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We want to hear your story. Whether you joined us in Argentina or are just watching the videos online, tell us how transformation principles are changing you and your sphere of influence!

No Longer an Orphan

From Dave Thompson

“I feel like for the first time in my life, I am whole,” I heard myself say to Ed through tears over a cup of tea the day after the conference in Argentina.

I knew going into this conference that something was going to happen in my life. Better said, something needed to happen. I had been dealing with a long-standing void inside of me that I could never seem to get my hands on. Every good thing that ever came my way – even some great things – would seem to be mine to hold for a fleeting moment before being sucked into oblivion by some sort of spiritual “black hole.” Though I was in the middle of them, and even an initiator of some of them, they would never last long enough to become part of me…

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Julie Elliott-Eickenroth
Posts: 23
Comment
No Longer an Orphan
Reply #23 on : Mon January 25, 2010, 11:40:18
I believe this is exactly what the longing in my own heart has been for years. For the first time, I am seeing myself as an adult daughter of a father, one who needs protection, nurturing and affirmation in my identity, tenderness, wise counsel and gentle correction, and blessing. I see this broken, orphan spirit everywhere - in the church, in the world, in our own families. The message of 'family' has been burning on my heart for the past several years. It is as I always suspected, that the primary relationship model of scripture - family - is what God wants to restore in the church of Jesus Christ and establish in His Kingdom for the healing of the nations. Thank you, Dave, for transparently putting your story into words, giving voice to what so many of us are experiencing.
Daniel okiya
Posts: 23
Comment
great commission
Reply #22 on : Tue January 19, 2010, 09:30:54
am happy with this story. I have served the Lord over 10 years. After fasting prayer the Lord tols me to start a great commission in Africa and serving of orphans that I need a support from you.

Apostle Daniel Okiya
Harvest Evangelism in Kenya
M. von Allmen
Posts: 23
Comment
Re:testimony
Reply #21 on : Fri November 06, 2009, 12:23:39
Dave, thanks for such a moving & beautiful testimony. Been a long time since, but we're still around by God's grace ! Would love to be in touch...
Rhonda Hughey
Posts: 23
Comment
Re: greetings!
Reply #20 on : Tue July 28, 2009, 10:36:20
Dave, you have been on my heart. I have had two dreams about you last week. Today, for the first time in years I visited the HE website and there was your story...wow. What a powerful testimony, praise the Lord. Good to "see you"!! Much love and thanks for your investment in my life.
Deborah Eagles
Posts: 23
Comment
Dreams
Reply #19 on : Wed December 17, 2008, 13:54:10
"When I was in Argentina, God confirmed dreams He had already placed in my heart. I was filled with the Holy Spirit like I had never been before. It was during this time that God told me to be bold and believe in the dream He has given me."
Jill Robson
Posts: 23
Comment
Transformation Thailand
Reply #18 on : Mon November 10, 2008, 00:06:35
2008 began with a declaration from Brian Burton, our Senior Pastor at Phuket Christian Centre that this was the year of birthing for us as a church.
The end of nine months was the beginning of the conference! The birth of many dreams, visions and even restored identity was about to take place.

The trip to Argentina was an incredible experience for me personally as well as corporately for Phuket Christian Centre. For many years God has been preparing my heart as a leader in the church and a Pilates company owner on the island of Phuket to receive all that was imparted in Argentina this year. When Brian Burton returned back last year with all that he had experienced on his first trip and led us as a body down the road of nation transformation, my whole inner being cried out in joy knowing that this is what my Spirit had been waiting for. So this year for me was a bringing together of many pieces of the jigsaw puzzle of my life and having it firmly gelled together so that I, together with my brothers and sisters here can move in greater measures of confidence and security into our destiny as nation transformers.

Among the many things that God touched me with and birthed during this trip, 2 things stand out from the rest. Firstly was in my new role as an Ambassador for Phuket Christian Centre. It had only recently been announced and I knew that God would give me divine appointments to develop relations with significant people around the globe and to further enhance what is happening in Thailand, most notably right now in Phuket. So when I met Adel and Werner Swart I was not surprised that something deep within me knew I had to spend some time with them and talk. After hearing Adel give testimonies of assisting and ministering to the First Lady of Uganda, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and other women of influence, I knew that God had placed dreams in my heart along similar lines and was drawing them out. This together with Joseph’s various words about Uganda; what God is doing there and how it is so tangibly being transformed, I knew that God was showing me that this was a significant time there. This led to relationships being built and as a church we knew that the first place Phuket Christian Centre needed to sow into was Uganda, so I will be representing Thailand there at the Kampala City outreach in December!

