To subscribe or add a friend click Here     Kings In The Netherlands   The people - Harold and John (and wives) spent 8 days in the Netherlands releasing Kings in churches and conferences. We stayed in homes all but one night and found the Dutch to be delightful. They are industrious, likable, and hungry for God. I was amazed by the similarities in worship we found in the churches – they are excellent musicians and worshippers. That part of Europe was blessed by the renewal in the mid-90’s and many Dutch people were present in Toronto. Church attendance is only slightly below US levels at 35-45%.   The Spiritual Climate - There is a strong sense of longing for more and missing the visitation of the renewal 10 years ago. Like here, there are some very vibrant churches and people working hard to grow them “and” there is a contingent convinced the present course is stagnant if not declining. Harold did a masterful job of connecting theological roots in History with the present status of the church. We shared on the scriptural basis for pursuing your heart’s desire. It struck a powerful cord in God’s people. The spark was simply this, “Maybe Kings really can make a difference in our nation!” The Netherlands is the harbor of Europe. We felt that it was in God's strategy to use the Netherlands to export the message to other nations as well. We left our blessing to share the message of Releasing Kings as if it were there own (it is now).   The Networking - The Dutch translation of Releasing Kings was completed just in time for the first conference. Most of our primary contacts had read the English version, got ignited, and organized the trip for us. Cees Bakker and Lucas Vos invested their own time and money to Network with local churches and arrange conferences, church services, and brainstorming session. Harold was featured on the Cover of Charisma in the Netherlands and the results of a brainstorming session will be written up by Bram Flippo and published as a follow-up in Charisma. Lucas is already networking real estate investment opportunities with the goal of using a portion of the profits to spread the message.   What we learned - God's people need permission to dream and permission to pursue their hearts desire. I'm still Rethinking Discipleship (topic of a prior newsletter). We had some discussion regarding cell Churches. Although I see value in small groups built around families, I don't see the house church movement as the singular answer to the great commission. New believers are best discipled through the basics in a pastoral church setting (either cell or traditional) to a level of maturity where they seek their own ministry expression. It doesn't take forever! Graduation comes when we start to connect our heart's desire with the will of God and pursue the dream. Once that happens people gravitate more towards their calling than their pew. Please hear me, "Kings do attend a local church, it's just not their first loyalty anymore." That can be frustrating for pastors until they embrace the possibility of graduating disciples into ministry in the marketplace. There is a pastoral satisfaction from equipping the saints and then seeing them actually "do the work of the ministry" (Eph 4:11-12).   What Graduation Feels Like - Instead of just being a faithful servant, we start to embrace the father's heart to expand the Kingdom. We have a sense of knowing what's important to the Father. We feel His "Choosing" and "Appointment" specifically and uniquely. It feels different than being part of the crowd. We have opportunities to really bear fruit and make a difference (its a thrill to co-labor with the Father). We find a brand new authority in prayer - we actually get answers at a surprising level. We feel the Father's love for people we disciple, network, and work with. It's fun to help them succeed and see them graduate into their own dream. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. John 15:15-17   Blessings,   John & Harold          _____________________________________________________________________       Progress - Kingly Bio's are Up We've completed the first round of interviews with Kings.  These are real people that have been blessed by God in the Market Place and have hearts for ministry.  Check it out at http://www.releasing-kings.com/Interviewing-Kings.html.  If you have a success story, we'd like to post it by giving you a web page on our site.     Progress - A Teacher's Guide We've completed the first version of a study guide that targets those teaching the material in Releasing Kings.  It includes a page of notes on each chapter, all the graphics suitable to make overheads, and a PDF file of the book with the key points highlighted that includes marginal notes, comments, and questions.  This material is available for purchase on the teacher's guide page of the web. john@releasing-kings.com 509-308-6873     Friends Tell Friends Harold and I have both been hesitant to "market" this book... sounds self-serving.  Here's the "grassroots" reality.  God has given us a great tool to communicate a message that sets people free in an amazing, contagious, life-changing way.  If you haven't read it - get it.  If you have read it - give it.  http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html   We've gotten a ton of positive feedback on the newsletter too... get it, give it.  Reloading Seniors was powerful.  Pass the link on. http://www.releasing-kings.com/Newsletter.html   PS: don't forget to look at the free reports - show your pastor the article on marketplace ministry from the pastor's perspective.  You can simply email him this link or print a copy to give him. http://releasing-kings.com/pastors-perspective.html     ____________________________________________________________________ You can get your copy of Releasing Kings for Ministry in the Marketplace at 1-800-308-5837 (or) http://www.releasing-kings.com/Ordernow.html