t h e   r e p o r t

In October 2005 Andy accompanied Fresh Fire Ministries to carry out Christian outreach in Kiev, Ukraine. Here is a report prepared by Janelle Mierau of Fresh Fire about the trip with additional personal comments included.

Holy Hunger Releases The Kingdom Of Heaven In The Ukraine
by Janelle Mierau

• 5,600 in attendance over four day miracle festival
• 3 ministries join forces to fan revival fires in Ukraine
• 54 surrender their lives to Christ
• Delegates come from Siberia, Russia, Belarus, Romania, Lithuania, Moldova
• Anointing heals boy over phone from severe cardiac insufficiency
• Woman with 20 years of pain from misplaced disc healed
• Man injured by German soldier 64 years ago has hearing healed
• 15 year old girl healed from asthma and tumour
• Woman delivered from 23 years of pain and arthritis in legs and feet
• Jesus heals two women's sense of smell
• Woman healed of hormonal disorder, extreme nausea and chronic fatigue
• Christ sets woman free from 30 years of extreme pain in back and ankles
• Woman's sciatic nerve healed—now pain free

Kiev, Ukraine Ripe for Revolution
Carrying with them the love and power of God, three teams recently joined forces with the church as ambassadors of the kingdom in Kiev, Ukraine and watched with amazement as spiritually hungry people were healed and saved on outreaches and as hundreds responded to altar calls for healing and salvation at the miracle festival. The following three ministry teams, consisting of approximately 42 Christians from five different countries, converged in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, on the heels of the nation's political "Orange Revolution": Catch the Fire Ministries led by Dan Slade, Ukraine; Revival Fire Ministries led by Trevor Baker, UK; and Fresh Fire Ministries led by Todd Bentley, Canada. They were sovereignty united by their similar "fire" for God, as suggested by their names, to help fan the flames of national revival through a four day School of the Supernatural and evangelistic miracle festival—October 26- 29th.

Interestingly, the Ukraine has been called the bread basket of Eastern Europe because of its soil's success for growing wheat. The nation's blue and yellow flag and abundant natural harvest are physical symbols that speak of its spiritual destiny for open heavens and mass harvest. Prophet Bob Jones recently saw prophetically that one of the greatest revivals in the history of the church would come out of Russia and the heart of it would be from the Ukraine. He said the window of opportunity would be very short and that the church had to be prepared to reap the harvest quickly. Similarly, prophet Bobby Conners saw that one of the largest soul winning revivals in history would begin in Ukraine; it would be the fuse and would burn down into Russia, resulting in a powerful explosion of God's power which would win thousands of young people for Christ. Already there are signs that this fire is beginning to burn in Kiev—the city now has the largest church in Europe with 26,000 members and another church with 8,000, as well as the world's largest Messianic church, with 1,500 members. Even more telling of national transformation underway is the historic uprising of 2004, the "Orange Revolution," that began spontaneously as millions of Ukrainians were drawn to gather in Independence Square in Kiev, and rose in protest of the government's corruption. One Ukrainian said, "For the first time the people felt like they could change something." He said that the presence of God overshadowed the square as, unexplainably, thousands sacrificed their jobs and schooling, alcoholics quit drinking and people came from all over the country to stand, dance and sleep in the streets for months. The same Spirit that united the heart of a nation in righteous indignation and a cry for justice is stirring the nation for spiritual revolution. There is an awakening in the land and the church is answering the call to partner with Holy Spirit in an unprecedented move of God. The four day events were evangelistic and also aimed at equipping and empowering the church for this crucial hour.

