BUILD MY HOUSE!

by Anna M. Ashby-Caison

Since 1987 I’ve repeatedly heard in my ear, “Build My House!”  I also have had repeated dreams where I would be walking over the ruins of a church and hear the same voice say, “Clean off My Foundation and Build My House!” And one afternoon during prayer I fell into a trance.  I saw a hand reach down to me from heaven holding a parchment scroll.  The scroll contained a picture assignment from the Lord to minister to masses of people He had placed in my care. 

For years I’ve sought God in prayer as to how I was to accomplish this task and what exactly did He mean?  Twice I thought I was doing what He instructed me to do when I assisted two pastors build up their failing congregations.  The first church I spent 3 years in service and in the second church I stayed 12 years.  In both churches I was asked to leave by the pastors for fear of losing their church to me because their growing congregations found favor in my being a servant to the church.

I’m reluctant to join another church (though I do attend Worship Services at a congregation near my home) for fear of the same thing happening to me again.  I’ve thought about starting a church, but after much prayer and searching the Word of God, I don’t think that’s what He’s directing me to do either!

It is understood by the majority of Christians that when the Bible speaks of the “church” it is not referring to a building, but to individual believers or a group of believers; yet so many continue to invest more time and money into building huge and elaborate cathedrals (temples, chapels) than building people!

Christ never intended for His church to become an institutional religious country club ran by boards, deacons and dictating pastors.  The church, which is the Body of Christ, is not an organization; it is not a democracy; it is a theocratic organism made up of many interdependent organs working together as one.  Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are not the owners and directors of the church, they are gifts (vital organs) placed by Christ to nurture other organs within His body toward an experiential relationship with Him through sound teaching and preaching of the scriptures, and by being an example in living a life that glorifies and honors God.  The church, from the apostle (or Sr. Pastor) to the usher at the door are to be governed by the Spirit (Headship) of Christ, not the whims and glory of man. 

Since each Christian is the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19) and each Christian is a lively stone being formed into the House of God (1 Pet. 2:5), I’ve come to the conclusion that perhaps God’s command to me to “Build My (His) House” is to invest Him into every individual I come in contact with by sharing His Word through Hospitality (developing Christian fellowship), Giving to meet needs and to bless, Media (Internet, booklets, tracts, teaching & music CDs & DVDs) and Visitation (maintaining Christian fellowships).

In the two years that I’ve been ministering outside of the four walls of my former church, I’ve reached more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ than I have in the 30 years I’ve been active in traditional “in-house” church ministry.  Tracts and booklets God has inspired me to write and give away without charge have caused many to give their lives to Christ while strengthening faith in others.

When we began to actively acknowledge the “church” as people and not buildings; and ownership of the church belonging to Christ and not man, there will be no shortage of workers for the Lord’s harvest, and no part of the Lord’s harvest will be left uncared for.

If you would like to receive this article in booklet form to share with others, send an email request with your mailing address to  Anna M. Caison; RE: "Build My House!" tTo::a acaison@christmadeknowninme.orgcaison@christmadeknowninme.org