40 for 40!

Dear TPMI Family,

It was 40 years ago, while I was in the fitness business, that I had an encounter with God that changed the trajectory of my life. And what a journey the Lord had in store for me!

I am both honored and humbled at all the Lord has allowed me to do personally, but even more so because of the lives that have been impacted and changed throughout the history of the ministry. Soon after that encounter, we would see the birth of what became Turning Point Ministries Inc. (then later became Turning Point Ministries International), and a few years later we would see the development of Somebody Cares America/International, with affiliates, partners, chapters, and centers across the nation and around the world. So much has been accomplished, yet so much remains to be done.

One couple, who have been part of our ministry for many years, has offered a $40,000 matching challenge gift in honor of the anniversary of my 40 years of serving in ministry. Like many of you, they believe in the work of TPMI because they have personally benefited from the growth in their own spiritual walk and they have witnessed transformation in the lives of others, as well. They titled their challenge gift, “40 for 40.”

As you may know, the number 40 in the Bible often signifies a period of testing or being tried. After 40 years in the wilderness, the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land. After 40 days of fasting and temptation, Jesus entered into the fullness of His ministry. And while I have seen God work in and through the ministries these last 40 years, I believe He has positioned us for even greater things in the days ahead.

In the midst of the global challenges facing the world and the Church today, we sense our nation and the world are on the verge of a mighty outpouring and harvest. God is positioning us for a new wave of evangelism and discipleship—all founded on prayer, clothed in compassion, reaching out in times of crises and disaster, while we train and lift up other leaders to do the same.

In order to do that, I believe God wants to multiply this matching challenge gift into a double or even triple portion of blessing for each ministry I steward by October 2021. If we are to expand our reach to a world in need with the message of God’s grace and redemption, we also need an expansion of resources. God has recently brought to our attention Isaiah 61:7, which promises a double portion inheritance. This double portion is given so God can be glorified through His people.

Will you prayerfully consider what part God is asking you to play in meeting this double portion challenge?

As I often say, obedience is the highest form of worship. Whether God asks you to give a large or small amount, or simply to pray, we know God will honor the obedience of your heart in ways you cannot measure.

To join the matching challenge with a gift to TPMI, make your donation HERE.

Thank you for caring!

Doug Stringer

 

New Year’s Day Message 2018: A Season to Re-group, Re-focus, and Restore the Altar of Worship

by Doug Stringer  |  January 4, 2018

A New Year’s Perspective: Regardless of what you have been through, remember you cannot change the past but the choices you make each day defines your future.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1 KJV)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.”
(Hebrews 11:1 NET)

Keep your Vision of Hope! Fix your eyes on the Lord, the author and finisher of your faith.
(Hebrews 12:2)

It’s crazy how I sometimes get spiritual messages while in the middle of just doing life and a gym workout: Work Hard (remain diligent. steadfast, and consistent); Don’t Stop (don’t
quit or give up); Dream Bigger (deeper in consecration and higher in expectation
in the Lord). Yep!

We have all experienced a plethora of emotions with the national and global happenings
that have impacted us all personally. We have seen more devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, out of control fires, tornadoes, and floods; add to that economic uncertainties
and political unrest in many places. It can be a bit overwhelming and, for some, a burden
too much to bear.

Yet, in the midst of the challenges, we are constantly reminded of the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord. I am reminded that God has a greater plan and purpose for each of us. When Solomon was dedicating the magnificent temple, he prayed to the Lord and said, “Let Your Word come true.” Jesus, told His disciples to pray, “…Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

May we be reminded as we leave the past and move to the future that God is faithful and
that His Word would come true over you and your family; in other words, that His promises
and purposes for you would come true and His Kingdom come in your life, your family, and
for us corporately.

It’s amazing how much better we can see when we take a moment to pause, take a deep breath, pull aside, and get our focus. There are far too many external stresses and spiritual noise pollutants that can become distractions from our destinations. The world around us gets clouded at times. We need spiritual clarity and Holy Spirit headlights to get us through the fog.

This coming year, may we all restore the Altar of Worship and find the Whoa, the Wow, and the Get Up & Go of God. In His Presence we get refreshed, re-focused, and re-fired.

When trials or challenges come our way, remember that God has not forgotten you and
that His Word is True…in your life as it is in heaven.

