A Team of Overcomers
June 10th, 2009
But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:1-2
We all love seeing the underdog rise to victory. The Orlando Magic has not been in the finals for 14 years and has surprised the nation as the underdogs who have risen to the top. NBA Sports Reporter Josh Cohen stated, “Let’s not forget, this is a team that has overcome many adversities throughout the 2009 playoffs.”
There is another team of overcomers who has risen above many adversities over the last year. As the Orlando International Christian Church approaches it’s first anniversary, we can rejoice that the church is stronger than ever! God has added five to our number in just in the last seven weeks. We have learned to individually rely on God, as we work together as a unified movement of totally souled out, committed disciples. Through perseverance, a dauntless spirit of resolution, and holding up an uncompromising standard, we have learned that God will move powerfully, and against odds, even if you have a small mission team.
In Judges 7:2-3, God tells Gideon that they have too many men for Him to deliver Midian. God wanted people to know that His strength would save them, not their own. God widdled his army down, only keeping those in the army that lapped like dogs and were not concerned about their worldly reputation. These God-fearing underdogs were used by God to defeat the Medianites bringing great glory to God.
Another example of God’s glory in adversity is when King David was fleeing from Saul for his life in 1 Samuel. King David wrote Psalm 57 after fleeing from Saul into the cave. He cried out to the Most High for God to fulfill his purpose for him. Do you cry out to God during adversity so he can reveal His purpose for your life? David found his purpose for the existing circumstances as many joined him in the cave. With David as their leader God built his “dream team” in the cave of Adullam as 400 men gathered to humbly fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. David’s team appeared to be a team of underdogs as well; 1 Samuel 22 says his men were in distress, in debt and discontented. Most were probably men embittered against the system and opposed to the current leadership at that time. Does this sound like your “dream team”? What made them God’s “dream team” was their humble hearts and their willingness to be led by David. They became known as David’s mighty men.
Similarly, God is gathering those in Orlando with restless spirits whose souls can only be satisfied by fulfilling His purpose for their lives: seeking and saving the lost (Matthew 28:18-20). Melanie Coyle, a UCF student and talented musician, shared at her baptism that this is what she was searching for and now her soul can be satifsfied. Now her husband, who is also a talented musician, is studying the Bible.
Another encouraging victory is seeing Will Sherman, a football player at UCF, baptised into Christ. He is very excited about training to lead a Bible talk on Campus. Corey Jones, another very talented UCF student majoring in computer science, was baptised last month and will be training to lead in the UCF campus ministry. God is obviously building his Campus dream team of true disciples.
Most recently, John Goss, a Prudential realtor who works with Paula Harpole, came out to church. Although mature in age and life experience, he was very humble in wanting to learn from the disciples. He immediately started studying and was baptised this past Sunday. He is fired up to do great things for God as are all of our newly baptised disciples.
The Lord is also moving powerfully by adding another remnant disciple to his church. June Fisher, who was baptised in the ICOC many years ago, is moving to Orlando next week to be a part of the Orlando International Christian Church. She has been discipled by Lisa Robillard over the phone for over a year and has faithfully listened to our services and Bible talks over speaker phone. She has been striving to be a sold-out disciple by leading her own women’s Bible talk in Georgia. She alone had 13 women visitors at her Bible talk this past week! God has opened a door for her to move to Orlando next week by providing her with a job.
The church is also rejoicing for Marie Graeff, a disciple who was baptised this past August. She has been driving 60 miles several times a week to be with the body. She and her teen daughter moved this week to be closer to the ICC fellowship where she can receive further training in the ministry and her daughter can be a part of the Campus Life Talk at UCF.
The joy and unity in the church here in Orlando is so encouraging. We are also grateful for the encouragement we receive from our fellow churches in God’s new movement. We were so honored to have the Untalans- the LA shepherds, come and share at our service a couple of weeks ago. We have had brothers and sisters encourage us by visiting from Chicago, Syracuse and London. We are also very excited about Chris and Theresa Broom’s visit along with their campus interns at the end of June. Chris Broom will be our guest speaker on June 28th. We encourage all to invite their friends to hear his powerful preaching. The training and support we have in the new movement is awesome.
Brothers and sisters in the Orlando International Christian Church: we want to express how proud we are of you for persevering and never giving up despite adversity. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 states, “but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” As we dive into the summer and make incredible plans for the fall, let us remember that everything we do is for God’s glory and all victories come through God’s strength, not ours. To God be the glory!
By Anthony and Elizabeth Eckels
