Recently I saw this video that NBC Nightly News used as part of their newscast one evening.  Rev. Eugene Rivers, pastor of Azusa Christian Community, shared his views on why the Pentecostal Church is such a force in 3rd world countries and especially among the poor.  

Even though I did not agree with every aspect of what he said, as someone who has worked with the poor in Latin America for over 15 years,  it was great to see this video and and a fantastic explanation of why the message of pentecost "works" so well in much of the 3rd world. Our message is not only one of hope and equality at the foot of the cross in a world and culture where there is little hope and equality is non existent in a class structure that the vast majority will never climb. And then to see the power of the gospel with signs following is a combination that makes a difference in the lives of millions and millions of the poor.

As it relates to "prosperity". When it comes to the message of the Kingdom and the topic of prosperity, don't look at prosperity with distain and think of it as the "Robert Tilton" message where you give a dollar and receive a 7 Series BMW car. Don't be afraid to use a Biblical principal because of the error of some. The truth is, I have seen family after family after family "prosper" because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Poor communities are full of families who don't have enough food to eat, they live in alcoholism, in drug abuse, in prostitution, in physical abuse etc.... Their lives are less than prosperous. But God steps into their lives and they become a new creation and the addictions are gone, their attitudes and priorities change. They actually begin to care for their families and instead of wasting what little money they have, it is used in a healthy and wise manner. Before long they are able to move out of the shanty hut to a better community, get a better job because they are reliable and can be trusted. There lives and families have "prospered" because of the transformation that has taken place in their lives because of the Gospel. Will they own a new Beemer? No, in fact they still may never even own a car, but you better believe their lives have been prospered because of the Gospel.

I have a book that a Nicaraguan Pastor wrote.  It’s called -- "De la Orilla del Fracaso, A la Prosperidad" -- “From the Brink of Disaster, to Prosperity"  At one time he was a Sandanista soldier who had killed numerous people in some pretty cruel ways. He was a drunk, beat his wife, had raped women and much much more and ended up in a prison.  He heard the Gospel preached, had a vision, gave his heart to the Lord and responded to a call to preach and now lives with a family that God restored. He earns less than $300 USD per month, rides a bicycle and wears used clothes. But he wrote a book on how God, how the message of the Kingdom not only rescued him from the pit and hell he was living in, but brought him into a prosperous life.

That story can be repeated over and over and over again throughout all the world. And you better believe its a prosperous life. The problem is that so many of the American Christians cringe and the mention of the word "prosperity" because of the perverted use of some. Don't throw out a vital part of reality for so many because of the misuse of others.

Democrats, republicans, independents, or Hugo Chavez will never, never, never have an impact on the poor and give them the "lift" they need and prosper their lives like the power of the Cross.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Power of Pentecost makes a difference in the lives of the poor and the wealthy alike.