Student Invitation

Our visit to Washington, DC for the Awake East Coast conference was nothing short of spectacular.  Being around like-hearted believers stirs us to see even greater than we’ve seen before.  Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Being around wild believers who are passionate about seeing their college campuses transformed is fuel to the fire – spurring us toward love and good deeds.  Some believe these verses are meant to encourage us to have better behavior and stop being so rowdy.  When I reflect on the friendships I’ve had with believers who live to experience all God has called them to do and receive all that He has done, our conversations were dominated with testimonies, our lives flooded with miracles, and our time spent together was ministering to the sick and downtrodden.  Our very nature became supernatural because we constantly spurred one another towards love and good deeds. Good deeds/God's power without love are like a train without tracks.

During our time in DC, students from multiple campuses were planning what they could do to effectively see their campuses transformed. We were once students and experienced a movement on our campus.  We've worn a lot of hats.  So we asked ourselves, what do we love to do and how can we be an instrument of creative inspiration, reinforcement, encouragement, and sustainability with college students hungry for revival?  After much prayer and discussion, we arrived at the Mountaintop Experience.

It’s our desire to host students from college campuses around the nation and give them the opportunity to receive coaching, training and equipping in the beautiful environment of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, NC.  We want to give students the opportunity to practice what they've learned and give them the experience they need to see God's power released on their campus.  You can't beat the setting and the family atmosphere.  If you are a college student, know a college student, or are about to become a college student, learn more, spread the word, and register to join us for one of the many weekends available.

We’ll see you on the mountain!

-Jonathan & Keeli Fawcett

Watchdogs and Hate Blogs

February 2014 was a whirlwind of travel.  One stop was Gastonia, NC where Keeli and I spoke at the Grace Upon Grace conference.  I began by reading a quote from John Crowder.  This quote is one of the most detoxing, myth busting, religious attitude killers I’ve ever heard.  So often, believers observe and mimic the patterns and habits of leaders in the church.  But the wonderful thing about maturing as a believer is that we don’t have to stick with those bad habits.  There is grace to move on and come to a fuller understanding of Jesus Christ’s finished work and your inclusion in that work. In today’s world of social media, skewed facts, hasty conclusions, and brutal attacks are prevalent.  In fact, one would conclude that most believers feel more called to be a watchdog or whistle-blower than a minister of the Gospel.  It’s a tendency developed by self-righteous living.  True discernment is not publicly calling out the faults of others, nor is it a gift to be abused by self-exaltation.  Discernment is a gift, like every gift, that should be operated from a place of love.

With that said, don’t be quick to get on a bandwagon of divisiveness, hate, slander, or libel towards other brothers and sisters in Christ because their church has activity you may not be familiar with, teaching you don’t agree with (or completely understand), or trends that are foreign.  I implore you: do not jump to conclusions without understanding the context.  Any “watchdog” can create a blog and spout off hate, create division, and be an instrument of confusion to the church and the world.  Nasty blogs tend to bind rather than create an allowance to enjoy God’s grace and freedom.

After speaking, Keeli and I teamed up with our friends, BJ and Lisa Sullivan, and had an opportunity to pray with an array of people.  It was one of the best times of prophetic ministry we have ever had.  The message of grace tends to free people from the idea that something else must be done in addition to Jesus' finished work.  The requests weren’t weird, strange, or off the wall.  The requests for prayer were real and honest.  No super spiritual conspiracy theories or deliverance from the yabba-dabba-doo spirit of Beebop and Rocksteady (Ninja Turtle reference!).  The Holy Spirit did amazing things, called people back to a place where they were fulfilling their call, began restoring marriages, and speaking His language of love to them.

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for.  The quote that I read from John Crowder’s video “A New Language”.  May the words bring a newfound freedom into your life.

