The network is now less than six years old. It was launched after the leader and founder Dan Cunningham, received two visions from the Lord. The first came in the month of October, 1998 and the second followed in December 1998. After much prayer about the visions he had received he contacted leaders to come together in a place near Dumaguete Called Bacong, to explain what Father had placed in his heart. This meeting took place in April 1999. In the month of June 1999, River of Life Network was birthed. As of this date the network has over 900 leaders from seven Islands here in the Philippines and growing almost daily.
Here is the two visions explained as Dan received them. In the first one he saw a mountain with a river flowing down and coming into a valley. It was very beautiful and full of life. As the Lord took him down the river it became a large body like a sea. As he was brought closer to the body of water, from the water came a bad odor. He asked the Lord; what is this? What does it mean? The Lord said to him; this is my church. His response was no Lord! This can not be your church, it stinks. The river had become stagnant. Then he was shown a large dam that had held the river back from flowing. The dam was made from large stones each of them having different names of men’s works. Beyond the dam the riverbed was dry and along the banks there was no life. Dan began to ask; what are you showing me? What does this mean? The Lord said Dan, when is a river not a river? The first answer was obvious; when you dam it up. The Lord said, because the church is not allowing my blessings to flow out. The Lord began to take Dan through several scriptures, Psa. 46:1-4,Gen. 2:10-14, Ezek. 47:1-12, John 7:37-39, Psa. 38:8. While meditating on Gen, 2:10, the Lord spoke to Dan the second time; a river is not a river while it is still a stream. This was when he received the second vision and revelation. The second vision looked like a flat area of land with many streams running into one area and making a large body of water that then flowed out. When Dan asked, what does this mean? The Lord spoke and said, Adam and Eve were streams and I told them to be fruitful and multiply, creating the many other streams that would join together to flow out. The full revelation of what was received is too long in detail to write here now. May we only comment on some things, which are obvious to most readers? The word, River in Gen. 2:10 is not a correct translation. The word in Hebrew is Nehar, which means, a stream or bubbling brook. The second root word from the word Nehar, is Nawhar, which means to assemble together to flow out. Father said, all my people I have created and placed on the earth are streams. I am the river that flows out to them and causes them to become my streams.
Father told Dan that He was asking him to gather together
as many streams as possible so that His river would flow out to the sea of
humanity, to bring healing to the nations.
Dan knew what Father was asking was not easy. He ask God, what about all the
different doctrines, different visions? Lord, there are too many to bring
unity. How will I do what you are asking? The answer came after several weeks
of telling God why and how it could not and would not work. Father told Dan;
you begin by networking their gifts and resources. This we have begun to do!!
Our purpose in making these writings known is to attempt to explain the burden and vision Father has given us concerning establishing unity among the leaders of His Church.
Dan has been in ministry for over forty years. His office and calling of an Apostle has been confirmed by several nationally know men of God. He has been a Pastor to Pastor’s for almost twenty years.
It was during his ministry in America when he first discovered the challenges that face any leader with the vision to bring unity among Church leaders. In 1985 he became involved with what was known as the Network of Christian Ministries. He as a leader began to promote unity in the area where he ministered. The efforts of man did not succeed. He discovered how difficult it is for leaders to lay down their own visions and doctrinal differences.
Therefore, when Father ask him to bring the Church leaders from different streams together here in the Philippines, his answer was, “ Father your asking me to do something I have found very hard, there are too many different doctrines between leaders!” After many days of telling God how impossible it would be and that he did not want to try. The mind and heart of Father remained the same. The request continued to reach the ears of Dan, knowing that nothing is impossible with God. Dan asked Father, how do I begin? The answer given Him was, you will network my gifts and resources I have given them. Leave their dogma and doctrine in the local church.
