Pastor Joel Hunter

What About Women?

Recently I shared a message expositing I Corinthians 14.  At the end of this chapter, Paul makes a very interesting statement about women.  This is the subject I would like to address in the article below. 

1 Timothy 2:8-15 (read)

This passage is used throughout many denominations and by theologians as the foundational biblical argument to deny women the right to teach or exercise authority over a man. Since this passage is the only place in the New Testament that explicitly addresses the issue of women not permitted to teach, it is my belief that we need to review and explain in detail why these restriction on women teaching in this passage applies only to the situation at Ephesus and not to women universally.

This is an excerpt from an article that can be found in its entirety by clicking on the link: Download What About Women In Ministry. 

Africa Reflections, Present Realities

Bishop of Evangelical Churches in the Republic of Congo (Left) Along with his wife and two other pastor's from Congo.

As many of you know I recently returned from a life changing trip to Uganda East Africa. I have purposefully and strategically limited my blogs so that I had time to marinate upon the lessons I have learned. I wanted to try and make a distinction between what the Lord was speaking to me personally, and what was for the corporate fellowship. 

One of the most frequent questions that is asked is, "What had the greatest lasting impact on you from the trip?"

Overwhelmingly I can say, the people! It is amazing to sit with people on the other side of the globe, separated by thousands of miles, different languages, and cultures, yet have the same spirit. In the picture above are some hero's of the faith. Congo is in a desperate state. The persecution against the church is nothing short of Biblical times. As I sat with these wonderful people I was moved with the passion they have for the gospel; persecution and oppression was a norm in their life. Yet they maintained a supernatural joy. They shared with me the stories of friends who had been imprisoned and even martyred, yet somehow they maintained a steadfast spirit to continue moving the gospel into some of the most dangerous parts of the world. 

In my opinion these are the true heroes of our faith, as I looked in their eyes there was a certain feeling of jealousy, not due to their circumstance, but due to their commitment. It would be naive to say I wish I could experience persecution, but the reality is, I wish I could experience the communion they share with God. I believe there is a special communion and blessing that comes to those who stand up for Christ in the midst of persecution.

In fact, over and over in scripture you hear of Jesus being "seated at the right hand of the father," However there is one instance where Luke specifically lets us know that Jesus was "Standing at the right hand of the father!" At the Stoning of Stephen, Acts 7:56 implies that there is a special recognition to those who give their lives for the gospel, even Jesus raises to his feet! Think of that welcome! I want to honor God with my life to such an extent that it gets the attention of Jesus!

This morning I received an email concerning the state of that region. My heart is broken as I read the realities of what these churches are facing. I spent the majority of my time in Kampala Uganda (which is the center point of this article). Please keep the churches and the believers in Uganda and Congo in your prayers! Many of the people affected by this are the people I spent time with 3 weeks ago! (Please follow the link to the article from this morning)

Yahoo Article: Uganda Rebels blamed for Church Massacre

p joel

Still Working

Good Morning America!

It is great to be home, and trying to get back on Central Time! Jet-lag has hit me pretty hard, so my life is still a bit upside down. 

Many people have inquired about the trip, and wanted me to do a few blog entries in regards to the experience. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be blogging a few of the things that I have learned. I am going to take my time because I don't want to write something without allowing it to sink into my heart. I have a lot of raw emotions and feelings, so I want to sort through those before unloading a bunch of philosophical ideas.

Hope you are having a great holiday season, hurry and get your last minute shopping done! (The people at Walmart don't seem to realize we are in a recession!)

p joel

Somewhat Buffered from the Curse?

(Kampala Produce Market)

Genesis 3:14-19 (read)

Over the past few days I have been dealing with an amazing reality. As I spend time here in Africa, I realize that the day to day realities on this continent are much different than in the United States. It is a continent that is ravaged by civil war, decimated by poverty, and continuously working to utilize its vast natural resources, yet without profit. The rich God given natural resources of this continent, which include, but are not limited to, oil, minerals, and great produce should be a source of blessing. But in reality these great resources are the cause of much of the fighting among the people.

While in America we sit back and enjoy many of the resources that other parts of the world must toil to extract. It is very easy for us to sit back and eat a steak and potato without every considering where it came from. Many of us have never had to work the field to get food, many of us are protected from the greatest threat of illness due to immunizations and medications. Even as difficult as Child birth is (be careful Joel) the pain can somewhat be reduced by the use of science.

Part of what Jesus did in coming to this earth to pay for sin, was to help buffer some of the affects of the curse on those who call upon his name.

He said things like, "I came that they may have life, and life to the full!"

A part of the blessing of God upon believers is that the affects of the curse, while not eliminated can be somewhat reduced by the grace of God.

For example, death us a result of the curse, and that death brought eternal separation from God.  Paul says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life!"

So by Jesus dying for me, he reversed that part of the curse in my life, and I can  re-enter the presence of God.

