God’s greatest treasure

People are God’s most incredible idea and His greatest treasure in all creation! One of the things I love about the journey God has taken me on is the privilege of knowing people. And this year at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (BSSM) I have met some remarkable people. I want to honour a few of them today in this post, because I want you to know what makes this place so special. 

Many people hear about the ways God is moving at Bethel, and there are a few leaders here who are known across the world. Undoubtedly, the journeys they’ve had with God are remarkable and I’m learning a great deal from them. But perhaps the more surprising thing is that actually there’s a whole army of remarkable people – marked by the ‘yes’ they’ve given to God and His ‘yes’ over their lives – who make this a special place.

At BSSM where I’m a student, I am part of a ‘revival group’ – a smaller community of around 50 students – which is led by a Bethel pastor and a number of BSSM third year students. Before I made it out to California these people led some online sessions that I joined, and they were a big part of the reason for my decision to try and get out here in person, even with all the challenges of Covid. Of the third year students, I reasoned ‘if this is how your life looks when you spend two years at Bethel, I want to come out here and learn!’ Each third year student is such an incredibly gifted leader, so full of passion and wisdom.

And I want to honour our pastor, Dean Ras. I have had the privilege of working with many great leaders over the years, but even with that, there is so much I am learning from Dean. After one revival group session where several group members shared personal stories about their journeys with God, Dean’s responses brought me to tears. Watching someone display such wisdom and compassion for people, unlocking the true nature of people made in God’s image, and unearthing treasure that has been buried in the ordinary and the brokenness of life. I spoke to Dean the following week and told him, ‘Even if there was never another miracle to point to God, just compassion like you showed would change the world!’ Dean, I honour your kindness and the way you pastor people. You are part of what makes this place a city on a hill, because you find treasure inside of people and put it on display. As the light catches this treasure inside of each person, many cities are going to shine!

There is a great need for each of us who knows Jesus to connect with the heart of God for others, and begin to display His kindness. The whole creation is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed, and we can begin to unearth the treasure within others today! When we recognise people’s value rather than just their accomplishments, we empower their true voice – a voice the world needs and that God loves to hear.

Who could you find to encourage and ask God to show you how He sees them?