After that first encounter we were able to become good friends and a spiritual support to one another in regards to our faith.  She is my sister in Christ and the more I have come to know her, the more I respect her not only as a amazing artist, but as a wonderful human being. There are very few people that you will meet in this world who can achieve such great success and yet still remain humble, thankful and selfless to others. For many people, faith and religion are a ritual, for Sammi, her faith is her life and inspiration. She doesn’t just have faith, but she truly lives it.

She is the type of Christian who would rather tell others about her faith not by words, but by actions. I have witnessed her in just the last year help so many people in need. Whether that is quietly giving aid and her time to impoverished orphaned children in another country, to praying daily for those she loves, to being a listening ear and support to her close friends, to loving unconditionally whoever she meets. I am writing this not knowing if she would approve of me writing this, but I have to say it. Sammi is one of the most amazing people you will ever meet, not because of what she does, but because of who she is, she is a person of LOVE.

Hong Kong is blessed to have such a wonderful person of faith and love, to be such an incredible example to its families and communities. I wanted to ask you all who read this column of mine to support “Sammi Chang” on Oct 3rd as I know she is holding her first ever “Gospel Pop Concert” in Hong Kong. She is coming out with a Gospel Pop Album and all I can say is, “How cool is that?” If there was one person who had the faith, the voice and the heart to make a canto-pop album for God in this day and age… I believe it would definitely be Sammi Chang, God’s #1 choice in my opinion haha! So congrats my sister and friend Sammi to another job well done. Go support her by going and praying for her Gospel pop concert and buying her new pop album for Jesus. Add oil for God! You are not only an inspiration to many, but thank you for being an life changing inspiration to me friend ^^ SAMMI CHANG ROCKS FOR GOD!

God bless,

Jaeson Ma

For the Chinese version of the article please click here.

RHYME WARRIOR... JIN KEEP SPEAKN DA TRUTH!

ANGELS – OFF JIN’S “SAY SOMETHING” MIXTAPE… MY FAVORITE TRACK ON THE RECORD…

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IF YOU HAVEN’T DOWNLOADED AND HEARD MY MAN JIN’S NEW HIP HOP MIX TAPE… THEN DOWNLOAD IT NOW RIGHT HERE… NUFF SAID… LISTEN TO EVERY WORD HE SPITS… BECAUSE IT’S LIGHT AND TRUTH… SOLDIERS OF LIGHT BRINGING IT TO YOU FULL FORCE… LET’S GO!

DOWNLOAD “SAY SOMETHING” BY JIN THE MC HERE BELOW:

http://www.mediafire.com/?fmntk2mytmv

http://www.sphereofhiphop.com/rap/2010/05/jin-say-something-mixtape-download/

We also just recorded a new single “CHANGE” coming out soon… feel this positivity? It’s too much and this is what we bringing in 2010!!! Let’s go change the world!

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This Sunday night 4/18 I will be doing a follow up message titled “Transforming Media & Entertainment for God’s Glory” in downtown LA at “Kingdom Come II” if you are in the LA area and have calling to the Hollywood industry, are passionate about seeing revival and awakening in Southern California and are hungry to encounter God, you must come. Find out on facebook here on details for Kingdom Come II, we are expecting and believing for a great awakening this Sunday night!

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THIS IS JUST TOO CUTE & JUST TOO DOPE! RAIN, USHER, CHRIS BROWN, ABDC’S YALL BETTER WATCH OUT CAUSE THIS KID AINT NO JOKE!!

ON THE MOVE

EAST WEEK #23 ~ WE NEED RIGHTEOUS ROLE MODELS NOT CELEBRITIES

In the past year I have had the opportunity to work with many celebrities and artists in the entertainment field counseling, advising and being a pastor to them spiritually. I began to ask the Lord why He had opened this unique door of mentoring artists & entertainers to me, specifically I heard God say, “I am raising up righteous role models to positively influence the next generation for My purposes.”

Why is it important to see artists/celebrities as key influencers in this generation? Because we live in a post-modern culture today that sees leadership and authority very different than the generations before it. Before postmodernism there was modernism and pre-modernism (Christendom).  Let me explain each from a Western context to make a point…

Christendom

The understanding of church that developed after Emperor Constantine made Christianity an official religion of the Roman Empire in the 4th century so that the church became a pillar of society and Christianity the dominant religion.

Modernity

The historical period that emerged in the West around the turn of the 16th century

characterized by the growing authority of science (knowledge), emphasis on rationality (epistemology), and the autonomous individual (society).

Post modernity

The period that is succeeding modernity marked by its rejection of science as the sole authority, the insistence on multiple ways of knowing, including the spiritual, and advocacy of cultural pluralism and relativism.

In pre-modernism (Christendom) the sole authority was the parents. They lived in a society where the family was the social unit and foundation of society. The Church was the basis for morality in Western cultures and the parents enforced those values to their children. In modernism the sole authority was the teachers. During this period where science, knowledge and rationality were advancing many put their trust in those who had the most knowledge. Therefore we created government, business, education and spiritual institutions around the teacher who carried superior information. Yet, when modernism proved to not have all the answers to the world’s problems (wars, diseases, spiritual emptiness, corrupt leadership, etc) the culture shifted to a postmodern society. So in postmodernism if the sole authority and leadership is not found in parents, nor found in teachers, where is it found? My conclusion is that the sole authority is found in “pop stars” or “celebrity icons.”

