to a past of many rejections, I had to muster up all the courage I had and drive over from Jacksonville. When I arrived at the home she was staying in I got down on one knee and proposed to her.

Her answer was, No, followed by I don’t even like you that way. Well let’s just say the wind was taking out of my sails. However I had this inner peace where I knew what the Lord had said, so I simply turned it over to Him.

A couple months later while she was visiting a friend in San Diego, she called me and said she had a dream and the Lord told her she was to marry me. We made plans and she graduated in May of 2003, and we got married on June 14th of 2003.

I had a full-time job while at the same time I continued my schooling. We had some struggles but the Lord always saw us through them. Then on June 6, 2004 we were blessed with a beautiful gift from God. For on that day, my wife gave birth to our son, Joshua Karsten Welch.

The Lord had given me his first name which in Hebrew means “Yahweh is salvation” and He gave my wife his second name, which in Greek means “Anointed”. The Lord shared with me why I was to call him Joshua, for he would be the first in many generation of our family to serve him and not be taking captives to addictions or any other curse that was in our family line.

In fact He said that the anpointing He was going to place on His life, would be like the blast shofars sounding, and the sounds of the people, that saw the walls of Jericho come crumbling down. So would the generational curses be cut of by my son, Joshua obedience to the Lord’s call on his life.

Let me take a moment to share a powerful testimony. I had always suffered with migraine headaches from my childhood all the way into my adulthood. Migraines were a curse which had plagued our family for several generation. When Josh was five years old, there was a day when I was unable to do anything because of a migraine, and he begged me to take him to the park. I said your going to have to ask Jesus to take daddy’s headache away.

He leaned over me, placed his little hand on my forehead and said “Jesus, take this stupid headache off my daddy, and tell it to never return”. That headache went away instantly and I have never had a migraine since that humble, innocent hearted prayer offered up by my son.

After graduating with an associate degree in the fall of 2004, I was ordained in February of 2005 and we were led by Holy Spirit to start a ministry called Mighty Arm Ministries, which at the time primarily focused on the elderly in nursing homes.

The Lord said this is a call to be a Spiritual Gatekeeper, as these are those who are about to enter their eternal destiny. Glory to God, for during that time we witnessed a number of people accepting the Lord. My son at 6 years old played a part, as every Sunday he would go with me, knock on the doors, and say “You wanna come here Jesus”. There was a man named Doc, who every week would say “Not today preacher boy”

Then one Sunday to our surprise, he came down, then came back for several more weeks. Then one Sunday, he asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be His Lord. The very next week, he passed in his sleep, but praise the Lord, we know we will see him again one day.

In the spring of 2005 something happened that caused us to leave the Church we had attended since getting married, and I had attended since 2002. Holy Spirt showed me that the Father had allowed this so that we would start holding a Church service in a local nursing home.

Holy Spirit at the time, showed me that many in that home had the desire to go to church but none would pick them up, so the Lord said “Bring my Church to them”.

In the fall of 2005, my Spiritual father (Dr. Don Lynch) who had also left the Church, invited my wife and into attend a weekly meeting they were hosting in their home under the Ministry name the Father had given him called “Ministry Matrix”. Shortly thereafter the Lord led me to take the position known which is referred to as an “Armor Bearer”. Then in November of 2007, we were ordained as leaders in that ministry.

Thing happened that caused us to leave in the beginning of 2010, which Holy Spirt showed me this morning, that the Father had allowed, even though left due to a spirit of rebellion. We went back into doing Sunday services at the nursing home and then in the fall of that year we were invited to be part of the leadership team to launch a new Church start.

 In the spring of 2013, the Lord called me to leave that Church as He had an assignment for me at a local bikers Church, pastored by Chet “Preacher man” Harden. I became the associate pastor there from 2013 up until the Spring of 2016, shortly after having a powerful life changing encounter with the Lord , which stripped me of all the religious garments I had allowed the spirit of religion to put on me, and to be honest, that encounter literally changed my whole theology.

In December of 2015, we were part of the leadership team that founded the “Riverhouse” ministry. After resigning from Highway to Heaven (On a friendly note) in the fall of 2016, I started leading a Sunday service at the Riverhouse.

In 2018 we launched the North Florida Healing rooms” which my wife and I we co-directors. Then, jumping to the fall of 2019, the enemy had some how caused division between me and the other founding leader which led my wife and I to leave that ministry.

However, again looking back on that situation this morning, Holy Spirit showed me that the Father had allowed this to happen as He had a new assignment for me. Ultimately that ministry shut down after the founder went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer(lesson in that for a later date).

That assignment was to become the director of a homeless rescue mission in Jacksonville Beach, which lasted until February of 2022. On August 19, 2020, my son and I visited the place of a powerful nation changing revival, Cane Ridge in Kentucky with my son. That date was actually the 219th year anniversary of that revival. We spent about 2 hours walking around, reading the grave stones, and soaking in the presence of the Lord.

 Holy Spirit spoke to me about 30 minutes after leaving there and said “The Father wants you to go back and start discipling His Children even as Jesus discipled His. I immediately said cool.

But then about an hour later, I said what does that even look like, as I have come to believe the Church as a whole has wander away from Christ-like discipleship.

 He began downloading what that looked like, which started with “Jesus discipled the men who followed Him by pouring into them, everything the Father had poured into Him. So unlike giving discipleship teaching from the pulpit, or even holding weekly discipleship meeting, the style Jesus displayed was relational, interacting with each other pretty much on a daily basis.

I started to implement this at the mission, and witnessed the Lord doing some powerful works in the disciple who were at the mission. But then, in the fall of 2021, a spirit of Jezebel, jealousy, and offense took hold of a few members of the leadership. And they began conspiring again with me in the secret place of darkness.

Now, what was happening at the mission up to that point can only be described in a way that gives Glory to the Father, as a portal of Heaven was opened up there. One lesson I learned during that time was I neglected to gather intercessor for me and the mission as a whole.

