Your piece for the Prince of Peace.
Last week in this column, I asked how J17 Ministries has done so far in equipping you to answer Jesus’ John 17 prayer. The results were… a both/and! (If you’ve followed this column for any length of time, I’m sure you’re shocked. Not!) The responses we received (about a dozen) were all very encouraging, citing some specific ways that we had made a difference. I won’t try to make an argument from silence, as that’s largely guesswork, but a dozen is about 1.5% of those who open the newsletter each week.
Who is Jesus praying for in John 17?
The answer is clearly all of us – every follower of Jesus in every community in every age. John 17:20 spells that out with clarity. Here are a few of the higher profile ways we intentionally seek to equip others to be an answer to Jesus’ prayer:
Experiences of unity, like John 17 Weekends, Prayer Summits, and smaller gatherings. Any time love bridges gaps like generation, denomination, ethnicity, gender, profession, geography, and so many more, Jesus’ prayer is being answered, the Body grows and matures, and the world sees a more complete Body of Christ – meaning Jesus!
Change of mind through tools like these newsletters, both/and life videos, books, and speaking engagements. We’ve been trained to divide and isolate, and there’s an active enemy encouraging that. So we need to be retrained.
Encouragements in prayer, like the Church of the Week, How to pray John 17, and many practical opportunities.
Recent repentance
I had a rather startling realization recently, and we’re actively working on repentance, meaning a change of direction. When Jesus sent out the disciples 2x2 (let alone after He ascended to heaven), it wasn’t with a pile of His business cards. He trained and empowered them to do Kingdom ministry. Everyone knew the ultimate source of that Power and Love, since it clearly wasn’t of human origin. But the disciples didn’t see those suffering and simply say, “We know a Guy – you can find him in Nazareth…” They did the stuff; they didn't just refer to the One who brought heaven to earth. Jesus equipped them, empowered them, commissioned them, and trained them to do the same equipping and commissioning right up to the present day.
We (J17 Ministries) believe we can do a better job of the same, and we’re retooling in that direction. You’ll see more and more examples in coming months, but here’s a foretaste…
What year is it?
Not a trick question at all, and the answer is simple – 2026. But here’s the fun question: why is it 2026? Why not 43128? Or 673? Or any other number? There’s only one answer to that question, and the answer is Jesus. More than 90% of the planet marks time by the life of Jesus. Whether they know it or not, like it or not, or even are willing to acknowledge His historicity, that fact isn’t debatable. Jesus the Prince of Peace was born 2026 years ago. (Approximately… historians and scientists occasionally differ on that by up to four years.)
Which means… that 2033 will be recognized around the world as the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the 2000th birthday of the Church 50 days later on Pentecost. April 17, 2033 will be the largest celebration in the history of civilization.
Who’s hosting the party?
Here’s the main point – you are! We aren’t just inviting people to parties someone else is putting together… we ALL get to throw the party.
We have a new tab on our website called JC2033. You can find out a lot more information HERE, and soon that will be a stand alone website. We’re putting some things in motion, but this is SO much bigger than J17 Ministries. By 2033, hundreds of millions just in the US will know about it, and the vast majority won’t have heard of our 501(c)3, if we all do it correctly.
Here’s your part:
Check it out!
At least click on the “get involved” button – whether you’re in Tucson or not.
The City Template is a very early first draft of some steps that start now, as well as some possibilities for what 2033 might look like and how to get there. It will change dramatically and continuously!
Tucson’s first public step toward 2033 will be this Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2026 – as a call to gather and pray together. That’s all we know right now… but leaders are coming forward.
Many more resources (eventually the challenge will be categorizing them all) will be added.
You don’t have to wait!
Ask someone today or tomorrow what year it is, and why. Mention 2033. See where the conversation goes! The pieces that Holy Spirit is assembling in unity and witness are painting a celebration picture so much bigger than anyone alive could imagine.
75 days until Pentecost! Seven years, one month, and seven days (from publication) until Easter 2033! No time to waste!
Blessings,
Dave Drum, Founder J17 Ministries
