News / Comments / Prayer Requests

NEWS AND PRAYER REQUESTS, January 14, 2008

2008-01-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Prayer Partners –

I trust each of you have stepped across the threshold of a new year with a fresh sense of God’s love and care for your lives. While we do not know that 2008 will hold, we know WHO holds 2008 and can trust Him for it all.

Your prayers are such a sweet aroma to the Lord and an immeasurable blessing to me, my family and the ministry of Strategic Renewal.

Here are a few praises:

• I enjoyed the privilege of leading the staff of SpiritFM (a K-Love station that covers several states) in an all-day Prayer Summit. IN addition, they have declared January a month of prayer and are broadcasting 90 second prayer devotions that I recorded throughout the entire month. We are grateful for this open door and are praying for the Lord’s blessing in allowing us to minister to many new hearts.

• The latest issue of PRAY! Magazine is featuring a variety of ministry items I have written and resources we are offering. We are grateful for this exposure.

• Many faithful partners gave generously in December, allowing us to move ahead by faith in another month of fruitful ministry. Our year-end commitments were not what we expected, but I will share this later under the requests.

• Our family survived all our travels, Justin graduated from college and we were all together in Forest for the holidays.

Here are some important prayer points for this month.

· I have met with Peter Lord. Pastor Lord is one of my hero's in the faith and taught me during my college days about the difference between seeking God's hand and seeking His face. Pastor Lord has written many books, the most notable of which is the 29:59 Prayer Plan, which sold over 600,000 copies in the last 30 years. He has agreed to let me revise the plan and intends to give Strategic Renewal the rights to publish and distribute this powerful tool for personal renewal. Please pray that God's direction will be obvious and this door will open for His glory.

· Justin has left for a trip to four countries in Africa. He will traveling with Vernon Brewer, Sally Hahn and several other leaders from World Help.

· I recently led a renewal weekend in a large Nazarene church in the Cleveland area. Please pray for God's blessing and deep work in hearts.

· I have started teaching my first intensive class a Liberty. This will keep me occupied from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pray for strength and impact on the lives of these students I teach them the "7 Questions", worship-based prayer and principles of reaching the lost for Christ.

· Rosemary will travel to see her ailing parents in the Denver area from January 12 - 16. Pray for safety and grace as she goes and gives them her love and care.
· Writing deadlines are looming before me this month. Pray that I will have wisdom and insight as I work with Dr. Elmer Towns in finishing our book and in preparing another proposal for Moody Press.

· Please entreat the Lord for our vision to launch a national radio broadcast. We really need a miracle of giving to help us get this off the ground. It will not only be a powerful tool in bringing renewal to hearts and churches but will be a key to expanding our donor family for the sake of our long-term impact. Fortunately, it will not require a lot of my time ---but will have great outreach.

· Finally, please continue to pray for our support-raising efforts. As of December 31, there was a 30,000 shortfall in the pledges that were made to me personally. In some cases, business challenges kept friends from fulfilling their pledges, others have just not followed through. The Lord knows this - and will provide. I know your prayers will be a key in watching Him work to take care of it all. God is so good.

You may be aware that we have launched a weekly e-devotion on our website. I hope you will visit each week for your enrichment. We will post it every Tuesday morning. I love you and thank God for you.

Daniel Henderson

NEWS AND PRAYER REQUESTS December 2007

2008-01-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

Impact Report December, 2007

Dear Friend,
As we recently completed the commemoration of Thanksgiving, please know how grateful we are for your interest, prayers, and support for the ministry of Strategic Renewal. Below, you will find a brief summary of the fruit of your investment as we have engaged in ministry during these recent weeks. As you read, rejoice with us in the grace the Lord is giving us to fulfill our mission.
Also, please consider the ministry of Strategic Renewal as you pray about your year-end giving. As a new and embryonic ministry, we depend on your generosity as we launch our full-time efforts in this first ministry year. If you would like to donate to our ministry, please click here.