 Now, looking back at the time I left Highway to Heaven Church, which I previously mentioned that I  left on good terms. I had actually started preaching back there once a month in 2018, then it transitioned into twice per month in 2021.

 In the fall of that year, pastor Chet approached me and said he was considering retiring and wanted me to take his place. This was troubling to me, as I felt the Lord wanted me at the mission.

However, Holy Spirt showed me that I never actually asked the Father. He then showed me that during a Thanksgiving visit to Maine, He had allowed a coup to take place at the mission. What He had allowed to transpire was do to a door I unknowingly opened a door, as having been in a major spiritual battle over the mission for close to 6 months had taking its toll on me, and I began to respond out of the flesh.

This open door gave access to the spirit of disobedience to take place to where the Father’s call to make disciples as had His Son, was put on a shelf. However, having witnessed to results while the discipleship like Jesus was taking place, Holy Spirit said that it was but a foreshadow of what would be the mark of my wife and my calling.

He then shared with me that the mission was not prepared for what He desired to do there. Now from November of 2021 through January of 2022, the spiritual battle I faced every day got uglier and uglier.

I had previously mentioned my departure from the ministry led by Dr. Don Lynch. Shortly after my encounter with the Lord on March 28, 2016, Holy Spirit opened the door for Dr. Don and I for reconciliation After which I was led to lean into his mentorship more and more while at the same time, having been seated by the Lord in the spring of 2016, under the teachings of Apostle Damon Thompson. Holy Spirit also led me to attend many of the Under the Oaks meetings he has held over the years, which I still attend.

But back to the mission and Dr. Don Lynch. In January of 2022, I had multiple conversations with him regarding what was happening at the mission, then at the start of February I had a dream where the Lord said He was calling me to Shepherd the people at Highway to Heaven Church.

I shared this dream with Dr. Don who not only said he felt a witness to the dream but as he put it in classic Apostle Don Lynch fashion “Son, if God told you he wants you to do that, you’d better do it”. We ended the conversation with a “let’s get together after my heart surgery as I have somethings to share with you that I received while praying for you and your wife.

Needless to say that meeting, as a few days after his surgery, he went to be with the Lord. I took is wise advice, resigned from the mission and accepted the position of Senior Pastor at the Church.

However, I felt a loss in my life, not having a Spiritual father to run things by and on occasions have a heart check. Yes, I am most certainly matured enough to lead a Church, and even though I have spiritual sons myself, I understand and fully grasp the importance of having an Apostolic covering, as it is one of the spiritual guard rails the Lord has equipped the Church with.

Needless to say, if was a powerful meeting with Holy Spirit. If I could draw a map of what has taken place over the past 20 years, it would show my stepping off the ordained path, a series of roadblocks which lead to course corrections. In spite of the many times, in which I rebelled failing to ask the Father His desire, and took hold of the spiritual steering wheel of my life, the grace and mercy of the Father has always brought a course correction which I have to be honest almost always came with a hand of discipline.

Today, having just entered a new year, I have committed to dealing with things on a daily basis, leaving tomorrow in the wise hands of the Father. For did not our Lord say: Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.” (Matthew 6:34, TPT)

One of the early lessons Dr. Don taught me was maintaining the ability of never leave a place with offense, but rather leave with the gold that you received – meaning we are to take the good things (lessons, revelations and Kingdom truths) with us, and  a heart of forgiveness and even repentance, leave the negative things behind.

So with that in mind, I am committed to living my life and all the tomorrows it has, under the governing authority of the One whom the Father sent, to lead us into all Spiritual truths, Holy Spirit.

~Dr. Russell Welch
Elder / Apostolic Teacher: Highway to Heaven Church and Founder and Shepherd of Remnant Warrior Ministries / Remnant Warrior School of Spiritual Warfare.

Not today Satan or any other day!

Posted: July 3, 2024 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Remnant, Spirit-Wind People, Spiritual warfare
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
0

To the devil, I only have this to say:

“Even though you intended to hurt me, God intended it for good. It was his plan all along, to ensure the survival of many people. So, don’t worry. I myself will provide for you all that you need, both for you and your little ones.”

(Genesis 50:20, TPT)

I never liked homework in school and didn’t care much for taking notes at that time either. Years later that all changed as I became consumed with the scriptures and things of the Kingdom.

After I was baptized by Dr. Don Lynch in 2006, having received a prophetic word from him during the baptism, I believe the word imparted something to me. He said I would come up out of the water with a deep hunger for the word.

That literally took place that day and a few months later I found myself writing. In 2009 I started a blog site called “Radical Disciples – A Remnant Revolution”, where I have written close to 400 blog posts since then as well as a number of articles across social media platforms.

In the beginning, my spelling was. let’s just say, lacked grammar excellence and my spelling was terrible. However, over the years with Holy Spirit’s help, I believe my writing and style of writing have improved greatly, Thank you, Father.

In 2010 I started writing outlines and basically wrote them on what I believed would one day be turned into books. I attempted to turn them into books on numerous occasions but due to one thing or another, they never came to fruition.

Forward to November 13, 2023. It was on that day that the devil thought he was going to take me out or at least remove me from the battle with a massive stroke in the Frontal Lobe, which basically affects an individual’s motor skills, executive functioning, speech, language, and social skills.

My doctor said that I was very lucky because of the size and location I should have had symptoms which included motor impairments, problem-solving and judgment issues, behavioral changes, and difficulty with speech.

The MRI and brain scan all showed that this stroke should have left me with server impairments. However, the Lord had other plans. In December of 2015, I met a dear brother who has become a very close friend and fellow servant in the Kingdom, Paul Michel. The Lord used him to prophesy my encounter with Him several months later which took place on March 29, 2016.

