Thankful, even in brokenness
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18 NLT Have you ever experienced a time of brokenness? Of course, you have; we all have brokenness in our lives. Yet, we live in a world that is so quick to discard the broken. Just recently, a table fell […]
One King, One Kingdom
We are just hours away from what feels like the most consequential U.S. election in our lifetime. Many issues are seemingly at stake that are close to our hearts and close to the heart of God: the rights of the unborn, safety in our communities, and protection for Israel. It is true that there are […]
Summer greetings to our TFNI Family
YOU are why the Lord inspired our founders to organize this great fellowship that means so much to us all. Our annual gathering is coming up July 16-18 in Orange County, California. We will be joined by Sean Smith, Chris & Erica Estrada, and many more for three nights of impartation, equipping, and FELLOWSHIP! Our […]
Living in the Overflow
At the beginning of 2024, God gave me the theme of “Living in the Overflow” because of His limitless supply. Resurrection OVERFLOW! In the Amplified Bible, it says, “And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that […]
God with us!
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” – Matthew 1:23 My heart is encouraged this Christmas in His name: Emmanuel, God WITH us. The Word became flesh and moved into our neighborhood to be with us […]
Thank you Jesus!
The more life we live, the more thankful we should find ourselves to Jesus for all that he has done in our lives. He is worthy of our thanksgiving! As we gather around our tables with friends and family in honor of Thanksgiving Day, let us join our hearts and minds in an attitude of […]
Pray for Israel
From the very beginning, the Fellowship has supported Israel and its people. Today is no exception. Our faith in Jesus is rooted in a belief that God keeps His promises and that His blessing and favor are passed from generation to generation. The ministers of The Fellowship Network stand with Israel and against the ghastly […]
Edify One Another!
We just wrapped up an amazing time together in Sarasota, Florida, at The Fellowship Conference. Our theme was “EDIFY”, and the conference definitely lived up to its name. We had over 250 individuals at the Hyatt Regency, including 40 kids and over 50 missionaries! I want to acknowledge the fantastic team that made everything happen […]
The Power of Edification
It’s a time of great uncertainty juxtaposed by a time of great harvest. While the world struggles with unrest, inflation, and war, we see spiritual hunger rising all across our nation. In a post-pandemic world, people are searching for truth. And despite seasons of difficulty, ministries everywhere are meeting the challenge of shepherding God’s harvest […]
Because He Lives
This has been an emotional season for my family and I. We recently experienced the sudden loss of several family members, including my infant grandsons. My wife’s mother went to be with Jesus during the same week, and the losses have hit us in a very profound and personal way. But our loss is heaven’s […]
The cornerstone of our faith
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. The life of Jesus shows us how to live, the death of Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, and the resurrection of Jesus is why our faith still has power today. Without the resurrection, we are simply a club of like-minded individuals celebrating a […]
God With US
Merry Christmas! I pray God’s blessings on you during this most significant time of the year. It’s significant because God sent His Son. But it’s easy for us to become so familiar with the holiday that we miss out on its special significance to us as ministers. We can all relate to feeling tired and […]
Our Obligation to the Gospel
Our world needs the Gospel. War, disease, floods, and famine: we live in a time of desperation for so many people. And yet scripture is clear that our HOPE is in Jesus. But how will people receive hope if nobody tells them? The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:14-16, “I am obligated both to Greeks […]
Overcoming Together
I so appreciate you for sticking with us through a challenging year of cancellations, postponements, and rescheduling. We could not have made it through this time of uncertainty without our Fellowship Network family praying and standing together. Our leadership team took bold action a few months ago when we committed to hosting The Fellowship Conference […]
The Power of Together
About six months ago, I was experiencing a season of discouragement. The global health crisis was raging, our churches were struggling to re-open, and the weight of ministry felt overwhelming. But then I experienced hope. God used a small, intimate gathering of ministers in the Pacific Northwest to bring healing to my soul and momentum […]
Christ Arose, and so do we!
