Raven Ministries

...And it will be that you shall drink from the brook and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there... 1 Kings 17:4

What in the world is a "home church?" A cult? A bunch of nuts? Maybe some disgruntled off the wall Christians who just want to rebel against authority...and by the way aren't ravens evil? Wasn't that some Edgar Allen Poe thing?

RAVENS

Let's start by dispelling the stereotypes: the raven is found in Scripture first in the book of Genesis. It was the very first bird sent out of the ark after the flood.   They were also commissioned by God to feed the prophet Elijah when he had to find refuge during a drought. Science has learned that ravens are among the smartest birds. They can actually think through problems, and come up with solutions. And they have character.  If you read  Genesis 8:7, :Lev 11:15, 1 Kings 17:6, Job 38:41, Psalm 147:9, Song of Solomon 5:11, Luke 12:24, you will find a more favorable view of them.

Back in 1996, a woman named Kari Browning prophesied to me that I would "feed the prophets of God like the ravens fed Elijah." I immediately assumed she had eaten too many pickles. I fluffed it off. The next day I drove to the local grocery store. When I returned to the car, it was literally covered with ravens. All around the parking lot, all over the top (must have had some nice smashed bugs or something on it). But one raven in particular stood between me and getting the driver door open, and he wasn't about to move. So I said, "Ok, Lord I get it. Ravens. Okey dokey.)" I shooed the bird away from the door and all of his buddies left too. Now I'm not too big on signs, but that one seemed fairly obvious. So what did it mean?

It is our purpose to feed the people both in the natural with a weekly fellowship meal and encourage the prophetic ministers of God in their callings. Like the ravens sent by God, we believe we are called of God to lift up and encourage the Body of Christ, as well as be lights and love to the world. Not all are called as prophets in office, but all are called to prophesy according to Joel 2. It is the Presence of the Holy Spirit whom we honor as the Giver of gifts to mankind. Whether you are a prophet by calling and in need of a place of ministry and encouragement, or are seeking the depths of relationship to God, we are here for you.

HOUSE CHURCH

So what about house churches? Actually, the first century church "broke bread" from "house to house" (Acts 2:46), and knew the joys of personal fellowship together on a daily basis. While they went to gatherings at the temple, they also met in small groups in house churches. Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla, who had a church in their home in Corinth (Rom 16:5, Acts 18). As persecution grew, the house church represented the only at least semi-safe place in which worship, fellowship, and teaching could take place. Even today in many parts of the world, the house church is the underground church, the place where God's love stays alive in the midst of great hardship.

Here in America, the house church serves to bring personal relationships to the Body of Christ. The church at large is just that-- large. In the midst of mega-church programs and activities, often personal ministry is lost to the individual. A home church can bring  the prayer and Presence of God to the people in smaller more manageable groups. In Christ we have friendship, in church we often have only acquaintances. Relationship is the backbone of Christianity- relationship to God first and foremost, relationship to each other next. Love cannot take place where relationship does not exist.

We are here to encourage you onward towards the heart of God.

  We are located in North Idaho

Pastor Dorothy Faye Higbee, Post Falls, ID 83854

email: prazmag@roadrunner.com      phone: 208-773-3470

Raven Ministries is a division of the Independent Episcopal Church of North America