Marion and Arno's long awaited baby can be seen here in this 4D Ultrsound at 24.5 weeks. (Click to enlarge)Marion and Arno, two young professionals, were united in marriage in the mid nineteen nineties when they were in their twenties. After enjoying each other's company for three years, the couple decided it was time to start a family. The ease of making that decision was where the simplicity ended for the couple. While God's design for multiplication is straightforward, Marion and Arno had anything but an easy time as they set out to start their family. After more than a decade of trying to get pregnant, Marion had reached a place of hopelessness and desperation—it was in that place that she turned to God.

Less than one year after the couple began trying to have a baby, Marion was diagnosed with Endometriosis, an often painful female health disorder that can lead to infertility. After the diagnosis, they sought medical assistance to increase Marion's chances for getting pregnant. "We tried three Intra Uterine Inseminations (IUI), all of which failed. Then the doctor told us that we would probably have to try In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and we were both devastated," remembered Marion.

Arno and Marion sit enjoying the celebration of their first baby shower. (Click to enlarge)Initially, Marion and Arno refused the suggestion of IVF and decided to continue to try to conceive naturally. Unsuccessful in their attempts for the next year, they prepared themselves to try IVF. The doctor however, insisted that they attempt another IUI first. They happily accepted the opportunity, but the procedure failed to get Marion pregnant.

A short time later, Marion's job in the world of banking and finance became very stressful, and fertility treatments took a backseat to career issues and job transfers. Still determined to have a family, Marion and Arno continued to try to conceive naturally.

Eventually things became too stressful for the couple in the city and they decided to relocate to the countryside. Marion was able to receive a job transfer at work, and they decided to buy a farm. After a second transfer, Marion found the ideal position in a job she loved with very little stress. Under these new circumstances, she thought she would definitely get pregnant—she didn't.

Arno embraces Marion and their newborn son, Gian Lucca.
(Click to enlarge)In 2007, eight years had passed since Marion and Arno had started trying to conceive, and Marion could hear her biological clock ticking, loudly. They decided they could no longer wait to get pregnant naturally. Marion quit her job, they sold their farm, and they moved forward with the In Vitro Fertilization process. For the first time, Marion was totally convinced that the IVF would work, but it did not, and she was absolutely crushed.

"This was the best that the medical profession could do for us, and it still did not work. I had no hope and felt like I had no will to live anymore," said Marion. It was during this time of hopeless desperation that Marion turned to the Lord and she was born again. Marion had always believed in God and in Jesus, and that He died on the cross for her sins, but there was always something preventing her from surrendering everything to God. For the next year and a half, she put her desire for a baby on hold and focused her attention on God.

Gian Lucca, which means, "Gift from God or God is Gracious" and "Bringer of Light" is a perfectly healthy baby boy.
(Click to enlarge)Still believing IVF would be the only way Marion would get pregnant, she and Arno went to a new clinic. Marion's diagnosis of Endometriosis had now worsened to include Adenomyosis and other internal complications. The doctors also concluded that Arno had reproductive issues as well, which were contributing to the pregnancy problems. When all was said and done, the new clinic assisted the couple's efforts by performing four more failed IUIs and three more IVFs. On the seventh procedure, her fourth In Vitro, Marion finally got pregnant—only to lose the pregnancy at 10 weeks to miscarriage. "Once again I was completely heartbroken, but this time I was not hopeless because I knew God. A couple of months later, I learnt that God still heals us today, and I devoured all teachings I could find on the topic.

On February 13, 2011, Marion came across Andrew's website and began to listen to his teachings. On March 6, 2011 she turned 40 and she said, "Medically speaking, my chances of having a live baby with the help of IVF were less than 5%, but I rejoiced that day, because I knew with God nothing was impossible." Marion found inspiration in the story of Sarah, who conceived at the age of 90, and she knew that if God could make Sarah pregnant, then making her pregnant at 40 was not a problem for Him.

Gian Lucca, standing at nine months old. (Click to enlarge)

Almost 2 weeks after her birthday, Marion was able to tell she had not conceived, but instead of being upset, Marion rejoiced, praising God and declaring that she would soon be pregnant. Marion had taken to heart Andrew's teachings, You've Already Got It and Don't Limit God and she was confident in her expectation. "Before I heard these teachings, I was waiting on God to move and make me pregnant, and then suddenly I heard that God was waiting on me! Jesus already made me pregnant—I just had to receive it!" she exclaimed.

On April 10, 2011, Marion took a pregnancy test—and it was positive! They had not taken any medication, they had not seen any doctors, but she was pregnant. Many people involved in their lives, prior to this date, did not believe that they had not received any medical help, but eventually they admitted that it was a miracle. Marion said, "We knew better, we knew it was not a miracle, but an incredible blessing from God."

December 26, 2011, Marion and Arno welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world, and they said he's healthy and perfect in every way. Reflecting on the length of time it took for their family to begin to multiply Marion said, "In the end it was 12 years and 3 months since we started trying to conceive that we eventually got our baby, but it took less than 2 months of listening to [Andrew's] teachings for me to get pregnant."

Kathryn and Nels Hanson, the Directors of the new Charis Bible College extension school in San Jose, California. (Click to enlarge)Sometimes, Andrew's teaching of God's unconditional love and grace is met with resistance. For whatever reason, the-almost-too-good-to-be-true-news of the gospel sounds unacceptable to one's ears. Nevertheless, however the message is received, seeds are planted and the truth of the gospel begins to grow. This is what happened with Nels and Kathryn Hanson six years ago, when a friend gave Kathryn one of Andrew's CDs. Today, the Hansons are Charis Bible College-Colorado graduates and the pioneers of a CBC extension school in San Jose, California.

The Hansons graduated from the nightschool program at CBC in Colorado in 2011. (Click to enlarge)"I was given a CD by a dear friend who follows Andrew's teaching. At the time I listened to the CD, I was a bit freaked out by the message and put it on a shelf; I left it there for about two years. My religious ears were not ready to hear what Andrew had to say," Kathryn remembered.

In 2006, Kathryn and Nels were living life and loving the Lord. They had raised their family, two daughters and one son, and Kathryn was working as a medical assistant for a group of cardiologists, while Nels worked for a nut company. The Hansons were heavily involved in their local church, where Kathryn led a Wednesday night Bible study and was the director of Women's ministry, and Nels served as the A/V coordinator, managing all the sound and lighting needs for the church.

Andrew and the Hansons in 2011. (Click to enlarge)Over the course of the two years Andrew's CD sat on the shelf, Kathryn became dissatisfied with what she perceived to be religion surrounding her in her Christian circles. Her hunger for the truth drove her to pull Andrew's teaching back off the shelf and led her to pursue more of his teaching. Kathryn listened to Andrew for nearly a year before Nels gave Andrew a chance, but once he did, their lives began to transform.

During her struggle to find the truth Kathryn had also been researching Bible colleges. The results of her research were often a source a frustration. She found that many schools did not even use the Bible in their curriculum. "What I kept finding from other schools was they did not use the Bible to teach with, but big fat text books, and not only that, they used non-Christians to teach. This is not what I was looking for," said Kathryn.

Nels at work in his CBC office.
(Click to enlarge)Finally, Kathryn found a school she could accept, and just before enrolling in classes, she and Nels were invited to one of Andrew's Gospel Truth Seminars (GTS). It was at the GTS that the Hansons learned that Andrew had a school. "As soon as I heard how CBC was taught, with the Bible, I knew that was where I belonged. When Andrew asked who was coming to the school, I shot out of my seat as if I had been stuck with a pin," Kathryn shared enthusiastically.

