The Origin of 7MKI at Christian International
Many years ago, Dr. Bill Hamon desired to empower the people who influence the arenas of culture outside the four walls of a church. Those individuals needed the same impartation of God’s Spirit and the ability to hear His Voice that five-fold ministers have. That is the purpose for Christian International’s newest network, 7 Mountain Kingdom Influencers or 7MKI. This network is for those called to the 7 mountains of society: Business, Government, Education, Media, Arts and Entertainment, Religion, and Family. This network empowers members, by the Spirit of the Lord, to succeed in their calling to impact these mountains of culture. We believe that God has reserved an Apostolic-Prophetic anointing for Kingdom Influencers as part of the Third Reformation of the Church. The Lord will also cause His light to shine in the darkness of worldly kingdoms, and cause the kingdoms of the world to become the Kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ. These Kingdom Influencers will have the ability to cause the one True Light, Jesus Christ, to be known in the 7 Mountains today.
Commissioning
One significant part of the 7MKI network is the “Commissioning Service,” which is a special time of Holy Spirit impartation. Key leaders of Christian International will lay hands on the members of 7MKI and release an impartation to be successful in the mountains of society. The Christian International Apostolic Network (CIAN) 7 Mountain Kingdom Influencers network is not a typical association interested only in providing relationship and covering. We also provide equipping needed to influence any area of culture. We provide oversight, relationship and empowerment to these individuals in order to accomplish God’s purposes in their arenas of influence. The prophetic anointing of the Lord will cause breakthrough for destiny.
The History of the “7 Mountains” Terminology
In 1975, two Christian leaders, Dr. Bill Bright and Loren Cunningham, got together to give each other a message from God. To their amazement, each had the same message, independently given to them by God, to give to the other.
Bill Bright was the founder of the world’s largest ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ, a worldwide ministry with 26,000 full-time employees and missionaries in 191 countries. Loren Cunningham was the founder of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a ministry with 20,000 full-time staff of more than 150 nationalities. Both of these individuals brought the gospel to millions around the world.
However, God shown both of them that many areas of modern culture still needed the Gospel. The Lord showed them seven major areas of society, or “mountains” as they called them, which needed godly people to influence them, thereby influencing untold millions who were engaged in those seven mountains of society. About a month later, Francis Schaeffer, leader of L’Brai Fellowship, heard the same thing from God.
These seven mountains are business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, family and religion. God was showing them, in 1975, that His Kingdom would win back our culture through these fronts. God wanted these men to equip people to go into these seven mountains of culture and to change them: to begin reconciling culture back to God.
This “7 Mountains” idea matched exactly what the Lord put in Dr. Bill Hamon’s heart about the need to empower and equip leaders outside the four walls of the church. Thus began the pursuit to develop an empowering network that would truly bring the Heart of God to the 7 Mountains of Culture. The result of that pursuit is the 7 Mountain Kingdom Influencer Network (7MKI).
God’s Original Plan
From the beginning of mankind, God intended his followers to have dominion over all the Earth.
Genesis 1:26 says “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
However, over many centuries, followers of God eventually no longer had dominion over all the earth. In many cases, they had chosen not to be leaders in society, or at least not to represent God’s Kingdom in their leadership, not attempting to bring His dominion into their jobs and businesses. Christians lost sight of their purpose on earth, not just to receive Salvation but to bring God’s purposes into our world. The revelation of “all being made able ministers”[1] was lost until recent history. Many Christians even thought that being a full-time minister was a higher spiritual calling than having a job in society. Some assumed that since full-time ministers received full-time paychecks or offerings, they were the only ones intended to do God’s work, or perhaps God’s work only consisted of Church work. The result of this belief system was that Christians abdicated the leadership of society to ungodly people. This resulted in entire areas of society becoming God-absent zones. Leadership by ungodly people allowed the new and young people coming into these areas to be taught philosophies totally independent of any sense of the presence of God in their society. New people, especially new young people, were easily influenced and indoctrinated by these leaders, partly because they had attained a level of success in their careers and fields. Therefore, new generations learned to accept a sense of godlessness in careers and culture.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Today, the spheres of society need godly principles and godly leaders to return.
Restoration of God’s Vision for Mankind
To counter this godless foundation in society, Christians needed enlightenment, education, training and discipleship. Someone had to reveal what happened and motivate Christians to believe that they can make a difference. Then they needed training to fulfill their God-given ministry in their own surroundings, environment, culture or “mountain” of society.
