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God has had me on a fast track for the past three years.  I was crying out to God and he literally ripped me out of the mess I was in. In the beginning it was not a fun ride. I was a drug dealer and an addict for seven years. I was severely addicted to men.  On December 8, 2008 I got arrested for selling drugs.  It turns out that those men in the uniforms were actually angels with badges.   I went to jail for a year and on my court date I was sentenced to Drug Rehabilitation program for a year.  I went to a faith based program at New Beginnings in Martin, Georgia. About three months into the program the love of God consumed my life and gave me a reason to change. I felt worthless.  I was always thinking about suicide and I didn’t care about anything or anyone.  When Jesus set me free he started to show me who I really am.  He gave me a life worth living and a reason to live.

So, I completed the one year program and then stayed on in student leader ship training for six months. My dad kept telling me about how awesome The River was and about the bible school. He said that the fire of God was burning so strong down here.

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The way the Lord has touched me the most since I have come to RBI. I have always wanted to speak in tongues. I have pressed into the Lord many times to try speak tongues but I was never able to. On the 30^th of August worship was coming to a close but I felt the desire to try to speak in tongues again. It was during the song “Let your fire fall.” I started to pray to God that I wanted to speak in tongues. So while praying I just started to focus all my attention on God.

I kept praying/singing “let your fire fall Lord, let your fire fall on me.” Then slowly I feeling of heat, of fire, came upon me. It started to feel like the inside of me was burning up. My hands began to shake, and the words that came out of my mouth were not English, at first it was a few short words then, came sentences, then it was like a stream of the heavenly language came pouring out of my mouth. I also believe that God was breaking me free from some things on that day. Since then I have been able to speak in tongues. Praise God…

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My testimony may be small compared to others but it is very encouraging to me when I reflect on my past. I will start at the beginning before I was saved, forgiven, and on my way to heaven. I was raised in a small town and there was very little to do. In the eighth grade I began stealing prescription drugs from my grandfather. I won’t go into detail but the drugs I was using were powerful enough to knock out a herd of elephants. I also started drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual activity. Very many times I came close to death. For example I took a substantial amount of muscle relaxers and passed out and my friends had to beat me to get me conscious enough to go home.  This lifestyle of sin continued with very few dry spells and an ever increasing new variety of drugs and a higher tolerance level.

Last Christmas two weeks prior I took 4 dextromorphan and 3 vicodin. I headed off to school and that night me and my friends went somewhere about 30 miles away and ended up having an experience I could only compare to as a stroke. The after effects of this experience lasted roughly 2 to 3 months give or take. During that time however my life was changed because I finally became a true believer in Christ Jesus. During those months I had many assignments due including a 12 page paper. I couldn’t believe it but I got a “B” on that paper. Keep in mind I could barely speak in complete sentences. At the end of the year of going through hell, persecution, breaking a 10 month relationship off with an unbeliever, and ending many lifetime friendships, I graduated.

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I prayed that I would get accepted to the school because I wanted that fire, that passion for the lost. Ever since the first day of school I went in expecting a touch from the lord. P.Maldonado came to visit our church the week of revival week and I got touched like I never have before I cried from the inside for the Lord to touch my heart to change me I wanna see people like I never seen them before I wanna walk by my brothers and sisters and not be able to walk away without telling them “YOU KNOW THAT GOD LOVES YOU and HAS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE”.Then, the day that the bible students filled the alter with their most prize possesions without holding anything back from the lord. It showed me that our treasures are in heaven we are followers of the Lord and we cant hold nothing back from him we have to trust him in everything. The next day I beleive P.Adonica preached. She prayed for everyone and all I remember is this peace coming upon me that I can’t even explain it …

Super soul winning saturday was that very next day.. I was so excited to go out .. 18 people recieved the lord as their savior ,but ,when I go to knock on another door a lady opens the door ,, sweet lady ,, she listened to what I had to say but when I was going to pray with her she stopped me and said I have my sin in my hand right now (she was holding Crack , Cocaine ) I Told that lady how God loves her . I told her ,”grab my hand lets pray” I prayed for her and while she had her eyes closed and grabbing on to my hand as tight as she could, she repeated after me the Soul Winning Script. We all have freedom in us and by the way she held my hand and repeated the prayer after me to accept Christ in her heart , I beleive that she felt that freedom in her ! We are all free because Jesus payed the price on Calvary we dont have to be bound by sin , destruction , hate , sadness nor depression because he paid the price so we can be free . The lord was pouring into me so I can pour out to my brothers and sisters. Its only been 3 weeks and so much has happened already I cant wait to see what the lord has next for me………Edisandra C.