Holy Hunger and Precious Sacrifice
"You make it easy to preach the gospel!" exclaimed evangelist Todd Bentley even before he began to preach on the first night of the festival. The open heaven and people's hunger to encounter a God of miracles astounded Todd. "I feel no resistance. This is going to be a night of miracles. There is such a hunger!" The people's insatiable appetite for more of God inspired the team and they were delighted by their fervent requests for prayer for healing and impartation. The desperation for more of the Lord compelled some to travel great distances and sacrifice months of wages—the average monthly wage in Eastern Europe being $200–$250. Thirty people came from Russia; some traveled three days by train from Siberia, and others came from Romania, Belarus, Moldova and Lithuania! Most of the Ukrainians present, the majority of whom live in villages, would also have sacrificed a month's wages to come to the city of Kiev for the four-day event. Blessed are those hunger and thirst—they will be filled!

Opening Night: Power Evangelism
Todd opened the four-night festival by sharing his dramatic testimony of instant deliverance from drug and alcohol addiction at the moment of his salvation with the 1,100 who had gathered with joyful expectancy. "There is no high like the Most High," Todd exclaimed as he shared how God wants to come into everyone's life, forgive their sin and give them a hope and a future. Then he invited those to come forward who wanted to receive Jesus into their lives and, from among the largely Christian audience, 22 people surrendered all to Him! After corporately releasing a fresh anointing Todd called out several words of knowledge and several came forward in response, testifying of receiving God's healing touch. A young man felt God heal the bones in his hands and shift them into their proper place. God also restored the sense of smell for two women while another person was healed from 30 years of pain in back and ankles. A young woman was healed from 5 years of pain in the chest and back; a man's arm was healed after one year of being unable to lift his arm; and one woman was healed from a painful spinal problem she had endured for 2 years.

Second Night: Holy Spirit Comes in Power
"Whatever it is, the Holy Spirit knows no limits!" declared Todd on Thursday, the second night of the festival. The building buzzed with the excitement of 1,500 Ukrainians anticipating God to move powerfully. Todd shared how the testimony of Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy and explained how testifying releases a supernatural realm where the duplication of the same miracles can occur. Then he testified how, during a conference in Toronto, the Lord called him to release the healing anointing over cell phones to people all over the world.

Suddenly the Holy Spirit interrupted the message and took Todd into a tremendous anointing for words of knowledge. Many came forward in response and were touched by God's healing power. One notable miracle involved a person who responded to a specific word of knowledge about a four-year-old boy who needed healing. Having just heard Todd's testimony about the cell phone miracles, the father of the boy with severe cardiac insufficiency called home while prayer was going on at the festival. The next day he took his son to the doctor and the physician confirmed a miraculous healing!

Also, one woman received healing in her sciatic nerve, testifying that all pain had left. Another woman who suffered a blow to the right side of her head that resulted in total deafness in one ear began to hear. Todd also released a corporate healing wave and many experienced the fire of God healing them in their seats. Several people came forward to testify of receiving healing from various afflictions: two women were healed from tremendous chronic pain that inhibited their walking; a woman received a complete healing of her eyesight after wearing glasses for years; unable to barely talk for a month, one woman felt a "pop" in her head and began to speak again; and another woman had all swelling leave her eyes. By the end of the night, all of heaven was rejoicing as nine precious people experienced the greatest miracle of all, salvation, as they received Jesus as Savior for the first time.

Third Night: Powerful Demonstration of the Full Gospel
The atmosphere was electric again at the festival on Friday as 1,500 passionate people filled the auditorium and the spirit of joy was released in worship! Todd shared his testimony of how God's set him free from every addiction, without any withdrawal or cravings, the moment he accepted Christ. He then taught how healing and deliverance are available through the atonement just as salvation is.
"I settle for nothing less than what the full gospel promises me…the forgiveness of sin and healing are one and the same in the gospel!" declared Todd. Then he invited people to come forward to receive Jesus as their personal Savior and 23 people responded. Next, Todd gave a general call for anyone with cancer, tumors, deaf ears, and terminal illness to come to the front. After receiving prayer and encountering the healing power of God, several people gave testimony. Vladimir, 74, who had been deaf in the right ear since 1942 when a German soldier struck him at age 10, had Jesus miraculously restore his hearing!







