Journeying through these stories that you have just read throughout this book, I’m completely blown away by the grace of God. As I look back at my life and our ministry, it’s impossible not to see the fingerprints of those who paid a dear price so that I could walk in a deeper measure of God. First of all, I owe the Lord everything, but I also owe His friends so much. There is an inheritance in the Holy Spirit. God’s way in this area is always multiplication. It’s His desire that we go from glory to glory. His government is always increasing. I truly believe that this generation is to walk in a greater measure of the Holy Spirit than the generation before us. When I think of the breakthrough in the lives of the champions of the generation before mine, I am blown away by the mark they have set. We have a lot of work to do, friends. Yet in the Lord, everything is possible. I believe a greater flow of the Holy Spirit is going to hit the world and the Church than we’ve ever seen in our lives. I believe the greatest outpouring of the Spirit is about to touch the earth. But as we step into this and seek God, let’s never forget those who have touched our lives.
I’d like this to be a chapter full of honor. Maybe it would make me look more self-sufficient if I looked at you and said that everything I have experienced in the Lord came through a sovereign encounter while being alone with Him, but that’s just not the case. If you trace church history, it’s never been the case. I absolutely believe that God is looking for cooperation, for co-laborers on the earth. He wants to share His activity and desire with His friends. If you look back at your life, I’m sure you can trace every encounter with God to the cooperation of one of God’s friends. That combination impacted you, and I pray that will be said of us in the years to come—that you and I were used to impact others in the Holy Spirit. So, I would like to honor some of the people who have deeply impacted me forever. There are many more of you who have touched my life than I have room to mention in this book. I am so grateful for all those who have paid a price so that I could know the Lord more deeply.
My Parents
My parents, Theo and Evelyn Koulianos, are true Christians. They will be the first to tell you that they’re not perfect, but their example of humility, loyalty, and faithfulness to God framed my view of Jesus forever. I can still remember coming home at night backslidden away from God and drunk. Some nights turned into mornings and I’d get home at 6:30 a.m. I’d walk through the door, and my mom would be there sitting on a rocking chair without having slept a wink, just praying, speaking in tongues over my life, declaring the works of God in my future, agreeing with prophetic destiny that was prophesied over me as a boy through my father-in-law. I’d come in staggering, and she’d be there rocking back and forth, praying in the Spirit, saying things like this: “He will stand before kings and queens. He will preach the Gospel to the nations. He will change the world for Jesus.”
I remember one early morning when I came in—it was 1999; my mom had been up all night praying for me. There she was, praying and watching This Is Your Day. I walked in the house and felt the presence of God. I was so deeply convicted, so depressed because of where my life had gone. I knew that I was not yielding to my prophetic future. Instead, I was following the devil and my own ambitions. My heart was so empty. And there was my mom, never giving up, always declaring, always standing in the gap. Pastor Benny came on the screen, and my mom looked at me and said, “One day you’ll be a preacher just like Pastor Benny, and not only will you be a preacher, one day you’ll stand alongside him and preach the Gospel with him.” You have to understand, I did not have a very close relationship with Pastor Benny at the time. He was living in California, and I was in college in Florida. I hadn’t seen him in years, hadn’t spoken to him in years. This kind of prophetic word seemed so outside the box, it sounded like it was crazy. To be honest, I thought my mom had gone crazy. Looking back, I was the crazy one for not believing. To think I’ve stood on platforms across the world and shared pulpits before thousands, preaching the Gospel and ministering to the sick with my father-in-law.
My parents are humble. They understand what it means to go low. They’re the first ones there when something hits our family. They’re a rock of support and a bridge of hope.
My dad has been through so many ups and downs. We went from having millions of dollars to losing it all when I was about twelve years old. I remember leaving our home because it was foreclosed on. I remember the Mercedes Benz being taken away and replaced with an old pickup truck. I remember my dad leaving the house at 5:30 in the morning to go work in the flea market after we lost everything, yet his faith stayed strong. Every night he came home, read his Bible, and talk about Jesus. Our home was full of joy, full of happiness, which was possible only because it was full of God. My parents were the gateway by which God could flood our home and lovingly distract us from the hardships we were facing. My dad was at every golf tournament and at most practices, coached my football team, and today he’s still the first one to serve in our meetings, to pray for us, and to stand with us no matter what. My dad taught me to hold on to Jesus when everything else collapses.
