Make Moves Now!

After this NOW series, I hope you take big faith steps, make no excuses, and get in position for what God is setting up. I hope you catch my spirit – I don’t wait. I move in season on a Word. This is the year for prophetic release on those who will go forward in faith. My spiritual father, Prophet John Dennis Lee, once told me to always preach revelation, not speculation. He taught that speculation is releasing a Word you haven’t lived out, but to get revelation, the Word must flow through your life. Family, this prophetic Word 2023 and the Now series come from profound revelation.

In the very season I have preached this Word, the devil has thrown some of his lowest blows, buffeting us at every turn. Yet, we are pressing forward in faith. This month alone, Terri has pressed forward into her women’s ministry call. I have met with global church leaders to help me navigate and plan for some “bishop” steps I am taking in 2023. I have launched a new venture capital firm in the marketplace, and we’ve made our first investment in Stripe, Inc. I started a property firm. We’ve made four offers on properties in the Detroit Metro area. I have also recorded a webisode for a national brand. Finally, I have hired an L.A.-based production company to help me launch a professionally produced personal finance course for The Culture of Money.

Now, here’s the key, no pun intended, I have done all of this in JANUARY and not robbed God with my time, talent or treasure.

I share this with you to motivate you to move.

Now, you must make moves.

However, you must not make so many moves that you stop moving with God. Make sure the Kingdom remains first in your life. This season plant seeds in the ground. In the years to come, they will flourish and prosper. I know you see and feel the momentum in this house. God is favoring us because we’ve been faithful.

Now is the time to spread the good news that there is a place called ICWW where the Holy Spirit flows freely, and signs, wonders, and miracles follow. A place where people get unstuck, find hope, and move forward in life.

The devil thought he had us after that last storm, but like David and his men, we are taking back our stuff. A fresh anointing oil flows down from the head to all the people who want it.

Receive the oil and walk in big faith.

Make no excuses, and do it NOW!

So what moves are you being led to make now?

With Much Love,

Bishop De’Andre Salter

2023 Prophetic Declaration – Big Faith, No Excuses and Transition

God is challenging us in 2023 to give Him one year of big faith, going all out, and no excuses. This is a year of passion and heart. It is a year for you to go after Him and after success. Those who do will watch God overwhelm and overflow their lives because they made no excuses. They made no excuses about doing ministry, leading a family, self-care, or running a business. God will honor them because they exchanged excuses for prayer, fasting, and reading the Word. God will lay His hands on those with big faith and no excuses.

For those who rightly rebuttal, "Lord, I'm too tired!" The Lord says, "That's an excuse, and that's what I want to get out of you." Fatigue is overcome by faith and better fitness. To go all out, we need better self-care. We need to get our physical body and mind in a position to handle the press. Our faith will then be the steroid that supercharges provision, plans, and pathways. This is not the season to grow weary in your well-doing. Press pause or remove yourself from draining relationships this year, so you can reserve your energy to go after God’s plans for you.

The Lord will not release the full blessing in 2023 because it is a transitional year. In 2023, things are being set up. That’s why there can be no excuses – movement is needed now! Each move sets us up for something we will realize in 2024 and beyond. You must press through 2023 to see and testify how God has touched your life and set you up. Meditate on 1 Samuel chapters 29-30. Draw out the Rhema for your life. Use it as fuel when you are empty in 2023.

You're going to get through this. You will be okay, and we’re going to be blessed together. I have peeked into your future, and it’s good.

I love you from the bottom of my heart.

Bishop De’Andre Salter

Victorious Living for the Modern Church

The Ephesians faced the challenge of building an authentic Christian community in the face of a face-changing and demonically oppressive culture. Paul urges the Church in Ephesus to grow in Unity, to lead well at home, in the Church, and to fight spiritual warfare in the marketplace. This blog post will discuss how you can embrace a supportive community to experience wholeness and become leaders at home and in the world; while overcoming the attacks of Satan.

