Randy Goudeau.com

WHY NOT START                                                                                                                     Hey! We’ll I want to start spreading the Gospel! We already know how to do it, we already know what to say and we already WANT to do it!! The thing is we never really do it!!! How about those people who have no idea who Jesus is, don’t have a clue why they are on this earth, don’t know what to do and many more things. We’ll what are we doing right now? People all over the world need Jesus and all we are doing is thinking about our time with God!! What are we waiting for? We have a big job that we have to do in our lifetime!! Don’t be ashamed of the Gospel or Jesus will be ashamed of you before His father!!

WE NEED A REVIVAL IN THIS WORLD!!                                                                                  I know there is about to be revival!! China and India and many more nations are sending missionaries to America because America has not yet woke up!! America is the fourth largest nation that does not know much about the Gospel!! I don’t know about you, but I want a revival in this world!! Years ago the world had a revival, why not now? It seems like the Church has weakened!! When Jesus comes I want to be proud that we did our job and preached the Gospel!! The only reason we are on earth is to preach the Gospel and worship God, but instead many people worry about their lives and what they want and need, and they don’t worry about the others who are on their way straight to hell!! – WE NEED A REVIVAL IN THIS WORLD!!

All I can say is “But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14 (NLT) ENOUGH SAID!!!

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I flew into Los Angeles this morning with a young man from my team, Micah Mixon.  Micah is a tremendous dancer and a wonderful son in the Lord.  He was one of the men who moved with us to NYC in the beginning.  We will be ministering here over the next few days and we look forward to all that God is going to do.  We ate lunch with two pastors this afternoon and I worked myself into a frenzy (a state of uncontrolled excitement or wild behavior) as we began to discuss evangelism and ministry. 

I have preached in various locations over the last couple of months and it seems as though a spirit of REVIVAL is in the atmosphere.  I feel that the Church across America is on the verge of something special and I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry and ready for a fresh outpouring.  There is definitely a lot of ‘STRANGE FIRE’ out there today, and I’ll pass on that!  I’m not looking for another man-exalting move of the flesh that only exists to feed egos and encourage self-promotion.  We’ve had enough of those.  I’m ready for a move of God that is so Christ-exalting it won’t need to be defended.  Some so-called ‘movements’ taking place today are producing nothing more than disgust in the sight of un-believers and a stench in the nostrils of our God. 

I see a wave of salvation sweeping across our nation.  I see an army of young people stepping out of their boats of security and comfort, as they walk across the water of danger, excitement and the unknown.  I hear the cries of intercession coming from Churches as they place a demand upon the Spirit of God for boldness, signs and wonders.  I see sleeping saints and discouraged disappointed souls rising out of their misery and once again engaging in their holy calling. 

Tonight Todd Dupont preached at our Church in Manhattan and I heard it was AWESOME!  He ministered on the subject of endurance and perseverance.  He is one of the most qualified men that I know to speak along these lines.  He is a tremendous armor-bearer and a faithful friend.  We have served together in ministry now for 7½ years.  When he heard that we were moving to NYC to plant a Church in this massive mission field, he wept and prayed that God would allow him to come also.  He couldn’t stand the thought of my family and I coming to such a spiritually dark region alone.  He and his wife Annabella are precious friends and co-workers in this great cause.  They are true “Elisha’s”.  In our darkest moments they were a bright light, praying for us and believing in us when we couldn’t believe in ourselves.  I’m so glad we have not been alone.  In the book of Acts we discover that God sent out teams, not individuals.  Paul was able to accomplish great things, but only because he had a great team!  It wasn’t “Paul”; it was “Paul and his company”.  I thank God for our ‘Company’. 

Well, time to get back into my ‘frenzied’ state!  Here we come Los Angeles!!!

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Hello everybody (or rather, those who actually read these blogs of mine)!  Now before I begin my rambling, let me give those of you who have no clue of what a rambling really means a little definition.  “Rambling – To talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way”.  So for the next few paragraphs, I invite you on a confused and inconsequential journey into my rambling thoughts!  Pay close attention, the end gets kind of good!

We recently celebrated my beautiful daughter Victoria’s 6^th b-day here in Manhattan and it was so much fun!  She is now the same age our son Paul was when we loaded up the family and moved to NYC.  Wow!  Time really flies.  She still looks the same to me as the day we moved here.  All of our children are doing great and Alyssa is absolutely loving Manhattan!  I’m so blessed to have the most wonderful family in the world.  Becky is getting more and more beautiful with each passing day (wow, sounds like I’m some what of a romantic!) and tonight we had so much fun as we dreamed of the awesome things God has in store for the people of New York. 

