BSSM Volunteer Worship Team Introduced
History of Redding Civic Auditorium and BSSM
1.5 million dollar deficit. The city was going to close it down. In 2010, Bethel approached the city of Redding to offer a solution - rent the Civic Auditorium for $6500/day. Bethel recently signed a lease through 2021.
Dan Farrely.
His story - born to an ex altar boy Irish father. He was an only child of older folks. Grew up in San Francisco. They were not connected to local church. In crisis they found God. His older brother (8 years old, passed away) when Dan was 4 years old. Local pastor loved on them and brought them to church in Daily City. Sister was born when is 3 years younger. God found him in a Good News Club. In 1969, 4-year old Dan accepted the Lord at the Good News Club at his home led by his mom's friend, Tanya. He went to his room in private to pray. Summer camp was a highlight. Campfire goose bumps when they sang worship. He became a camp counselor when he was a teenager. He was on a missions trip with Ray Larson to NY and saw David Wilkerson in ministry. They did skits and preached the Gospel. In came David Wilkerson who then would start preaching by saying, "I bind every foul spirit in the name of Jesus!" In the church in NY he felt a call to full-time career ministry. He believes every Christian is in full-time ministry. He felt called to career ministry. Went to Simpson university, then he went to Fuller seminary. John Wimber had just got kicked out of the school of missions by leaders of school of theology. C. Peter Wagner and Chuck Kraft invited John Wimber as a substitute teacher. Wagner's class on spiritual warfare was spooky. Two biggest populations on campus were AG Armenians and Presbyterian Calvinists - a guarantee for good discussion! He worked as a substitute teacher and lived in a 1905 roach infested apartment. He ate Top Raman and Trader Joe's 99 cent protein deals (Spam?) back when TJ's was super cheap.
Ray Larson invited him to Bethel to volunteer in youth ministry. Super fun time. In early 1990s prophet Iverna Thompkins sees a picture of dancing and banners in the front of the service. The 7 men in leadership all agreed this would happen only over "their dead body." They allowed one lady to dance in the back corner. Sometimes she would dance her way to the front and the men in maroon jackets would escort her back. Ray left due to sin and many others (300 of 2500) left because of religion and not knowing how to be loyal. Bill rebuked the leaders and said you pounced on Ray when he needed help and drove him out of town.
His parents were driving up to see him preach. His dad fell asleep at the wheel and his mother was killed. He also broke off a relationship. Danny silk was the youngest of the old guys. Danny was the oldest of the young guys. The board sat in on the interviews of senior leaders and when Bill Johnson was interviewed. Bill had just experienced Toronto Revival where people were stuck to the ground of the parking lot. Wendell McGown, known for prophetic anointing, asked to meet with Dan and wanted to pray for him after coming back from Toronto. Wendell believed in pushing people down to receive the anointing. He encountered the chicken dance and involuntary crunches.
Bill Johnson said in the interview, "I'm ruined for revival. We had revival in Weaverviole and went back to programs and the anointing lifted." Bill was hired and the Lord said, "go slowly." Dan thought, "that's not slow!"
People would finish a service at Bethel and Banning and the youth would go to the CMA Church of the risen King to pursue more into the night!
Church went from 1800 and went down to 800. Guest speakers would take their own offering and preach two hours long. Went from being the lamp stand Church to the laughing stock church. Bill reminded them that it was difficult for Mary to explain her pregnancy with "the angel story." Initial Unity is not required for the "lord to be in it." Look at Joseph and his dreams.
The manifest presence were impacting people with joyful laughter, and healing. Bills family loved him. He taught with integrity. Bill heard they were planning to stop supporting missionaries and Bill said no. Reason found its proper place: being led by faith.
Dan is worried about group think but the empower has no clothes on. When people prayed for him he didn't feel anything. Friends would say, "Dan come over here! There's a Holy Ghost Spout!" He went over and didn't feel anything. Dan came up with the the theory that
1) only those who had experimented with drugs felt the Holy Spirit [but many non-drug users had it]
2) he wasn't hungry enough. During the dry season if their lives they dug down and made a cistern. I did not dig out a cistern and that's why the Lord is passing me by. [but recent believers were impacted]
Bill taught this was a revival of tears of joy; tears of sorrow not required.
He was labeled "hard to receive" when people would lay hands on him and say "receive!" This a movement of grace, you don't have to manifest to be accepted.
He learned to sit down when he received prayer. He didn't have to worry about being pushed over or falling. When he sat down he could focus on receiving more.
He also gave up being the flesh police: "God" mmm "not God" mmm "she's needy" mmm "65% God." There's always a perfect God working with imperfect people. Some manifestations looked like epileptic seizures. He went up and asked, "are you okay? What was the Holy Spirit do my?"
18 months in Bethel when he had no manifestations. Don't sweat it! Just focus your affections on the Lord. Manifestations are not signs of maturity - they are just a way to encounter God.
Testimony:
Ryan shared he was saved 3 years ago. Heard the Lord to sell his house to fund the school. The house never sold. 1 week before school he had no money. 2 days before he came here from Ireland he had an interview with the embassy and was nervous bc he knew they would want to see money in the account. His interview was 10 seconds: "why do you want to go to bssm?" I want to experience more of God. The answer was, "well there you go!"
The next day someone comes to him with a check of 3000 Pounds. The next day another person offers another 2500 Pounds! Then a friend says I'd like to pay for your mortgage when you are at school
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