• I am not pressing in anymore.  I’ve been pressed into.
• I’m not contending anymore.  I’ve been contended for.
• I’m not a God chaser anymore.  He moves way too fast.  He chased me down, roped and hog-tied me, bagged and dragged me.
• I’m not seeking God anymore.  He found me.
• I’m not even drawing close to God.  We’re not getting closer.  We are in union.  We are Siamese twins.
• You will never hear me say anything about overcoming the flesh.  The fleshly nature was circumcised away.
• You will never hear me say anything about killing the old man.  The old man has been co-crucified with Christ.
• Some people say, “You’re only human.” I’m not.  I’m a new creation.
• Some people say, “Well, nobody’s perfect.” I am.  Unless you think Christ was incompetent on the cross.
• Some people say, “Well, we’re all sinners.” What Bible verse is that?  As a matter of fact, John says if you continue in sin, you’re a child of the devil.
• I don’t talk about dry times.  I don’t talk about dark nights of the soul.  I’m done with dessert theology.
• I’m not asking Him to purify my heart.  He gave me a new one.
• I’m not asking Him to open the heavens.  The veil of His flesh was torn and all of heaven was open with it.
• I’m not asking Him to take me into the holy of holies.  That’s where I’m seated right now.
• I don’t pump people up into intercession.  I think He’s done an adequate job of it.
• I don’t pump people up into fasting.  He fasted so that I could feast.
• I don’t pump people up into godly sorrow.  He was a man of sorrow so we could be a people of joy.
• I don’t overemphasize confession.  It’s just admitting your sins to see that they’re already forgiven.
• I don’t overemphasize my faith.  It’s His faith that saved me.
• I don’t overemphasize repentance.  It’s a fruit of salvation, not the price tag to buy it.
• I don’t talk about insiders or outsiders.  I don’t talk about saved or unsaved.  I don’t talk about good or evil.  I don’t talk about yin and yang.  I don’t talk about good cop-bad cop.  I’m just talking about Jesus and His inclusion of all humanity on the cross.  And I don’t talk about forgiven or unforgiven.  The only distinction is believer or unbeliever.  The Gospel changes everything… The scandal of grace.

To watch the entire video, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e25DSxQcp7Q

Jonathan Fawcett

Wrong Number

When an unknown number calls you, do you answer or ignore?  Nobody enjoys a call from a telemarketer or surveyor.  My phone tends to buzz with unknown numbers.  What began as an annoyance has turned into opportunity.  Now, nine times out of ten, I answer. My phone would ring.  It would be an Asheville number so, naturally, being from the area, I answered.  Someone would be on the other end asking for people I did not know.  I would politely tell them they had the wrong number.  Until one day, they repeated the number back to me.  It was not the correct number.  Two digits had been swapped.  But it wasn’t so much the number as it was the location they were attempting to call.

“Is this the hospital?”

No!  I’m not the hospital but I’m glad you called!  I well up with excitement knowing they reached a man filled with the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.  Now when I receive these phone calls, I tell them they did not reach the correct number but that I would love to pray with them for the person they were trying to reach.  I don’t ask for a lot of information.  Perhaps a first name and what ails them.  I have never had a caller turn me down.  When a loved one is burdened with sickness, it tends to burden their family, friends, and loved ones of the individual.  Jesus’ burden is light.  When I hang up, I want the person to know that their loved one in the hospital is loved by the Healer, Jesus Christ, and that his will for their lives is sozo (salvation that includes being saved, healed, and delivered).

I never hear the outcome.  Faith sees it before it happens.  I see people miraculously recovering.  I see people healed.  I see people rise from their bed, defying their death sentence by the power of the name of Jesus.

Look for opportunities to boldly bring hope into desperation, even when it doesn’t seem convenient or arrive at an opportune time.  Give pause for someone and communicate Christ’s unconditional love.

-Jonathan Fawcett

Brink Fire Recovery

Rich and Linda Brink are good friends.  They are selfless, dedicated, joyful, and loving.  We love Rich and Linda like family.  We met them in Boston in 2011 at the Closer Conference for Ivy League students.  They have shown us continual love, support, and encouragement.  In 2012, Rich visited Boone, NC and ministered at the Fall In Love retreat we hosted and ministered to students and staff at Appalachian State University.  In April 2013, we visited their new home in Harrisburg, PA and experienced their outstanding hospitality.  After living in Maine for 40 years, they moved to Pennsylvania to help launch Global Celebration School of Supernatural Ministry.  It was an act of obedience to the Lord.  Their heart truly is for the kingdom of God. The Brink home received serious damage from a fire that began at the house next to them.  Their third floor is totally destroyed.  Their second floor was also severely affected.  Thankfully, everyone is safe.  Read the official story on ABC27.com and watch the news footage here:abc27 WHTM.