But who would enlighten them, and who could train them? The Christian return to culture could only begin with Christian leaders teaching and empowering everyday Saints to fulfill God’s purpose through their lives. God has a plan for a Great Revival that will touch every arena of society. As God pours out His Spirit on all flesh, Christians can prepare for harvest by positioning themselves to serve God powerfully within the 7 Mountains of Culture:
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Examples of the Christian Return to Culture
In 1955, Francis Schaeffer and his wife, Edith, moved to Switzerland and founded the L’Brai Fellowships, a community for young people and people interested in philosophy. Today, at least one L’Brai family staffs each branch, and they lead discussions, conferences, and the routine of daily meals, chores, etc. Long discussions take place at many familial meals. Schaeffer was interested in both philosophy and Christian values. He believed that society should rest upon Christian values. Schaeffer hated secular humanism, which discarded the Christian faith as the basis of society. “Why has our society changed?” he asked. “The answer is clear—the consensus of our society no longer rests upon a Christian basis, but upon a humanistic one. Humanism is man putting himself at the center of all things, rather than the creator God.”[2] Schaeffer said the result was “a society that had lost its moral foundation and threatened to shipwreck itself.” Schaeffer went on to write many books, give speeches and seminars, and influence powerful politicians, church leaders and evangelical Christians, including the likes of Jerry Falwell, who established the Moral Majority, based on many of the teachings of Schaeffer.[3]
In 1977, Youth With A Mission (YWAM) leased a hotel in Kona, Hawaii to turn it into a campus, called the training center Pacific and Asia Christian University. In 1979, the first ship in a fleet of ships to become known as Mercy Ships was commissioned, which provide healthcare to the needy in port cities around the world. In 1980, YWAM became involved in the Cambodian refugee crisis in Thailand. In 1987, their publishing expanded to release over 150 titles. It now distributes hundreds of books, videos, and CDs. In 1992, Frontier Missions was established.
Mercy Ships in 2003 become a separate ministry and uses a hospital ship and land-based programs to bring medical assistance and long-term sustainable development to some of the world’s poorest regions. After the departure of Mercy Ships, YWAM’s ship ministry continued. Marine Reach, a YWAM ministry, had already been operating ships across the Pacific for 13 years, offering medical care, transportation for evangelism teams, ground-based training of local care workers, mobile mission training, and cataract and dental surgeries. In 2010, YWAM celebrated its 50-year anniversary. With more than 18,000 staff and over 1,200 ministry locations, it is now one of the world’s largest missionary training and sending organizations.[4]
The International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) was established in 1985 based on a dream to see people’s businesses and working lives increasingly become an outward manifestation of an inward walk of faith, motivated by God’s love. ICCC has spread around the world, including local chambers on every continent. Work has expanded past just sharing the Gospel, and has now expanded to bring the presence and power of God to the workplace as well.[5]
In 1996, Dr. Bill Bright, who had founded of Campus Crusade for Christ International, went on to found the Pinnacle Forum. Their vision is “to see God at the center of our culture.” Their mission is to “to build a network of leaders committed to personal and cultural transformation centered on the values of Jesus.”[6]
Bob Buford founded the Halftime institute. He showed that formerly, a person’s life slowed down at about 45 years, marking the beginning of the end of that person’s life. However, with increased longevity, that age is now closer to mid-life, and can mean a time of reflection of personal values and goals, a “Halftime,” like in a sports game. It can be a time not only of reflection, but a time to re-evaluate how you want to “spend” the second half of your lifetime. Their mission is “teaching, coaching, and connecting marketplace leaders to discover God’s calling on their lives and engage in the issues Jesus cares about.”[7]
Os Hillman, after becoming very successful in the business world, experienced 7 years of extreme personal and financial adversity. Gunnar Olson, founder of the International Christian Chamber of Commerce, enlightened him about the process that he had experienced. At the end of the 7 years of adversity, Os Hillman recovered both financially and personally. Oz Hillman founded the ministry “Marketplace Leaders” in 1996: “Marketplace Leaders is a voice and agent to create tools that inspire, teach, and connect Christian believers to resources and relationships in order to manifest the life of Christ in their workplace call.” A key strategy is “To identify, train, equip and mobilize leaders in the 7 cultural mountains for cultural influence and restoration of biblical foundations in our nation” and “To convene and host events designed to teach and train.”[8]
Ed Silvoso founded Harvest Evangelism. “It is an inter-denominational ministry committed to the fulfillment of the Great Commission…dedicated to serving the entire Body of Christ around the globe while instilling vision for city, regional and nation-wide transformation.” [9] A part of that is The International Transformation Network, which was formed as marketplace and ministry individuals working together to transform our world for the better. Examples of their work and interest include:
- Uprooting Corruption
- Eradicating Hunger
- Transforming Cities
- Eliminating Systemic Poverty
- Rebuilding Communities
- Promoting Justice
- Restoring Hope
- Expecting Miracles
ITN is a strategic global alliance of marketplace and pulpit ministers focused on developing transformational solutions to the systemic social, economic, educational and governmental ills facing the nations of the world.
