Urgent Announcement!!
This is an official newsblast from The Way of the Master Ministries. (Urgent prayer is needed about this!)
Dear Friends,
For the past few years, our ministry has endorsed and worked very closely with another ministry called The Great News Network (GNN). Many of you first learned about GNN through our website, one of our newsletters, or on our radio program. We know that some of you are members of GNN and will therefore be greatly saddened by the following announcement. Please know that we share in that sadness, and thank you in advance for your gracious understanding.
Due to growing concerns involving the direction of The Great News Network, the leadership of Living Waters Publications and The Way of the Master has decided to withdraw our ministry’s endorsement of GNN. These serious concerns were greatly compounded by a recent letter issued by the Network’s founder, entitled: “Warning! A Storm is Coming!” Our ministry strongly disagrees with both the severe tone of the letter and the disturbing ministerial philosophy engendered therein. Living Waters and The Way of the Master will no longer be working in conjunction with GNN in ministry outreach efforts, nor will we be recommending GNN to the friends and supporters of our ministry. We greatly regret this recent measure, but feel that it is most necessary for the good of our ministry and all those involved.
We sincerely value your faithful prayers in the days and weeks ahead. We are truly appreciative of your sacrifice of love as you continue to labor with us for the furtherance of the gospel.
Living Waters Publications / The Way of the Master
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This is the original letter from GNN Founder Darrel Rundus.
Warning! A Storm is Coming!
Before reading the story/warning I have attached as a link to a PDF file below, I need to confess something to all of you. I actually wrote this story almost 3-months ago but never sent it out or posted it on the MB. Why? I let the enemy convince me that if I sent it many would turn away from the network. I see now especially after what we all went through in Las Vegas that the thought of losing some seed sowers was only a lie from the enemy, he was trying to keep me from being the leader God has called me to be, and from being obedient to what He had laid on my heart to share with all of you. Please forgive my lack of obedience and heed this warning below. The enemy is turning up the heat and we must be prepared for the battle that is ahead of us all. I base what you are about to read on these powerful words of warning from God's word: Deuteronomy 23:14 - For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.
A supernatural storm is coming
As you may know, I try to start each morning with an hour of prayer and reading God's word. Lately, as I spend time alone with the Lord each morning I can't shake the persistent feeling in my spirit that a major storm is on the horizon.
Have you ever sat on top of a hill or in a high vantage point and seen a storm off in the distance? Picture this if you can, you're sitting on top of a hill- you see the dark black clouds starting to form off in the distance, the lighting flashing and you can hear the sound of distant rolling thunder. Then you start to feel the wind pick up and you realize you better take shelter soon because this is going to be a massive storm. Then, as you realize you are miles from shelter, you see the clouds get darker, feel wind blow harder and much to your dismay you see a funnel cloud start to form and a tornado starts to reach down to the ground. You find whatever you can to use for shelter and hold on tight as you prepare for the impact of the impending destruction of the storm.
That's what I have been feeling very strongly in my spirit lately. There's something large looming on the horizon and I strongly believe as if God's warning me that unless we all prepare for what lay ahead and head now to Him for shelter, we will be exposed to the elements of the coming storm and there is surely going to be massive destruction and many casualties within this "Net" doing His "Work". I can't say exactly what problems, distractions, obstacles or issue lay ahead of us, all I know is that God is clearly warning me to prepare this army of evangelists for the biggest battles and struggles they have ever faced and in order to that, I need your help. Will you help me, help you?
As I pray about what we need to do to prepare for the impending attacks from the enemy, I reflect back over the almost 3-years of battles, trials and struggles in and outside of the network and a few things that many of us are vulnerable to. In an effort to help us prepare for what lay ahead, I need to address these issues with all of you. It may be uncomfortable for some of you, incomprehensible to others and of course inapplicable to many of you, but it is absolutely necessary if we are to help each other find shelter in Him for the storm that is on the horizon and headed our way.