The Church is doing better than ever.  The Sunday before last we held our first baptismal service baptizing 11 people!  We also dedicated 2 babies and held our first communion service.  Each week we rejoice as we receive new people into our Church.

This past Sunday I preached a message about the Prodigal Son, and in the message I placed extra emphasis on the wonderful Father.  What a great picture of sacrifice, compassion, mercy and love we find in this precious parable describing our heavenly Father.  I am overwhelmed as I think of the love my Father has for me!  I am also challenged as I find in this story an example of how I am not only to love my children, but also the precious spiritual sons and daughters the Lord has given to me. 

Big congrats to Dylan and Valerie Chapman and their new bambina!!!  Brennan is such a beautiful baby girl!  I also want to give a shout out to Wolf and Kitty Soto and their beautiful baby girl, Nia.  I say one more Wolf!!!  We’re waiting on the cub!  2 newer (though they’ve been with us for over 6 months) members of our team, Justin and Crystal Kelley are expecting their first baby before the New Year.  Justin is an absolute wild man!  Probably cause he’s a Cajun like me!  His wife Crystal has such a tremendous gift to work with Children, they flock to her like she’s the pied piper! 

After obeying the call of God to move to NYC, I can now honestly say after 2 years that there is simply no greater satisfaction than to give your self completely away for the cause of Christ.   2 years and counting!!!!!!!!!!

I leave you with one of my favorite quotes, penned by the late Nate Saint, a young missionary martyr for the cause of Christ.

“Missionaries constantly face expendability.  And people who do not know the Lord (I’d like to add here, ‘and some who do know the Lord’ RG) ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries.  They forget that they too are expending their lives.  They forget that when their lives are spent and the bubble has burst they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.”

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I came across this article tonight by the late Keith Green. I first read it over 15 years ago as a young Christian. It helped to fuel a fire in me to live a life of complete obedience to the Lord. Though this article is geared towards musicians, I find it extremely beneficial and applicable for preachers as well. You have no idea how many ‘ridiculous’ ideas I’ve heard that people had for ministry, which was more about their own ego than the untold billions on the verge of slipping into a Christless eternity. These ‘ideas’ usually come from a lust for stardom and prominence rather than from a place of prayer and brokenness. As the years go by and ‘their’ vision doesn’t come to pass, they quickly become bitter with God and find some reason why either He’s to blame or how their pastor refused to ‘recognize’ their tremendous gifting so beautifully adorned with arrogance and self-promotion. Today we have a selfish generation of ‘ministers’ whose pictures and banners (usually of themselves) are so large that it’s hard to see their tiny Jesus standing way behind them.

I pray that Keith’s timeless message rattles you to your core and challenges the way you live and think, the same way it has me.

Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” (NASB)

So You Wanna Be A Rock Star

by Keith Green

For as long as be could remember, Keith Green’s greatest dream was to be a musical success. After be gave his life to Jesus, however, he felt the need to surrender those dreams and aspirations by laying down his music…perhaps never to perform publicly again.

Ironically, when sometime later he felt God release him to pick up his music again, he soon had a recording contract and his first album soared straight to the top of the Contemporary Christian Music charts.

The following message was birthed out of Keith’s encounters with those who approached him, usually after a concert, to ask how they too could “make it big” in Christian music.

Today, so many people ask me if I can tell them how they can start or enter into a music ministry. At concerts I get countless questions about this, and I also get lots of letters and even some long-distance phone calls from many people who feel they are only “called” into the music “ministry.” One day I began to ask myself why so few have ever asked me how to become a missionary, or even a local street preacher, or how to disciple a new believer. It seems everyone would prefer the “bright lights” of what they think a music ministry would be, rather than the mud and obscurity of the mission field, or the streets of the ghetto, or even the true spiritual sweetness of just being a nobody whom the Lord uses mightily in small “everyday” ways.

Are You Willing?

My answer to their question is almost always the same. “Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may seem to notice at all?” They all seem to answer each of these questions with a quick “yes!” But I really doubt if they know what their answer entails.

