God Moments

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By Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares

An International Compassion Ministry based in Houston, Texas

The following is an except from Transforming Compassion – the Somebody Cares Magazine for Winter 2005 – 2006.

At a recent prayer mobilization meeting held by Houston Prays at First Presbyterian Church, pastor Jeff McGee from Calvary Community Church (formerly Calvary Baptist) recalled a word spoken over Houston by Jim (James) W. Goll in 2001.

“I see Houston is going to be like a string of pearls. String, string, string … stringer. Something about somebody named Stringer … and the world will know that Houston is a place where somebody cares.”

“The word ‘Somebody Cares’ shall come forth from the heart of this place [Houston] … demonstrating authentic fatherhood, with acts of kindness, and with sporadic outbursts of power and consistent outbreaks of mercy.”

“Somebody cares will be taken to the nations … Somebody cares will be a network from Houston, like a pearls put together, a stringing together of many different backgrounds, congregations to merge and come together.”

\Houston will lead the way in the nation for faith-based ministries reaching out to the poor. Cooperation and unity will be the word.”

When others have impressions from the Lord about the ministry, Doug takes them not as personal words himself but as exhortations for the entire city.

This particular word would soon begin its fulfillment as the Somebody Cares network began relief work after the floods of Tropical storm Allison in June, and once again just a few months later, right after September 11, as Doug spoke to thousands of women at the Global Celebration of Women. Later, Somebody Cares honored heroes of compassion ministry who served in the 9/11 tragedy in New York city and Washington DC with the Golden Towel Awards.

Since then we have been there for last year’s Gulf shore Hurricanes, the tsunami of Indonesia, and now, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Through these disasters, the body of Christ across the city and around the globe has truly connected, like a string of pearls, to bring forth His glory during times of tragedy.

An Additional Note from James W. Goll concerning the above word:

At the time, I did not know Doug Stringer. He was not even present when I gave this word. I gave this word to the staff and church leadership present to alert them to keep their eyes open for such a man and ministry and when disaster came to the region to get behind him. I also prophesied that a flood was coming to Houston and when it did to get behind this man named Stringer. Sure enough – months later – a flood came to Houston and the Stringer was revealed. Today, Doug Stringer in an internationally recognized apostle of compassion, leader of leaders and Executive Director of Somebody Cares. I wanted to post this on God Moments as a tool of showing how the prophetic does serve the apostolic and help it to come forth at the right time resulting in order in times of chaos. I trust this testimony was encouraging to you!

James W> Goll