Over the course of the last few years, I have seen many people come and go in this network. I usually try to reach out to those who leave the network and pray for them while leaving the end result in the hands of the Lord. The staff and I have consistently done our best to provide a network free from bickering, backbiting, rumors and gossip, as well as providing a sanctuary for battle warn seed sowers to find shelter, peace, comfort and encouragement. As you may be aware this has proven to be a great challenge and a constant struggle.
If not addressing people who are confrontational or more concerned about being right than maintaining unity, I am confronted with those who simply fade away from the fellowship of GNN because they feel as if they are better off on their own where they are free from accountability and able to do as they please. I hear comments like, "I don't need to be part of a network to share my faith" or "I just want to do what I want, when I want" or "I don't agree with the policies or procedures of GNN" or even worse, "Not discussing (When they really mean debating) doctrine is unbiblical and GNN shouldn't stop people from these discussions." I once heard an ex-member say "GNN is an inch deep and a mile wide!" which makes me wonder, if we hold hard and fast to the essential things that we as a body of believers can all agree on (We're saved by grace not by works, Christ is the son of God who died and rose again, we're all sinners in need of a savior, etc.), and that makes us an inch deep and a mile wide, what does that say about the body of Christ as a whole? If there are so few things we can all agree on as a body that we have become shallow in our thinking and actions and are wide open for becoming misguided by false doctrine, than where does that leave us all?
The fact that there are many among us who aren't here for the right reasons shouldn't surprise or shock you, for God's word and Jesus Himself warned us these times would come. As we approach the later days Jesus warned there would be many claiming to be Christians but would actually be wolves in sheep's clothing. In fact in Matthew 24 & 25 Jesus gives us many warning signs to watch for in the last days. He warns of earthquakes, pestilences, famines, wars and rumors of wars and so on. However the one sign He starts with, ends with and repeats over and over is to be careful of false prophets, teachers and Christians. He said the some would perform such amazing miracles that even the elect would be deceived if it were possible. I know and realize that this network is comprised of two types of people and I want you to honestly ask yourself which one are you. There are those who are here to bring something to the network and those who want something from it. Sure, it's OK to come to the network to get encouragement, fellowship, friendship, prayer, support, quick tips, advice and knowledge from those within the network. That's one of the primary reasons we are here. However if you are a part of the network because you want something from others or want to make a name for yourself, promote your ministry, your products or services, you're in the wrong place and your deeds will be exposed. We need and want people who are here to help others and add to the value of the network with the gifts, talents and knowledge God has given them. We do not need or want people who selfishly come to the network only to see what they can get out of it or to self promote. There are givers and takers in this place, which one are you?
I am increasingly concerned for some of our leaders who in some cases seem to be less and less willing to be a part of the network and submit to the plans of GNN leadership. It becoming increasing apparent that they'd rather spend their time doing their "own thing" and doing what they want and how they want to do it then to join forces with all the other leaders who have come under the banner of GNN. They seem reluctant to inform GNN of their local camps which would be far more fruitful and productive if they followed our model and allowed us to help them coordinate and promote it. They don't seem too enthusiastic about being a part of something bigger than themselves or to have their local team be a part of God's team. Instead they are reluctant to provide feedback to HQ, want to have their own personal ministries, and are hesitant to encourage their team members to get plugged into the network. It's as if they want to horde the seed sowers that found them through GNN to themselves and selfishly keep the new seed sowers from joining the network so they can be the only source of influence over them. It's even gotten to the point where I have heard some leaders say, "My people don't want to join the network, they just want to go out witnessing" or "It seems like GNN is the focus and I want Jesus to be my focus". Lately it seems as if many seed sowers and leaders are pulling back from GNN due to issues, concerns or situations that in the end add up to nothing but seem very real to them. I can't help feeling that the fact these people leave the network without saying anything to GNN staff or a local leader is just another ploy from the enemy to try to dived and conquer this mighty force from God that's doing so much damage to the strongholds Satan has on the minds, lives and hearts of so many people all around the world.