Think about it? Because of globalization, modern media technology, the world-wide-web, MTV and other sources, whom do the youth look to for leadership? Not so much their parents, no so much their teachers but more so, people like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who are helping the poor in impoverished areas. More so, people like U2 rock band lead singer BONO who uses his music as a platform to rally others to fight HIV AIDS in Africa. For instance, Barak Obama to me is a “rock star” before he is a president! Pop Stars today must realize that their lifestyles do not just have an effect on their fans, but on all of popular culture and society today.

I always tell the celebrities and artists I work with to remember what Mother Teresa once said, “You are not called to be successful you are called to be faithful to God.” I challenge them to think about their choices, their actions and how the messages they convey will directly effect future generations. I cause them to realize that whether they like it or not, they are ROLE MODELS to society. The question is whether or not they will use their influence for selfish gain or for selfless causes?

Celebrities have rights but Role Models do not have but one right. The celebrities right is to serve themselves, their ego and their selfish desires. The role models right is to serve others, because they recognize that what they say and do will influence others for better or worse.

I once heard a person quote the actor Matt Damon saying, “What is the point of being a celebrity if I can’t do something with it?”

I believe God is raising up “RIGHTEOUS ROLE MODELS” who will influence the next generation with faith, values and lives that honor and uplift the human existence. Pray for those artists/entertainers and icons that lead this postmodern culture. What does it mean to be “righteous?” it simply means to be a person who chooses to do what is right…it is being obedient to God.

Blessings,

Jaeson Ma

(I wrote this East Week article a few months back … in light of Tiger Woods, we need to pray for those who are exposed in sin and darkness, love them and not judge them. We all can stumble, but it’s God’s grace that brings us back to life. Pray for those who fall to find grace and truth in Jesus Christ!)

Recently in Hong Kong many celebrities have had to come clean with their mistakes and sins. I simply want to write this to ask everyone to continue to pray for many of the celebrities/artists who have had to face public disgrace and scrutiny. Pray that each of them can find grace, healing and restoration in their lives from devastation and humiliation. Some of these artists/public figures have professed faith in God and making an honest effort to turn a new leaf. Please remember, no one on this earth is perfect, only God is. Our faith is not in our own righteousness, but in the righteousness of Christ. The Bible says, “judge not or you will be judged.” Jesus did not come to save the righteous, but He came to seek and save the lost, the least and the last. He came to save every one of us from our sins and mistakes.

Sometimes, as Christians, as humans we are so quick to judge others but we fail to examine our own hearts. Many times, we think if someone says they now have faith in Jesus that they will become a saint over night. This is hardly the case. Walking with God is a process, change is a process and love is a relationship. God accepts us with all our mistakes, flaws and sins. We need to also accept others not for how perfect they are, but for who they are. The Bible says, “God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness.” It’s not about how perfect we are, but the Gospel is about how perfect God’s love toward us is. It’s not about what I can do for Him, but what He has done for me. We simply respond in gratitude and obedience to His extravagant, unexplainable and unbelievable love for us day after day.

Don’t expect celebrities, artists, public figures or any Christian to be perfect, but let God judge their hearts. I’ve known and prayed with many of these artists through this whole process and I can say most of them have a good heart, a real faith & I will stand with them not because they are saints, but because they are my brothers and sisters. I’ll stand with them because Jesus stood for them on the cross. I’ll stand because Jesus stood for me when I was lost. Jesus stood for all of us on the cross. He loves us so much that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

We’ve all made mistakes and that is why we all need grace. Jesus accepted us, loved us and forgave us in our worst of sins. I have faith that God will turn these “messes into a messages.” A message that God loves every person so much that He sent His Son to die for them, and that no one on this earth is to far from His grace, healing and forgiveness. No one is too far from our Heavenly Father’s arms of love, not celebrities/public figures who have fallen, not those involved, not you, not me, for all of us in this world are loved by God. That no matter what we have done wrong, God still loves us, forgives us and accepts as we are, if we are willing to repent and turn our hearts towards Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Pray for God’s healing and grace to be poured out on those who have fallen from grace in the public eye. Pray that we as a people, a society, as human beings will be more forgiving, less judging and see every person no matter how perfect or imperfect they are as a child of God. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes I make, you make or anyone makes, everyone of us are beloved children of God. Everyone of us is someone that Jesus died for, each of us have value and significance in God’s eyes because we were created in His image. God doesn’t see our mistakes as much as He sees our hearts. We do our best to be like Christ, where we fail, His love will make up for the difference. That is grace, getting what we don’t deserve… none of us deserve God’s unconditional love, but He gives it anyways. I LOVE GOD!

Let’s put the pass behind the cross, let’s learn from our mistakes and let’s move forward together in LOVE.

