“I Must Have America”

April 1, 2025

When approaching graduation from Christ For The Nations Bible Institute, Ceci and I were confident we would end up on “the mission field,” as we called foreign missions back then. America had so many churches and laborers; we wanted to go where the need was more significant. Opportunities in four nations were on our radar; our bags were practically packed. Then, something strange occurred. While praying one day, Holy Spirit spoke to me, “The Bible College is going to offer you a position, and you’re to accept it.”

“Where did that come from?” I thought. This was nowhere on our radar! Sure enough, within days, the offer came, and we said yes. We thought we would serve there for a short time, then go to another nation. We continued to pray for other nations faithfully and fervently, as well as sow financially all that we possibly could into missions.

Over the next few years, we served in a couple of other ministries, all the while holding onto the dream and wondering why the Lord would not release us to move somewhere overseas. Finally, Holy Spirit broke through our preconceived notions of being foreign “missionaries.” “America is your mission field,” He said, “I need you here. And by serving Me here, you will serve Me abroad.”

My first thought was, That can’t be God speaking. America has more preaching and teaching than anywhere in the world. I want to go where the need is greatest. Little did I know…

By the late 80s, I could see where America was heading, including the American church. My heart had become greatly concerned, at times overwhelmed with grief (and yes, sometimes anger). I saw that the great Charismatic and Jesus People movements, while bringing many to Christ in America, was not transforming the culture and society as a whole. An eschatological mindset that Jesus was coming soon, and that we could, therefore, ignore the cultural institutions and remain focused only on seeing people saved was dominant. Other theological beliefs also contributed to the church not focusing on discipling the nation, as Jesus had commissioned us (Matthew 28:18-20). The result? After one of history’s greatest revivals, America was actually losing ground spiritually, becoming further from God and His ways.

As I mentioned, I saw this coming in the 80s and watched it pick up steam in the 90s as the church–God’s instrument of change–failed to wake up and take action. Many churches were growing; mega-churches were springing up, bringing a false sense of success. Although most of the growth was only transfer growth, not conversions, many leaders would not accept the reality that we were losing ground. Also, America’s economy was doing well, and much of the deterioration taking place in the nation was still hidden underground. The foundations were crumbling, however, and as this devolution progressed, it eventually became clear that without supernatural intervention, America would not recover.

In ‘99 and 2000, I had had two dramatic visitations from the Lord, in which He brought to fullness a 20-year process of mantling me for my calling to America. In the second of these impartations, as I wept with Him for three and a half hours over America’s lost condition, the Lord clearly said to me, “For what I am going to do among the nations in this season of history, for the harvest I am going to reap in the earth, I must have America.”(1)

I share this today to remind us all that the restoration God is doing at this time in America is not just for America. I don’t claim to speak for President Trump or other Americans, but for myself – and I believe where God is concerned – “America first” means: fix and heal America first, so that she is strong and prosperous enough to be the instrument God needs at this time in history. For our nation in general, this means being used by God for various things. For the church, however, it will mean accomplishing Mark 16:15-20 and Matthew 28:18-20: saving people and discipling nations for Christ.

Just as with Abraham, America’s great blessings are not just for us. God told Abraham that the blessings coming to him, his descendants, and his nation were also so He could bless the world through them. This is true of America, as well: we are blessed to bless. I want revival and reformation in America so that we can be used to further revival and reformation around the world. My calling to America is a calling to the nations. Join me, for this noblest of callings is to all of us. With this in mind, I leave you with the following encouragement and call to prayer.

Revival In the Middle East

CBN News states: “Amid talk of a broader war in the Middle East, there is also news that a Jesus Revolution may be underway. An unprecedented number of Muslims are choosing to follow Christ, especially in Iran, as people search for a better life.

“Iranians are growing tired of the ayatollahs and a nation led by the empty promises of their Islamic theocracy. An anonymous internal poll found that 80% now prefer a democratic government, and many are leaving Islam.

“According to Todd Nettleton, Vice President of Messaging at VOM [Voice of the Martyrs], the faith option many are choosing is Jesus with at least a million Muslims reportedly leaving Islam for Christianity. So, how is the regime reacting to this, with a reported 50,000 of the country’s 75,000 mosques now closed?

“‘This is not something that is making the regime happy. And, really, in many ways, they are seeking to solidify their power and to crush any kind of dissent,’ Nettleton said. ‘We have heard multiple stories this year of a Bible study, a home church being raided. Everyone there is photographed, everyone there is questioned. But then the leader of the meeting is held on to. They are arrested, they are detained, they’re put in prison.’”(2)

Though great persecution is taking place in other parts of the world, it is also true that the greatest harvest of souls in history has begun. Pray for this to continue and increase exponentially. Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who suffer because of their faith in Christ.

And yes, pray for America – He needs us.

Pray with me:

Father, Holy Spirit is on a great mission, which will not fail, to make the kingdoms of this world “the Kingdom of our Lord of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15). Our part in this glorious and unfailing cause is to win people to Christ through the preaching of the gospel, and discipling nations to the principles of the Kingdom. In Your heart, the nations are intertwined, flowing physically from one man, Adam, and spiritually from one man, Jesus Christ. What we do to save and transform America is also to save and transform the nations. Ultimately, Your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

We pray for the revival that has begun in the Middle East to now grow and intensify. Save a billion Muslims and Jews in this hour. And as many of our brothers and sisters there suffer for Your name’s sake, we honor and pray for them. They are true heroes of the faith. Give them strength, encouragement, and perseverance; may their faith not fail them in times of testing. Though the pain and loss they experience is great, please remind them of the great reward they will receive – that their suffering is not in vain. Comfort them through Holy Spirit’s great love.

And we pray for the votes taking place today in Wisconsin. Please grant us favor, moving the hearts of conservatives to get out and vote. We also ask that You move on the hearts and minds of undecided voters to vote for righteousness. Awaken them to the damage caused by Leftist and Marxist ideologies; help them to see clearly the fruit of these destructive mindsets.

Please continue to move among the young people in America. Send revival. Send fire. Send awakening. Save America. Save the nations. Glorify Jesus! We pray for all of this in His mighty name. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that the glory of the Lord will cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

Click on the link below to watch the full video.

More of this story is told in my book Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation: Dutch Sheets, Chuck Pierce, Tim Sheets, Releasing the Prophetic Destiny of a Nation (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, second edition), pp. 17-18.
https://cbn.com/news/world/irans-jesus-revolution-mosques-close-1-million-muslims-accept-christ