Day 1: Saturday

The Team has arrived in safely and in high spirits.
Most flights from San Francisco equate to over 20 hours of flying—and that doesn’t include layovers in airports.

But after a good night’s rest and with sleepy eyes the team was ready to see and explore the wild continent of Africa.

The team went off to the Lion Park, located just north of Johannesburg. Driving through the park they encountered many of Africa’s famous beasts—including an attention starved giraffe that was very content to hold up the traffic for a photography moment.


Moving away from the giraffe the team saw other more exotic and wild animals, including zebra, wildebeest, and guinea foul.

But the most famous residents of the park were the lions.
Unfortunately these kings of the African Savanna spent most of their time sleeping in the shade.

The Lions were magnificent.

However, the most ferocious animal the team encountered was at the end of the park tour.

These lion cubs had sharp claws and teeth; and they weren’t afraid to use them. The team tried to get close for a picture, but the cubs were violent. A few members of the team got scratched and bit..

Spencer’s strategy was to wait for the cub to fall asleep and then get his picture taken with his arm around the cub.

 

Day 2: Sunday

The Team spent Sunday morning in worship, prayer and sharing scripture. It was edifying and encouraging as we shared what God was doing in our lives. I was reminded of Isaiah 61:6, “And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.” The Spirit of God was among us; and our humble gathering sent shockwaves throughout the spiritual realm. We are excited for what God has for us and for South Africa.

In the afternoon the North American consultants met their South African co-consultants. “Its exciting,” said Spencer, “its meeting your other team member and knowing how the two of us will work together.” It’s amazing how God directed the team members together. Each brings to the consulting a unique set of gifts, experiences and perspective. The North American team feels optimistic and excited about being a part of what God is doing.

Day 3: Monday

Facts

Today kicked off the first day of the fall Rep venture. Clients and consultant teams spent the day getting to know each other and learning about repurposing business and transforming society; highlights included the 10 P profile, and a Holy Spirit filled time of worship. The day closed as consultants and clients secured plans to spend the following day fellowshipping and visiting the place of business.

What God is doing

God showed up during day one in powerful ways. Miracles occurred even before the clients arrived at the venture as healing came to those suffering from flu and cold-like symptoms. Consultants who felt unprepared and unqualified received client specific guidance and supernatural wisdom from the Holy Spirit through out the day. Eyes, ears, and hearts were opened for both clients and consultants alike to the idea of God given purpose and how that could be expressed through business. A hunger and curiosity was stirred up to see how the next two weeks would unfold.

Day 5: Wednesday

Facts

We covered a number of topics on Wednesday. The topic of Convergence gave much food for thought, two Ps (Product and Presence) were presented, and the subject of Giants that were prevelant in society (and Johannesburg in particular) resulted in an interesting round table discussion between both Clients and Consultants.
Throughout the day, the intercessors were kept busy with a constant stream of customers seeking prayer support.

What God is doing

The Holy Spirit was present in a powerful way from the beginning of the day as we opened with worship.
Hearts and minds were stirred,and breakthoughs occurred throughout the day as intercessors brought requests before the throne of God. Clients experienced a broad range of emotions. Some being encouraged and comforted by the Holy Spirit, and others struggling and battling through issues in the spiritual realm.

Day 7: Friday 

Today we closed out the first week with Positioning and People. What a week it has been. God has been challenging and expanding the vision of each client for how He is calling them to serve Him. As they wrestle and expand their vision, they are believing that they can do God’s business. The encouragement of being around like-minded business individuals passionate for God’s purposes has also been a great blessing.

- Businesses are firmly in the process of being repurposed. One client is praying for their competition, another is making the commitment to have God as their CEO. Others are starting to get clarity on God’s vision for them and others are walking the path of faith to tackle giants. God is moving and the work has just begun.

Day 8: Saturday

At the end of the first week, there were mixed feelings among our group. Many experienced spiritual breakthroughs as well as difficult energy draining situations. So, for a Saturday outing, we went as a group to the Apartheid Museum. The experience was sobering and humbling as we saw what South Africa had gone through over the past 50 to 60 years. For some of the local people who lived through this period in South Africa’s history, it is too difficult for them to visit the museum.