As Christians, we identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. I find it fitting that as our world emerges from the long gloom of the pandemic, we are celebrating our savior who rose from the grave. Jesus’ resurrection declared victory over everything: sin, the curse, sickness, strife, and suffering. His victory over death […]
Experiencing Hope
You’ve been wondering, speculating, and waiting on the edge of your seats for the answer to the big question: will there be a Fellowship Network conference in 2021? After much deliberation, seeking God, and examining our options with state and local rules, I’m happy to announce that YES, we will be gathering in Scottsdale, AZ, […]
Turning Point for our Nation
The Presidential Inauguration is always a momentous day for our nation. Regardless of our political affiliation, our mandate from scripture is to pray for our leaders and serve our flocks with integrity and grace. I believe that until Jesus returns, our assignment is to watch and pray and be about the Father’s business. Here is […]
The Greatest Gift
Someone once wrote: “If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator; if our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist; if our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist; if our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have […]
Giving Thanks in Challenging Times
We are approaching a very unique Thanksgiving holiday. It has been an unusual year with many challenges and unexpected obstacles in ministry. From lockdowns, bans on gatherings, not to mention financial hardships and financial uncertainty, 2020 especially has been a year of leaning on the goodness of God. Many of us have grown stronger in […]
Election Day
Today is a pivotal day for our country. Millions of people have voted over the past several weeks and millions more will vote in the next few hours. Tonight, we will all be glued to our seats watching the results come in with a combination of excitement and trepidation for the future. However, do you […]
A few good men (and women)
I have the privilege of serving alongside some of the greatest men and women in the world during my time as president of The Fellowship Network. Countless pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and lay ministers have volunteered their time and expertise to ensure our ministry continues to bless and serve our thousands of members, churches, and organizations. […]
The year of the overcoming church
Around the county, we are seeing schools re-opening, colleges welcoming back students, businesses emerging, and communities arising from a long, difficult summer. As restrictions loosen, churches start to gather again and people’s hearts begin to stir. God is doing something in our nation! It’s been a difficult journey in 2020. And we are not out […]
Leaders of Hope
Hope marks our lives. Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present. There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them. I believe that our Fellowship is meant to be an extraordinary example of HOPE during these challenging times. While the world […]
Pentecost: The day of church empowerment.
Today is Pentecost Sunday: the day the church was set on fire. Fifty days after the crucifixion of Jesus, the promise of the Father was sent to empower the early church in power and boldness. And the same is true today. I think that it is fitting that Pentecost Sunday should fall in a season […]
Special message from President Steve Holder
Pray for His Glory on the Earth
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a day to humble ourselves before God and acknowledge our need for His power and influence in our world. Praying amidst a pandemic is more relevant than ever! Our eyes and ears and hearts should be open to seeing the glory of God covering the earth. Here are […]
Road to Hope
The experiences of Jesus during Good Friday looked like anything but good to the natural eye. Rather than a path of victory, it had all the marks of despair. Betrayal, pain, humiliation, and grief washed over Him on His journey to the cross. What began with so much hope of defeating Rome and reestablishing the […]
How to respond to COVID-19
It’s been a fascinating couple of months as our entire world has been gripped by reports of a deadly virus spreading across the globe. There are reports of quarantined cruise ships, canceled conferences, and travel disruption all across the U.S. To those who have been medically affected by the spread of this new disease: we […]
God on the Earth!
To me, Christmas is all about God sovereignly orchestrating events to serve His purpose. Imagine God as a master maestro conducting the orchestra of nations, world leaders, and global events. Like pawns on His chessboard, He maneuvers them to fulfill His plan. And why is God on Earth as an embryo, a baby, a man, […]
The Gift of Noticing
Sometimes it can be difficult for us to be thankful, even when life is going well. This can be counter-intuitive for some of us. After all, when things go well, we deep down know that we have so much to be grateful for. But the very nature of human beings – even if we are […]
Honoring Pastors and Pioneers
I believe that there is no more essential calling than that of a shepherd. Someone who cares for the flock, hears from the Holy Spirit, and humbly guides and comforts people through all of life’s challenges. It’s not the most glamorous calling, but God speaks highly of those who respond to His call. He exhorts […]
Do you believe that God is still healing?
