To God be the glory, for the things that He has done!

First, let me say thank you for all of the kind words and gifts of appreciation towards Angela and I as we celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary last month!  I declare “Same Grace”,  that God would raise up people to use their power, ability, and influence to honor and appreciate you.  Summer is here and we are living in our best days believing that greater is coming!!  Our summer launch began with the new lesson series “Back to the Word”.  This message of revival and restoration has stirred our hearts to seek the Lord again with an unprecedented level of focus.  God’s promise to those who will seek Him is that they will be rewarded with His presence that will manifest fresh fire, fervency, and fellowship with Him and one another. 

Two people are better than one. When two people work together, they get more work done. 10 If one person falls, the other person can reach out to help. But those who are alone when they fall have no one to help them. 11 If two people sleep together, they will be warm. But a person sleeping alone will not be warm. 12 An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. Ecclesiastes 4:9 ERV

When we work together: 

• We get more work done.  

• We have help when we are in trouble.  

• We are able to defeat even greater enemies.

• We are stronger together.  

Something amazing happened last week!  The Lord led me on a three-day fast to seek His heart for our ministry focus as we celebrate 14 years of ministry this month. At around midnight on the third day of the fast, I awoke to what I can only describe as heavenly music followed by a loud voice saying “EXTRA!”  Over the last day of my fast God told me to call our church into a time of “Extra” Prayer Intercession for others and He in turn would reward us with “Extra” for Our Efforts!  The following  scripture passage supports the revelation the Lord gave to me.

And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. Job 42:10-11 

Job had major problems as he suffered the loss of his children, possessions, and health.  Job also dealt with undeserved persecution from his three friends who did not understand why he was going through his situation.  They  accused Job of having hidden sin, as the reason for his calamity.  God told Job's friends that they were wrong for their accusations and that they would not be restored until Job prayed for them.   As soon as Job prayed for his friends, God not only delivered them but also delivered him!  I believe that many are being held back in this season from full restoration because of the pettiness, persecution, and problems they have directed towards others!  The call for “Extra” Prayer to intercede for those who have caused pain or persecution is the key to releasing God's power for deliverance from plaguing problems and predicaments.

This is just what Jesus did as He prayed for His persecutors while hanging on the cross.  

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. - Luke 23:34 KJV

Since Jesus prayed for the ones who were the cause of His pain, persecution, and problems we should do the same. 

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17 KJV

God also gave Jesus “Extra for His Efforts” because of His involvement with and intercession for others. 

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing   by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place   and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Phillipians 2:5-9 NIV

“Pull Together to Prosper” is the theme for our 14th year church anniversary.  We have been given the assignment to release our faith for “Extra” by initiating a time of corporate Intercession, Involvement, and Investing.  

As you participate this month, the Lord said that you should expect “Extra” in these areas: 

• Extreme Benevolence - Acts of kindness and a disposition for others to do good towards you. 

• Extravagant Blessings - Favor, wisdom, protection, abundance, ability, grace, joy, freedom and peace resting upon you. 

• Excessive Benefits - Divine advantages that will allow you to make improvements and profit.

• Extraordinary Breakthroughs - Sudden downloads of divine knowledge and techniques that will allow you to move through and beyond obstacles that have hindered you for a long time.

Beginning Thursday, July 8th through Wednesday, July 28th I am launching an “Extra” Prayer Intercession campaign.  During this time we will be praying for three friends for twenty-one days in faith that God will bless those that you pray for and for God to reverse negative situations in your life. 

Then on Monday, July 26th through Wednesday, July 28th we will join together for a time of “Extra” Sacrifice fasting corporately to remove any remaining strongholds or limitations. 

Finally on Thursday and Friday, July 29th - 30th at Great Faith Conference 2021 we will sow an “Extra” Seed as we celebrate and appreciate what the Lord has done for us over the last 14 years.

This is our time to Expect “Extra” for Our Efforts and this is what I’m asking you to do:

First, Pull Together with me as we make an Effort with Our Supplication.  We will be praying a daily prayer template and saying the daily confession each day for 21 days beginning Thursday, July 8th through Wednesday, July 28th. You can receive the template by texting “Extra” to 407-512-8144 on your smartphone or computer.  Also, please click the link at the end of this letter, there is a section for you to list the names of family and friends who have hurt you or that need God's help. Scripture teaches us that when Job prayed for his three friends, God turned his situation around, blessing him with twice as much as he had before.  

Job 42:10-11KJV

Second, Pull Together with me as we make an Effort with Our Sacrifice.  On Monday, July 26th through Wednesday, July 28th we will join together for a corporate fast to remove any remaining strongholds or limitations.  

“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:21 KJV

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2 KJV  

Third, Pull Together with me as we make an Effort with our Seed. I am asking you to prayerfully consider sowing an “Extra” Seed into our ministry Thursday and Friday, July 29th - 30th during Great Faith Con 2021.  We’re in faith to receive forty thousand dollars over and above tithe and offerings during this time.  This “Extra” Seed will allow our church to retire debt and restore financial resources that were depleted during the pandemic. As a result of your obedience, you will see God manifest His goodness in every area of your life.  Remember as you participate in this “Extra” Effort this month Lord said to Expect: 

• Extreme Benevolence - Acts of kindness and a disposition to good. 

• Extravagant Blessings - Favor, wisdom, protection, abundance, ability, grace, joy, freedom and peace resting upon you.

• Excessive Benefits - Divine advantages that will allow you to make improvements and profit.

• Extraordinary Breakthroughs - Sudden downloads of divine knowledge and techniques that will allow you to move through and beyond obstacles that have hindered you for a long time.

I say this often, but it bears repeating.  I am convinced that the strength of Great Faith Church is not in how many members it has but in the ability of its members to give in response to a vision.  I exhort you to be bold in faith: Expecting “Extra” for Your Efforts.  Thank you again for your continued support. Know that Pastor Angela and I love you and are so grateful for the privilege of your partnership!

One more thing! As a catalyst to promote unity and teamwork God has given me a strategy for this summer.  I call it,  “Summer Tee Sundays”.  I am encouraging you to wear the graphic T-shirt of your favorite sports brand, TV show, band, team, movie, etc. through Sunday, Aug 1, 2021. This is a way to show your personality and display unity and teamwork during the summer.  

"Making Lives Better" 

- Pastor Patrick Ligon