He said I was about to encounter the Father and experience His true Love. And was that word accurate, in fact, it was life-altering in a good way as that encounter radically changed the way I view the Father and opened a spiritual door to which I have been swimming in the oceans of His love ever since!

Over the course of 9 years, the Lord has spoken to me numerous times through Brother Paul. Then on November 14, 2023, having no idea where I was or what had happened, Paul called me with a prophetic word from the Lord that He was going to erase everything the enemy had attempted to pout on me.

Within hours that word came to pass. In fact even to the amazement of the stroke specialist who was treating m,e in the hospital. She was standing at the foot of my bed explaining to me that they were going to have to increase my blood pressure medication as everything they had tried to that point had failed to bring it below 190/147.

As she was telling me this her eyes got very large, and she muttered “That’s impossible”. I immediately said, what’s impossible? Are you saying you’re not going to be able to bring my blood pressure down?

She said no, and pointed to the machine I was hooked up to, where my blood pressure had consistently read, even after multiple shots of medication to lower it, at 190/147. Except now it read, 110/77. It literally went down as she was talking to me.

I was released the next day, and I couple of days after getting home I heard Holy Spirit say, Now is the time to write those books. I thought great, as I had lost the flash drives I had all those years of notes on.

A couple of days later I came across a small box in my office that I hadn’t gone through since moving to our house in 2020 and guess what? In that box, I found the flash drives that contained

close to 10 years of extensive notes from some very in-depth studies as well as words and revelations that I had received over the course of 8 years.

So now, I spend my days taking those notes and turning them into lessons for our ministry school and into books as Holy Spirit leads me. What the enemy thought would create a disaster, or even destruction in my life, the Father has turned into opportunity and blessings.

Since that turning point in November, I am about 1/4 way through those years of notes. How many lessons and books are left to go? I don’t know, in fact, all I do know is that my days are designed, planned, and in the control of Holy Spirit. #SELAH

~Dr. Russell Welch, A.K.A. WindWalker

Remnant Warrior Ministries

Intro to Spirit-Wind People

Posted: May 28, 2024 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Remnant, Spirit-Wind People, teaching
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
0

Introduction to the book, Spirit-Wind People, written by Dr. Russell Welch

Spirit-Wind People – 1

Spirit Wind People

Those who are moved by the impulses of Holy Spirit

Preface

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

At the heart of my latest offering lies a profound exploration into the very essence of spiritual fulfillment—living a life moved and shaped by the Holy Spirit. This book delves deep into the teachings of Romans Chapter 8, unfolding the rich tapestry of guidance it offers for navigating daily life under the influence of the Spirit.

Driven by a personal mission to bridge the gap between biblical teachings and practical, everyday application, I have penned this book to serve as a beacon for those seeking clarity and direction. The journey through these pages aims to equip you with knowledge and insights necessary to lead a life that not only adheres to spiritual doctrines but is also dynamically led by the Holy Spirit.

Over the years, in my role as Senior Pastor at Highway to Heaven Church, I’ve encountered numerous individuals who earnestly seek deeper spiritual engagement but grapple with the practicalities of such a commitment. Their struggles and triumphs alike have inspired me to craft a narrative that is not just instructive but also deeply empathetic to the spiritual dilemmas faced by believers today.

I am immensely grateful for the diverse experiences that have shaped my understanding and approach to ministry—from pest control management where I learned about persistence and attention to detail, to leading discipleship training which honed my skills in nurturing and guiding others. These experiences have enriched my perspective, allowing me to approach the writing of this book with both practical wisdom and spiritual depth.

This book would not have been possible without the inspiration drawn from various corners of my life—my early days of being saved at a David Wilkerson crusade, the impactful years spent ministering in jails and nursing homes, and not least, the supportive community at our church. Their stories and insights have been instrumental in shaping the narratives and strategies discussed in this book.

To every reader who has chosen to embark on this journey through these pages, your time and engagement are deeply appreciated. This book is crafted for anyone who feels a disconnect between their spiritual beliefs and their day-to-day actions. It’s for those who desire not just to understand but to practically live out their faith under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

As we proceed, remember that this is more than just reading; it’s about transformation and empowerment. It’s about taking actionable steps towards a life vibrantly led by the Spirit. Thank you for trusting me to guide you through this journey. Let us step forward together into a deeper understanding and practice of living by the Spirit Wind.

Embark on this journey with an open heart, and may you find both enlightenment and practical strategies within these pages that resonate with your spiritual aspirations. Let’s continue our exploration together.

Chapter 1: The Compass Within

The sun had just begun its descent, casting long shadows across the narrow streets of the small coastal town. Maria walked slowly, her shoes scuffing against the cobblestones. The scent of saltwater mixed with the aroma of fresh bread from a nearby bakery. She clutched her worn leather bag closer, feeling the weight of decisions she needed to make.

Maria’s mind drifted back to earlier that morning when she’d knelt by her bedside, whispering prayers for guidance. Her grandmother used to say that the Holy Spirit was like a gentle breeze, always ready to steer you if you were willing to feel its touch. But today, Maria felt more like a ship adrift than one guided by any divine wind.

She stopped at a small café, its tables spilling out onto the street. The clinking of cups and low hum of conversations mingled with the distant cry of seagulls. Sitting down, she ordered a coffee and gazed out at the sea, its waves rhythmic and unending. She thought about Manuel, her fiancé, who wanted them to move to the city for better opportunities. Yet her heart tugged towards staying here where life was simple and familiar.

As she sipped her coffee, Maria recalled a recent conversation with Father Luis at church. He’d spoken about how sometimes the Holy Spirit’s guidance comes not as a clear voice but as an inner peace or restlessness. “When your spirit is uneasy,” he had said, “it might be because you’re ignoring what you know deep down is right.” His words echoed in her mind now as she watched children playing by the shore.