Blessings,

Jaeson Ma

Last weekend I spoke in Phoenix AZ, with Patricia King at (www.extremeprophetic.com) for a special gathering to pray for God’s movement in Hollywood. There I released a prophetic dream and word on what God is currently doing in media and entertainment. For those of you who are called to this mission field you must listen to this word given. For those of you who pray, you must watch this word to understand the importance of praying for God’s transformative power to change media from the inside out. As someone once said, “Whoever controls the media, controls the minds of a generation” it is time to influence this culture shaper with God’s creativity, with that which is truly good, true and beautiful..

PROPHETIC WORD CLICK HERE TO WATCH

PROPHETIC DREAM ~ GOD’S MOVEMENT IN HOLLYWOOD AND ASIA ENTERTAINMENT

On Sept 26th morning I received a clear prophetic dream about God’s movement in the media and entertainment industry in Asia and Hollywood. There were two parts to this dream and interpreted the morning I received them.

Dream 1 ~ The Rise of Asian Artists in Hollywood & Asia

In this first dream I was in a high-rise, state of the art two-story office building. The building structure was contemporary, posh and everything on the outside and inside was glass. It had an angelic sense and purity to the design and décor. There were colors of white and deep green, it looked like a Hollywood office building in Beverly Hills.

On the bottom floor was a water fountain, statues of angels and neatly designed walkways leading to the front entrance. Then there was an escalator to the second floor where much business activity was happening. As I looked around the second floor building there were posters, portfolios and digital screen shots of different actors, actresses and artisans. Immediately, I knew in my spirit that the office was home to an entertainment and artist management company. As I looked around I saw different artists (many from GBS our “simple church” community in Hollywood) and they were all actively involved in producing new content, meeting with clients, consulting and were meeting in different rooms of the office floor. I then saw a media team from NewSong Church in Irvine coming into the office to film a TV show for the web and they were meeting in another room to discuss the production of the web TV series. Interestingly, everyone in this office working we’re mostly Asian, people I knew and were all professional and passionately driven in what they were doing in the creative arts.

Then in the dream, my office assistant came up to me and told me that I had an appointment with a female artist who wanted help in the direction of her career. I stood upstairs waiting for her, but she never came upstairs. I then get a notice from my assistant that the young woman is waiting for me downstairs because she doesn’t feel worthy to come up to the top level to meet me. I thought it was odd, so I went down the escalators to meet this young Asian artist and her name was “GRACE.”

When I saw her, my heart sunk, because she looked so insecure in her demeanor. She was dressed shabbily and had her head down when she came to meet me. She told me she didn’t know if she was good enough to come upstairs and was ashamed to meet me in my office. I then knew in my spirit that this young artist had an incredible destiny in God’s purpose, but she didn’t believe it or know it. At that moment I knew my role was to call out the greatness within her and I would have to bring her up to the second floor where others had found their purpose and assignments from God. I encouraged her and we ended up going upstairs together…. Dream ends.

Dream 2 ~ The Release of Righteous Role Models into Hollywood West that will effect Hollywood East

I then switch scenes from my first dream to a second dream. In this dream I was in a room with my two childhood best friends. One was Caucasian and the other was Asian. We were together listening to music off the iTunes player on my laptop and surfing the Internet together.  We then listened to the song “I’ll be missing you” the remake to the “Sting” classic by P Diddy after Notorious B.I.G. death. We commented on how the song was such a classic and how it touched so many lives for God.

Then we talked about how the original track that was sung by the Bad Boy camp “Get Money” was horrible and a wasted anointing, but then we thanked God He was able to redeem it by making a song like “I’ll be missing you.” My Asian best friend was also showing to me his Chinese lyrics that fit perfectly on a similar instrumental. I was also waiting to share with them both “Gratitude” (a new song off my upcoming album), which I knew would have the same effect as “I’ll be missing you” but then I waited. After the song was finished playing, it went to another popular rap song from the mid 1990’s.

As this was happening, I looked on my laptop and the website was youtube.com. As I stared at the screen the video enlarged and downloaded this popular game show. For some reason Michael J. Fox was the producer of the show. It was mostly white kids in a game competition. All of a sudden, in the dream was Ryan Seacrest interviewing a young girl that I recognized…it was a girl from IHOP (International House of Prayer) that told me 2 years ago she felt the Holy Spirit tell her she was called to be a missionary and actress in Hollywood.

Ryan was interviewing her because she had recently become a rising star in Hollywood and he wanted the audience to hear her story and her rise to fame. He said, “So you have now been a star in a hit sitcom, recently you’ve been a lead in a major blockbuster film and now you are back for a second season for the sitcom, but if I am correct you got your big break in a ‘Otis Redding” commercial in Kansas City is that right?

