Books published by Four Rivers Design

Someone once said: "If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got!" As Christians we tend to simply do what we've always done. In general we don't like "change". The values and doctrines that we've been taught by our religious, and often denominational upbringing are rooted deep in our subconscious selves and therefore often determine the way we live our lives. Paradigms that we have been indoctrinated with during our spiritual upbringing have largely determined our behavioral patterns. Yet the accomplishments of the Church have been largely mediocre. It's God's desire to see that change and unleash a powerful people in the earth that will manifest His Kingdom. Chronicles of Reformation is a series of articles written over a period of time as the Spirit prompted me to write, that will challenge and change our mindsets and ultimately position us to bring forth positive change and extraordinary results.

It''s the only way it works. Preteens are beyond elementary ministry once their brains start changing, and the way they do everything becomes new. Behavioral problems are just the beginning, but that really isn''t the problem. They are ready for more and need intentional preteen ministry. Seize this short window of time. You won''t get this chance again. Written for ministry leaders and their teams, this book will provide a practical foundation as you grow a ministry in which 9-12 year olds in 4th, 5th and 6th grades take ownership of their faith in Jesus Christ. This book is packed full of ways to create space for preteens to move toward: a faith in God that is THEIRSa love of God''s Word that is THEIRSa walk with Jesus Christ that is THEIRSReading this book, you will learn the essentials of Intentional Preteen Ministry:Using effective questionsIncorporating experiential learning and movementBalancing challenge and safetyUnderstanding the beginnings of identity formationProviding opportunities for power and choiceLetting go and running beside 

Solomon said, "The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails..."THIS WAS WRITTEN TO YOU!"This book will encourage you, challenge you, and empower you to take your ministry-and the people who serve alongside you in it-to the next level." -Dr. Sam Chand, Leadership Architect, Consultant,Author, and Speaker, www.samchand.comHave you defaulted to "Self-Leadership" in the painful absence of "Direct-Leadership" above you? I get it. Do you need a regular booster shot to keep strong and stay sharp? You can have this. Are you craving practical wisdom and powerful plumb lines for leading your ministry well? They''re available. Do you need a collection of tried-and-true ministry principles to help you fight the good fight? This is it.Are you hungry for practical wisdom and timeless truths to fulfill your unique calling? This will help you grow.Are you making ministry TOO COMPLICATED? Tap into the power of simplicity.Ministry Insights is a compilation of 52 golden nuggets of wisdom for leading your ministry well. This power-packed book draws from Josh Denhart''s 20+ years of ministry in the trenches. This book was written from the front lines of ministry for those in the front lines of ministry.

Jesus said, "Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to raise up workers..."THIS WAS WRITTEN TO YOU!"This 40-Day Prayer Journal will do more than engage you in the discipline of prayer. Perhaps this can be the most transformative 40 days of your life."  -Mark Entzminger, National Director of Children''s Ministries, General Council of the Assemblies of GodStruggling to spend time with God in prayer? I get it. Want to deepen your focused time of prayer? You can. Hungry to HARVEST more out of Scripture? It is available. Ready to learn and practice PRAYING the Scriptures? It''s time to grow.Do you need an incredibly practical, daily guide to spending time with God in prayer? This is it.Are you making prayer TOO COMPLICATED? Tap into the power of simplicity. Now.The time to go deeper in your relationship with God is now. Josh Denhart has created a powerful pathway to connect those in ministry to God''s heart. This book was written from the front lines of ministry for those in the front lines of ministry.

Experience a life-changing Pentecost As speakers at Jerusalem2020 share in this book ways that God is moving through today’s Church.As the masses unite in prayer and worship, hear from leading voices around the world and discover where the global church is headed in the future. Connect with what God is doing around the world, see your faith come to life through this impactful and anointed book. Encounter the Holy Spirit in a fresh and powerful way!Empowered21 will help shape the future of the Global Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for intergenerational blessing and impartation.The purpose of Empowered21 is:To Unite the Global Spirit-filled movement together intergenerationally for the purpose of seeking a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the 21st Century.To Focus the energy and resources of the Spirit-empowered global church on the harvest and challenges before us.To Provide a platform for addressing the crucial issues facing the 21st Century Spirit-empowered church.To Discover contemporary methods, vocabulary, spiritual grace and relational favor needed for engaging every generation in Spirit-empowered living.To Witness greater convergence and collaboration of Spirit-empowered ministries around the world.