Reconciliation Week Houston Events

Reconciliation Week Houston Events

July 27, 2017

Plan now to join us in prayer for a Church united, August 6-11. In Houston, we are offering several opportunities to participate:

August 6-11: Accept our Facebook Event Invitation to receive daily prayers

Wednesday, August 9, 7pm: Doug Stringer will be joined by BIshop Harry Jackson to lead a special prayer service at Grace Church South

Thursday, August 10, 10am-12noon: Somebody Cares Houston Pastors & Leaders Meeting with Doug, Bishop Jackson, and Pastor Wallace Henley, Houston Baptist University. RSVP here.

Friday, August 11, 7pm: The Lyons Dream. We honor Bishop Roy Kossie as a prophetic act of reconciliation in Houston’s Fifth Ward at Latter Day Deliverance Revival Church. RSVP here.

Step Into The Dream!

July 19, 2017

Bishop Roy Kossie, a spiritual father and pioneer, a hero and champion, turned 85 on July 4. On August 11, we will gather to honor Bishop Kossie, also known as the Lion of Lyons Avenue, and to Re-dig the Wells for Revival in Houston’s Fifth Ward.

This event, called The Lyons Dream, will mark the end of Reconciliation Week, a nation-wide call for the Church to join us in daily united prayers of reconciliation followed by tangibles expressions of Jesus.

We who have been reconciled to God through Christ have now been given the ministry of reconciliation. The Heart Awakened Church can become united and bring healing and hope to a nation divided.

Make plans to join us!

RSVP here for the Lyons Dream, August 11, Latter Day Deliverance Bible Church in Houston

RSVP here to receive daily prayers for Reconciliation Week

Read more on the history Somebody Cares, Bishop Kossie, and The Lyons Dream; click here to view the Digging the Wells of Revival video from 1991.

Leadership Awakening makes an impact!

June 8, 2017

Rave reviews continue to pour in for Leadership Awakening, Doug Stringer’s latest book. Pat Williams, General Manager of the Orlando Magic, wrote: “LEADERSHIP AWAKENING is a wonderful new contribution to the field of leadership success. I gained great insights from reading the book; you will, too.”

Businessman John Beckett, who wrote Loving Monday and Mastering Monday, said: “Just when I wondered if anything new could be written on leadership, Doug Stringer stepped forward. Think of Leadership Awakening as 25 power-packed vignettes, each rich in practical counsel, each worthy of deep reflection. This book is designed to help you finish strong. It masterfully achieves that goal.”

Doug has received invitations from ministers and business owners to teach on the topic to their staffs, and 26 leaders from ministry and the marketplace joined Doug and Tom Phillips from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for a three-day Leadership Awakening intensive at The Cove in Asheville, N.C. A ministry friend took books on a recent trip to Cambodia, where he says a group of leaders there was very blessed to receive them. In March, copies were distributed to all 181 Texas state legislators.

Sales remain steady, too, as the Amazon.com Kindle version was ranked at 105 out of thousands of books in mid-May, and the hardcover copy has made it no. 124 in the rankings.

To get your copy of Leadership Awakening, visit Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, or SomebodyCares.org.

50K Matching Gift Announced!

by Doug Stringer  |  February 25, 2017

A young couple that is a faithful ministry partner felt led to give a sacrificial gift of $50,000 with anonymity as a Matching Challenge Gift from the sale of their home. With tears, they shared with Lisa and me that they really sensed how important all the ministries of Somebody Cares and TPMI are at this critical juncture in the world. We were stunned and humbled by their sacrifice and loving gesture! They themselves are involved in so much, have a young family, and are in ministry transitions. This truly is a sacrificial and amazing gesture of love and faith!

Every dollar given by March 17–up to $50,000–will be matched 1 to 1! This is a great opportunity to leverage the impact of our ministry to bring healing, hope, and reconciliation to communities across the nation and around the world at a time when the Church needs to be a plumb line of righteousness and mercy.

Click here now to double your donation, or you can send a check to: PO Box 925489, Houston, TX   77292.

Please prayerfully consider supporting these important ministry efforts by helping us reach or exceed this matching challenge!

As we become a mended net and are part of something so much bigger than ourselves, we will see God do amazing things in and through us!