A gust of wind swept through the café’s terrace, rustling napkins and carrying away stray bits of conversation. Maria closed her eyes briefly and tried to listen—not just with her ears but with her heart—hoping for some sign or clarity amidst the chaos inside her head.

Suddenly, an old woman approached selling handmade trinkets. She reminded Maria of her grandmother with wrinkled hands and kind eyes that seemed to see right through her worries. As Maria purchased a small wooden cross from the woman’s basket, she wondered: Could this chance encounter be more than it seemed? Was it possible that even in this fleeting moment lay an answer waiting to be discovered?

Could it be that recognizing and responding to these subtle nudges was precisely how one learned to navigate life’s uncertainties?

Unlocking the Divine Compass Within

The Holy Spirit is more than an abstract concept; it functions as a dynamic guide, steering believers towards their spiritual destinations. This chapter delves into the profound role of the Holy Spirit as a divine compass, much like the wind guiding a ship. Unlike static guides, the Holy Spirit offers guidance that is both responsive and attuned to our circumstances and choices. This introductory chapter sets the stage for understanding how to live a life moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit.

The first key takeaway from this chapter is understanding the role of the Holy Spirit as a dynamic guide. Think of it not as a rigid map but as an ever-present companion, adjusting to your path and providing direction in real-time. This responsive nature makes it essential for believers to remain open and attentive to its promptings. The Holy Spirit’s guidance is not merely about avoiding pitfalls but about navigating toward spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Secondly, we will explore how the Holy Spirit can direct your decisions and spiritual journey. Many believers often find themselves at crossroads, unsure of which path aligns with their divine purpose. By tuning into the Holy Spirit, you can receive clarity and direction in making choices that resonate with your faith and values. Whether it’s career decisions, personal relationships, or moments of moral dilemma, the Holy Spirit offers insights that transcend human wisdom.

The third focus will be on recognizing and responding to the Holy Spirit’s guidance daily. It’s one thing to understand that guidance exists; it’s another to actively seek and follow it. Practical strategies will be shared on how to cultivate an awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence in everyday life. From daily prayer routines to mindfulness practices, these approaches help you stay connected and receptive to divine direction.

As we delve deeper into this book, we aim to address the lack of in-depth understanding about living a life governed by the Holy Spirit, as depicted in Romans Chapter 8. Many struggle with comprehending what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit practically. This book seeks to bridge that gap by providing clear, actionable insights into integrating this divine guidance into every facet of life.

By exploring Romans Chapter 8, readers will gain not only a theological understanding but also practical applications of living under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Apostle Paul emphasized that living according to the Spirit leads to life and peace—a stark contrast to living according to fleshly desires which lead to death. Our goal is to equip you with knowledge and spiritual tools necessary for this transformative way of life.

Living a Holy Spirit-led life involves surrender—a concept often fraught with confusion and uncertainty. Through this chapter and subsequent ones, we will break down what true surrender looks like without losing personal agency or feeling lost in ambiguity. Surrendering is about aligning your will with divine purposes, allowing yourself to be guided rather than controlled.

Ultimately, this chapter serves as both an introduction and a roadmap for those seeking a deeper connection with the Holy Spirit. By understanding its role as a dynamic guide, identifying ways it can direct your path, and learning how to recognize its presence daily, you are setting yourself up for a spiritually enriched journey that aligns closely with divine intent. This foundation will empower you throughout this book’s exploration of living as Spirit Wind People, moving harmoniously under the impulses of the Holy Spirit.

This journey promises not just knowledge but transformation—leading you toward a life characterized by spiritual depth, purpose, and peace.

Understanding the Holy Spirit as a Dynamic Guide

The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is often likened to that of a navigator in the vast ocean of existence. Just as a navigator provides direction, the Holy Spirit guides individuals through the complexities of life. This guidance is not static or rigid; it adapts and responds to the situations each person faces. The Holy Spirit’s role is crucial in helping believers make decisions that align with their faith and values.

Imagine you are sailing across an uncharted sea. Without a compass, your journey could quickly lead to confusion or even danger. Similarly, without the Holy Spirit, believers might find themselves lost in their spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit acts like an internal compass, pointing towards the north star of divine will. This metaphor helps us grasp how essential the Holy Spirit is in navigating life’s moral and spiritual challenges.

It is important to recognize that this guidance is highly personalized. What works for one individual may not be the same for another because everyone’s life journey is unique. The Holy Spirit understands these differences and tailors guidance to suit each person’s specific circumstances and spiritual maturity.

This personalized guidance encourages growth and development in faith. Believers are urged to remain sensitive to these divine prompts, which often come during moments of prayer or reflection. By tuning into this guidance, believers can make choices that foster spiritual growth and deeper connection with their faith community.

The Holy Spirit serves as a dynamic guide, offering tailored spiritual navigation for each believer’s unique journey.

Identifying Ways the Holy Spirit Directs Decisions

The influence of the Holy Spirit in decision-making can often be subtle yet profound. Believers might experience this as a sudden insight during prayer, an unexplainable peace about a particular decision, or even through advice that resonates deeply when shared by others in their community.

This influence extends beyond personal comfort or assurance; it involves steering believers toward actions that uphold spiritual truths and ethical integrity. For instance, when faced with moral dilemmas, believers may feel an inner conviction that guides them to act honorably and justly.

Consider the scenario where you must choose between two job offers. One position pays more but requires compromising on values you hold dear; the other pays less but aligns with your ethical beliefs. In such cases, believers might sense the Holy Spirit nudging them towards the choice that maintains their integrity, even if it seems less beneficial at surface level.

Engaging with scripture is another vital way through which the Holy Spirit directs decisions. Scriptures can often offer timely wisdom and clarity, acting as a mirror reflecting God’s will in various circumstances.

To deepen understanding of this divine direction, believers are encouraged to cultivate a regular prayer life and engage actively with their faith community. These practices help maintain an open heart and mind, which are essential for discerning the Holy Spirit’s guidance accurately.