Experience a life-changing Pentecost As speakers at Jerusalem2020 share in this book ways that God is moving through today’s Church.As the masses unite in prayer and worship, hear from leading voices around the world and discover where the global church is headed in the future. Connect with what God is doing around the world, see your faith come to life through this impactful and anointed book. Encounter the Holy Spirit in a fresh and powerful way!Empowered21 will help shape the future of the Global Spirit-empowered movement throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for intergenerational blessing and impartation.The purpose of Empowered21 isTo Unite the Global Spirit-filled movement together intergenerationally for the purpose of seeking a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the 21st Century.To Focus the energy and resources of the Spirit-empowered global church on the harvest and challenges before us.To Provide a platform for addressing the crucial issues facing the 21st Century Spirit-empowered church.To Discover contemporary methods, vocabulary, spiritual grace and relational favor needed for engaging every generation in Spirit-empowered living.To Witness greater convergence and collaboration of Spirit-empowered ministries around the world.

This challenging, sometimes personal, often painful journey into the reality of the shouts on picket lines, whispers in country clubs, daily headlines, talk up and down the aisles of houses of worship, in the halls of higher learning, on the streets of cities across America, on the roads of rural America, on the internet, camouflaged in the welcome signs, lurking in the law, glaring in the courtroom...declares that walls can fall. You need this powerful teaching, laced with personal testimony and challenging lessons. The walls of racism and ethnic division can fall; but only if we are willing to face them and pull them down, and only if we have an answer to the prophetic question: “is there any word from the Lord” on this timely topic. Dr. Ulmer delivers that word with fearless clarity and touching humanity. Read it and you will not only be faced with a revelation of the possibility, but more importantly, with the decision: what role can you play, while echoing the profound proclamation: Walls Can Fall!

No matter what sphere of influence you lead in-a home, a business, a ministry, a nonprofit, or simply in your personal life-we all have a soul-level need for alignment. God designed us to be aligned with His truth in every aspect of our life. The problem is, the troubles of this world and the attacks of the enemy throw us off balance. This book is about getting you back on the right track. You may be experiencing lack of alignment in your finances. Maybe your organization feels out of control. Your health may be suffering because of a lack of time management. Maybe you're not entirely sure what alignment has to do with your walk with Christ in the first place. The following collection of thoughts from world-class business and ministry leaders paints a holistic picture of the essential nature of alignment for believers. If we're not aligned with God's Word, our teams, families, health-and, ultimately, our calling and legacy-will all suffer. We hope you find enlightenment, inspiration, encouragement, and the push you need to step into alignment in a rejuvenating way through this book. Read each chapter with humility, and pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you where you've been out of alignment, so that He can lovingly restore you to wholeness. Indeed, only when we come into alignment with Him and His Word do we step into the true, abundant life we're meant to have in Jesus Christ.

There is something incredibly rewarding about witnessing a volunteer who had no idea how they could fit into children's ministry transform into a passionate, dedicated part of the kidmin team. You live for that experience, because you know that each Rock Star volunteer equates to more kids having the opportunity to know Jesus.Rock Stars contains input from 23 kidmin leaders. You're not alone! You don't have to figure it out on your own or come up with all the ideas. The nuggets of information these seasoned kidmin leaders provide about volunteers will inspire you to take steps-big and small-so that each individual on your team will have the resources, relationships, training, and motivation to use their God-given gifts to speak to the hearts of kids.Yes, children of all backgrounds and in a multitude of circumstances are waiting for someone to love them to Jesus. It's a simple math equation: The more Rock Star volunteers you have in place, the more children you can reach. Take steps today toward expanding and strengthening your team to be Rock Stars on mission!

The Breakthrough to Your Miracle Study Guide helps readers take the next steps and apply the principles they have learned in Pastor Jason Noble’s compelling new book. In this powerful study guide, participants will discover:why God chooses to do miracles through peoplethe difference between belief and faithhow to position yourself to receive a miraclehow God responds to radical faiththe power of speaking life over your situationthe effect of fear on one’s faith—and how to conquer itwhy desperate circumstances can be opportunities for a miraclethe difference between proactive and reactive prayerthe power of our words and feelings in releasing faithand much more ...Designed to be used in a small group or individual study alongside the Breakthrough video presentations, each section guides participants through reflections, discussion questions and opportunities to record what God is saying through the lessons.

A life that matters isn't achieved overnight. In fact, it's built over time, incrementally, through a consistent application of wisdom and hard work.In 120 Minutes to Live Big, pastor, author and businessman Dr. Derek Grier provides 120 bite-sized nuggets of insight, along with penetrating questions that will help readers reflect and apply them.Grier addresses practical topics such as marriage, family and finances, as well as wisdom for personal growth and leadership development. Written with humor and transparency and saturated with biblical truth, 120 Minutes to Live Big is designed to both stimulate self-examination and provide fuel for personal transformation.Each one-minute chapter is bolstered with real-life anecdotes, inspirational quotes, and witty teachings to help guide readers minute by minute, day by day. Each sixty-second teaching will take you from good to great, from mediocre to extraordinary. This book will leave you with a burning desire to want to be better and strive for your next level of excellence!