One Victory 

The book Ephesians is fascinating. Most of us focus on the armor of God and the weapon of warfare. However, I want you to zoom your lens out and focus on Paul's letter to the Ephesians. While in the Roman prison, Paul began to write the letters of the new testament under divine inspiration. The central thesis of Paul's statement in Ephesus: The Church is Christ's body, It is living: the Church stays together, The Church itself is an instrument to whip the devil. 

Let me briefly connect the book of Ephesians to the new testament Joshua. In your devotional time, I encourage you to read Joshua 6. Look at the picture of the Jericho wall. The children of Israel were released from captivity. God tells Pharaoh to let my people go. Pharaoh says no, I am not doing that. God forces Pharaoh's hand. The people of Israel crossed the red sea, and Pharaoh started chasing God's people. God began through Moses parting the red sea, the children of Israel crossed the red sea, the Egyptians followed behind, and God closed the red sea because they should have listened to God the first time. 

Quick teaching: Next time God tells you something, try listening.

Pharaoh's army is washed up, and Moses and the children of Israel are on the other side. Moses is in retirement, and Joshua is now the new leader, a very young leader. Moses tells him to be of good courage. One of the first things they have to do is face a city with walls, the wall of Jericho. It is important because the enemy chased them into the red sea, God rescued them, and now you would think the land God promised them would be a land that is secured, but it wasn't. Some fights had to take place. In the book of Joshua, the people have to enter a land, overcome the enemy and occupy it. God's chosen people were to tear down the wall to receive His promise.  

Some things in your life will not take place until you start fighting. Sometimes the businesses we dream of and the funding we need are locked up behind walls. What God has promised us, we must take what was delivered, pick up our armor and sword, and fight.  

When Paul is writing this letter, just like the children of Israel had to take over the land, you now occupy a season the enemy already has established. Paul's message was just like the walls of Jericho; everything that's against God will fall. But this time, we don't march around the wall, we move in faith, and faith will drive the enemy out.  

The book's message is to get Christians to recognize we have a privilege. Privilege means we have access, resources, and benefits. The Kingdom of God has redemption rights that are sealed by the blood of Jesus. We are not intended to be in the wilderness and say the devil wins. We live in victory, One victory. It's time to grab hold of everything God has for us. 

God's Trophies 

In Ephesians 2, Paul uses the metaphor of the Church being like a temple. He outlines how churches are holy places where people can come to worship and commune with God. He presents a picture of the Church and its people as God's trophies by likening the Church to a temple.

We are God's trophies. He gave us the victory over sin because we are His trophies. We were once dead to sin and gave in to the devil. The devil works to try to gain influence from you through disobedience. The devil gets busy talking to us constantly about our decision-making, believing our wrongs are correct, and especially following God. 

But the good news is, BUT GOD! Who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us. Even when we were dead in our sins, BUT GOD. God recreated and repositioned Us! We are alive in Christ and repositioned for new blessings of abundance, opportunities, hope, grace, and mercy.  

Vs. 7 "in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." In 2022, God might show us off that He might put us on display, like trophies. God wants to put us on display, despite the devil's trap. God brought us out of all sin so He might give us away. God wants to take you, set you up, put you on display, then take you back to the people and give you to them. Since we are all trophies, we become united corporately as a family of God. Social and cultural differences are irrelevant in Jesus as he binds us together as one. There is no reason to be separated from your church family. Vs.14 "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility," He did it then, and He's doing it now. The Church is no place for separation, camps, clicks, schisms, no more walls, no more loneliness.

Paul concludes with the order of keeping us together.

We Are Covered on Earth and in Heaven; we are the family of God, covered by Christ. 

Vs.19-21 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." 