A Word For 2017

by Doug Stringer  |  February 9, 2017

November 2, 2016, was the day of the seventh game of the World Series and I was ministering at Woods Edge Church in The Woodlands, Texas, at the request of my friend, Pastor Jeff Wells. Throughout the audience, I could see people expressing their team choice by wearing either Chicago Cubs or Cleveland Indians shirts. As I got up to speak, I asked the crowd, “How many of you are Cubs fans?” Many enthusiastically responded in affirmation. I got a similar response when I asked, “How many of you are Indians fans?” Then I said, “Tomorrow, some of you are going to be celebrating because your team won the championship. Some of you will be sad and disappointed that your team did not. But at the end of the day, no matter who wins or who loses, you’ll still be Christians. You will still be members of the body of Christ, and you will still be part of the Church.”

I went on, “In a few days the Presidential election will occur, and many of us may have different political preferences. And at the end of the day, some of us will celebrate and some will be disappointed. But we must remember that our hope is not in the institutions of man, nor in a candidate or political party. Our hope is in the hope of glory, Christ Jesus. When the election is over, we will still be Christians and, as such, should reflect Christ even in our differences. Will we still be Christlike and love those who may disagree with us?”

A Return to Civility & Character 
One of the biggest challenges in our society today is the lack of civility and character we display in our disagreements—even in the Church. I’ve never seen so many people who are so adamant and opinionated—politically and otherwise—that they allow their preferences divide their families, their friendships, and even their churches. It’s painful and heartbreaking, especially from those representing Christ, on both sides of the political preference spectrum.
The only unshakable kingdom is the Kingdom of the Lord, and we the Church must still love each other in our disagreements if we are to help others find their place in the Kingdom. John 13:35 says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” How can we lead others to a relationship with God if we can’t get past our own differences?

A Church United For a Nation Divided
In Mark 10:9, we see Jesus teach, “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” This passage applies to the context of marriage, but it is clear that God is the one who also brings the Church together; woe unto the man or woman who causes dissension and separation in the Church. Proverbs 6:19 lists one who sows discord among brethren as one of seven things God despises.

We must walk in Christlikeness, crossing racial, denominational, and political barriers to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We need to love with the love of Christ; it’s the only way we can help others find hope in Christ.
Only a Church united can bring hope and healing to a nation divided!

A New Season
Around each New Year, I always spend time seeking the Lord, away from media and other distractions, to really listen and process what He seems to be saying for the next season. And we have definitely entered into an interesting season.

Last year, I sensed 2016 would be a time of reenergizing, refocusing, and recalibrating, and I believe that season is not over yet. In fact, I believe it is needed now more than ever.

I believe God continues to say to His Church:

1. Stay Low: Keep a posture of humility.

2. Draw Near: Stay close to His presence. When we’re permeated by His presence, the hope of glory, Christ Jesus, becomes a part of us, and the power of God in us can work through us.

3. Incline Our Ears to Hear: When that moment comes and the Spirit of the Lord speaks, we must obey and move quickly.

In Isaiah 43:1 we read this wonderful message: “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.’”

What more do we need? Every decision, every direction, and every circumstance that we may go through—be it difficult or great, challenging or victorious—the Lord Jesus Christ is the hope of glory in us. No matter what, we know He’s with us, He’s engraved us and inscribed us on His hands. We belong to Him, and His power dwells in us. There’s nothing to fear when we recognize His commission and His anointing.

A Deep Work in Our Hearts
We need to be a people seeking consecration, asking and believing in faith for Him to do a work in us and get the rubbish out of our hearts. We must be sure to have proper perspectives; keep proper perceptions; be in proper alignments, agreements, and associations; and keep right attitudes.

And after we’ve allowed Him to do a deep work in our hearts, sowing seeds of faith through simple obedience, He will pour out His rain and water the seed. We need to draw from the well that never runs dry, because it comes from a source of water—Living Water—that never ceases.

Let’s stay in prayer and fix our eyes on the Lord. As in the days of Esther, God can hear our prayers and expose the works of darkness and the evil intent of Haman. The Lord can turn what has been meant for harm and turn it to our good.

Psalm 61 reminds us that when our hearts are overwhelmed, we should be led to the Rock that is higher than us. From the shoulders of the Lord, we can see with a different perspective. The Lord is still bigger than any disparaging voices or giants in the land. Let us not be discouraged or disillusioned, lest we become distracted from our destination and our primary calling. This calling is to be the good news, bring the good news, and broadcast the good news of the Gospel.

