Into the 8th Year … and Beyond

Archippus Awakening hosted a simple 7th Anniversary Zoom event on 20 August 2021 to celebrate the Lord’s faithfulness and goodness. This was what Henson shared with the assembly of Archippuses: (watch on YouTube)

On 3 August 2021, Archippus Awakening marked seven years. It seems like yesterday.

It started with one word: Awakening. Clarified by one verse: Colossians 4:17. Symbolised by one name: Archippus. That became one message: Awaken the saints to know and fulfil kingdom assignments.

That was how we started. And how it has always been. One word at a time. One step at a time. One day at a time.

After seven years, this one word developed into the Archippian Strategic Process: Awakened. Aligned. Assigned. Expanded into the Awakening Context, Alignment Check and Assignment Culture. Covered always by prayer through Kingdom Prayer Initiative (KPI). Grounded by kingdom foundations through KINGDOM101. Supported by books (Say to Archippus & Alignment Check) and our very own aligning initiative, the Mentoring Aligning Process (MAP). Interestingly, seven key elements.

Across each of the seven years, the Lord would grace us with one word. To prepare, encourage, direct and lead us.

1. SOW Psalm 126:5
2. RAIN Isaiah 30:23
3. BUDS Numbers 17:8
4. FRUIT Leviticus 19:23-24
5. INCREASE Leviticus 19:25
6. STRETCH Isaiah 54:2
7. NATIONS Psalm 2:8

2019 was the 5th year, the mid-point of my 10-year commitment to the Lord. To posture ourselves for INCREASE, we assembled at VISION2024 to see how the Lord would lead us for the next five years. In the 6th year, I sensed that the Lord was going to enlarge the place of our tent (Isaiah 54:2) but we were required to STRETCH out the curtains. On 11 January 2020 (11.1), we did a prophetic act at a11e1uia, literally raising a tent made of 120 towels and stretching it out.

Immediately after, the Covid-19 crisis hit and everything came to a standstill. Yet God continued to increase and stretch Archippus Awakening. Although countries closed borders, God opened doors into the NATIONS. Our Awakening Events and Alignment Weekends went online. And nations zoomed in.

All it takes is one word from the Lord.

As 7th Anniversary drew near, I sought the Lord for the next word, if any (not that I needed another for these seven words are all still relevant and unfolding). As I pondered the past seven years, the word BEYOND rang loudly in my spirit. No explanations needed. It’s a word I knew and understood well. From Day One, the assignment of Archippus Awakening has been totally beyond me, beyond my wildest dreams or imagination.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB

This assignment continues to be beyond me. But God is not done with Archippus Awakening yet. The word BEYOND can be applied in terms of degree, time and space; and I sense the Lord will take and stretch us beyond all these dimensions.

What might He be saying through this word: BEYOND? These are my impressions and I share them for affirmation and accountability:

Beyond COVID-19
Look beyond the crisis. You are disrupted but never be distracted. Look beyond the natural. It’s beyond whether one is vaccinated or unvaccinated. Discern the season because there has already been a shift in the spiritual. There is a clash of kingdoms and it will intensify. Soldiers must be battle ready.

Beyond Church
Archippus Awakening will move beyond the walls of the church (organisation or institution) into the marketplace and other Areas of Operation. The past seven years have been a preparation for this. The Lord wants us to experience and exemplify the ekklesia – kingdom community – beyond what we typically understand as ‘church’.

Beyond Singapore
The doors into the nations have already been opened. On 28 Oct 2020 (1st day of 8th year of receiving Colossians 4:17), the Lord dropped the acronym AAKO into my mind. AAKOs (pronounced ‘echo’) are to be Archippus Awakening Kingdom Outposts, to echo and resound the AA message and philosophy. This operation is to be code-named OPS AAKORN – AAKO Relational Network – because this network is to be based on kingdom relationships and principles.

One morning, I woke up with a question: What are the conditions for an echo? To my surprise, I found out that the distance between the sound source and reflecting surface must be more than (beyond) 17m. Permit me to share some ‘divine co-incidences’. 1) The next run of MAP will have 17 overseas participants; 2) the 7th anniversary event (20 August) is 17 days from the actual anniversary date (3 August); and, 3) this year, I turn 57, 17 years since I stepped into full time ministry at 40.

As we speak, AAKO equipping has begun with Uganda; Philippines next. AAKO MAPpers comprise Archippuses from Uganda, Nepal, India and Dubai. Potential AAKOs are being discussed with Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Australia and beyond. I am believing for God to grow mighty oaks of righteousness from this little ‘acorn’ initiative.

Beyond 2024
The message of Archippus Awakening will go beyond 2024. It remains relevant and will become even more urgent. Notice I didn’t say that Archippus Awakening will continue beyond 2024. If it does, fine. If it doesn’t, that’s okay too. This is because this message is not dependent on any ministry or man. Archippus Awakening does not have to be formally around. Nor the man associated with AA. The message of awakening the saints to know and fulfil their God-given kingdom assignments will resound beyond 2024.

Beyond One Man
The Lord used the 29 July “From the Ground Up” devotional of 40.Day 2021 to speak to me. In that entry, we learn that Ezra “disappears” from the scene. However, he continued his assignment, being willing to “coach from the side”. That really spoke to me. My focus for the next three years, preparing for the message to go beyond 2024, is to move from “leading from the front” to “coaching from the side”. I want to raise as many Archippuses as possible – from the ground up – moving on and fulfilling their God-given kingdom assignments. In Singapore and the nations. In Archippian terminology, it is to #buildthearc.

As if to assure or comfort me, I was led to consider 2 Corinthians 10:12-18. More accurately, I believe it was to remind me to remain humble lest my heart is lifted up with all this BEYOND talk.

The principles are simple: Don’t compare with others. Don’t commend ourselves. Don’t covet or crave others’ assignments. Don’t cross into others’ AOs. Boast only in the Lord. His commendation is the only commendation that matters.

Here’s the key: To grow beyond limits, sow within limits.

1. Sow Within Limits (2 Cor 10:13). I can’t go beyond what the Lord has assigned to me. My part is to be faithful in my kingdom assignment. To keep sowing into the lives of Archippuses.
2. Grow Beyond Limits (2 Cor 10:15-16): When these Archippuses are awakened, aligned and assigned, my area of influence will be enlarged accordingly. Through these, I get to grow beyond my limits.

It all comes back to the same message, doesn’t it? Simply, know and fulfil my God-given kingdom assignments. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I invite you to partner me and TEAM ARCHIPPUS to #buildthearc. If you sense the Lord is leading you to work with us, to pioneer new AOs, to equip & establish AAKOs, to sow into the work of Archippus Awakening, or simply to pray for us, drop me a note and we will explore the next steps together.

Seven years to the glory of Jesus and His kingdom. All honour, praise and glory belong to the Lord! I give thanks to Him also for the many He has brought to co-labour alongside me – fellow soldiers, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. SALUTE.

Archippus Awakening continues to be beyond me. Beyond reach. Beyond what I can ask, think or imagine. I have no idea what lies beyond. Even so, that’s not my problem nor should it be my concern. I am just to be faithful with what has been assigned to me and leave God to grow and take me beyond. Whatever that means. Wherever that is. However it happens.

We’ve already crossed into the 8th year … and BEYOND.

One day at a time. One step at a time. One word at a time.