Therefore, every family has a head where Christ is the head of the Church universally, and there is also an apostolic head to each Church. The apostolic and prophetic are foundational ministries of the Church. God has given me to you as a gift, an apostolic covering. I don't choose who I am given to as a gift. You get to choose where you worship. People choose pastors; Pastors do not choose people. What you have in me is a father indeed. Rest on that foundation, stay together and stay on display.  

The Battle Plan 

In Ephesians 3, Paul talks about how the Church is like a mystery. He says it has been hidden from people for a long time but is now being revealed. He urges people to be bold and courageous in sharing the gospel and overcoming principalities.

The Battle plan is the mystery that God is unveiling. Plans require instructions, and most of us don't like to listen to people. When looking at chapter 2, the foundation is laid with the apostles and prophets, which encourages us to get with God's plan to do the Kingdom work to defeat the devil.  

Ephesians 3:1 "For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—" Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone who holds together the plan. As a leader of the Church, Paul says he is a prisoner of Christ, not a prisoner of the devil; it is a prisoner of God- abundance, grace, victory, breakthrough, glory. When you follow me into this battle, what falls on me falls on you. I, like Paul, am committed to winning. 

As a Church, we should identify what the devil is doing to destroy Unity. The tension is where the triumph is. My spiritual Father, Prophet Lee, told me in my twenties when my life was tough, it was easy to abandon the position but to stand still. He would grab a rubber band and say, "Son, this is where you are; God is pulling you back, and it seems like he is restricting your life. Do you see how this rubber band is shaking De'Andre? It is you right now. Your mind is unstable because you have not settled into what God is trying to do. When you get into this tension, don't run, Son. Because what God is getting ready to do is give you more tension and pull you back further. You may wonder why God is doing this to you, Son, but I have good news for you, De'Andre. When God pulls you back and brings you into tension, the further He pulls you back, the further you will launch." 

The Church's purpose is to battle principalities and powers. The Church should not sit back and wait for the enemy's attack. We are to snatch people from harm's way through prayer, preaching, worship, and fellowship. All God's trophies are to be revealed and walk-in holy boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. We should put the devil on notice. We should go into neighbors and territories and say no lack, no poverty, be healed, and we cancel divorce. 

We Win together

Paul appeals for Christian Unity in Ephesians 4, citing seven scriptural facts. Among these, he includes the fact that there is one body and one Spirit. There is a calling on your life, and we win when we accept the call.

There is a call to be a disciple, a call to serve, a call to lead servants, and a call to lead leaders. We have to accept this call. Agreements require a signature or acceptance to receive their benefits. Likewise, until we accept who we are in Christ, we live beneath our privilege.

Paul Encourages Christians To Walk Worthy of their Call.  Four ways to walk worthy: Humility, Patience, Enduring love, Unity- (One body and one Spirit) of the Spirit. 

Vs. 4-6 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

The Kingdom operates on the principle of oneness: One Body, One Universal Church. The Call of the Church is Unity; We win together when we are an active part of the Kingdom. You can serve all over the world and live in your purpose. Each one of us has been given a different journey. Gifts are uniquely graced to unite the body. Christ apportioned the gifts; custom fit for the role. We are called to keep our faith united. 

Like Paul, who prayed for the people of Ephesus in Chapter 3:16-19, I pray this for you. "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Discussion Starters: 

1) How do you know that you are a disciple? 

Jesus gives us the answer: Go out and make disciples

Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2) Will you be a disciple that makes disciples? Will you sacrifice yourself? Lay down your life for your friends? Will you inconvenience your life to serve in the house of God?

3) What are some ways you deal with tension (that stretch) as you apply the Battle Plan? 

4) What steps will you take to unite and be an active part of the Kingdom? 

Creflo Dollar is Wrong: Tithes are Biblical and Essential...

In recent teaching that has gone viral, Creflo Dollar said that tithing is not biblical. He argued that tithing is not required in the Bible, based upon a weak exegesis of Romans 6:14 stating "we are no longer under the Law but under grace." To use this passage to teach against tithing is just terrible and lazy theology!

