"Wisdom has built
her house; she has hewn out it's seven pillars." Proverbs 9:1
NIV
"Christ Jesus,
who has become for us wisdom from God."
1 Corinthians
1:30 NIV
Pillars of Wisdom Christian
Ministries
"For no one can
lay any foundation than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1
Corinthians 3:10 NIV
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The
Call...
After 14 years in pastoral ministry, in 1997, God placed an unmistakable call on my life to the nation of Canada. Without hesitation I resigned my pastorate in Eastern Ontario, Canada. God miraculously opened doors across the nation, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. For nearly five years I ministered at camps and churches of various denominations, sharing a message that God put on my heart.
After 14 years in pastoral ministry, in 1997, God placed an unmistakable call on my life to the nation of Canada. Without hesitation I resigned my pastorate in Eastern Ontario, Canada. God miraculously opened doors across the nation, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. For nearly five years I ministered at camps and churches of various denominations, sharing a message that God put on my heart.
Following this, life
took a very challenging turn of events. It seemed certain that my ministry
had come to an end. Despite what seemed to be a time of confusion and
inner conflict, hindsight has proven that God’s hand remained firmly on my life.
God gave me a great
gift in my wife Kris. We were married in 2005, a union that remains
beautifully blessed by God. Soon after, God gave us a promise of
restoration, applicable to both our lives and ministry. It was a moment
that was so infused with the presence of God that it is indelibly engraved in
our hearts and minds. Soon after, God opened the door for me, with Kris’
constant support, to pastor once again. The enormity of God’s grace was
revealed to us in a new way.
It wasn’t long after
that, a conference speaker encouraged pastors to ask God to make clear what the
‘territory’ of their ministry is in the plan of God. Without hesitation
God spoke clearly to my spirit: “I’ve already given you Canada”. I
wept aloud. Showing Kris the note with those words on it, we wept
together. God was continuing to fulfil the promise to restore our lives
and ministry. We left that conference with a certainty that we heard from
God, and yet uncertain of His specific direction.
Kris is from the
United States. She moved to Canada just before our wedding. There
was never a doubt that God brought us together. However, as wonderful and
supportive as she was, the call to the ministry seemed to belong to me alone,
leaving Kris unclear of her role other than to support me in whatever God called
me to. She was amazing and content in doing exactly that. But, in 2008,
God clearly and unmistakably gave her a personal call to the nation of
Canada. Once again, this was a remarkably moving moment. We now felt
even more united in our call to ministry, yet leaving us still wondering what it
would all mean.
In September of that
year, Kris and I were at another Pastors conference. In the final service
we were praying together at the altar seeking God’s direction. The
conference speaker came to us and said: “God has already told you what to
do. Now, go do it.”
In January, 2009 God
began to reveal things in rapid motion. Early in the month I felt it was
time for us to develop a religious charity. That was all that was in my
spirit, but within days God took me to Proverbs 9:1 where it says: “Wisdom
has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.” (NIV)
Immediately I knew that this verse would be the Scriptural foundation for this
new ministry. The very next Sunday morning, during the worship service at
our church, God initiated a conversation with me in my spirit. It was so
clear and precise. It went something like this. “You know, Christ is the
foundation of all truth”. I responded, almost as if I was talking out
loud: “I know that Lord.” Immediately, God replied: “He is the
foundation on which the pillars of wisdom rest.” “Okay Lord.”
Thankfully I had a pen and paper in my pocket, as God immediately began to
download ‘seven pillars of wisdom’ that would be the truths upon which this new
ministry would be built. They are either principles for life, taught by
Christ, or apostolic teaching that define our relationship with Him. These
pillars encompass the Biblical truths that must guide our lives. They are
both simple and profound. They are known, and yet undiscovered in many
ways.
Within days God
began to reveal the details of how this ministry could reach across the nation
in order to lead Christians to into a more mature walk with Him; so that they
might live lives that will bring greater glory to His Name and bear greater
fruit for His eternal Kingdom.
Rev. Tim
Lukings
Ordained
Minister, Elim Fellowship Canada
Associate Pastor,
Grand Valley Christian Centre, Brantford, ON Canada