What I am saying is simple, could it be that the curse upon mankind has been somewhat limited in an American context because God has blessed us due to the foundations of our country? It would seem to reason as you look around the world that Americans live in a state of blindness to the reality of their own blessings. With that being said, if our country decides to walk away from its foundation, it would seem logical that we then would no longer be under the umbrella of the blessing of God, and we would have no protection from the elements pertaining to the curse of mankind. WE as the church of Jesus Christ in America, must press on, pray and proclaim the gospel across our country, so that the hand of God and the blessing of God does not depart from the USA.

With that being said, I am not saying that other countries and continents don't have the blessing of God, frankly I have met more dedicated Christians on this continent than I have ever met in the United States. I simply would like to articulate, we are a blessed country, with that blessing comes responsibility. And when we walk away from our God given responsibility we forfeit the blessing of God! In our lives, and in our country!

Didn't mean to be so long and deep! :)

Just thought you could use some good breakfast reading!

p joel

Day 5, Sunday in Kampala

BIshop Cesar (Center) Khartum, Sudan) and Pastor Charles (Juba, Sudan)

Good Morning America!

It may be morning in the USA, but we have had a LONG day of ministry in Uganda! This morning God moved in a powerful way, with each service holding nearly 7,000 people, we saw dozens of people give their life to Jesus. The services where also broadcast on the largest Christian radio station in Uganda with nearly 5 million people tuned in. GOD IS SO GOOD!

I am exhausted by the grueling schedule, but while my body is wearing thin, my spirit is greatly encouraged. Pictured above is Bishop Cesar who is over all evangelical churches in Sudan, and Pastor Charles who is a church planted in Juba, Sudan. 

These two men have seen persecution that mirrors that of the apostles. Churches burned, houses destroyed, physically tortured, jailed, and numerous times feared for their lives. Yet they press on! Amazing! As I listen to their testimonies, and hear the joy in their hearts, I am amazed at the passion in which they pursue the Kingdom of God. To be honest it puts me to shame, the church in America has no reality of the circumstances of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. 

If you haven't had a chance to read about the devastation in Darfur, I would encourage you to google that city, and see the devastation and persecution that is hitting the church on a daily basis. These Pastor's spend much of their time in that city!

So here is something to think about: Why is it that persecuted Christians seem to have more joy and contentment than Christians who live in abundance? How would I respond if my life was threatened and everything I had was taken for the sake of the gospel?

Have a great Sunday!

p joel

Pray For East Africa, Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda! (Day 3 and 4)

As you may not have heard from from the American news, over the past few days fighting has escalated in many countries in this region. Thousands of Christian Refugees are being pushed out of their homeland, many of which have come to Uganda. Many of these brothers and sisters have suffered at the hands of radicals trying to make them deny their faith.

Region of East Africa under attack

Over the past few days, I have spent much time talking with Pastor's from those areas, they are in desperate need, they need prayer, lodging, and hope. God has strategically aligned and  specifically ordained the "Africa Harvest Convention" to do just that! There are thousands of Pastors from Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan (Darfur), Nigeria, and Rwanda all making a pilgrimage to Kampala Uganda for this conference. I have had the chance to look into the hurting eyes of families who have lost everything. They have left their homes destroyed, the churches they have built, gone. And now they are discouraged, they have no resources, and the only hope they have is jesus Christ. 

These two days have changed my life, we talk about faith, but it usually pertains to getting a new car, or a job promotion (those are good) But the Lord is showing me, there is a difference between a problem and an inconvenience. These people have problems, I think I have only ever experienced some mild inconvenience.  

To sit and cry with a pastor who has invested 30 years into a church, now only to have it taken away, burned, and many of his parishoners brutally murdered! And we are worried about what song to sing on sunday? Or if the colors don't match! When everything is gone, and you only have Jesus, I see a faith inside these pastor's like I have never seen before! They have lost everything, but they haven't lost hope. Many have lost friends, family, and children, but in the words of the Bishop of Sudan, "His Kingdom come, his will be done,  on earth as it is in heaven!"

WOW!

My prayer has been, and i ask you to pray the same:

"I pray that the eyes of my understanding would be opened" So that I can see into greater dimensions of faith and reality! I want to know You so much, I want to see your priorities. Forgive me for missing it, bring me back to a place where your priorities are mine! Your priorities are for the lost, they are for the hurting and marginalized, and I am blessed to be a blessing! If you can use anything Lord, you can use me!"

The situation has become so severe that we had to rearrange the schedule a bit. Tomorrow the Secretary of Defense of the Uganda Parliament was going to be involved in the conference. And next week the Vice President will be in attendance. At this time, the Secretary of Defense had to back out and head to Congo with his army. We will wait and pray to see the next steps!

Please continue to pray, I am safe, God has kind of put me in the best place to be at this time. (Relatively speaking) I am loving Africa, this world needs God! And we need to do all we can to make a difference! 

Dr. Woods call to Prayer for Africa (Yesterday)

God Bless and have a great night!

Thanks Earl Creps for filling in this week, you are the man!

p joel

Day 2, Learning Culture!

As the end of day two draws near, I must say it has been one of the most eye-opening days of my life! Whenever I go and preach in a new place, I generally like to spend a little time adjusting to the culture. I like to listen to the people talk, interact with some locals, and most of all, I just like to watch! In fact, i think this is a biblical principle. Anytime you see someone being used by God, it is because they have invested themselves in learning the culture. This is evident from some of Paul's writings, he regularly quotes philosophers and poets from his day. Jesus spent 30 years sitting amongst the people, before he ever launched his public ministry!