Star Struck

My dearest family in Jesus…why are we so star struck? Why do we idolize Christian singers and speakers? We go from glorifying musicians in the world, to glorifying Christian musicians. It’s all idolatry! Can’t you see that? It’s true that there are many men and women of God who are greatly anointed to call down the Spirit of God on His people and the unsaved. But Satan is getting a great victory as we seem to worship these ministers on tapes and records, and clamor to get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast to coast.

Can’t you see that you are hurting these ministers? They try desperately to tell you that they don’t deserve to be praised, and because of this you squeal with delight and praise them all the more. You’re smothering them, making it almost impossible for them to see that it’s really Jesus. They keep telling themselves that, but you keep telling them it’s really them, crushing their humility and grieving the Spirit that is trying to keep their eyes on Jesus.

Ultimately, what we idolize we ourselves desire to become, sometimes with our whole heart. So a lot of people who want to become just like their favorite Gospel singer or minister, seek after it with the same fervor that the Lord demands we seek after Him! And again, we insult the Spirit of Grace and try to make a place for ourselves, rather than a place for Jesus.

A Thankless Job

How come no one idolizes or praises the missionaries who give up everything and live in poverty, endangering their lives and families with every danger that the “American dream” has almost completely eliminated? How come no one lifts up and exalts the ghetto and prison ministers who can never take up an offering, because if they did they would either laugh or cry at what they’d receive?

How come?

Because (1) we’re taught from very early on that comfort is our goal and security… and (2) that we should always seek for a lot of people to like us. Who lives less comfortably and has had less friends and supporters than the selfless missionaries who have suffered untimely, premature deaths trying to conquer souls and nations for the whole glory of God? Do you really believe we’re living in the very last times? Then why do you spend more money on Gospel records and concerts than you give to organizations that feed the poor, or to missionaries out in the field?

There are ministries all over the world where “penniless” people are being saved and transformed. They are broken people who have promise and qualities, but just need someone to bring them God’s light during the times when their lives seem so completely hopeless.

I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy (Romans 11:11) or to sell out more completely to Jesus!

Quit trying to make “gods” out of music ministers, and quit desiring to become like them. The Lord commands you, “Deny yourself take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). My piano is not my cross, it is my tool. I’d never play it again if God would show me a more effective tool in my life for proclaiming His Gospel.[God gives us each our own unique tools. But we may never use them if we become more interested in someone else's. Seek God, ask Him for His plan for ministry (true, God glorifying ministry) in your life.]

Conclusion

To finish, let me say that the only music minister to whom the Lord will say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant,” is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister’s most important goal!

Let’s all repent of the idolatry in our hearts and our desires for a comfortable, rewarding life when, really, the Bible tells us we are just passing through as strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13), for our reward is in heaven. Let’s not forget that our due service to the Lord is “… not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake”(Phil. 1:29).

Amen. Let us die graciously together and endure to the end like brave soldiers who give their lives, without hesitation, for our noble and glorious King of Light.

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Tonight I have been remembering so many wonderful moments in ministry.  Over 10 years ago Becky and I began serving as youth pastors at our home Church in Arkansas, pastored by Paul David Troquille whom our son is named after.

In the summer of 1997 crazy things began to happen in Magnolia, Arkansas.  A group of men and women who were disgruntled and dissatisfied with complacency and disunity among the Churches in the City began to be burdened for the youth of the area.  After much prayer and counsel, they launched a ministry called ‘FIRE ESCAPE’.  To the best of my knowledge this was a movement that had little regard for pleasing any religious organization and whose only object was to impact the youth of the region.

Friday nights began to draw hundreds of youth from every background you could imagine.  The ATMOSPHERE was charged with a spirit of revival.  Radical evangelism and passion for the youth culture flowed out of this ministry.  One young man in particular came to the Lord from this movement.  This young man never really knew his mother, was estranged from his father and practically raised himself.  Almost immediately this young man built himself a cross and began to carry it across the city preaching to any who would listen, drawing crowds of young people.  If you ever saw this young man, he would always be totin around his worn out backpack ‘loaded’ with his missionary bible and tracks.  His face emanated with joy and excitement while sporting his backwards graffitied hat and overalls!

I remember our first youth service in Magnolia.  I grabbed by pastor’s son and had him lead worship while I played my guitar (I only knew 3 or 4 chords).  That night I preached a message called ‘Lazarus Generation’.  Not content for an ordinary youth group, we began to pray fervently with a handful of teenagers as we cried out for a move of God in our ministry.

