Westside Outreach

Deliverance and Salvation on the streets of Portland

2010-10-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

While on a treasure hunt I came up on a couple of guys in their late teens/early twenties. I failed at a word of knowledge but began a conversation with the two guys. I asked one of the guys if he ever had nightmares. He said that he often had nightmares about searching for his father and not being able to find him. He seemed grieved and went on to inform me how his father passed away. I asked if I could pray for him so that God would comfort him. He also told me how he was kicked out of his apartment and lost his job. So we prayed for both of these things and I asked if there was anything else I could do for him. He said quite sheepishly that he was really hungry and could use a bite to eat. I told him that I would be happy to buy him a meal and we went on our way to Carl’s Junior. As we walked we talked about his story. I asked questions and informed that I really wished we lived in the same town because I would have loved to be his friend. When we got to the Carl’s Junior I told him to get anything he wanted and to just let me bless him. He seemed like such a good kid and I just hated seeing his current circumstances. I next began an inquiry about these nightmares and he informed me of another nightmare he had frequently of two men who would chase him. This one immediately gave me red flags and I knew that these two men in the dreams were actually to spirits that had been tormenting him. I asked him if felt a pressure in his head. He admitted that he did and that it was two points in the back of his head. I asked him when the pressure and the nightmares started. He told me how as a 16 year old he was in San Francisco with a buddy and this bus full of people pulled up next to he and his friend. He said that something was weird about this group and that the guy offered he and his buddy a hit of acid which he accepted and began his trip. Things he reported started to get really weird. The man who offered these things began pulling out the souls of people in the group and was trying to pull he and his friend’s soul. He saw that his friend’s soul was being pulled out and ran and tackled him. They then took off running to get away from what he believed was a cult. The pieces were all put together for me. He had given himself to the influence of these spirits when he had taken the drugs. I said, “You know those two men who chase you in those dreams? Those things are two spirits who have been assigned to cause you trouble. If you’d like I know a man who has authority over those spirits and can make them leave. When He tells them to do something they have to do it. Would you like me to ask that man to make them leave?” He said yes. I told him to repeat after me. “Jesus, I’m sorry for giving myself over to the influence of these things. Would you make them go?” I then commanded those things to leave and never come back. After that I asked him how he felt. He said, “My hear just popped! The pressure is gone and I feel happier!” YEAH GOD!!!! I just love it! Thank you Jesus! I said, “Are you now ready to give your life to the One who made those things go. When you do He will give you an entirely new one! How does that sound?” He was ready and we prayed to have Jesus forgive him of all sins, give him a new life, and come live inside of him. It was truly amazing! He said that he felt totally different like he really was a new person with a new beginning! That is the power of Jesus! (Post by Michael Miller)

Saturday Outreach 9/25

2010-09-29T14:47:00.001-07:00

Vampires

A beautiful day on the waterfront – we started out at Pioneer square right in middle of where we did the summer square outreaches and prayed for the presence an atmosphere of heaven to continue increasing throughout the downtown area. From the square we walked down to waterfront and felt impressed to stop in certain spot on the walkway going through the park along the river. A few of us were standing there for awhile inviting the presence of God on those passing by on the walkway. Larry and I had been talking about him busking (street performances) with his guitar and I suddenly felt impressed to believe for a guitar for him to play – a few minutes later we began walking toward a designated meeting place in the park. As we passed a few girls sitting on the grass next to the walkway with a sign asking for help (escaping the “zombie apocalypse”) I stopped to chat with them the sign was tongue in cheek but somewhat indicative of their state of mind – they were dressed in typical Goth attire with a vampire motif (including real tooth extensions) seeking to get to Seattle for some reason. As we were speaking the one with the guitar mentioned (more than once) that she didn’t even play and I realized it was an answer to the prayer I’d prayed a few minutes earlier. I called Larry (one of our worship team musicians) over and volunteered him to play the guitar for them. As he started playing “I’m trading my sorrows” others of our team gathered around and began speaking and then praying and prophesying over the four girls. After this went on for 10-15 minutes their faces had begun to soften and tears were coming to their eyes as God’s love and goodness pierced their hearts and we left them knowing that the Father’s arms were open toward them and He was calling them to Himself.