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Before these RBI/RSW Revival meetings, it was as though I could see and hear everything around me as one in a coma; however, I was unable, restricted, barred in my ability to engage — even as an Ordained Minister of the Gospel.  Lassoed by religion and tradition, and gagged by knowledge, I knew I was dying…

I awoke from the coma I was in during the RBI/RSW Revival week’s first Tuesday morning meeting on August 22, after GOD ordered a delicate life-saving surgery where the knife of man could not even touch but only executed through the Holy Ghost and the Word of GOD, delivered through all of the Ministers during these meetings.

Throughout each subsequent RBI/RSW Revival meeting, I understood something new was taking place in and upon me – it was FRESH FIRE and NEW WINE!  Sitting in these Revival meetings, to the saturation point, my old wineskin burst forth because of all the new wine pouring in through 34 continuous services I attended during the Revival for students.  Each Minister had something unique and pertinent to my deepest need to not only undergo the heart surgery, but recover, attend specialized rehab, then get back in the race.  The Lord spoke to my heart asking me if I perceived He was doing a new thing in me, and as I responded to His love and to His drawing me close, I felt compelled to register for the River School of Worship.

Pursuing the deep sweet fellowship with the Lord through worship, like I once enjoyed, and actually stepping forward into fulfilling one of the deepest desires of my heart, just to focus on Him, is making me happy beyond my ability to imagine it.  I am being changed from glory to glory as I remain seated with Christ in Heavenly Places, living in that secret place of deep intimacy – total dependence upon Jesus Christ – who is, who was, who forever and always is my BREAKTHROUGH…..Jody A.

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Many exciting things have been taking place. We had a guest here this week by the name of Dr. RE Anderson who had been preaching up a storm, giving us doctrinal truths that the Lord has revealed to him over the years. He taught us some amazing things! One was when the disciples were truly saved. Many think that it took place in Acts 2 in the upper room, but he says it there is scriptural evidence to prove that it took place in the book of John when the disciples confessed Jesus as Lord and He breathed upon them to receive the Holy Ghost. What an amazing teaching?! Something that was right there in my face all the time; it took him to bring revelation to me.

I had the privilege during this week to meet many awesome men and women of God from all over the world.; Pastors, Evangelists, and other leaders in the Body of Christ. It is amazing to see men and women of such stature, humble themselves and come and go out on the streets and be trained by people of “less qualifications”. This is truly a Great Awakening. The hearts of men are coming alive to the heart of God. No matter how great or low a person is in authority, everyone is coming together for one cause , to see souls come to Jesus, and see the Kingdom of God advance. This is where we belong because this is where the words of Jesus are being practiced! -John H

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During the Great Awakening Meetings, On Tuesday I was on the prayer phone. Their were people calling and said that they have been praying for their families and friends for a long time. They made copies of the Gospel Script and led their family and friends to the Lord. This week I was at the gas station and led a young man to the Lord. He asked me What are you doing outside so late? I told him telling people about Jesus.

He said Are you for real? I said Yes. I gave him the Gospel Script and he said that he is going to tell someone about Jesus. I went to another gas station and I approach to a man. He was telling me that he helps young people and gets them off the streets. I proceed with the Gospel Script and he said the salvation prayer.

He wanted the Gospel Script so he can led his family and the young people. People are hungry and they’re grabbing a hold of what God is doing in their life and life of others. It’s so much fun to tell people about Jesus. -Nancy S

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

Winter Camp Meeting week here at the River, what can I say? Wow! What an awesome experience to see people from all backgrounds and walks of life come together for the same purpose! To press into and hear from God the plan He has for us in this hour! What has been exciting to see is the teamwork, and the precision with which the team has worked together. I am beginning to realize even more phrases such as “there are no big I’s in the body of Christ”, or phrases such as “there are no islands in the body of Christ”.