The chapters in Stronger are written by different kidmin who have their unique set of challenges, life situations, and ministry positions. Each writer shares one thing that makes them feel stronger-whether that's in their personal life or in ministry.What is it that, when incorporated into your life, makes you pull back your shoulders and say, "I can do this with the Lord's help"? Don't just wish upon a shooting star that you could become stronger in that area, take steps to move you toward Strong Man status.You'll gain insight about topics like:• You are stronger when you include God in all your decisions.• You are stronger when you pursue health.• You are stronger when you read.• You are stronger when you have a mentor.• You are stronger when you're able to say no.• You are stronger when you glorify God through diversity.• You are stronger when you put fear in its place.Look out, world! Kidmin are a godly force that's out to claim all children in the name of Jesus. They're a strong army for the Lord… and getting stronger by the day.

Stronger, Volume 2, is the overflow and continuation of Volume 1. There was just so much content that needed to be shared that we had to break it into two volumes, so readers could benefit from all of it.When you become stronger in an area, it generates enthusiasm and commitment. You're improving or becoming better prepared, and that gives you the boldness to take on God's big plans. Whether it's a personal spiritual discipline you need to concentrate on… or figuring out how to overcome procrastination… or addressing the faults you have in the way you deal with people… or discovering ways you can make sure every single child feels included… you'll find help in Stronger, Volume 2, for attacking those weaknesses to become a stronger follower of Christ and leader of kidmin.Press on to become all God has created you to be. Press on to become stronger at whatever area will more effectively draw kids to Jesus. Humbly come before the Lord to become stronger in His sight.

You are a person of influence!Children who are only big enough to hug your legs, the generation that feels more like your parents, and all those in between are people who fall in your sphere of influence. Yes, they are looking to you for leadership.You have a choice. You can Lean In to it and leverage your influence for ministry impact … or you can pass up the opportunity to be the leader God designed you to be. There are so many facets to being an extraordinary leader. With that in mind, be aware that there is always room to tweak what you know, learn new things, and grow in excellence.Twenty children's ministry warriors have shared their expertise and experience in Lean In in order to help you be the best leader you can be. Embrace what they have shared and use it to lead your circle of influence-your kidmin team, curious observers in your congregation, the parents of your children, and all the kids God has blessed you with.

The Renaissance Leadership Network empowers and trains hundreds of leaders who directly impact the lives of millions across the globe. It provides spiritual accountability to pastors and ministry leaders as well as relief and assistance to widows and orphans in needy parts of the world.The Renaissance Leadership Manifesto is a compilation of real-world insight from influencers in the network, covering topics fleaders face every day in their businesses, ministries and spheres of influence.From offering practical guidance on strategic planning and finances to tackling philosophical  issues such as generational transition and accountability, contributors write from a wealth of experience in the business, organizational, political and church environments.  As Bishop Grier writes, leadership is not an easy calling, but, “You are not alone. We are on this path with you. God is beside you in all things, and He will continually bring to fruition His purposes in us, until that day that He comes again to claim us as His own.”

In Matthew 15, we read about the faith of a Canaanite woman. Her daughter was troubled and others had shooed her away. She didn't know what to say except for three very important words: "Lord, help me." And Jesus said, "Great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire."Over the course of this book you will be introduced to ten prayers. They all begin with "Lord, help me..." because the success of your ministry hinges upon God's blessing and the Holy Spirit's power upon what you do.Too many kidmin leaders try to do God's work in their own strength. We try to carry the weight ourselves only to find that we fall short; only to find that we are left empty handed, or that we don't accomplish what we want or desire.God never intended for you to do ministry alone. He has given you the Holy Spirit to empower you to do what He has called you to do. It requires you to lean in on Him. Just as the Canaanite woman knew nothing to say but, "Lord, help me," this book will remind you that there are 10 important areas in which we desperately need God's help... and when He empowers us in these 10 areas, our lives and ministries are forever transformed.The change you've been looking for in your ministry can be found in 10 simple sentences. When you pray through them every day and commit to grow in these areas, they can forever change the way you live, the way you view people, and the way you do ministry.

As you stroll through the pages of Inspired: Unlocking your creativity, you'll be challenged to stretch your creativity to new levels. You'll be encouraged, if for some reason you think God left the creative bone out of your body. You'll gain knowledge about how creativity actually works. You'll gather ideas that may open a whole new area of ministry possibilities for you. And, most importantly, you'll be inspired to use your creativity to glorify the Creator God who gave it to you in the first place.A host of amazing kidmin have contributed to the content--people from different size churches, from big cities and small towns, and from all over the country (and outside of it). They have lots to share! Be ready to jot notes in the margins, because you'll be inspired as you read. God's going to use your creativity to shake things up!