The Spirit of God has been working on the consultants as well as the clients. There has been physical and emotional healing for the consultants. I have seen some consultants eyes open as they are exposed to how God can use them in a greater way, both in this venture and in other areas of life. As we press closer to the Father in Heaven, He reveals giftings and brings revelation to our design and purpose.

 

Just some miscellaneous photos throughout the Venture thus far. 

Andre chatting with a client…

 

A Round Table discussion of the giants in Johannesburg…

 

 

Brandon chilling at the Lodge…

 

with Bill keeping him company.

 

and Emery as well. Probably waiting for the cars to leave for the conference centre.

 

Karen and her Parents at the Braii that they so generously threw for us at their home.

A wonderful 80 year old house that they’re painstakingly but lovingly renovating. It already looks pretty awesome.

The Braii was delicious too. We’ve been constantly blown away by the generous hospitality that we’ve experienced.

 

Dinner at the Butchery Shop. Can’t go wrong with $15 Rib eye steaks.. :)

 

Brandon and Karen

 

Jodene and Clint at the REP Braii. Held in a pergola near a Castle, where we played Qolf.

It poured down rain shortly afterwards in a pretty spectacular flash thunderstorm.

 

 

 

Tuesday, October 9 – an “unstructured” day.

This was a key day – the beginning of “visioning” for all our clients, which is a two-hour “jam” session of prayer, exploring and sharing among the client, the rēp leaders and the co-consultants. We may toil tirelessly on 10-P scorecarding, but … “where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Prov. 29:18) The first installment of our clients looked to the Lord for His special hand to open their heart and lead their businesses forward. They included: a corporate and family counseling firm led by a man of great business reputation and Godly character (see pix below of visioners Chucks Ugolhe and Jodene Blackshaw; client Dumisani Ncala; and co-consultants Lyn Ras and Greg Yu); a husband-wife landscaping business named after “Elohim”; a local law firm of three attorneys; and two professional architects. Each petitioned God to enable them to go far beyond any so-called business plan. The world says, visioning is illogical or unimportant. Visioning represents a combination of excellence and surrender to God behind the business. We never want God to compensate for our intentional sloppiness or carelessness. Instead, we invite God build on our commitment to excellence.

 

Our team in the evening spread out for dinner. Several went to an open-house for prospective Rēp venturers in town; others had dinner at the local mall with their S.A. co-consultant, several had sandwiches at the home base in Karen and Brandon’s room; another few indulged at Steers, a local fast-food joint (far better but a bit slower in the States!) that offers hand-dipped caramel and chocolate ice cream cones. Such is missionary life …

God lightens our loads every single day. His mercies are new every morning here in S.A.

 Day 10: Wednesday

You may have noticed a bright somewhat gaudy shirt being worn by different people. The shirt has a purpose. Its original purpose was to be worn for a day and night for by someone appointed, for somewhat the same reason that we may have had to stand in a corner in a school classroom. The shirt has been re-purposed however. It is now intended to bless the recipient for a good quality, or a well received act.

 

Today a father passed the shirt to his son. He spoke of passing the mantle of leadership, of blessing his son. It was a tender moment as Trevor prayed for his son Zane. Tears flowed from the eyes of fathers, sons, and daughters. Some anticipating, hoping for the same from their father, some convicted that we may yet have to do the same for a son or daughter. The lesson ran deep; God spoke in a quiet yet powerful manner. To God be the glory.

Friday October 12, 2007

Overall, this was an emotionally charged, but spiritually uplifting experience to personally see God’s power and truth among 11 different clients. It seemed that we were part of 11 consecutive worship services! The diversity of the God’s working in lives meant there was, truly, something for everyone from the Holy Spirit. Before they began, everyone was reminded that our businesses must aim to cross the Jordan and make strides for this and future generations. The first love must be God alone because only intimacy with Him leads to action.