We have never once heard Rich or Linda ask for anything.  We have, however, seen their heart of service and generosity.  Now, it's time to give back.  Click on any of the images in this post to donate and support Rich and Linda in their recovery.  We love them dearly and desire to see them blessed beyond measure.    Please pray and give generously as you feel led.  Thank you.

It's Been a Long Time... Then Texas

It has been a few weeks since the last blog post and I apologize for the delay.  Among other things, I was sent to Austin, TX for ten days in response to the floods that affected the community.  I was sent to train volunteers on a new computer system that the organization I work for launched and, before that, I was beta testing, training, and creating training materials for those involved.  But here we are. While in Texas, I was up before 6:30am and down after 11pm.  I shared a room with a fellow employee in a Sunday school room at the Baptist church that opened its doors to us.  During a disaster response deployment, one meets the most selfless people on the planet.  They take vacation time and travel (on their own dime) to volunteer in the country’s most devastated areas.  Floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes… They prepare the way for these compassionate volunteers who are there for one main reason: to show people the love of Jesus Christ by cleaning up their home.  There is something to be learned by them.  Having worked for the organization for three years, this was my first deployment to a disaster.  Although I never enjoy leaving Anneli and Keeli behind, I gained perspective I otherwise would not have.

A camera lens cannot capture the smell, the feel, and the enveloping sensation of being at ground zero like being there can.  Each homeowner helped receives a Bible signed by the volunteers.  I was given the honor of presenting the Bible to the Austin family.  They were on their honeymoon when the floods happened and returned to see the first floor of their home destroyed.  They had been married for ten days when I first met them.  I was also given the opportunity to lead devotions for the volunteers.  The day before I left, one of the church members let me pray for his shoulder.  After we prayed, I asked him how his shoulder felt.  He said it felt great and that he couldn’t hold his arms out like he now could before we prayed.

In my absence from North Carolina, Keeli gathered with believers from UNC-Wilmington and Appalachian State University.  Our desire is to know the hungry, the passionate, the laid down lovers of Jesus.  The following Tuesday, we met at a house near campus where these students worshipped, prayed, and ministered to one another.  Keeli led the students in a prayer to receive the baptism of fire.  I love testimonies of the Lord’s power but I am anticipating greater than we have ever seen.

We often wondered why we didn’t feel the unction to reinstate Something More School of Ministry this year.  Now, we know why.  If we had, we wouldn’t have encountered these students who gather weekly the same night the school would have met.  Pray for these students.  They realize the campus, the community, and their classrooms are mission fields ripe for receiving the love of Jesus.

Jonathan Fawcett 

Prison and Persecution

In the United States, persecution is something we know very little about.  The option to shy away from being overtly overtaken by Mr. Love Himself (aka Jesus) seems more prominent in an effort to “relate” and “be relevant” to the world around us.  Love is how you relate.  Compassion is the key to being relevant.  In other words, being relevant is not skin deep.  The Holy Spirit is known for being a show off.  He wants to make a scene at the expense of the expectations the world puts on your shoulders. I remember my first date with Keeli.  We went to a movie and then strolled through the Asheville Mall.  I saw some teenagers passing by.  One was in a wheelchair.  I stopped to speak to them and asked what had happened.  The boy had hurt his leg in a skateboarding accident.  I asked if we could pray for him.  He agreed so I took a knee beside him and prayed for total and complete healing to manifest in his leg.  When I was finished, I asked him if he felt anything different.  Immediately, his friends began laughing at my question.  I stood to my feet and told them that this isn’t a joke.  I began telling them what we had seen healed by the power of God.  I haven’t been stoned, I haven’t been beaten, and I haven’t been shot at.  I’ve taken on the simplest form of “persecution”… the lightweight, powder puff kind that many believers in America think is true hardship.  Those kids weren’t laughing in insult when I was through.  The world wants to know that you’re serious about what you believe.  Of course, even in your firmness, you can still overflow with the joy of God.

So let’s face it… If we consider this as persecution, we truly need a new perspective.  Each morning at my office, we have devotions.  Pastor Saeed Abedini was sentenced to prison for 8 years in Iran because of his faith in Jesus Christ.  He has been beaten, tortured, and is in the hands of radicals who want him dead.  The only thing keeping him alive is the fact that he is in the media spotlight.  His wife, Naghmeh, shared their testimony.  They have been arrested multiple times, threatened, and promised death in prison by the authorities in Iran.  I could retell their amazing testimony, but I encourage you to hear it from the lips of Naghmeh.   She is a woman who has asked for the nations and shares how she was given an open door to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Join us as we pray for the release of Pastor Saeed and for his wife as she takes care of their family.

