Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Newsletter - Mozambique Bound

OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org

Dear Friends,

MOZAMBIQUE - HERE WE COME!

In a few hours we will be heading out to O'Hare Int. Airport for almost two weeks in Africa.  This is a trip with great promise from the Lord.  Pray that Brenda, Timothy and I and the other fourteen Lovers of Jesus will not miss any opportunities to express the Father's love to the precious people we will meet in Mozambique.  We anticipate awesome miracles again, but we expect the unexpected as well.  

Please thank God that He is keeping us safe, strong and healthy.  We take Jesus with us as our Great Physician and Protector.  Also thank God that He is keeping Iris leaders from fear and distraction while they are receiving numerous death threats and other hostilities from jealous Muslems in the region.  Thank Jesus that He is going to be greatly honored and exhalted in the nation of Mozambique.  Also, thank Jesus that He will be leading Nathan into a new dimension of Jesus' love as he attends three weeks of Teen Internship at Kansas City International House of Prayer while we are in Africa.

WHAT A WEDDING!!!

Our daughter Andrea and Harvey Smith were married just a few days ago on June 24.  It was a glorious occasion and very blessed.  They are right now an extremely happy married couple.  Harvey is so perfect for Andrea and we rejoice in the goodness and mercy of God.

Special thanks go to several members of our Chicago ministry team, who gave of their time, finances and energy to cater and serve the most wonderful reception.  People have commented on how awesome it was.  They worked like you can't imagine and had a great time, with incredible unity.  We thank God for that.  

Thirty-three years ago, we got to know Pastor Robert and Helen Smith, after I came home from six weeks of incredible glory in Argentina with Elmer Burnette, my spiritual father and mentor.  I determined to bring him to where I pastored, but our church was very small, so I asked the  Pentecostal pastor in the neighboring town to co-host the meetings in his facility.  

For several days we worked together to host some glorious meetings in Pangman, Saskatchewan, Canada.  During that time our two churches were united and two bacame one.  Also during that time, our daughter, Barbie, and Smith's daughter, Carolyn, were dedicated to the Lord as babies by Elmer Burnette.  Now, thirty-three years later, our daughter, Andrea, and their son, Harvey, have joined together and two became one again.

GLORY OF GOD IN COEUR D' ALENE, IDAHO

What an awesome service we had on Sunday morning!  Yes, Brenda and I spoke there and ministered to people at the altar, but before we said a word, during some awesome worship, we had a visitation from Heaven.  God has been doing signs and wonders at The Gateway Christian Fellowship for some time.  That morning however, was the first time that a 50 carat Heavenly jewel appeared in their church facility during the service.  Our friend, Tracy Dorn, who administrates our Chicago conferences, and has had many visitations to Heaven, saw an angel fly across the front of the building and drop the jewel beside the pulpit stand.  

There had already been a dozen of them of four different colors land in the yard of one of the church members.  He also saw the angel and the jewel and ran up to retrieve it.   He is another one that is also being constantly sprinkled with gold dust, which we saw, and Brenda got some to put in her Bible.  Anyway, while I was speaking later, another jewel was added to their box of jewels, all about 50 carats, perfectly formed like a diamond.  That was at least the second one that had been added inside a closed box.

At least two gemologists have looked at these gemstones, purple, red, pink and clear like diamonds, and don't know what they are.  They are one-third heavier than other gemstones by specific gravity measurements.  They are a wonderful sign and wonder.

I spoke on the significance of these signs from Heaven.  The gold comes first and represents God's glory.  The temple was overlaid in gold, because it was to be "extremely magnificent, famous and GLORIOUS throughout all countries"  (I Chron. 20:5).  The gold dust, gold fillings, etc., which have been occuring for years, are a prophetic sign of the coming of His glory which will cover us and be "seen upon us" (Isaiah 60:2), as we are the living stones in His temple (Eph. 2:19-22).

The glory of God is His Presence.  He is asking us to seek His Presence like never before.  When His presence comes, His glory comes.  

The jewels are prophetic of His extravegant gifts as a wealthy bridegroom would give to His bride.  These jewels represent the many spiritual gifts and blessings that Jesus, the passionate Lover of His bride, is bestowing on the church right now.  The way the jewels were multiplying is a sign of how His gifts are being multiplied in the church.  The presence must come first - then the gifts will flow and multiply.

There was more revelation, but I must get busy and get to Africa.  If you can get to Coeur D'Alene, Idaho soon, you may get to see the jewels that we saw and there will probably be more by then.  If you are near northern Illinois, Kari Browning, the co-leader of The Gateway, will be with us in DeKalb, IL, September 21-23, along with Jeff Janzen and Paula Benne.  They have all been used in the glory realm.  Check our website www.ohmint.org itinerary, and the Elijah List as well for details.