My mom always had a meal on the table. Our clothes were always meticulous. Nothing was wrinkled. Our house was always spotless, and she was always praying while keeping it that way. She prayed so hard for me while I was away from God and so consistently that I actually memorized her tongues language. If she knew I had been out all night, she’d stand outside the door or go into the shower and pray loudly enough to make sure I could hear her. I recall lying in bed, tortured by her loud praying as she declared and prophesied over my future. I remember her pleading the blood of Jesus every day over my spirit, my soul, and my body. I remember those prophetic words of standing before kings, and priests, and great leaders of nations; the first time it happened, her prophetic words leapt in my spirit.
My parents have had the greatest influence on my life. Mom and Dad, thank you for loving Jesus, and thank you for loving me, Jessica, and the children.
Benny Hinn
As I’m sure you’ve found while reading this book, so much of what I’ve had the joy of experiencing in the Holy Spirit is due to the life of Benny Hinn. Never once did Benny teach me how to heal the sick. He never gave me three steps for miracles. What he did teach me as a young boy and as a young man was how to cherish the presence of the Holy Spirit.
When Jessica and I decided to date, he asked that I move into the house and be his personal assistant. It was the hardest job I’ve ever had, I promise you that. But I had the joy of watching him seek the Lord every morning, and I knew never to go near that room while he was alone with God. This began to forge in my own life a consistent daily contact with the Holy Spirit. I began to treasure the presence of God above all else. He taught me that miracles, and crowds, and salvations, and deliverances were all the fruit and the natural outflow of a genuine life in the Holy Spirit. Pastor Benny taught me that the fruit of walking with the Spirit is to have an addiction for Jesus. He encouraged me to become a Jesus man. While there’s no doubt that Benny Hinn knows and loves the Holy Spirit, what most people don’t know about him is that he is addicted to Jesus. He is absolutely consumed in prayer with the face of the Lord. This prompted me to seek the depths of the Lord. He taught me that it’s never over until God says it’s over. He taught me that worshiping the Lord is so much greater than working for the Lord. He let me become close with him, and I am beyond grateful for the privilege. I can honestly tell you that when it comes to discussing the things of God, there’s nobody on earth who understands me better— and I would venture to say that the reverse is also true. We see Heaven the same way, and we gaze at the Lord’s face the same way.
Benny was used by God to teach me that presence is everything. I will never forget the advice he gave me before I preached my first sermon under his leadership. I was standing behind the curtain, so nervous about what was to come. Before I walked on the platform, he grabbed me and said, “Mikey, just let the people feel the presence of God.” He gave me a kiss and pushed me out there. And there I was, in front of a packed building with nothing to do and no plan at all but to let the people feel the presence of God.
Pastor Benny picked me up out of a selfish lifestyle and gave me my start in the ministry. His encouraging words have kept me going when leaders have attacked me and when those I love have distanced themselves from me. He caused me to fight for what I believe in and to never back down off the character of God regardless of the price. Still today I hear him quoting Zechariah to me: “Mikey, ‘It’s not by might, it’s not by power, it’s by My Spirit, says the Lord.’” While nobody can teach you how to surrender, he certainly modeled it for me. Today in our meetings around the world all I do is worship the Lord, and listen, and do my best to let Him do whatever the Holy Spirit wants to do. In addition, he let me marry his beautiful daughter! It’s hard to top that.
So I want to say, Baba (that’s what I call Pastor Benny), thank you for paying a price during that year of glory in 1973. Thank you for spending eight hours a day with the Holy Spirit. Thank you for being infatuated with the One with whom the Holy Spirit is infatuated, Jesus Himself. Thank you for giving your life and your vessel to the Lord. I would not be here without you. I love you so much.
Kathryn Kuhlman
As you’ve undoubtedly discovered by now, my spiritual hero is Kathryn Kuhlman. There’s so much I could mention here. What I love about her is that she was more aware of the Holy Spirit than anything or anyone else. While her spiritual work was serious, she found a way to enjoy God while ministering. It was as if Kathryn was caught up into another world. She seemed to minister out of pleasure, delight, and sheer ecstasy. Kathryn was used by God to introduce the Holy Spirit to the world in a beautiful new way. To her, He was not mere fire, force, or power, but He was a real person who could be known and loved.