She got up and said yes… Then the spirit of the Lord came on her as she used the opportunity to testify about God. She started sharing a bit nervously, but under the strong anointing she shared boldly how she went to IHOP, then found Christ and God opened a door for her to be an artist in Hollywood. Ryan Seacrest could tell it was a bit awkward so he tried to end the interview early saying, “Well, thank you for sharing but…” She knew he was trying to stop her from testifying of God’s goodness, so right then she broke into tears on how she lost everything even her mom and friends but God saved her life from destruction. Then something supernatural and a bit disturbing happened. She paused for a moment and then grabbed her head, yanked it out and twisted it almost 180 degrees backward and then let it snap back into place. The whole crowd was shocked and started clapping, many moved to tears! She sat back down and on the front row was her friends from IHOP who were interceding and praying for her the whole time. I sat there watching stunned as I told my Caucasian best friend “I know that girl, she told me a year ago excitedly she felt called to Hollywood but I had no clue God would send her in with such favor so fast.

Interpretation of Dream 1

As I woke up from the dream, my friend from Asia called me up in real life right after I had awoken. I immediately shared my dream with my friend who is a mainstream artist in the Asian entertainment industry. As I began to share the prophetic dream the Holy Spirit began to give me the interpretations for both dreams…

In the first dream the two-story building represented a company of Asian artists that God was raising up in Hollywood to produce new media and entertainment for His glory. The building was high tech, a high rise, and high end meaning that this company of artists were going to produce creative content that was of the highest quality and caliber. Each of those on the second floor of the building we’re operating in their gifting, passions and callings. They all had specific assignments and were working in a spirit of excellence. They had all transcended the natural realm, and were operating in the supernatural realm (2nd floor) to produce God’s art and work. Many were famous, popular or mainstream stars as there were posters, film trailers and different press coverage plastered all over the office in different rooms.

The interpretation behind meeting the young artist “Grace” is significant. Grace represents many young aspiring Asian artists who have a passion for arts and entertainment field, but don’t have the faith, self-confidence or courage to believe that they are beautiful and possess the greatness to become what God has called them to pursue in the arts. Many of them like Grace, are self-conscious, ashamed and fearful to believe that they can really make a difference and shine their talent for the Lord’s purposes. Many were told when they were young that they were not beautiful enough, talented enough, or it would be foolish to enter into the arts and entertainment for fear of personal security. Her name was “Grace” because it was a reminder that it’s not about what these artists can do in their own strength, rather it is only what God can do in His grace and power to release them into the destiny for which He has created them for to fulfill.

The reason why I come down to the first floor to meet her is because my heart was broken when I realized she didn’t see the beauty and greatness within herself. My role was to encourage her, equip her and empower her to believe she could rise up to the calling for which God had called her to. The second floor of Asian artists were ones who had already transcended their fear of failure and were operating in supernatural faith and their God given anointing to do what He had called them to do. They were confidant in who they were and the God they served. They were moving in a spirit of excellence, creativity and faith that was changing Hollywood and the world.

Interpretation of Dream 2

In the second dream the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me what He is currently doing in Hollywood in raising up righteous role models who will affect the entire world with the Gospel of the Kingdom.

In the first part of the second dream I was listening to music on the iTunes player, which represents the current wave of digital music distribution. The times have changed, people are no longer listening to tapes, or even CD’s they are listening to digital downloads. I’m with my two childhood best friends one is Caucasian the other is Asian. These two friends represent my connection between Hollywood West (US) and Hollywood East (Asia), and how the West will effect the East more and more in the coming future.

We listened to the song “I’ll be missing you” because that was one of the first mainstream commercial songs that talked about life, death and God that became an international hit during the height of “hip hop” in the late 1990’s as we knew it. This song came at the tail end of the hip-hop golden era, marking a clear departure from gangster rap music and hip-hop turning into a commercial product and entity. The song was recorded with an honest heart, an acknowledgement of God and was written because of the tragedy of Notorious B.I.G. untimely murder and death. We then share how the other song “Get Money” produced by the same producer and company “Bad Boy” was a wasted anointing. Why? Because God showed me that in the 1990’s there was an anointing and gift released upon many artists, but because those artists chose to use that powerful gift and anointing for themselves, rather than to glorify God with it, the music, message and messengers of that movement destroyed millions of lives worldwide. In the 1990’s gangster rap music (2pac & Notorious B.I.G. etc), alternative rock (Nirvana, etc) took the world by storm, but produced the early deaths of its leaders and influenced an entire generation in violence, materialism, vanity and destruction. The anointing was wasted and misused for Satan’s purposes rather than God’s. We then thanked God in the dream that He was able to redeem the anointing for music that was lost, and turn it into a restored anointing on music that would touch the world with God’s music and power.

At that moment, my Asian friend shared with me his Chinese lyrics to the same song “I’ll be missing you” which represent how what comes out of Hollywood goes around the world as an expression of American culture and shapes the cultures of others (in this case Asia specifically as China’s film market is the fastest growing and fastest grossing market in the world currently). In the dream, I was also preparing to share with them a new song I had recently recorded that is similar to the message and sound of “I’ll be missing you.” It was a confirmation to me that the Lord was showing me that I could redeem the anointing to impact millions through music that was stolen by the Enemy, and repurpose that lost anointing for God’s purposes right now to once again impact the masses for eternity.