Keep trusting God with us for ever-increasing glory in His beautiful presence.  And thank you again to all who keep us going with prayer and support.  

We love you all!

Ben and Brenda Peters and family

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Newsletter June 19th, 2006

OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
www.ohmint.org
15648 Bombay Blvd
South Beloit, IL 61080

Greetings Saints,

We are enjoying being with family and friends in Washington State.  We all arrived safely and have seen God at work in many ways.  As usual, Brenda has found many opportunities to encourage people with a loving word from the Father.

On Saturday night while visiting her parents and baking the wedding cake for Harvey and Andrea's wedding, Jack, a family friend, came by to visit.  He is an older gentleman from down the street who stops by quite often to say hi.  Last year his wife passed away and Brenda was at her side just before she died, leading her in a salvation prayer.

After Jack went home, Brenda made a little cake for him and took it to his house.  Jack was an atheist, but since his wife's death he has had more time to consider eternity.  She began to prophesy to him and asked if she could pray for him.  He agreed and was greatly touched and brought to tears.  Brenda knew he had responded from his heart to believe and accept the Lord.  

Yesterday, Father's Day, I was privileged to minister in Spokane in both campuses of Covenant Church, pastored by our oldest son, Ken and his wife, Valencia.  God blessed the service and I was greatly honored by Ken in a very special way.  I sensed that the Lord was preparing to pour out a special blessing on Ken and Valencia and the churches they have started in Spokane.

Another treat for me was when our two daughters, Barbie and Andrea, along with Valencia, sang a beautiful trio.  It's been my dream to have them sing trios together.  They all have beautiful voices and harmonize incredibly well.  (They are also all very beautiful inside and out in my humble opinion.)  They did record the song, and I'm looking forward to hearing it again.  Who knows, they may even produce a CD and become famous?

In the evening, Timothy and his good friend and House of Prayer partner, Anthony Coltman, led worship in an outdoor amphitheater.  They were very anointed and a great blessing to the crowd who came to the special event on a beautiful evening in Spokane.  It was an awesome finish to an awesome day.

In a couple of days, we will be receiving guests from all over the USA and Canada, as they begin to arrive for the wedding of Andrea and Harvey, which takes place on Saturday at noon in an outdoor setting.  The reception will be at Ken's Spokane Valley church facility.

We are very excited about this wedding, knowing it was totally God that brought them together and that they have an awesome destiny in the Kingdom of God.  

Next Sunday, the day after the wedding we will be ministering on Sunday morning at the Gateway in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.  This church has been experiencing some awesome and unusual signs and wonders and we are excited to be there with them.  As soon as we are done, we will be heading back to Chicago to get ready for Africa.  We will only have about one day more or less to get ready.  We do appreciate your prayers for packing expertise.  We want to travel light, but we also want to take gifts for the workers in Mozambigue and the orphaned children in the Children's Homes that Heidi takes care of.

We are excited about what God is going to do in Mozambique in us and through us.  This trip will have adventures and heights of glory that the previous one didn't have, and that's saying something.  Please pray protection on all of our team, especially for health and strength and spiritual wisdom and authority.  

After this weekend, we will not be able to answer too many emails until we return from Africa, but we will do our best to communicate when we get a chance.  In other words, don't put off writing if you want to communicate with us.

We love you all and thank you for your prayers and support of every kind.  The love of Jesus that flows through our friends keeps us going.

God bless you all with fresh revelation of His love and destiny for you!

Ben and Brenda and family

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Newsletter June 10th, 2006

OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd
South Beloit, IL 61080

Greetings to all,

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SON AND DAUGHTER-IN-LOVE, KEN AND VALENCIA ON THEIR 12TH WEDDING ANIVERSARY!  HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

We just had a wonderful "Watering Hole" daytime meeting in Addison yesterday.  What a sweet Spirit of God in that place and so many hungry and thirsty saints moving on with God into their destinies.  

Tomorrow we will be in Wheeling with another group and Monday we head west for Washington State and our Andrea's wedding to Harvey Smith.  As soon as we return we head for Mozambique.  Please don't stop praying for us.

Below is a letter I received from Rick Fick, a friend from Big Rock, Illinois.  I found it very interesting.

God bless you all,

Ben and Brenda


Dear Ben and Brenda

I am including a copy of your recent report in which you sent a copy of your chariot vision.  The same day I received a note from one of our prophetic people on a vision she had received.  We have been experiencing new levels of revelation of His glory in our worship times at our center in Big Rock.  Perhaps we should get together once again.