During a season where men were preaching fire, brimstone, force, and fury, Kathryn came along in elegance and introduced the world to the gentle, holy, reverential, tender Holy Spirit. Many were caught up and distracted by her eclectic, theatrical ways, but there was no denying that when she walked onto the platform, Jesus walked onto that platform with her. This was not a job to Kathryn but a public display of what burned in her heart—oneness with God. She seemed to enjoy the anointing as much as those for whom she was praying.
I own some of Kathryn’s ministerial and personal items. They are very precious to me. I met people who worked alongside Kathryn. They all said the same thing: “She was in love with God. She loved His presence more than her calling.” I believe that is so vital. That kind of dependence on the Holy Spirit is needed again today. Her respect for His presence is a great model for all of us. She had the ability to let the Holy Spirit have the meeting. While she was not perfect in her day-to-day life, there was no doubt that she loved Him and no doubt that she loved people. I am grateful to Kathryn for teaching us all how to yield to the Holy Spirit and how to enjoy getting to know His beautiful personality.
Oral Roberts
As a young pastor, I lived in Southern California. I was only about fifteen minutes away from Dr. Roberts’ house. He was a hero to me because of all the healing breakthrough that he saw. He told the world that God was good and that God still heals today. Oral was used to raise up a generation at Oral Roberts University and to send them to the nations to impact millions for the Kingdom of God. He was a close friend of my father-in-law, and he became a friend of mine. Jessica attended Oral Roberts University, and so did my brother and sister-in-law, Rachel. I was supposed to attend ORU in 1996 on a golf scholarship but decided not to. It was one of the greatest mistakes of my life, and I actually had the chance to tell that to Dr. Roberts.
Early in our ministry, miracles were so rare and scarce. I was praying for people left and right, but nothing was happening. Those were such difficult days. As a pastor, you become one with the pain of your people, and theirs were not minor sicknesses. Some had cancer. Others had kidney disease. A baby was stillborn. I did my best to stand in the gap of these situations. I declared all the Scripture I knew, worshiped, and fasted for these people. Yet none were healed, and I don’t know why. I remember being tempted to quit praying for the sick because of all the defeat.
One day, my father-in-law said, “Hey Mikey, come with me to see Oral Roberts.” Like a kid in a candy store, I jumped into his car and rode over there with him. I sat there like a little schoolboy, learning from two of faith’s greatest heroes. One thing was for sure, though, regardless of who was in the room that day, there was one person in charge—Oral Roberts. He told me and my father-in-law where to sit. He determined what we talked about. He corrected us, rebuked us, loved us, and everything in between. He even challenged us to our faces. I’ll never forget the focus and intensity that was on that man. As I sat there, I was amazed by the presence of God that rested on him. Here was the man that God used to bring hope and healing to an entire generation.
After our first meeting, I had the joy of visiting him multiple times. On one occasion, I went over to his church just to check on him. He asked me to move my chair very close to him. We sat face to face, and he poured his heart out to me about the goodness of Jesus. He gave me hope for my future. I’ll never forget him telling me, “You can do it. Yes, you can. I am praying for your ministry.”
Oral dedicated my firstborn, Theo, to the Lord. He laid hands on me and Jessica and blessed us on more than one occasion. I’m convinced that there was a genuine deposit that took place. He taught me to believe that God is good. He taught me that anything is possible. He instilled in my heart that if you’re going to walk with God, you need to make big plans. Faith flowed out of that man. If I have any faith today, he is a part of that inheritance. Thank you, Dr. Roberts, for paying a price and for telling us all who God really is. He is good.
Joy Dawson
Joy Dawson has been a consistent voice in my life for ten years. As you know from reading this book, Joy and I met at a miracle service in Long Beach, California. That meeting changed my life forever. Since that day, she has stood by my side like a champion, like an immovable rock, challenging me, loving me, and defending me in situations where I could not defend myself. In moments when I did not have the strength or the wisdom to go on, Joy came in and bolstered me, along with her husband, Jim, who’s now gone on to be with the Lord. They saw in me what I didn’t see in myself. They spoke into being what I only had a hunch to believe in. When I wasn’t listening or present, they were telling leaders around the world that God had touched my life and that they should receive me.
