Ellel Ministries

Had the opportunity yesterday to attend a pastors and leaders day held at Ellel Ministries in Menangle NSW Australia. It was a real pleasure to finally attend such a day, as I have had an association through various friends who have been a part of this ministry for many years.

Ellel Ministries which can be found in over 20 countries offers a place of prayer and healing and abides by Luke 9:11 that Jesus Welcomed them, shared his love and healed them.

As pastors, it is easy to think that we must have all the answers, Paul the apostle said to be "all things to all men" but I don't think he was wanting us to do everything for everyone, but rather to relate to all people at their level and where they are at. He goes on to say that to Jews, he is a Jew and to slaves, he is a slave. It is therefore refreshing to know that there are ministries around the world which are able to compliment that which cannot be done within the framework of the local church.

Which when I think about this, I Corinthians 12 comes to mind. The body, speaking of the body of Christ and the church is made up of many parts. Each of these parts play a vital role to ensure the body is functioning as it should. Yes, some of us may get by without a leg or arm or perhaps even most of our lower limbs. But none of us can survive without our vital organs and certainly the body is most effective when all parts are working together to see the great commission as stated in Mathew 28:18 fulfilled. That is to "Go into all the world..." with the love and good news of Jesus Christ.

This naturally happens not just at a macro level but also on a micro level. That is to say that when we are not living in love and compassion and forgiveness towards those around us on a daily basis, we somehow get out of sync with the world in which we live. I was once asked by someone why my wife and I had such a great relationship. I responded by saying that I made a commitment at the altar to love her until she died. The person who had asked this question was horrified at my answer stating "you cannot commit to love another person until they first love you". At hearing this response I was horrified and said that if this is the case with everyone then you would have a stale mate, that is everyone waiting for the next person to make a move. Scripture tells us that Jesus demonstrated his love for us that "while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. I went on to explain that whilst I had made this commitment to my wife, she in turn made the same commitment to me. However, even if she decides not to love me, I would always love her.

Over and over again in history we can see how the church has grown when ordinary believers in Christ lay down their lives for those around them. Holding a grudge or being offended with another person, especially those in whom we have relationship, can be one of the most crippling and debilitating things we can experience. I believe it is through Christ's example of dying to self for others that God's love can be truly released into the world in which we live.

As fighting in the middle east continues and thousands of people, both Christian and Muslims alike are losing their lives, perhaps we can begin to think how we can share some of Christ's mandate for the church to our world and release forgiveness to those nearest to us.

God Bless