Be, Bring & Broadcast the Good News!
Be, bring, and broadcast the Gospel! Gospel means good news. With all the negative news we hear daily, may we be the bearers of good news! If we as the Church are going to see lasting impact in our generation, then we must be the tangible expression of the Gospel, be willing to bring the gospel of good news to so many who desperately need it, and passionately broadcast and proclaim good news in and through our lives. We need good news in a world of bad news. Be it, bring it, and broadcast it by the way you reflect and represent the Lord in your life.

I want to give this special note to church shepherds and Christians who are called to be ambassadors for Christ: Rather than fall into the trap of venting our personal divisive opinions, shouldn’t we be cognizant of the need to unite the Church and help bring healing?

At the end of the day, we are to be Christlike even in our disagreements and our public discourse. Maybe Solomon’s wisdom would be helpful. Who are those who really care about the baby (flock) versus those who would rather cut the baby in half just to win the argument? We all need God’s grace. Let’s not miss our moments of opportunity to reflect Christ even when we disagree.

The world is watching. Even more is the One watching who called us into the ministry. Be the Gospel!

Lift Jesus higher, lift Jesus higher—for all the world to see! Let our (the Church’s) light shine, that people may see our good (tangible) works in such a way that it brings glory to our Father in Heaven.

May this be a year when we the Church find unity in our diversity, so we can be a plumb line of healing and hope within a culture of division.

Copyright Doug Stringer, February 2017

Join us as we celebrate Doug’s 60th birthday!

September 29, 2016

It’s hard to believe, but Doug Stringer, founder of TPMI and friend to many, will be 60 in just a few weeks. As a valuable ministry partner and friend, we invite you to join in the celebration!
Would you prayerfully consider:
  • Praying for 60 secondsthat’s 1 minute, for Doug, his family, and the
    ministry each day from now through his birthday, October 17th. Your

    on-going prayers are of course welcomed!

  • Sowing a special donation of $60 dollars or a multiple of $60:
    $120        $180        $360        $600       or other
    Click here to make your donation, or use the button at the bottom of the page. Or, you can send us your gift by mail:

         TPMI
         PO BOX 925489
         Houston TX 77292

  • Pledging a monthly sustaining gift of $60 per month for the nextyear.  Please email Alissa at the TPMI office to set up your monthly gift.

You continue to take the message of Consecration, Commitment, and Action

“From Houston, Texas to the Four Corners of the World” through the preaching and teaching ministry.  Likewise, you continue to sow into every life reached from the national and global outreach ministry of Somebody Cares. Would you partner with Doug once again? 

Along with Doug’s newly released book, Leadership Awakening, he will hostLeadership Awakening Intensives in 2017.  

Your contributions will facilitate curriculum and ministry support for these initiatives

 

.
Thank you for being a part of sowing into each life reached with the transforming message. May we experience a spiritual renewal and awakening across the land.
Your fellow servants,
The Turning Point Board, Staff and Friends

Cleveland Responds

“Our country needs this.”

This sentiment was communicated in various ways throughout the day on July 16 by volunteers, participants, and attendees who were all part of The Response USA, held at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland. Thousands gathered as the church across Ohio crossed racial, denominational, and generational lines for a full day of worship, prayers of repentance, and intercession for our nation.

Doug Stringer coordinated the gathering, along with a core team of volunteers and ministry leaders affiliated with TPMI and Somebody Cares. He reiterated that the day was not about political agendas or preachers coming to pontificate. Instead, the only name lifted up from the stage was the name of Jesus.

“We are a nation at a crossroads,” Doug said. “Now more than ever the Church needs to be a plumb line not only of righteousness and truth, but of healing and hope.”

A Significant Time & Location

This was the first Response that was not called and hosted by a state governor, as happened in Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida. Yet leaders saw God’s hand in opening doors for the event to happen only days before Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention, and in the days of unrest across the country following shootings of African American men in Louisiana and Minneapolis; terrorist acts in Orlando and throughout Europe; and a sniper taking the lives of five police officers in Dallas. A nervous tension could be felt as law enforcement officers from across the state moved into the city and began blocking streets and securing entire city blocks.

But inside the Wolstein Center, believers from a diverse cross section of the church—“a coat of many colors”—prayed for peace and cried tears of repentance on behalf of our nation’s racial divides. Prayers went up on behalf of innocent blood that has been shed through senseless violence as well as abortion; for families to be healed; for honor and blessing between the generations; and for the church to be a conduit of reformation in all areas of our society.