It is our prayer that you will take some of your valuable time to read this pamphlet and then ask Father to guide your footsteps. We may not know all the challenges we face. We are very aware of the walls of division, which continue to separate us, the body of Christ. It is much easier to sing and march together about breaking dividing walls, than to make a decision that will cost you something to see walls truly come down. What will it cost us? I can truthfully say none of us know the complete answer to that question. I can tell you what is in the heart of Father and should be in all our hearts. This truth is shown to us by a man of God named David. It was said of him, “ He was a man after God’s own heart.” When going to make an offering unto the Lord, he stated, I will not offer, anything to the Lord that does not cost me something. What will be the cost, none of us know! I do not believe the question concerning cost is the most important one. One question I believe to be more important for us to answer is, are we willing to obey the Lord at any cost? If we choose to disobey the Lord and continue to allow division to remain. How can we say we are righteous? When the Bible says the steps of a Righteous man is ordered of the Lord.
This pamphlet is written to continue and increase the vision!
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If we are the disciples of Christ, willing and ready to obey Him and serve
as leaders in His Kingdom, we should all agree on the purpose of the Church;
which is to bring in the harvest of souls and establish those people into
maturity as Christians.
See Matthew 28:18-20
As different ministries or churches, we have different visions on how to fulfill the Great Commission, and sadly, we become so hung up on our differences, we fail to fulfill our purpose.
Allow me to explain this with the following analogy: In the U.S. are many fast food places to eat; Wendy’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., McDonald’s, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Round Table Pizza, Spaghetti Factory, just to name a few. All of these eating places have two purposes: first, to feed people and second, to make money while doing it, but each differ in vision on how to do it. If you go to McDonald’s and order a Whopper, they would tell you, “We don’t serve Whoppers, we serve Big Mac’s. If you want your Whopper, go over to Burger King.” If you were to go into Burger King and ask for fried chicken, they would say: “We don’t do chicken, go to K.F.C.” They all have the same purpose, but different visions. Yes, they are in competition, but are wise enough to know all people don’t want to eat the same food. It should be okay if some people don’t like what you’re serving. If you’re serving chicken and they want spaghetti, send them to where they can eat spaghetti. God has only one church, whatever the food being served.
Let us not allow our differences of visions to defeat our purpose!
I certainly don’t believe that we are the only networking Ministry. I used to sit and ask my self, “WHO IS GOING TO NETWORK THE NETWORKERS.” I thank God for the many different ministries, (streams). We are willing and looking for all those who are ready to work together with one purpose, to establish and increase the KINGDOM OF GOD.
Psalms 133: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
The first has a vision which all believers should be able to agree on. It is called Friends of the Network. Its main goal is to network our gifts and resources, to help fulfill the two purposes of the CHURCH mentioned before.
Please remember this is not something we hope to do, we are doing it now! Now we are strengthening and expanding the vision to create an impact on a national level.
We use the term, friends of the network, because they are leaders who already have a covenant and covering with another ministry head.
This vision includes the commitment of leaders who will come together in unity of faith, for the purpose of preaching, “The gospel of the Kingdom” for the Last Days Harvest and Maturing of God’s people. See Eph. 4; Mt. 24:14; Mk. 16:15
Through networking;
¨ Their gifts. (the calling and equipping by God)
1. Be available for Team Ministry by:
a. Submitting name and calling to be placed on a ministry
list.
b. On-call to go according to your schedule and ability.
What we see here is similar to what is known as a food bank. But it is a bank of men and women of God, who have been called and gifted by Father God.
When a need arises and the head office is made aware, a team will be chosen based upon the need, location, and availability of the leaders on the list. A team leader will be chosen and given the assignments, goals, and purpose.
Example: A need for a crusade. Two teams may be sent one to Evangelize and the other to equip the local church people for follow-up and discipleship.
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another. Roman’s 12:5
For we being many are one, bread and one body: for we are all partakers of that one, bread. I Cor. 10:17
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Ga. 3:28
Some of the Body of Christ may need other help. Help to finish a building. Help with worship, church government, teaching or training.
¨ Be willing to network resources.
1. Sharing of talents of your local congregation.
(examples) a. Laborers
b. Carpenters/ masons, etc.
c. Doctors
d. Nurses
e. Ministry teams.
2. Networking of office and church equipment. (Local levels)
(examples) a. Books-Tapes
b. Computer services
c. Typewriter
d. Sound equipment
A resource center is now open for the Church in Dumaguete City. It is our vision to establish others like it in each area needed.