I especially remember a Church prayer meeting that Pastor Paul asked me to lead.  We had been experiencing an open heaven for what seemed like months.  That night it seemed as though the heavens were brass.  I had never felt so much resistance in corporate prayer.  I made the mistake (actually, it was the best thing I could do) of complaining to Pastor Paul.  Pastor Paul is a fun, free man, but when he’s serious you better look out!  He literally grabbed me and backed me up against the wall and sternly charged me, “Don’t you dare think you’re gonna have a revival without a FIGHT!!!”.  I quickly said the most intelligent thing I could think of at the moment; ‘YES SIR!’  I then began to fight.  Ephesians 6:12

God answered quickly and for over 3 years we enjoyed a very exciting ride as revival hit and our youth led thousands of people to the Lord.

In January of 2001 my family moved with a small team to serve as youth pastors in South Louisiana.  I believed that the same ingredients that worked in a small city in Arkansas (10,000 population) would also work in a little larger city in South Louisiana (22,000 population).  A young man had begun a prayer meeting on Friday nights from 9-11 with a handful of young people (around 5).  Our first youth service I preached on the ‘John the Baptist Generation’.  There were 90 youth at the service.  I invited everyone who wanted to be a part of the ‘John the Baptist Generation’ to join me in prayer Friday night at 9pm.  50 youth showed up.  In one year the youth group grew from 90 to over 300.  A tremendous young man named ‘Matt Dardis’ went to be with the Lord during that first year and his life challenged everyone in our youth ministry to live a life worthy for the King.  My favorite quote of all came from his pen; “LOOK AT JESUS HANGING ON THE CROSS AND TELL HIM YOU DON’T HAVE TIME FOR SOULS”.  I believe his life was one of the main reasons our youth group exploded.  We served as youth pastors for 5 ½ years and were privileged to be a part of such an explosive move of God.  It was a season of almost constant revival as our small groups grew from 0 to over 300, with hundreds of youth in our weekly services and thousands of salvations.

Towards the end of 2005 Becky and I began to feel the same stirring in our hearts we felt when it was time to leave Magnolia and knew that God was preparing us for another assignment.  In June of 2006 we obeyed the call of God, moving to New York City.  Since arriving in New York, God has assembled a team from New York, Louisiana, Minnesota, Washington State, California and England.  By the grace of God we launched a Church in Lower Manhattan, an area that is only 2% evangelical.  God willing, we will launch another campus in Long Island, also 2% evangelical, in September/October.  Long Island is the least evangelized city in America according to Barna.  In the beginning of 2009 we will launch a youth ministry aimed at reaching across NYC and Long Island.  I am currently grooming one couple as youth pastors for our Church, and 6 others to launch youth groups in various locations around the City.  Also, many Churches have come to visit and labor with us in the harvest as Ryan and Emily, both from England, lead them in short-term missions trips as they feed the homeless, pray for the sick, and minister to countless thousands each week across this City.

Seems like we have our hands full.  After nearly 13 years of full-time ministry serving over 10 years as youth pastors, we have a little more wisdom, much more brokenness, and a whole lot more confidence that the same ingredients that worked in Arkansas, the same ingredients that worked in Louisiana, will also work here.  What are the ingredients?  Radical prayer, compassion for the lost, and a raw desire for the move of God in our Church.  We began over a decade ago holding on to God as we trusted Him for a supernatural move of His Spirit, and today that has not changed. 

I must go to sleep now (yeah right).  In a few short hours I have the wonderful privilege of meeting David Wilkerson.  I believe he is a true prophet to our nation.  I want to close by posting the lyrics to this ridiculously awesome song by Chris Tomlin that I have been listening to for over 2 hours.  I believe it is prophetic for this city and for yours!

God Of This City – Chris Tomlin

You’re the God of this city

You’re the King of these people

You’re the Lord of this nation

You Are

You’re the Light in this darkness

You’re the Hope to the hopeless

You’re the Peace to the restless

You Are

There is no one like our God, there is no one like our God

Greater things have yet yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city 

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I actually started writing a blog tonight titled “HIGHWAY TO HELL” and found my writing quickly going a different direction. Perhaps this blog tonight is like sugar that helps the medicine go down. I will post the other one in a couple of days. I feel this writing is vital for so many in the body of Christ today. Read it with an open heart. I believe we are on the threshold of a tremendous move of God and revival in this hour, but like many generations that have gone before us; we can miss it if we don’t heed the warnings of the Spirit. I also believe we are in need more than ever for the true power of God to be on DISPLAY, not merely in a Church meeting, but in the streets in the presence of the lost. I have no desire to entertain Christians with the power of God, I desire for those without Christ to see a demonstration of the Spirit and power. There is a move of God on the horizon; the question is whether or not you and I will position ourselves to be used.