Each of the following 11 businesses shared, were prayed for by each consultant, and commissioned as “Marketplace Ministers” by one of the rēp leaders, Brett Johnson, Lyn Johnson, Geri Brits and Jodene Blackshaw.

A law firm of three partners

“Excellence, Diversity and Kingdom” was the summarized purpose for this company. The client said that the primary goal of the firm is people and to serve them. High standards must pervade everything it does. This includes black economic empowerment. Besides People, it’s Purpose and Profit.

Quote: “There must be a legacy for our children.” The client declared that this generation must uphold the law for future generations. Profit awaits the righteous because the labor of the righteous leads to life. Proverbs 10:16. There is greatness behind the law because it was ordained by the Lord in the Old Testament. Laws must be interpreted in a godly way.

We were told of a marketplace miracle just the night before. A case settled after the review of certain evidence by the opposing party. One of the partners was then able to attend and present today!

An interior design firm

Theme verse: Genesis 1:2: Everything started with a void; God began with nothing.

The company is less than one year old. Its mission is to offer Total Home Solutions, so that there the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy. The client unashamedly began a spirited sermon to us all. They want to declare this love and truth straight into homes and reclaim them from inside out. For the inside, the company needs to have prayer and fasting among staff. On the outside, the company will implement a Code of Conduct for all our contractors and suppliers. It must be an inspiration to them.

Quote: “We want there to be a multiplication of ourselves.” Others will see God’s truth. Isaiah 55:5. In Zechariah 2:5, there is a wall of fire to bring glory to the inhabitants of the earth. This couple confirmed that they want to move house to house and join in the harvest. This goes “one household at a time.”

Theme verse, part two: Genesis 1:1: In the beginning, God created. Buleaniit said that although there was emptiness, God created life out of nothing.

A wireless and communications firm 

This is a new generation wireless technology firm. An urgent society need to make telecom services affordable for all sectors of society in Africa. On a technical basis, the company seeks to build a single communications network for the entire continent.

Prayer request: That God would perform a miracle and grant the company a WIMAX frequency license, which is very difficult. Normally, the government makes grants with bribes, but the client wants a license based on merit alone and free of corruption.

All this can be done only by acting “with authority in Jesus.”

Quote: “This requires intervention, which makes this an ‘InterVenture’.”

The client was particularly struck by the teaching on moving out of the Comfort Zone into the Faith Zone. The land is going to be an enlarging of the tent, as spoken by Isaiah. Your land will be spread from left to right.

Brett Johnson closed by confirming the miracle of a Cape Town rep venturer where a license was granted to a very small company which did not qualify on size. Corporately, the entire room prayed and petitioned the Lord for a fresh miracle with Microla to intervene and bring a license to the company.

 

An architecture design firm 

Jane, the consultant, shared that this was a divine appointment. Nearly two weeks ago, she thought that the Saturday would be a visit to the lion park, but she joined Jodene in a special meeting with the client that day. The client’s wife would have liked to come but she needed to leave for America earlier in the week. She prays for him often, even when a contract bid seems hopeless, she prays and assures him that the contract will be mine. He admitted that when he doesn’t listen to her, he “gets into trouble”.

The client hails from Nigeria. As an architect, his vision is to redeem land for God’s purposes.

Positioning: A God-centered brand in the ‘build’ environment.

Purpose and vision: Redeem land for God’s purposes. Much land is cursed, but space can be used by laying into the foundation of a site with prayer.

Just the past two weeksthe client faced professional and personal turmoil. After wrestling with the options, he just decided to leave the partnership of his designer firm last week.

Prayer request: God-ordained partners will appear before him. He emphasized how crucial it is that he doesn’t simply pray and seek. Instead, we must await God’s approval. This spreads to even choosing projects. They must be chosen with God’s approval. He has one project that pays me annual enough to cover my overhead for 18 months.

Promise made: The client wishes to be a rēp promoter one day when he is 50, but Brett urged him not to wait until then.