AN UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCE OF THE GLORY OF CHRIST
Pastor Paul Powers has been serving his congregation in Waterford, Vermont for decades. He is known for his careful Bible exposition, but in recent years has recognized the need for fresh spiritual renewal in his church via a movement of prayer.
After a recent "Renewal Weekend" (which included training for his church leadership, a one-day Prayer Summit, Sunday morning teaching, and a Sunday evening Fresh Encounter prayer service) Pastor Powers commented, "I've not experienced such a powerful sense of the presence of God in our church." He also stated, "I've never cried so much in one weekend in my life." His tears were tears of joy over the work God did in the lives of his people.

A PHENOMENAL PRAYER MOMENT FOR 450 MEN

At a recent Men's Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church we announced a Saturday morning hour of prayer called "Awaken the Dawn". Since the event came so early in the morning, the expectations were fairly low -- but a 350-seat chapel was reserved. At 7:15 Saturday morning, almost 450 men crammed into the chapel, filling the seats and standing on the platform and in the aisles. The prayer time was extraordinary as hundreds of men lifted their voices in praise and prayer, pleading for revival and seeking the Lord for the wisdom and strength to lead their families.

JOHN MACARTHUR'S CONGREGATION RESPONDS WITH GRATITUDE FOR A "FRESH ENCOUNTER"
Earlier this month, we had the privilege of leading the congregation of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA in a Sunday evening service, designated entirely for prayer. Thousands filled the auditorium and were fully engaged in a variety of prayer expressions. Afterward, dozens of people commented on the refreshment and joy of praying in community from the Scriptures, expressing a deep longing for more of this powerful prayer format.

EQUIPPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS FOR STRATEGIC IMPACT
During that same ministry visit, we had the opportunity to preach to hundreds of leaders at the Master's Seminary and over 1,000 students at chapel at the Master's College. It is becoming clearer to us that God is giving Strategic Renewal a profound avenue of ministry in the lives of future pastors and community leaders. If you would like to hear the message from the college chapel service, titled "A Call to an Acts 6 Renaissance," click here.

FRIENDSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP IN HOLLYWOOD
Jim and Karen Covell are producers in Hollywood. Twenty-four years ago they began a weekly prayer meeting in their home for believers serving in the entertainment industry as well as those who need to know Christ. This weekly prayer time has blossomed into the Hollywood Prayer Network, which Karen leads. During a recent West Coast trip, Daniel enjoyed an evening in the Covell home learning more about this vital prayer initiative. Jim and Daniel have been friends since junior high, and still share a deep passion for prayer and evangelism. To learn more about the Hollywood Prayer Network, click here to visit their website.

MAJOR SACRAMENTO-AREA CHURCH EMBRACES PRAYER DURING TRANSITION
First Baptist Church of Elk Grove is in the process of calling a new pastor. With this in mind, they invited Strategic Renewal to cast a vision for prayer in their four weekend services. The Lord's blessing was evident as the church responded to a fresh call to creative prayer and took advantage of the many resources offered after the services.
Daniel at First Baptist of Elk Grove, CA

CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE PASTORS RESPOND TO THE CALL TO PRAYER
At Sandy Cove Conference Center in Upper Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, the Lord worked mightily in the hearts of pastors from across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. area as they gathered for their annual regional conference. We had the privilege of motivating and equipping these leaders in the dynamics of spiritual renewal, creative prayer, and intimacy with Christ. Many had already enjoyed the book Fresh Encounters, and were delighted to take another step forward in leading their congregations with a passion and insight for renewal.

DECEMBER PRESENTS OPPORTUNITY FOR REST, SETTLING IN, AND WRITING
After a trip to New Brunswick the first weekend of December, the rest of the month slows down. This will provide a welcomed season for rest, settling into our home a bit more, and tackling some very important writing projects. Please pray for wisdom as these important resources are developed.

PRAYER PARTNERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR MINISTRY
You may be aware that our ministry has several teams of faithful intercessors. Two teams are based in Minnesota, one for men and one for women. One team is based in the Sacramento area. A fourth team is forming in the San Jose, CA area. If you are interested in becoming a part of an intercessory prayer team, please let us know. You can e-mail us at info@strategicrenewal.com. We try to communicate the vital prayer needs of the ministry a couple times a month, knowing that your prayers are the key to our fruitfulness and integrity.

