New Breed of Business

Today we continue our “How to Storehouse” series. We will unpack all of what is biblical about God’s economy and how that is reflected in the Storehouse Vision.

Hint: it’s not just storing up a bunch of stuff for the apocalypse !

for the home page of the Storehouse Vision, click here (you can also use the Storehouse drop-down menus on newbreed.co)

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure

So, we often find people misunderstand what “A Storehouse of God” is all about. It’s not simply storing up supplies and money to guarantee our futures. It’s really a reformation of our hearts in how we deal with money, provision, work and our own needs. And it’s also how we form community and serve one another to facilitate supply for the Kingdom of God here on earth.

The Storehouse Vision is first and foremost an “unlearning” of the ways of this world (unplug from the Matrix) and transform our minds in the knowledge of Christ (plug into the Kingdom of God). Romans 12:2“Right from the time you were born… what your parents taught you… without money you cannot survive.”

“That had become a very strong chain of bondage in your mind… It took Me four years to break that.”

“And from that day, to this day our table has never been empty – I don’t know how, from where God provided.” 

– Chandrakaut Shouri (watch testimony here – https://youtu.be/h0PClCCK2z8?si=892AKFuBi9OGpeNv)

“Will He not clothe you? You of little faith? Do not worry… your heavenly Father knows [your needs]… Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all of [your needs] will be met.” – Matthew 6:30-33

God can provide with or without money.

“If you start thinking to yourselves, ‘I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!’—well, think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.” – Deuteronomy 8:17-18

It is better to give than receive

Give and it shall be given unto you

Freely you have been given, freely you should give

When you give to the poor you are lending to God

When we help others instead of focusing on satisfying our own needs, God supplies.

Alternative to FDIC fractional reserve banking. Loans as investments. Local currencies. Individual stores and community stores under one roof.

“For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:12-14

This is the “storing up” part of the Storehouse. But remember, we can also get just in time shipments by God’s hand. Even supernaturally or by way of a miracle.

We don’t have to be under Adam’s “curse of the land, everything by the sweat of our brow.” We can tap into heavenly provision…

Our earthly storehouses can be filled, and our needs can be met out of heavenly storehouses

 and supernatural provision 

God has already made ready. We have to recover this ancient inheritance as the Church for the days ahead.

Silver and gold have I none. In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk!

I will open the windows of heaven

Example of Church Unity – 140 churches gathered together in Charlotte last week

Tomorrow on the New Breed of business, we chat with Eric Paliuca – follower of Jesus, entrepreneur and missionary – currently with his family at the JAARS missions base in North Carolina working with Beeyond Bees. Come hear his testimony!

(here is a post about that very thing: A Product God Makes)

Keep in touch with Eric here: https://paliucaparables.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Let’s start out with Webster’s definition of Capitalism:

Capitalism is an economic system where private individuals or organizations own and control the means of production, and where the free market determines prices and the distribution of goods.

Sounds pretty good so far.

#1 Private ownership was embraced in the bible by allotting land in Israel to families. Read Numbers 26:53 “the land should be divided for inheritance based on population”

#2 Free markets are also in the bible as an extension of the free-will of man. “For this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land.” Jermiah 32:15

However, there were numerous prohibitions tempering this freedom by God. For example, the allotment and inheritance of land was made in proportion to need. It was followed by the concept of Jubilee (returning land to original inheritors, no matter the pledge or debt). Similarly, there was the freedom to lend money, but not to charge interest. Plus, there was a requirement to forgive debts every seven years. Also not to work the land every seven years. No buying and selling of goods within the walls of Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Etc.

Now, let’s take a look at some of the writings of the “Father of Capitalism”, Adam Smith.

It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest

Adam Smith points out here and in his writings that self-interest is what provides for our families – not the benevolence of man (nor the benevolence of God – note connection with Deism below).

Now, lets look at what the bible says about this :

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat

Seek first the Kingdom of God and righteousness, and all this (dinner, drink, clothes, needs, etc.) shall be added unto you

Which begs the question: what is true work?

My food is to do the will of the Father

Not exactly the same as what Adam Smith suggests. Note the important differences. Its not all about self-interest leading to our provision. Its about trusting God for provision, loving others, working with diligence as unto God, and for God. Where there is need, let us pray and ask for help and wisdom, not trying to scramble, scrape, or horde money, income, profit and gain as though God never assured us:

I will be with you always, even unto the end of this age

Every individual… intends only his own gain, and he is… led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.

Mmm, who or what is this invisible hand??