Supernatural Physical Therapy

Later at the fountain by the Saturday Market I spotted a trendy looking 20 something with a sling/brace on his arm. I grabbed Riley and walked up to him and his girlfriend and I told him we were “shamelessly harassing” everyone we saw with casts, braces, crutches and the like to see if they would allow us to pray for them- for healing. I was little shocked when he responded very positively and Riley and I asked if he was in any pain he said that he’ d been in a accident and just had surgery on the shoulder and it was quite painful. After asking his permission we laid hands on his shoulder and prayed a brief prayer and then asked him to check it out – he remarked that he had immediately felt a refreshing sensation and then as he carefully began to move it – he and his girlfriend both agreed that his motion had improved although it was not completely healed. We prayed for him a couple more times he said that it continued to improve so we explained that we often saw progressive healings them exchanged phone numbers for future follow up. We also prayed for the girl who had just moved to Portland from the East coast and she wanted us to pray the God would help her stress of uncertainty of the transition time she is in.

Supernatural pain relief in the waiting room

2010-09-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

I (Riley) have a lot of dr appts & tests to check up on a diagnosis of lymphoma. That is leading to opportunities to pray for sick, because they’re always there of course. Today I prayed for an elderly gentleman who’d come in because he fell out of bed and was in great pain in his shoulder. He was waiting to see the doc for pills. I prayed for him, asked him to check it out. His face lit up in surprise – “That feels a lot better” . I had to jet to another appt, but within 2 minutes most of it was gone, and going in the right direction!

I go into my oncologist’s office. There is the receptionist who I prayed for 3 weeks ago for tendonitis/repetitive stress injury on her wrist & arm. I commented that the brace that she had been wearing was gone, and how was it now? Better, just a dull pain in the elbow. We went after it again, and she thought it was better.

These kind of encounters make dr’s appts so much better -R

God Encounters on the Streets of Portland

2010-09-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Wednesday September 1st 2010 (various Pioneer sq testimonies)

I prayed on Wed. night with a sweet girl of 19. She was willing right away to let me pray for a need: to get out of the shelter she is living in. She very politely told me she didn’t care for our music :) (I got the biggest kick out of that since for one I was playing some of it myself, and also: I had noticed her sitting there still enduring it for a good hour or so already! That encouraged me that the Lord really wanted her there so He could bless her in some way.) We talked at length about her life and some medical needs relating to psychological diagnoses she has received. She shared with me a long history of painful family situations. She decisively told me she was not interested in salvation near the beginning of our visit; then after we talked and prayed about our amazing loving Father and His good and perfect plan; she just as decisively told me she was ready to make Him Lord and trust Him to turn things around for her! We prayed the prayer of salvation together. She asked if she could take my # and entered it into her phone before we parted.

Prayed for people and reconnected with a young girl who lives on the street willingly. I don't know if we'll be doing more of this as we come into fall but I think what's cool is that we are building relationships with the people of downtown Portland. We just don't show up a few times then disappear. This young woman when I saw her I ran up to her and she embraced me and was so happy to see me. I think this is good...Us building relationships. I feel that the heart of Portland is in downtown and the more we connect with these people the more results we're going to see. Loving on them and letting them know that we love them as is just by our actions of love. Also, a common factor was I was approaching people that had already been approached by someone in our group. They thought everyone was so nice. Let's somehow continue to connect with the people of downtown Portland.
gave out 'cups of water' which I blessed. Prayed with and for many. One Christian lady asked for prayer for her job interview today, and also for healing of her migraine headache, which Jesus did.