FRESH ENCOUNTERS SEMINAR A TOP PRIORITY FOR 2008
In 2008, we desire to offer the one-day Fresh Encounters seminar to churches across the nation. God has given us a team of 12 trainers, all of whom model worship-based prayer in the local church ministry and are passionate about equipping others in the vision. If you want more information on how your church can experience this powerful equipping seminar, please click here to get in touch with Lori Lane Bergenstock.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER, 2008 HOLY LAND TRIP
Strategic Renewal will be hosting a life-changing journey through Israel and Jordan, tentatively scheduled for November 10-23, 2008. Mark your calendar and plan to join Daniel & Rosemary for this powerful experience as we study "The Revivals of Biblical Times" and tour many important sites of biblical history.

Thanks for your wonderful partnership in igniting the heart of the church through personal renewal, congregational revival, and leadership restoration for Christ's glory

NEWS AND PRAYER REQUESTS, October 19, 2007

2007-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

Dear Praying Friends,
I am sorry it has been a few weeks since the last update. My delinquency is certainly not due to a sense that we do not need the prayers. We have simply been overwhelmed in trying to get moved into the home and settled in Virginia. Our need for your prayers seems greater now than ever, and we are so very grateful for your loving hearts and commitment to such gracious intercession.
October has been a bit slower on the travel front (praise the Lord!). But as you will see below, the next month gets very busy. Of course, these travels are essential to growing the ministry and raising a portion of my support. Most importantly, they provide wonderful opportunities to teach God’s word lead others into His presence and see lives changed.
Rosemary is still recuperating from two moves in the last month (our home and her parents). As you can understand, this took a lot out of her. Pray for grace that she will be able to recover her energy while still trying to figure out all the nuances of a new home, community and social network.
At our recent board meeting, the board asked about my biggest concern. My answer was easy, “that I will remain authentic in my walk with the Lord, my personal experience of Worship-based prayer and my passion for Christ.” This is my great concern. It has been hard getting out of the routine of pastoral ministry where I have a regular schedule and consistent prayer times with staff, leaders and the congregations.

While I am working hard to get back into similar routines here – everything seems very disrupted and unpredictable. I know this will stabilize in time. Please pray with me, that God will give me special grace in my times with him and in finding the routines that will keep my heart on fire.

- Pray for God’s hand of protection on my ministry travels over the next few weeks. Here is the schedule:

Oct 19-20 ----Williamsburg, Virginia -----World Help -Presidents Council Weekend
Oct. 21------- Annandale, VA-------------Capital Baptist Church – morning services
Oct 26-28---- Waterford, VT -------------Union Baptist Church – Renewal Weekend
Nov 2-3------ Lynchburg, VA------------ Regional IMPACT Men’s Conference
Nov 4-------- Sun Valley, CA -------------Grace Community Church – Sun. PM
Fresh Encounter Service
Nov 6 --------Sun Valley, CA -------------The Masters’ Seminary - Chapel
Nov 7 --------Newhall, CA ----------------The Masters College - Chapel
Nov 10-11 ---Elk Grove, CA --------------First Baptist Church – Weekend Services
Nov 12-14 ---Sandy Cove, Maryland -----Christian & Missionary Alliance
Pastor’s Prayer Conference

On the ministry front, please remember these requests:
- For the Lord to open the right doors and for us to have wisdom to walk through them
- For God to sustain and bless those who are so graciously supporting our efforts
- For those whom God is calling to join us in the support of the ministry, that they will be responsive and obedient.
- For my new assistant, Whitney, that God will give her wisdom and energy to learn the job quickly.
- For Lori, in our West Coast office, as she seeks to book up to 50 Fresh Encounter seminars (using our team of speakers) in the next 14 months.
- For Bob and Polly as they assist in the Forest offices, handling mailings, data base, receipting, etc.
- For our board of directors as they provide wisdom, accountability and assist in raising support for the ministry.
- Pray for God’s hand of protection on my ministry travels over the next few weeks.

