50 State Tour
Alabama Statewide
Gathering
Very Brief
Overview
July 22nd-23rd, 2003
The 50 State
Tour
Dutch Sheets and Chuck
Pierce, both national leaders and mobilizers, sensed very strongly the direction
of the LORD this year to pursue a 50 State Tour together for the purpose of
identifying, mobilizing, joining, and aligning leadership, intercessors, and the
Body of Christ across each state. In addition they strongly believe this to be a
defining year for this nation. The expression of this gathering has varied
state-to-state, and is often unique based on the distinct hindrances and
giftings of the particular state in relation to divine calling. The Alabama
gathering was extended to also host other national leaders including Jim Goll,
and Dr. Negiel Bigpond (a Yuchi chieftain of the Creek Nation and Native
American apostolic leader from Oklahoma, whose roots are in Alabama).
Alabama – Discerning the
Possibility
In order to remind and inform us of the heritage and
legacy this state carries, one of shame, yet also one of great promise and
potential the following brief summaries were provided.
Vision of Ezekiel
It was
evident the LORD was connecting, joining, and aligning His people in a unique
way – as in the vision of Ezekiel, bone joining to bone (individually, within
cities, and within the state), breath and life being released, and a great army
being mobilized among God’s people (Ezek 37:1-10). The diversity included
leaders, intercessors, and congregations from across the state of Alabama -
every race, every geographic area, every area of ministry and gifting, every
denomination, even church leaders and state leaders (Chief Justice of the
Alabama Supreme Court, Judge Roy Moore was with us Tues PM). It included civil
rights leaders from Selma, and Native American leaders from Oklahoma, all
gathering to pray and seek God's face regarding the state of Alabama -- much was
accomplished, and much is before us. It was evident the LORD was pleased with
the gathering of His saints in that special time for such a purpose.
Some Recurring Themes or Thoughts ...
Justice and Injustice
A
recurring theme throughout the two days, which was the LORD’s doing and not
planned or intended, was regarding justice and
injustice. Whether subjects of the primary speakers (all four
of which ended up here), words of prophesy or exhortation, several things became
very clear:
1) It is the
LORD’s desire to redeem the reproach of the past in the state of
Alabama.
2) It is the LORD’s desire, because of the reproach of the past,
to usher in Justice to this nation through Alabama and the Deep South, for by
this He will receive the greatest glory.
3) The injustice and atrocities of
the past will actually become fuel to the fire the LORD kindles to usher in
this Justice to our nation (Jud 6-7). Also, what has been a barrier will
become a bridge.
In reflection, there was significant statements
through the joining together of three leaders representing the three
peoples/nations/races between whom the greatest injustice and atrocity has
occurred in Alabama (White/European-American, African-American, Native
American). In addition, there was reconciliation between Arab and Israeli
believers present, and prayer for both Israel and the Arab nations (between whom
the contention reaches back to Genesis).
Covenant at Gilgal
It
is the LORD’s desire to establish and demonstrate Covenant in a powerful way
through the state of Alabama – both with God, with one another, and with the
Land. Alabama is like Israel at Gilgal, being circumcised again
(the sign of covenant), and at Gilgal the “reproach of the past
would be rolled away” (Josh 5).
The Gate Beautiful
Alabama and the Gate Beautiful came up repeatedly through the two days
without much further comments (Alabama sometimes called, “the beautiful”). In
reflection, this was the Gate to the temple where the lame man
was made to walk, and where Peter gave “such as I have” (Acts
3). It may be significant beauty in scripture is most often
associated with holiness, and there is a relation between these
things and Hephzibah(wife of Hezekiah)/Beulah (Isaiah 62).
Brief Chronological Record ...
Protocol and Honor
The
National leadership/ministry present was welcomed and given an
open door on behalf of the Alabama host and state-level pastoral and ministry
leadership present. Desiring to honor the Native American
leadership/ministry leaders present (both from Oklahoma and Alabama),
there was an exchange of gifts in the Native tradition to welcome, acknowledge,
and honor the Native nations as the host people of this land. The gifts to the
Native leaders were hand made clay crafts – fashioned from natural Alabama clay
from Wetumpka out of the Coosa River, right by Fort Toulouse (a well-known site
from which unjust decisions were made by governmental authorities regarding the
Native American nations and their forced removal). They were given of the Land
of Alabama as rightful and legal stewards of this Land in God’s sight (for there
was not a legal transaction that gave us ownership as in other areas, but rather
a forced removal to Indian Territories west of the Mississippi).
Righteous Judges and the
Courts
Representation of righteous judges from
past and present generations had a unique role
– judges who have stood for what is right at great personal cost and sacrifice.