Rich-in-Christ



CHARIOT VISION  Ben Peters
I want to share what I saw last night during worship at the home meeting in Fox River Grove.  I saw a circle of heavenly chariots circling around the base of the Mountain of the Lord.  I knew they were looking for those who wanted to get on board and take a quick journey to the top of the mountain.  They were like Cab drivers looking for passengers.

I knew that the people who were there at the base of the mountain were all planning on climbing the mountain to be with the Lord, but the journey would be a slow process and might last their lifetime.  The angels riding the chariots were inviting those who were willing to leave everything behind to go quickly right into the presence of the Lord.  It would mean really letting go and being totally abandoned to the King.  

They would have to be willing to emotionally detach themselves from every form of natural security, including reputation, resources and relationships.  The chariots were for those who were a people of One Thing - sold out lovers, whose hearts were beating in tune with the Father's heart.  

I really believe that Jesus has opened the door into His presence wider than ever before.  He is looking for those who will come to Him to receive their Harvest assignments and become like the angels in Jacob's dream that ascend and descend into Heaven to report to God and to receive new assignments.  The only condition to ride the chariots into His presence is a yielded heart.  Neither gifting, education or position will put us in those chariots, but a broken and contrite heart that is totally surrendered to God will qualify.  I'm asking God to make my heart willing and totally yielded to Him.  I don't want anything to keep me from inheriting everything available to lay at His feet.

Chariot Vision - Lynn Rowley
Rich and Kay,  Just wanted to share with you a vision that I had this morning during my time with the Lord....

At first I was just aware of the golden glow of glory and the presence of the Lord.  Then suddenly there was a mountain rising up out of this cloud of glory.  There were hundreds of chariots with "angelic" drivers in row after row around the base of the mountain.  (This reminded me of taxis lined up at the airports waiting for riders).   And I heard the Lord say "Get on board! You are in for the ride of your life".  But I also knew that once I stepped into one of these chariots, I must be ready to really let go of everything in the world.  As soon as someone stepped into the chariot it would immediately take off up the mountain.  Some of the people in the chariots had shofars and some had flags and some had rods.  (I saw both of you in chariots with your eyes turned to the mountain - it was the most amazing picture - I wish I was an artist so I could recreate it for you) There was this incredible sound of worship....  All I wanted to do was get into one of those chariots.  There was a ring of fire/water between me and the chariots and I knew that I  had to walk through that to get to the chariots.  Just as I started to put my foot in that river, the Lord said "count the cost... this is not an easy path.  Many will fear and hate you once you have come this far.  The wisdom of the world will be confounded by the ways of my Spirit.  For this is a new day and a new way.  Things of old will pass away and only the new will remain.  So count the cost.  For I have called you to this time and to this day and to this hour."  I ran ON the fire/water across to a chariot and jumped in!!!!!!  It was incredible!

CHARIOT VISION June 8th, 2006

OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org

Dearest Friends,

What a joy it is to serve Jesus in these exciting days of harvest!  We have ministered in four home groups in the last five days and have three more in the next four days.  We have seen many people weep before the Lord as He touches their hearts.  Some had struggled with suicide and depression and many other attacks of the enemy.  Many of the people we ministered to had been with us before and reported how words from Jesus some years ago had been coming to pass since we had seen them last.

So many people have encouraged us with testimonies and with such thankful hearts.  It keeps us going, even though we can be totally exhausted when we go until close to midnight and get home around 1 a.m. most evenings.  But God has given us strength and we continue to get excited as we see the people of God rising up into their destiny with a new sense of vision and confidence in their God to build His Kingdom.

Another thing that has really blessed me is recording the donations that came in during the conference for our speakers and the special offering that Che Ahn took up for us.  So many folk gave over and over again, and I knew it was a great sacrifice for many of them.   As you know, we host these conferences totally by faith, without registration fees.  

We have been blessed with many of the best and most anointed prophetic and apostolic speakers in the world today, and we expect to have even more of them in the days ahead.  By God's grace, and through the sacrifice and generosity of the people who attend, we have not had to send our speakers off without a good offering to support them and their missions and mentorship projects.  This all happens without lengthy offering messages and appeals.

So thanks to everyone who gave and thanks to the Holy Spirit who touched us all in such a powerful way.  For those who couldn't come, we do have discounted CD's and DVD's of all the speakers and six of the worship sessions, including two with Georgian Banov.