Since getting a hold of Andrew's teaching and attending CBC, the Hanson's lives have been transformed. Where The Hansons (Click to enlarge)once there was fear, Nels and Kathryn now have peace and boldness. They stay steady, standing on the Word and seeing God's promises manifest in their lives as well as in the lives of those around them. Whether the Hansons are ministering to others or just moving about their day, they have a smile on their face all the time. That smile stems from knowing who they are in Christ and knowing that no matter what is going on around them, they have the peace of God running through them. Their peace is evident to those they come in contact with and it draws people. "Since we have come home, we have been told by those around us that there is something new in us, and they want it," said Kathryn.

Prior to graduation from CBC, as Kathryn sat in a second-year class on the ins-and-outs of establishing a 501c3 CBC-San Jose staff (L-R): Karl Hirsch, Dean of Students; Patricia Hirsch, Events Coordinator; Kathryn and Nels, and Assistant Administrator Michele Brockway. (Click to enlarge)organization, she had a conversation with the Lord. She heard the Holy Spirit say, "Now is the time to prepare for a CBC school in California." Surprised, Kathryn asked, "What?" and she recalls hearing the phrase again. Kathryn answered and said, "Okay." On the way home from school that evening Kathryn shared what she had heard with Nels. "We had many previous talks about what God had [planned] for us and nothing had settled in us. We had no peace until we heard that word from our God. From that point on we started preparing for the school here in San Jose," said Kathryn.

Kathryn sits with CBC-San Jose student, Kathy Mooney, as a prospective student visits the extension school's open house and registration event. (Click to enlarge)The Hansons know that they are where they are supposed to be, doing what God created them to do—they are making disciples in California. CBC-San Jose currently has 12 students enrolled, and they are expecting more. To those contemplating enrolling in classes at CBC, but who are still on the fence, Kathryn said, "If you want your life radically changed, if you want to be set free from the cares of this world, come and sit under the Word of God for the next 2 to 3 years, and see yourself go from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly soaring in the freedom that has been yours all along." And, she said it with peaceful contentment in her eyes.

For more information about the Hanson's ministry in California visit the CBC-San Jose website.

Andrew spent the latter part of May and the early part of June, ministering to the people of Russia. During the visit he was constantly on the move, making stops in a number of cities including St. Petersburg, Naberezhnye Chelney and Izhevsk. Andrew ministered to CBC extension school students, participated in two graduation ceremonies, met with groups of local pastors in two cities, and held a Gospel Truth Seminar in the brief time he was there. Be sure to watch this short video detailing the highlights of Andrew's event-packed tour of Russia.

Earlier this year, Andrew met with Lucas Miles, the founder of the North American Grace Conference. Lucas is also the president of the Oasis Network for Churches, as well as the Senior Pastor of Oasis Granger Church in South Bend, Indiana. He made a special visit to AWM's campus to interview Andrew and to film a video segment to be shown at the 2012 Grace Conference. Be sure to watch the interview below as Lucas invites Andrew to share his perspective on balancing Biblical truths, the tensions between seemingly contradictory passages of Scripture and his views on the doctrines of Universalism prevalent in the church today. Don't miss this candid interview.

Colorado native and Charis Bible College graduate, Matthew Reed, during a recent ministry trip to London. (Click to enlarge)A string of poor decisions can quickly lead a person down a path of destruction; that is what happened to Matthew Reed. At the age of sixteen, he was in a rollover car accident in which he suffered a severe injury to his ankle. During his recovery he became depressed and began using drugs. This choice to use, eventually led to full-blown drug and alcohol abuse, followed by visits to rehab centers and back to using again. Right in the middle of what seemed like an endless cycle, a pastor in Kansas invited Matthew to a Charis Bible College Men's Advance in Colorado Springs. Matthew attended the event and since then, has never been the same.

Matthew speaking at Pastor B's (Bill Ummel) church, Praise Fellowship in Ransom, Kansas in May of 2012. Pastor B (red circle) introduced Matthew to Andrew's teaching by taking him to a CBC Men's Advance in 2009. (Click to enlarge). At the age of 19, Matthew's parents caught him with drugs. He had flunked out of college and was sitting in his bedroom when his mother and father found him. It was in that moment that he realized he had a problem, and his parents made arrangements to have him admitted to a rehab center near their home in Colorado.

One may assume that an extended stay in rehab will straighten a person out, but this was not the case for Matthew. The stresses in his life and residual pain from the car wreck perpetuated his need to get high. Failed physical rehabilitation from his injuries led to severe back problems and more physical pain, culminating in more depression. His repeated choices to turn to drugs and alcohol, even after getting sober, put him in situations that led him to make other poor decisions. During this spin cycle of indiscretion, Matthew hooked up with the wrong kind of friends, became a father, and spent nearly a year in jail for assault and battery. "I went through cycles of being sober and dealing with pain, and after six months or so, I would start drinking, which lead to drugs, which eventually lead back to rehabs and sober living homes," said Matthew.

Matthew and his wonderful daughter, Autumn. (Click to enlarge)While in a rehab facility in 2004, Matthew had an encounter with God. He received Jesus as his Savior, and he felt the tangible love of God for two week's time. Matthew began to think about going back to school, but he couldn't see a way to pay for tuition, and he still had his back issue which prevented him from sitting for long periods of time. Eventually, the desire subsided and Matthew slipped back to old ways of thinking. He chose to turn away from God.

Because of his constant back pain and his drug addiction, Matthew was unable to work, and he became increasingly desperate. In 2008, Matthew was in need of help again and he chose to return, for the third time, to a ministry-based rehab in Arkansas. While driving through Kansas, on his way to the facility, he was arrested for drug possession. Matthew standing in Budapest with the first man (center) he ever led to the Lord. (Click to enlarge)Matthew was booked, spent three weeks in jail, and was also sentenced to one year probation.

In early 2009, Matthew's probation officer introduced him to Bill Ummel, a local pastor in Kansas. Nine days after meeting "Pastor B," as Matthew refers to him, Bill brought him to the Men's Advance that changed his life. "Ever since the arrest, I had white-knuckled sobriety because of my probation, but it was Pastor B and his church that loved on me, and turned me back on to God—I haven't used since," said Matthew.

At the conclusion of Matthew's probation, he returned to Denver, Colorado. There he maintained contact with Bill and his church family back in Kansas. "I still talked to Pastor B weekly, and he Street ministry with European Initiative in Berlin. (Click to enlarge)said that if I would go to CBC-Colorado, his small church of 20 people would pay my tuition. They just finished paying for my three years," Matthew said with a grateful heart.

His time at Charis was productive, and as a result of studying God's unconditional love and grace, Matthew has seen great recovery in his own life and in countless lives around him. While his back issues are almost completely healed, his time in school provided even more recovery. Matthew said, "CBC was such a healing journey for my faith and my mind. I had become so retarded that at one point, I couldn't speak or look at people. CBC has given me a future and hope. I'm free in ways like never before."Matthew stands with the Olympic torch from the 2012 London games. (Click to enlarge)

It was during his two CBC mission trips to Germany that Matthew realized his passion for street ministry. "My second trip to Berlin with CBC was truly amazing. This trip is where I truly saw the fruit and value of sharing Christ on the street," said Matthew. He went on to say that it was through these trips that he became comfortable and confident walking in his identity in Christ and letting Jesus work through him.