Thank you again for your prayers.
Don’t forget to encourage your pastor this month as it is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. They are worthy of your love and prayers.
I love you all and thank God for you.
Daniel
(with Rosemary, Justin, Jordan and Heather)

NEWS AND PRAYER REQUESTS August 20, 2007

2007-08-22T10:33:00.001-07:00

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Dear Praying Friends,

Thanks for the treasure of your faithful and loving prayer support. I wanted to give you a brief update on our progress and tell you about our plans for the remainder of August and the month of September.

Rosemary and I are back in Minnesota after three weeks away. Our first-phase drive to Virginia and the time there getting Heather and Jordan settled at Liberty all went very well. As we talked and prayed about our situation, I felt burdened to get Rosemary and the family settled there. Through the wisdom of a few friends and board members – and God’s gracious special provision – we were able to make an offer on a home in Forest. At this time, it is expected that the sale will close in mid-September.

Our home in Eden Prairie has not sold. If it does not sell in the next two weeks, we are going to rent it until the market improves. We do have an open house today. Perhaps the Lord will bring the buyer at this 11th hour. So, in addition to some speaking and ministry events, I will spend some time this week researching moving options and home rental options.

Key Prayer Requests:

· For Rosemary as she will be in Minnesota until September 9th, when we pull out. She has a lot of packing and organizing to do. Ask the Lord to bring the right folks to help her as I will have to be out of town during part of these next three weeks.

· For Justin as he finishes his last semester here in MN and makes plans to begin working for World Help in VA starting in late December.

· For Heather as she begins her new life as a dorm student that she will find good friends, find ways to serve others and do well in her academics.

· For Jordan as he continues his schooling while leading 10,000 students in worship several times a week – that the Lord will guide, bless him in his service and guide him in his relationships.

· For God to resolve our home situation in a way that honors Him. Perhaps he will send a last-minute buyer or someone wanting to purchase investment property. If we rent, pray for the right renter and the Lord’s provision in this way. If we do not get renters, it will create very unusual stress on our finances at this time.

· For the continuing support for our monthly needs and the regular requirements of the ministry. We are still about $5000.00 a month short in our regular monthly pledges for the total ministry budget established by our board.

As you pray for us, please keep in mind this summary of how the next weeks will unfold:

· August 19 – 25 – Time in MN raising support, speaking and working on plans for moving and possibly renting house
· August 26-29 – Lead Michigan Pastor’s Prayer Summit – Holland, MI
· August 30 – Back to VA to speak in Convocation and participate in the all-night prayer meeting.
· September 4- Teach a class at Liberty University
· September 5 – Return to MN to finish packing home, load moving truck and drive our last vehicle back to VA
· September 10 – Arrive in VA
· September 11 – Teach a class at Liberty
· September 13 – Close sale on Forest home and move in
· September 15 –19 - Return to MN to speak and lead state-wide Pastor’s Prayer Summit
· September 20 – Help lead Central VA. Pastor’s prayer gathering
· September 22-26 – Speak in New Jersey and participate in Strategic Renewal annual board meeting.

Thanks so much for your love, concern and prayers. We love you and are grateful for your interest and faithful friendship.

Daniel Henderson
President - Strategic Renewal
www.strategicrenewal.com
P.O. Box 365
Forest, VA 24551

News and Prayer Requests August 10, 2007

2007-08-10T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Praying Friends,

Thanks for your prayers as we drove to Virginia in "phase one" of our physical transition. The truck full of my library, office items and all of Jordan's and Heather's earthly belongings made it safely to Forest.

We are staying in the home of one of our board members, Bob Miller (and his dear wife Debi). I am beginning to settle in to the offices and finding my way around town. Rosie is enjoying her time with Debi and family members in this area (Vernon and his extended tribe).

Jordan is already full-bore into practices with the Liberty worship team and Heather is looking for a job and getting ready to start freshman orientation at the university. Justin is back from Uganda and working at the World Help office in Forest. Vernon Brewer has offered him a very exciting job to take effect when he graduates from Northwest College in St. Paul in December.

I am currently in Michigan. I led a city-wide Fresh Encounter in Adrian, Michigan on Saturday.