What might change if you viewed every decision as an opportunity to experience divine guidance?

Recognizing and Responding to Daily Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Recognizing the guidance of the Holy Spirit involves developing a heightened sense of spiritual sensitivity. This can be likened to tuning into a specific radio frequency where divine signals are broadcasted clearly amidst life’s noise.

Daily practices such as prayer, meditation on scriptures, and moments of quiet reflection contribute significantly to this spiritual attunement. Over time, these practices enhance one’s ability to perceive subtle promptings which might otherwise go unnoticed amidst daily routines.

Responding effectively to these promptings involves courage and trust. It requires acting on divine insights even when they contradict conventional wisdom or personal desires. For example, being led to forgive someone who has wronged you might seem difficult from a human standpoint but could be a clear directive from the Holy Spirit towards healing and freedom.

A practical step-by-step approach can aid in this process:

  1. Pause: Take time regularly to quiet your mind and listen.
  2. Perceive: Pay attention to feelings, thoughts, or scriptures that resonate during these times.
  3. Ponder: Consider what these promptings might mean practically.
  4. Proceed: Take actionable steps based on this understanding while maintaining openness for further guidance.

By consistently applying these steps, believers can more readily recognize when they are being guided by the Holy Spirit and respond appropriately.

The key learning objectives converge here: recognizing our dynamic guide in everyday decisions leads us into deeper communion with our spiritual selves through attentive discernment and active response—this is how we live guided by the Holy Spirit every day.

As we wrap up this first chapter, it’s vital to grasp the immense significance of recognizing the Holy Spirit as a dynamic guide in your life. The Holy Spirit isn’t a passive observer but an active participant, constantly steering and guiding you through the complexities of your spiritual journey. By understanding this role, you unlock a profound resource that offers wisdom, direction, and comfort in every situation.

Identifying how the Holy Spirit directs your decisions is not just beneficial—it’s transformative. This divine guidance empowers you to make choices aligned with higher purposes and deeper truths. Embracing this can lead to more meaningful experiences and a heightened sense of purpose in your daily life.

Moreover, learning to recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit’s guidance daily is a practice that can enrich every aspect of your existence. It’s about being attuned to subtle prompts and bold directives alike, ensuring that you remain on a path that is both fulfilling and divinely orchestrated. This practice fosters a closer relationship with the divine and cultivates a life marked by peace, clarity, and purposeful action.

Looking Ahead

As you journey through this book, you’ll delve deeper into these themes and discover even more ways to harness the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Each chapter builds on these foundational insights, offering practical advice, inspiring stories, and actionable steps to help you become more attuned to this divine compass.

You’ll explore how others have experienced transformative guidance from the Holy Spirit and learn strategies for overcoming obstacles that may impede your spiritual growth. The chapters ahead are designed to equip you with tools and wisdom that will empower you to live a life moved by divine impulses.

Embrace the Journey

Get ready for an exciting adventure! The pages that follow promise not just knowledge but transformation. By fully engaging with the content, you’ll find yourself increasingly aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance in your daily life. This awareness will lead to decisions imbued with wisdom, actions driven by love, and a heart open to divine inspiration.

Stay engaged, stay curious, and most importantly, stay open. The journey ahead holds incredible potential for growth and discovery. Embrace it wholeheartedly, knowing that you’re being guided every step of the way by an unfailing divine presence.

Let this be just the beginning of an exhilarating exploration into what it truly means to be moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. Your spiritual adventure awaits!

~Dr. Russell Welch

Chapter Two will be released on Tuesday, June June 11, 2024

The Re-Birth of the New Covenant People

Posted: May 21, 2024 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Prophetic, Remnant, teaching
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
0

Spirit-Wind People – Dr. Russell Welch

A Spirit-Wind People according to John 3:8 and Romans 8:14

As Spirit-Wind People, we embrace the divine transformation ignited by God’s breath of life, aligning our lives with the Spirit’s guidance according to John 3:8 and Romans 8:14. Through spiritual rebirth, we experience inner renewal and a profound connection with the unseen yet powerful wind of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit-led living empowers us to live in alignment with God’s purposes and impact the world for His glory.

Key Takeaways

  • We embrace the divine transformation ignited by God’s breath of life.
  • Through spiritual rebirth, we experience inner renewal and a connection with the Holy Spirit.
  • Spirit-led living empowers us to align with God’s purposes and impact the world.
  • The concept of a Spirit-Wind People is rooted in John 3:8 and Romans 8:14.
  • Ongoing spiritual renewal is necessary for Spirit-filled living.

Embracing the Breath of God’s Spirit

As Spirit-Wind People, we wholeheartedly embrace the transformative power of God’s breath of life. Through spiritual rebirth, we experience a divine transformation that goes beyond mere outward change, penetrating the depths of our being. This process of inner renewal aligns us with the regeneration by the Spirit, as described in Romans 8:14 and John 3:8.

Divine Transformation through Spiritual Rebirth

When we are born of the Spirit, we become a new creation, no longer defined by the flesh but by the spirit-filled living that the Holy Spirit ignites within us. This divine transformation is not a superficial change, but a profound work of the Spirit that renews our hearts and minds, aligning us with God’s purposes for our lives.

The Wind of the Spirit: Powerful and Unseen

Like the wind, the Spirit of God moves in powerful yet unseen ways, guiding and empowering us to live as spirit-led people. We may not always comprehend the full extent of the Spirit’s work, but we can trust in His sovereign and divine direction, allowing ourselves to be carried by the wind-driven force of God’s breath of life.

The Essence of a Spirit-Wind People

At the heart of being a Spirit-Wind People is the understanding that we are a new creation, born of the Spirit. Our identity is no longer defined by the flesh, but by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us. Through the power of the wind-like Spirit, we have experienced a divine transformation that has stripped away our old nature and ushered in a profound regeneration by the Spirit.

