Let’s be honest. In today’s world of religious noise—titles, political factions, and power struggles—it’s easy to forget why Jesus came in the first place. He didn’t come to run for government office or stir up race politics (except to say everyone belongs). He came to preach good news. Real news. The kind that heals, includes, and transforms.
Jesus talked about a Kingdom. Not one built by human hands, but one that includes both human and animal souls. A Kingdom of Righteousness. And that Kingdom comes with gifts—some of which are rarely talked about. These gifts aren’t flashy. They don’t always get you a microphone or a platform. But they’re powerful. And they matter.
This Kingdom includes gifts that actually extend the Bible, which—let’s be real—probably shouldn’t be a closed canon. In this post, I want to tell you about a preacher who carried some of these lesser-known gifts. Gifts that need to be named and honored for the continued growth of the Body of Righteousness.
Let’s call him Elder Ward.
He wasn’t loud. Not even what you’d call “happy happy.” Just a quiet auto mechanic with spiritual gifts that most people overlook.
The Gift of Acquiring Property for the Body of Christ You’ve heard of the Gift of Discernment. Elder Ward had it. He knew where to go, who to talk to, and how to get things done. He’d lost property to foreclosure earlier in life, so he tended to rent church buildings instead of buying them. But here’s the miracle—people found favor with him. Some didn’t even charge him rent. And when those lessors passed away, the government got confused about who owned the land. Elder Ward’s name would show up in title searches and legal dealings, just because he was there. That’s not coincidence. That’s spiritual placement.
The Gift of Taking Satan’s Physical and Spiritual Territory He planted churches in places most people wouldn’t dare step foot in. One house was a former crack house. He cleaned it with bleach and a bandana over his face until it was fit for worship. Another property sat on a street full of abandoned apartments. A few of us women held an all-night prayer meeting there, and the sounds we heard after midnight were terrifying—like something out of The Purge. But we prayed. And now? That land is transformed. The abandoned apartments were torn down. A shopping center was built. The remaining buildings were renovated and gated. The church is gone, but the impact remains. That land is not longer Satan's domain.
Generational Curse Breaker Most of the men in Elder Ward’s family died in their 50s and 60s or earlier. He declared from the pulpit that he would live past the years promised in the Bible. And he did—passing to the other side just one week shy of his 80th birthday.
The Gift of Silence He taught that when you mess up, don’t lie. Don’t scramble. Be quiet. Let God and His angels fight your battle. That kind of wisdom doesn’t shout—it settles.
The Gift of Using What You Have Elder Ward did not have investments or benefactors. People would see him doing and they would just pick up a hammer and join in. They'd donate bricks, lumber, labor until a church was built -- debt free.
The Gift of Staying “Stay in the boat,” he’d say -- all of the time. Even when the storm hits. He pastored in the same area for over 30 years until the stormy winds subsided. Retired from his job with benefits that still support his widow. Married his youthful sweetheart and stayed with her for over 50 years. Faithful to his leaders. Faithful to his call. Faithful to the land. That’s staying power.
The Gift of Giving Peace at the Crossroads One of the most beautiful ministries I witnessed was his ability to ease people’s fear of death. He and his wife would visit the deathly ill, pray, sing, and talk gently until the person crossed over peacefully. Their families would call him complaining that the person was screaming, afraid, and difficult to keep still in bed. Some were healed. Others were simply calmed. But all were loved. That gift, I believe, came from his mother, who did the same.
Elder Ward wasn’t perfect. He was just who he was. But he was dedicated. And that dedication carried gifts that most people never name—but desperately need.
So here’s my encouragement to you: if you’ve been given a spiritual gift—especially one others say you have—speak about it. Write about it. Let’s keep educating the Body of Righteousness. Because the Kingdom needs all its gifts, not just the popular ones.
#SpiritualGiftsUncovered, #KingdomPower, #BodyOfChristAwakening