Everyone has a story ...And sometimes a story is all we need to remind us what we already know to be true--that God is good, even when everything seems to be falling apart.In Hope Lifts, Pastor Ruth Chironna has gathered stories of people who embraced hope in the face of despair. From medical miracles and dramatic rescues to financial breakthroughs and resurrected marriages, Hope Lifts will provide fuel for your faith as you read accounts of God's intervention on behalf of those He loves.Not every story has a fairytale ending, but each one reveals the character of a Father who stands ready to protect and provide for His children--sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Throughout biblical history, God's people have experienced transitions that challenged their current state and pointed toward a future that wanted to happen in the eternal purposes of God. The nascent 21st century is just such a time.Tectonic cultural shifts are creating tsunamis of uncertainty and disillusionment that strain our institutions, expose our divisions, and test the Church's readiness to lead. Always, such breakpoints demand a revived focus and renewed dedication to the truth--in our case, a devotion to the ancient and unchanging truths upon which Christ built His Church.As was true at previous junctures, the current transition is revealing a vanguard company of men and women who, amid upheaval and disorientation, understand the times and know what to do (1 Chron. 12:32).In Dead Prophets Society, Dr. Mark Chironna speaks to the legacy of Issachar and its place in the 21st-century Church. Methodically and scripturally, he describes how modern sons and daughters of Issachar will do what Issachar has always done: arise to the high call of God, labor on the living edge of what He is doing, and serve as His instrument of recovery and restoration, His vital, authentic, and overcoming Church.

Welcome to Engaging Kids.The reason you've picked up this book is because your heart cries out in a desire to have the spiritual lights come on in kids. You want them to connect to God and His Word. You want to engage them at the highest level in a multitude of ways, so they will make the most important decision of their life--to begin a lifelong experience with The God of the Universe.Do you want to know how to get and keep kids' attention? Would you like to better understand how they think? Are you interested in figuring out how to better relate to kids? Do you passionately want to encourage them to take personal steps toward God? Those are just a few of the reasons Engaging Kids was written.If you're like me, you want more than an a-ha moment. You want an a-ha lifetime for your kids! That means that you need to learn how to use the tools that will engage them in worship, in healthy godly relationships, in the stories God has chosen to be in His Word, and in holy habits like scripture memorization, journaling, serving, daily devotions, and prayer. You want a connection to be made and the lights to come on!Your fellow kidmin from a variety of ministry environments have provided the excellent content that composes these pages. Let's get started and discover how each of us can more effectively put the hands of our kids in the hand of God.

The greatest influencers in a child's life are his or her parents. Children parrot words they hear at home. They mimic behaviors they see lived out in front of them. You can tell a great deal about a child's home life if you listen and watch for a few moments. Wouldn't it be great, after spending a short time with a child, to see evidence that parents are sowing spiritual seeds!As those involved in children's ministry, our hearts overwhelmingly desire to see children begin a lifelong adventure with Jesus as their Savior and Lord. But, our time and influence are limited. God is aware of that! He wants you to have an influence on the kids you come in contact with. But, His plan is much broader. He created "family"--the ultimate in small groups and a place where He meant for a child's faith to be home grown.In Home Grown you'll be challenged to come alongside parents, to both equip them and encourage them to step into the calling God has placed on their lives. That calling is to live out their faith in front of their children and not shy away from the biblical mandate to be their child's primary spiritual leader.May you be rejuvenated with excitement at what's possible when parents lead their children daily in God's Word and closer to Him.

There's nothing quite like it. It's an intense excitement and anticipation to be part of a new movement, to be in on the ground floor, to participate in something that will take the ministry you love in an entirely new direction. By becoming a citizen of this unique nation--Kidmin Nation--that's exactly what you're doing. Kidmin Nation is the very first year-round conference experience that exists to equip, resource, and encourage those who long to lead children into a lifelong relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. It's a conference that never ends and it's going to be a new energizing experience for you! As a nation, we are a people who share a common calling to serve the One True God by investing in the lives of children and their families. The Manifesto you hold in your hands states the intentions, purposes, and values of Kidmin Nation. This is what we're about. This is who we are. This is what we envision. Join the Nation!

In the first volume of Pulse, 35 experts offered practical insights on a variety of topics facing kidmin workers today. Back by popular demand, this second volume contains 36 chapters with the combined wisdom of 36 experts serving on the front lines of children's ministry, covering issues such as: tackling creativity killers helping kids and fami1lies navigate digital media ministering to children in broken families building a staffing strategy and much more ... In addition to practical advice, Pulse tackles crucial matters of spiritual and professional development, leadership growth and leaving a legacy for those who will come behind you.