 

Anastasia, 15, from Moscow, with asthma for three years, was simultaneously healed of all symptoms as well as a tumor on her back! Although she has been unable to jump longer than three minutes, after her healing, she could jump in worship and breathe easily even when others had to sit! A woman that had suffered 20 years of pain due to spinal problems and a misplaced disk was delivered of all pain. God also powerfully healed Tatianna, 58, from 23 years of painful arthritis in all parts of her legs and feet. Also, a woman was healed of a hormonal disorder which had caused her extreme nausea, daily and constant fatigue. Final Night: Holy Hunger Releases Mighty Impartation On Saturday night Todd ended the four-day festival with a Holy Ghost impartation and commissioning service. He explained the principle of "use it or loose it" just as Jesus did when He imparted power to His disciples saying, "As you go…heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:7-8). After imparting the transferable anointing, Todd said, "If you believed you received it, lay your hands on the sick—do the stuff!" He also explained how receiving the anointing by impartation is like receiving an inheritance; something you never labored for becomes yours because of the price someone else paid.  

Then Todd had all 1,500 expectant people line up to receive personal impartation through the laying on of hands. The power of God swept through the auditorium, gloriously overwhelming these people who had passionately declared that they would pay the price if He would anoint them. There were bittersweet goodbyes as the team had to leave the lingering Ukrainians yearning for prayer and one more touch from God.

The Spirit Stirs Supernatural Faith
During the days in Kiev, FFM's School of the Supernatural saw daily attendance of 700 people. Dan Slade of Catch the Fire Ministries opened the school with Ukrainian flare asking: "Who likes borscht in the Holy Spirit?" Comprised of revelatory teachings and spiritual activation, various lessons in the school included: "Open Heavens" by Todd Bentley, "Prophetic Decrees" by Trevor Baker, "Angelic Hosts" by Brent Borthwick and the classic teaching, "Soaking" by Ken Greter.

There was an incredible response to the teachings. On one occasion 140 pastors and full time ministers eagerly rushed forward to receive an impartation of the anointing from the Fresh Fire leaders. According to Dan Slade, these Ukrainian Christians have a rich spiritual heritage that contributed to their eager response to the teachings about the supernatural realms. The belief in the reality of the supernatural, such as the cloud of witnesses affecting the natural realm, is imbedded in the theology of the Orthodox Church, and is a part of the spiritual roots of this nation. Interestingly, this foundation of faith in the supernatural can be seen in an outdoor mural in Kiev depicting the cloud of witnesses as well as in the statue of Michael the archangel in Independence Square, chosen as the tribute to their national independence, officially declared on August 24, 1991.

Defender of Ukraine
Towering over Kiev is The Defender of the Motherland, a statue of a matriarchal warrior on guard brandishing a sword and shield which was built to celebrate the victory over the Germans in WWII. It is a striking sign of the Lord's promise of protection and liberation to the nation that was freed once again, only 14 years ago, from the control of communism. Today, in the midst of an unstable democracy, millions of Ukrainians are struggling to find happiness, but many are also finding Jesus, the one true source of joy. As one Christian leader explained, "communism took the smile off the faces of the people" and many have turned to alcohol to numb their pain. This has resulted in an epidemic of addiction and children orphaned by negligent parents. One night some of the team witnessed the destructive power of vodka and its empty promise of joy. After finding all the stores closed, they entered a pub to buy some water. There they saw a drunken group celebrating a friend who had died two years ago, leaving a 10 year old girl to hold up her mother in a drunken stupor. This was a sobering snapshot of reality for many Ukrainians bound by addiction. However, the true Defender of Ukraine, Jesus Christ, is vigilant and mighty in battle. Today, in this country, the Lord is setting the captives free, protecting His people and advancing His kingdom.