-Jonathan Fawcett

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs7wDLQBmOc&w=640&h=400]

Mickey and Jesus

We returned from a wonderful vacation at sea.  Whether you love Disney, hate Disney, support the company, or boycott them, we were inspired by the influence they have on the globe.  We took a holiday at sea on the Disney Cruise Line and found ourselves on a ship with a crew numbering around 1,500 which included representatives from approximately 65 nations.  We began to ask, what can the church learn from Disney?  How did this company's influence see the results and success that makes it so popular?  How can a mouse have such a great impact?  It's a prime example of how art and entertainment can change the world.  We observed closely how every detail was given special attention.  The staff were over-the-top friendly, never rude, and always accommodating.  They went above and beyond to ensure our cruise was memorable for all the right reasons.  Everything was on purpose. Each and every turn we took, Mickey Mouse was there... and was often subtle.  It was a classy art-deco ship.  But the subtleties were everywhere to make sure the Disney image was intact.  Walt Disney was known for saying, "I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." For us, this life was started by Jesus.  Just as Disney communicates the "happiest place on earth" message, everything we do should be with purpose to reveal Jesus in excellence, in creativity, and with a message that God is over-the-top good and that the Gospel is a sugar-coated message for those who believe it - dipped in caramel, drizzled with chocolate, slathered with a generous portion of whipped cream, a cherry on top, and an Oreo crust.

So let me leave my previous thoughts on the correlation between Disney and the church somewhat open-ended for now to share a testimony about praying in tongues (different than speaking in tongues.  Speaking in tongues + interpretation = prophecy... Praying in tongues - or as Paul often calls it, praying in the Spirit - is fair game!).  Keeli, Anneli, and I were enjoying our dinner with another family on the cruise.  Thankfully, the parents with small children were seated in the same section.  This was a blessing as parents had more grace for one another should another kid have a meltdown... everyone understood!  Anneli began pointing behind Keeli and making a noise to get her mom's attention.  There was a man having what we believe to be a seizure.  Keeli instantly began praying in the Spirit at our table and almost instantly the seizure stopped.  She didn't give a five point lesson to the family we were sitting with about why praying in tongues is beneficial before she began.  When it's hitting the fan, you're "in the soup", or something bad is going down, you don't have time to waste with eloquence or ceremony.  You were given the power to act supernaturally where you are standing.

Jonathan Fawcett

Cure to Cancer

Cancer.  The word quickens fear in the hearts of many – including many believers.  I, with the rest of the world, abhor cancer.  I also know that cancer is a multi-billion dollar industry and business is good.  The mainstream treatments aren’t necessarily the best.  There are many alternative ways to treat cancer.  Did you know that Dr. Otto Warburg discovered a way to prevent and cure cancer in 1931 and received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts?  Not many do.  The only option people believe exists is chemo, radiation, etc.  I encourage you to read more about Dr. Warburg’s discovery and spread the word to those affected by cancer.  You can read more about his findings here. Jesus is not a solution.  He is the solution.  In the beginning, God created.  He is infinite in power and infinite in creativity.  What kind of God would He be if he had all power but no creativity in how to use it?  What if He had all creativity, infinite ideas, and solutions for everything but no power to make those things happen?  The inspiration that leads to discoveries like Dr. Warburg’s cancer cure is not by accident.  Jesus is the source of all creativity.  All mankind is made in the image of God.  God, being a creator, made us to be like Him: creators, inventors, innovators, discoverers of solutions.

So many say, “I’m not creative,” simply because they are not an artist, musician, performer, or writer.  Dr. Otto Warburg didn’t win a Grammy, Academy Award, or Golden Globe.  He won the Nobel Peace Prize for discovering a solution.  Creativity is inspired from the Creator.  Solutions are born of the Source.  Whether you are a chemist or painter, physicist or conductor of the philharmonic, mathematician or musician, rocket scientist or screenwriter, you are a creative being.

Before your loved ones with cancer make the decision for chemo, radiation, or even a simple diet change, pray.  One of our best friends, Aaron, gave me a call one day as I drove home from work.  His neighborhood friend, Crystal, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Surgeons were going to have to remove her breast.  She was 31 years old at the time of her diagnosis.  Aaron called so we could agree and pray together for her healing.

