World MAP Seminars in Pakistan

By Dr. Frank R. Parrish

It was just one month prior to leaving for Pakistan to conduct four World MAP pastors’ seminars that the urgent prayer bulletin came: Two churches had been bombed not far from where our first conference would convene!

Several people had died, and many more were wounded. There was grave concern among the Christians that more attacks were imminent. We immediately went to prayer, with our hearts breaking as we saw pictures of the devastation.

Then the questions arose. Would it be safe to gather a large and noticeable group of pastors together at this time? With all the tension and uncertainty, would pastors still come to the seminars? Would we travel all that distance, only to potentially be denied entry into the country upon arrival? Our well-laid plans seemed uncertain at that point.

OPEN DOORS

Our practice is to gather with key intercessors whenever we are about to travel to conduct World MAP seminars. But we met for prayer this time with a particular sense of urgency.

We had an extended and powerful time of prayer, with deep travail and prophetic release. Too much took place to relay it all here, but suffice it to say there was a clear sense that our King was undisturbed by the recent events! He gave us a peace and steadfast certainty that we were headed for a mighty “kairos” (divinely appointed visitation) moment with the beloved pastors of Pakistani Church!

So, in faith, we proceeded as planned and arrived in Pakistan on April 11, 2015. We were met at the airport by our coordinator and friend, Pastor Haroon, who had scheduled seminars in four cities that were three days per seminar. This shorter time frame was prudent, as meeting in any one place for too long only increased the security risk.

Pastors gathered for the World MAP seminars in Lahore, Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Sialkot and Karachi.

GOD RESPONDS TO HUNGER

We were confident that God had great purpose for these gatherings. But even we were surprised at the magnitude of what we encountered in each city!

The attendance was substantially larger than at last year’s Pakistani seminars, sometimes even exceeding the capacity of our meeting places. But well beyond that was the high sense of expectancy and hunger this year from the pastors for a fresh word from the Lord and a touch from His Spirit.

It was our joy at each seminar to see the Holy Spirit move in power in response to this hunger. We witnessed numerous healings, personal breakthroughs, answered prayers, fresh vision and the release of callings and giftings for new areas of ministry. Praise the Lord!

POWER IN UNITY

We were also thrilled to see the growing unity among the pastors. The prior year, there were large groups of pastors from single organizations who chose not to attend the World MAP seminars. But this year, they attended in full force and with open-hearted participation.

There was a strong sense of unity, fellowship and community among the leaders (Acts 2:40-47). How good and pleasant when brethren dwell in unity (Psalm 133). This is a divine “weather vane” sign that God is preparing to move in a significant way with and through those who are being led by His Spirit (Rom 8:14). The Lord can do much greater things with those whose focus is on His Kingdom, rather than on their own local assignment or group.

Pastors and key leaders commented that they sensed God building a “spiritual momentum” in the Church of Pakistan. This was evidenced by the pastors’ response to the teachings and the moving of the Holy Spirit among them.