iphc-logo
Place of Hope. People of Promise.
  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism USA
  • World Missions
  • General Superintendent's Office
site logo
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • GSO Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Ministries
    • Archives & Research Center
      • Mission & Vision
      • The King Heritage House
    • Bishop’s Office
    • Clergy Development
      • IPHC Lilly Endowment Programs
    • Arise in Prayer
  • Financial Services
    • Extension Loan Fund
    • IPH Foundation
    • IPHC 403(b) Plan
    • IPHC Lilly Endowment Programs
  • Institutions
    • Advantage College
    • Emmanuel University
    • Holmes Bible College
    • Southwestern Christian University
  • Resources
    • Bishop’s Blog
    • Bishop’s Podcast
    • Forms
    • Council of Bishops Resources
    • Position Papers
    • IPHC Authors
    • Videos
  • News
Give
hero image
News

ARISE IN PRAYER: History and Hope

October 31, 2023 Kelleigh Knight-Whitten

Dr. Doug Small challenged the church to honor its history while understanding that change is needed moving forward.  

Dr. Doug Small speaking at the ARISE IN PRAYER Prayer Gathering in Falcon, NC, September 2023 

Luke 5:37-39, “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.” 

Using Luke’s record as a foundation, Dr. Small portrayed the need to balance the ‘old’ with the ‘new’. To accomplish this, we must be willing to let go of control and let the Holy Spirit lead the church. “We can’t reject the old for the new. We can’t afford that type of separation. We must celebrate our heritage while looking forward,” Dr. Small declared. 

He also artfully included another analogy. In 1998, the strength of Hurricane Mitch moved the Choluteca River in Honduras, leaving a bridge to nowhere. The bridge, like the church, has lost its purpose, believers must be willing to move where they can do the most good. 

Ponte Choluteca: a história da ponte mais famosa de Honduras - Mega Curioso

The Choluteca “Bridge to Nowhere” Source: Bridge Hunter’s Chronicles 

“We love our church, but it no longer connects with the river. Everything we think we can do to move the river back will not happen,” Dr. Small shared. 

His urgent message continued: “Current society presents mountains we could never have anticipated. Because of this, it is important to separate the method and the mission. Growing God’s kingdom should not be limited to Sundays, praise music, or preaching. We are intimidated by society’s hostility, but we must remember who we serve. The people of the IPHC need a new boldness tethered with gentleness and humility.” 

Be encouraged to boldly go forth and reach people where there are. 

We are praying with and for you.  

Share Post:
Debbie Burpo: The “Messy” Minister
Amgad Ghaly: Bringing Bakersfield to the Lord
  • Discipleship
  • Evangelism USA
  • World Missions
  • General Superintendent's Office
iphc site logo

P.O. Box 12609 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 | Address: 7300 NW 39th Expy. Bethany, OK 73008 | Phone: 405-787-7110

Proud Member ECFA ECFA logo | Copyright 2023 IPHC. All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Powered by Ingage

Search this Site

site logo
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • GSO Calendar
    • Contact Us
  • Ministries
    • Archives & Research Center
      • Mission & Vision
      • The King Heritage House
    • Bishop’s Office
    • Clergy Development
      • IPHC Lilly Endowment Programs
    • Arise in Prayer
  • Financial Services
    • Extension Loan Fund
    • IPH Foundation
    • IPHC 403(b) Plan
    • IPHC Lilly Endowment Programs
  • Institutions
    • Advantage College
    • Emmanuel University
    • Holmes Bible College
    • Southwestern Christian University
  • Resources
    • Bishop’s Blog
    • Bishop’s Podcast
    • Forms
    • Council of Bishops Resources
    • Position Papers
    • IPHC Authors
    • Videos
  • News
Follow Us!