Jodene closed in sharing that although Jane did not see a lion at the park, she met with a “lion of Judah.” His future has great promise for the Kingdom.

A wholesale butcher company 

This is a fourth generation family business.

Quote: “Most businesses are people serving people. We are people serving meat.”

The client said at the outset that these two weeks were a breakthrough for the family first. God brought tremendous healing to the family.

Positioning: Large competitors slaughter on a mass basis. This company instead allows the animals to go down a corral when they are ready so that there is less stress when the slaughter takes place. The meat then is more tender when served. The company has the opportunity to go straight from the farm to the plate. This reduces costs and eliminates the middlemen.

The profit comes not from higher prices but from better quality. By becoming vertically integrated, the company can increase its customer base and not merely margins.

On Wednesday, the client passed the ‘re-purposed’ shirt to his son. This was a poignant moment where the father blessed his son and wanted all past generational burdens to stop right at this generation.

The client’s wife initially declined to come to the rēp venture but joined today to be blessed and prayed on. She cannot believe that this is all happening to the family.

Theme verses: Deut 8:17 is about profit where the Lord grants the power to get wealth.

Deut 18:18 - there is a Prophet who will be raised up.

 

A design and media firm 

The client is a high level luminary, according to the LEMON leadership test.

“Quote: I have an idea for every one of you.”

This past two weeks, she has lived convergence — an architect, interior designer and artist with words and pictures. All of this together did not make much sense to her, but God brought it all together for her. She works with images and words, as gifted by God.

Her heart is in communities to make a difference. She said that when the walls of Jericho come down, this was not the end but just the beginning.

Quote: “Clint [on the intercessory team], I have been blessed.” She was asked, “In the last 8 days, how has your heart been “architected.” Now it has been changed for good. She really treasured the intimacy of Clint calling upon God as “Papa.”

Her new purpose: affect the environment – spatially, spiritually and socially. This impacts the Body + Soul + Mind

A multilevel business services firm 

This couple used to have a long-term business but God led them leave the company after four years. From the very start, George the consultant witnessed their utter passion about their mission. Their passion reaches people in need for the most basic of health care needs of the entire country.

Quote: “Lord, who do you want in our business?” It is “for a time such as this.”

People in Africa need a new inheritance as they have been displaced and robbed of the most basic of services. RRR aims to restore hope for them. On a practical level, this means to give them access to the largest database of its kind for service providers in job training, medical, legal and other vital services.

This company is committed to total spiritual accountability. One of their financial partners is Global Apostolic Partnership, a 10% owner. This is a link of pastors to support and finance businesses that have a vision for spreading the Gospel.

They asked for permission to share before rather than after lunch because their pastor was to be present for the commissioning of their venture. RRR wants a spiritual covering over the business to provide protection and accountability.

God has a mission with purpose and powerful for this couple who are in total unison to serve together to meet the needs of the poor and disadvantaged in this country and continent.

A consulting and counseling firm

Greg (consultant)  opened and said that the client is a gifted, faithful servant of God, walking with Him for the past 40 years. After a 20-year career with NedBank, he is ready to launch a firm to help organizations and people with his skills. He was pleased to have his wife, an attorney, join him today.

The client grew up in a rural town and lost his father at age 12. God from the start had great plans for him. When working at a hospital, he saw people in need and decided he must be equipped with education to serve them. Even when he just graduated from college, he wanted to give back to the Lord for blessing him. Dumisani gave an anonymous gift to two students in need – today one is a PhD and another is a pastor.

He unveiled a new name and tagline that God gave the team in the past week. “Lifespan – Building people and bridging communities. The logo is a special design that looks like a cross. He said that he was stunned when he first saw it.

The client wants to unite three areas of practice under this banner – institutional consulting using meeting facilitation methodologies, life and career coaching, and family counseling. One of the new projects is to bring water to a needy community, but that requires many interested parties to cooperate and collaborate.