Creflo's argument is flawed for two reasons. First, tithing predates both the Law and grace. Second, while Jesus did teach against many things, He never taught against tithing as a requirement of God. Jesus expressly teaches that tithing is proper.

If tithing is wrong, Creflo Dollar and World Changers church should return all the tithes they have scammed back to the community. Ultimately, tithing is about having a heart for God and Kingdom building. It's an act of worship. Let's explore the biblical truth about tithing, so your worship is complete.

Tithing is not under grace or The Law; it precedes both

Creflo's argument is flawed because tithing is an act of worship and obedience that predates the Law and grace. Whatever one wants to argue about tithing and whether it should be practiced or not, it must be accepted that Abraham tithed to Melchizedek before the Law was given (Gen 14:20)! But Abraham was not under the Law. Therefore his tithe was not required by the Law. Abraham's tithe was an act of worship and obedience to God, not law-keeping.

Likewise, Jacob promised to tithe at Bethel (Gen 28:22). He was not under the Law either, but his tithe was also an act of worship. Abraham and Jacob were not living under the Law but obeying God.

While it is true that tithing predates the Law, it was included in the Law as a requirement (Lev 27:30-33). The tithe belonged to God and was to be given to the Levites, who had no inheritance in the land. The Levites, in turn, were to give a tenth of the tithe to the priests. So, tithing was not just a requirement for Israelites after the Law was given; it was also required of the Levites and priests!

If tithing predates Law, it also predates grace. So if Creflo wants to hinge his whole argument on Romans 6:14, then we would still need to tithe because tithing precedes Law. Romans 6:14 does not say that we are no longer under God! Abraham and Jacob were under God; that's why they tithed. Codifying the tithe into Law does change the definition of a tithe - it is an act of worship.

Jesus corrects a lot of misunderstandings about the Law, but He never teaches to not tithe

Creflo's argument is wrong because tithing was a regular practice during Jesus' ministry on earth and after his ascension. While it is true that Jesus came to fulfill the Law, He did not do away with tithing. Jesus understands that tithing is an act of worship that predates the Law and grace. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." Jesus is correcting the Pharisees. If you read Matthew 23:23 closely and the corresponding passage in Luke 11:42, it is clear that Jesus was not doing away with tithing. He was correcting the Pharisees' view of tithing! The Pharisees had turned tithing into a burden instead of worship.

The fact that Jesus never said not to tithe means we should continue to tithe. If tithing was something that was not required of Christians, don't you think Jesus would have said so? The fact that He never said not to tithe proves that tithing is still a requirement for Christians.

Now let's jump to the deep end of the pool. Jesus upholds the tithe by saying, "you should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." This means you should tithe but also practice justice. Why would Jesus teach against anything that brings glory to the Father? Why would Jesus teach us not to worship the Father by returning the earthly treasures He has given us for his use. Doesn't Psalm 24:1 say the earth is the Lord's and everything in it? I guess, for Creflo and the anti-tithe movement, everything belongs to God except the tithe!

Jesus never taught incomplete worship. To worship and not tithe is incomplete. Jesus argued that all of our money should be subject to God as our Master (Matthew 6:24). Money should not get in the way of serving God. How we handle our money is a reflection of our relationship with God. Tithing is worship, and worship is relational. Tithing is relational, not Law.

Creflo Dollar's teachings on tithing may be motivated by self-interest

It's been a while since I've heard anything from Creflo Dollar, but it seems he's trying to distance himself from his past heretical prosperity teachings. The belief that faith is some magical act will result in God giving you everything you ever wanted. The main problem with prosperity teaching is that it's completely self-centered. It's all about what you can get from God instead of what you can give to God.