God is Raising Up Righteous Role Models

The dream then shifts focus. I am now looking at my laptop watching youtube.com. This, shift signifies not only the shift in how music is listened to today, but how Television and Film is watched now. No longer are people in this generation tuning into their Television sets to watch the latest and greatest, rather most young people are glued to their computers watching rich content on the Internet more than they do their TV sets. Again, we are shifting into an age of digital distribution, on demand, user based, and user generated content that has the potential to hook in and influence minds more than the modern TV set was able to do.

The laptop screen intensifies and the youtube.com page begins to enlarge and automatically downloads a TV show being shown on the site. The show is significant because it represents what the Holy Spirit is doing through American mainstream entertainment today. The show is a “game competition show” and is hosted by “Michael J. Fox” why is this important?

3 months ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me, “Jaeson I am giving you an assignment to minister and call forth celebrities and artists in the entertainment field to be righteous role models to the next generation.” (For the past 1.5 years I have been given a divine assignment to minister to many artists/entertainers in Hollywood and Asia in unprecedented ways, God has been saving and making disciples of many in the last 18 months for a divine purpose). The Spirit began to tell me that celebrities and role models both have rights, the celebrities right is to serve themselves, their name, acclaim and fame that is completely self focused and selfish. The role models right is only one right that is the right to serve others with their gifts, talents, decisions and actions to be a holy example of Christ to the many who follow them in order that they may ultimately follow Christ. It’s not about them it’s about God.

The Holy Spirit then showed me that it was no coincidence that many iconic celebrities had passed away in the last month, Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, John Hughes, Billy Mays and Michael Jackson. In many ways, these five were the spiritual father and mothers to the pop culture generation in the 1980’s. Ed McMahon produced and hosted the first American Idol “Star Search.” While Farah Fawcett deified the Hollywood sex goddess or independent sex symbol, John Hughes directed the infamous hit pop culture movies, Billy Mays being one of the first cultural pop sports icons and Michael Jackson was the first true “pop star” that inspired all the pop stars we know of today as the “King of Pop.” When these five died, it was because it marked the passing away of one era, and the releasing of a new era in pop culture and entertainment. The question is, “Who will these new pop stars be? How will the future of pop music and film entertainment impact the future generations in God’s end time purposes?”

The significance of the game competition show and Michael J. Fox being the producer is two fold. It hasn’t been until the last 5 years that we have seen TV competition shows rise to the top of viewer ratings. Shows like American Idol, America’s Best Dance Crew, America’s Next Top Model and others have soared through the ratings creating platforms for new talent to be discovered. Yet, if you pay attention closely to the majority of winners or famed contestants in American Idol and America’s Best Dance Crew, a lot of them are professed Christians or Christ followers. Some of them I know of their faith personally, others I have heard of their active faith: Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Kris Allen, Jawbowokeez, Super Cr3w, etc. to name a few.

Most of these stars were unknown one day, the next day they were catapulted to national and international stardom and prominence. Could this be by accident? Or is God preparing the way for His kingdom agents to shine for His glory in this crucial hour to prepare a global generation for His return? I believe God is using these game competition shows to create open doors that were not open before to those in the Christian community to gain favor and fame, not for themselves but for God’s ultimate purpose.

It is also significant that Michael J. Fox was the producer of this particular game show. Why him? Well, Michael J. Fox was the golden boy poster child of American entertainment during the 1980’s. He was about as famous as any child star could get next to MJ himself. But what happened? A few years ago Fox came down with Parkinson’s disease and realized how meaningless and short life could be. He decided to no longer use his fame, favor and finances as a celebrity for no good purpose; rather he began to fight for a cause he not only believed in, but he was willing to die for. He no longer sees himself as a celebrity; rather he is acting as a righteous role model to impact lives for a purpose that is bigger than himself. Fox represent a picture of what pop stars/icons are to be in this current hour. They are to fight for the freedom of mankind and use their platform of influence to become a platform of purpose to advance God’s kingdom in the earth.

In the pre-modern era the parents were the authorities and influencers of society because America was still largely a Christian nation based upon Judeo Christian and family values. In the modern era the teachers were the influencers of society because of the focus on the advancement of knowledge, science and enlightenment. But in the post-modern era, where truth is no longer absolute but relative, where young people don’t know who to trust, where young people are inundated with information overload by the media, who are the authorities and influencers of this generation? It’s not the parents, it’s not the teachers, it’s not the pastors; it is the pop stars and cultural icons.

Admit it, Barak Obama is not a president first he is a rock star first. That is why the youth came out in droves to vote for him. More young people will follow Bono of U2 and his crusade to end AIDS in Africa then they will be likely to listen to their youth pastor and go on a foreign mission trip to preach the Gospel. More young people look up to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for their humanitarian efforts then they do to their schoolteachers or religious role models. So who are the new apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers of this age? They will not be only found in the four walls of the church most likely, rather they might very well be wearing ear rings, tattoos, and rocking clothes and hairstyles your grandmother would faint seeing if she saw them, because the new prophets and priests are the pop stars and cultural icons of our day. It’s not about going to church anymore it’s about being the church everyday, everywhere, wherever you are in whatever you do!

