Why Influencers?
Brian Craig is the new executive Director of Influencers. Influencers is a Christian mission organization that started 16 years ago in Arkansas. It started as a fellowship of executives and workers from companies in western Arkansas including Tyson foods, Walmart, and Hunt-Wesson. Rocky Fleming had a heart for fellowship but did not see fruit and increase in men’s lives. God revealed to Rocky, “you need to connect men’s hearts with my heart.” We’re all nodes in the network of God’s fishing net as he has made us “fishers of men.” God is raising up men in distant places who will stand up under the pressure of this world to be men of God… faithful men who will rise to the occasion for such a time as this. Influencers is not an organization but an organism whose DNA is Christ in us the Hope of Glory, whose identity is in him.
Rocky’s question to God was “how do I become the man you want me to be?” God answered, “you need to abide in me.” For apart from me you will not bear fruit. Outside of my presence you think you’re following me but unless you surrender yourself and abide with me and within me through personal abandonment and absolute trust, you’ll never be the man you knew to be. God will remake us only after we have been broken through trials and tribulation when we surrender to him totally and absolutely. We cannot be a disciple until we make disciples… that which thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also. You teach what you know but you reproduce who you are. Biblical transformation in a man’s life comes only by close proximity with Jesus Christ. The organism is the body of Christ… in whom the whole body fitly framed together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working of every part unto the edifying of itself in love.
Brian’s message
Many men find their purpose in their work. However, what is the real purpose and meaning of life? Most men are “refugees” upon the road of life. In moments of introspection as we reflect about our lives: our families including our wives, our sons and daughters; our work and our possessions, one question emerges: “what really matters as I’m living this ‘American dream?’ Why do I do what I do and for what purpose am I living? Why are some men in the crowd a little different? They seem to have a peace and a genuine caring about me. These guys are refreshing to be around instead of the guys at work who are concerned only about money, success, and pleasure. Where can I find real fulfillment in this life? I’m a refugee in this life looking to be rescued. Even though I look successful on the outside, I’m really desperate inside to find something meaningful.
There is a process for changing men’s lives and rescuing them form the bondage of this world. Influencers is designed to bring men into proximity with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We’re here to pick up other men so that they can become self-feeders on the true word of life… so that they can develop a hunger and thirst after righteousness… so that they can press toward the mark of the hight calling of God in Christ Jesus. Influencers and the Journey groups are ways to connect men’s hearts with God’s heart. The Journey Groups are a process to transform men’s lives… According to Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service of worship. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Influencers is a ministry that enables men to draw closer to God as they draw closer to one another. According to 1 John 1:3-4, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship iswith the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
May God richly bless you as we Influence one another to press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus along the Journey of this life which our Lord has foreordained that we should walk us as his disciples.
Your brother in Christ,
Michael