News from
World Convention 2004
held in
Abuja, Nigeria, from August 3-7, 2004

FGBMFI - NIGERIA
RICHARD SHAKARIAN - A PERSONAL REFLECTION

CONGRATULATIONS NIGERIA
ON THE WONDERFULLY SUCCESSFUL
51ST WORLD CONVENTION, ABUJA

Thank you, Nigeria . . for your tremendous work to our Lord in preparing and presenting the FGBMFI 51st World Convention.

I am confident that the Convention in Abuja is a high point in the lives of all who attended. There were so many great moments; it is difficult to select a favorite part.  It seems like the entire convention was a seamless flow of the anointing of our Lord. 

We really appreciate the leadership of your President Arc. Bunmi Adedeji.

Your incredible hospitality, spectacular music, the brand new National Stadium, and the tremendous testimony from Prison to President given by President Obasanjo made our
1st World Convention on African soil, a life time high point. 

The powerful testimony of President Obasanjo really touched my heart.  As he gave the scriptures that he relied upon in his prison cell, as he told of imagining the right hand of God right there in his cell, you just knew God would bring him out.  His testimony made my trip to Africa worthwhile.   

 The hospitality and the care given to each of us was for many a real life lesson in graciousness and in preferring one another.  I have received several very complimentary calls regarding the marvelous Nigerian hospitality.  Your graciousness to your guests seemed to many as a wonderful love gift of service to our precious Lord. 

I came away convinced that the African preachers are the greatest in the world.  However, my greatest joy is to hear and see the testimonies, not only of changed individuals, but also to see and hear of the anointing of the Holy Spirit on ordinary men and women as they tell of bringing multitudes to Christ.  This is our destiny.

On Friday night, I was so blessed, as I gave the altar call to see several thousand people actually running down the stands and along the beautiful track to get to the altar as fast as possible.  What a sight to see thousands of people weeping and crying out to God.  They were renouncing the gods of past darkness, breaking the bonds and coming into the freedom and light of God.  And then, the rejoicing, the jubilee of spirit as we sang the praises of God under the African sky.      

We extend special thanks to President Obasanjo and the Government of Nigeria including the Vice President who helped us greatly, the President of the Senate, and many government ministers, many ambassadors; and Senator Fred Brume.  Also, special thanks to the many television news and talk shows which included me as a special guest.

I enjoyed visiting with the former President of Burundi, Pierre Buyoya and learning of his personal activities as President of a FGBMFI Chapter in his country.  It was also an honor to put lifetime pins on honored Kings.

Please give our special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers in each of the 25 committees that worked so hard to make this event a great success. Also, special thanks to all the coordinators, and to Azike Diribe, who did an incredible job of managing and pulling everyone together.  I really appreciate the special team, which was assigned to me. This team included John Kennedy and several other great men who coordinated my meetings with major political figures, television interviews, and got me to all the convention meetings on time.

Special thanks to Greg and Barbara Volz.  Vangie so much enjoyed praying with the ladies and the beautiful little children.

Our prayer is that Nigeria will continue to shine bright.  And, that all of Africa, which before was known as the Dark Continent, will be completely changed by our Lord.  In the future, we believe that Africa will be known as the Shining Continent.

From this Convention . . . we go with the words of the Spirit ringing, in our hearts. 

100 MILLION SOULS

100 million souls quickly brought to Christ through the outreaches of ordinary people.

100 million souls . . only God can do it through FGBMFI men and women.

100 million souls . . Fire Teams, Love Links to nations, and special outreaches to cities, states and provinces.  As we obey, we will be changed.  We will be strengthened, we will grow, and we will please our Lord as we fulfill the vision given to my father Demos. 

Let all of Africa become . .. THE SHINING CONTINENT OF HOPE.

Your Fellow Servant of our Lord Jesus Christ,
 
Richard Shakarian, International President

P.S.  For those who wished to know. . there were about 30,000 people every night.  Between 15,000 - 20,000 during each day service. . a total of about 60,000 different people attended our Convention.  Those who received Christ numbered between 12,000 - 15,000.  About 5,000 people were delivered from the darkness of tribal witchcraft. 
Praise the Lord.

Please pass on this good report to Chapters and to your email friends.

FGBMFI - 51st WORLD CONVENTION ABUJA, NIGERIA
RON WEINBENDER -  A GREAT CONVENTION

Our hats are lifted as an expression of thanks to all the Nigerian men and women who hosted the 51st World Convention of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International.  They did an excellent job.

