|
Articles
Barbara Wentroble is gifted as a strong apostolic leader with a powerful
prophetic anointing. Her pioneering spirit is evident through her
apostolic prophetic teaching and impartation that releases God’s purposes.
Nations are significantly impacted as Barbara ministers to leaders and churches.
She travels extensively conducting leadership conferences with an emphasis on
releasing the prophetic and apostolic anointings in cities and regions.
With former pastoral experience alongside her husband Dale, Barbara has clarity
and understanding of the authority and functioning of the local church.
Barbara is the author of Prophetic Intercession (Renew Books), A
People of Destiny (Wagner Publications), You Are Anointed (Renew
Books) and a contributing author of Women’s Destiny Bible (Thomas
Nelson). Her book, God’s Purpose for Your Life (Renew Books) was
released in March 2002. Her books may be purchased from her websites
at www.wentroble.org and
www.internationalbreakthroughministries.org
Barbara is President and Founder of Wentroble Christian Ministries. She
is also the Founder of International Breakthrough Ministries (IBM), an apostolic
network of ministers and churches. Barbara is a member of the Apostolic
Council of Prophetic Elders and the International Coalition of Apostles.
Dr. Peter C. Wagner is the presiding apostle of these organizations. She
serves on the boards of several ministries including the Federation of
Ministries and Churches, an international, apostolic network for churches and
leaders. She and Dale serve as apostolic leaders of Glory of Zion Outreach
in Denton, Texas, where they are members.
Barbara is a registered nurse, has a BA from Christian Life School of Theology
and a Doctor of Practical Ministry from Wagner Leadership Institute.
Barbara and Dale have three adult children and 3 grandchildren
THE LORD'S TSUNAMI
by Barbara Wentroble
I watched as a small wave washed up on the shore and slowly receded.
Wave after wave continued to come ashore. Each wave was a little
higher than the previous one. Suddenly, I saw the largest wave I have ever
seen! As I watched, the wave came onto the land and circled the globe covering
the nations
"What am I seeing?"1 asked the Lord. He told me that each small wave
represented a move of His Holy Spirit. Each wave carried a measure of
revelation that was higher than the previous move. He then told me that a
move of His Spirit was coming that would be greater than all the previous moves
of His Spirit with a corresponding measure of revelation.
The tsunami of December 2004 reminded me of that vision. Scientists tell
us that a tsunami occurs when there is a shift in the plates of the earth.
The shift causes an undersea earthquake resulting in a tsunami.
Although the vision was given to me many years ago, it is as clear today as it
was then. Prior to the tsunami, a shift took place in the plates of the
earth. That natural shift represents a spiritual shift that is taking
place. Today is a time when the Lord is releasing great revelation
concerning His plans for the earth. Part of His plan involves the
partnership of men and women to impact the nations of the world.
God always planned for men and women to walk in partnership and fulfill His
purpose in the earth. The Bible teaches that both man and woman were
created in God's image. They both had a direct relationship with God.
Both shared together the responsibilities of bearing and rearing children and
having dominion over the created order. (Gen. 1:26-28).
Men and women were created for full and equal partnership. It was never
God's plan to have one gender rule over the other. Jesus always taught
that all believers are necessary and beneficial to the Body of Christ.
At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon men and women alike. Both were
given gifts without discrimination (Acts 2:1-21; 1 Cor. 12:7,11, 14:31).
Men and women are called by the Lord to develop and exercise those gifts as good
stewards of the grace of God.
Although this is the will of God, His will does not always get done. In
fact, some respected theologians and reformers throughout history have taught
contrary to these principles.
In one of his books, J. Lee Grady quotes Tertullian, a respected church father
who lived during the second century. Tertullian blamed the world's
problems on women. His opinions were modeled by many of the earliest
Christians. He said
You [women] are the devil's gateway; you are the unsealer of that [forbidden]
tree; you are the first deserter of the divine law; you are she who persecuted
him whom the devil was not vigilant enough to attack. You destroyed so
easily God's image, man. On account of your desert [i. e., punishment]
that is, death even the Son of God had to die.
Not only did theologians teach this doctrine but even "reformers" continued to
propagate this doctrine. Men like Martin Luther and John Calvin failed to
understand God's entire role for women. They saw women in only a
subservient role. Women, from their view, were in the earth to serve in
the home, have sexual relations with their husbands and bear children. How
sad that the oppression of women has been not only tolerated in the church but
has been taught as the will of God!
Jesus came to redeem women as well as men. Through faith in Christ, we all
become children of God. We are one in Christ, and share as heirs of the
blessings of salvation. In Christ, there are no distinctives with
reference to racial, social or gender bias (John 1:12-13; Rom. 8:14-17; 2 Cor
5:17; Gal. 3:26-28).
Walls of division between men and women are crumbling! During the 1980s, the
walls of Eastern Europe started falling in nation after nation. Today, the
walls that have kept men and women from walking in full partnership are
crumbling. Jesus came to tear down every dividing wall! For He Himself is
our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the
dividing wall (Eph. 2:14).
Oppression and cruelty toward women is crumbling. God is empowering a new
generation of men and women to walk side by side and press into every area of
life with great victory. A shift has taken place in the earth. A
tsunami of God's Spirit is crumbling every wall that keeps men and women from
fulfilling His purpose. Together, men and women are arising in partnership
to bring transformation in the nations of the earth!
|