I also had the honour of serving in the Spiritual Spa and learning so much from Joyce Kawakami, Robin and Alma who led us in blessing many individuals and couples by giving them spiritual spa treatments that would lead them to new measures of freedom in Christ.
It was significant for me because of the work I do with the alignment of the spine with Pilates. With the Spiritual spa I could see that as Christians, at every level of influence and authority, we all need to keep our hearts and minds aligned with the Truth and that often a misalignment can show itself physically so when the spiritual issue is dealt with, the physical problem then leaves. Sometimes this means a release from generational bondage, wrong mindsets and influences and each time it is done with such love, gentleness, and honour. It was a privilege to be a blessing in this way, but I also knew that God was showing me how I could bring this into my work with regards to alignment of the physical and spiritual. All over the world people with physical, stress related problems are seeking either alternative medicine or spiritual help. I could see how God was opening a door to do both! That as clients come to me with physical problems, God often shows me spiritual connections too, and this will help me lead them to a place of both physical and spiritual alignment. This will take time to develop within my work and will need much prayer but I am grateful for being able to see this connection and anointing now.

It has only been 4 weeks since the 14 of us have returned from Argentina and it is already almost most impossible to keep up with what is taking place here in Phuket since we returned. The coals are burning hotter and hotter within each of us and everything we touch is beginning to heat up too.
Thank you Ed and Ruth and God bless you all at Harvest Evangelism. I will see you in December!

Love

Jill
Ted
Posts: 23
Comment
orphan'd and full circle
Reply #17 on : Sat November 08, 2008, 16:47:05
Dave, just wanted to tell you how much your testimony blessed me. I have had some healing along these same lines and continue to seek out the realization of wholeness for my own life. I was hoping someone could spell out or flesh out what was meant by full- circle annointting?

Blessings
Ted
David and Mary Lee Lobach
Posts: 23
Comment
argentina testimony
Reply #16 on : Fri November 07, 2008, 20:18:13
“This conference changed the course of our lives. We received not just a prophetic word, but a prophetic destiny from Ed as our spiritual father.”
Daryl Yamada
Posts: 23
Comment
God did above and beyond anything that we could ask or think
Reply #15 on : Thu November 06, 2008, 17:59:42
God did above and beyond anything that we could ask or think and I know that God is continuing to change us everyday. We received a rich anointing from the Lord in Argentina. We had so much fun with everyone as our pictures show and I feel that God established relationships that will last for eternity. God also used the trip to move us significantly forward as a transformation church with a greater heart in reaching our city, state and the world for Jesus. When we got back to Hawaii, one of the women who came on the trip began to share with other church members about her Argentina experience and the possibility of going to Okinawa for Transformation Okinawa/Japan. I was wondering if God wanted us to get involved with the trip to Okinawa and had been casually praying about it. Well, I recently heard that at least 4 other people for our church have voiced their desire to go to Okinawa in June!!! And I haven't had the opportunity to speak one word to the church about Okinawa! I think the Lord is definitely going before me and stirring the hearts of the people towards a desire for transformation!”

~Senior Pastor Daryl Yamada (Mililani Missionary Church, Hawaii)
Alan Lucas
Posts: 23
Comment
Things are Starting to Happen in Australia!
Reply #14 on : Thu November 06, 2008, 17:42:51
We had an amazing time in Argentina. It was LIFE CHANGING FOR US!! Things are starting to happen here in Australia. We now meet weekly in our board room for PRAY REDLANDS- CITY OF GOD and we are influencing other market place ministers to their real calling! As we move into 2009, we believe to be meeting in the civic chambers with government, clergy and market place ministers and we are confidently expecting TRANSFORMATION OF REDLANDS CITY, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA quickly!! Upon our return home, we were blessed to win the Champions Award for the top Real Estate Agency in Australia! It is a great encouragement for us to tangibly see God’s favor on our business. We will be able to use this award prosperously in all of our marketing and to impact other marketplace leaders for Jesus. God is so good!! Janice and I will definitely be at the 2009 Argentina conference.
~Janice and Alan Lucas
Paul Ariga
Posts: 23
Comment
I am Pregant with Kingdom Paradigms
Reply #13 on : Thu November 06, 2008, 17:41:27
Surely I am pregnant with Kingdom Paradigms. A new day has come for me and for Okinawa. I am looking forward to organizing the Okinawa 2009 Transformation event!