Doing the Stuff!
Mission trip team members were greatly encouraged as they experienced open heavens first hand. At the school, the miracle festival and during various outreaches, they witnessed the power of God flow through them, resulting in salvations, healings and deliverances! • Six TB patients accept Jesus
• 12 men come to Christ at drug/alcohol rehabilitation centre
• 15 saved at center for former prisoners
• Two women, in 70's, totally healed of deafness in both ears
• Woman, 70, freed from 60 years of back pain
• Man healed of varicose veins in leg—veins straighten and smooth out
• Man received a creative miracle in his reproductive organs
• God simultaneously heals woman of deafness in the left ear and pain in her neck

Outreaches included street evangelism, feeding of the hungry, and visitation of orphans, the elderly, hospital patients with tuberculosis, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre patients, former prisoners and street kids. Seven people went to the hospital to pray for TB patients; after sharing their testimonies and the gospel message, all six people received salvation! Five men from the team traveled to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center and shared the good news of the gospel with the 12 residents who had recently been released from jail. All of them accepted Jesus as their Savior! Other team members went to an orphanage and were deeply touched by the children's hunger for affection and attention. God's love was flowing as they delighted in the toys, stickers, candies, and attention given them. One of the staff said, "It is like Jesus has come." At a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for women the team prayed and prophesied over each one, called forth destiny, and saw God restore hope and dignity. Lisa Devot said, "God's purpose for these daughters of His is powerful and it was awesome to speak those things out and see their countenance change. God is rising up His daughters in the Ukraine." The team members were personally transformed as they poured out God's love and power on the Ukrainian people. Team member Jonathan Ely shares: "The trip has been such a blessing to me; I have grown in my hunger and passion for Jesus and my desire to serve him. I have seen and heard of more healings and miracles than ever in my life before. What a life-transforming experience; I will never be the same again!" As the team prepared to leave Ukraine, they sensed that the same Holy Spirit that drew and united the masses and released a revolution continues to hover over the nation. He is stirring a spiritual revolution that will ignite global revival fire. Team members from the UK, USA, Canada, Holland and Switzerland were powerfully impacted as they ministered under an open heaven and in the ripened harvest. Each one left changed by the strong atmosphere of hunger and empowered to "do the stuff" as they carried the spirit of revival back to their own nations.

 

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Andy's comments
There have been significant revelatory words spoken over the city of Kiev by some of the leading prophetic voices of our day. Kiev is a strategic city in God's plan for global revival, and I was looking forward to our time in the area, being familiar with the region's destiny as spoken by Bob Jones and Bobby Conner. Even as the enemy has brought great evil to the area, the Lord longs to use the city to the same degree and greater for His own Kingdom.
















Historical background

Kiev is an ancient city that has seen more than its share of war. In World War II, 100,000 Jews were slaughtered by the Germans in Kiev, and their bodies were piled up so high that an entire valley was levelled off with corpses. Later, when Stalin sent his troops in to reclaim Kiev after the German occupation, he refused to wait two extra weeks until winter, when the Dnipro River would be frozen over. This was a logistical nightmare for moving the troops in; however, Stalin wanted to take the city in time to celebrate a national holiday. Pride came before a fall. The result was disastrous, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers, who were picked off by the Germans when they tried to cross the river.

We are also familiar with the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the worst catastrophe of its kind ever. That occurred close by during the Soviet era, before Ukraine became a free and independent nation. We had the good fortune of going and seeing the museum dedicated to retelling of the events of that awful day and the cover up by the Russian government trying to hide the facts to the people and the world. It was incredibly moving and hard to absorb. Many innocent people lost their homes, loved ones and even their lives in this tragic accident. People are still dying today of all sorts of diseases with thousands of children being born with tragic deformities and illness. But the people of this region have been subject to oppression long before the bloodshed and catastrophe I have mentioned here. For countless centuries, the common man has been subject to ruthless dominion by absolute monarchs, and this same spirit carried over into the modern era under Communism. This people can be best described by Isaiah 41:22: But this is a people robbed and plundered; all of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prison houses; they are for prey, and no one delivers; for plunder, and no one says, "Restore!"

