What was Abraham looking for?
Hebrews 11 tells us Abraham set out looking for a city whose foundation, builder, and maker was God. What was this city like that Abraham was looking for?
We know that Man had intimacy with God in the Garden. God created Man, loved him (and her), and this was a special place. Abraham (Hebrews 11:8) was looking for place again.
Who are the Abrahams that you know? I can name several. George Otis, Jr. at the Sentenel group is certainly one, traveling the world and documenting cities totally transformed by the Holy Spirit. I can name more. Here in my city, it is certainly Dr. Joe Aldrich. Dr. Joe moved to Portland in ‘78 from a pastorate in California to be president of Multnomah Seminary here. He began constantly communicating a vision:
What would it take to initiate and sustain a significant work of God in a specific geographical community? In other words, what would it take to see John 17 lived out in answer to the Son’s prayer?
He believed the answer to his question would come about through a five-part process: holiness, humility, unity, community, and impact.
Dr. Aldrich invited Terry Dirks to join him in Portland in 1986, and soon the prayer summit movement started in what is today the International Renewal Ministries. This, in turn, let to the 1992 Billy Graham Crusade in Portland, Oregon - one of the most successful Graham crusades ever.
Where are you called to step out to risk in faith?