A week passed and I didn’t give Crystal a second thought.  Then Aaron called.  I’ll never forget the elation in his voice.  All cancer was gone.  The surgery was cancelled.  To this day, I never met Crystal.  But I will always remember how God healed someone I never met, never prayed with, and wasn’t in close proximity to.  It reminds me of the account from Matthew 8:5-13 (NLT).

Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He healed all because good health was, is, and will forever be God’s will.  Now, He wants to use you to accomplish His will on the earth.

Jonathan Fawcett

Landmark

Friends,We are excited to announce an event taking place Friday, March 1 from 7pm-9pm in the Whitewater Lounge of the Student Union on Appalachian State's campus.  Campus ministers, local pastors, current students, alum, and residents who have been praying for revival and transformation to come to ASU are invited to pray as we worship with our friends, BJ and Lisa Sullivan.  Watch the video to learn more about Landmark: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGoqyMUgAO0?rel=0]

We will see you Friday, March 1st as we launch into 40 days of prayer and fasting.  Until then, Instagram this photo, tweet it, post it as your Facebook profile picture and help spread the word...

We love you and look forward to making a scene with you for the Kingdom of God.

Jonathan & Keeli Fawcett

Heart for Harvard - Part 2

I returned to Boone, NC from the Yale Institute with a fire burning on the inside of me that had been ignited by others with a similar passion for revival on college campuses.  At the Institute, I had met the President of Campus Renewal Ministries, Jeremy Story.  It was because of his message that my dreams were awakened.  I heard him share testimonies of what he had seen at the University of Texas and I wanted to see those same things at ASU.  When I heard him minister, it felt like my heart was going to explode with love and compassion for the college campuses.  In that moment, I knew my specific calling.  After hearing Jeremy, my passion to reach the nations through the universities and colleges became my purpose in life.  My life has never been the same since the first time I heard him speak. I was also captivated by the story of Gipsy Smith.  For the next several months I spent three to five hours everyday worshiping Jesus in my bathroom.  Why the bathroom?  Because Smith drew a circle around himself with chalk and asked God to fill the circle with revival and, in my apartment, the bathroom was the smallest room.  I asked God to fill that area with revival so it would pour out onto the entire campus and into the nations.  Worship music would play from the speakers I placed in the bathroom as I read my Bible and spent time with Jesus in the bathroom.  In those moments, I became confident in knowing that what God had spoken would come into being.

These are some of the words Jesus spoke to me in the summer of 2006:

“The Mountain Mission Movement coming out of Appalachian State University is greater than the Student Volunteer Mission Movement of the 1800s.” 

“Appalachian State will be known on the map for their football.  It will be a gateway for media coverage as my Spirit expands on the campus.” (ASU beat Michigan in 2007 and were back to back to back national champions).

On October 25^th, 2006, I met the man of my dreams at a prayer meeting I hosted in ASU’s Student Union.  After that meeting, several of us went out to eat at Dos Amigos.  That night at dinner my dad discovered Jonathan’s heart to host a meeting on campus to teach students on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  My dad encouraged Jonathan to meet up with me to plan the gathering, which we later called Presence: Out of Apathy…Into Power.  Jonathan and I began meeting the next week in the Student Union to plan Presence.  We would read over and add to the blue notebook Jonathan had written his dreams, ideas, and goals in.  It took several months of rejection until we finally had a time and place approved for the meeting: March 27, 2007.  In the meantime, we began Holy Spirit Parties that we intended to lead for only 3 weeks.  However, they continue to this day.

In the midst of continuing to plan Presence and hosting Holy Spirit Parties, we met several other friends who had the same heart for prayer and revival.  We truly lived a lifestyle of prayer and fasting.  Every week, I fasted with no food and only liquids from Sunday to Wednesday evening and again all day Thursday until after the Holy Spirit Party.  From that semester to now, we have seen thousands come to know Jesus and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Many miracles, including physical and emotional healing have also taken place.

We continue to share what Jesus is doing at ASU because testimonies spread the goodness of Jesus!  An individual prayer for revival at Harvard expanded into a vision for the nations and generations to know Jesus.  What may seem like small beginnings are such sweet memories that set you up to change the nations!

Indulge in how good God is!

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.      -Psalm 34:8

Keeli Fawcett