We need to put things into context. Adam Smith was part of the Scottish Enlightenment. Which was connected to the French Revolution and Deism.

In the… Age of Enlightenment or Age of Reason, deism emerged as a theological position that attempted to define the natural world and man’s relationship to God through the application of Enlightenment ideals such as reason, rationality, and order.

To understand what those movements stood for, we can look to Voltaire, an 18th century French philosopher who believed god was uninvolved in the day-to-day affairs of men, as he was only the “clockmaker of the universe”, leaving men to their own interests. This type of thinking leads down a slippery slope to another enlightenment philosopher’s ideas…

I think therefor I am

Fast forward to the 20th century, and we have Milton Friedman, a modern day Adam Smith adherent (that’s an Adam Smith tie he’s wearing).

Here are some relevant Friedman quotes:

A corporation is an artificial person and in this sense may have artificial responsibilities, but ‘business’ as a whole cannot be said to have [social] responsibilities, even in this vague sense.

Here’s the thing: If a corporation is an artificial person, shareholders are also artificial people – or perhaps better said, nameless faceless people who have no soul – no regard for fellow man. Real people can therefore “hide” behind the shareholder “strawman”.

Famous NYT Article: A Friedman doctrine‐- The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profits

There is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud.

But what of deceptive advertising? Hidden fees? The ol’ bait and switch? The free trip, if we can sell you a condo. There are many such deceptive things permitted “within the rules of the game” today.

Yet, even if we give Friedman the benefit of the doubt here: Is the only requirement of God to commit no fraud or deception? These scriptures contravail such claims:

“Do not oppress the poor because he is poor” – Proverbs 22:22

“And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor’s hand, you shall not oppress one another.” – Numbers 25:14

“If you lend money to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest” – Exodus 22:25

“Do not charge a fellow Israelite interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.” – Deuteronomy 23:19

“If a wicked man gives back what they took in pledge for a loan… they will not die.” – Ezekiel 33:15

“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigners.” – Leviticus 23:22

So, in effect Adam Smith’s philosophies, evolved into the Friedman doctrine, which essentially has created a wall of separation between faith and business – and therefor a moral vacuum, since “corporations are not people” and shareholders are a abstraction, rather than personal reality.

Capitalism looks similar to God’s principles of free-will of man, land ownership, and freedom. But is this, especially in its modern day interpretation, really the same as God’s covenants with men? Or, is it more a like a close cousin?

Perhaps like a butterfly compared with a moth? Both start off as caterpillars, but…

Or sheep vs. goat?

This moral vacuum rationalization of hiding behind corporations, shareholders and profits, echoes of the stories told in the Bible of the Pharisees, who had a form of Godliness, but Jesus labeled them hypocrites and white washed tombs. Their hearts were far from God. They were also identified as lovers of money. Everything looked fine on the outside, but the inside was filthy dirty.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.” – Matthew 23:25

Free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity

Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money

Choose this day whom you will serve

Read prior post / watch podcast here: BOJ Market Drop and Warning

Since the BOJ raised rates at the end of July, and the Nikkei tanked 20% / the rest-of-world markets dropped by 10%, and the VIX spiked to multi-year highs, everything now seems to have settled down and the market has hit new highs. Is it over? Was it no big deal? Just a hiccup? (spoiler alert: no)

Just this morning this line caught my attention in a Bloomberg article:

Japanese monetary policy could be the San Andreas fault of global finance

Full Article Here: Manager Who Predicted Yen Shock Sees Another Coming. Apparently he started saying this back in June 2023.

T. Rowe’s Husain is tying the Bank of Japan actions to the San Andreas fault (think West coast quake). Is this prophetic?

I know the BOJ is conscious of the effect it could have on global markets, but it’s a real and present danger, in my view. I certainly think it’s something that should be on our radar as investors

If you recall from prior discussions, Bob Jones and Rick Joyner are both on record as essentially saying: Once the Japanese quake of 3/11/11 happened, the worldwide economic meltdown AND a West Coast US megaquake can hit at any time. Read post here: Watch Japan – Bob Jones Earthquake Prophecies (scroll down to get to the earthquake and economic shaking prophecies, including videos).

One other thing to pay attention to is when retail participation in the stock market reaches highs, it is a historical indicator of a market top.

In the winter of 1928, Joe Kennedy’s shoeshine boy famously offered Kennedy a stock tip: “Buy Hindenburg.” Kennedy soon sold off his stocks, thinking:

You know it’s time to sell when shoeshine boys give you stock tips. This bull market is over.