Born of the Spirit: A New Creation

As Spirit-Wind People, we have been born of the Spirit, no longer shackled by the constraints of the flesh. Our spiritual rebirth has made us a new creation, empowered by the wind-driven God’s breath of life. We are no longer defined by the inner renewal of the world, but by the divine transformation that the Holy Spirit has wrought within us.

Living by the Spirit’s Leading

As we embrace our identity as Spirit-Wind People, we discover the freedom and power to fulfill God’s purposes and bear fruit for His Kingdom. By living by the Spirit’s leading, we are spirit-filled and spirit-led, empowered to navigate the challenges of life with the unseen, wind-driven force of the Holy Spirit. Our spirit-filled living becomes a testament to the transformative power of the regeneration by the Spirit.

A Spirit-Wind People according to John 3:8 and Romans 8:14

The concept of a Spirit-Wind People finds its roots in the biblical passages of John 3:8 and Romans 8:14. In John 3:8, Jesus speaks of the Spirit as the wind that blows where it wills, emphasizing the unpredictable yet powerful nature of the Holy Spirit. Similarly, Romans 8:14 declares that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God, affirming the Spirit’s central role in guiding and empowering believers.

As we embrace our identity as a Spirit-Wind People, we are called to walk in step with the divine wind of God’s breath of life, aligning our lives with the regeneration by the Spirit and the born of the Spirit experience. This spirit-filled living and spirit-led way of being empowers us to undergo divine transformation and experience inner renewal, becoming a people marked by the power of the wind-driven Spirit.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8

Our spiritual rebirth into this Spirit-Wind People is a testament to the God’s breath of life that breathes new life into us, empowering us to live in alignment with the leading of the Spirit and fulfill the purposes of God’s Kingdom. As we embrace this Spirit-Wind identity, we are transformed from the inside out, becoming a people who bear fruit for the glory of God.

The Necessity of Spiritual Renewal

As guidance, rather than succumbing to the dictates of the world or our own selfish inclinations.

Letting Go of the Flesh

Becoming a requires a willingness to let go of the flesh and its temporary pleasures. We must be and allow them to shape and refine us, rather than clinging to the passing fancies of the earthly realm. This spiritual is essential for us to experience the that aligns us with the calling to be led by the Spirit of God.

Embracing God’s Breath of Life

As we do, we open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit, embracing the that breathes new life into our souls. This empowers us to live in freedom, no longer bound by the limitations of the flesh, but empowered to walk in the fullness of the ‘s identity.

Walking in the Wind of the Spirit

As Spirit-Wind People, we are called to walk in the wind of the Spirit, attuned to His promptings and yielding to His guidance. This requires a deep sensitivity and responsiveness to the movements of the Holy Spirit, allowing ourselves to be led and empowered by the unseen yet powerful force of God’s Spirit.

By aligning our lives with the Spirit’s direction, we experience the fullness of the abundant life that Christ has promised. We must be ever vigilant, discerning the Spirit’s subtle whispers amidst the noise and distractions of the world, and boldly stepping out in faith to follow where He leads.

Sensitivity to the Spirit’s Promptings

Cultivating a sensitive heart and attunement to the Holy Spirit’s promptings is essential for Spirit-Wind living. We must learn to quiet our souls, to still the chatter of our minds, and to discern the gentle stirrings of God’s Spirit within us. As we become more attuned to the wind of the Spirit, we discover the profound joy of walking in step with the divine, being led and empowered by the very breath of the Almighty.

Yielding to the Spirit’s Guidance

Once we have sensitized our hearts to the Spirit’s promptings, the next step is to yield ourselves fully to His guidance. This requires an unwavering trust in the wisdom and leading of the Holy Spirit, even when His path seems to challenge our own desires or understanding. As we learn to submit our will to the Spirit’s direction, we unlock the transformative power of God’s Spirit to work in and through us, accomplishing His purposes in ways that far exceed our own limited vision.

The Power of Spirit-Filled Living

When we embrace the Spirit-Wind way of living, we tap into the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As , we are empowered to overcome obstacles and challenges that would otherwise overwhelm us. Through the Spirit’s empowerment, we find the strength and resilience to navigate life’s difficulties, no longer relying solely on our own finite resources.

Overcoming Obstacles through the Spirit

Our experience as Spirit-Wind-driven people, grants us the ability to face even the most daunting circumstances with unwavering faith and supernatural grace. By yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we discover innovative solutions and uncover hidden opportunities for growth. Our empowers us to persevere through trials, emerging stronger and more resolute in our commitment to.

Bearing Fruit for the Kingdom

As we surrender to the wind-driven force of the , we find ourselves bearing abundant for God’s Kingdom. Our lives become conduits of His love, grace, and redemptive purposes, impacting the world around us in profound and tangible ways. Through the power that flows within us, we are equipped to fulfill the divine calling placed upon our lives, bringing glory to the and who has transformed us from the inside out.

The journey of being a is one of extraordinary spiritual fruitfulness and impact. By embracing the transformation of the Holy Spirit, we discover the fullness of life that Christ has promised, and we become vessels through which His Kingdom advances in the world.

Cultivating a Spirit-Led Heart

At the core of being a spirit-wind people is the cultivation of a heart that is fully surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This involves a daily, intentional process of aligning our thoughts, desires, and actions with the spirit’s promptings, allowing Him to shape and guide us in all areas of our lives. As we cultivate this spirit-led heart, we experience the profound joy and fruitfulness that comes from walking in harmony with the divine wind of God’s breath of life.

Through regeneration by the Spirit, we are born of the Spirit, becoming a new creation in Christ. This spiritual rebirth empowers us to live according to the spirit’s leading, rather than the dictates of the flesh. As we yield to the Spirit’s guidance, we discover the freedom and power to fulfill God’s purposes, bearing spirit-filled living that glorifies His name.