There was one major factor that attributed to the success of this years World Convention.  It was the prayer and fasting several months in advance of this great event.  We have never seen men and women more committed to the Vision and dedicated to its fulfillment.

A special THANK YOU to all those who supported this great event through your prayers.

One of the major highlights was when we lost the entire sound system for a period of time just before the evening speaker was scheduled to speak.  Can you imagine a Stadium with 25-30 thousand people and not being able to speak to them?  During this period of time some were blaming the devil, but the Lord allowed it and then everyone started to lift their hands and pray in tongues. This went on for several minutes and the presence of God was overwhelming!!!!

Everyone who came from outside Nigeria had the same thought. Never before had they been treated like this - as a person of royalty.  The Nigerian men and women worked hours everyday to make everyone feel at home.

Every element of the Convention was first class, which included all the materials that were distributed before and during the convention.  The attendees of the convention were shown a much bigger Vision of the fellowship and are tremendously inspired to win their cities and nations to the Lord.

The Friday night meeting was very special as people came running from all over the Stadium to answer the call given by Richard Shakarian to be set free from bondage.  We saw BLIND EYES OPENED AND MANY PEOPLE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED BY THE POWER OF GOD. 

I remember several years ago when Ulf Ekman gave a prophetic word over Richard and stopped in the middle of the word and said - Oh the crowds, the crowds - as the Lord was revealing to him as he spoke.  This is the beginning of the massive crowds.

FGBMFI is moving into the greatest harvest of Souls in the history of mankind and we need laborers to help bring them in.  The fire started in Nigeria will spread to the African Continent and to the rest of the World.

THOUSANDS RUN FORWARD TO BREAK THE CURSE
Reported by FGBMFI VOICE Editor, Bob Armstrong

Friday Night, August 6, 2004
Thousands in the mighty sea of humanity in the National Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria literally ran forward to receive deliverance.  Richard Shakarian, International President of FGBMFI, challenged the throng to release the bondages of the past, and to run forward to receive the hope and light of the future, Jesus Christ.

Tonight, God will break it off of you.  I dont want you to walk, I want you to run.  Run from death and darkness…run to life!  Run for your life!

This historical service was the most memorable one in the history of the Fellowship.  As far as the eye could see, people began to run forward, even in the middle of the lines of the athletic running track, to receive deliverance from witchcraft and spirits that have kept the Nigerians from receiving all that God has for them.

What has been known as the Dark Continent of Africa, shall now be known as the continent of light and hope for the world - Richard Shakarian urged the tens of thousands gathered in the stadium. 

He re-enforced the vision of praying with 100 million people.

The International President shared the prophetic vision the Holy Spirit gave to him enroute to Nigeria.  He challenged people, crammed together from many scores of nations, to move to a higher level of what God wanted for them. 

Shake it off - was the command Shakarian gave to the crowd.  He referred to shaking off the bondages that have held back both sinners, and Christians alike, in Africa.  Richard urged the people to not be bound by their past, or their church background, but to shake off the past and step up to what the Holy Spirit has for them in the future by saying, You are the light for all of Africa, and even the world.  Receive what the Holy Spirit has for you!

The anointing was obviously much in evidence as the cries of desperate people were lifted up for deliverance, thousands even from witchcraft.  Many, deep-seeded bondages were broken off of people, as they witnessed the power of God falling over the altar area and throughout the stadium.

Richard Shakarian urged - God will not bless you unless you are cleaned up of your fetishes, your spiritism, and your witchcraft.  He will not tolerate a double-minded situation anymore.  He will not accept evil in His presence, regardless of your position.

As thousands thrust forward to the altar, running, they received the challenge from Richard Shakarian:
Tonight, God will break those chains and those bondages off you.  The Holy Spirit will break the hold of the dark side.  Your strength is not enough to break the generational chains around your neck.  The stink of evil and rebellion are still there.  But God said, I will break it off of you tonight!

After an intense time of weeping, crying, moaning, deliverance and prayer, the crowd started dancing as a time of anointed, musical jubilee.  From Greg Volz, formerly of Petra, to numerous energetic worship teams from Nigeria, the jam session electrified the participating audience.  Gregs wife, Barbara Volz, had earlier given her heart-wrenching testimony of how God healed her of multiple sclerosis, even after appearing on the Jerry Lewis Telethon for years. 

The night of breakthrough and deliverance for thousands was capped off with the singing of How Great Thou Art by the operatic voice of Rabbi Samuel De Palma from Pennsylvania.

It was more than just an historical night for the Fellowship, it was the igniting of thousands of hungry hearts to bring the Holy Spirit to all of Africa, and beyond!