I'm not sure why people can't see through the survival tactics of the preachers formerly known as prosperity preachers. This is the tag these guys once wore as honorary badges, and now from Benny Hinn to Creflo Dollar, they want to say they were wrong. They all stop short of apologizing for leading people astray. If they're going to repent for what they taught, they can always sell the jets and return the money to the people they duped with other heretical teachings. Here's an idea for Creflo - if what he taught was so wrong, instead of asking people to destroy the evidence (i.e., his old books and tapes), he should have them returned to his ministry for refunds!

I disagree with Creflo Dollar's teachings on tithing. I do think they're motivated by self-interest. Perhaps, Creflo is once again probably trying to increase his wealth by telling people that tithing isn't required anymore. It's what we call a rebrand! He's trying to rebrand himself as a more moderate preacher to increase his appeal and, ultimately, his income. We've seen this before.

Why Christians should continue to tithe even if Creflo Dollar says you shouldn't

Tithing is a biblical practice that Christians should continue to do. It's not about how much money you can get from God; it's about giving back to God what is already His. Tithing is a biblical practice of worship that predates the Law and grace. While tithing is codified into the Law, it exists on its own apart from the Law and grace. The most theologically accurate conclusion is that tithing is not just a "legal" requirement but a biblical principle of worship that predates the Law and grace. Christians should continue to tithe because it is an act of worship that brings glory to God.

The Apostle Paul taught that how we give is as important as what we give. He said, "Let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). If you don't want to tithe, don't. Don't give your tithe grudgingly. Also, please don't justify your rejection of tithing as worship with scriptures concerning grace! However you give, tithe or offering, do it with humility and reverence - as part of your God worship.

Do you agree or disagree with Creflo Dollar's teachings on tithing? Do you agree or disagree with my rebuttal? Let me know in the comments!

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for reading. :)

Bishop De’Andre Salter

4 Truths About Marriage Difficulties: How to Get Through the Rough Spots

It's easy to think marriage will be like the fairytales we read as children. But anyone married for any length of time knows that isn't the case. Marriage is full of ups and downs, and it's not always easy to get through the rough spots. That's why it's essential to develop strategies for dealing with marriage difficulties. This blog post will discuss four truths about marriage difficulties and how to get through them!

Look at marriage difficulties through a biblical lens to restore hope

There are many wrong ways to deal with marriage difficulties, including verbal fighting, adultery, substance abuse, reckless behaviors, staying away from home, physical abuse, or ultimately divorce. These negative behaviors result from one's flesh being more potent than their will to submit to the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul describes these behaviors as cravings or desires. Cravings are strong. They can be so strong that they seem to take over our will and thoughts. Galatians 5:17, which Paul stated in his letter to the Galatians, sums up his whole doctrine. The flesh conflicts with the Spirit. Mature Christians accept that they can't do whatever they want. Mature Christians yield their fleshly desires to the Spirit. When marriage difficulties come, it's important to remember that God can use them to develop our character and maturity. James says that we should have joy when facing various trials (James 1:2). Why? Marriage difficulties can be a good thing! They can help us grow in our faith and become more like Christ. Paul adds that perseverance builds character, and character builds hope (Romans 5:3-5). During relationship difficulties, these benefits are not readily seen nor happily acknowledged. Perseverance and endurance are what we can develop by withstanding marriage difficulties. Perseverance builds incredible hope at home!

Maximize your spouse’s strengths

To successfully get through the marriage rough spots, we need to learn to maximize our spouse's strengths, which means celebrating more than criticizing. Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount when he warns us first to remove the plank from our eye, and then "you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye" (Luke 6:41-42). Hypocrisy is a significant issue beneath the surface that causes so many marriage difficulties. Lovers can quickly point out the issues with each other, JUST NOT THEMSELVES! That's because we see spousal specks easier than our planks. It's always easier to see others' shortcomings than our own. Marriage difficulties often result when we fail to take the plank out of our eyes. Maximizing our spouses' strengths requires developing a healthy dose of humility and learning to celebrate more than criticize in marriage! Criticism builds barriers and separates people. While celebration builds connection, Paul instructs us to esteem each other (Philippians 2:3). Biblically, esteem means to bring them up, not tear them down! When was the last time you complimented your spouse on one of their strengths? Start today by penning a letter to a friend listing all of your spouse's strong points. You can list as many as you want, but only positive things. When finished, please give it to your spouse. Note how their reaction is different from when you criticize them.