His trips to Germany also connected him with a ministry called European Initiative (EI). During the summer of 2012, Matthew returned to Germany to serve as an intern with EI, and he traveled with the organization to minister in Budapest and London. While he saw great things in London during the Olympics, it was in Budapest that he had a personal breakthrough. "Budapest is the first time I ever lead anyone to the Lord—it happened three times that trip," he said with excitement.

Matthew and Thor (right) ministered healing to this man's ankles, and prayed for him to get off the streets.
(Click to enlarge)Now, at 32, Matthew's passion for street ministry has grown, and these days he is ministering in a variety of capacities in the Denver area. One venue he and several friends frequent is the 16th Street Mall in the city's downtown. On one occasion he saw a woman sitting curbside on a horse-drawn cab, waiting for a fare. As the woman let Matthew pet her horse, the Lord gave him a word of knowledge about a problem with the woman's wrist. As their conversation continued she shared that she also suffered from upper and lower back pain. After he ministered to her she was completely healed and humbled by the love of God.

Matthew has become comfortable with street ministry and in his words, "Manifesting Christ in all situations." (Click to anlarge)"We hold up signs that read 'Free Prayer,' and we minister, pray and love on people. We've been laughed at and mocked, but I've personally seen many healings and salvations," Matthew said.

Matthew recalled that his first year at CBC was difficult, but his perseverance paid off. "I couldn't physically pay attention during night school, but God got me through and bombarded me with the Word every night. CBC saved my life and was such a healing atmosphere for me. I came to school a broken mess and in complete bondage, and I left three years later walking into the destiny God has designed for me."

AWM Media Operations Manager and Director of CBC-Colorado's School of Media, Stephen Bransford. He has been with AWM since 2000, and has been in media for 40 years. Stephen has worked with Jim Bakker, Oral Roberts, Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonnke, and many others. (Click to enlarge)Regular visitors to this site know that we frequently feature the news stories and testimonies of the evangelists, missionaries and pastors that Charis Bible College equips for the work of the ministry. Today's post however, is about the people serving behind the scenes, those who come along side the people on the platform to help deliver the message the Lord has entrusted to the messenger—the media ministers.

In today's tech-driven world, ministries are able to reach more people and advance the Kingdom faster through the effective use of media. Media simply refers to the means by which a message is shared. The ever-expanding list of tools used to spread a minister's message includes email, websites, blogging, social Assistant Directors of the School of Media, Jeff and Autumn Nakkula. According to Jeff, the goal at the school is to equip the students to help other ministries to produce better communications. "I love it when gifted ministers can focus on ministering, and someone can come along side them and help communicate their vision to supporters and partners," he said. (Click to enlarge)media and online video channels, as well as the traditional outlets of print, publishing, TV and radio broadcasting. Not everyone is called to be on the platform, some are called to support and spread the messages through these means. In an effort to equip those called to media as a ministry, a ministry of helps, staff members at AWM and CBC have developed a third-year program aptly called, the School of Media.

The program, directed by AWM's Media Operations Manager, Stephen Bransford, and facilitated by Assistant Directors, Jeff and Autumn Nakkula, has its roots in Stephen's willingness to yield to the Lord's leading to serve as Andrew's television producer 12 years ago. At the time, Stephen was producing a film for Billy Graham; a promotional piece called, Amsterdam 2000. Although he was being productive, it was a tumultuous time in Stephen's life and career. As he sought the Lord's direction in prayer, Stephen submissively Original opening graphics from the early days of Andrew's Gospel Truth program. (Click to enlarge)asked for guidance, and promptly found God's reply buried in his email inbox.

"I had a conversation with God in which I resigned every project I had in motion. I just laid it all down and asked, 'Where would you like me to serve you, Lord?' Andrew’s search for a TV producer had already been sent to me via email, and I had ignored it. I hadn’t taken it seriously. One day, as I was working on the Billy Graham film, I saw the email at the bottom of my inbox. I stopped and asked God, “Am I missing something? Are you trying to give me an answer here?” recalled Stephen.

Critique time! During this class, the students newsletter projects are evaluated for the effectiveness of the design and communication of content.
(Click to enlarge)Stephen immediately made arrangements to meet with Andrew. The next day, as Stephen entered the ministry's building, then located on Robinson Street in Colorado Springs, he knew he was where God wanted him. Stephen said, "I felt the peace that passes understanding. I saw the classroom with a 15 foot ceiling, where I would one day hang a lighting grid and build the first studio. I saw the office where I would edit the programs—all in the first twenty seconds after entering the building. I hadn’t even met Andrew yet. Everything I saw came true in a matter of months. God did answer my prayer in that email."

Stephen said, "Each student will emerge from Media School with hands-on experience in the basics of website creation, branding, fundraising writing for print and electronic publication, newsletter writing, video production, and some use of social media. They will be trained in the use of a Macbook Pro and Adobe software to accomplish these goals."
(Click to enlarge)The meeting, in Stephen's words, "Turned out to be a divine appointment." The two spent about an hour together, and Stephen left with a sampling of Andrew's books and teachings. After reviewing the materials, Stephen not only had a good feel for Andrew's ministry, but he had begun a new chapter with the Lord. "Andrew’s teaching on Whose Righteousness really helped me. I was very much a performance driven Christian, and Andrew helped me begin to enjoy my inheritance in Jesus Christ," said Stephen.

"Media communicates a message, and the message we want to send is the Gospel and the good reports from the people who preach the Gospel. We are helping the Gospel be preached through video, print and the Internet, and we are helping the ministers who preach it by fundraising for them," said Autumn.(Click to enlarge)Through the creation of the Gospel Truth TV program and his vision for creating series like Healing Journeys, Stephen's expertise in media communications helped to propel Andrew's ministry around the world. Today the Gospel Truth is available to more than two-billion viewers per day.

Over the years, Stephen's role has broadened to include oversight of all of Andrew's media, and he was also given the opportunity to teach a class at the Bible college. Stephen's days as an instructor began when a student asked him for assistance with a fundraising DVD he had made to raise support for a mission trip. Stephen was able to help him, and A logo design created by current Media School student, Sandra Duarte.
(Click to enlarge)in the process, realized he had a wealth of experience to share with any student who needed similar help. A short time later, Andrew asked if Stephen would teach an elective on the power of media, and that was the beginning of Stephen's course Ministry, Media and Money.

Two years ago, Stephen was given the opportunity to speak during a student chapel hour. He shared a message called, You’ve Got a Story. Stephen said, "I like to say that everyone has a story. It is the story of Christ in you, and who you are in Christ—a never-ending story with unlimited potential to change lives." Stephen saw something powerful happen as a result of his chapel teaching. The following term, more than 80 students signed up for his elective class. "Suddenly, This is a screen shot of a video production created by Media School graduate, Michael O'Malley. "No one will graduate with equal skills in all areas of communications. We want them to go with the strengths they discover during the year and let others fill out the team where they are weak. Nothing will prevent them from being useful in media ministry immediately upon graduation," Stephen said. (Click to enlarge)students began to believe that media was ministry, as much as any of the five-fold ministries. Andrew then asked that we take that momentum to start a third-year media school," said Stephen.

According to Stephen, the goal of CBC's School of Media is to identify and develop those called to the ministry of media and to see them bless and prosper those ministers they come along side. "Everyone born of God has a ministry, but ministry communicated badly results in discouragement, setbacks and burn out. Most people need help in order to tell their story effectively. Media ministers are those with the training and talent to help someone communicate their ministry effectively. Not everyone is gifted equally in this regard. It is important to focus on the gifts you’ve been given and develop them to excellence," said Stephen.

If you have a passion for media and feel called to share the Gospel through media ministry, or would like more information about Charis Bible College's School of Media, be sure to visit CBC's website to find out how you can become part of this growing segment of ministry.

