Our Call to Influence
The question is, if we could never meet again, would it make a difference in your family, your neighborhood, your church? If we closed our doors today, would it make a difference in your culture and your community? If the Holy Spirit left a lot of churches, would anyone notice? We have been called to influence others for Christ and to make a difference. God has called us as his ambassadors…to be on duty at our post in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation until the Lord releases us from our call of duty.
Do we go to church just to fellowship with those of like minded faith? God has called us to be good to one another, especially those of the household of faith. However, he has also called us to shine as lights in a world of darkness.
Influencers Men’s Ministry doesn’t do fund raising events because that hasn’t been God’s direction. Our prayer is, “God give me that which is my portion.” According to Proverbs 30:8-9, Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Influencers is like any other mission organization funded by the gifts of those who have been transformed… by men who because of this ministry have allowed God to help himself to their lives. Men’s lives are transformed by fellowship with other men who have decided to live in close proximity with Jesus Christ. Therefore, trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path. Those who come to Christ must come to him with total abandonment and absolute trust. Jesus Christ died in our stead even while we were yet sinners. For he who knew no sin was made the perfect sin sacrifice on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
Without Christ, we cannot understand why bad things happen to good people. However, in the presence of Christ, the eyes of our understanding are enlightened that we may understand that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.
Every local Influencers group is self funded by to those who have purposed in their hearts to give cheerfully from a heart of gratitude. Influencers was started in Arkansas by Rocky Fleming who had a large group of men meeting regularly. However, Rocky came to understand that men in order to grow needed to abide in proximity with Jesus Christ.
Memphis Tennessee, Tulsa Oklahoma, Bakersfield, Fresno, Lancaster, Pismo Beach, Valencia are places where men have risen up to start local Influencers groups. In Orange County, Influencers has been going for 24 years. La Cresentia, Long Beach, Garden Grove, Pasadena, and Beaumont are other communities where men gather to influence one another to allow God to work within their lives to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Rock of Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other countries in Africa are other areas where Influencers groups are thriving because of men who want an intimate relationship with Christ and one with another as a “band of brothers.”
There has never been a time where ministry to men has been more urgently needed. Ministering to men is training Christian soldiers to become the tip of the sword of the spirit, the Word of truth. It is training laborers for the harvest of God’s people…for the harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. Oswald Chambers wrote a book about spiritual leadership…where servant leaders are called to serve the Lord Christ from a heart of meekness, humility and love.
We’re a mission, faith based organization to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can come help himself to our lives. We make faith based and not fear based decisions. We exist at God’s pleasure to influence men of God to become just like Jesus Christ. Only 10% of churches have a ministry to men and most of the 90% of churches without a ministry to men are on the decline. The devil has sold most men a bill of goods that our Lord is a hard task master and that his love is contingent on our performance. On the contrary Jesus said, “come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
We can never out give God. Our prayer is that we may endeavor to give to missions to minister in various ways to God’s purposes. As we reach out to others, God says “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” We’re here to fan one another’s flame that we may set ourselves on fire that others may come from miles around to watch us burn. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven!”
May God richly bless you,
Your brother in Christ,
Michael