International Update – July 2011

– by James Odewo of Kenya –

 

  It is four years since I received the first package of DVDs from Cross Style and underwent the training. I remember when I took the course very vividly and give thanks to God for these precious materials. I used to wait till night when my kids had gone to bed then I would listen to the teachings for hours, sometimes whole nights. Four years later, I have lots of testimonies to give. One, my ministry has grown. There is a phenomenal growth that I have experienced since I started listening to the Cross Style message in December 2008. I planted a church in innercore Estate, Nairobi in 2009. This church has grown beyond my expectation. There is a spiritual awakening taking shape in this community. Our church, Jesus Centered Church, is the talk of the Innercore community. What did I do? I simply put into practice what I learned from Cross Style. The message of Cross Style enriched my life profoundly. And when a pastor’s life is enriched, he enriches the flock. This message works. Praise God.

 

Two, my relationship with my wife has improved tremendously. Before I took Cross Style course, my marriage of 15 years was at its lowest point, actually at the brink of collapse. By the time I was through with the course, it was like we started all over again. God has renewed my marriage. It is at its highest now and still going high. We have erased the word ‘divorce’ from our vocabulary. It doesn’t exist in our plans as a family. It is like we are in a never-ending honeymoon. My wife got a brand new husband in me and my kids got a new dad too. Mine is a happy family now, thanks to the teachings I encountered through Cross Style.  God used Cross Style to renew me, so that I am a new person.

 

Three, the Cross Style message put in me a desire to seek God. The teachings opened my eyes and made me see God in a completely new light. Pastor Manley’s teaching on ‘Being What You’ve Become’ did it. I have a craving for God and a love for God that I cannot explain or put in words. I just love Him.  And I enjoy the word of God than ever before. Every verse I read pops up with fresh revelation to me. The word of God has become so real to me and every time I read it I understand it so clearly. And teaching it to others has become my greatest joy. It is like CSIM gave me keys to the word of God that I didn’t have before. This Jesus-centered message leaves you satisfied.  For 18 years of being Christian I struggled with addictions, lusts, perversions, fears, rejection and sought deliverance from many places. But deliverance was elusive. I gave up hope of ever being free and settled down to be a phony Christian, faking an experience I didn’t have. But when I took the course on the “Theology of Evangelism” I understood entire sanctification. The Cross Style message brought about in me a shift from self-centered living to Jesus-centered living. Before, I was wrapped up in myself, absorbed in my own problems, circumstances, ambitions and feelings. My whole being was concerned with ‘self’ thereby disregarding the first and greatest commandment: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment’ (Matt. 22:37).

 

The Cross Style message helped me by delivering me from ‘self’. I used to think my problem was the devil and his demons. That is what I was taught when I was a young Christian. I used to yell at demons with all my strength. I fought tooth and nail to free myself from demon-bondage but I was still bound. I didn’t know that the worst of all bondages is self-bondage. ‘Self’ thwarted all my efforts of becoming a true disciple of Christ. ‘Self’ literally stood on my way by demanding for attention. And when ‘self’ got the attention, God was no longer central in my life. That is how I slipped into Self-sovereignty, Self-indulgence, Self-gratification, Self-concern, Self-exaltation, Self-promotion and all other activities that were centered on ‘self’. And no preacher ever taught me the radical message of denying self taking my cross and following Jesus. Then came the Cross Style message. Now my testimony is: ‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’ (Gal. 2:20).

 

Through the course I learnt that deliverance must go beyond casting out demons. Victory cannot be achieved apart from victory over ‘self’. Uncrucified ‘self’ gives demons an ally and an accomplice in me thereby hindering Jesus from manifesting His life through me.

 

There are more things God has done in my life through Cross Style that I can’t explain in writing and I believe there is more yet to manifest. All I can say is that God is in CSIM. He brought me into CSIM at the right time to encounter Him. He knew what I needed and He connected me to it.

 

May God bless and keep Pastor Manley and all the wonderful ministers who are working with him. You are doing a great job. The impact is reaching far. Thanks for reaching out to us.

 

Still seeking Him

James