{"id":30912,"date":"2014-04-20T20:58:47","date_gmt":"2014-04-20T12:58:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/?p=30912"},"modified":"2022-02-22T15:45:32","modified_gmt":"2022-02-22T07:45:32","slug":"god-desires-perish-jesus-culture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/god-desires-perish-jesus-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"God desires that None should Perish \u2013 Jesus Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"

20 April 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Many gathered in City Harvest Church, Kuala Lumpur<\/strong> to sit in for a conversation session between Banning Liebscher<\/strong>, Skyler Smith<\/strong>, and Chris Quilala<\/strong>, the morning before the Jesus Culture concert on 8th<\/sup> of April 2014. Kim Walker-Smith, a singer of the band however, was unable to attend, though she was present during the concert. The event began as early as 9 AM with many people eagerly waiting for the start of the event, beginning with praise and worship, followed by an introduction by Pr Banning Liebscher and a conversation session.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Pr
Pr Banning Liebscher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Make your internal world, bigger than your external world<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus Culture was formed organically through the momentum of a movement whose focus is to equip a generation to be influencers of the society, hence the name of the band that is appropriate to their cause. Joined together in one focus, they desire to bring people into an encounter with God\u2019s love through worship and to disciple them to transform society.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

On this morning, the band came together talk about internal growth and how that leads to revival in people and in nations. During the introduction, Pastor Banning preached to the crowd, \u201cOur life is compared to a tree bearing fruit to a nation.\u201d God is raising up leaders so that we can bear fruit that remains, fruits that bear even more fruits for many years to come. This is because God does not want us to bear short-term fruit!\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Pr
Pr Banning Liebscher<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cYour foundation matters,\u201d he shared. It\u2019s important to develop your roots, because that is the first step of developing your fruits. Root systems are developed in hiding where it\u2019s below the surface\u2014dirty and messy. \u201cGod develops you when you are at your lowest so that you can rise higher. One of the key areas where you develop your roots is in your room of prayer,\u201d said Banning. And developing a healthy root system takes time! Often, in this modern and developing world we live in, we need to remember to slow down, in times of sorrows and happiness. Do not be in a hurry but allow time to digest and allow God to tell you, your direction for the road ahead. \u201cDon\u2019t be in a hurry! Allow the process to play out in your life so that you can do what you have been called to do,\u201d he shared. If everyone develops roots that are strong and sturdy, we will be able to see a change in the nation, it\u2019s culture and even more! \u201cAllow the Lord to develop your life and your root system that is healthy and thriving so that you can be what you need to be,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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The Question and Answer Session<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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During this session, Banning, Chris and Skyler sat onstage while they answered questions posed by the crowd.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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What are the biggest challenges for revival in a church or nation? And what are some of the steps to overcome that?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Chris and Skyler<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe want people to encounter God, that\u2019s the bottom line, whether it\u2019s through our albums, whether it\u2019s through our ministry, service or one night. We always try to make room for the Holy Spirit to have its way, even in our music when we are recording an album, we try to arrange our songs in such a way that it\u2019s not tied down to a structure. When revival hits, everything goes out the window, when that\u2019s what God wants to do. We can\u2019t stick to our structure or plans. I remember a mentor of mine once said that, \u201cWhen the Holy Spirit falls on us, we need to become stronger, than we once were as opposed to weaker.\u201d It is important to not be negative! We need to have expectations from God because God wants to make the impossible possible in our lives.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Chris
Chris Quilala (left) and Skyler Smith (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What should we do in our inner room? Worship or prayer or intercession?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Banning <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a formula. There\u2019s so many aspects of prayer, it\u2019s like a pie with so many slices to it; sometimes it is intercession, sometimes it is worship, and sometimes it\u2019s just sitting in His presence. Sometimes I\u2019ll come in with a Bible or a book and just spend time reading my Bible, pray or spend time worshipping. For me, different seasons look different as well, sometimes it\u2019s more intercession or sometimes it\u2019s more casual. But one thing for sure is that you just really need to dedicate your time there. This is relational, go on a journey with Jesus! Get with the Holy Spirit and find out where He\u2019s going.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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What do you think God is wanting to do with the present youth generation? And how can we reach them besides using music as a tool?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Chris<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m really excited about this generation! What we\u2019ve noticed with a lot of our ministries with youth and young adults is that they\u2019re really hungry for something real. There\u2019s a lot of hope in our generation. I\u2019m just really encouraged and really excited. We\u2019re doing something called the culture project and if you\u2019re called to be a businessman or business woman or actor, then do that for Christ and be full of His presence. Bring Jesus culture to your place and to your schools. Bring Jesus wherever you\u2019re at. We do panels often and we would bring professional athletes or actors; when they\u2019re doing their work, they\u2019re bringing Christ and transforming culture where they feel the Lord has called them. It doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not spiritual if you\u2019re not in the church as a pastor or playing in the worship team. The Lord has called everybody to do something different. You\u2019re going to be most powerful and most effective where God has called you. A lot of times, finding those things out is through what you\u2019re most passionate about.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Chris