As President of The Fellowship, I am blessed to hear praise reports from all over the world about the good things God is doing. Recently, I got word from our dear friend Carrol Westbrook in Durham, NC, about a breakthrough in physical healing for her previously-paralyzed son Neal. Here is what Carrol shared: Bible Study […]
A call to pray for Venezuela
I believe that we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers. When we do spiritual warfare, we are partnering with the powers of Heaven. In the past several years, the well-being of the people of Venezuela has deteriorated. As the economy has crashed, essential services such as power and clear water […]
Announcing GCU Partnership
If you pastor a church, you understand the pressure of continuing your education while occupying the pulpit. It is often difficult or impossible for a vocational minister to take an extended leave of absence to pursue a much-needed ministry degree or certificate. I’m excited to announce a brand-new partnership that opens the door for many […]
Embracing hope, not despair
I am concerned about the enemy’s use of oppression on those who are in ministry leadership. Some are battling financial oppression, others mental and physical, and some even religious oppression. When oppression sneaks in, the enemy can use it to deceive you into thinking that it is normal – that being under the weight of […]
Beginning the year right
It’s a brand new year and a new season for growth in our ministry and relationship with God. This month is a great opportunity to pause and devote ourselves to seeking Him and spending time in His presence. I encourage everyone in our family of ministers, churches, and organizations to devote a portion of this […]
Emmanuel
I have to be honest with you: I love Christmas! I love the music, the decorations, the food and special times with friends and family. I love the way Christmas smells. And who can argue with a couple of cool presents under the tree with your name on it!? If you ask me, it’s not […]
Rescue Five Kids by Christmas
Who in your congregation has a special passion for reaching the least of these—the poor, the orphan, the outcast, the fatherless? More than 14 million children around the world are living in poverty, in danger of slavery, sex trafficking, malnutrition, and social stigmatization because one or more parent is in prison. They need someone to […]
Hurricane Florence Response
Dear TFN Family, Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those families, homes, churches, and businesses affected by Hurricane Florence the East Coast. I am personally experiencing the realities of his historic storm as several communities in our area contain flooding as high as eight feet above street level. Our church in Goldsboro, […]
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is just a few short days away, and many of us are looking forward to enjoying the weekend with loved ones. For me, there is nothing better than catching a baseball game or hiking with Sharon or time out on the lake with your fishing gear and some good friends! It is easy […]
We are all called to Team JESUS
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks. On April 17th I was in the state of Washington for the RISE UP Northwest Regional conference with Kevin Hunter and Phil Vance. It was a refreshing three days of fellowship, encouragement, lots of food, and one of the hilliest rounds of golf I’ve ever played in my life! […]
Honoring a Legacy of Faithfulness
On Saturday, April 7th, my father C.R. Holder went to be with Jesus. He was 86 years old. My Dad was a faithful minister of the Gospel for nearly 70 years and a long-time and active part of The Fellowship Network. He pastored eleven churches, founded the congregation that I currently shepherd, and launched ministers […]
Special Greeting from P. Douglas Small
[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.76″ background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.0.76″ src=”https://tfnstaging19.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/banner.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” border_style=”solid” force_fullwidth=”off” show_bottom_space=”on” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.76″ background_color=”#ffffff” custom_padding=”|15px||15px”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.0.76″ title=”on” meta=”on” author=”off” date=”on” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”Our friend P. Douglas Small from the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America is extending a special invitation […]
Easter: A Message of Hope
Easter: a Message of Hope When Jesus emerged from the tomb, sin and death bowed to Lord of eternal life. That’s the message of HOPE that inspires us never to give up. Whatever tomb may hold us captive, from unhealthy relationships to economic disadvantage, from divisiveness to prejudice, “the present moment” is not the same […]
Your church has an opportunity to bring hope
The Children of Prisoners Project is our fellowship’s opportunity to make a difference in parts of the world that desperately need to experience the love of our Father God. This isn’t some big outside organization soliciting funds—this is OUR FELLOWSHIP stepping up to meet a need that is largely going unfilled. Our goal is for […]
Announcing our NEWEST member of the team!