Joy has taught me so much—first and foremost, the character of God. The woman is absolutely addicted to the ways and character of God. She loves His wrath as much as His tenderness. She wants Him any way she can have Him, and that’s what I love most about her. She has given her life to study and experience who God is. Secondly, she has taught me the fear of the Lord. Nobody I know on planet Earth carries the fear of the Lord like Joy Dawson. The Holy Spirit has used Joy to teach me and show me what it means to fear the Lord. I can feel the increase and wisdom that has come to our family and our movement. And I believe this is because Joy taught us to fear the Lord.
Thirdly, she has modeled how to wait on God. To Joy—and to Jesus, I should say—we do nothing unless we see the Father do it. Joy taught me this very clearly and consistently. Others were running around taking every preaching engagement that came their way, but she would always say to me, “Michael, only go if God tells you to go. Don’t make that decision unless God has spoken to you through His Word or through His living voice.” What a treasure, what a lifesaver this advice is. Fourthly, she has shown me about revival. Other than Lou Engle, there is nobody I know on earth who is more committed to praying for revival than Joy Dawson. She taught me that there is always more—that regardless of the breakthrough we were seeing, I could believe for more. Joy is believing for the day when the move of the Holy Spirit will sweep every home, nation, church, school, and family. She has been praying for America every Sunday night for one hour for decades. I know God hears her prayers. When America sees the revival that all of us know is coming, let’s be sure to thank Joy for standing in the gap all these years.
It is safe to say that there would be no Michael and Jessica or Jesus Image without you, Joy Dawson. Thank you for being an unwavering voice of love and truth in my life. We love you dearly.
Basilea Schlink
Mother Basilea Schlink and her teachings completely turned my world upside down. God used her to rearrange my motives, to turn me into a Mary when I was a Martha. It was her life and the life of the sisters of Mary that illuminated the beautiful truth of the Scripture that “in all we do, do it unto the Lord” (see Col. 3:23). She taught me that first love was the utmost priority. I can still hear her words today: “The only love God receives is first love, and first love is simply returning God’s love back to Him.”
Mother Basilea branded in my heart that bridal intimacy with Jesus was more important than any other responsibility. She was used by God to show me that Jesus was looking for friends and lovers, that He wants our time, and that our obedience brings Him joy, and our disobedience, pain. She taught me that the sufferings of Jesus could be fellowshipped with. I was shocked to discover that the Lord has pain in His heart when He’s rejected and that the Bride could tend to that pain. What a holy calling. No longer would I go into my prayer closet just to pray. I would go in to be with Him, the One who was waiting for me, the One who deeply wanted me.
Bill Johnson
From the outside looking in, I can see how many people would think that ministry life is just so easy and fun. While it is fun, it’s not always easy. Bill Johnson has been used to convince Jessica and me of the goodness of our Heavenly Father no matter what we’re facing. Bill is perhaps the most well-rounded Christian leader I have ever been around. His love for Jesus, revelation of the Scriptures, devotional life, family, marriage, children, church leadership, power and miracles, character, humility, and integrity are as strong as anybody’s. Bill has shown us that if we stay humble, we can have as much of God as He has promised.
I love the fact that Bill can walk around his home church as a dad, loving the people. I love watching him as he stays low and humble when there are miracles happening all around him. Bill has been a faithful friend to me and Jessica. Through the many difficult challenges that life has thrown our way, God has used Bill to show us how loving our Father in Heaven is and that the presence of God is still enough. Jesus Image and our family are being transformed by what God has done and is doing in Bill Johnson.
Bill, thank you for loving us, and thank you for telling us that God is still good no matter what we face. Thank you, as well, for encouraging us to say around the world that miracles still happen today. We love you.
Rex Humbard
In 2003, I met Rex Humbard. What a humble, amazing, meek man. Rex is known as “the father of Christian television.” He was also the one who brought Kathryn Kuhlman to Akron, Ohio. He loaned her his tent, and she filled it with thousands. Rex was such a humble, tender man. He had shaken the world in his own right, yet it never seemed to get to his head. The Cathedral of Tomorrow is a mainstay in America. He and his wife, Maude Aimee, were some of our biggest fans. When nobody knew my name, they would tell us that we would change the world for Jesus. He would pray for me and love me and Jessica. Before Jessica and I were ever married, he laid hands on us and said, “Lord, give Michael and Jess what You have given myself and Maude Aimee.” We never forgot that prayer and have held on to it for years.