FGBMFI - ABUJA, NIGERIA DAY 3
RICHARD SHAKARIAN - A MODERN DAY JOSEPH

Last night was worth the trip to Africa sitting with President Obasanjo in the Presidential Box of the National Stadium.  The President asked what he should say.  I told him his story had touched me deeply and we were used to hearing a good testimony.

Later, I introduced this great man who is not only the President of Nigeria but also the Chairperson of the African Union, comprising 53 countries.

He told his story from Prison to President.  How in prison he learned to read the Bible and pray. 

When there was no hope, he read in the Bible . . . Let evil fall on those who slander me.
He learned the more you trust in God and the more you rely on Him, the more He strengthens you.

Isaiah 41:10,12 says:
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness - v.10.

Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought - v.12

 . . In his cell, he used to imagine the right hand of God.

 . . Those who oppose you shall perish by my right hand.

 . . Then he thought - help will soon come, and he read Psalms 71.

After that his prayer life changed and everything about him changed.

He said going to jail is not the end of the world.  When he came out he knew the road had been opened.

Last night, Tuesday night, I am told about 1,500 people received the Lord.

More later.

FGBMFI - 27 Spectrum Pointe Drive #312, Lake Forest CA 92630
Email: international@mail.fgbmfi.org

FGBMFI - ABUJA DAY 2
RICHARD SHAKARIAN - TODAYS DAILY LOG

Monday morning, we were received by the Vice President of Nigeria.  He had helped us get the National Stadium.  We had a very good time with him.

TUESDAY

4:45 a.m. - Got up to do a TV News Broadcast at 7 a.m.

11:00 a.m. - Another TV show - this time a National Talk Show.

12:00 p.m. - President Obasanjo sent over several of his limos along with a military man for our Speakers and International Officers.  My license plate is number 5 in the Presidents Fleet.

2:00 p.m. - Interrupted lunch in order to rush to a News Conference.  I only ate the soup.

2:30 p.m. - News Conference.  It was well attended with 4 TV Stations and several Newspapers.

3:30 p.m. - By this time people have seen us several times on TV and excitement is building.

Much prayer has gone into this 51st World Convention and it is the 1st one in Africa.

There is great anticipation for tonights opening service.

Many officials are coming including his Excellency President Obasanjo.

Many African Presidents are finding the Lord.  Pray for this Convention.  Pray for our health and our strength, and the great anointing of His Spirit.

FGBMFI - 27 Spectrum Pointe Dr. #312, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Email: international@mail.fgbmfi.org

FGBMFI - ABUJA, NIGERIA # 1
RICHARD SHAKARIAN - IN AFRICA

As soon as the wheels left the ground at takeoff from London, the Spirit of Prophecy came heavy upon me.  For 2 hours, I received instruction and insight.  This fresh word did not come until I had left behind the cares of the office, of America, of the U.K. and was on the final leg of our journey to Africa.

Yes, the Lord spoke to my heart about His care, His concern for the African people and much more.

We arrived at Abuja and the top Full Gospel officials had been waiting since 4:30 am for our plane to land.  Sam Mbata, Regional Vice President, Bunmi Adedeji, FGBMFI Nigerian President, Azike Diribe, Convention Chairman, and many others were there for our arrival.  Our motorcade to the Hilton was escorted by the police.

Sunday morning we were with His Excellency Olesegun Obasanjo, President of Nigeria, as he taught Sunday school.  We then worshipped together in a chapel on the Presidential Villa Complex.  The FGBMFI was highly honored and I was invited to participate in the service.

The expectancy for the World Convention is very high, and the Spirit of the people could not be better.

Many are arriving from all the nations.

25 committees with hundreds of workers have been hard at work for this Convention.  And, now we are getting ready to receive from our Lord at the brand-new incredibly beautiful National Stadium.

During this week of the World Convention we will try to give you updates on a daily basis.

FGBMFI, 27 Spectrum Pointe Drive # 312, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Tel: 949-461-0100, fax: 949-609-0344
Email: international@mail.fgbmfi.org

FGBMFI - PRAYER AND FASTING

This coming Monday July 26 is a special day.

Worldwide fasting and prayer
For the up-coming 51st World Convention in Abuja, Nigeria 

Please pray with us, we are believing for miracles in the lives of people
We are expecting God to answer with great miracles in Abuja.
Healing, forgiveness, answers from God for careers, businesses and for families

If you are not able to fast the entire day, please fast at least one meal. 
You will be joining many from nations all around the world for this special day