1 Timothy 4:14 declares: "Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery."
This verse has come true in my own spiritual life, because 30 years ago four prophets spoke over me, and immediately their prayers and declarations began coming to pass. Their prophecies and prayers were amazingly accurate. That night, the pastors, elders, deacons and congregation who were present clapped with excitement declaring "Amen", being amazed that the prophecies were so precise and accurate, even though the three prophets on the team knew nothing about me.
These prophetic words brought forth huge change and advancement in God's purposes, and have continued to guide, correct and align me to God's purposes now for over 30 years!
BACKGROUND
In January 1992 Pastor C. Douglas Lynn invited a team of three seasoned and respected prophets to Crossroads Cathedral in Toronto, for the express purpose of laying hands and prophesying over the pastors, elders and deacons and their wives. I had witnessed this type of "prophetic presbytery" ministry on several occasions, and knew it was a genuine and miraculous work of God through His anointed prophets.
I had been the worship leader and music director of Crossroads Cathedral for three years, and was deeply desirous that God's will be done in my life. In anticipation of these prophetic presbytery meetings I prayed and fasted seven days.
The first meeting began on Monday night, March 16, 1992. As I led the congregation in worship, the anointing of God's presence quickly fell upon us. Mel Davis told the congregation that this rarely happens so quickly. The prophets conferred and agreed that because the prophetic atmosphere had quickly been established, they were now ready to step out in faith and begin the prophetic ministry.
The prophets motioned for me to come down from the piano. I was surprised to be the first. I sat down in "the chair" and they gathered around and laid hands upon me. The tears began welling up in my eyes, for I had been fasting and praying for seven days, and faith had been building in my heart and spirit, and I just kKNEW that I was going to hear from Almighty God!
What happened in the next 25 minutes changed my life. These four prophets (three of whom I had never met and who knew nothing about me) began proclaiming the power of God over my life with incredible anointing and authority. Spirits of intimidation were confronted and broken. God declared that He was making me "a good gift to the Church," and released His anointing "to write songs that bring people healing, deliverance and victory in the name of Jesus." He was mantling me with new authority to perform His greater purposes.
Mel Davis
Mel Mullen
#3 (name?)
John Finochio
What happened after the prophecies was astounding. Many came true immediately and in the coming months of the year, including:
1. Right after the meetings were over God gave me the spontaneous song, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" declaring His redemptive names (Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, etc). This was an immediate fulfillment of the prophecy that God would give me "a song that brings healing, victory and deliverance in the name of Jesus. (This was followed by "The Lord is My Tower", "I Will Fight For You" and other spontaneous prophetic songs about His name, in the years to follow).
2. I took on a leadership role in the Canada Arise national worship conference.
3. I taught key leaders in Cuba on worship (with Fidel Castro's permission, no less)
4. I wrote articles in the Psalmist Magazine (Kent Henry/Tom Krauter)
5. I wrote about my Cuban experiences in the book "Things They Never Taught Me In Worship Leading School" (edited by Tom Krauter) in the chapter, "Worship and Evangelism - In Cuba"
6. I taught a worship Symposium in Guyana at the invitation of David and Margaret Hinds
7. I travelled to Trinidad with Nelson Sammy (the first of 42 trips to this amazing nation)
8. Rev. James MacKnight (PAOC General Superintendent) personally invited me to teach "contemporary worship" at the COPL conference (Conference on Pentecostal Leadership), an historic gathering of thousands of PAOC pastors and leaders.
9. David Mainse asked me to lead worship on the 100 Huntley Street TV show for hundreds of thousands of viewers over a three-day period. Such a thing had not happened before. Thousands were touched, so David had a special videotape compiled, and then had me lead worship on 25 more shows!
10. I recorded three live worship albums that won gold and platinum awards.
11. God launched me to the nations, leading up to a million people in worship, singing concerts for tens of thousands in the Philippines and India, and teaching worship in a dozen countries.
May what happened that night, inspire many others who hear these words, as the Holy Spirit "bears witness" in your hearts.
Steve Kuban (D.Div)