There were Apostles
& Prophets….
From the very early stages of our arrival at Gateway Church in 2010, God spoke to us about the church being an apostolic base church where Ephesian 4 gifts (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers) would gather – we took this word very seriously and so we invited a ‘proven’ prophet to join us, Julian Adams. For the past six weeks, we have been deeply impacted, provoked and equipped – I managed to get Julian’s view on his time here in Dubai:
STEVE; it has been such a joy having you in Gateway Church over the past six weeks - how have you found Dubai?
JULIAN; Thank You Steve, What a joy it has been over the last few weeks to get to know a little bit of the bustling city of Dubai. It is a great city with so much energy and opportunity for people to do extraordinary things for Jesus. I have loved the sense of community and joy in the church too. I have been overwhelmed at the kndness and generosity of Gateway Church. This is a special place indeed!
STEVE; Your time began with The Hub conference - how did you feel about the conference & what was your highlight?
JULIAN; Wow! Wow! Wow! The Hub has to have been a highlight conference of the year for me. I do loads of conferences in the UK and abroad, yet this conference had something special about it. It was owned by the local church but had massive implications for the nations. The sense of God's presence in the teaching, worship and serving was tangible, the stories of commissioning and encounter that many had is wonderful! I think the overwhelming sense for me was the phenomenal offering given to extend the kingdom on the nations. I feel next year will not only be bigger in the sense of catching people up in the Kingdom vision but also in ownership of an expectation of God's presence and power propelling us into destiny!
 STEVE; Over the past five weeks you have been equipping some of our 'prophets' in Gateway - how has it gone & what do you feel the outcome will be?
JULIAN; The group of prophetic people gathered over the last few weeks are just absolutely quality. I must admit, I wondered how this would all work out with people at different stages of prophetic development. Yet, we all 'clicked' and to see the growth and maturity in this group will make for very exciting meetings in gateway. I commend them to you as a church, I believe they have the heart of the father and are able to minister this to many through the prophetic. So many good memories fill my heart as I type this. I so loved this school, the best yet!
 STEVE; the role of the prophetic in a local church is so vital - how can we best ensure we stay 'focuses & sharp' as a church?
JULIAN; Okay, so that is a very broad question, I feel I could preach at least 5 sermons on just this point. Firstly, for me, worship is the key, deep and intimate, radical and joyful worship. It is the door way to enjoying the work of the Spirit. Expectation is another, come to Gateway Gatherings with an expectation that God will speak. Lastly, listen to the message and respond to what God is saying! He rewards those who are faithful with the little.
STEVE; Having spent a few weeks with us now, what encouragement would you give us at Gateway to help us stay on course?
JULIAN; I would want to encourage you to keep church uncomplicated. Style, articulate oratory/preaching (without power), glitz and glamour, do not produce nation shaping churches and life change in people. Keep worship about Jesus, keep it passionate, that's how it's supposed to be. Preach the Gospel of the Kingdom, make it plain and powerful. Keep faith levels high-expect that the God who created the universe can use each one of you to touch the world. Lastly, Keep going! And if you can't go yourself, send someone else!
STEVE; Are there adjustments to the way we 'express church' that you would encourage us to make?
JULIAN; I love your family expression as church, I love the sense of community. As you grow, you will have to keep fighting for that. I don't feel like there is anything to adjust, but I would caution that you keep the expression of reaching nations and Dubai firmly in both hands, trying not to over emphasize one or the other. Bless the city and bless the nations
STEVE; I so enjoyed traveling with you on our recent trip to Malaysia - what was your experience of our time there?
JULIAN; Jehovah ‘Sneaky’ is about to surprise us in Malaysia, I feel that part of Gateway's apostolic remit is to include Malaysia! The doors are open not just for us to plant but to work with good churches who are doing significant things for God. Sign up for the next trip, it will bless you. Working with the team, was fun seeing how God used Khang Wee in his own home town was good too. It takes team to make these things happen. Lastly, frogs legs are not that bad after all!
 STEVE; I found traveling with such a rich diversity of Ephesian 4 gifts extremely exciting - your thoughts?
JULIAN; The point of sharing our lives together on mission is not just about what we do together but who we are together. Our complimentary gifts, our different personalities and our life stories all point to a God who diversely uses many to extend his purposes. That’s why we do church and not organization. I loved the synergy (the principle of working together producing fruit that is greater than the individual sum of parts). God is community in everlasting trinity. When we work like he does, fruit is multiplied and God is glorified.
STEVE; what awaits you as you head into 2012?
JULIAN; I would value you prayers as I work to establish Frequentsee Trust as a local church ministry that serves to establish and raise up more prophetic voices. I will be working hard to strategise and prioritise fathering more prophetic gifts this year. Together with that many new nations are opening for me and I am trusting God for his guidance in leading me to the right relationships which extend Kingdom blessing and building!
STEVE; are there a few things we can remember as we pray for you?
JULIAN; Pray for moments of rest and intimacy with Jesus, Prophetic ministry relies on this. Pray that my goal is to leave a legacy of the goodness of God wherever I go. Also pray for traveling mercies (upgrades would be preferable!)
STEVE; I take it we'll be seeing you again in Dubai?
JULIAN; The Hub next year, or maybe before? Seriously, I have so felt at home and loved by you all that I am sure we will see each other before The Hub! Love you all so much and you are in my prayers!
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