On June 19th, 250 clergy assembled in Chicago for our monthly prayer breakfast. Pastor TL Barrett, as founding pastor of ACLC, welcomed the pastors as they streamed in. Bishop Larry Jones of the apostolic Assembly of our Lord Jesus Christ was the host pastor and the beautiful fellowship hall was filled.
As the new guest pastors came in and were introduced, it was quite significant that Sweet Holy Spirit Church, founded by Bishop Trotter, had a strong presence of over 20 from their ministry in attendance. Bishop Trotter and Rev. Jenkins go way back to the early times of the fellowship between Father Moon’s movement and the Christian pastors. We fondly remember those times. Bishop Trotter was just starting his ministry in the early 80s and by following the path of sacrifice and diligent preaching of God’s words, he grew his ministry into the thousands.
His recent book “Above See Level,” was a profound testimony of the trials and testimonies of a pastor who was able to overcome those trials to find that it’s not about size, it’s not about the appearances; it’s about the substance of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry.
Bishop Trotter’s message was very uplifting to the pastors. He talked about the story of a little chick that had just hatched from the egg, and that there were six steps to the hatching process. First, the egg cracked; second the chick came out. Third, the chick looked to the right, fourth to the left, fifth to the front and back, and sixth, he pulled the shell back over his head.
The question Bishop Trotter asked the pastors as they were getting already filled with expectation and anticipation – what did the chicken see? He then went into the reality of our communities. When the chicken looked to the right, he saw our nation losing its direction as a nation that was built on faith in God. When the chicken looked to the left, it saw our Christian homes being broken and divorce rampant, with children disobedient to the parents. The chick looked to the front and back and saw Christians in the churches not tithing, not giving, but more worried about having material things and the appearance of prosperity when they lost their vision that true prosperity comes from giving to the Lord.
Why did the chicken pull the shell over his head? Because he saw a world that was moving away from God. With this, Bishop Trotter said, it’s time for the pastors to stand up and proclaim the truth of God, that we must turn away from the ways of the world and really live the gospel according to the teachings of Jesus. We must understand the power of the Holy Spirit and transform our nation, our homes, our families and our churches back into the shining light that God had envisioned when he brought the Christian gospel to the shores of America.
Bishop Trotter said the churches have to cry out with a prophetic voice to tell what’s right. How can we let our president affirm a vision of family and marriage that is against God and against the teachings of Jesus and the Bible? Why aren’t the pastors crying out for the image of God in the family and marriage? It’s time for the prophetic voice to be lifted up and for the renewal of the body of Christ. He said, I’m grateful for ACLC, Pastor Barrett, Rev. Takami, especially Rev. Jenkins, my old friend. I’m asking for revival to spread throughout the nation.
Bishop Trotter’s message electrified the pastors. Pastor Barrett said, this is a message that’s going to be preached all over Chicago this Wednesday and Sunday. When you have a message that’s this great, you can’t wait to get to your pulpit to share it with your congregation and throughout the community. Pastor Barrett told from his heart how he was moved by the message and grateful for Bishop Trotter. He remembers Bishop Trotter all the way from the early days, and now ACLC is becoming the hope and the light of America to lead on this path.