In this video, recorded in October, Andrew gives a brief overview of the progress at the Sanctuary. Dramatic differences can be seen after just one month of excavation at the building site for the "Barn." Andrew shares the estimated timeline for the completion of the first building and the continuation of construction right into the building of the Auditorium. The video also gives a great perspective to the viewer on the size and scope of this undertaking. What a blessing this new facility will be to the students of Charis Bible College; the future world changers.

The Sanctuary property facing northeast before excavation began. (Click to enlarge) Andrew (from a similar point as in image to the left) one month later. (Click to enlarge)

Andrew walking over to where the foundation for the Barn will be poured. (Click to enlarge) The site of the 90,000 square foot Barn. Lots of earth has been moved (Click to enlarge)

Frank and Joan Korinek stand with Andrew and Jamie after Joan's first-year promotion ceremony at CBC. (Click to enlarge)Frank and Joan Korinek both grew up in Catholic churches, where they found their church environment to be peaceful and structured. They both learned about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but relationship with God was thought to be a very private matter, not regularly discussed or explored. Although they were both born again in their respective churches at a young age, neither of them really understood what salvation was. It wasn’t until later as adults, that the two realized that they could pursue a more personal, intimate relationship with God.

Frank standing in the AWM/CBC parking lot in Colorado Springs before attending the 2008 Men's Advance
(Click to enlarge)After the Korineks were married and had children, they spent periods of time attending church regularly, and other times not going at all. “As I look back, I now see that I, and my family, could have achieved and grown so much more if only I had chosen to seek God and His word earlier,” said Frank.

Joan recalls, at one church service, hearing that it was possible to live a “sin-free, fear-free life." This was significant for Joan and spurred her to begin exploring the Bible to find more encouragement and instruction. Unfortunately, Joan had difficulty understanding what she read. She decided to look for help and in her search, Joan discovered Andrew on television. For the first time in her life, she heard Scripture being explained in a way that made sense to her.Joan, a former Executive Administrator for the Corporate Vice President of Finance for Motorola, shaking hands with AWM's World Outreach Director, Wendell Parr, during CBC-Chicago's 2009 graduation ceremony.
(Click to enlarge)

In 2007, several months after Joan found Andrew, she heard an advertisement for one of Andrew's Gospel Truth Seminars (GTS) being held near their home in Chicago. Knowing Frank would be out of the country on a business trip during a portion of the GTS, Joan decided to go the seminar alone. Joan had a wonderful experience during the first sessions at the GTS. While there, she ran into another member of her church, a man named, Joe. He told her that he had been studying Andrew’s teachings for a while and that Andrew was one of the better teachers of the Bible. Joe's words were a great encouragement to Joan.

Frank, a Director of Strategy with Motorola Solutions, at a business meeting in Taipei. (Click to enlarge)When Frank returned from his business trip, he was tired from jet lag. Joan mentioned to Frank that she had attended a GTS meeting and was planning to go back that evening. Frank acknowledged her plan, and chose to go to bed early. When Joan started to leave, however, Frank realized he needed to go with her. “At this point, I had also just begun reading my Bible, and was struggling with understanding as well,” recalls Frank.

At the conference, Frank was able to quickly and easily understand the Bible as Andrew taught, A Place Called There. At the end of the meeting, both Joan and Frank were baptized in the Holy Spirit. “Everything significantly changed for both of us after that,” Frank explained.The Korineks sense the Lord leading them to minister to ministers. As they explore this calling they are purposeful in making connections with other leaders in ministry. Here they vist with Mike and Carrie Pickett, the directors of Charis Bible Training Center in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Click to enlarge)

The Korineks purchased Spirit, Soul & Body and enjoyed the teaching of how God designed man and how to grow in their relationship with God. They were both encouraged and energized to learn God’s Word and they now had God’s gift of being able to interpret the Bible. “I was basically on fire for the Word. I downloaded all of Andrew’s audio teachings that were available at that time, burned CDs, and then spent the next nine months listening, meditating and re-listening to all of them,” said Frank.

It wasn’t long before Joan had the desire to attend Charis Bible College. A few days before the start of the 2007-2008 school year, Joan and Frank decided that she would enroll and attend CBC-Chicago full-time. Frank shared, “This was one of the best decisions we have ever made. As I was learning and growing through Andrew’s audio teachings while traveling, Joan Joan enjoying a laugh with the late Leland Shores during her second year at CBC. (Click to enlarge)was learning the Bible, how to build a relationship with God and how to apply God’s Word in our everyday lives through CBC.” The two spent hours discussing what they were learning, and they grew very quickly in the Word together.

In 2008, Frank and some friends from church attended CBC-Colorado's Men’s Advance. This event further strengthened the teachings Frank had been meditating on and helped him overcome some personal struggles. “Experiencing other men openly discussing God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit really helped me get past some of my internal hurdles,” Frank explained.

Frank and Joan visiting CBC-Colorado for the Summer Family Bible Conference in 2009. (Click to enlarge)As the Korineks continued to grow in the Word, the two began to minister to their immediate and extended family members. As a result, both of their children are now born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit.

As the couple's revelation increased, the desire to give something back to the ministry began to grow, and the Korineks decided to dedicate vacation time and resources to volunteer at Andrew's seminars. The couple has completed the GTS prayer ministry training program, and they serve as prayer ministers at a minimum of two seminars each year.

Looking forward, Joan and Frank feel they have a joint calling to minister to ministers. Although they are not sure what this will fully entail, they are confident the Lord will show them. As God continues to reveal His plan for their future, they are content to enjoy life together, spend time with their family, enjoy their growing relationship with God and minister out of the overflow to those around them.

CBC-Colorado graduates, Lori and Ken Balma, Directors of the new CBC-extension school in Minneapolis, MN. (Click to enlarge)One doesn't have to look any further than the Pharisees in the Old Testament to see that the religious ear has a difficult time receiving the truth of the Gospel in all its goodness. For Ken and Lori Balma, the truth came like torture. As much as Andrew's teaching cut across the grain of the Balma's Christian religion, they couldn't stop listening. Once they opened their hearts to the truth, the couple began to let the Lord lead their lives. Today Ken and Lori are graduates of Charis Bible College in Colorado, and they have opened a CBC extension school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Ken Balma (Click to enlarge)Ken had only been listening to Andrew's radio program for a short time when he and Lori watched their first TV broadcast of the Gospel Truth. Lori's introductory teaching came from the series The Word Became Flesh and the topic for the day was The Sovereignty of God. The teaching was quite a shock to her because she had spent many years investing in performance-based church righteousness. Lori said, "I could hardly stand it. I told Ken, 'This [teaching] is heresy—turn it off.' At the same time the Spirit was saying to me, turn the TV back on—listen to this man. We would turn it on, listen for five more minutes, and turn it off."

Lori Balma (Click to enlarge)The Balmas continued listening to Andrew and finally came to realize that their efforts towards holiness had all been dead works. The two would study one of Andrew's teachings as they made their daily hour-and-a-half commute to work. "For the first time in our lives, we were growing in the word together, getting understanding and truth spoken into our lives through Andrew's ministry. We were so excited for all that God had for us," said Lori.

Lori and Ken went to work every day, sensing that God had a different plan for their lives. One day as they were walking together and praying during their lunch hour, the Lord spoke to the Balmas that they were to attend Charis Bible College in Colorado, and bring the message of grace and faith back to their home in Minnesota. Jacob, Sarah and Joe Balma at Sarah's college graduation. (Click to enlarge)Lori admitted, "We did not know much about AWM or CBC, or even that there was such a thing as extension schools. We thought we were going to Colorado for a year. We really had no information about Charis Bible College."

