Joel Khouri
Spring 2008 Update
A quick catch up. . .
I am writing you today from beautiful Palermo, Italy. I was invited here to help lead a creative worship conference until the 24th of April. Around the world God is awakening an army of creative worshipers and equipping them to express the message of the Kingdom through all of their giftings and talents. I love getting to see people come alive in their destiny as the walls of religion fall before them and they step into the fullness of creative expression and worship. A lot of the last three months for me has been seeing others through the eyes of God and fighting for their hearts and destiny. I am learning what it is to lay down my life for others and it is beautiful and lovely and I find Jesus in it everyday.
This has been both a busy and fruitful season for me in production and ministry. Joshua Baldwin and I have been in the studio working very hard on his c.d. which will be out in June. It has been incredible working with Joshua, and the c.d. is going to be fantastic. God has been so faithful to breathe on our efforts and go beyond our expectations with grace and favor. I have really felt the hand of God on this project, and I feel that the timing of its release is definately being ordered by the Lord.
A recent highlight in this season has been working with Jonathan Helser producing his live night and c.d. release service at Morningstar Ministries in Fort Mill, SC. Being the creative overseer of the cinematography, stage design, music arrangement, and live video was both challenging and rewarding. The night was beautiful and annointed, but most of all I believe Jonathan and Melissa's heart shone through and the Father was blessed by our worship.
In these last few months I have also felt led to connect with Chuck Mervin and The Cause USA in a deeper and more intentional way. My heart has been knit together with the Cause community in Fort Mill. We have been pressing into intimacy with God, unity and love, and culture shifting creative expression. I believe that God is about to release a movement that is birthed out of stillness. Those who will tarry in the secret place will be filled with power and through beholding Him we will know Him as He is and the world will truly know Him through His people. We are preparing for this summer and believing that God is going to move in our whole community. I am crying out for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Morningstar, The Cause, All Nations, and into all of the earth. Last Saturday night as a group of about 30 of us began to cry out "Set us on Fire," the spirit of God became so strong in the room that I could tangibly feel in the atmosphere a taste of the revival to come. We will take to the fields once more this summer, this time calling the worshipers and intercessors to come to Fort Mill and press into the heart of God with us.
From Sundance Film Festival To India and back again. . .
I would like to begin by thanking everyone who gave so generously to the Sundance Film Festival mission. It was an incredible adventure full of the favor and grace of the Lord. I was able to attend round table discussions and workshops on topics like: "Crafting Documentaries Concerning Social Justice Issues" (incredible), "The Art of Composition for Film" (with the composers and producers of several major films including "Titanic."), and "Film as a Vehicle for Change." These workshops were like little film schools and the education was priceless.
After participating in one of the premier film festivals in the world all day, I would return to my room (which was amazing!!) and declare Psalm 24 through the night: "Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be lifted up, you everlasting doors; the King of Glory is coming in. The King of Glory is coming into Hollywood, the King of Glory is coming into the Film industry, the King of Glory is invading the culture of this world." And through prophetic evangelism on the streets, miraculous healing, and even praying with a Shiite Muslim Rapper/ Film Maker to receive a revelation of Jesus (incredible testimony), the King of Glory made Himself known! That's the beauty of this festival community, so many times I would be on the transport between theaters and a director, producer, or actor would sit next to me and strike up a conversation. Thank you all for your prayers and support!
One of my top priorities in attending Sundance was preparation for what I am now walking into.
The Journey:
Almost a year ago the Lord began to gently speak to my heart concerning children who are trapped in slavery and forced into a life of prostitution and abuse. Throughout the following year I became more aware and educated concerning this crisis, but felt led to be still and simply wait on the Lord. The only outward release I found was the creation of a piece of spontaneous intercessory music aimed at this injustice, which a team of us recorded in November of last year. Other than that, all I knew to do was wait and prepare.
Three months ago this season of preparation ended and the Lord engaged my heart in action.
During that season I had been in the house of prayer several times a week and each night the Holy Spirit would lead my heart in the direction of these children. I began to weep for them after my set as God began to awaken my heart for these precious lives. One night, at the height of this season of intercession, I walked out of the house of prayer after my set and as soon as I sat down in my car I felt the Lord ask me; "How long will you turn your head and pretend that you don't see?" These words pierced my heart because I knew that even in my intercession, I kept these things far from me so as to remain unaffected. I began to repent of my indifference and God immediately birthed a new compassion in my spirit. In that moment of repentance, a vision was birthed in my heart and I knew what I must do.
The Vision:
In July, I will lead a team of 4 people and a cameraman on a journey through the heart of India. We will begin in the north and trek our way across documenting the story as we go. We will be connecting with several houses of hope: (community's which are working with local authorities to set these children free, lead them to Jesus, minister deliverance and healing to their hearts, and get them established in legal employment.) and documenting the stories of those whose voices are held captive by the hand of oppression.
Upon return, we will produce this footage into a full format social justice documentary film. The film will not be focused on the statistics, horrendous stories of abuse, and guilt inflicting realities of who visits these brothels and where they come from. Instead we will be focusing on the beauty of the Lord, the destinies, callings, and gifts within these children. We will give a name, a laugh, a voice to those who have been rendered silent for too long. We want to give these children an identity that shatters the lies of statistics. We will engage the hearts of Fathers and Mothers to fight for these children out of love and compassion and not from guilt or manipulation.
The Lord spoke to me and said, "A man or woman who is compelled by guilt will give just enough of themself toward a cause to appease their conscience, but a father or mother whose heart is stirred with compassion will rise up and make a lifelong stand for justice"
In October of 2008 we will host a creative fundraising dinner event in Charlotte, NC.
During this night we will premier the documentary film, release the instrumental album that I mentioned earlier, exhibit art and photography centered on this justice issue, and share the stories of those we meet on our journey through creative encounters set up throughout the space. The night will be a defining experience for all those who attend. We will create a place where truth is released, hearts are opened, and justice awakens in us all and we are given an opportunity to shape the destinies of these children who are in dire need.
The Goal:
Through this night, our corporate donors, and our sponsor churches, we will seek to raise $50,000.00 to give freedom to these children and the creation of a non-profit social justice media organization that will continue this kind of work.
Get Involved:
Everyone can do something to help these kids.
Whether giving a donation toward the trip or film, volunteering at the dinner in October, prayer and intercessory support while we prepare for and make our journey through India, or the donation of art or photography for our October exhibit, there are many opportunities for you to join with us in this adventure.
If your heart is moved and you would like to join with us in prayer, financial support, or a donation of time. Please email us at:
facelessrevolution@gmail.com
Copy and paste into your email or simply reply to this email.
In the next three months I will be completing production on Josh Baldwin's album and preparing for this journey to India. Please keep me and this team in your prayers as we follow the heart of the Father into this new and exciting journey.
Please pray for:
Supernatural unity within the team. God has brought amazing people together for this project, but we must become one if we are to operate in the fullness of the Spirit together.
Divine Favor. Every door we need to walk through must open before us, and the full provision to accomplish this work will be released. Pray for corporate sponsers who will join with us to see this message of freedom and life released.
Safety and health for the team and I as we travel to, from, and within India.
And most importantly, that God's will be done on this trip. We want to walk out the dream of God's heart concerning this journey.
Thank You For Your Friendship and Support,
Joel Khouri