~Paul Ariga
Anonymous
Posts: 23
Comment
The conference Changed our lives
Reply #12 on : Thu November 06, 2008, 17:40:19
This conference changed the course of our lives. We received not just a prophetic word, but a prophetic destiny from Ed as our spiritual father.
~ David and Mary Lee Lobach
Leta Muncie
Posts: 23
Comment
What a blessing,
Reply #11 on : Sun November 02, 2008, 19:25:17
Thank you Dave for sharing this. Powerful how God can heal things we carry with us for years but not understand why, when, how. God just knows when we're ready.
I've been studying the life of Joseph as a Biblical Entrepeneur and how Joseph really moved into his call when he dealt with his brothers and offered forgiveness to them.
Its nice to be hearing you are well and moving with God. God is doing some tremendous things. I will share with you sometime in an email. I think of and pray for Harvest often. I have fond memories of my trips with Harvest.
Blessings,
Leta Muncie
jim cardinale
Posts: 23
Comment
thank you
Reply #10 on : Sat November 01, 2008, 14:48:01
Thnaks Dave,
I can relate
Jim Cardinale
Femi
Posts: 23
Comment
God bless u!
Reply #9 on : Fri October 31, 2008, 07:24:52
I'M REALLY BLESSED BY THE STORY; ITS REALLY A MESSAGE FRESH MANNA FROM HEAVEN. ITS A FRESH AIR OF GOD'S BLISSFULNESS TO MY SITUATION.
Chris Shinnick
Posts: 23
Comment
Re:
Reply #8 on : Fri October 31, 2008, 01:34:21
Thank you so much for sharing Dave - We love you guys and are praying for more breakthroughs.

Chris and Becky
Barbara Bucklin
Posts: 23
Comment
Bless you!
Reply #7 on : Thu October 30, 2008, 20:27:34
Glorious! Rejoicing with you.
I will have my spiritual orphans watch this tonight.
Austin coming to new life! Looking forward to Rick's visit.
Blessings.
Barb
Ron Jacobsen
Posts: 23
Comment
Re:
Reply #6 on : Thu October 30, 2008, 14:33:36
Dave,

Dave, Though you don't likely remember me, I have noticed you from afar in the few times I've had the opportunity to be with you in North Carolina. I was always so impressed with your sense of servanthood, loyalty to the purpose (and Ed) but you also walked and talked like a CEO (you also resemble my deceased, but loving dad). Thanks for sharing these intimate, healing words.
Linda Weigel
Posts: 23
Comment
Re:
Reply #5 on : Thu October 30, 2008, 12:26:27
Thank you for this story. I have identified the spirit of an orphan within myself as well. I live with deep sadness--a heaviness that sits on my chest all of the time. I've been prayed for, but the condition still exists, and I sometimes wonder if I have ever really known the joy of the Lord-though I asked Jesus to live in me many years ago.
Jermaine Thomas
Posts: 23
Comment
Im orphan no more
Reply #4 on : Thu October 30, 2008, 04:38:49
Thank You I'm from the inner city of chicago and a dreamer who desires to see chicago transformed. preach on buses and trains city streets of chicago. pray for the sick in emergecy rooms, took over crack house under the power of God and now I know i can be a father. Thank Ed you have another son and I hope to meet you one day.. God told me years ago when asked what are the people missing as i watched a young lady looking to sale her self for drugs; he told me thier missing the love of the father...Thank you again cause now I understand
DAVID KARORI
Posts: 23
Comment
RE:PRAISE REPORT/THANKSGIVING
Reply #3 on : Thu October 30, 2008, 04:03:58
I have been encouraged by your message though I did not attend the conference.It is my prayer that we shall continue in partnering in prayer.May God bless you & your ministry as we fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION.

Yours in Christ's service,
David Mungai Karori
Church of Restoration Gathiga
P.O.Box 14130
Nairobi-00800
Kenya,East Africa.
Anita Letkemann
Posts: 23
Comment
Argentina 2008 Testimony
Reply #2 on : Mon October 27, 2008, 10:36:59
An Orphan No Longer
From Anita Letkemann (Photographer)

Before leaving for Argentina, I declared in faith to my husband that I would return “whole and on fire”. I did not know how God would accomplish this, but I believed that, indeed, He would. It seemed like the fullness of God time.

Now, my soul is at rest, for the very first time. Wholeness is a very distinct feeling; like the final piece of the puzzle, after being misplaced for a very long time, was found and finally put into place. I have been a believer and disciple of Christ for over 25 years. God had restored me in many areas in my life, but the heart of a “father” was a foreign thing to me.