We know this level of networking will not be easily reached. We will need to erase the fears of the past and misconceptions of the present. Those willing to network at this level will need to have the heart and vision of Father God. A heart, that is willing to work together with all the members of His family. These leaders will know they are only stewards over and not owners of, all Fathers people, possessions and ministry. Therefore being blessed of the Lord, becomes a responsibility to share those blessings. To bring glory to the Lord and establish His Kingdom.
This is the second level of networking. This level is for those who do not already have a spiritual covering. They are independent and looking for a closer relationship with River of Life Network leadership. Therefore they become covenant partners.
This does not mean there are two networks. Only the same network with different levels of relationship. We are not here to divide or rule over Father’s Church. We are careful to respect Father’s delegated authority to others.
This level is designed to provide a covenantal relationship between them and Dan Cunningham, President/ Founder of the network. The partners will benefit from the ministry experience and wisdom of Apostle Dan Cunningham, who is a mentor and spiritual father to many leaders here in the Philippines. He has personally sat up all night ministering to a Leader in need. He has been called in many times to assist local churches who need help with, church problems or advise on how to cause their ministry to become better. Because he moves with a prophetic mantle, Father has used him many times to speak a Rhema word to the Church. Called to be an Apostle by Father God, his mandate is to help establish Father’s Kingdom. Father has also used him to pioneer a Christian School in 1975. He has a heart and vision for Christian education and has been assisting Christian schools here in the Philippines.
He has been a successful Pastor and leader of the fastest growing church in America in 1973 –74, in that denomination. He and his wife have been used to minister marriage relationship seminars for many years. God has used them in the ministry of inner healing since 1985. Dan has served in every church position with the exception of women’s leader. But his wife has held that position. He has taught in Bible Schools, written Bible School Curriculum. He has been through the fire many times and has come out of his valley of despair. He is still not perfect and continues to learn. All of these are said to help you to know our leader.
When you partner with River of Life Network it is not necessary to change your name or doctrine. We are not attempting to be or build our own kingdom.
If you are only looking for money, please don’t write or call. This is a faith ministry with a very limited budget, but a great big GOD. If your ministry needs more of everything, Father God has more than enough.
If you already have a covering or leader, you may become a friend of River of Life Network. We are not here to divide the body of Christ. If you are a leader and want to merge your stream with ours, please contact us.
If you desire to have us come and visit your place, please call or write to us at the address in this pamphlet. If you need references concerning Dan and Barbra, please include this in your request.
An Overseer will be appointed in each region to help guide the networking ministries in that place. They will also be responsible to hold regional meetings for the network partners in their region. A regional meeting will be scheduled once a year.
Each of those leaders will come together as needed at an appointed time and place. They will bring with them the vision of needs for their local region.
Upon receiving each local report, there will be a time of seeking the Lord for wisdom and direction to cause each local vision to become a part of Father’s national vision. After finding the mind of God, they will go back to their local regions to continue the network process.
The network is not to take the place of the Local Church or Ministries. Its purpose is to promote unity among the body of Christ, so that we may be more effective as God’s Church.
This covenant is an expression of our life in Christ and the Scriptural responsibility we bear towards one another, as God’s Leaders. Our life and strength flows from Jesus Christ, and as we have committed ourselves to Him individually and collectively, we must be willing to acknowledge our commitment and scriptural responsibility to each other by affirming the following covenant relationships.
The Covenant of Personal Integrity. Knowing the need that every person has for support and close relationship, I make a personal covenant with you to hold your name and reputation in the highest regard. I will not receive conversation from any source that is negative towards you in any way. I will support you as a man of God by telling you of those comments and the people which say them. It is my promise to uphold your integrity as a man of God, by giving you my support.
The Covenant of Affirmation. (Unconditional love) There is nothing you have done or will do that will make me stop loving you. I may not love or agree with your actions, but I will love you as a person and do all I can to hold you up in God’s affirming love.
The Covenant of Availability. Knowing that we are not owners of anything, but God’s stewards, “anything I have; time, energy, insight, possessions, abilities, are at your disposal”. If you need them, I give them to you in a priority of covenant over non-covenant demands. As part of this availability, I pledge my time to you.