The company has three Ps in focus – Positioning, People and Partnering. Already, God provided one partner, Lyn’s (consultant) own firm that offers free magazines to companies. For a long time, the client needed to drive up to a rural school to provide reading materials for kids. Now Lyn’s firm can deliver them for free without cost or transportation.

Marketplace Miracle: just yesterday, he received a call from his insurance company on a claim from back in 2006. The client wasn’t expecting this, but the excess settlement funds will now pay for ½ of his rēp fee!

A trading firm

A new name was adapted during this venture, a Hebrew word meaning “that which is devoted to God.”

The client admitted that the firm has been on a roller coaster, but “God is the rails”. They had been given a vision from God to reach the entire continent with the business. There are 944 million in Africa. The company is involved in many diverse opportunities in front of them. The client declined to talk specifically about the business, but we were all invited to talk afterwards to them.

They now seek many more divine appointments. Among those to serve are the poor, youth, and drug addicts.

A demolition company 

In introducing this couple, the consultants shared how much unity there was among the four of them, with laughter and tears to see God at work in their hearts and lives.

Theme verse: Romans 12:2. The client said that we need to be transformed, with no segmentation of our lives.

Quote: “God has a purpose and an order.”

Purpose: Before, the firm was focused on the tool itself, but now it wants to emphasize service. God is now the CEO.

The client said they came to realize that as demolition experts, they are the first to come to the land, even before the foundation layers and contractors. This is the opportunity to bless the land and have the Lord redeem it. Much land in the area has been barren, unfruitful and even cursed. As the company blesses the land, there can be the beginning of Kingdom impact.

Marketplace Miracle: The client drove by a piece of land and had the sudden urge to phone the owner, even when there was no advertising. When called, the landowner responded, “you phoned like you have been sent.” The company was given a new contract this week and work was set to begin today at 5:00 p.m.

The client said this business was about tree climbing. First you take the bottom, then move to the middle. Then God wants us to really stretch and go for the top of the tree.

He shared two more sets of verses. Matthew 6:33. We need to seek God’s Kingdom. Amos 9:11-15. Planting in the vineyard leads to fruit.

A printing and design firm 

The capstone of the day was a heartfelt personal testimony from this client, a young man with many talents, successes, and failures but God reached down to him.

The client was asked many times from Len and from Geritt (REP leaders and alumni)  to come join rēp. He repeatedly resisted. Finally, Len said the weekend before October 1 that he would simply come to pick up him up at 8:00 on Monday morning.

Theo (consultant)  began on the guitar with his own rendition of “Jesus Loves Me”, a song that touched the whole group on Wednesday afternoon.

The client started with three successive, initially successful, businesses. Each time, they failed, one of them because of the failure of customers to pay bills. He seriously began to doubt himself. At the core, he began to even doubt whether God loved him. After the third failure, out of near desperation, he named a new business COD Printers for “cash-on-delivery”.

For the first week, the client said, it was about hiding and defending himself from God and what the Holy Spirit might do in his heart. Even with all the evasion and excuses, over the past weekend, the client realized that he would have to give in and surrender. On this past Monday, with Clint embracing both the client and his wife, the Holy Spirit delivered the miracle of reconciliation.

The client thanked God for allowing him a new opportunity to love God and love his wife. He thanked Len for his persistence. He thanked Brandon and Theo (the consultants)  for their care and ministry toward him. He thanked Geritt for being such a shining example of how a man should love his wife. He thanked the intercessory team for making the difference in him this week.

The client said that this week, he re-dedicated himself to the Lord. He talked about how he truly loved his wife and bought new earrings that she is wearing today. His wife sat quietly on the side trying to gather herself.

This week, God truly worked a miracle in this man and in this marriage.

The client promised that he would pay the full fee for any businessperson who was in need of re-purposing through this venture. And, to top that, he was announced that COD would become Salt+Light’s first client and invited them Monday morning to begin work on setting a new place and presence at COD Printers.

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God blessed all in a mighty way today. We were each privileged and honored to be there first-hand and witness His unfailing love and power among these clients in Gauteng.