I was a victim of incest as a young child. Otherwise, my dad rarely made time for me. I tried to be the ‘son’ my dad never had by involving myself in his interests; hoping that he would someday really see me and love me. My father’s chief methods of relating were dominance and intimidation. A prime example of this: shooting our beloved dog in the head after an argument with my mother. If he wanted your opinion, he would ask for it. My parents divorced when I was 12 years old. I grew up silent, fearful and hopeless. I never dared to dream.

Over the years, I have learned how to receive the Lord as my provider, friend and teacher, but what was is a father? Can a father really love a female child? How? What was that like? How do I comprehend that which is so far-off to me?

On that day in Argentina, when Ed spoke about an orphan spirit, I was stopped in my tracks. The veil had been rent. Then, when Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin spoke about having three empty seats, I could totally relate, and was able to see that this stronghold in my life is what has been keeping me from becoming whole all these years. I was totally undone; shaken to the very core of my being.

The moment for which I had been seeking had arrived. Ed Silvoso, obedient to The Father, stood in the gap, and “with His authorization”, declared to those who had come forward, that they were orphans no longer. As the meeting drew to a close, Ed sealed it with a hug of deep compassion. I cried tears of joy and release.

As my life slowly returns to ‘normal’, I realize that I have been changed. That hole in my spirit has been filled. This has already changed the way I see & respond to things in my life. It used to be difficult to declare the Lord as repairer of the breech, when I myself, was still broken. But, I can boldly proclaim His love and victory Christ, like never before.

Anita Letkemann
Manuel Dorado
Posts: 23
Comment
A Father's Heart
Reply #1 on : Sun October 26, 2008, 02:35:14
Dearest Heavenly Father and Spiritual Father, Ed:
Where do I begin? I'll start where God left off with me exactly a year ago. When I stepped up to the front, in front of 3,000 people to identify myself with those with Jewish heritage (sephardic roots); little did I know that God would begin a process of closure to my posterity. I wept openly, as I heard the voice of my Father God telling me I was chosen from my mother's womb, the firstborn; I was not a mistake, nor illegitimate. My identity as a man, as a husband, and as a father, was being restored. I understood why God had called me into the ministry and why He loved me so...

Well, not only did I get up from there healed and whole. But 2008 was also a time of reunion (like Joseph) with my half brother, and sisters I had never known. One of my sisters, googled my name, and found me, of all places on Ted Haas' Newsletter. There's another story in itself.

Well, speeding things up to the present, I found myself hearing that fateful message, on that glorious Sunday morning, and I knew then then I had to run forward to connect spiritually to the spiritual father I did not have. Just a few weeks earlier, in a pastor's meeting, one of my colleagues put me on the spot and exclaimed that both he and I did not have someone we could call our spiritual father, because we were both part of a denomination. This really stung! It opened up the wound I thought was closed. Well, needless to say, the Holy Spirit showed me the father's heart and confirmed that, "I was no longer an orphan." Thank you, Ed, for your sensitivity.

As the week progressed, God confirmed twice that He had given me a father's heart as well and I would be a father to many disciples. At our closing service downtown, God had a surprise for me at the end of the service. Earlier in the week I had befriended a few teens and now I was surrounded by almost fifty teens who wanted prayer, a momento, the shirt off my back, an autograph, my e-mail, etc. They sent me off with a wild send-off, they literally threw me up into the air about three or four times. I felt like I had won the World Cup, I was a celebrity. I didn't know what to make of it.

The next morning, at 4:30am, the Holy Spirit wakes me up with the words, "I have called you to pastor this generation!" As clear as day, I was up and on my bathroom floor, weeping, as I understood the implication of what God wanted. Even my argument with God that I was too old, didn't hold water. I knew then, my focus needed to shift to be a spiritual father to this generation. My ministry came full circle as I understood that the best years of my life, lay ahead, working with youth.

Well, I am no longer just the Senior Pastor, I am also the Youth Pastor; not only to a congregation, but to the city and to California! God has has begun to open doors that will impact all of Salinas and California. Who would have thought I would return to my roots as a youth pastor, after 10 long years?
I suppose more than 20 years as a youth pastor count for something? Wow!!!

I have to thank my Heavenly Father, for giving me a heart after His own heart. May I always be kind and compassionate to this dying generation One advantage I now have, is that I no longer have a boss that can tell me "NO."

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Pastor Manuel