Cultivating a spirit-led heart requires a deep sensitivity and responsiveness to the wind-driven movements of the Holy Spirit. We must be ever-attentive to the divine transformation He is working within us, allowing Him to renew our inner being and align our lives with His God’s breath of life. This spirit-filled way of living equips us to overcome obstacles, walk in the Spirit, and bear abundant fruit for the Kingdom.

As we cultivate a spirit-led heart, we discover the profound joy and purpose that comes from being a Spirit-Wind People, empowered by the unseen yet powerful wind of the Holy Spirit. Let us embrace this divine transformation and live in harmony with the Romans 8:14 and John 3:8 principles that define our identity as God’s spirit-filled and spirit-led people.

The Joys of Spirit-Wind Living

The journey of being a spirit-wind people is marked by the profound joys that come from walking in step with the Holy Spirit. We experience the liberating freedom found in Christ, no longer bound by the constraints of the flesh. Through our intimate connection with the divine, we are empowered to make a lasting impact on the world around us, fulfilling God’s purposes and bringing glory to His name.

Freedom in Christ

As Spirit-Wind People, we revel in the freedom that comes from being reborn in the Spirit. No longer shackled by the dictates of the flesh, we embrace the divine transformation that allows us to live in inner renewal and abundant life. This Spirit-led living liberates us to fulfill our God-given purpose without the burden of worldly constraints.

Intimacy with the Divine

Our spirit-filled journey is marked by a profound intimacy with the divine. As we cultivate a Spirit-led heart, we enter into a deep, wind-driven connection with the breath of God’s Spirit. This regeneration by the Spirit fuels an ever-deepening relationship with the unseen yet powerful Creator, empowering us to live in divine harmony with His will.

Impacting the World for God’s Glory

Ultimately, the joys of Spirit-Wind living compel us to make a lasting impact on the world around us. Filled with the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment, we become conduits of God’s love, grace, and redemptive purposes. Our lives become living testimonies to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, inspiring others to experience the same spiritual rebirth and wind-driven renewal.

Conclusion

As we embrace the calling to be a Spirit-Wind People, we commit ourselves to a life of deep spiritual rebirth and divine transformation, guided and empowered by the unseen yet mighty wind of the Holy Spirit. By aligning our lives with the Spirit’s leading, we discover the abundant joy, freedom, and purpose that comes from walking in harmony with the divine.

Let us continue to cultivate a Spirit-led heart, boldly living out our identity as a people ignited by God’s breath of life, and impacting the world for His glory. As we surrender ourselves to the regeneration by the Spirit and the wind-driven power of the Spirit-filled living, we will experience the fullness of inner renewal and the transformative impact of being a born of the Spirit community, according to the timeless truths found in John 3:8 and Romans 8:14.

May our journey as a Spirit-Wind People continue to inspire and empower us to live with unwavering spirit-led conviction, radiating the God’s breath of life to all those around us. Together, let us rise up as a people of the wind-driven Spirit, bringing divine transformation and impacting the world for His glory.

FAQ

What does it mean to be a “Spirit-Wind People” according to the Bible?

As a Spirit-Wind People, we embrace the divine transformation ignited by God’s breath of life, aligning our lives with the Spirit’s guidance according to John 3:8 and Romans 8:14. Through spiritual rebirth, we experience inner renewal and a profound connection with the unseen yet powerful wind of the Holy Spirit.

How does spiritual rebirth lead to divine transformation?

Through spiritual rebirth, we experience a divine transformation that goes beyond mere outward change, penetrating the depths of our being. This inner renewal empowers us to live in alignment with God’s will, as we are no longer defined by the flesh, but by the transformative work of the Holy Spirit within us.

What does it mean to live by the Spirit’s leading as a Spirit-Wind People?

As we live by the Spirit’s leading, we discover the freedom and power to fulfill God’s purposes, bearing fruit for His Kingdom. This involves a continual process of letting go of the flesh and embracing the life-giving breath of God’s Spirit, allowing ourselves to be empowered and guided by the unseen yet mighty wind of the Holy Spirit.

How can we cultivate a Spirit-led heart?

Cultivating a Spirit-led heart is a daily, intentional process of aligning our thoughts, desires, and actions with the Spirit’s promptings. This requires a deep sensitivity and responsiveness to the movements of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to shape and guide us in all areas of our lives.

What are the joys of being a Spirit-Wind People?

The journey of being a Spirit-Wind People is marked by the profound joys of experiencing the liberating freedom found in Christ, the intimate connection with the divine, and the empowerment to make a lasting impact on the world around us, fulfilling God’s purposes and bringing glory to His name.

~Russ Welch, A.K.A. WindWalker

Remnant Warrior Ministries

Remnant Warrior Ministries YouTube Channel

Homecoming – A Dive into the World of ‘God’s Wind Walkers 2′

Posted: April 24, 2024 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, Remnant, Spiritual warfare, teaching
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Hello everyone,

I wanted to invite you to read the intro to my new book “God’s Wind Walkers 2: Stepping into Your Divine Destiny with Holy Spirit”

Preface

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” – Søren Kierkegaard

In the midst of an era where the clamor and chaos of daily life often drown out the whisperings of spiritual wisdom, “God’s Wind Walkers 2: Stepping into Your Divine Destiny with Holy Spirit” emerges as a beacon of hope and guidance. At its heart, this book is a clarion call to those yearning to live a life led not by the fleeting desires of humanity but by the eternal guidance of Holy Spirit.

Crafted from years of pastoral experience, personal journeying, and countless stories of transformation, my inspiration to write this book was born out of witnessing the profound struggles and subsequent victories of individuals stepping into their divine destiny.

As a pastor and servant of the Kingdom, I have had the privilege to walk alongside many who have faced the precipice of indecision – torn between the world’s chorus and the gentle yet unwavering call of the Spirit. Their journeys, fraught with challenges, yet ultimately triumphant, illustrate the transformative power of surrender to God’s direction.