Chris Quilala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What inspires you to take people to a higher level of worship with God?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Skyler <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I always get really moved when I see people experienced the Lord in ways that they haven\u2019t before, or even when they are just drawing close to the Lord like they haven\u2019t before. Sometimes, just around the stage, I see somebody crying and got their hands up, then I get a little emotional too. We want to see people get changed and impacted. Moving people stirs me as well and I love to see people drawing close to the Lord.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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How did God change your life? How do you know that this is where God is leading you or wants you to be?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Chris <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been a Christian my whole life, my parents were Christians but I felt the Lord in a tangible way when I was 14 years old, in a youth camp during worship. In the morning when we had been broken up in small groups, our small group leader told us to pretend like it is Christmas and ask God for anything you want. I prayed for a greater freedom to worship and that night when we were having worship in a cafeteria, the Lord met me, I lifted up my hands and I felt His power, which was so strong on my life. It felt like electricity. It was beautiful but kind of scary but I felt His love and it just felt real. At that same camp, my dad was on that floor, knelt down and weeping when we were singing a song about God\u2019s love. My dad had a rough childhood. I knew at that moment, the power of worship and the power of His presence, it was just something that I\u2019ve always been drawn to and have been passionate about. I even had dreams that when I sang, people would be free from their chains. Those different circumstances made me feel like that was what I was called to do and I\u2019ve given my life to it.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Where did the name \u201cJesus Culture\u201d come from?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Banning <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We were a youth group and I was youth pastoring in 1999, when we decided to do a youth conference at our church. We were trying to come up with a name for it, and as we were walking through a mall, there was a brand of clothing in America called \u201cCounter Culture.\u201d It\u2019s not even around anymore, but when I saw it I thought, I really liked that concept that we\u2019d raise up a generation that was counter-culture. However, I thought, I don\u2019t really want it to be counter-culture, because we are really looking for a generation that\u2019s Jesus-culture. So, we named our conference that, not even knowing what was going to fully happen. Then, that started to take off and we liked it. We named our band Jesus Culture and our book Jesus Culture. We just started naming everything Jesus Culture!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Conversation
Conversation session with Jesus Culture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What is the key for campus revival? I\u2019ve read amazing testimonies from the book Jesus Culture, how do you lead the younger generation to experience revival especially for High School students?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Banning <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know Malaysia as well. I can only kind of speak on American culture. But I think for us, one of the things we have passion for is to raise up leaders. We\u2019re called to lead and not follow. One thing about culture and I see this in campuses and universities a lot, one of the biggest lies that the Church buys is that we are along for the ride in the society. We are NOT along for the ride in society! The Lord has called us to be the head and not the tail and that we\u2019re called to disciple nations. This is leadership influence. When the Bible says you are the head and not the tail, it\u2019s not a picture of on top, and not the bottom; it\u2019s that you are the head and not the tail. You\u2019re in front, not behind, and you are called to lead, not follow. One thing I see in campuses is that people show up and are just along for the ride, not realising that their very life is the thing that is supposed to set that direction or course for that campus. I believe where a generation goes in America depends on my life, because He gave the Church the mandate to lead the culture. I think that if we can begin to make shift, and raise up leaders who will give themselves to a greater cause than themselves, and get them to really live like a leader, and if I can get them to encounter God in such a significant way where peer pressure becomes powerless, where they can walk in confidence, then we can begin to see breakthroughs. The reason why there is darkness on campuses is because the enemy has caused the people to put a basket on their light. Jesus tells us not to put a basket over our light but lets the light shine, so that all can see. He is saying that light is more powerful than darkness. Always, the minute a light is turned on, darkness flees. And if there is darkness somewhere, it\u2019s not because there\u2019s overpowered light, it\u2019s because the light has hidden itself. If we can get young people to take their baskets off and be confident as leaders, then darkness has to leave.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Pr
Pr Banning Liebscher sharing the Word of God<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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How do you stay accountable when the Lord has put you on a platform? What keeps you grounded?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Banning, Skyler and Chris <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