I recently began an intense personal study of the scriptures, reading through the New Testament and Psalms and Proverbs over a 30 day period. My intention right from the beginning was and is to become extremely saturated with Jesus. It is very common for MANY people to become diluted, numbed, and disillusioned in their walk with Christ as the years go by. It is so easy to get caught up in routines and before you know it the red hot love you once carried for Jesus becomes lukewarm and thereby you become prey to the subtle suggestions of satan that say everything is OK when in reality, you have become far, far away from the One Who has called you.

This position is known as a RUT. When in a rut you’re stuck and can’t move. You are incapacitated and ineffective. I have known people who have wandered for YEARS in their rut. Once you’re in this place there are 2 and ONLY 2 options: ROT or REVIVAL!!!

Some people like to decorate their little RUT with memories of past victories and stories. These people will from time to time shake themselves like Samson did and really believe that everything is OK on the outside while on the inside they are dying and decaying. A RUT is nothing more than a grave with the ends kicked out. The longer you CHOOSE to stay in your rut, the deeper and deeper you sink, and the harder it is to get out. You begin to create philosophies to justify your failures. All of the dreams and visions you once held onto, those that burned deep within you begin to die. Sooner or later, your LOVING PASSION for Christ begins to wane and you find you are convincing yourself that you are OK, when in reality, you are ROTTING. When in a RUT, little by little you lose your desire for the presence of God, the Word of God, and for lost souls to come into the Kingdom. Tonight my heart is broken as I think of the many ministers whom I love, especially those who have poured into my life many, many years ago, who are in a RUT in this hour. NOBODY plans to end up in a RUT. NOBODY wants to ROT.

There are only 2 ways out of a RUT; one is ROT. The moment you enter into a RUT, you immediately begin to ROT. You begin to die to your destiny, your God-given purpose, your emotions, or you just plain DIE. It’s really easy; all you have to do is simply DO NOTHING! The other option? Nothing less than full-blown REVIVAL! REVIVAL means to awaken that which was once alive and is now dead. What does this mean for those who have been stuck and held captive in their RUT? It means that your Spirit can be REVIVED and every area of your life can experience the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. If you are in a RUT then you MUST get out NOW!!! The longer you stay in your RUT the deeper your roots will grow and the harder it will be for YOU to allow the Holy Spirit to soften your heart and pull you out. TODAY can be the beginning of a personal refreshing and awakening! Call on the name of the Lord and take responsibility for the things that you allowed to dig your RUT! Don’t give in to condemnation, repent and move forward NOW! You can experience REVIVAL TODAY!!!

Revelations 3:1b-3 (NLT)

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive-but you are dead. WAKE UP! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.”

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REDISCOVERING MY IDENTITY

This blog comes out of a tremendous sense of gratitude and passion. In June of 2006 we made a journey from a place of comfort and security to a place of the complete unknown. Several made the journey with us to support us in this seemingly crazy adventure. Some have moved on to other works, and some are still with us. All we knew was that we were coming to a City and a region that when compared with the Bible belt was very nonreligious. As a matter of fact, statistics tell us that Manhattan is only 2% evangelical. As well, Long Island, a city we will be planting another service in sometime in the future is also only 2% evangelical. Statistics serve to SCARE some people while MOTIVATING others. I fall in the category of those who are MOTIVATED.

2/3 of the name God spells GO. 3/5 of satan’s name spells SAT. Why is it that the majority of Christians are so comfortable SITTING while so few heed the COMMAND to GO? After 12 years of serving in full-time ministry and over 17 years as a Christian, I am still amazed at the amount of people who sit at ease in Zion in their pretty palaces and comfortable pews, while so many are perishing in this hour. Statistics tell us that each day 35,000 to 40,000 people die who never one time heard the name Jesus. How is it that so many people are waiting for some ‘word’ from God to do something when He already gave them one? “GO into ALL the WORLD…”

We do not nearly have the number of missionaries today that we had decades ago, even though our population is growing rapidly. There are three phrases that I caught years ago that revolutionized my life: Absolute surrender, full-on obsession, reckless abandonment. There is no joy than giving your life away in a righteous cause. I WONDER WHERE WE WOULD BE TODAY IF THE EARLY CHURCH HAD OUR SPIRITUAL BANKRUPT PHILOSOPHY OF CHRISTIANITY.