Learn how to trust God not money as never before. Read more about this here:

1. God’s Economy
2. Am I a Slave?
3. Come out of Babylon and
4. Storehouse Vision

So, what happened this week?

Japan’s stock market dropped 20% in 3 days. The US and Europe, almost 10% over the same period. These are some of the largest market drops ever in such a short time span.

For those of you following the New Breed of Business, you will recall our several discussions about the importance of watching Japan and the Bank of Japan’s monetary actions:

If you have time to refresh on those discussions, it helps put into context this week’s market plunge and what is coming – likely over the next several months into 2025.

Much of the conversation has to do with “First Japan, then the US/Europe”.

Basically Japan was set up as a little America post WWII, less the foundations of faith. Their economy is more “Western” than “Eastern” in how their markets and banking are setup. The Yen is closely tied to the Dollar markets.

In a sense, Japan is just doing what we helped teach them to do, but on steroids. Hense, more debt. More money printing. Etc. They pioneered those things. To deal with their financial crash in the late 80s, which led to depression / deflation.

Japan was by some measures was the #1 economy in the 1980s. Now they are the fourth largest economy. They have greatly shrunk.

Japan is essentially like a beta test of Modern Monetary Theory. How far can they (the BOJ and Japanese government) stretch the bounds of monetary policy, quantitative easing, and debt borrowings with a major fiat currency (Yen).

Here is that chart:

We have previously discussed one of the key global market dynamics: “Why? Because it portends a setup like we had in 2007, whereby the BOJ raises rates prematurely again. Because the Yen carry trade is still “on” in the hedge fund macro world.” (1st Raise BOJ discussion – March 2024)

What is the Carry Trade?
Carry Trade Example:
– Borrow in Yen at 0% interest
– Buy Mexican bonds at 11%

The sharp reversing of the carry trade by hedge funds likely begins a cascading of events which can lead to bursting all sorts of asset bubbles.

Why is the 2nd BOJ raise and “bad for the economy / markets”, both back in 2007 and again in 2024? “It was premature for their economy, which was still greatly depressed and had just turned positive for the first time in a long-time.” (Watch Japan discussion – January 2023). Same reason today. BOJ made the move because they were trying to strengthen the yen and punish speculators. This is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Here is the case study the “Watch Japan” word has been based on:

The market drop post the 2nd BOJ move was a sign in 2007 (down 10%), and sense again it is a sign in 2024 (down 20%). It was a sign in February / March 2007 leading to a full blown financial crisis in 2008. Will this recent move and market drop lead to the next financial crisis? Will it be even bigger this time?

We continue to WARN about why the US dollar led global financial markets are being judged – for pride, fear, greed, love of and trust in money, the depersonalization of finance, exploitation of the poor, etc. among many other reasons, just as ancient Egypt and Pharoah were judged for similar issues (read: Ezekiel 29-32). It is a BLIND-SPOT in the US church because of the more recent focus on prosperity, individualism and a no-suffering theology, post WWII.

Both the Dow 30 and the Nikkei 225 interestingly reached new highs this year, both surpassing 40000 points. When this happened I was reminded of the number 40 in the bible. Jesus was tested in the wilderness for 40 days. The Israelites were tested in the wilderness for 40 years. So the number 40 is a biblically significant number with the meaning “testing”. I believe too, the world is about to go through a great period (1000 biblically) of financial and economic TESTING.

Now, more than ever is time to seek shelter through repentance. We are commanded in Revelation 18:4 to “Come out of Babylon”. Practically, coming out of Babylon is coming out of partnership/ownership of any investments, companies and markets that have drunk the “cup of her abominations”. This includes the stock market.

The Storehouse Vision is an economic framework that embodies this repentance (in deeds not just words) and we encourage all to pursue what scripture teaches us about trusting in Jesus, not money. There is no “easy” answer, but it requires the messy reality of relationships. Investing personally. Investing locally. Investing cooperatively. Investing actively. It requires listening to Jesus at times “Do not expect anything in return” instead of always demanding an earthly return (or have recourse to claw-back, or sitting back and collecting interest).

To focus on loving one another rather than only or first looking after self. To “not store up treasure on the earth where moth and rust will destroy – where thieves break in and steal”, but instead to “store up treasure in heaven” (Matt 6:19-24). This means relationships in the local and broader community are key. The wealth is in people, not gold, silver, money or stuff. It is fostered in the community. “Investment” takes on a whole new meaning when you look at “not the money that I need in the future”, but the opportunity to invest in the discipleship of people, and the calling God created them to develop into. This includes investment in local businesses owned by people you know. This also means “community banking” that is not part of the Federal Reserve / FDIC fractional banking structure.