“The presence of God is already here,” observed Pastor Carlton Smith during the pre-event worship time.  He continued: “Cleveland is the most segregated city in the nation. This is a key time for us.”
Pastor Brondon Mathis from Columbus said, “We are in a time of transition from John’s ministry of preparation to Jesus’ ministry of manifestation.”

Interestingly, Ohio is the only state with a Bible scripture for its motto, “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

PRAYER & PRESENCE

A volunteer serving backstage told us how he and five other men—some of them from other states—had been praying for The Response every Monday at 5:30am since January. During that time they saw God answer many personal prayers and had great anticipation that He would now hear their corporate prayers.

In the holding room, platform participants prayed and worshipped while they waited, said volunteer Marlene Yeo from Somebody Cares New England. “Peace and joy ruled the day!” she said. “We made sure we participated with what was happening on the platform to stay connected with what was happening. Everyone worshiped and prayed…it was beautiful!”

“This whole event is a prayer answered,” said platform participant Rick Chelko. “The Lord will not listen to our prayers until we are repenting.”

Jody Trautwein drove 11 hours through four states to be part of this catalytic time of prayer. “I have two children, and I’m fearful for the world they will grow up in,” he said. “When they’re older, I don’t want them to look back at the things that are happening in our world today and say, ‘Daddy, what did you do about it?’”

“We are in a heightened state of spiritual warfare,” Dr. C. Jay Matthews, senior pastor of Mt. Sinai Ministries, a multi-generational church in Cleveland. Dr. Matthews is committed to investing in the younger generations, telling them, “The sooner you ‘get it,’ the longer you get to use it.”

BIRTHING A NEW REVIVAL

Dana Gammil and his son helped lead The Response prayer time for generational healing, but he also shared a powerful personal testimony with us while he was

When Dana’s daughter Allison was pregnant, she received a prophetic word that her baby would be born on a day when the Lord would usher in a new revival for the new generation. Her baby was born on April 9, the same day Azusa Now was held in Los Angeles and UnitedCry 2016 was held in Washington D.C. Doug Stringer was among those leading prayer at UnitedCry, and others from The Response Team attended the Azusa celebration.

A few doors down, Allison knew a woman whose baby’s heart had stopped beating three days earlier and would be stillborn. As Allison, her husband, and her parents prayed and interceded, she sensed the Lord saying the baby’s life would be restored as the baby was lying on the mother’s chest. When the baby was born that day at 11:59pm, the medical personnel cleaned the child up and placed the lifeless body on its mother’s chest. Just as Allison had heard, the baby began to breathe and is alive and healthy today.

Dana believes God gave two promises that day: first, through the sign of a new revival with the birth of his granddaughter; then a message that the Church would be revived as we press in to Him. The Response, he believes, is a significant part of what God is doing.

TANGIBLE RESULTS

“A church united can heal the soul of a nation divided,” Doug Stringer said in a pre-Response interview.
Reports coming out of Cleveland in the week that followed The Response seemed to confirm this statement, as the violence, arrests, and illegal activities turned out to be incredibly less than anticipated.

Joseph and Renee Horevay pastor a network of house churches in Cleveland. They were helping coordinate Hope is Here–a street outreach bringing in prayer and evangelism teams from all over the U.S. during the week of the Republican National Convention–when they heard about The Response. They incorporated The Response as a kick-off to the week, and sent this report to Doug at the close of the Republican National Convention:

“The police department added 200 beds to the local county jail but only  made 25 arrests. It was amazing. Over 2800 police officers came in from 22 states and there were no casualties…Some bars had 4am approval but closed by 1am due to low business. Strip clubs had very low attendance; owners were expecting great surge in their business…Sar Shalom [The Prince of Peace] heard the prayers and praise of the saints.”

As one of The Response worship leaders had observed at the conclusion of the event: “What an amazing day in Cleveland with The Response team from Houston, TX, coming all the way here to help us host SIX hours of fasting, worship and prayer, and seeking the Lord for healing in our land! So much unity, so much breakthrough, and so much more to come in the days ahead! Ohio will never be the same!”

Houston’s Prayer Mountain: Were You There?

June 29, 2016

This November-December will mark 20 years since we held Prayer Mountain, a time when the Church of Houston set aside racial, denominational, and generational differences to lift up the name of Jesus through 40 days of prayer and worship. We saw many miracles happen during that time, from changed hearts to healed bodies to mended relationships. If you were a part of Prayer Mountain, use the comments section below to tell us how it impacted your life!