This has been the greatest challenge in our life. Moving to NYC we had no idea how to plant a Church, much less in such a mission field as this City. The cost of living is enormous. Finding a building to meet in is almost impossible (We began meeting in Washington Square Park, then in a Chinese Church on the border of Lower Eastside and Chinatown, then to a school, then to my roof, to Thompson Square Park, and then finally a beautiful Church in the East Village). We had no clue how to raise support. Yet God has sustained us. By the grace of God we have many men of God rallying around us who continue to believe in and support us!

I have read many books on Church planting since moving here. I have met with various Church planters and Church planting organizations. I have come to the conclusion that while I can learn many things from all of them, there is only one way I know how to grow a ministry, and that is by a fervent, radical, and passionate hunger for Jesus Christ, souls, and true revival. Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of who God has called me to be and how He has called me to serve Him.

What a dangerous threat to the enemy we are once we REMEMBER OUR IDENTITY!

A fire has been lit in our heart with an urgency to see this City impacted with the gospel of Jesus Christ like never before. God has been refining our team as we are moving into a fresh spirit of revival. In the last 3 weeks we have had over 30 visitors at our Church with exactly 30 people praying to receive Christ!!! We have broken the first growth barrier for Churches. In two weeks we begin our first series, “PICTURE PERFECT…building better relationships”. We believe that through this series, coupled with fervent prayer and outreach that we will break through the second growth barrier. Last year we ministered personally to over 70,000 people across NYC, sowing the seeds of the gospel. We now believe that we are entering into an avalanche season of harvest that has begun slowly and will continue to increase week after week. Several people on our team have begun spontaneous prayer meetings at various times and there have been mighty visitations and manifestations of the Spirit of God. We are beginning to place a demand on the Spirit of God for an increase in the supernatural power of God to confront the demonic rulers over this City and see a release of signs and wonders and a mighty harvest of souls!!! Churches and individuals have begun to stand with us and support us through prayer and with monthly financial support. We are positioned and effectively advancing the Kingdom of God across this City!!!

Please continue to lift us up along with our team. We have had several new people join our team over the last couple of months and are more ready than ever. I leave you with a poem written by my favorite author, the late Leonard Ravenhill;

OUR STATUS QUO

Oh, pastor, no, and again, no, no.

Do not disturb our status quo.

We love our Zion with cushioned ease

And ask you not to disturb us – please?

After all, we carry a little care,

And often sing “Sweet Hour of Prayer.”

Dear pastor, we do not understand

Why you grieve for those in a foreign land.

We have the sick and needy poor

Ten yards outside of our own church door.

And, pastor dear, we often wonder

Why, at times, you seem to thunder

Against our hearts – which you say are cold –

(It seems to us you are very bold).

We believe in sin and regeneration,

Would you have us throw off the recreation

That gives us fun and makes us sleep?

Would you have us pray and fast and weep

For the heathen – lost, and, you say, damned?

(A thing we hardly understand)

Our lives will need re-evaluation

If we are to care for another nation;

We have gorgeous homes, soft beds to die on,

We like it soft in our little Zion.

Oh, pastor, please, please again, no, no;

Do not disturb our status quo.

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I retuned a couple of days ago from Baton Rouge where I attended the most incredible conference ever, “Remnant”.   It was held at Bethany and hosted by Pastor Larry Stockstill.  It was absolutely powerful and refreshing. 

I was encouraged and inspired as I watched my dear friend Joel Stockstill minister with boldness, authority and passion.  I do not know if I have ever met anyone who has been through 10% of what he has been through, and who yet continues to press in to their call and destiny without wavering.  Joel’s precious late wife Amy was truly one of the most caring and thoughtful persons that Becky and I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  Amy, learning of my love for sweet tea (which you will not find in NYC) bought and shipped me my own personal sweet tea maker!  She always made my wife feel special and important.  We miss her deeply and love her so much.

I have returned from the Remnant Conference with a renewed passion for the cause of Christ.  My heart is alive now more than ever before.  It has been over 17 years since I began serving Christ, and I could not even begin to count the people who started the awesome race of pursuing Christ and His call, and who have now turned away for either the passing pleasures of this world, disillusionment, or disappointment. 