The Balmas immediately made plans to attend Andrew's upcoming Summer Family Bible Conference in Colorado. It quickly became clear to the Balmas that CBC-Colorado was where God wanted them, and six weeks later the couple had relocated. They had rented their home in Minnesota, and sent their three children off to other colleges. Lori is quick to emphasize that their family had five people in college at the same time, with tuition due for each person. "When we said, 'yes' to the plans and purposes of God for our lives, supernatural things and supernatural provision began to be available," she said.

Home of CBC-Minneapolis
(Click to enlarge)Lori shared that prior to attending CBC, she had always struggled with trusting God for finances and had virtually no understanding of how the laws of the Kingdom worked. As a result, she had always worked long hours to help provide for her family's needs. Part of the provision Lori saw, at the time they decided to leave Minnesota, was that the large corporation she and her husband worked for offered them a remote or offsite position, allowing them to stay employed with the company as they moved to Colorado. While this made the transition easier, it didn't last. Within four months of their arrival in Colorado, the Balmas saw this source of income dry up almost overnight. It was during this time that the inner knowing of Students in class listening to guest speaker Tammy Ericco, a CBC grad and the chaplain for Crossroads Ministries USA in Colorado Springs.
(Click to enlarge)God's goodness and care for her became very real. Even facing tuition payments over $24,000.00, Lori was able to release her grip on the things of this world, and she began to receive provision from God's hand.

As their tuition payment deadlines drew near, the couple had dinner with some classmates, and the friends prayed and agreed in faith for the Balma's provision. It was at that moment that something changed in the spirit for Lori and Ken, and the Balmas knew that they knew that they did not have to strive for their provision anymore. The next afternoon, the Balma's employer called and offered them two new positions with a pay increase totaling three times the amount they had been earning. Students enjoy discussion and study time between classes. (Click to enlarge)Ken and Lori's finances were restored, and they were able to meet their tuition obligations.

"We saw this story repeated over and over during those three years in Colorado. We learned to trust in God's goodness and live in a place of the peace of God. We entered a place of Sabbath rest as we understood our position in Christ. I am not saying that we live it out perfectly, but this new place is so different than our old address," said Lori referring to their place of self effort. "God is always speaking if you will take the time to listen. He provided that Sabbath rest for you and me, but it is up to each of us to receive the provisions God has already made," she said.

Students enjoy fellowship between classes. (Click to enlarge)Ken and Lori have since graduated and completed their third-year internship at CBC-Colorado, and they are now directing CBC-Minneapolis. The word the Lord spoke to them during their lunch-hour walk several years ago has come to pass; they have brought the message of grace and faith back to the people of Minnesota. The Balmas are leading 39 students and they know they are in the center of the perfect will of God for their lives. "It is the best place ever. He has this place for each of us. If we will take the time to earnestly seek Him, we will find Him. It is a promise, not made by me, but by Jesus," said Lori confidently.

For more information visit CBC-Minneapolis, contact the Balmas via email: cbcminneapolis@gmail.com or call (612) 217-4565.

CBC-Belfast graduate Mary Munyangaju during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of her ministry's first residential home for the elderly.
(Click to enlarge)Mary Munyangaju was born in Tanzania, East Africa, to a family of refugees from neighboring Rwanda. Her family fled the ethnic tensions of their homeland in the 1960's, long before the atrocious genocide their country suffered in 1994. Today, Mary is a Charis Bible College graduate and the founder of the United Kingdom-based, Bird of Paradise Ministries Rwanda (BPMR).

Although Mary grew up in extremely poor conditions, she is thankful to have survived, as this was not the case for many in similar circumstances. Not only did she survive, but Mary thrived. By 1993 she was married with two children and had become a born again believer. Mary's husband, Jerome, was in full time ministry as a church pastor, and he was interested in world-wide missions.

Missionaries and ministry founders, Jerome and Mary Munyangaju. (Click to enlarge)In the early nineties, the couple had the opportunity to move to the UK to study at Christian college near London. While there, Jerome studied missions, and Mary participated in cross cultural studies. When they graduated in 1995, Jerome was invited, by the Association of Church Missionary Societies in Ireland, to work with the organization to encourage local churches to take part in the group's global mission efforts. The Munyangajus then moved to Northern Ireland as missionaries.

Ten years later, Mary was employed in a nursing care and residential home for the elderly, but there was a new fire building in her heart. Mary had a burning desire to draw closer to God and to study His Word in more depth, but because her three children were so young, her family responsibilities made formal studies seem impossible. It was during this time that Mary found Andrew's program on GOD TV.

After hearing Andrew mention CBC, Mary found there was an extension school in Northern Ireland. She visited the Mary with Joyce, the full-time caregiver. While it is Mary's prayer to be on the ground in Rwanda full-time, she currently operates the ministry from Northern Ireland, and her staff in Rwanda care for the daily needs of the residents. (Click to enlarge)campus, and while the school was only an hour away, it was still too far to manage with her other responsibilities. Mary said, "I came back that day, disappointed and I had given up the hope to attend CBC." At the same time however, Mary heard God say 'This is your College.' Only able to see the obstacles in her path, Mary couldn't figure out how this was to be her school, and the desire to study the Word intensified.

Her longing to draw closer to God led Mary to apply to a different Bible school; this one in Belfast—half the distance of the CBC campus. She was turned away however, because she failed to meet the school's academic qualifications.

Two years later, as Mary sifted through her mail; she came across an envelope from CBC. Inside was a very simple card with the words, “CBC is moving to Belfast near you.” Mary's heart Mary with Serina, the eldest of the residents, Serina is in her early 90's. (Click to enlarge)with excitement! "I understood then, what God meant when he told me that was my college. I felt that God had relocated CBC just for me," she said. The new location proved to be a manageable distance, and allowed Mary to meet all of her obligations.

During her two years at CBC, Mary realized the potential and power that God had poured into her to minister to the elderly, but, because of her childhood, she had a distorted perspective of this type of missionary work. In her eyes, mission work was only for wealthy, well-educated, westerners. Mary's thinking, to this point, had limited her view on what God could do with and through her.

"I was completely wrong," Mary said. "Praise God, my two years at CBC got me out of the box and exposed me to the unlimited power of God, which works through all His children who are willing, trusting, and obeying what God tells them to do, regardless of their background. CBC switched the light bulb on!"

Mary with the first four BPMR residents, L-R: Simon, Amina, (Mary) Odetta, and Serina.
(Click to enlarge)As a second-year student, Mary understood the call on her life. God gave her the vision and the passion for her own ministry. "I was always aware of the homeless and vulnerable elderly in Rwanda because of the effect of the genocide. However, I didn’t think much about it because I thought there was nothing I could do. I thought it was someone else’s responsibility," Mary said. As she worked in the nursing and residential homes in Northern Ireland, Mary developed a deeper passion for caring for the older folks. These people have become so close to her heart that no matter where she sees them, she feels drawn to help them.

Looking at the homeless elderly in Rwanda, Mary was overcome with the largeness of the need and still questioned whether there was anything she could do. Where would she begin, she wondered? "I just love them. However, loving them, without doing something to meet their needs was not giving me peace," Mary said with notable passion.