Also, we are not able to express how overwhelmed we were by the outpouring of love in the surprise offering taken up for us by Che Ahn for our trip to Africa.  No one had any idea how badly we needed the finances that came in.  

We are still committed not to share our needs publically and we have been stretched financially so many times, but each time we get a bigger miracle in answer to our prayers of desparation.  May God bless all of you who made the sacrifice to bless us and send us to Africa with our bills paid.

CHARIOT VISION

I want to share what I saw last night during worship at the home meeting in Fox River Grove.  I saw a circle of heavenly chariots circling around the base of the Mountain of the Lord.  I knew they were looking for those who wanted to get on board and take a quick journey to the top of the mountain.  They were like Cab drivers looking for passengers.

I knew that the people who were there at the base of the mountain were all planning on climbing the mountain to be with the Lord, but the journey would be a slow process and might last their lifetime.  The angels riding the chariots were inviting those who were willing to leave everything behind to go quickly right into the presence of the Lord.  It would mean really letting go and being totally abandoned to the King.  

They would have to be willing to emotionally detach themselves from every form of natural security, including reputation, resources and relationships.  The chariots were for those who were a people of One Thing - sold out lovers, whose hearts were beating in tune with the Father's heart.  

I really believe that Jesus has opened the door into His presence wider than ever before.  He is looking for those who will come to Him to receive their Harvest assignments and become like the angels in Jacob's dream that ascend and descend into Heaven to report to God and to receive new assignments.  The only condition to ride the chariots into His presence is a yielded heart.  Neither gifting, education or position will put us in those chariots, but a broken and contrite heart that is totally surrendered to God will qualify.  I'm asking God to make my heart willing and totally yielded to Him.  I don't want anything to keep me from inheriting everything available to lay at His feet.

COMING CONFERENCES

Something very exciting is developing for this fall's convention season.  Not only are we scheduled in Crystal Lake with Shawn Bolz and JoAnne McFatter and others in late October, but we also now have another conference developing quickly to be held in DeKalb, IL, September 21-23.  We should know all the speakers very soon.  Some are not well-known yet, but are moving in the glory realm like few ministries are.  The theme of the September conference is "Show Me Your Glory."  Please don't write this off as too far away.  We can get overnight housing for a lot of people who want to spend the night.  We also have a good motel with reasonable rates.  This conference is going to be very special.

JUNE SCHEDULE

After the next three home meetings we rush to Washington for Andrea and Harvey's wedding.  Then we rush home to leave for Mozambique for two weeks.  Please pray earnestly for both these events.

May God bless you all richly and help you activate your gifts for the expansion of His Kingdom!

We love you all!

Ben and Brenda, Tim and Nathan

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Newspaper Article Attacking Iris Ministries

Dear Saints,

Many of you may have heard about the nasty newspaper article attacking Iris Ministries on the front page of the Pemba newspaper this past weekend.  I received about 7 copies of the letter from various newsletters.  We immediately received confirmation that God was watching over them.  Bobby Conner had written them without knowing their situation, telling them that God was going to show Himself strong on their behalf.  Brenda had a powerful vision of angels holding back the hoards of hell.  She also saw God clothing Heidi and Rolland and everyone there in armor, piece by piece.  She prophesied great growth and new buildings going up quickly.

Today we received a letter from Rolland with an update about a major victory.  Keep praying, God is at work.  I'm copying the letter below.  Please also read the request from Georgian Banov for youth groups and youth leaders and others who want to do prophetic evangelism in New Orleans with him and Patricia King.  It won't work on our schedule, as we are taking a team to Albany, New York, at that time.  

We also want to report a miracle we hadn't heard about earlier.  During our April Conference in DeKalb, we prayed and prophesied over a man with Hepatitis (can't remember which kind), praying for healing for natural and spiritual problems or something like that.  He has gone back for two tests and is free of the Hepatitis.

We are getting many wonderful reports from the conference we just completed in Crystal Lake.  The DVD's and CD's will be available in a day or two if you want to enjoy the awesome time with us.  Just write and let us know if you want a set.

Here's Rolland and Heidi's letter:

Dear friends who have written about our Pemba crisis,

Heidi and I deeply appreciate your response, and we feel very loved by Jesus through you! He is moving in response to the prayers and intercession of many, and you are such a valuable part of our lives over here in Africa! Here is a bit of an update, and we will write more. A major newsletter is coming soon...

Clearly, Jesus has some creative options, and is using them in response to your great love and concern!