For the last four days, Alice Moss and I have been leading two back-to-back Prayer Summits for the entire staff of "Life Action" and "Revive our Hearts" Ministries. This includes the home staff and the dozens of young people who travel to churches throughout the country. Many of you will recognize the name, Nancy DeMoss, who serves as part of the staff and has fully participated in the week. The summits have been profoundly powerful as God is blessing the simplicity, purity and passion of Scripture-fed, Spirit-led and unscripted prayer.

Rosemary and I will return to Minnesota around the 18th of August. The burden of our unsold home, resulting in the temporary situation in Virginia, is weighing heavily upon us. My dear bride is longing to get settled into something we can call home in VA - but everything remains in the air until our MN home sells.

Please ask the Father to give us abiding peace and grace - and to sell the home in a way that honors Him.

As you pray for us, please remember these issues and events:

- Open hearts and generous commitments at Donor events in Minnesota - Sunday, August 19th and Monday, August 20th

- Speaking for Southwest Christian High School's Faculty and Staff - Monday August 20th and Tuesday, August 21st.

- Relaxing and enjoyable family time during Down time with Rosie and Justin in Eden Prairie - August 22nd - 24th and the wedding on Friday evening August 24th.

- Pray for me as I speak at Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, MI Sunday August 26. Pray for the Pastor Mark Vroegop

- Pray for me and the attendees as I lead the Holland Area Pastors' and Leader's Prayer Summit - Monday, August 27th- 29th

- Also as I Lead a Fresh Encounter service at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland (Largest Wesleyan Church in U.S.) on the Evening of the 29th.

- And as I speak in convocation at Liberty University, Friday August 31st as the culmination of "Prayer Emphasis Week" I will also be leading an all-night prayer meeting at Liberty that same night.

Thanks for praying.

Daniel Henderson

President - Strategic Renewal

PRAYER WARRIORS for Daniel Henderson

2007-08-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you each of you for your willingness to be a part of the Prayer Warrior team on behalf of Daniel Henderson.

Attached you will find a composite letter from Daniel on which I have highlighted in yellow areas for prayer. Of course pray as you are led. The highlighting is only to try to make it quicker and easier for you to determine areas of Daniels concerns.

As we pray and lift our prayer shields together we create a TESTUDO SHELL (tortoise) around and over Daniel and Rosemary. So--- read and see a picture of how the Roman army did this by visiting http://prayerwarriorarmy.blogspot.com /. This is our site for Daniel's Prayer Warriors. Enjoy!! We will be adding to this site regularly so feel free to record comments you may have.

Please remember that the primary focus of this prayer team is Daniel and Rosemary and their well-being. Of course a lot of that depends on the SRI ministry. And we should pray for the ministry as Daniel desires. However please do not loose the priority of holding them personally up before the Lord for His touch, comfort, leading, growth, protection and right relationship with Him.

We know God will finish what He has started and will complete the works that He planned for Daniel and Rosemary before the foundation of the earth. However they also have an enemy who would love to delay and defeat them in any way he can through fear, doubt, neglect of time with God , offenses between the two of them and many other ways.

So let us pray!!!! God hears!!! God answers!!!
Once again Thank you and May God Bless each of you greatly!!!

Connie Acker
Coordinator
SRI Prayer Warriors

Newsletter update - July 28, 2007

2007-08-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Prayer Partners

Thank you for your gracious commitment to pray for us during these days.

As I write, I am in the Portland airport preparing to return to Minneapolis after the National Pastors’ Prayer Summit. Over last weekend I was in Sacramento, “friend-raising” and preaching at Arcade.

Here in Portland we’ve enjoyed a fabulous experience with over 100 leaders from 17 states and four countries. It was a thrill to see the Lord ignite the hearts of so many pastors with the vision for prayer summits and leading their church in a growing culture of prayer. It was especially fun to see some good friends from both Arcade and Grace. Scott Neubauer, who coordinates prayer summits at Grace, did a fabulous job training leaders in the specifics of organizing prayer summits.

Rosemary returned last night from San Diego after spending eight days caring for her mother in the nursing home as her dad traveled to evaluate the Covenant Village facilities in Atlanta and Denver. They plan to move around the end of September in order to be closer to one of the daughters. This will create an added stress on everyone but will eventually provide better care and attention for her parents. Pray for her strength and peace of mind.