Confess your shortcomings

To successfully get through marriage's rough spots, we must confess our shortcomings. Marriage is supposed to be a safe place. We should discuss our shortcomings with the assurance we will not be put down because of them. Creating that kind of atmosphere takes vulnerability and one brave person to start. Jesus' brother, James, says confession heals (James 5:16). Confession is good for the soul; it is also suitable for relationships! When we confess, it opens the door for our spouse to do the same. We need to remember that marriage is a team effort, and we are on the same side! There is no room for competition in marriage. When difficulties come, we need to view them as an opportunity to grow closer by confession. Biblical confession means to admit punishable actions for stepping out of bounds. When was the last time you admitted to anything wrong in your marriage? Confession allows us to enter into restricted spaces of the heart. So, confession is an opportunity for intimacy, which yields excellent dividends. Confession shows that we are aware of our faults and want to change. Another byproduct is that confession allows us to pray for each other, and God does answer! Confessing your faults also allows your spouse to extend grace to you, like a healing salve. Opening yourself up to this vulnerability is excellent in a friendship, but it's fantastic when that friend is your spouse.

Focus on the finish Line

The Hebrews writer encourages us to look to Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). This means that marriages should look to Jesus as the author and finisher of their relationship. Marriage is serious business. It is a promise worth keeping. The truth is, it won't always be easy. You won't get marriage perfect, and you may fail again and again in your attempts. Still, you are not in this alone. It would help if you had your eyes open in marriage to see where you are going.

We want to know we finished well. We will have some scrapes and bruises—it's expected in any race—but there is a sense of accomplishment in knowing we gave our best. It's the same with marriage. Sadly, current statistics reflect that many Christian marriages do not keep their commitments. We live in a throwaway society. If something no longer works, it is quickly discarded and replaced. Marriage should be different. God intended marriage to be for keeps. Too often get discouraged when we focus on our difficulties instead of the finish line. Marriage is a picture of Christ and his church. It's a picture marred today, but we Christ-followers can bring that picture back into focus. We can be different from the world that bails when the going gets rough. With God's strength and grace for each new day, you continued putting one foot in front of the other, and when you fell, you brushed yourself off and got up again. We can finish this marriage race by looking forward to hearing God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

What are some marriage rough spots you've faced? How did you faithfully get through them? Share your story in the comments below or discuss the questions below with your small group at church!

Discussion starters

1. When was the first time you realized your spouse was less than perfect? When did your spouse learn this truth about you?

2. What factors contribute to our thinking that relationships shouldn’t have rough spots? What practical things can prepare us for them?

3. What are some ways couples deal with disappointments as they learn their frailties?

4. Looking back to your dating relationship, were there any signs that all would not be smooth sailing, or were you shocked? Explain.

5. How did your parents handle the rough spots in their marriage? Did you adopt their ways of dealing with them?

How Online Bible Study Groups at Church Can Help You Find Best Friends

The church can be a great place to find friends. However, sometimes it can be challenging to find people who share the same interests. That's where small groups come in! An online bible study group is a great way to connect with other Christians and build meaningful relationships. This blog post will discuss the benefits of an online bible study group and how they can help you find your best friends at church.

Online bible study groups can provide the support that you may not find elsewhere

Whether you want to lose weight, run a marathon, or know where baby carrots come from, finding people facing the same challenges can help. The same is true of your faith. Finding individuals who will rejoice, laugh, cry, affirm, and share will be more beneficial to you than you could ever imagine. Why? Small groups provide a sense of family. ICWW small groups are led by incredible people who have been in small groups for some time and have a vested interest in your success. They want to see you grow both spiritually and relationally.