Two young men, have been on my heart all day today, and still with me. One called Mike on his way to Alaska to look for a job. He wanted prayer for a job when he got there, and for safety in his travel to Alaska and a place to stay. He gladly took a bottle of water, and told me he was raised in a Christian home, but had fallen away, I prayed for all the things he specifically asked for and anything else the Lord gave me. He was thankful.
Another young man Jeff was just out of jail, He was now homeless and his belongings including his sleeping bag had been stolen. He had come from Washington to Oregon, and hoped to stay in Portland area. Michelle and I prayed for him, he also said he was raised in a Christian home. I gave him a little money to get a hamburger or something to eat.

Ryan Ward, and I were blessed to see a young man named Alejandro have all of the pain in his back leave. I later introduced him to Arlan and he got Born Again! He was from Columbia but has been here since 98'. Later on in the night I was talking to a man named Juan. He was from El Salvador. His English wasn't very good. When he was asked about pain in his body he affirmed that he had hip pain. We weren't communicating very well. I was thinking I wished I had an interpreter. Moments later I looked over and saw Alejandro and Ryan talking. I invited them over and told him what was going on and sure enough, Alejandro was able to communicate the healing prayer for Juan and the pain left!

on our way downtown, we felt we'd mainly minister to one or two people, maybe a couple. That is what happened--a Russian girl (has been here 2 years) whose dad was a pastor in Russia (Nadia) and her friend Vlad (also a believer) were sitting and enjoying the music, a ways downwind from the main area where we were gathered. She recognized Rose from a translation workshop she and Rose had both attended several years ago! Anyway, we prayed for them (after chatting). Both admitted they were "cooled off" in their relationship with God, and wanted to be back where they had been before. Micah A also came and joined in for their prayer time. Joseph got a word about "his heart" (Vlad's) which Vlad, after some hesitation, admitted having to do with a drinking problem of which he was very ashamed and felt very sinful that he sometimes falls into it. As he was prayed for, he "felt" a download of power and the presence of God. They MAY come to church

Later, going toward Smart Park, Joseph & Rose got to help out Rosanna D and another sister pray for BRUCE, an older homeless man, with an open heart. Also another wanderer, younger but very broken (also named BRUCE), who responded by sharing his life story and sobbing that he really wanted to be close to the Lord (had just lost his mother, who seemed a godly influence) yesterday.

Saturday August 28th (Dave Hess)

we were tired as it was the end of about 5 hours of ministering on the streets. we were ready to leave, waiting for the rest of our team to regroup, and God highlighted a young man sitting close to us. First the Lord revealed lower back pain, which was the open door I walked through. that was healed. then something on the left side of the head - God came and brought healing there (the effects of a recent seizure). Interestingly, he began to speak about the "peace" he was feeling after the Kingdom began to come. then it was problems in the feet - another word of knowledge. God healed his feet a two of us prayed.

what was happening? this young man was a new age mystic who himself was learning about "healing" and wanted to bring healing to people. Jesus Christ was not one of the options he was currently considering, and so I explained to him that his desire to see people 'healed' was a desire that God had put within him. I also said that it was on that afternoon that God wanted him to be clear about which method of healing really worked by sending us to him and seeing him healed of 4 different conditions. he agreed! he was so ready to take a step. I explained how he could invite the Living God to come and reside within him.

God showed us a number of other things prophetically about his life. numbers/emails were exchanged. he plans on joining the group in a few days. can't wait to hear about what happens.
as we spents a number of hours on the streets, a number of words of knowledge came that identified problems we didn't know. here's a summary of a few of those encounters.

- while standing on a corner, the Lord highlighted a man and showed me he had next and shoulder pain. I approached him, he had the problem and let me pray. God healed him. We pointed him gently to the Healer Himself.

- walking behind a couple of Iranian women, a word of knowledge indicated that one of them had back pain. we asked and one of them had the exact problem we described. they were really shocked by what was happening. I had one of the women in our group pray for her and she felt "power" come through her hands. the woman was healed instantly! her friend wanted to know what else we cold heal! a number was given and follow up will hopefully happen very soon.