We have a whole team that we travel with and we\u2019ve set it up so that, no one person is so far above everybody else. This is so that everyone is comfortable approaching one another. We\u2019ve set up this community so that everyone can be a part of everyone\u2019s life. In a healthy way, we\u2019re all available to have each other speak into our lives. We\u2019re like family, we call each other all the time and it\u2019s awesome, we\u2019ve chosen to give each other places in our lives. The true sign of a leader is that they\u2019re a great servant. Any influence the Lord gives is so that we can better serve people.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How would you know which ministry God is calling you to if you\u2019ve been given a few talents? And if what He called you to do is not the ministry that you love or desire the most.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chris <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I think God puts us right where we are at for a reason, and sometimes it\u2019s our responsibility to look far into who we\u2019re going to be or where we\u2019re going to, but it\u2019s our responsibility to look at where we\u2019re at and to be very faithful and do a good job in that. The Lord may have put those tasks in front of you, which you\u2019re not burning or dying to do, but it\u2019s something that He wants you to do. And so, when you\u2019re faithful of that and you do that well, He will open up the thing in your heart that you really want to do.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Skyler
Skyler Smith (right) sharing with the crowd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What preparation do your worship team do, before worship service?<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chris and Banning <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Worship is a lifestyle. We never step out of that mode. Other than the practices we do, I think that we do not have a lot of things that we change intentionally. We just try to live a lifestyle, that\u2019s it. It just has to be an outflow from your life. If what\u2019s happening on stage is better than what\u2019s happening in secret, you\u2019re in trouble. It\u2019s only impressive when you are all by yourself with nobody else around you, and you lift your voice up to the Lord. Your public ministry cannot be bigger than your private ministry to the Lord.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

After Banning, Skyler and Chris completed answering the questions posed by the crowd, they began to pray for every one that came that day. It was truly a great experience of getting to know band members that are simply genuinely in love with the Lord and what they do for His Kingdom.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Share<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

20 April 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-   Many gathered in City Harvest Church, Kuala Lumpur to sit in for a conversation session between Banning Liebscher, Skyler Smith, and Chris Quilala, the morning before the […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,10],"tags":[4991,4938,293,923,204,538,1178,2211,5023,77,891,58,44,4937],"class_list":{"0":"post-30912","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-music","8":"category-youth","9":"tag-banning-liebscher","10":"tag-chris-quilala","11":"tag-christian","12":"tag-christian-in-malaysia","13":"tag-christianity","14":"tag-christianity-malaysia","15":"tag-church-in-malaysia","16":"tag-city-harvest-church","17":"tag-god-desires-that-none-should-perish-jesus-culture","18":"tag-jesus","19":"tag-jesus-in-malaysia","20":"tag-kuala-lumpur","21":"tag-malaysia","22":"tag-skyler-smith"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66528,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30912\/revisions\/66528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianitymalaysia.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}