I have a very exciting announcement to share with you today. Our TFN ministry team is EXPANDING as God continues to bless and expand our global Kingdom Impact. A little over two years ago, we embarked on a journey to bring hope to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. The Children of […]
Prayer is a team sport
If you watched the College Football Championship game on Monday night, you saw a game for the ages. Georgia surged ahead in the first half, but then Alabama came back to tie it in the fourth quarter. After missing a game-winning field goal opportunity, the Crimson Tide won the game in overtime with a stunning […]
Happy New Year
Happy New Year! As I think about the new year, I am filled with hope and anticipation for what God is doing. These are exciting times for the Body of Christ: we are seeing more preaching, evangelism, and soul-winning around the world than ever before! And our network of ministers, churches, and organizations has a […]
Merry Christmas
As Christians, we have been given the greatest gift in the history of mankind: the gift of God Himself. Today, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel, “God with us.” His life, death, and resurrection brought us salvation. And the gift of the Holy Spirit gave us His presence in our hearts. It has been […]
No Room at the Inn
“And while they were there, the time came for (Mary) to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:6-7 It was plenty difficult for Mary to be traveling […]
Giving Thanks for a Blessed Year
One week before our Thanksgiving holiday, we had the privilege of spending time with some of our closest and dearest friends during The Fellowship Network Fall Cruise. We departed out of Galveston for five days of relaxation, great dining, and a chance to catch up with old friends and co-laborers in the Lord. God has […]
Prayers for Las Vegas
By now, we have all heard the stories and seen the images from the tragedy in Las Vegas. The loss of human life is truly shocking, as was the brazenness of the attack itself. The premeditated murder of so many people is something that most of us cannot fathom. It goes beyond a mass shooting: […]
Training up the next generation
This week, I’m in Texas in TFN meetings and spending time with my wife as she speaks at the “Among Friends” women’s’ conference hosted by Pastor Scott and Marsha Hoxworth in Killeen, TX. It’s great being with friends and partners in ministry, watching leaders impart faith to the next generation. Even though we pastor different […]
The difference between Moses and Jesus
A lead minister’s day is never over. Today is no exception. After a long afternoon of meetings with the elders, the pastor is ready to settle in for the evening to study and spend time with God. But tonight, he is interrupted yet again by dozens of demands for an audience. One person is mad […]
Thoughts and prayers with the people of Mexico
By now, many of you have heard about the tragedy in Mexico City on Tuesday afternoon. A powerful earthquake struck the city, toppling buildings, destroying infrastructure, and killing over 150 people. The recovery process is anticipated to be long and painstaking. Hundreds of structures have been damaged, and it is expected that there are still […]
You Belong
“You belong.” Those words stand by themselves, demanding more context. Belong to what? Why do I belong? Is my belonging conditional? There are many things we can belong to by choice. For example, a Sam’s Club or Costco membership is something I can choose to belong to. Because of my belonging, I get certain rights […]
For Future Generations
Our Network is celebrating 55 years as an association in 2017. So much has happened during the past five decades. In 1962, man had yet to walk on the moon, John F. Kennedy was still president, and 186 million Americans called our country home. Today, we live in an information age, Donald Trump is the […]
The Fellowship Network is on the rise!