Dr. Lance Wallnau is founder and Director of Lance Wallnau Ministries and the Lance Learning Group, a unique teaching institute that combines Scripture and cutting edge learning technology. He held forums at universities, including Harvard, and with the United Nations, providing training on how the Church and individuals can influence society. Lance has brought into this generation the teaching of those who went before him, with relevance to the new generation of leaders wrestling with the complexity of societal transformation. His network and involvement spans many nations and spheres of influence including artists, business leaders, government officials and universities. Dr. Wallnau currently travels and gives many conferences carrying the torch to this generation and encouraging thousands.[10]
Role of Christian International and 7MKI
Christian International (CI) agrees with the men and women, the ministries, and the efforts mentioned above and that continue today. CI fully endorses the concept that we should try to bring the influences of the Kingdom of God into the kingdoms of this world:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Mat 28:19)
And that one eventual goal of Jesus in the future is this:
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev 11:15).
It is interesting that the literal translation of this scripture is that the “Rule of the Cosmos” is going to change. Ephesians states that we are in a battle against “World forces of Darkness” or in the Greek,”Kosmokrators,” until this change occurs.
There have been many major movements in God’s Kingdom to bring us to today. Christian International has pioneered many of those major movements. From the Prophetic Movement to the Apostolic Movement to the Saints Movement, and now heading into the Army of the Lord Movement, CI has been at the heart of their development. Those movements included the restoration of every five-fold ministry office to the Church at large. It has also brought awakening in the hearts of believers to know that they are empowered with the Holy Spirit, just as are five-fold ministers, to “minister” for God wherever they are. We are entering into an Army of the Lord Movement, when believers will confront the forces of darkness on every level.
One of the foundational mandates that the Lord has given Bishop Hamon and Christian International is to equip people to hear the Voice of God to bring transformation. Many nations consider Bishop Hamon the “Father of the Modern Prophetic Movement.” Christian International has 5000 ministers worldwide and on every continent on the Earth. CI conducts teaching, training and empowering conferences as well. The 7MKI Network will empower individuals to hear the Voice of the Lord in their spheres of influence, so they can use Holy Spirit’s empowerment to transform culture through their sphere.
With a ministry of over 60 years, CI has an established a worldwide record of teaching over 250,000 people to personally hear God for themselves, their family, their jobs, their churches, and for others. CI developed multiple training manuals, college courses, seminars, DVDs and more.
Two words from the Greek have been translated into our English language Bible as “word.” Logos is one of those words and is commonly understood to be the “written word,” or the Old and New Testaments. Rhema is the other Greek word that has been translated into English as “word.” Rhema means an “utterance” or “thing said.”
When God reveals something to us now, today, whether through reading scriptures or making it known to us in any one of many different ways, we refer to that as God speaking (making known) to us, or a “Rhema” word of God to, for, or through us. This “now” word of God, called a Rhema or “spoken word,” has an inherent or creative power in itself. It is God speaking now. Hearing what God is saying to you now, about your current circumstance, providing guidance and strategy for you, can save you and others immeasurable problems, time, effort, money, and resources. The ability to speak the words of God into a situation or strategy is priceless. It can actually effect a change.
“The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed” (Mt 8:8).
A Rhema word from God has the ability to bring hope and earnest expectation into a situation. It can provide a strategy to overcome the devices and plans of our enemies. Elisha provided strategies for the King of Israel:
“And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber” (2 Kings 6:10-11).
Also remember the strategies given Joseph about a famine, Joshua about Jericho, Gideon about the Midianites, and Jehoshaphat about the Ammonites and Moabites. God is willing to guide and direct the people who will hear and follow Him:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
Hearing God’s Voice will be your key to fulfilling the Destiny that the Lord has for you. CI will stand with you and prophesy the Word of the Lord into your life, family, and destiny. We will also equip you to hear God’s Voice yourself to bring transformation.
7MKI Membership
The goal of the Christian International 7MKI network is to develop relationships within our network of ministers (CIAN), where members receive relationship and impartation of the Apostolic and the Prophetic anointing to successfully transform their mountain as a part of their calling in the Lord. Membership is free for 2016 with unlimited access to the resources available. Beginning in 2017 this 7MKI Network will transition into a membership network with annual fees. Therefore, this is now your opportunity to experience the 7MKI network during this “Jubilee Year” of 2016!
To receive resources in 2016, you don’t need to do anything further. However, to continue your membership beyond 2016, click here to complete an application. You can complete that application any time.
[1] 2 Corinthians 3:6
[2] http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/people/francis-schaeffer.html
[3] http://www.pbs.org/godinamerica/people/francis-schaeffer.html
[4] http://www.ywam.org/about-us/history/
[5] http://iccc.net/about-iccc/
[6] http://pinnacleforum.com/about/
[7] http://halftimeinstitute.org/about/mission-vision
[8] http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/about-us/
[9] http://www.transformourworld.org/en/about/distinctives , and http://www.harvestevan.org/the-mission-of-harvest-evangelism
[10] http://keysnetwork.org/index.php/joomla/contentall-comcontent-views/category-list/11-partners-bio/47-lance-wallnau-bio-4 , and http://www.theoakinitiative.org/lance-wallnau#.VfCIsm-FPDc