Online bible study groups can help you make new friends and deepen existing relationships

If you have small groups, it's perfect for building relationships. You can build a circle of friends with whom you can always talk about anything and enjoy each other's company. Even if your small group ends, you can stay connected with others by attending events together, going on service projects together, or just hanging out and having coffee. No matter your age or stage in life, there's a more robust circle for you.

Online bible study groups are a great place to grow in your faith

The best place to develop your faith is in the online bible study groups you belong to. Sunday services are fun, high-energy affairs that emphasize gatherings of individuals for worship and teaching - not necessarily meeting people. There are many different things to see and hear, and many individuals aren't comfortable doing so in a large congregation. Small groups are an excellent opportunity for us all to work through our walk with Christ together, and it's incredible how close we can get just by sharing our struggles and successes!

In ICWW's online bible study groups, there's no need to feel intimidated - everyone is welcome!

You don't need to be intimidated by a small group setting. Everyone feels this way sometimes, but it's so much easier when you get together with people who have similar interests! The fantastic thing about a small group at ICWW is that you are WELCOME HERE no matter who you are or where you come from! You are accepted, just as you are. A small group is a safe place to be yourself and grow in your faith. ICWW small groups are healthy, so you can open your heart to making new friends. 

You may find that online bible study groups are essential things in your life

There's a reason why small groups are so important, and it all has to do with friendships. Friendships are important to God and essential for us. They were one of the main reasons Jesus came to Earth - to show us what perfect friendship looks like. When we're in a small group, we're modeling Jesus' love for us and others. We get to see people at their best and worst, and we still choose to be there. That's something pretty special!

Online bible study groups can provide the support that you may not find elsewhere. They can help you make new friends and deepen existing relationships. Small groups are a great place to grow in your faith. There's no need to feel intimidated in small groups - everyone is welcome! You may find that online bible study groups are one of the most essential things in your life. Join an ICWW small group today! You won't regret it! :)

Job Opening: Office Administrator

Impact Family,

We’re hiring! If you are super organized, have incredible people skills, and want to work in a setting where every day you are helping to change the lives of others for the better then our Office Administrator position may be for you.

If you are interested in learning more about this part-time position, click here to view the full job description.

To apply, email me directly at tfolkes@impactww.church with your cover letter and resume.

Be Blessed,

Trina Folkes

Director of Operations | Impact Church

October's Serve Opportunity!

Let's Celebrate Our Bishop Together!

Family,

October is a very special month for us here at Impact Church Worldwide because it's when we have the chance to overwhelm our Senior Pastor, Bishop De'Andre Salter, with love on his birthday! This year is particularly special as he will be celebrating 50 years of life, a huge milestone, on Monday, October 18th.

Our lives have been impacted for the better because of Bishop Salter's ministry service and the teachings he gives week after week. We're incredibly grateful for his leadership in this season as he has successfully navigated us through one of the most challenging times in world history. Since you are connected with us, I want to use this time to share how you can help celebrate him in a dynamic way.

BIRTHDAY CARDS & MONETARY GIFTS

Secure mailbox at the main entrance.

MAIL

Your cards and monetary gifts can be mailed to the following address:

Bishop De’Andre Salter
1253 New Market Avenue
South Plainfield, NJ 07080

DROP-OFF

You can stop by our South Plainfield campus (1253 New Market Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ) where there is a secure mailbox at the main entrance just for your cards!

If you want to give a monetary gift, you can support Bishop Salter's nonprofit organization, The Culture of Money Global Outreach, directly.

MONETARY GIFTS

ONLINE

Visit https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/TCOMGLOBAL/donation

CHECKS

Make checks payable to:
TCOM Global Outreach

You can also feel free to mail your checks to our South Plainfield campus or drop them off in the secure mailbox.