Remember, no kingdom divided against it self shall stand. By leaving the network, all too often people leave themselves or their teams isolated and alone and therefore vulnerable to the schemes of the devil. More than anything Satan wants to get seed sowers isolated and alone so he can devour them one by one. Unfortunately, when they do pull away from GNN they also remove themselves from the shelter of this sanctuary and they quit surrounding themselves with others who can provide help, prayer support, counsel, advice, support, encouragement and so much more to help them fight through many of the things they will be faced with in the not too distant future. They also weaken the network by leaving another hole in the net for fish to fall through and by creating a distraction and questions from other seed sowers or leaders. The enemy in the end wins on both accounts since he has gotten the individual away from the support of the other members and leaders while weakening the network of Christians who are committed to his demise and destruction.
Make no mistake about it! The battle is big and getting bigger. Without the support of one another through this network God has provided for all of us we are all easily picked off by the evil one. He's the father of all lies and will stop at nothing to keep people from banning together against him to undermine his efforts to maintain a stronghold on people's hearts, minds and lives. There are many benefits to being a member of GNN such as free resources, exchange of ideas and information, helping others, encouraging each other, keeping each other accountable, etc. But, perhaps the greatest benefit of all is the shelter the Lord provides to all those who are of one accord, with one heart, one mind, one purpose and are one part of this mighty army of evangelist we call GNN. I am begging all of you now to not make the fatal mistake of depriving yourself or others of the blessing of becoming a member of GNN and therefore leave yourself or them without the shelter of this seed sower sanctuary that God has provided us all. All of us and especially new seed sowers need to be surrounded by other true blue battle proven believers who will encourage them, pray for them and provide answers for them. We are all in a very serious spiritual battle and if we do not surrender to Him and surround ourselves with others who are going through the same struggles we will be left out in the wind to twist, only to be destroyed be the enemy. Sad to say, I have seen it over and over again and it breaks my heart. By not allowing and encouraging people who come out with you to get plugged into the network you are essentially leaving them vulnerable to the attacks from the enemy and out in the storm to be devoured. This is not about GNN or the size of our membership. It's about providing for and protecting the people God has entrusted us with. This is a very real battle we are all a part of and it isn't going to get any easier. It's crucial if you care about each other and the seed sowers God brings you that you bring them into this place of rest, shelter and protection that He has created and provided for us all. Sure, you can disciple and pray for people at a local level, but how much stronger is the entire network than your local team?
When the Lord called on me to build a mighty army of evangelists and later provided the means to do it through Ray's offer of hosting EBC, I was excited, humbled and overwhelmed that God would use someone like me to do such a thing. The fruit we saw come from that first camp was amazing and life changing and a great confirmation that God was moving in a mighty way. However, I must admit I was initially unprepared for the big time battles that lay ahead and underestimated the non stop efforts of the enemy to kill, steal and destroy everything we were trying to do. Now, almost 3-years and 16-boot camps later with many trials and other spiritual battles under my belt, I have wised up to the ways Satan attacks all of us and want to do whatever I can to help open your eyes and educate all of you to be ready for the supernatural storm that's headed our way.
How does the enemy attack us? While there are too many lies to list, some of the indicators are as follows. He will put people in your path to tell you what you're doing is a waste of time. He will tell you that GNN is no good and not the place for you. He'll get people especially those close to you to tell you that you don't need to be a part of the network and that you'd do better if you just did it all yourself. He'll tell you that you don't need to conform to the policies of GNN because we are all just a bunch of control freaks who are trying to get you to do what we want and have no concern for your needs. He'll tell you that you deserve better or that GNN is all about GNN and not about helping you, others or even saving souls. He'll tell you since GNN won't allow people to debate divisional issues of doctrine that we must be unbiblical. It always comes back to one thing, PRIDE! Remember if Satan can't stop you from sharing your faith he'll try to get you proud that you are doing it. As your knowledge grows and God gives you more responsibilities and trusts you with more things, Satan will try to get you puffed up with your pride in some way shape or form so that it will lead to your own demise. He will use your sinful nature and your fleshly desires to get you to fall prey to your pride. You'll find yourself thinking or saying things like, "I know more, I could do more, they don't understand me, I'm smarter, I'm better, I'm sharper, I'm faster, I know better, etc." Sadly, over and over again I see people in this network leave, ultimately blinded by their pride and end up exposing themselves to the enemy by turning their back on God's plan for them to be a part of this army and turning instead to their own selfish wants or desires. No one said that being a part of this army would be easy! Do not forget, you didn't join some Christian social club, you joined God's great end times army and the battle is bigger and more wicked than anything you could possible imagine.
