Spirit of Elijah Ministries...
... ...is founded and run by John and Janette Wilson in Stoke on Trent in the UK. Both have been active Christians for some 30yrs, and have seen God do some amazing things during this time. In 2008 the instruction to move out more fully into the vision came, and so John is following the leading of Christ in reaching out more broadly to the Church.
John received his call to ministry very early in his walk with the Lord, but God has spent much time in preparing His servant for use. Most, if not all, of God's servants in scripture learned their most valuable lessons in the 'school of life' prior to being used of the Lord for their main task. Just look at the lives of Moses and David to see how God works this principle out. So it is with John, who has learned life and been trained through many experiences to mould him for the purposes of God. When you talk to John you find you are in the presence of one who is well rounded in life. Life is never straightforward, and finding balance in our walk with Jesus can often be confusing. Through a solid but wide range of employment John has gained vital life experience, and is able to empathise with those who are under pressure because of their own difficult working conditions. John has the usual family committments and knows both the pleasures and difficulties of the role of 'parent'. The outlook of this ministry is redemptive, and those who are finding life 'hard' will find support here. John's heart is for people to walk with God wherever they are (even in the most difficult of circumstances), and for them to see the value of such places. John aims to see them gain the victory in Jesus by working through those circumstances, and allowing God to mould them as they reach out to Him. We do not change into the likeness of Christ by avoiding difficulties. How would God test our faith and trust in Him without we meet 'tests' that reveal to us where we are in our growth? How would He be able to urge us to greater commitment, and answer our faith, if we had no need of His help in difficulty? These are the things that make us understand our need of change, and appreciate God more and more. These are our opportunities to grow!
John has been accepted and approved for ministry by United Christian Faith Ministries who are an international body of ministries that hold each other accountable for their work, and meet in regular conferences to make relationships strong (John is recorded under ordination number 596781). He has studied and qualified in Biblical Studies, taken a pastoral course, has experience as leader of a house group, and also as an elder in a local church. At his ordination as elder, an extra dimension was added by the Spirit of the Lord in that John was ordained 'an elder of the city' - a point of difference the Lord will not allow John to ignore. The Lord knows what this is about and will demonstrate the point through John's ministry. At home speaking to churches of any size, John also finds just as much pleasure and purpose in talking to small groups or individuals about the Christian walk.
Janette married John in 1991.Through her long experience of work with the elderly, and with those suffering with terminal illness, she is uniquely placed to help those going through life's bad experiences. A warm person by nature she easily becomes your friend and her desire for more of Jesus is infectious. Jan has a strong desire for true worship, and has wide experience in leading worship prior to John speaking. Jan supports John in any way possible, and has been known to sometimes speak herself at smaller meetings for the elderly members of the body of Christ.
Our ministry badge shows two qualities of our God: Gold - denoting Holiness and Purity. There is nothing impure in God, and without holiness no-one will see the Lord Fire - our God is a consuming fire. He burns up the evil in our lives by the fire of the Holy Spirit so that we are purified. He also burns up the wicked as stubble when he comes in His righteous judgement. As a ministry we seek to express holiness as a way of life, and we seek to lead those who desire holiness to receive from God and rekindle the fire of the Spirit. |