As Summer turns to Fall, I’m encouraged by the growth we have seen as a Fellowship in 2017. This year, we have welcomed many new ministers, organizations, and churches to our ranks. We have launched the Children of Prisoners missions initiative to care for the some of the neediest young people in the world. And […]
Why I am no longer bitter about the Panther’s loss in Super Bowl 50
On Sunday, my Carolina Panthers walked all over the San Francisco 49ers in a NFL game that can best be described as “one sided.” It feels great to watch your team win! But it wasn’t that long ago that my same Panthers lost the Super Bowl by a score of 10 to 24 in that […]
What does it mean to have a Harvest Mentality?
What does it mean to have a Harvest Mentality? John 4:31 “Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said […]
Good News from Houston
Our friends at Christ in Action continue to coordinate relief work across the devastated areas of the Texas coast. Volunteers from all over the south have been traveling to the region to aid in the cleanup work. From the Christ in Action team: We want to give a shout out to Joshua, Janelle, Lisa, Tyler, […]
Look out and see, the fields are white with harvest
Have you ever been in a field right before harvest? You can feel the anticipation in the atmosphere. The farms are buzzing with activity – tractors getting last-minute tune-ups, silos and barns being prepped to receive the bounty, and people working everywhere working on the one thing that they have been preparing all year for. […]
God’s hands at work in Houston
The waters are starting to recede in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, but the recovery work is just beginning. All across the greater Houston area, millions of people are returning to find possessions gone, homes damaged, and life essentials in short supply. And yet there are encouraging signs as well. We are getting reports of […]
Open Hearts, Open Hands
Dear Fellowship Network Family, As the greater Houston area grapples with the enormity of the devastation, signs of hope are starting to emerge. We are hearing more and more reports of our churches, ministers, and organizations stepping up to fill the needs of the people in the affected areas of the Gulf Coast. As the […]
Do you really want to be like Joel Osteen?
Do you really want to be like Joel Osteen? Many of us saw the news this week about Houston’s Lakewood Church refusing to open its doors to people in need of shelter during the flooding. It turned out to be fake news – on the day of the hurricane, the Lakewood building was inaccessible due […]
Jesus calmed the storm
Our friends in Texas are experiencing some of the worst flooding in a century. The storm has brought some of the heaviest rain ever recorded on the Gulf Coast, and now the coastal cities are waiting for the waters to recede. Jesus showed a remarkable ability to stay calm during stormy times. He literally fell […]
Heaven Came to Earth in Durham, NC
“Heaven Came to Earth in Durham, NC” That was the theme of our South East region’s annual conference. Two days of worship and fellowship, with times of in-depth ministry and refreshing. I want to thank Vice President Randy Estelle and the entire South East Board for a fantastic conference. Everyone in attendance came away with […]
Spending time with the Lord is an intentional act that keeps us in the flow of CONFIDENCE!
Confidence in your abilities and the goodness of God comes easy sometimes. It’s tempting to think that past accomplishments and God-given talents can help you rise to the occasion or problem-solve your way through just about anything. Then if things go off the rails, you can always pray, hear God’s voice and do what needs […]
Here as in Heaven, at the Southeast Conference in Durham, NC
Jesus prayed “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” When we pray “on earth as it is in Heaven,” we are praying for more than just the favor of God on our lives. We are leaning into expectancy for the heavenly realm to invade our lives here on […]
Recap of the South Central Conference
It was the best regional conference that I ever had to leave early! Thank you all for your prayers and kind notes of support. I arrived in Mesquite, TX for the South Central Regional Conference, only to have to leave for a family emergency back home. Fortunately, we have an amazing team in the South […]
Conference Week
It’s conference week in our South Central region! Few things get me excited like gathering with Kingdom-minded ministers from around the country. This week, Family Cathedral of Praise in Mesquite, TX is hosting over 100 pastors, ministers, evangelists, and missionaries for our South Central Regional Conference. It promises to be an inspirational time of strengthening, […]