What's the solution? How do we guard against the increasing attacks from the enemy? First and foremost, pray, pray and pray some more. Pray perpetually for each other needs and for yourself, ask only that God will help you please Him with everything you think, do, say and feel. Make that the foundation of your prayer life. Humble yourself before the Lord and each other and submit to what the Lord wants from you. Be like David not like Saul and resist the desire to lash out at others and to be critical of the network that God has used to provide so many blessings to you. Being a part of this network may come with great sacrifice and with some frustration from time to time. It also a sure fire way to wake up the enemy and have him attack you regularly. But if by God's grace, power and love we remain steadfast in our commitment to serve Him by serving one another, because our love for Him and each other is greater than our desire to do what we want. Then ultimately the enemy will be defeated and he will no longer be able to get a foothold in this network.
If we submit to the Lord and resist the devil, he will flee. But we must also be made perfect in our love for the Lord and each other for it's that perfect love that will cast out the enemy and all fear of each other and of Satan. We must esteem each other more than ourselves and deny our selfish ambition and the pride of life which is not of the Father but of the devil. Quit thinking about what the members of the network can do for you but what you can do for the members of network. I know the enemy is poised and ready to attack in new and devious ways because we are on the brink of some amazing things in the future of GNN. International EBC's, Island Invasion, Overseas leaders, A New TV Show, Local Leaders holding their own camps, New Messages to help you motivate and teach others to share their faith biblically, Regional Leaders to go city to city to aid you in your efforts, a GNN monthly message, and so many other things. In order to complete the plans the Lord has for all of us it's essential and vital that we maintain harmony and unity, be of one mind, one heart, one purpose and one mission. If we have even one ounce of pride within us about what we want, how we want it or if we have a rebellious spirit of not wanting to submit to GNN leadership and ultimately to His authority, we will be destroyed individually and ultimately as a network. If we do not stay in one accord like a two thousand strand cord we will ultimately come unraveled and be defeated by falling into the traps the devil has set for us all.
Because of my great love for all of you and my commitment to obey the Lord, I offer all of you this warning now before it's too late. Seek the shelter God has provided for you in this place we call GNN. In the coming days if we do not band together tighter than we ever have been in the past and continue to allow others to be left out on the fringe of this network by doing their own thing or if we let leaders fade away because they don't want to conform to GNN policies or procedures, we will find ourselves in the midst of a major storm with no shelter and no protection from the sure destruction that is just ahead. Please, I beg of you to heed this warning and not to be so prideful you think you're big enough to brave the coming storm on your own. Yes, God is your rock and your refuge and that's why he provided you a place like GNN where you can be surrounded by others who love you, care for you, want nothing but the best for you and are willing at great personal sacrifice to help you any way they can. Do not turn from God's grace and fall into the trap the enemy has set for us all! Stay plugged into the network and quit buying all the lies that Satan has sown into your mind. He's the father of all lies and he will stop at nothing to keep you from being all you can be in Christ and from taking back the souls that he stole. Set you mind on the things above, fight the good fight of faith, love one another and esteem others higher than yourselves.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Romans 13:8-14) Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them (Ephesians 5:4-7). Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). Since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:1-9).
I love and thank God for all of you,
Darrel