Mary with a potential resident. She said, "I am committed to see them finish their journey with dignity and hope for eternal life. I have dedicated my time to the ministry, and I am avaiable to speak to different groups and churches interested in getting involved." (Click to enlarge)It was during CBC instructor, Dr. Delron Shirley's class, “Passion for the Harvest” that God spoke again to Mary's heart that caring for the elderly was the harvest He had for her. Mary realized that God had made her a history maker, and that the Spirit of God is in and upon her to accomplish what He asked her to do. "Everything I learned in the “Passion for the Harvest” confirmed my vision and I knew that God was speaking to me," said Mary.

At the Lord's leading Mary established BPMR in her family's hometown in Rwanda. Through BPMR, Mary and her staff have been able to begin to respond to the call of taking care of the vulnerable, and they are addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the weakest in their community.

For more information visit Mary's website and follow Bird of Paradise Ministries Rwanda on facebook.

Charis Bible College staff, Carlie Terradez and Healing School Director, Daniel Amstutz, teaching at CBC-Kansas City. (Click to enlarge)In previous posts we have brought you news and testimonies from Charis Bible College's School of Healing in Colorado Springs. The school, directed by Daniel Amstutz, has seen some wonderful fruit since it opened its doors in March of 2011. Last month, several staff members and a 14 member team of students, took the School of Healing on the road for the first time. The team traveled from Colorado to minister at CBC-Kansas City's opening rally.

According to healing school staff member, Carlie Terradez, Daniel's assistant, it was Andrew's idea to send the team; his rigorous schedule prevented him being able to participate in the school's November opening. Although he could not be there, he wanted to give the new directors, Mark and Charla Eastwood, a boost and help promote the new Early in the Praise and Worship service. (Click to enlarge)campus in Overland Park, KS, so Andrew asked the staff to take a group to the rally.

More than 400 people attended the meeting, and by the end of the event, the venue was standing room only. A majority of the crowd came forward for prayer during the evening, and the students, both from Colorado and CBC-KC, let the love of God flow and attendees were not disappointed.

Signs and wonders followed a time of worship and prayer, and according to one staff member, the team saw so many miracles it was hard to keep track of them all. Highlights from the evening included the double healing of an elderly couple; both received renewal for their aged bodies. The woman's eyes were healed from blindness, and her husband's hearing was restored.As the evening progressed people continued to show up.. CBC students continued bringing chairs in until it became staning room only.
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One man came to the healing school event with a thyroid tumor. It was reported that the mass was noticeably swollen and blue, and was protruding from his neck. The man indicated that the tumor was damaging his vocal chords and hindering his voice. As the minister prayed the lump went away, the man's skin became a healthy flesh color and his voice returned to normal. Praise God!

With the success of the meeting in the Kansas City area, there are plans for the school to go on the road again in the future. Keep an eye on the CBC-Colorado website for upcoming meetings in your area.

Andrew introducing the topic for the 2012 Gospel Truth Seminar in Dallas/Fort Worth. (Click to enlarge)In November, Andrew and Jamie wrapped up the Gospel Truth Seminar schedule with a stop in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. During his final conference of the year, Andrew shared a series called, Paul's Secrets to Happiness. With the GTS being held on the heels of this year's United States Presidential election, Andrew smiled as he commented that many in the Texas crowd could probably use a little more happiness.

Andrew opened Thursday evening's meeting making mention that the weekend's main text would be from Paul's letter to the Philippians. Early in the teaching, Andrew made the point that in the four short chapters found in the book of Philippians, Paul used the word joy 16 times. Andrew said, "You may not have thought about Paul being a really happy person, but he was... He's the one that said rejoice in the Lord always. He's the one that said in everything give thanks unto the Lord. Paul was a person that praised God, and Paul went through a lot of hardship, so there are things for us to learn through this."Andrew sharing one of his 20 points on Saturday evening. (Click to enlarge)

Later in the conference, Andrew shared that the 20 things he was highlighting as Paul's secrets to happiness could just as well be called, Paul's Secrets to Life or Paul's Secrets to Victory. Andrew said, "If we would adopt Paul's way of thinking, then we would get Paul's results."

After each meeting, Andrew invited the Prayer Ministry Team to come forward, followed by an invitation for those in need of prayer to come forward to receive. With the largest ministry team in GTS history, comprised of Charis Bible College students from Texas and Colorado, and other ministry partners ready to share the love of God, notable miracles were received throughout the weekend.

Among those encountering God's supernatural love was a man suffering from the effects of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He approached a minister relying on a walker to steady himself and keep himself upright. After a short prayer, the man did not need the assistance of the walker Andrew inviting the crowd to come forward for prayer. (Click to enlarge)any longer; he was able to balance and walk on his own. He was even able to bend over and touch his toes, something he was unable to do prior to coming to the meeting.

Another man came forward seeking healing from cancer. He had recently received a report that the disease had affected his lymph nodes and had spread throughout his body. He had pain in his lungs and joints. After prayer he knew he was healed; all the pain had left his body and he was able to bend his joints freely and breathe easily.

One lady simply came forward to share a praise report. "She made a point of seeking us out to let us know that she was completely healed of cancer after receiving prayer at last year’s GTS in Fort Worth," said one prayer minister.

Many lives were forever changed—Praise God! Be sure to catch the video below and watch as Andrew introduces the series, Paul's Secrets to Happiness.

Today, Christopher and Deborah McDermott are the proud parents of two normal, healthy children, but that wasn't always the case. Not long ago, their two sons, Timothy and James, were diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and Autism respectively. Their disorders were labeled when the boys were young, and they were deemed incurable. While many suffer from these diseases and believe them to be lifelong, the McDermott's testimony will challenge those beliefs. Deborah would not accept the report, and called out to God for help. Her family's story can be seen in the video below, and it is proof that nothing is impossible with God—nothing is incurable.

While many ask, “Where was God last Friday?” The answer is that He was right there.

Jamie and I have shared the shock and sadness with you over the terrible events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012, where twenty children and six adults were brutally massacred. Our hearts go out to those who have lost their precious children. We can only imagine what they are going through. But I know that the Lord loves them even more than we do, and I’m confident He is moving to comfort their hearts. We mix our prayers with yours that although the Lord didn’t do this, He will bring good out of it.

Such evil is hard to understand and shakes our sense of security. We want to understand how this could happen so we can fix it and move on with our lives without fear.

In the coming days, all kinds of causes for this senseless act will be put forth with corresponding solutions. Much of the talk will center around how we protect ourselves and those we love from tragedy like this. While it’s prudent to adjust to the reality of the world we live in, I don’t think any of us want to surrender our freedoms and live in a rigid police state. And I don’t believe we have to.

As the governor of Connecticut said Friday, “Evil visited us today.” This wasn’t just natural. This was pure evil. It was demonic. Certainly, government is an impediment to evil, and there are things that need to be done. But the only way to truly beat evil is to change the hearts of people with the power of God’s love. God’s kind of love works no ill to his neighbor (Rom. 13:10), therefore the antidote is to inject people’s hearts with God’s love.

I know that many, or even most people, will reject what I’ve just said and say it is impractical. But in reality, this is the only solution that is practical. We can’t build fortresses strong enough to keep evil out. This is not just a physical battle (Eph. 6:12); this is a spiritual war.

And this reveals why there is an increase of these terrible acts. Our society has systematically rejected God by rejecting His standards of morality. Although morality hasn’t been banned in America, immorality has been legalized and promoted. Its prevalence has weakened and in some cases eliminated the fear of God from public life. Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil…” It’s now “politically incorrect” to hate evil in this country. This moral vacuum allows and encourages demonic activity.

And make no mistake, this kind of act can’t happen without demonic involvement. No human being would kill an innocent child without being controlled by evil. The devil and his demons are real. Anyone who believes the New Testament would have to admit that. This is a spiritual battle, and our best weapons are spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

The ultimate weapon against evil is the power of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16). This most recent incident is a reflection of the church’s failure to influence our culture as we should.