I’m not going to write much more, I will want to write too much for a blog.  I will close this morning with one of the most powerful writings I have ever discovered.  When I began youth pastoring over 10 years ago I required all our youth to memorize it if they wanted to graduate from our discipleship class.  Story has it that a missionary wrote it the night before he was martyred.  It was found tacked up on his wall.  Annabella Dupont made me a special copy of this writing, and I have it tacked on the wall above my desk.  As I read this, I can’t help but think of all of the people on our team.  Each and every one of them exemplifies this writing.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE UNASHAMED

“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  I have Holy Spirit power.  The dye has been cast.  I have stepped over the line.  The decision has been made.  I am a disciple of His.  I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure.“

“I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity.  I don’t have to be right, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.  I now live by Presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power.”

“My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.  I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted or delayed.” 

“I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I won’t give up, shut up, let up or burn up till I’ve preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.”

“I am a disciple of Jesus.  I must go till He comes, give till I drop and preach till all know.  And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me…my banner will be clear, I am a fruit-bearing servant of Jesus Christ!”

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Hello!  I have been determined to get a blog out before January ended.  The weeks and days keep going by sooo fast!  It really is true how time flies when you’re having fun!

Today was a special day as I took my youngest daughter Hannah (3 and turning 4 in less than 3 months) on our very first Triple D (Daddy Daughter Date).  We went to the mall and ate lunch together, then quickly made our journey to ‘Build-A-Bear Factory’.  Her selection was the best; a beautiful limited edition pink teddy bear, which she named ‘Pinky’.  It was so much fun!  I did almost begin to sweat as she asked me several times if she could have her ears pierced.

This week the guys and I will be working on our 2008 New York City Missions trips.   Last year was incredible as we ministered and shared the gospel with over 70,000 people across New York City!  This year we are going to go further as we begin ministering to the homeless.  Being in NYC is truly being in another nation.  Pastor Bill Wilson and Pastor Larry Stockstill both helped me to understand this as I moved here over a year and a half ago.  If you’re interested in bringing a group here for a life-changing experience, send me an e-mail and let me know.  We’d love to have you!  (www.randy.goudeau@gmail.com)

This Friday I will have the privilege of meeting ‘The Heavenly Man’.  I read his biography a few years ago and didn’t know that Christians like him really existed in our day.  That book was probably one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read.  I’ll definitely write and let you know some of the ‘secrets’!!!

Early Saturday morning I fly out to Chicago where I will minister for a dear friend of mine, Pastor Steve Bartlett.  I will speak to his youth on Saturday night and at his Church on Sunday morning.  Pastor Steve has been a huge blessing and source of encouragement during our move to New York City.  We know that God has BIG things in store for his ministry in Chicago.  I recently heard him speaking to a group of pastors on evangelism and it was so PROVOKING!!!  My kind of preacher!

Monday I will be spending the day with Bob Weiner (a.k.a. ‘Uncle Bob’), a modern day Apostle.  We spoke on the phone for an hour Sunday afternoon and when our call ended I felt like preaching to a million people!  Uncle Bob has more zeal for the harvest than anyone I have ever met!  He challenged me to draw a 100-mile radius around my home and claim it for Jesus!  I’ll definitely have to keep you updated!

Sunday night was so exciting at The Gathering Church as we had many new visitors.  We have begun a mid-week service on Thursdays focusing on discipleship.  We close the meeting with one-hour of corporate prayer and we are feeling tremendous momentum as our faith is rising like never before!  Mrs. Melanie Stockstill (Pastor Larry’s wife) told me last October that no strategy will ever take the place of prayer and challenged me to bring our Church into fervent prayer.  She recommended a book to me that I already had in my ‘stash’.  It is a classic and probably the best book on prayer; ‘E.M. Bounds on Prayer’.  There are several versions of it available, I encourage you to get the pink one, it seems to be the best, containing the most quotes.

Talk to you soon!!!

Randy G.

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HELLO!!!  As usual, I am CONSISTENT at not being consistent with this blog!!!  First I want to give you a few updates!

