Posts by Manny Rivera
Devotion
As a leader of a congregation, one of the easiest and dangerous things to do is fall into the trap of monotony and repetitiveness. Our human nature is naturally inclined to move towards ritualistic and mechanical behavior. We have a tendency to create our own personal traditions and behavior patterns from a one-time inspiring moment. …
Read MoreStay Thirsty My Friends
“As long as you’re alive, you will never graduate!” I still remember these words spoken by Dr Richardson. I was sitting in the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit class at Southeastern University in 1990. I was taken back when I first heard this and rightly so, for it was the goal of everyone in the…
Read MoreMy Writing Season
As many of you have noticed, I’ve had my blogging in hiatus mode. The reason for it is that I’ve been concentrating on my next book. That was my thought on putting my blogs on ice. I was wrong. I’ve learned that blogging breaks the “writer’s block.” Therefore, I’ll be writing blogs more often… more…
Read MoreThe Heart of an Intercessor
I wanted to share this with you. It comes from Maritza Cruz-Capeles. She’s a member of our Preaching and Prayer team. As part of the training in those teams, it’s their responsibility to share what God has been saying and doing in their lives. I was moved by her passion, I pray that you are…
Read MoreIt’s All About Teams
This year I feel directed, by the Lord, to build our church by focusing on building teams. I’ve literally surrounded myself with four teams that I’m personally building and leading. And it’s through these teams that I intend to reach the next level of influence in our region. Here are my four teams: Elders/ Board…
Read MoreObserving Lent with Impact Church
I’ve come to realize that many evangelicals, especially those that have recently come into the faith the last ten years, have never heard of various Christian traditions. I’ve also recognized that in the geographical area God has called me to, which is still one of the most difficult places to have a successful ministry, there…
Read MoreInternational Food Festival
I’m very excited about our upcoming city-wide outreach. As a church, it’s our mandate to LOVE OUR CITY. And there’s no other way to love our city than to gather hundreds of people to a celebration of diversity, culture, music and food. As people gather, we will be loving on them and sharing the Gospel…
Read More800 Pound Gorilla or Elephant in the Room
Join us for every Sunday morning in the month February as we attempt to explore the vast subject of THE HOLY SPIRIT. I’ve come to realize that in most churches, especially ours, He’s the unrecognized, untapped and unaddressed “800 pound gorilla” or the “elephant in the room” in church services and prayer meetings. You do not…
Read MoreSTUCK IN THE MIDDLE
Tomorrow, I’m sharing a message that has brought me though many tight places in the past. I feel it’s a timely message for our church tomorrow. And in case you were wondering, not all the messages that I preach are new messages. There are some sermons that I will preach hundreds of times before I…
Read MoreSticky Resolutions
This Sunday I’ll be sharing the message titled STICKY RESOLUTIONS. Like me, I know that all of us have made New Year’s resolutions. And like me, I know that most of those resolutions died before they turned 14 days old. Unfortunately, resolutions have lost their resolve. Resolutions have developed a bad reputation. No one…
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