How the Spirit is Preparing His Artisans: New Prophets & Priests!

The next part of the dream is critical to our understanding of what kind of artists God is raising up in this hour to advance His kingdom through the arts and media. As the game competition show begins to play on my computer, I see Ryan Seacrest (who represents a neutral person in the world that God uses to promote his chosen ones) emceeing the TV program and introducing a young celebrity and rising star in Hollywood. In the dream, I was surprised because I knew who this young actress/singer was in real life. She was a friend of mine from IHOP (International House of Prayer in KC) and I remember her telling me only a few years ago that she knew God was calling her to Hollywood, but she didn’t know how God would do it, but she would be faithful to pray many hours a day in the prayer room until the Lord released her to the arts and entertainment field.

Now here she was, on a major network Television show being interviewed by Ryan Seacrest. He began to share how she had become so successful in the worlds terms, scoring a role in a hit TV series, a blockbuster film and then returning to another season. He then mentioned how she got her big break through auditioning for an “Otis Redding Commercial” in Kansas City. The “Otis Redding” bit is significant because one of my favorite songs is “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding an old soul song that is basically about sitting on a dock doing nothing, wasting time, etc. Why is this key?

It is key, because many people would think this young celebrity would have gotten her break into Hollywood by trying really hard at networking, getting together her headshots, finding an agent, hiring a manager to promote her talent, hustling in the entertainment communities, rather this song represented how this young celebrity before she became famous, got her big break through trusting in God, spending time daily at the feet of Jesus seeking His face and wasting her life at the foot of the Cross.

Instead of doing it mans way, she broke in God’s way. I always tell people, “God can do more in one day for you than you could do in 10 years working in your own strength for yourself!” It may also allude to “The Supernatural outpouring of signs, wonders and miracles at Bethel Church in Redding” as God will promote artists supernaturally and not naturally.

In the same way, this is Biblical in how God anoints, processes and promotes the ones He uses in history. Before King David became king of Israel he was a lowly shepherd boy, tending sheep, playing his harp and killing lions and bears in the back of a grassy field, unknown and completely content. As God sees that young David is faithful in the small things of seeking His heart the Lord gives him an open door to destroy the giant Philistine Goliath and overnight he is launched into a position of leadership and becomes a national hero.

In the same way, God is currently preparing His heroes and heroines, his artisans and warriors in the secret place of prayer, quietness and hiding. Those who will be faithful to God in getting first their spiritual life in order, will be promoted to national and international places of prominence overnight, so when the fame, favor and finances come, they will not be moved nor tempted because they know who they belong to and what their mission is. They have been prepared in the fiery furnace of intercession and worship, holding Jesus Christ as their sole reward and nothing else. Fame, acclaim, riches and honor mean nothing to them, because it’s not about them, it’s about only one thing: Jesus Christ.

Supernatural Power Turning Hollywood to Christ:

As Ryan Seacrest is interviewing this young celebrity, she recognizes that this is the moment she has been destined for; it is her opportunity to testify of God’s greatness and power in her life. She takes the microphone, and although she is nervous, the anointing of the Holy Spirit falls on her as she begins to testify of how she found Jesus Christ in the place of prayer. Ryan is taken aback, not knowing how to respond, he tries to play it off cool and move on with the show, but then she does something supernatural…

First, she breaks down crying sharing with the audience and the millions of viewers watching that although she had lost her mom in death and all her friends she still has joy because of Christ. She was not afraid to share from a place of weakness, pain and suffering, rather than sharing her faith from a place of strength. This is what this generation is looking for, they are looking for authenticity in our faith, not polished perfect Christians that judge, but ones that are real and meek.

The scene continues, as the audience does not know what to think of her bold faith, she does something supernatural. She yanks her neck out and then lets it snap backwards exactly 180 degrees, and then it snaps back into perfect position. When I first saw this in my dream, I thought it was a bit weird, but I understood that the interpretation was that she was not fearful or shameful to “stick out her neck” for the one she loved and worshipped: Jesus Christ. Her neck snaps back 180 degrees because that represents the “turning of heads” or the “changing of minds” as in repentance. Immediately, the audience erupts in clapping and cheering, many weeping under the presence of the Lord because of the supernatural power of her testimony.

In one moment, this young artist, celebrity, righteous role model, daughter of God shined her light for Christ by preaching the Gospel without shame and millions upon millions were impacted and had a supernatural encounter with God.

At the end of the dream I shared how I couldn’t believe how God sent her into Hollywood with such favor so fast. This is what the Holy Spirit is doing right now in this current time in history. In order to impact a global pop culture generation, the Spirit of God is raising up, calling forth, preparing now and sending in righteous role models, artisan warriors, the new prophets and new priests into Hollywood and mainstream entertainment with an anointing, a sound, a gift, a message so powerful, so pure and so penetrating that it will awaken the dead from their sleep in this generation and cause them to not only be saved, but to release a Holy Spirit revolution of love that will change history and shake the nations of the earth for God’s end time harvest.

