arise: early spring 2009 update

arise update: early spring 2009

Who We Are:

Ron and Teddy Sawka are the founders and leaders of Arise. They established and continue to oversee the ministries of CI Japan, CI Korea, CI Malaysia, and CI Russia. Arise also has bases of operation in Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and China. Arise is part of and under the covering of Christian International (founded and headed by Bishop Bill Hamon), Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA.

CI Russia Update:

CI Russia is doing well.

Gregory K., who runs CI Russia, continues to press ahead. He is very actively doing and promoting prophetic training. He keeps telling me how much Christians not only appreciate learning how to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but also that they are eager to know the principles of proper ministry and how to grow through the various character issues. Through his efforts (as well as those of Irina, who is both an excellent teacher and my translator) churches are being affected in the three major areas of Far East Russia. Continue to pray for them. I wish we had the funds to speed up the translating and publishing of materials and books.

CI Korea Update:

The CI Korea Graduation was held on March 9. We have now been operating our Ministry Training/Theological Seminary there for 3 years, and are becoming well established. Apostle Nora Park is doing a great job overseeing the work of CI Korea.

Fire Revival:

Yes, this is year of rest, but I find myself feeling a certain restlessness. My heart is stirred when I read of the past revivals in Asia when the Holy Spirit fell and tens of thousands were added to the Kingdom within months. I want to see that for Japan. I want to see that for all the ministries, churches, places, and nations that we touch.

Business Teleseminars:

I know deep in my heart that the prophetic is key for Christians in business, or for anyone in the marketplace. We are trying a new thing, putting on a teaching for business people using a teleseminar format. Please watch and sign up if interested.

In this Issue:

	• Confronting the enemy
	• Resting in the Lord
	• CI Russia Report
	• CI Korea Graduation
	• Fire Revival Needed
	• New Teleseminars
	• Schedule

---

Confronting the Enemy

"...according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them, you may wage the good warfare " 1 Timothy 1:18

The Bible is very clear that we must do warfare and confront the enemy. However, in many places I go, Christians often ignore the blatant attacks or presence of demons, hoping somehow that the presence of God will come and clear the air. Poor theology! In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed the presence of God. Genesis 3:8 shows that God came to walk with them daily. His presence was there, yet He did not drive out the serpent. He had given that responsibility to Adam when He told him to subdue and take dominion (Gen. 1:28). Because Adam didn't drive out the serpent, he himself ended up being driven out of where God had placed him.

Recently I ministered at a certain church where this problem was well illustrated. I had ministered there a number of times; the people were very familiar with me and my message. The praise and worship was great, and the presence of the Lord was very strong. However, when I began to preach, the atmosphere got heavier and heavier. People began to get drowsy. I knew it was demonic interference. I had to change tactics a bit, and the meeting ended with great ministry and breakthrough. I expected the second meeting to be better. Again, there was really powerful praise and a strong sense of His presence, but as we got into the teaching it seemed like a heavy blanket began to descend.

I talked with the pastor and his wife. They had been telling me about one key couple who was somewhat in opposition. But the pastor and his wife didn't want to confront them for fear of misunderstanding. I explained they first had to bind the demonic spirit working through them and command it to leave. The spirit would have to depart. Then, either the source of the wrong thought processes in the errant couple would be exposed and they would repent and change, or they would remain blinded and, therefore, would soon leave the church. When the pastor and wife asked me to lead them in prayer, I first asked if they were willing that perhaps that key couple would end up leaving the church. When they agreed, I then led them in prayer. I addressed that spirit and bound it and cast it out. From then on, the spiritual atmosphere immediately and radically changed; the difference was noticeable for the duration of my time there.

Lesson? When you sense you are being opposed and harassed by the enemy, address the demons and command them to go.

Resting in the Lord:

It was not just the cancellation of the Belarus trip (I couldn't get visa) and the postponement of the Russia trip, but it feels I have much more "at home" time so far in 2009. I feel very, very rested. It is just great. I do feel that the Lord is giving us a lot of new revelations and insights during this time. I am trying to put together a book or a course on the "Elisha generation." I feel there are many principles and events from his life that explain how this next generation of Christians are to operate and have great success in whatever sphere God puts them.

Another trip postponed! My scheduled journey to Far East Russia (March 23-28) was postponed to late July. The churches that invite me are feeling increasing governmental pressure and decided to apply for a religious/cultural visa for me instead of just the normal invitation. This is actually quite a complicated process for them and shows how the Russian government is continuing its drift backwards into the old "closed" mindset. They seem to latching onto the idea again that they have to monitor how their citizens "think."

Schedule:

* March 30 Business Teleseminar
* April 4 Niigata
* April 7-15 CI Korea
* April 18 Arise Tokyo
* April 19 Arise Sano First Fruits Gathering
* April 20-23 Agape, Tauyuan, Taiwan
* April 24-26 Holiness Church, Taipei
* April 27-30 Taipei
* May 1-2 Tainan, Taiwan
* May 2-5 Arise, Sano Conference (with Dale and LuAnne Mast)

As ever, thank you so much for your prayers and support.

In Christ,

Ronald W. Sawka
Christian International Asia

contact: 1617 ohashi-cho sano-shi tochigi-ken japan 327-0003 phone: 0283.24.6653 fax: 0283.21.3219