Let us Come out of Babylon. Stop trusting in a “money black box” for profit and income. Take down the golden calf.

You have to think “outside the box”.

You have to become an “active investor” where you get involved with people’s lives. Yes, its messy.

You have to learn how to trust God for miracles of provision, even in the desert.

Read/listen/watch more on Come out of Babylon and the Storehouse Vision

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.

Matthew 16:20

The day after this discussion (8/8/24) and presentation of the warning, the second largest earthquake of the year hit Japan. 7.1 on the scale in Kyushu, Japan. Seven tsumani warnings were also issued. Let the reader understand.

Here too, was a warning of a mega earthquake (8-9 on scale) to come to Japan at any time.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/japan-megaquake-advisory-meaning-reason-rcna165976

Back in April, Joel Frazier shared with the group some thoughts he had about how he was praying about how to price things in his business. Like a prayer sanctuary space. Or shelter for the homeless. Or working for those in need for material costs only, providing the labor for free or reduced.

Here is a video clip from that April 3rd discussion

With the price of everything going up, and our income/savings often feels like it’s not keeping up, what are we as Christian business owners and ministries to do? How should we price things? Should we pass along the increases and add on our own increase as well?

Or does God have a better way?

If Jesus was a carpenter, what did he charge for his work?

Did he do things for free?

We will discuss what the scriptures say about pricing goods and services in any business context.

Proverbs 16:8,11,16,19:

Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.

– thought: we should be careful not to rationalizing gouging people

Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.

– thought: it would be better to err on the side of undercharging rather than overcharging

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

– thought: if I make less money but get more favor and wisdom from God, am I better off?

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

– thought: help the oppressed even if it costs you
– thought: it’s not good to partner with questionable gain that plunders others

[Sodom] is very much like contemporary American culture: pride, fullness of bread, abundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God

– thought: leaving free crops in the field decreases your gross margin but helps people

You shall not lend [the poor] your money for usury, nor lend [the poor] your food at a profit.

– thought: be careful not to enslave the poor for profit after offering help

He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches… will surely come to poverty.

– thought: be careful not to take advantage of the poor for sake of profit

The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully… I will build greater [barns]… he [is a fool] who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

– thought: what should we come upon the blessing of excess gains?

If God’s Economy is giving and receiving, how do we find a fair price between parties in a business exchange that pleases the Father?

Should we give people goods and services for free? Will they or others return the favor in kind or in trade for something else? Will God see it and help us in other ways? Other business opportunities?

Joel brings up the example of how the Quakers implemented a reform in their owner’s stores – everything marked with a fixed price – as a way of preventing price gouging based on who is shopping in your store. While today such transparency is commonplace, apparently back then it was not. A store owner can always lower the price unilaterally to help someone or promote a sale, but should guard against temptation to exploit someone by charging more just because they can in the fog of a lack of transparent pricing.

Like in the medical industry, how services and treatment pricing is always after the fact. In fact, most medical practices and hospitals will have people sign a financial responsibility contract, without even knowing what they will be on the hook for later. It’s a trust us, while we don’t trust you situation. Based on a power dynamic where by you need the medical attention, so we have you “over a barrel”. Leading to injustices and price gouging. Often rationalized by “insurance will pay for it”.

Join the conversation…

We have in the past looked at various geo-political and economic scenarios that have prophetic words associated with them on the New Breed of Business. Here is a past such discussion that well describes the exercise: Economic Scenario Planning.

So, the other day I saw news that Texas was establishing a new Stock Exchange to compete with the New York exchanges. Unusual.

I also recalled how recently Elon Musk’s salary and bonus at Tesla famously was struck down by a judge in a Delaware court, where Tesla is incorporated (as well as most corporations). What was the solution? Get shareholders to vote to move the company legal HQ to Texas. The Musketeers got it done and now Musk will now once again receive a huge payday (estimated at $56 Billion).

I wondered: Is this a sign of corporate, legal and financial infrastructure being established in the “Red States” in a potential precursor to secession? The traditional home of exchanges in NYC and legal HQs in Delaware in the United States are now firmly “Blue States”. I’m thinking back to the civil war and how the confederate states wanted to seperate from the Union primarily for economic reasons which slavery was entangled with.