VIDEO GREETINGS

On Monday, October 18th, I encourage you to share your birthday greetings with Bishop Salter via social media by tagging him:

Facebook: @DeAndreSalter
Instagram: @Deandre.Salter
Twitter: @DeandreSalter

Thank you for taking the time to consider how you will help us celebrate our Bishop!

With Joy,

Carolyn Knight | Leadership Pastor

Bishop Salter Update - A Prescription From Heaven

Hi Family,

I can’t express my gratitude enough to each of you who takes the time to read my newsletter every week. Through this, I connect with you and help you stay engaged in the happenings of OUR church. There is a special blessing in us being on one accord!

THE BIG GIVEAWAY HAS SERVED OVER 2,000 PEOPLE – THAT’S IMPACT

I don’t want you to think that we aren't having worship just because we aren’t gathering on Sundays. Quite the opposite is true! Over the last 6 months, we’ve been holding different types of church services. We’ve given away over $500,000 of household goods, personal care items, toys, and furniture valued to over 2,000 families! Just last Saturday alone, we got the privilege to serve 456 people! I’m most proud of the diversity of people served at this outreach. It looked like heaven will.

I did an impromptu teaching on this yesterday on Facebook Live; you can catch the replay here.

RESTORATION IS COMING – ADDRESSING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

I know many of us are anxious to get back to gathering in person, so I want to address some obvious questions that may have run across your mind in the last few weeks. 

Why are we streaming sermon replays on Sunday?

We can’t stream live or create any new content if we want to because everything was damaged in the flood. I’m talking about cameras, speakers, computers…everything we would use is gone. We’re actively working with the State and our insurance companies to get everything replaced as soon as possible. Pastor Shawn is live hosting, and his team is working hard to get us up and running ASAP. Hang in there, saints!

Why are we restreaming the NOW series from September 2020?

This series is prophetic and speaks to where we are now in 2021. It’s important to not always be in a rush to hear something new but to instead hold close to the Word of the Lord that was already spoken and apply it to the current circumstance. He gave it then, for NOW!

When will we host local prayer services as indicated in the recent survey?

We are working to get prayer sites up and running so that we can gather on Sunday mornings in various locations. These services will be hybrid, meaning they will also be live-streamed, so our online campus is with us at the main site.

I’m feeling disconnected or am in a spiritually dry season; what should I do?

I know this journey has been long and you miss being around like-minded believers within an in-person context. 

Remember, our mission is to become disciples of Jesus. Disciples need to be with spiritual family both on and offline. Here’s a prescription from heaven:

1. Join a small group! We’re now literally worldwide, but small groups are how we maintain our closeness and disciple each other. You can get all the information you need about what kind of groups are being offered, when they occur, and how to register by clicking here.

2. Start serving on a team. I know you’re busy, but we all are! If you carve out a few hours a week, you will find strength in serving others. Serving is part of your discipleship journey. As you work on the needs of others, God works on yours! This is why King David says he never saw the righteous forsaken, nor their seed beg bread. Right now, we have roles to fill on every team. I want you to consider joining the outreach team and serve at The Big Giveaway. If you’re interested in volunteering, click here. You’ll meet volunteers who aren’t even Impact partners but see the value in serving the world with us. This is your chance to plugin!

3. Connect with a prayer partner in our online service chat. Yes, just invite someone in the chat during service to be your prayer partner. Prayer partners make the best friends. Remember, if you are praying together, you are staying together!

YOUR NEXT STEPS

That was a lot, so here’s a recap of the next steps that I want you to take this week:

1. Sign up to volunteer at The Big Giveaway

2. Register for a Small Group

3. Pray, pray, pray!

Thank you for choosing me to be your pastor. I don’t take that responsibility lightly and count it an honor to serve you. I’m praying for you, and I’m trusting God with you for whatever it is you need.

Blessings & Love,

Bishop Salter | Senior Pastor