This narrative captures not only the essence of living a Spirit-led life but delves into practical wisdom on how to discern, embrace, and act upon divine guidance. It is a manual for those who find themselves at crossroads, seeking not the path of least resistance but the route marked out by the divine for their lives.

Through these pages, readers will discover strategies to break free from the entanglements of fear, doubt, and confusion that often hinder our spiritual walk.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the countless individuals whose lives and stories have enriched the tapestry of this book. Special appreciation goes out to my faithful congregation at Highway to Heaven Church, my global family nurtured through the Rushing Mighty Wind School of Ministry, and the many mentors who have shaped my journey. Your experiences, shared in vulnerability and trust, have been indispensable in illustrating the profound impact of living by the Spirit.

To you, the reader, thank you for embarking on this journey with me. By choosing to explore the depths of this book, you are taking an audacious step toward unleashing the full potential of your divine destiny. I write not as one who has mastered this path but as a fellow traveler, eager to share the insights gathered from a life dedicated to following God’s winds.

This book speaks to those who identify deeply with their Christian faith yet feel an aching void for something more profound in their spiritual journey. It is for those who stand at the threshold of decision, wrestling with the tension between the promises of scripture and the practicalities of daily living. There are no prerequisites here, other than an open heart and a willingness to be led by Holy Spirit, even into the unknown.

As you turn these pages, I invite you to do so with expectation and an open heart. My prayer is that by the end, you will not only be informed but transformed; not just reading about the ways of the Spirit, but walking in them. Thank you for your trust and may your journey through “God’s Wind Walkers 2” be one of discovery, empowerment, and profound alignment with your divine destiny.

Continue reading, for the winds of divine direction beckon, ready to transform your life immediately as you surrender, without fear of losing your way.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It was a fun journey with the company of Holy Spirit writing the pages of this new work and from the start, this book was created with a vision to take readers to a world where they can view life through a spiritual lens, make peace with uncertainties, and cultivate the ‘surrender’ to God’s will. This is not about religion. Instead, it’s about unraveling the mystery that binds us all in the cosmos and developing a profound connection with the divinity within us.

In this journey, what I aim to draw the readers towards is not a destination, but a way of experiencing life. A mode of existence that brings forth love, faith, patience, resilience, and ultimate surrender to life’s wind that gently yet irresistibly propels us toward our individual spiritual awakenings.

Many enjoyed the first Wind Walkers book I wrote, so as I launch ‘God’s Wind Walkers 2′, I invite you to step in the continued journey with me, to see the world and its panoramic landscapes through the spiritual lens they offer. I believe that within these pages you will find yourself immersed in the richness of spiritual exploration, the wind guiding your path, and the immense love that binds us all together.

My prayer is that you the reader will join with others reading this book in this journey of faith. Holy Spirit is inviting you to be part of the expedition that transcends geographical boundaries, cultural divides, and even the limitations of temporal existence. Welcome to the world of ‘God’s Wind Walkers 2’.

Remember, the wind is supposed to blow. It is supposed to be fierce sometimes. But in the end, it’s God’s wind, and we are merely walkers.

Yours in spirit,
Dr. Russell Welch.

Here is the Link to purchase Wind Walker’s 2 from Amazon

Holy Spirit who?

Posted: July 1, 2021 in disciples life, Kingdom Teaching, wilderness
Tags: , , ,
0

But God now unveils these profound realities to us by the Spirit. Yes, he has revealed to us his inmost heart and deepest mysteries through the Holy Spirit, who constantly explores all things. After all, who can really see into a person’s heart and know his hidden impulses except for that person’s spirit? So it is with God. His thoughts and secrets are only fully understood by his Spirit, the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11, TPT)

I find it way to often when counseling people that they have no real relationship with Holy Spirit.

Now one needs but look out across the country to see the vacancy of Kingdom influeance. It is clearly evident that very few who call themselves followers of Jesus truly read & meditate on the Word and sadly even more evident that few engage in conversations with Holy Spirit.

How can you discern between your own hearts voice and that of the Father if you spend no time in conversation with Him?The majority of people that I meet who attend a “Church” are often very knowledgeable about the quotes of their favorite Pastor yet as to the actual words of Jesus, not so much other than the popular often quoted scriptures.

I find that many are far more reliant on getting answers from man then they are the spirit, and they wonder why they are not experiencing the abundant life.

The Father says in His Word: This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5)

Now for years I beleived that God would put a curse on me for this, because having not spent time in His Word with the very One who He sent to guide me into all spiritual truth, Holy Spirit I found myself sitting under bewitching religious doctrinal opinions of the nature of the Father which were totally false. He is not a judge sitting on bench, eager to pour His wrath out on all who didn’t follow His way.

This isn’t a threat from the Father, rather a warning that if you trust in man, you walk in a limited place of wisdom & blessing, whereas if you trust in Him you are walking in the realm of inexhaustible blessings.

Basically it would be like trusting the repairs of your vehicle to your neighbor who has spent his entire life putting mere models of cars together rather than entrusting it to a skilled and professional mechanic.

Holy Ghost has become my best friend, we talk constantly throughout the day, when I read the Bible or open a book, I invite Him to join with me, to highlight the truth as well as any error that may be written (yes that is including the translations of scripture).

Here is an often quoted scripture but rarely is it put to use by the pew warming crowds who go to participate in the favorite religious performance once or twice a week.

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

I personally have reached the place in my life where I am totally surrendered to the place of complete peace being at the mercy of the Lord’s guidance and provision. If He doesn’t give me wise advise, or show up and provide it could turn out to be a disaster, yet I have found that He is soever faithful in holding to His promises.

I will end with this eternal truth:

Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. (Proverbs 3:5-6, TPT)

Russ Welch, Director Beaches Rescue & Recovery Mission

Older Entries