Unashamed
Wildfire thanks Joann Percival, of House of Worship, for writing this edition of Fuel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Romans 1:16 KJV
Dear Wildfire Mission Leaders,
As I write this letter, I am reminded of the first time I heard the voice of the Lord call me to ministry. The year was 1996, and I got locked up in a tiny jail cell. On the third day, I stumbled across a newsletter from an African man, I’m not even sure what country or tribe he came from. As I read his story, I was wowed by what was written. It said that he was asked to denounce Jesus as his Lord and savior. The next day he was found beheaded, with this letter next to him:
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished with low-living, sight-walking, small-planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labor by power.
My pace is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way - rough. My companions - few. My guide is reliable and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give ’til I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.
This is the kind of creed for those of us who have found our spiritual feet, and have chosen to walk in this spiritual warfare.
May this letter spark a fire inside you - like it did in me 1996 - that may never be put out…
Thank you,
JOANN PERCIVAL
RESOURCE: The Forge
If you are local to the greater San Antonio area, Wildfire offers quarterly trainings designed to strengthen, shape, and connect missional community leaders. The next one is “Unlocking the Power of Collaboration” Saturday, February 25th, from 9am-12:30pm. REGISTER HERE