Today is Juneteenth. I didn’t get the inspiration for this discussion because of this day. It happened to be the same day, which I didn’t realize until this week. But I think that it’s interesting. Juneteenth is a remembrance and a celebration of the freeing of slaves and the end of the civil war, originating in Galveston, Texas almost 3 years after the end of the civil war!

Most people know there is undeniable data which reveals economic disparity between blacks and whites in terms of income and wealth. Which leads to questions about systemic racial inequities coming out of the African slave trade, civil war and Jim Crow. It’s complicated by how families were ripped apart as part of that slavery past, leading to similar disparities racially in single mothers vs. married couples, disparity in educational opportunities, the reality of “white flight” out of inner city neighborhoods., etc.

The Asbury Outpouring 2023

Here is something fascinating that our friend Joel Frazier brought to my attention. Did you know the history of the Asbury revival last year 2023? It was preceded by repentance over slavery, where a group of Christian leaders and students were reading the wills of slave owners and repenting. Here is the story of George Dumaine at Asbury: https://craigkeener.com/a-backstory-to-the-2023-asbury-revival/

“Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.”

– Jesus, Matt 12:25

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln actually quoted this verse at the Illinois Republican State Convention on June 16, 1858?Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure… that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 – Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863

The political discourse in the United States between parties and their Presidential candidates is highly likely to reach new lows of anger and division this fall. We may have riots again like we did in 2020.

Of course, we pray for Jesus – the Prince of peace to come in the midst and heal our nation. But what if what is happening is a judgment on the United States? And we must go through some type of revolution or civil war like we have in the past – which also incidentally was tied to the first and second great awakenings?

And what if it isn’t so clear for Christians as Red v Blue? What if there is a “third column” that we need to be part of – that is the Kingdom of Jesus…

Here are excerpts from Rick Joyner’s book.

Have a read / listen to the Francis Scott Key Bridge discussion we had a few months ago for more understanding of all this.

Here too is an excerpt too from John Paul Jackson’s writings, The Coming Perfect Storm.

Bob Jones 2010 Shepherd’s Rod – The Eagle

related excerpts…

Other relevant dreams, writings and discussions
Train Wreck Dream

JPJ Coming Perfect Storm in Banking System Risks

Chris Reed’s $50 Dream

Friend or Foe double dream

Kamala Harris dream – I am from Concord 

We just got back from an amazing time during Pentecost at the 10 Days of Prayer summit in Western PA. Something is brewing in Grove City! We were hosted by a united prayer and mission base there called The HUB, founded by Brad McKoy.

As we got to talking, it turns out Brad’s vision is very much similar to what we have been envisioning and experiencing in the New Breed of Business, and others – as part of the Storehouse Network – have been experiencing in their cities (such as Gary Crawford in Bradenton, FL with King Station and Chrisopher Lucey with the JAMA base “ARK” in Lindale, TX and Jonathan Serenil in San Antonio with Unite SA. That is to say, a city-wide base for house of prayer, worship, business incubation, church unity, common space use, mission to the city, engagement with all aspects of their community, including the local college campuses.

What’s crazy is the Holy Spirit was speaking to me during worship there at the HUB saying – Grove City is a “Goshen“

 after one of our speakers during the summit – Joel McGill, All America – was speaking about “God is extending invitations to the body of Christ to Goshens throughout the United States.” (or similar).

Grove City is at the crossroads of i80 and i79 in Western PA

Another one of the speakers – Neil from Big Life – was encouraging us to “prayer walk” Grove City as a way of touching the lost and the afflicted. I personally felt led by the Lord back to the Marathon gas station near town, so Brett and I ventured out looking for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to who to speak with. Well, long story short, we prayed with one of the cashiers there – let’s call her Monique, who was in need of prayer. Turns out she knew Brad, the HUB and viewed her as a spiritual Dad, having gone through much in her own life – including going to heaven and coming back from the dead. Wow. All of this so confirmed the importance of The HUB – and new wineskin ministries like it all throughout the United States.

The hub was established as a prayer and mission base in Grove City, Pennsylvania to serve spiritual family in our region and beyond. The vision for the hub is rooted in the desire to see an “Antioch Community” established in western Pennsylvania, where believers grow in their relationship with God, are trained to follow His teachings and sent out to see the good news of His love spread. In 2011, the Antioch Overflow Experiment (AOX) was planted as a community of simple churches that would host and steward the vision of the hub.

