Matthew 10:41 says, "He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward...". I have personally experienced this to be true and so has our church family. Since 1999 our church has welcomed Carol Cartwright as a prophet and invited the grace of Jesus Christ on her life (Ephesians 4:11ff) to flow freely into our lives and ministry.
The picture that I have in my heart when I think about Carol's life and ministry amongst us is one of a fruitfilled orchard -- I see rows upon rows of healthy fruit trees bearing much fruit. When an orchard is at this stage it is easy to simply walk through its rows and enjoy the fruit (appropriately so) but it is easy to overlook the labour that has gone in to bringing the orchard to this point.
Someone has had to prepare the ground, plant the seeds and nurture their growth. In the early stages of growth both protection and pruning have been necessary and young 'saplings' take their fruit bearing shape.
Carol has been one of those God appointed (and anointed) individuals who has helped to prepare the soil, plant the seeds and nurture the growth of our church family. We (or I) would not be where we are today without her loving input and influence. She has taught us both publicly and privately and we (I) have been enriched because of this.
I am convinced that one of the reasons that our church family has a prophetic mantle upon it, and a prophetic edge to it, has to do with the 'prophets reward' that we are receiving. We could have welcomed Carol under any title and her ministry among us would still have been good, but we have chosen to affirm, and declare, our belief in the continued operation of the five-fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11 (pastors, teachers, evangelists, apostles, prophets) and recognize that grace at work in her life.
Carol is going to be with us again on the weekend of April 25,26 in Courtenay, and then again at the end of May in Campbell River and Gold River. We welcome her again as a prophet to our house and we (I) look forward her ministry with us. If you are in the area make sure you gather with us.
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