But as bad as all this is, it could have been worse. While many ask, “Where was God last Friday?” The answer is that He was right there. He was in teachers who made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of the children entrusted to them. He was in a janitor who ran down the halls giving warning and saving lives. He was in the first responders who entered the school cutting short what the shooter wanted to do. He had hundreds of rounds of ammunition left and obviously planned to do much more than he did.

God was in all these people who resisted and ultimately stopped this rampage. The Lord didn’t cause this to happen or allow it to happen. He gave us a free will, and He doesn’t control us like pawns in a chess game. This shooter gave himself over to evil. Others resisted the devil in him and eventually stopped him. It could have been much worse.

It’s easy to see the evil that has already happened, but we will never know until we are in eternity just how much evil was thwarted by all the godly influences. John 10:10 says the thief ONLY comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He’s after nothing else. There isn’t any good in the devil. If he was unchecked, we’d all be dead.

But there is much good all around us. I can show you hundreds of people scattered all over the world who are giving their lives to confront evil every day. I heard Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott who was murdered in the Columbine School shootings in 1999, talk about how he and those associated with him have spoken to over three million students since that terrible tragedy. They know of three school shootings that have been thwarted and over 500 suicides that have been prevented through their efforts.

I have friends who have left the comfort of America to travel to impoverished nations where they are sacrificing their lives to make a difference. Thousands are being impacted.

One of our Bible college graduates who lost her husband while she was in school continued on, raising six children by herself, and is now supporting twenty-nine children in an orphanage in the Congo. My good friends, Darey and Karen Jolly, have laid their lives down to minister to thousands of children in Nicaragua. The first graduates of their K-12 schools are now entering college. Only the Lord knows what tragedies they stopped and what good will be done through these children who have been loved and shown the true Gospel.

Our Charis Bible Colleges are impacting thousands of lives. We now have more people actively participating in CBC right now than all those who have gone through the colleges over the last eighteen years. The numbers are growing, and I believe this is making a difference.

Our students in Uganda have impacted that nation. I met with the president and first lady of Uganda who have totally embraced what we are doing there. President Museveni recently addressed the nation and publicly repented of his personal sins and the sins of the nation and dedicated the nation of Uganda to the Lord. Praise God!

There are people all around us who are resisting the devil and his influence, but obviously there is much more to be done. We are in a battle. We live in a fallen world and evil is everywhere. But so is God. However, He can only flow through us to the degree that we seek and submit to Him. He doesn’t sovereignly control all things.

I think it’s good that terrible things like this, shock and sadden us. We should always hate evil and grieve with those who grieve. I pray this never becomes so commonplace that we are insensitive to atrocities. But we should not be discouraged to the point of thinking, What can I do? Each one of us is a soldier in this war, and every godly thing we do makes a difference.

I don’t know what toxic mix of things caused this shooter to break and do what he did. There is no single cause that will ever be identified. But we have read that he was diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. One in eighty-eight boys are afflicted with this disorder in the U.S.A., and it is said to be incurable. Yet we have seen that condition healed by the power of the Lord. If you believe the medical profession alone, you are in despair. If you believe the power of the Word of God, nothing is incurable. What do you believe?

Just days ago, our Television Department completed a video of the healing of two brothers, Timothy and James, one with high-functioning Asperger’s syndrome, the other with autism spectrum disorder. This story has been prepared for an upcoming DVD titled Healing Journeys Volume IV. Although there is no scientific connection shown between Autism and violence, there is a wonderful connection between God’s healing power and this story, with a very happy ending.

Please feel free to click on this link to view the miraculous story of Timothy and James McDermott, and be encouraged to share the love of God with all you come in contact with. You are the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13). Only God knows how His life preserving flavor inside of you might change the world around you.

Finally, I want to once again say that Jamie and I weep with you and the entire world over the slaughter of these innocent children and their heroic teachers. Our prayers are that these families will be comforted by the Holy Spirit in ways beyond our understanding. At this Christmas season, I am reminded that our Lord Himself, as a mere infant, barely escaped such a slaughter of children in Bethlehem. Scripture reminds us that He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and that He is a high priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He is near to the brokenhearted, and He is their healer.

Andrew Wommack

Favorable weather conditions through the month of November allowed the construction crews at The Sanctuary to make tremendous progress. The crews were able to accomplish many of the underground structural components of the project; they poured the footings for the basement of the Barn, erected the forms for the basement walls and they continued the development of the road system. In this update Andrew praises God as he reviews the progress of the first phase of construction and shares a timeline for the coming weeks and months.

Andrew describes the dimensions of the Barn.
(Click to enlarge) Concrete footings were poured to support the Barn's foundation. (Click to enlarge)

An overview of the foundation construction.
(Click to enlarge) Construction crews placed the forms for the concrete basement walls. (Click to enlarge)

Huge culverts were brought in to handle water flow under the new road system. (Click to enlarge) The road excavation project continues.
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Be sure to watch the short video below to see how the Lord continues to bless the ministry through this expansion of Charis Bible College Colorado.

Andrew has recently released a new online program called, The Inside Story. The new series will feature a behind the scenes look at what's happening at Andrew Wommack Ministries. In this video, the series premier, Andrew gives an overview of the ideas that sparked the creation of the program, and also gives viewers a special look at the television department's newly redesigned set. Those watching through to the end are sure to catch tidbits of the ministry's history that won't be seen or heard anywhere else.

CBC-Colorado graduate and missionary to India, Jessica Klecker (right). (Click to enlarge)By the age of 15, Colorado native, Jessica Klecker knew she would serve the Lord on the mission field. Today, at the age of 23, she is fulfilling her call to ministry in India, where she has joined fellow Charis Bible College graduates, Lance and Gerri Weldgen, as they minister to the people of Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, through the CBC extension schools in the region.

Raised in a Christian family, Jessica was born again at the early age of four, and by the age of 13 she had already begun her missionary journey visiting the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States to share the love of Jesus. "By 15, God had shown me that I was going to be doing mission work on foreign land. At that time, I didn’t know where it would be, exactly. I just knew that one day I would be on foreign land sharing the Gospel," said Jessica.

Jessica on retreat with her youth group's praise and worship team.
(Click to enlarge)In her teens, Jessica was very involved at her church, and high school. She participated in her school's student government, played volleyball, and served on the praise and worship team for her church's youth group. During those formative years, Jessica developed a desire to go to India.

As her time in high school drew to a close, Jessica began to explore her options for higher education. It was never her intention to attend a secular university, and with that in mind she looked at Christian colleges and Bible schools. When Jessica was 17, her mother came across an advertisement for CBC in a church newsletter, and she brought the school to Jessica's attention. After visiting the CBC 2009, Jessica and her mother, Pam, at the CBC promotional ceremony after first year. Both Pam and Jessica's father, Jan, have been very supportive of their daughter's choices and pursuit of ministry on the mission field.
(Click to enlarge)website, Jessica decided to attend Campus Days in March of 2008. At the time, she was unaware that Andrew's ministry spanned the globe. Jessica said, "I only knew that he was the president and founder of Charis Bible College. The first time I actually heard Andrew teach was at CBC Campus Days."