I prophesy that the culture, spiritual atmosphere and landscape of Hollywood will begin to change dramatically in the coming days, there will be more and more believers placed into positions of prominence, this will happen for many overnight. Don’t try to make it happen, let God make it happen. Those of you who are called to Hollywood, don’t focus on the vision, but focus on the one who gave you the vision, seek Jesus above all things, go deeper into His presence daily, pray, fast and meditate upon the holy Word that will keep you from the temptations of Hollywood. Do not be swayed by fame, favor or the enticements of financial riches, rather seek to be holy in Hollywood by only obeying His commands and serving Jesus Christ alone. Seek to be nothing in yourself, but everything in Christ. The Holy Spirit will awaken many who never thought they could be great, but who will incredibly great in God’s grace. In the next 10 years many film companies, music companies and TV networks will collapse, infrastructures will be completely restructured reformed and renewed into God’s order. Hollywood will be a battle ground for truth and lies, light and darkness, there will literally be a righteous force, an army of believers that will overtake the Billboard charts at the top positions, blockbuster films that will glorify God, His beauty and creativity that will gross more money, sell more tickets than any human driven or produced films in the past, stadiums will be filled with people celebrating new kinds of music that will be anointed with God’s power and manifest presence, the lines between secular and Christian will no longer be drawn, rather God’s artisans will be at the forefront of music, film, and media creating the most creative projects, productions and products that will leave minds fascinated and hearts changed for eternity. More and more TV shows and TV series will be written by believers, God will release the anointing of the Scribe upon many, anointing them with scripts written by the hand of God, they will be given in dreams, visions and supernatural inspiration. The Christian base will be the most profitable, productive and looked at with respect rather than judgment, Hollywood will change and it will change quickly says the Lord!

China and Asia’s film market will rise in numbers it will become the biggest market worldwide for movie distribution and licensing. In 10 years China and the Asian countries will be producing films, music and television that will have global impact not only in the East, but powerfully and continually in the West. There will be a divine exchange of content between the East the West, their industries will be separate, but more and more connected as time continues on. There will be a new Hollywood in Asia, it will start in South Korea, but then it will eventually make its headquarters in China, Shanghai will be an international film center that will create and innovate in ways the world has never seen. Keep your eyes open, your ears alert for there is a coming wave of revival and awakening that will reform, restore and repurpose God’s original agenda for music, film and entertainment, it will be once again be used as God’s instrument of worship and for the promotion of the Gospel to all nations. It shall happen, wait, watch and see for a great awakening and powerful shift is happening before our eyes even now for a harvest of souls greater in number than anyone could imagine! In Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings,

JMA

Suicide is a big problem in this generation. The problem of suicide is a worldwide issue, but especially in the Asian regions suicide always ranks as one of the top 2 forms of death amongst Asian’s young and old. In Japan the problem of suicide has become an epidemic where youth will form “suicide clubs” on the Internet and commit suicide together as a sport or activity. In South Korea, celebrities have been committing suicide more and more, and even more recently the former president of South Korea jumped to his death from a mountainside. In Hong Kong there have been prominent celebrities who have committed suicide because of bouts with depression, while students leap to their death because of the pressures they face. I have begun to ask why suicides seems to be happening almost all the time specifically among celebrities and young people? Is there a way we can prevent more celebrity and youth suicides from happening?

I am currently on a plane ride to South Korea while writing this column. Every year, I travel to Seoul Korea a few times to preach and minister to many celebrities in the entertainment industry. As I minister and counsel many artists in the Korean entertainment industry, I find that many of them battle with thoughts of suicide. We would normally think that people like celebrities and artists would have it all in life: money, power, fame, prestige, beauty and influence. Yet, celebrities are people just like you and me. They are no different than most of us, they are human beings who deal with everyday real problems. The thought of suicide is something that many normal people struggle with on a daily basis. Yet, suicide is something that celebrities and young people seem to struggle with more often than others because of the positions they are in. As I continue to counsel and work with many celebrities and young people in Asia, I have begun to understand a bit more the cause behind this reoccurring tragedy.

For example, in 2008 there were a series of celebrity suicides in South Korea between October and December that led to many “copy cat” suicides from the fans of the celebrities who chose to take their lives as well. This kind of suicide effect does not just happen in Korea, but similar cases all over Asia. It is not a surprise that when a celebrity commits suicide, that the young fans will do the same, because celebrities have influence on the youth. What is the cause? Personally, I believe there are three main root issues that many celebrities and young people have to  deal with…