We are part of each other! It is going to take the whole team in America and the world to do the job at hand! We must work together, and for the same purpose! The harvest is at hand, it will take everyone working together to fulfill this great task! Ephesians 4:16 now has new meaning. A joint is something that joins together, not separates! I am beginning to see how we must promote teamwork at all levels, from the pulpit ministries down to all others. I believe the current and future move of God in the earth will be in and through the people of God who have this attitude and who enforce it in their lives!

We cannot allow one member to suffer! We cannot allow one member to be weak! We must strengthen and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ. If they are weak, so are we! If they suffer, so do we suffer also! Pastor Rodney has been teaching all week on the subject of the Anointing and I see more than ever the need for the increase in teamwork in order to be able to see an increase of the Anointing!  -Jeremy W.

Worship Soundtracks from RMIRiverSong on Vimeo.

Every week, the revival meetings just keep getting better and better.   The phone ministry has truly touched my life.  You don’t know how many people are watching the meetings on CTN until you receive the calls. For every phone call we receive, there are 5,000 people watching. With an average of 500 phone calls a night, that means half a million people are watching nightly! Jesus is coming soon because when the whole world hears the gospel, the end shall come. This is an exciting time to be at The River Church! We are some much bigger than just Tampa, Florida.

We have people calling and watching from all over Europe and United States.  I had one call yesterday from a woman that was touched through the television. Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne prayed for all those dealing with depression to be set free. He made each person raise their right hand and when the woman raised her right hand, she started shaking. All of a sudden, she fell on the floor. When she got up off the floor, she said she felt like a weight came off her shoulders. There is such power through the airwaves. We all need to take advantage of the authority we have through Christ Jesus. This is about all nations coming together to serve one Lord and to add to the kingdom of heaven. This is not a church thing but a soul thing. Let’s all make it our goal to win souls for Jesus! –Shani G.

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The mission of the local church is: Preaching and teaching; Making disciples; Fellowship; Worship; Missions and evangelism; Maturity of the believer; Ministry in the home; Ministry to material needs.

Ministry to material needs:
   
Many people religiously think of the Church merely as an institution, however, the Church is you and me; the believers; the Body of Christ. Some people seem to think that the Church’s primary and only job is to give hand outs, to feed people and fix their roofs after a hurricane, but Jesus told us first to preach the Gospel, save, heal and deliver. Jesus preached and demonstrated the Gospel, by saving, healing and delivering. When they needed food, He multiplied what they had and fed a multitude. He did this out of compassion for people. We, too, are obligated to one another in the love of the Lord. We are not responsible FOR each other, but we are responsible TO each other. We are responsible to be hospitable to the Church first and then to the world. The Church is not responsible for lazy people, but out of love for humanity, they lend a helping hand to those who are struggling as a result of circumstances beyond their control. They do this out of love, not because they are forced to do it.

1.  The Early Church, motivated by the Holy Spirit and by compassion, were hospitable and gracious to one another. They cared for one another like family and shared what they had with everyone who had a need.

Acts 2:44-45 NKJV – Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Romans 15:25-27 NKJV – But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.  

2.  Everyone is responsible to meet the needs of their own family first. The Church may step in to help those who truly have no family and no help and no way to earn a living themselves. Those receiving the Church’s help, should, in turn, be serving others in the Church — not staying home and/or getting into trouble.

1 Timothy 5:3-16 NKJV – Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. 11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.  

3.  Faith or true religion is not in pretending to be Holy, but in ministering to the needs of others, spirit, soul and body as we have capacity to help.

James 1:26-27 AMP – If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren). 27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.  
James 2:15-17 NKJV – If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?  
2 Corinthians 9:9 AMP – As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!   

4.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:34-46, that whatever good we do, whatever kindness we show, to others in Jesus Name, it’s as if we have done it to Him. Our kindness and generosity toward others, is a demonstration of God’s love and goodness toward them, causing them to repent and turn to Him. Jesus said in verse 40, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” And in verse 45, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

5.  The account of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37, lets us know that Jesus wants us to care for our neighbor as best we can and also that everyone is our neighbor, not just certain people.     

6.  The disciples concentrated their efforts on prayer, preaching the Gospel and ministering to people’s spiritual needs. In Acts 6:1-6, they appointed anointed, responsible men to minister to the material needs. Two of these men were Stephen and Philip who later did extraordinary things themselves.