Definitions

The Field Manual for the Armed Services of the United States defines mobilize as “The process by which the Armed Forces or part of them, are brought to a state of readiness for war or other national emergencies. This includes activating all or part of the reserve components as well as assembling and organizing personnel, supplies, and materials.”

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines mobilize as: “To put into movement or circulation; to release (something stored in the organism) for bodily use; to assemble and make ready for war duty; to marshal (as resources) for action.”

It is easy to recognize the obvious parallels between two nations at war and the spiritual warfare going on between the kingdoms of darkness and light. The New Testament writers often use military terminology to help us understand the nature of our spiritual struggle.

• 2 Corinthians 6:7: “…in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;”
• 2 Corinthians 10:4: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
• Luke 11:22: “But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armour in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils.”
• Romans 13:12: “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.”
• Ephesians 6:13: “Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
• 1 Corinthians 9:7: “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk?”
• Philippians 2:25: “But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.”
• 2Timothy 2:3: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
• 2Timothy 2:4: “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”

Every local church has its own active duty personnel, reserve components and draft pool.. Your active duty personnel are those hard-working individuals who labor faithfully week after week. This core group is already motivated and willing to make the necessary sacrifices to win.

Your reserve components have some basic training under their belt, but have been unwilling to throw themselves into the battle. A reservist may work intermittently or serve as a substitute when one of the active duty soldiers is unable to serve.

And don’t overlook the draft pool — those individuals who attend regularly but have never become involved. These people certainly have natural talents and abilities that have remained untapped. If the Scripture is to be taken seriously, we must recognize these people have been spiritually gifted and equipped by the Holy Spirit. This group has incredible potential as future soldiers. You just need to activate the draft.

Phase One: Mobilize for Mission does not focus only on motivating the active duty personnel — they’re already fully mobilized. It focuses instead on activating those occasional soldiers in your reserves and those potential soldiers through the draft. Full mobilization is the only thing that will enable us to achieve victory in 2000.

Part of Webster’s definition includes, “to release (something stored in the organism) for bodily use.” How appropriate for the body of Christ. God has placed people with spiritual gifts into your local body for its use. They have exactly what is needed to help your church fulfill its purpose in the kingdom’s warfare. A fully mobilized church uses all of the resources that have been provided by its commander-in-chief, Jesus Christ.

Readiness Checklist

To successfully complete Phase One you will need to:

• Prepare for Mobilize Sunday,
• Show the Mobilized for Mission video tape, by Bishop James Leggett.
• Conduct the Day of Global Prayer and Fasting,
• Schedule the Mobilized Sermon Series
• Review of VisionCare outcomes
• Review “Statistical Share” Worksheet
• Establish church objectives for Mobilization Campaign
• Set dates for First Friday Fast prayer strategy