As our house churches began to grow, we started praying for a space to host trainings and times of prayer and worship. In the spring of 2012 we were approached by a local pastor who asked us to pray about whether God would want us to have the building that their church had been meeting in. As we walked through the space, we felt like the space would serve the vision that God had given to us. 

Brad and his wife Adriane live out of a heart to see generations transformed by love. They have been married for 26 years and treasure their 18 year old daughter, Abigail. After spending over a decade pastoring and church planting, in 2009 the McKoy’s moved to Grove City, PA to pioneer the Antioch Overflow Experiment (AOX), a simple church community whose mission is to disciple, equip and release sons and daughters of the King to transform every sphere of society for the Glory of God.

Brad enjoys coffee and creativity and can regularly be found at local shops discussing and developing new ideas with friends. An entrepreneur at heart, Brad loves coaching and helping launch young leaders into business. Together with a small team of entrepreneurs, Brad serves as a founding partner in Clearsound Consulting, a branding and marketing consulting company that focuses on providing real world solutions for locally owned businesses.

I’ve known Mary for years now, and she is really a remarkable woman of God. She has led the National Day of Prayer for the 9-states of the North East, has been an intercessor in Connecticut most of her life, including praying for the government up at the Capitol. She also continues to serve as a pastor with House of Prayer Church, Waterbury with Pastor James Lilley.

But one of the most defining moments of her life was at the sudden passing of her husband over 20 years ago, leaving Mary wondering how to move forward and trust God in faith, not fear.

Mary will also share how she has changed her perspective on money, housing and resources. Trusting God more with her finances, including getting out of debt.

Amazon link

Our culture and the Bible both paint widows as victims.  Yet not every woman gets to be a widow; it is a divine calling. Mary authored a book with this different perspective on loss entitled: Widowhood: A Calling To Leadership.

Mary, who became a widow in 2001, is a former homeschooling mom, retired nurse, associate pastor and ministry leader with a different perspective. Born and raised in Waterbury CT, she initiated a grassroots movement calling people in CT to pray on the National Day of Prayer. This grew into a regional calling with the ministry for the northeast states. In spring of 2020, she heard the calling to move from New England and south to Mississippi, where her daughter lives.

Mary is still on assignment for New England, praying for Connecticut and NE pastors and leaders. As she likes to remind herself, she still owns a piece of the Nutmeg state!

You can reach Mary on [email protected] and [email protected].

Heartbeat Israel is our monthly segment where Grant and Gregg help us stay in touch with what the Lord is saying and doing in “the land” of Israel by interviewing those whose “ear is to the ground”. Whether it’s messianic outreach, Aliyah, the temple mount, anti-Semitism, biblical history, houses of prayer, methods of economy, Hebrew covenantal life culture, signs and wonders – we want to press into the Father heart of God as Israel is the apple of His eye and God’s prophetic time clock. Click the link here for previous episodes…

Jim Schutz has lived in Israel for over 37 years and served in multiple ministries and organizations.  He has been a relationship builder, whose heart is both for strengthening the local Body of Messiah in Israel and for demonstrating God’s love to the people of Israel, both Jewish and Arab.  He is also passionate about helping believers in the nations grasp God’s heart for Israel and the nations together in the form of the one new man.

In 1974 Jim came to faith in Jesus as Lord as a young law student at the College of William and Mary in the USA.  After graduating in 1977 and working 2 years as staff attorney for the US Court of Appeals in Virginia, Jim left a promising legal career in response to a personal call to serve the Lord full time in the nations.  This eventually led him and his wife Leslie to Israel in 1986 with a vision to serve God in whatever way He would lead and specifically to get involved with the aliyah of Jews from the former Soviet Union.

A life-changing trip in 1987 to encourage suffering Jewish “Refuseniks” in the USSR led to an invitation to head the Soviet Jewry Department of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), where he served for 21 years. 

In addition to helping with the Aliyah and absorption of many thousands of new immigrants from the FSU,  Jim became ICEJ’s official liaison to local believers and an international speaker for the organization, while also serving on the leadership team of a local Messianic congregation in Jerusalem.

More recently Jim served five years as the Executive Director of The Joseph Project, a Messianic humanitarian aid outreach that imports and distributes aid around the country to all segments of Israeli society.  He also represented Focus on Israel, a UK based  organization that teaches pastors about the importance of Israel and supports local ministries in Israel.

Jim also serves with Emmaus Way, Arnie Klein’s ministry of which Grant partners with and brings prayer tour groups as part of Reconnecting Ministries visiting from the nations.