Our realtor called yesterday to update us on the home. The one interested couple is still in the loop. They have boiled it down to our home and one other. Mr. buyer likes our place while Mrs. buyer is undecided. It would be so wonderful if they would make us an offer in the next day or so. In the meantime, other interested parties are walking through, one last weekend and another next Tuesday.

Of course, we pack the U-haul over the weekend and will pull out Monday morning to head toward VA. Please pray for our emotional strength as we make this trek. Lord willing, we will have an offer. If not, it will just be a strange moment for us. It is in the Lord’s hands.

This Friday, I will get an updated report on my support. My sense is that I am somewhere between 50% and 60% of the goal. Many people are responding with such open hearts. I am grateful. However, it is harder than I expected to get people locked in to monthly support vs. one-time gifts. Join with me in asking the Lord to give me strength and to open the hearts of donors. I will keep doing donor events well into the fall and hope to get some more set up in California and Minnesota as well as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey. I am feeling burdened to do some fasting about this issue, and our home – should it not sell in the next week.

It's official! The Hendersons will be relocating to Forest , Virginia in August. Here are the reasons:

We will partner with Vernon Brewer and World Help (located in Forest ) sharing their headquarters and working together on some important national and international initiatives of renewal and world outreach.

Liberty University (nearby) has enthusiastically invited me to impact their 10,000 campus students in the area of worship-based prayer. They want Liberty to become distinguished as a school that trains renewal-oriented pastors with a strong conviction and competency in prayer. I will teach a few modular classes throughout the year, speak in chapel, lead worship-based prayer events, and equip students for prayer leadership.

Thomas Road Church wants me to help that congregation become a model of worship-based prayer, as I am able to lead prayer events and train prayer leaders.

God has birthed a prayer movement among pastors in Central Virginia and I will help give inspiration and leadership to that initiative.

The arrangement will still allow me the freedom to give my primary energies to the mission of Strategic Renewal and the vision for national revival.

Two of our children (Jordan and Heather) will be in school at Liberty .

The cost of living is more affordable and will allow us to sustain the ministry and raise our support in a reasonably priced economy.

OFFICE UPDATES

Our national headquarters will be located in Forest. Dr. Bob Miller will assume the leadership of our daily operations. Bob is a Strategic Renewal Board Member and the President of Jefferson Direct, Inc., a marketing and management consulting company working with not-for-profit organizations. He will give a major portion of his week to directing the ministry activates alongside me. On a personal note, Bob and I have been friends for almost 30 years and I am completely confident in his leadership and organizational abilities.

Lori Lane Bergenstock will continue to lead our West Coast Office. That team will focus entirely on setting up our Fresh Encounters seminars, conferences, and other renewal events. We are grateful for Lori's outstanding dedication in overseeing the operations for these many years. She is excited to narrow her focus and contribute in this essential role for our ministry.

FAMILY UPDATES

Please keep our family in your prayers as we prepare to head to Virginia . Because our home in Eden Prairie has not sold, we will take only our basic necessities with us in early August. Justin will still be in Minnesota as he finishes school. Pray for God's timing and provision in this unusual moment of transition.

Our support level is at about 50%. We need to hit the goal by September 1. Join us as we continue to share the vision and trust the Lord to burden many friends from across the country to join us in this very exciting step of faith and dramatically increased impact. If you would like to join our support team you can do so on our website.

August will be a busy month as we transition and as I will be active in some very important ministry events. We will keep you informed along the way and we truly thank you for your partnership in prayer and support of this important ministry of igniting the heart of the church through personal renewal, congregational revival, and leadership restoration for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Yours for Revival,

Daniel Henderson

Welcome to our "News to Pray".

2007-08-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our "News to Pray"! It will give you the news, comments and prayer requests that we appreciate you praying fervently over. The circumstances and situations in life have a profound spiritual dimension and we are so grateful that you are a part of our team to bring these comments to God in prayer. And thank you for praying for God's blessing of protection, direction and favor (pdf) in all we do.

Please feel free to leave comments under out comments section after each post. These go to a screener from where it will be posted. Thanks so much! ~ Daniel