The Blood of Jesus is now pouring out to the people where so much blood has been shed by so many people.
But now, the Lord longs to bring recompense for these centuries of domination and "enemy occupation." Restoration is coming. People are hungry for the spirit of revival. This is clear to see when moving amongst the people and ministering the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people received the Lord into their lives; amazing miracles on a daily basis; and the imparting of the Holy Spirit ‘amongst all flesh.’ Really it was things directly out of the Book of Acts.

Outreach - Ministering to Released Prisoners
On three occasions I headed up a team of folk that were sent out to minister to groups of young men who had been released from prison (two young men had arrived there that very day we came) and they had no where to go and found themselves in half way houses. One man had spent 17 years in prison. Another young man, who was only 27, had spent 13 years in a maximum secure prison. What a waste of life. The prisons in the Ukraine make our prisons look like 5 star hotels. I heard some of the stories, from more than one source, that would make you weep and feel sick about what goes on in these prisons. The centers were run by Christian organizations. One centre was run by a Messianic Church in Kiev but was located some 50km outside the city. It was such a blessing to be able to minister there. After other team members gave testimony and shared a little about themselves I preached. God was so good. Many responded and over 95% of the men gave their lives to the Lord. The other 5% had already committed their lives to the Lord whilst in prison.














On more than one occasion the Holy Spirit gave me distinct words of knowledge for the ministering of His Word. One had a powerful impact both for me and the lad concerned. I walked in and The Holy Spirit showed me one lad who had tried to commit suicide. I gave the Word of Knowledge, with a couple of other Words of Knowledge for healing, and asked for a response. This lad did not move or respond. I thought I had maybe got it wrong, however after the meeting finished, this young man was in conversation with the interpreter and in the Spirit I saw a snake around the throat of this young man. I stormed over and proceeded to rip this snake of satan off from around his neck through prayer. I explained what had happened to the interrupter and his month just dropped open. He explained that this young man was responding to the Word as he had tried to kill himself. What we did not know was that he had tried to hang himself and the rope snapped. He showed us the scar left by the rope burn that was still there around his neck. I spoke a prophetic word into his life to release him into his destiny that the devil had tried to destroy. Haven’t we got a fantastic God? “All the glory is yours Father.” The team ministered to the groups, and all experienced great moves of God whether this was in a healing, a deliverance or impartation of the Holy Spirit and His giftings. One group of lads…….. And Another………. ……And Another. We truly saw, and did, the most amazing things, both in the evening meetings and in our daily outreaches.

The Fear of the Lord
Before I finish, I must just tell you what happened to me 2 nights prior to leaving the Ukraine. I went to bed as usual that night and my room mate, Jim Welton from New York State, had already fallen asleep and was in the land of nod. I switched off the light and as is my pattern I started to just think of the Lord and meditate on Him. I don’t know how long this went on for but I was awoken by a strange feeling. I looked up towards the ceiling, and what I saw was not of this world.

There was a Blue Mist hovering just over my bed. I was terrified. I knew that if I did the slightest thing wrong or said something out of line, I would surely die - and I mean die. I was so terrified I wanted to get away, and screamed as loud as I could to Jim, “Hey Jim wake up! Can you see it as well?” Despite my loud screams, Jim didn't stir from his rest and so I was truly alone with this mist!

I rushed out of bed and pelted for the door, but remembered in time that I was semi-clad, so flicked on the light switch. Although the blue mist had gone, I could still sense the presence. Knowing that I couldn't run from this presence, I dived back into bed and shot under the covers. I was terrified. I do not know if I fell asleep but when I came to, I ventured up and looked above me and saw not a blue mist but a red mist above me - and the fear was gone. I felt peaceful and soon fell asleep.

The next morning I asked Jim if he had heard my frantic screams in the night...and he hadn't. The Lord had revealed something to me, that was not in any respect a fear of evil, but a fear of the Lord. Although it was absolutely terrifying, I'm so grateful to have experienced the Lord in this way. As I was reflecting on this experience, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me that over the past few weeks I had been praying for wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 tells us that "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom".


October 2005 UKRAINE

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