With this in mind, I thought I would do the same today, so I spent all afternoon with Pastor Sebyala, and some of his staff, we went around and looked at the city, went to the grocery store, and an incredible Italian restaurant. 

Here are some cultural observations:

1. The people are incredibly friendly and gracious! I haven't experience one rude person up to this point!

2. Happiness has nothing to do with economics, I spent some time in the slums, and the kids there where playing football (soccer) and laughing, having a great time!

3. The American Church has lost perspective. I sat and spoke with 10 pastor's from Sudan who are attending the conference, they literally have to worry for their lives, everyday! Many of them have friends and colleagues who have become Martyrs!

4. You can fit 4 people on a moped, and balance anything on your head!

5. Africans work hard and love family!

Tonight I had the opportunity to speak at the midweek service, Powerful move of God, 1st message down, many more to go!

Have a great night! I will give another update tomorrow!

p joel

Day 1, Live from Uganda

The View from my hotel window!

I have received so many emails and phone calls regarding this trip that I thought it would be good to do a daily online journal. Over the next 10 days, tune in to see what God is doing!

After a 23 hour trip that involved, Houston, Amsterdam, and Kampala, I arrived at the Entebbe airport last night around 10 pm (1 pm Houston time) Immediately upon exiting the plane it hit me, I am not in Texas anymore! I was amazed at the cultural difference that existed even within the first 5 minutes I was on the ground!

Pastor Steven Sebyala was waiting to pick me up, and take me to my hotel (Hotel Equatorial). The drive from Entebbe to Kampala was about 40 minutes, (I hesitate to call it a drive) The road was 2 lanes wide, with at times 6 cars from side to side, not to mention mopeds, motorcycles and bicycles all vying for their position on the road. Stacy would have had a heart attack, she think I drive crazy!

Upon arrival at the hotel, I hit the sack, I was out! 

I woke up this morning, to horns honking, tires squealing, and people yelling. I looked out the window at 5:30am only to see this city was already a buzz with the daily chores. So I decided to take a walk! As I walked through the streets I was welcomed with cheers, as soon as people saw I was American (which didn't take  much discernment) they gave me a new nickname "OBAMA." Now as I walk the streets people yell out, "Obama, do you need a taxi? Obama, come over here and eat!" It is quit comical. No matter what your political views of Barack Obama, the reality is he has become an world wide icon. 

As for the rest of the day, Pastor Steven is going to pick me up and take me to lunch, there we will go over the plans for the rest of the week. I preach for the first time this evening at his church, the conference starts tomorrow. Thank you for all your prayers. 

This was just an introduction, I will be keeping everyone up to date as events take place, and as the Lord reveals himself in a powerful way. I love you! 

God Bless

p joel

First Preview for Northwood New Orleans

The Brink of a New Season!
Tomorrow morning at 9:30 am, Northwood New Orleans becomes a reality! The groundwork has been laid, the team is working together, and God has done some great miracles. So here we go.
For the next 3 months, we will have services on the first Sunday of the month at 9:30am, we will go live on a weekly basis the first Sunday in 2009!
We are expecting a great crowd tomorrow, but really that is not the source of our excitement, we are excited because the church is the only hope of this world. So as Northwood continues to grow, so does the kingdom of God. Please be in prayer for Pastor Glenn and Sanet and the Northwood NOLA team! I will give you an update within the next few days on how it went!
God bless,
Have a great night!

p joel

Making A Difference!

What a week!
In the week immediately following Hurricane IKE, Northwood came through. This week we passed out 17,000 pounds of ice, and 20,000 bottles of water to the community that surrounds Northwood. (The community directly behind Northwood still has no power or water.) It was a great opportunity for Northwood to minister to the physical needs of the people around the church.
Here is a question that has been driving my thoughts this past year; "If Northwood was lifted from the community tomorrow, would anybody notice?"
When I say that, I am not necessarily speaking about Christians, but pre-Christians. If the truth be told, if Northwood closed, most of the believers would find another church to attend. But for the unchurched community around Northwood, we may be the only opportunity they have!
I read in Acts about the apostles going into a city, and the leaders of that city said, "Those who have turned the world upside down have come here also!"
Most churches don't even turn their community upside down, let alone the world!
The greatest thing we can do as a church is to love people! And not just the people that come on Sunday morning, but all people!
Over this past week, Hurricane Ike gave Northwood the opportunity to make a difference. So here is my thought:
"The church that shines farthest, shines brightest close to home!"

I also want to thank Pastor Bryan and Hailey Jarrett and the Northplace Church of Dallas, for the investment they made in our community. Sunday Morning after the storm I got a text from Pastor Bryan asking if they could do anything. And next thing I know, I have a semi load of water being delivered on the front steps of the church. This at a time when water is a precious commodity!
Thanks Northplace and Pastor Bryan for your heart to make a difference!
www.Northplacechurch.com

God Bless,

See you in church tomorrow! (We got Power!)

p joel