Rex was a holy man and a man full of joy. His son Donny and I became close. Donny would share stories with me when Jessica and I would go down to the assisted living home in South Florida to visit Rex. Did we ever have fun! What a joy and a privilege. Rex loved God, and he loved people. He was a mighty evangelist who could give an altar call like nobody you have ever met. He was very close with Kath-ryn Kuhlman, and this connection intrigued me greatly.
The day before Rex died, Jesus walked into his room. He saw Him. The Lord said to Rex, “We’re ready for you, Rex. It’s time to come home.” And so, after this experience with the Lord, the doctor came in to give Rex his medication, but Rex clenched his teeth and would not take it. Donny told Rex, “Dad, you have to take your medication.” Rex answered, “No, I’ve seen the Lord. I’m ready to go home.” It wasn’t very long after that that Rex lay in bed, surrounded by his children, who were singing “Blessed Assurance,” when a bolt of lightning hit just outside of Rex’s hospital window. The room shook as they continued to sing. Rex sat up in his bed, his face shining like an angel’s. Every wrinkle left his face. He looked like he was in his thirties again. He turned to all of his children and smiled, laid back down, and went home to be with the Lord. How can I best sum up Rex Humbard? He was like Jesus.
Madame Guyon
Our eternal lives should be the most important thing to us on earth. The internal fellowship with the Holy Spirit is our greatest gift. Learning how to commune with the Lord is the greatest lesson we could ever learn. For a time, prayer was a struggle for me. It was full of speaking, requests, trial, and struggle. Then I picked up a book called Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Madame Guyon. She taught me that prayer is simple and easy and that we were created by God to fellowship with the Lord. This fellowship is the most natural thing with which we could ever be involved. She taught me that prayer did not have to begin and end, but it could become a constant experience that is never ending and always increasing. Madame Guyon suffered greatly for her teachings. She died in a prison because she saw that we were all filled with the Spirit and could all commune intimately with God at all times. When somebody changes your prayer life, they change your life. She taught me how to pray, and for that I owe her everything.
Reinhard Bonnke
In 2010, I was going through a very difficult time. My family on Jessica’s side had suffered divorce. While I thank God for the restoration that has taken place, the pain of 2010 was very real. I felt like I had been cut off from a life-giving stream that I had had as a boy. It seemed like our world was caving in. Jesus never left, but the challenges increased and increased. I then had the opportunity to get lunch with Reinhard. We sat down at a restaurant in Vero Beach, Florida. He looked across the table and said to me, “You are a man of God in your own right. I feel the power of God when I hear you talking about cities coming to Jesus. You are a man of God.” To hear such encouragement from a man that has preached the Gospel face to face to more people than anybody in history was overwhelming. He began to encourage me and lift my faith for nations to come to Jesus. At the same time, I was blown away by the humility in which he walked and by the tenderness in his delivery toward me. It was as if God sent Reinhard as a father in my life when I had felt so rejected by others.
I will never forget the greatest thing he ever told me. In his deep, raspy German voice, he said, “Michael, the crowds in the crusades are not my reward. The presence of Jesus is my reward.” I about melted on the table. A man who loved the Holy Spirit more than the work of the ministry—how refreshing. I have never forgotten those words. At the end of the day, His presence is our greatest reward. Reinhard taught me that I did not have to choose between having a character like Jesus and experiencing the power of Jesus. He has declared to the world that coming to Jesus is enough and that He sets the sinner free today.
Reinhard, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for embracing me and loving me. Thank you for being like Him.
I hope this chapter stirred you to be grateful for those who have been placed in your life to lead you to the rivers of the Spirit. I hope you’ll reach out to them and honor them. I hope you will think about their impact on your life. According to Jesus, when we receive His friends, we receive Him, and when we receive Him, we receive the Father who sent Him (see Matt. 10:40). To receive God’s friends is to receive God Himself. Take some time today and honor those whom God has called His friends.