Worship

Through Spirit-filled praise and worship, we worship the Lord for who He is and what He has done. Praise and worship are emphasized and is a must for any church that is intent on following the Holy Spirit. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3) and we certainly want His presence in our church. In addition, He is Lord and is more than worthy to be the focus of our worship. In fact, one of the primary reasons for us to congregate is to bless Him for Who He is and what He’s done. 

This is not intended only for the church meeting or home groups; we are to live a lifestyle of praise and worship, acknowledging His presence and His wonders in our lives continually – and so we are to continually praise and thank Him (I Thessalonians 5:18). In the church and home group setting, His presence results in ministry to the body in praying for the sick, words of knowledge, and prophetic utterances for individuals and for the body.

Ministry of the Word
In love, we teach the Word of God without compromise, which shows who we are to be in Jesus Christ. The Bible is taught here as the total truth, without reservation or excuse. If something differs from the measure or standard that is set forth in God’s Word, then that something has to change – for His Word is forever settled in heaven. 

The Word of God is extremely important to all Christians, but the devil has robbed and stolen much understanding of it. As a result many perish for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). However, as we focus on the Bible, putting away our worldly tradition and wisdom, we will learn the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:31-32). This is why it is imperative that the unabridged version of the truth be preached, taught and exemplified: so that no one may be, in any way, misled from the right path, giving the devil a foothold as a result. 

Jesus is the Word and therefore the pure word must be taught so that the true picture of Him is not tainted. It is the Word of God that is the mirror (James 1:23) that shows us who we are to be – who we really are in the Spirit. The intent is to preach/teach the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) without any “political correctness” creeping in due to the fear of man.

Ministering Healing and Deliverance 

PERSONAL MINISTRY

God created us with a purpose (Ephesians 2:10), but the devil has other plans for us. Knowing we are supposed to be God’s vehicles [temples], (1 Corinthians 3:16) here on earth, the devil is attempting to stop us so he can hinder the kingdom of God from being advanced. He has devised schemes (wiles in KJV) that are hidden, perpetrated, individualized, and destructive against each of us to thwart us from finding and walking in our intended purpose. He does this through four principal means: (1) Ancestral and generational iniquity, (2) Lies, deceptions, and ungodly beliefs (3) Wounding of spirit and soul, and (4) demonic oppression. Personal Ministry (PM) is the name given to the ministry we use at the City of Refuge for deep-level healing and deliverance. PM is a Holy Spirit-empowered ministry aimed at bringing healing, freedom, and restoration to the whole person, body, soul, spirit, and emotions. This ministry is intensive and we minister to one’s whole life from the womb to the present.

HEALING MINISTRY

God’s intent is for us to be healthy in our bodies, and if we obey His voice and His commandments, He will protect us from sickness just like He promised the Israelites. (Exodus 15:26) Jesus brought healing at the cross because the man had been plagued by sickness, disease, and infirmity since man fell into sin in the garden, “and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you are healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) Healing comes through others, especially church elders (James 5:14) but all believers, as participants in the three-fold ministry, are to be agents of the Lord’s healing grace. Not only should we be healed, but we should also become instruments of the Lord’s healing in His name, thus freeing and healing others. (Mark 16:16-18) At the City of Refuge, we acknowledge, embrace, and appropriate the healing ministry of Christ. Personal ministry and general healing and all the biblical teaching that goes with it are covered and taught in our School of Ministry.