Opening session of our first ever Koinonia pastors gathering.
Our first pastors retreat – UNFORGETTABLE!
Written by Randy Mishler
Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.
Isaiah 55:3 TLB
KOINONIA, Part One:
A few years ago, a pastor friend of ours in the area that we thought we were helping ended up burning out and leaving his wife. It was devastating to their family and to us. We didn’t see it coming. Could we have stopped this? We felt the grace of God speaking to us that yes, we could do something to avoid these shipwrecks in the future. And He would help us.
In our calling and quest to strengthen churches here in Mexico, the Lord has spoken a few things very clearly to us since then:
- You cannot strengthen local churches without strengthening their pastors
- Don’t wait until you have a location (the retreat location we dream about)
- Get these pastors away and bless them, honor them, and encourage them
- Bring them together to encourage one another
And lastly, this word spoken to us in the form of a question: “Is there anything more important that we could do for these pastors than to help them hear God’s voice?”
Lui and I sensed that the revival we are praying for in Baja, Mexico, will be preceded by unity among the pastors, which will happen by shutting off the noise and hearing God’s voice. And we could facilitate this: by creating an intimate gathering for 20 couples, a retreat to encourage this New testament “koinonia”.
It was last year we read the book “Host the Holy Ghost” by pastor Vlad Savchuk, and the passage in 1 Corinthians 13:14 jumped off the pages and burned in our hearts: “… the fellowship (Koinonia) of the Holy Spirit be with you all”.
This became the theme of this and, we believe all future Koinonia retreats.
The pastors holding up their “Host the Holy Ghost” books, donated by pastor Vlad of Hungry Gen ministries
We designed this gathering called Koinonia
with the focus of bringing pastors together (many of whom we have walked with for nearly 20 years) to fellowship with one another and create a hunger and a habit for the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We’ll share more in Part 2 within a week, but for now, we want to glorify God by showing how the fellowship and partnership of God’s people made this happen:
- Thanks to pastors Doug and Donna and the amazing Pearl Church team, who have blessed us and many other pastors at their Encouragement conference. Each year we have been blown away by the Father’s love shown through them. God used them to inspire this first Koinonia gathering.
- Two years ago, at the Encouragement gathering in Denver, we reconnected with old friends, pastors Marc and Cheryl Cargill of Hope Church in Tucson. The 4 of us went out for dinner, and they prayed and prophesied over us, and we all felt that God was calling us to do something together for the pastors in Baja. God used them to encourage us to step out and go for it.
- Our prayer team – consisting of people from Mannahouse, Activate Church and others – have been praying for this gathering for over 6 months. God used them to breathe life into this idea.
- Partners and churches who believed in this vision to bless these pastors, so that ALL the money came in – ensuring an amazing getaway complete with gifts and gas money – at no cost to these pastors. God used these partners to provide for this gathering.
- The owner of Corazon Cabo (a beautiful beachside resort 30 minutes south of us in Cabo SanLucas), who I met 2 months ago, immediately upon hearing the vision said, “I want you to do it here”. Long story short, we got a 4 start resort on a 2 star budget. God used him to show these pastors God’s extravagant love.
- Our ministry team – Marc Cargill (and the Hope Church team (Michelle Oakland, Alan Norwood and Scott Mishler), you ministered and raised money and walked with us in this from the beginning. My brother “del alma” Alex Gomez (more about him in part 2) and missionary Richard Mead. And our boys (Max on the cajon and Wilson learning and mastering Pro Presenter for worship). God used you to “be a balsam in the desert for my soul” (in the words of one pastor).
- Lastly, our financial support team. We’ve been working hundreds of hours planning, desinging, meeting with pastors, making websites, raising money for this gathering, all while not having to worry about our own finances. God has used you to sustain us and allow us to fix our eyes on the prize.
We pray that Jesus would strengthen you in your weakness, and the Father’s love would envelop you. And that you would walk closely to and hear the voice of your Helper more than ever before. In short, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”! (2 Cor 13:14)
Thank you to all who had a part in this.
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