Fishers of Men for Jesus Ministries

"With Your very own hands, You formed me;

Now breathe Your Wisdom over me so I can understand You.

When they see me waiting, expecting Your Word,

Those who fear You will take heart and be glad.

I can see now, God, that Your decisions are right;

Your testing has taught me what’s true and right.”

[Psalm 119:73-75, The Message Bible]

Dear Brother Mingo,

Only Abba knows how blessed I’ve been in meeting and coming to know you and the Brothers at the Fishers of Men for Jesus Ministries. It’s only been two years and yet I am amazed at the growth and wisdom God has bestowed on you. As a woman, I am so grateful to know that the Holy Spirit is raising up men who are truly men after “God’s own Heart.” I know it’s not a “flawless walk, but you and Brother Pratt have demonstrated your commitment in leading these dear brothers through Christ deeper into the green pastures of God’s Love and Will for their lives.

This is the prayer that is on my heart today for you and all the brothers at Fisher of Men for Jesus Ministries. It’s the prayer Paul prayed for the Saints in Ephesus and I have prayed it for all of you many times during my morning devotions, and now I present it to you in writing.  “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, by having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones). And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His Power in and for us who believer…. For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ] I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His Glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality.] May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it.] [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the Divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by the [action of His power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.” [Ephesians 1:15-19a, 3:14-21 Amplified Bible]

We serve a Great God Who can deliver us and meet our needs, great or small! I also pray for you and Brother Pratt for strength, wisdom, provision, perseverance and protection in all that God purposes for you to do; as fathers and leaders in Fishers of Men for Jesus Ministries. You are His sons and He loves you with an everlasting love. He sees you, He hears your prayers, and He is for you. In the Precious Name of His Son, Amen.

“Say to the captives, “Come out,”

And to those in darkness, “Be free!”

They will feed beside the roads

And find pasture on every barren hill.

They will neither hunger nor thirst,

Nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them.

He Who has compassion on them will guide them

And lead them beside springs of water. “

[Isaiah 49:9-10 NIV Bible]

May God bless you and keep you always,

Your Sister-in-Christ and in His service,

Pastor Paula A. Turner

Enclosure: Vision Statement

Vision Statement

To the members of the Fishers of Men for Jesus Ministries,

The following is a description of what I see with the eyes of the Spirit and also my heart’s cry as a daughter of God. God has given leaders to you that first humbled themselves before Him and allowed the Holy Spirit to begin and continue His work of transformation in them. They have been transparent about the struggles in their own lives and have a burning desire to collaborate with God in bringing each of you to Christ-likeness in every area of your lives. They are committed to helping you fulfill the God-ordained calling each of you have. These are not men who lead flawless lives or who “have arrived.” Rather, they have decided that “as for them and their homes, they choose to serve the Lord.” [Joshua 24:15]

They have been gifted and called with the Mantle of Nehemiah to rebuild the broken walls of your hearts and lives. As you cooperate and catch their God-given vision, you and your families will see that God-ordained transformation in your own lives. It is a process and there will be mountains to climb and valleys to go through. Stay united, transparent, and faithful. Keep fighting the fight and standing even when you feel you have done all you can do. These are men of courage, boldness, and commitment. They are collaborating with Jesus to be set free and to do their part to set you free, too.

Romans 8:19-22 describes how all of creation waits also to be set free from “its bondage to decay and corruption.” Nature, too, fell with the Fall of Man in the Garden and has been moaning together in the pains of labor until now. In other words, creation still waits to be delivered from the Fall and that depends on us. Once we, the Body of Christ, come to maturity and Christ returns, the curse will be reversed!

I can tell you as a daughter of God that we as women groan, too. We need Godly men in our lives and in the lives of our children. We groan under the weight and challenges of single parenthood and all of its stresses, loneliness, abuse, and fatigue. Many married women feel abandoned in these areas, too. We need you to answer Christ’s call on your lives and return to rebuild the broken hearts of women and children. This will bring the balance and Godly order to Christ’s Bride and Body of which you are a part of as well.

Allow these men to equip you to take your place as the Royal Priesthood in your homes and as Generals in the Army of His Kingdom for righteousness and redemption at such a time as this.

May God bless you and keep you all always,

Your Sister-in-Christ and in His service,

Pastor Paula A. Turner