They will also benefit from the anointing and wisdom given by God to Dan Cunningham. He has been a Christian for over fifty years. Married to the same wife for forty-two years and the Father of two children. His daughter is a manager of a doctor’s office. His son is also an anointed man of God, with many years of ministry as a Pastor. His wife Barbra is also an anointed teacher, who has a call to minister to women, especially leader’s wives.
In his over forty years of ministry, Dan has filled every position in the Church with the exception of being, women’s ministry leader. He has been a successful Pastor. In 1974-75 he was pastor of the fastest growing church in America, in the denomination he was a part of. He has pioneered churches and Christian schools. He has taught in Bible schools and written curriculum for Bible school courses. He is the writer of several books and severs God, as an Apostle, and moves with a mantel of the prophetic. He is a mentor and spiritual father to many leaders here in the Philippines. He has been called in many times to assist the local Church, with ministry to, problems, worship, church government and to point out areas that need change. His fatherly heart towards leaders has caused him to sit up all night with a leader who was in need. Yet he knows he is only a servant of God.
Leadership training is also available. This training is designed just for leaders that are already serving in their ministry. The 12 subjects are present day truth revelation not taught in Bible schools. We have an entrance exam. To date not one Pastor has passed it. If they pass they do not need the training. Want to take the test?
Dan and Barbra were called to serve Father here in this great nation in 1989. They were pastoring a successful church in the United States and were called here by God, and not a missions committee. The complete story is too long to tell now. They came here by faith and no missionary budget. Knowing where Father guides He also provides.
We wish to make it clear that the River of Life Network will always strive for unity among the Body of Christ. Therefore we will never encourage any person or group to partner with us, if it might cause division. We covet to follow ethical guidelines, given to us in God’s word, too keep this ministry integral.
We also know Father has anointed and gifted many other men and women of God. Therefore we know we are not the only answer. We also are aware, we do not know or have all the answers needed to cause unity in the Body of Christ. We are open to counsel and wisdom from all that have the same vision. Our leader Dan Cunningham has said many times, he does not care what number he is. Number one position or the head of any ministry is not His desire. His concern is to complete his assignment given to him by Father God.
The Covenant of Openness. (transparency) “I promise to become more of an open person, disclosing my feelings, my struggles, my joys, and my hurts to you as well as I am able to do so. My openness to you implies my need for a relationship with you and that I don’t want to leave you out of my personal life. In my openness, I am saying, I trust you with my needs and that I need you.”
The Covenant of Sensitivity. “ Even as I desire to be known and understood by you, I covenant to be sensitive to you and your needs, to the best of my ability. I will try to listen to you, to feel where you are, and to laugh or cry with you in order to encourage you.”
The Covenant of Honesty. “ I will try to ‘mirror back’ to you what I am hearing you say and feel. If this means risking pain for either of us, I will trust our relationship enough to take that risk. By speaking the truth in love, we grow up every way into Christ who is the head. I will try to express this honesty and use it according to what I perceive the circumstances to be.”
The Covenant of Confidentiality. “ I will promise to keep whatever is shared in confidence between us as leaders, in order to provide and maintain our trust, which will help keep us in unity.”
The Covenant of Accountability. “ I know that the gifts of God has given me are not just for my own purposes, but must be used for the common good and benefit of, His Kingdom. I will seek to give of myself, my time, talents, calling, and be accountable to all my covenant partners, and to work together to help establish God’s Kingdom through the power of His Holy Spirit.”
I believe that Father gives us the first and best example and pattern of networking. We see a team of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, being of divine nature, willing to work together with mankind. See Gen. chapters, 1-3
Then we see the consistency of this desire in Jesus choosing the twelve and sending out the seventy. See Luke 6:12-16 & 10:1
Again we see the Father’s heart when after Jesus ascended to the Father, Jesus endowed the Church with the Five-fold Ability Gifts, which work through a team of leaders. See Eph. 4:7 & 11-13
We believe that Father has chosen the Philippines and the Filipinos to play a key role in the harvest of souls around the world in these last days. Therefore, it is necessary for us, the Church in the Philippines to come together with one purpose in mind which is to establish Father’s Kingdom by, reaping the harvest and making disciples.
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