John Horton represented judges of former generations -- his grandfather, Judge
James Horton, presided during the infamous Scottsboro Boys
trial (in Decatur). This was one of three landmark American trials in our
nation’s history which in the early 30’s exposed the racism and bigotry of the
Deep South internationally, led to two Supreme Court decisions,
and paved the way for the Civil Rights movement. When 9 young black men were
wrongly condemned to death, Judge Horton knowing the verdict was unjust,
overturned it, declaring a mistrial, costing him his political career.
Judge Roy Moore, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court,
representing judges standing for righteousness in this generation, delivered a
profound discourse on the course of our nation, our heritage, and the present
judicial crisis (Isaiah 1:26-27, Micah 6:8, Amos 5:24).
A Cry for Justice and a Call to Stand
The RAIN – The
REIGN
Worship shifted to, “Let it Rain,” just before Dutch
Sheets spoke, who was very greatly encouraged by the witness as the LORD has
spoken to Him regarding Alabama, “I want to RAIN in Alabama.” and then afterward
also, “I want to REIGN in Alabama.” The summary being for Alabama (1 Kings
18, and Judges 6-7):
1) As with
Elijah, “I hear the sound of the abundance of rain.”
2) As with Elijah, there must be
confrontation with the reproach of the
past.
3) As with Elijah, that
Alabama is a WOMB of the nation, and the rain must be
birthed.
4) As with Elijah, in reaching
this place there must be a rebuilding of the altar of the
LORD.
5) As with Gideon, there is a
tearing down of the old altars (of Baal/Asherah = Remnant of Past
Injustice).
6) As with Gideon, the wood
of the Asherah/Idolatry will be the fuel for the fire of the LORD’s altar and a
true offering.
Special note: In the week that followed this
meeting, Mary Fagan shared how a young three year old boy knowing nothing of
these things, looked up and said on a perfectly clear and beautiful day, “It’s
going to rain ON ALABAMA. It’s dirty right now, but it’s going to rain.” –
Hallelujah, Out of the mouth of babes! (Ps 8:2)
Hezekiah and
Nehushtan
An admonition came regarding “nehushtan,” the brazen
serpent lifted up in the wilderness by the direction of the LORD in the days of
Moses that became an idol to which was offered incense. The summary being for
Alabama (2 Kings 18):
1) Beware of this,
especially in the bible belt, true worship exchanged for mere religious form and
appearance.
2) As with Hezekiah,
Alabama is intended to be more than a
forerunner, but more specifically a
REFORMER.
3) Worship
would be a key part of the strategy at sites of injustice (38 in particular
through Alabama).
4) As with Hezekiah, as
a reformer, Alabama would be given a
voice.
5) Beware not to stop
short or allow this to be aborted – don’t start strong and not finish well
(remember Gideon and his ephod).
State-Level Round
Table
In association with this gathering was also be a meeting
of twenty-four leaders from around the state of Alabama
representing diverse ministry focus, ethnic background, geographic area, and
streams within the Body of Christ to help discern the spiritual landscape of our
state so we may better understand where we are, and where we must go. It was a
time that allowed a glimpse into some of the unique gifts in the state, helped
build relationship between ministries and city leaders, and enabled us to begin
to question how can we come along side one another ministry-to-ministry,
gifting-to-gifting, and city-to-city to see God’s heart concerning the state of
Alabama fulfilled.
Judicial
Intercession
The LORD had specifically put upon Jim’s heart
(without knowing anything else about the two days) the words, “judicial
intercession,” relating to pleading a case or cause
whether with God or man (Isa 43:26). The ministry of Obadiah (1
Kings 18) was emphasized in faithful unseen service, hiding and ministering to
the prophets, to protect and keep the word of the LORD from being cut off in
those days. An encouragement came to not despise the hidden place and secret
place where the LORD is doing His work whether in or through you, whether seen
or unseen. It is the LORD’s way in bringing to birth what is seen by others as
“sudden”.
Gates of Justice in the
South
The LORD had specifically put upon Dr. Bigpond’s heart
(without knowing anything else about the two days) a very strong sense that that
the Gates by which God would desire to usher in
Justice to the nation were in Alabama and the
Deep South. There was a strong exhortation and challenge to understand
authority and ranking, especially in the area
of responsibility and calling (whether in gifting, geography, or otherwise) in
relation to these things, and to determine the “rules of engagement.” It is
significant that this vision (of ancient Gates of Justice, here to be opened in
Alabama) was committed to a Native American whose people were forcibly removed
from this land, and against whom such great injustice was committed. The LORD
knit hearts together as he expressed to us, “Ninzo De Tah Yute” … “you are like
a river to me, and without you I could not exist” (Yuchi tounge - of the Creek
nation - and from this area).
Links and Other
Details ...