1. Performance ~ in Asian culture there is a high premium put on our performance. If we do not perform well, we will be judged and rejected. This is true for celebrities especially who are always being seen in the limelight. A celebrities every action and move is being watched and if they fail, they are judged harshly. This is also true for young people who feel they have to perform well for their parents in school, or for others in society to accept them. The underlying issue, people are not loved outside of their performance and their identity is equated to how well they can perform in life. Outside of their performance they are worth nothing.
2. Pressure ~ in Asian culture there is also great pressure to meet the expectations of others. People constantly give us pressure to do more, to be a certain way or be something we are not. We are given pressure to look a certain way, act a certain way, we are compared to others and when we don’t measure up to the pressure, we break down into bouts of discouragement, depression, feelings of shame and even suicide. Celebrities and youth deal with societal pressure, peer pressure all the time.
3. Pain ~ in Asian culture it is not okay to tell people how you really feel at times. We hid our feelings, instead of expressing them to others to find comfort and solace. When we don’t feel understood, listened to, or cared for pain begins to be felt in our hearts and slowly destroys us on the inside. We begin to feel that people only love us for our performance, for what we can produce, for what we can do but not for who we are. (This is especially true for celebrities who are so loved and celebrated on the stage, but may feel so lonely and misunderstood in real life.) We become afraid of what other people think, because we don’t want to show weakness, so we hide our pain, keep it to ourselves until one day we cannot bear with the pain anymore… suicide then becomes an option.

I urge us as a society and people to give more grace to those who face these struggles with performance, pressure and pain. We especially need to give grace, mercy and forgiveness to those people in the limelight. Whether they are celebrities, government leaders or young people who are battling with depression and shame, all people deserve to be loved for who they are, not how perfect they can be.

My heart breaks for those celebrities I minister to who feel that no one loves them for them, but only for how good they look, how talented they can act/sing or how perfect of a role model they can be. My heart breaks for that young person who is thinking about committing suicide because they didn’t make the grade, were compared to others unfairly and have no one to talk to about their pain. My heart breaks for the former President of Korea who felt he had to take his life, because he didn’t want to bare any more shame and accusation from the public for being accused of unethical financial dealings. People make mistakes, but the punishment should not be death. Everyone deserves a chance to live. We need to change our value system as an Asian culture where ‘failure equals death’ and begin to tell others, “It’s okay to fail, because it is through our failures that we learn to succeed.” Life is a gift and life is always worth living. God created you and has a good plan for you. Please don’t throw your life away because you feel that you have failed. Talk to someone who understands, pray to God for help and you will overcome the pain and live on to a better day. You only have one life to live, live it to the fullest!

www.allkpop.com

There’s an article I just got word of on www.allkpop.com a popular Korean Pop Culture site about me and my fellow soldier of light… Siwon Choi (Super Junior) read here. Just fyi I have been mentoring and ministering to Korean pop artists & media executives in that industry for the last past year. I can’t necessarily get into details, but I realized that God had called me into this movement about a year ago ever since there was a rise of celebrity suicides in 2008.

I will share the entire encounter some other time of how God sent me into Korea pop culture to spread His love and light to those in this influential industry. For those of you who do not follow KPOP culture… it is quite an amazing phenomenon. I call Seoul, Korea the new Hollywood of Asia in this decade… in the 80′s you had Hong Kong canto pop culture, in the 90′s you had JPOP or Japanese Pop culture arise, but in the millennium… most definitely Korean Pop Culture has taken center stage in influencing popular youth culture across Asia. From Korean Dramas (those ones that your mom and sisters are addicted to and cry daily from watching) to KPOP music which in my opinion is the most progressive and of excellence in production. But what is most fascinating is the die hard fan following phenomenon of Koreans that I have witnessed. The FANS ARE CRAZY… I mean they really worship and idolize celebrities and artists to a whole new level… they follow on twitter, they buy tickets months in advance, they vote, follow, emulate and support their every move, action and lifestyle…

What does this equate to me? Well, these pop artists are all in a major position to influence others for either the better or worst. My heart is to help each of these pop artists realize they are not just celebrities, but they are social role models. That each of them have been given a platform for a greater purpose. That the lives they live will influence the next generation and that they play a crucial role in shaping their values, beliefs and behavior. That it’s not about us, but it’s about God… its about being a light, being everything God created us to be to inspire others to live for something greater than themselves…

Many kpop artists like Siwon, my friends Tiffany and Sooyoung from SNSD, MC Mong, Brian Joo, Jinu Sean (Sean), Tim, and many others I won’t name that I pray for and support realize they are not just artists, but they are inspirations… they are servants of Christ first, Entertainers Second. And as they follow Christ and imitate His likeness, others will do the same and make this world a happier and brighter place :) Hence, SOLDIERS OF LIGHT who fight for God’s kingdom on earth, not mans. Also remember no one is perfect, so please give grace when everyone of us do make mistakes… especially artists who face so many human pressures and expectations. We need to realize Christianity is not so much a religion as it is a relationship with a loving God who loves us as we are, not how perfect we are. This is why we need grace…^^ Pray for the artists and entertainers in kpop culture to know God, to make Him known and to be protected from the love of this world as they do God’s will…

ps. I never listened to kpop music before till I started ministering there…and I must say, it’s pretty dang addicting :) my current track I can’t stop listening too… 2NE1 “I Don’t Care” haha… super dope!

siwon choi... SOLDIER OF LIGHT!! SOL!

ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY IN CHRIST! HAPPY IN GOD!

Servants of God First, Entertainers Second