Part I

We just moved into a BEAUTIFUL home and Becky and the kids are so EXCITED!!!  Paul has his own room in our basement (a.ka. “THE MAN ROOM”) and it is one of the coolest rooms in the house!  Alyssa is growing up to be such a beautiful girl and I am not liking it as she is getting closer and closer to her age to be married…45!!!  Victoria is absolutely gorgeous and keeps us laughing and Hannah is a cutie pie! 

We began a prayer meeting on Tuesday nights in our Church a couple of months ago and we are beginning to feel the effects!  There is a tremendous level of expectation and we are having so much fun learning how to pastor! 

A couple of weeks ago Pastor Larry Stockstill and his son, Pastor Joel Stockstill had a special meeting with 4 young church planters and I was honored to be one of them.  For over 6 hours Pastor Larry poured out his heart to us on many different subjects, from preaching, teaching, praying, church planting, SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES, integrity, altar calls, staffing, etc…  I feel so blessed to be connected with the Stockstill family.  Pastor Larry truly demonstrates the spirit of Christ with a spirit of humility, gentleness, and compassion.  At the same time he carries such a level of authority.  It is refreshing to see how he has passed down to his children the same integrity, anointing, and authority that he has walked in for many years.  I feel challenged to pass down a spiritual inheritance to my children as well!

Part II (Like how I change gears so fast?!!!)

One of the things that I believe has sustained me through 17 years of following Christ, 17 years filled with lots of ups and downs, has been a passion and longing for Jesus.  I feel that many people today have flirted with Jesus a little bit, think about Him sometimes (and I’m talking about ‘Christians’), and every once in a while, worship Him.  My intention right now is not to be mean, critical, or judgmental. 

I was never attracted to Christianity because of any form of religion.  For me it was not a fear of hell that drove me to my knees.  I was not looking for any bondage of legalism.  I was sick of the emptiness in my life and tried to fill it with other things.  When I ‘discovered’ Who Jesus was, I was done.  It was over with.  I fell in love with the Son of the living God and was changed for all of eternity.  All I could think about was seeing His face, holding His hands, kissing His feet, and embracing Him  and never letting go.  Even as I write this now I can’t help but weep.  I have had several spiritual dreams throughout the years and they are all about seeing Him face to face.  I don’t try to abstain from worldly things because I ‘have to’, I try to abstain from them because I am in love with Him and want to please Him with my whole life and never break His heart.

If there is no Jesus, then I will become the biggest fool in all of the earth, because day by day He is capturing my heart more and more and my heart wants to explode.  He isn’t just a man who died 2,000 years ago, He is the resurrected King, and He is MY JESUS! 

Revelation teaches us that He has a garment down to his feet with a golden band girded about his chest.  This symbolizes priestly royalty.  His white hair symbolizes absolute purity.  His eyes like a flame of fire symbolize eternity, wisdom, omniscience, and judgment.  His feet like fine brass suggest omnipotence.  His voice like many waters represents his authority.  What an AWESOME SAVIOR!!!

Early this morning I read Isaiah 52&53 and rejoiced that my heart was being touched.  I will close on these 10 Prophecies in Isaiah 52&53 that were fulfilled in the New Testament concerning Jesus and the last prayer that Leonard Ravenhill wrote before He died: 

1.   He will be exalted (52:13); Philippians 2:9
2.  He will be disfigured by suffering (52:14, 53:2); Mark 15:17,19
3.     He will make a blood atonement (52:15); I Peter 1:2
4.     He will be widely rejected (53:1,3); John 12:37,38
5.     He will bear our sins and sorrows (53;4,5); Romans 4:25,                           I Peter 2:24,25
6.   He will be our substitute (53:6,8); II Corinthians 5:21
7.    He will voluntarily accept our guilt and punishment (53;7,8);                     John 10:11, 19:30
8.    He will be buried in a rich man’s tomb (53:9); John 19:38-42
9.     He will save us who believe in Him (53:10,11); John 3:16, Acts 16:31
10.  He will die on behalf of transgressors (53:12); Mark 15:27,28                      Luke 22:37

TORCH MY HEART

Lord engage my heart today

With zeal that will not pass away.

Now torch it with Thy holy fire

That never more shall time’s desire

Invade or quench the Heaven born power.

I would be trapped within Thy Holy will,

Thine every holy purpose to fulfill

That every effort of my life shall bring

Rapturous praise to my Eternal King.

I pledge from this day to the grave

To be Thine own unquestioning slave.

(The last poem written by Leonard Ravenhill at 2:30 a.m. 9 months before he “passed into life”)

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