How Much Impact Are You Having?

Dear Friends,

When I originally wrote “Learning To Do What Jesus Did” in 1996 I had no idea how far reaching that book would be. I sometimes wonder just how far the book goes and the places it is used. In addition to English, it is in Spanish, Korean, Hungarian and is obviously used in those countries that speak that language. But as I think back over the years of how it is utilized and the ways it is passed around I remembered a couple of stories that encouraged me.

From Prison to New York
I received a call from a pastor in New York. He and his wife were invited to a conference in San Diego. When they arrived in San Diego a man who was a former prisoner at the prison in Tracy, CA, met them at the airport and drove them to their destination. In February of 1996 a team and I had conducted two ministry events at this prison, and the prisoner had received a copy of my training manual.

At some point during the weekend, he said to them, “God told me to give you this training manual.” They returned to New York and the wife began reading the chapters on Inner Healing and Deliverance in the manual. The Lord freed her up from depression and brought Inner Healing and Deliverance as she prayed through the prayers printed in the manual. She was so transformed by this that they are using it in their ministry in Jamaica Queens, N.Y. to the homeless, the children, and the youth.

Retreat Center-Eastern Europe
We had a three-day retreat at a Catholic Retreat Center about 90 miles from Budapest. They invited people from all over Hungary, Romania and Yugoslavia who serve in church leadership positions. They were surprised when over 100 responded! At one point some of us were sitting around discussing how interesting we thought it is that Hungarian was the first language into which this book has been translated. One of the men said to me, “Mike, many people don’t know this, but Hungary is pivotal in what happens in Eastern Europe. Furthermore, although we have many books on religious topics there is nothing like this book in this entire country and its effect will be widespread.”

As the retreat ended I was standing outside and watched many of them put the manual in their backpacks, and getting on their bicycles, or walking to the train station to return to their towns and villages. I believe I heard God say to me, “Michael, look how this manual is leaving here, you have no idea how far it will go.” It was very moving for me personally.

How does this apply to you? This story is about one book that I’ve written and its impact. What about those people you have come alongside and helped over the years by giving of your time? You may have no idea how that impacted their lives. Or that note of encouragement you wrote to them just at the moment it was needed?

For those of you that have children and grandchildren, do you realize the influence you have in their lives and the lasting impact on what they may end up doing in the future with their lives? Or what about that ministry that you help support. Don’t ever think your life does not have significant meaning. Think back over your life and be encouraged over the influence you have had that will last far beyond your life.

God bless,

Mike

“Learning To Do What Jesus Did” is available on YouTube.

In addition to the 9 DVD series being available through Wholeness Ministries you can now watch the entire series on YouTube. The book, an excellent training manual, has been taught around the world and is available in English and Spanish. You can buy the Book, CD’s or DVD’s at the Wholeness Shop.

Learning To Do What Jesus Did (9 parts)
Available on Youtube