We were trying to meet with the Frelimo political party chief in Pemba for days, but we were refused and ignored, even when Heidi and our staff waited in his office for hours. Finally one afternoon his secretary was gone, and Heidi and our provincial pastor just marched up to the chief's office and persuaded him to listen. On the way she met the author of the article, who was very ill at ease and embarrassed.

The party chief did not respond well at first, and in fact kept threatening us, saying that not only would they not retract their story, but that they were going to print even more against us in the newspaper.

After quite a long time, though, there was a sudden big shift. Heidi had been explaining our hearts and work, softly and in tears. We are for the country, have nothing against the party, and simply want to love and help. She explained what we do with children and education, and Pastor José boldly told of our evangelism all over the province. We have no political agenda, and want to do good to everyone we meet, in the name of Jesus. As they kept sharing our motivation and purposes in Mozambique, the chief softened and broke. He believes us, he said, and confessed to having a hard knot in his heart over all this. He said he was so relieved to be free of this hardness, and that this had become a great day in his life.

It seems that some pastors or people in our Iris churches somewhere had been stirring up some political activism under our name without our knowledge or involvement, and word had gotten back to the capital. The president of the country himself became concerned, and had ordered the country's justice department to investigate Iris. He also was the one who asked the newspaper in Pemba to publish this article! A lot of people got inflamed, using the incident as a means to resist our presence in Mozambique.

But this chief of the Frelimo Party (the party we were accused of undermining) in Pemba melted before Heidi, and now has promised to have another article published correcting the previous article. We haven't seen that article yet, however, and are waiting for the result.

The situation right up until almost five o'clock on Tuesday was actually very critical, and looking very dangerous for Iris, more than we had communicated. The chief's reversal was huge.

But Jesus had something else up His powerful, creative sleeve. Yesterday Heidi arrived at the Pemba airport to fly out on anothe speaking trip, and very uncharacteristically was early. But she was there at the airport just as the president's wife and entourage landed for a big Frelimo political event in Pemba. As the provincial governor and others who has been attacking us looked on, Heidi connected with local leaders who were putting on a dance at the airport to welcome the VIPs. Heidi was enthusiastically asked to dance with the children in their Frelimo t-shirts, and soon was blending in comletely with their program, all of which was broadcast on national TV. She got on famously with everyone, and clearly showed that she and Iris had no problems with the party and the people of Pemba. All this, of course, will get back to the president.

Our Moslem friends in Pemba have been seen meeting with the instigators of the anti-Iris reports, but they are dealing with huge pressure from their families and the Moslem community.

We do need very much to address these issues among our pastors and church people. As in China, believers need to build a reputation for being the best citizens, the most reliable, honest, hard-working people around who will be good for the country. We have only one life to give, and in such situations we need to give it for the Gospel and not for secondary issues... We are sure that the vast majority of our church people have no desire to use Iris for political purposes.

So, Jesus is doing what only He can do, as usual, and we trust Him to be with us always in everything... We love all of you for the way you have lifted us up before the King, and have encouraged us so overwhelmingly... We will keep sending you updates...

Much, much love in Him! --Rolland and Heidi


Here's Georgians info:

  

  

Calling all Missionaries!

  

Rebuilding New Orleans through the Love of Christ

Releasing the Prophetic Voice and Healing in the City

After Hurricane Katrina

  

Prophetic Evangelism Outreach

July 21 – 25th, 2006

Dear Pastor,
  
Along with Victory Fellowship, we are sponsoring a special week of missionary outreach and prophetic evangelism to the devastated regions of New Orleans.

We are calling one and all to come and help us raise the prophetic voice of God to determine the destiny of the city, that she would not just recover, but be changed by the love of Christ.  Please inform as many leaders and youth pastors about this week in July (Friday the 21st – Tuesday the 25th).  Of course, you can come earlier or stay later, as they can always use the help.  
  
This outreach is co-sponsored by Victory Fellowship, and you can contact Youth Pastor Mike Ladner at 504-258-1335 for more information.  People will be housed and fed in “camping style” accommodations, for a small fee.  Pastor Mike will tell you what you need to bring.
  
We have daytime outreaches to the devastated areas, including evangelism, rebuilding of broken houses and lives.  During the evenings we will have meetings at different church locations throughout the city for prayer, re-firing, and impartation.  Various international speakers are invited to participate, including Patricia King, Georgian Banov, and Eddie Lawrence, and more.  This will be a time of divine impartation while going to the mission field.

Thank you for sending us your troops, no team is too small!

With appreciation,

Georgian


  
Georgian Banov

Global Celebration

www.globalcelebration.com

in cooperation with Victory Fellowship

www.victoryfellowship.net


Richest blessings to you all,

Ben and Brenda Pete