At the Lord's prompting, and with His peace, Jessica enrolled at CBC. Her introduction to Andrew's teaching brought major changes to her relationship with the Lord as she realized that she had spent her early Christian walk with a performance-based mentality. She had sought to please Him, and worked to be holy and righteous in her own effort. Through Andrew's ministry, she was set free. When Jessica heard the Spirit, Soul and Body teaching, she began to understand her identity in the Spirit. Jessica shared, "After listening to the Word everyday for two years, my relationship with God changed drastically. I no 2010, Jessica's second-year mission team with staff and students in Chennai, India. (Click to enlarge)longer saw Him as mean and upset, but loving. I no longer tried to please Him, but realized He is already pleased. I came to CBC to learn about mission work, and I received so much more. I received a revelation of God’s love that changed my relationship with Him from being one based on fear to one based on His love."

All Charis students are required to participate in a foreign mission trip during their second-year. While students are given a number of destinations from which to choose, they are not guaranteed to go to their preferred nation. Of course Jessica's first choice was India, but she submitted her choices with a heart to minister faithfully, wherever she was sent. As she sat in a class called "Hearing from God," she heard the Lord say, "Go to India, and be Jessica getting her face painted at an orphanage in India during her mission trip in 2010. (Click to enlarge)a blessing." A short time later she received news that she would be part of a team headed to Chennai, India.

In 2010, Jessica's team ministered alongside CBC-Colorado graduates and founders of CBC-India, Russ and David Forgoston. During the trip, Jessica experienced such an excitement and peace that she knew she had found the foreign land the Lord had placed in her heart when she was 15. When she returned to the States, Jessica longed to go back to the people of India, but she also knew it was not quite time; the Lord had given her a word that He would open doors for her to return. Two years passed before she would have the Jessica enjoying CBC graduation with fellow classmates Katherine O'Brien (left) and Trisha Roberts (right).
(Click to enlarge)opportunity to go back. In the meantime Jessica graduated from CBC, completed her third-year internship and was employed by both AWM and CBC. The extra time spent in Colorado served Jessica well and prepared her for her eventual return to India.

In the summer of 2011, Jessica saw God open the door for her to return to Chennai. Through a conversation with David Forgoston, and a connection with the Weldgens, the new directors at CBC-India, Jessica knew it was time to step back on to her foreign land.

Jessica in Chennai with the directors of CBC-India, Lance and Gerri Weldgen. (Click to enlarge)In 2012 Jessica joined Lance and Gerri just in time for the school's expansion into the cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai. Jessica's service to Charis is varied, but she handles many of the day-to-day administrative duties for the ministry in its various locations. She also has the opportunity to teach and interact with the students, which brings her great joy.

For Jessica, one of the highlights of being on the mission field is witnessing the students' reception of the message of grace and the transformation that occurs as they understand their identity in Christ. She said she is able to see the transformation as it takes place because it is revealed in their countenance.

All of the female AWM-India staff, dressed up in their sarees for the 2012 CBC-India Opening Rally.
(Click to enlarge)There was fulfillment in Jessica's life before CBC, but she always felt like something was missing. "I didn’t know what was missing until I came to CBC and learned about the love of God and my identity in Christ. Not knowing those two things and trying to minister to people can be a train wreck. I used to minister to my friends in high school, but it was actually more condemnation than ministry. I wasn’t loving them, I was trying to change their actions to make them pleasing for God. I guess you could say that I was just making noise (1 Corinthians 13). Now, I have actual fulfillment in what I do because I have a stronger relationship with God and an understanding of who I am in Christ. Now, I can share that with others," she said excitedly!

To learn more about the Charis experience in your area visit Charis Bible College. To find out more about what's happening in Chennai, visit CBC-India.

In this video, filmed on December 18th, Andrew brings viewers an update on the construction at The Sanctuary, Charis Bible College's future campus in Woodland Park, Colorado. Significant progress can be seen as the first phase of the project takes shape. Previous updates have included the arrival of the earth movers, leveling the land, the foundation excavation, and the preparation for the basement walls, and while each of these showed development, this video shows dramatic progress as the walls have been poured, and the Barn has begun to take shape. The roadways have also seen significant upgrades and more than a mile of piping has been laid, bringing water to the building site.

Andrew explains the building process while workers lay rebar for more footings. (Click to enlarge) Workers make sure the foundation walls are prepared for the next step. (Click to enlarge)

Trucks pour the concrete for the Barn's basement walls. (Click to enlarge) Workers prep the area for where the water will be piped into the building. (Click to enlarge)

Men and machines work together inside what will be the Barn basement. (Click to enlarge) Workmen build the forms that will hold the concrete for more footings. (Click to enlarge)

An excavator continues culvert and road preparation. (Click to enlarge) A truck drives on the newly created road, 30' above the placed culverts. (Click to enlarge)

Be sure to watch the entire video as Andrew gives viewers a reminder of why this expansion is so important.

At the beginning of 2013, Andrew launched a new online show called, The Inside Story. His new series gives viewers a different, more personal look behind the scenes at what's happening at Andrew Wommack Ministries. In this, the second episode, Andrew interviews Daniel Amstutz, the director of CBC's schools of Worship and Healing, as well as ministry staff Ashley and Carlie Terradez. The four discuss what Andrew considers to be one of CBC's best kept secrets—Healing School.

Andrew sharing at Thursday night's opening meeting in Phoenix. (Click to enlarge)Andrew spent the first weekend of the new year in Phoenix, Arizona, where he held the first of only four Gospel Truth Seminars scheduled for 2013. While his three-day, single location conference schedule has significantly decreased for the coming year, Andrew's on-the-road-ministry has not. Instead of spending three days in one place for a seminar, Andrew has opted to visit multiple locations using his single-day, Gospel Truth Rallies as the model for future conferences. Be sure to take a look at Andrew's upcoming meeting schedule to find out when he'll be in your area.

Andrew opened Thursday evening's meeting with a series of questions—trick questions. "How many of you are hungry for more of God? How many of you want to see God move and do something new?" he baited the large crowd. With attendees excited, anticipating what Andrew may say next, he said plainly, "Well, I'm going to pop your bubble..." and he introduced his series for the weekend, You've Already Got It.Andrew at Friday night's meeting.
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After spending the opening minutes of Thursday's meeting bluntly exposing the Church's mishandling of the Word, Andrew made the point that most Christians don't understand what God has already done on their behalf. Then, using Scripture, he began to systematically reshape the crowd's understanding of God's goodness, closeness and the fullness of his atonement.

At the end of each session, Andrew gave an invitation to come forward for prayer. With their faith stirred to receive, many people responded. A Prayer Ministry Team made up of GTS staff, students from CBC-Colorado and CBC-Phoenix, and several AWM Partners were on hand to meet the individual ministry needs of those responding.

Andrew sharing from the Scriptures on Saturday night. (Click to enlarge)The ministry team was blessed to be a part of harvesting the fruit of many miracles. One man, who had sustained a ruptured disc in his back, came forward with numbness in his side. The same man also had a painful gastric condition that restricted his diet and caused him pain. After prayer, he was completely healed. He returned to the GTS the following day, excited to share the report that he was eating normally again, and all pain and numbness had left his body.

A young lady with a broken leg came forward after one meeting. As the minister prayed, the young lady's leg pain left. She immediately removed her cast and found that her leg was healed and strong. She, and the prayer minister who had prayed for her, then ran around the auditorium together in celebration.

Another man, born with a crippling condition called, Spina Bifida, came forward with pain and immobility in his back. After prayer, the pain was gone and he was able to move freely. A life-long condition crushed in the name of Jesus—the man's life was transformed!

Understanding the simple Gospel truth of what you already have, in Christ, will transform your life.

Be sure to watch the video below as Andrew opens Thursday night's meeting and introduces the weekend's series, You've Already Got It.