- while waiting in a shop, I got two words of knowledge for a saleswoman. both were correct and she let me pray for her. pain in her neck and shoulder started to leave - she testified that it was "much better". however, it was the internal pain that God was more interested in healing. I pointed her to the Healer Himself.

in short, over a 2 day period, with teams on the streets, we saw a large number of people healed after words of knowledge revealed the pains/problems of the strangers we met. there of course were many words that didn't seem to be accurate, but often those still led to opportunities to pray for other pain. just one of God's tools to express His love.

Sunday August 29th (Dave Hess)

broken thumbs and hand collide with God's Kingdom
while out on the streets, we had the opportunity to minister to several with broken bones. one young man had a broken hand. as we again asked who needed a miracle, we were able to pray for him and most of the pain left his hand. another young man suffering from the effects of two broken thumbs (which he couldn't bend) was surprised when another teenager who was with us, prayed for his thumbs and all movement was restored.

Christ the HEALER in their midst drawing this group of runaways to Himself. just watching His Love poured out through a demonstration of His power left us all so grateful.

Sunday August 29th (Dave Hess)

Buddhist healed & heroin addict encounter
With a group of young people joining me who were hungry to see God's power released on the streets, we approached a 'rough looking' group of youth and asked if they needed a miracle. one girl, who professed being a Buddhist, had an ankle injury that was painful. Full of skepticism, she humored us and let one of the teenage guys with me pray for her. When all the pain left, it was interesting to hear the language she used to express her shock and awe at what just happened (using multiple times a word beginning with "F"!).
Next to her a young man seemed to want or need something but was hesitant. Once a couple of the "scoffers" left, he opened up that he had wandered away from Christ and had become a heroin addict. he wanted to be free. i tried to set up a time for him to come and get some ministry in a more conductive setting (i didn't want to simply pray a quick prayer). However, he challenged me. he basically wanted to know if God could come 5 minutes earlier and completely heal his Buddhist friend, why couldn't me also release His power and deliver him?! Out of the mouth of babes! I began to pray and release God's Kingdom and then he just began to cry. I had specifically released God's love into him and he said it was when I did that, then he began to feel something happening.

Feb 13th Treasure Hunt Report

2010-02-18T16:37:00.000-08:00

I Hope you all made it to Sunday evening service this week to here the testimonies from last Saturday's treasure hunts. The real short recap is as follows:

• Ministered to a homeless prodigal – a fairly young man had been involved in a Vineyard in California (Anaheim I think) some years ago and still attends church occasionally.
• The Lord gave a word of knowledge about Hepatitis and knee problems that led to another man who had lost everything -- job, career, family and hope who also had knee problems and Hepatitis A and C
• Our treasure map including clues about --a Mall, red/blue pens, a woman with red hair, pain, and a back injury –led us to the pen store and Pioneer place mall where we found a woman with red hair with back pain (caused by an injury from slipping on ice this winter). The woman declined our offer to pray for her.
• Prayed for a mall store sales women’s boyfriend who had a severe back problems.
• Prayed for a woman’s brother who had a unusual spreading infection, and then prayed and prophesied over her and her store on the waterfront.
• Ministered to a young man on the waterfront who was visibly drunk as indicated by a treasure map clue.
• Ministered on Sunday night to a church member who matched a specific treasure map clues we didn’t find on Saturday.

Thanks those who came out and those who prayed or have been praying about the outreach ministry. I will be in Indonesia for the next three weeks but plan to do an outreach or prayer day on Saturday the 20th of March. Look for details in upcoming bulletins.

Treasure Hunt this Saturday

2010-02-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited about the Treasure Hunt coming up this Saturday. Last night a brother from the House of Prayer in Corvalis came to Homegroup and saw two angles litteraly going in front of me to prepare the way and said he felt the Lord had said something specific about that to me. And in fact just last week the Lord gave me Micah 2:13 -- "One who breaks open the way will go out before them". The Lord Himself has promised to be with us and His mighty angels will be preparing the way. God takes this a lot more seriously than we probably realize. He's been planning it for Eons.

Saturday Prophetic Prayer Outreach

2010-02-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

We had a great time.