Get your ‘mojo’ back!

For the past five or six years, Esther and her husband have been gathering those who want to minister like Jesus, providing training and opportunities for them to get out and ‘have a go’. They are taking the words of Jesus in John 14:12 at face value: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.”

Esther explains that mojo exists to help bridge the gap between wanting to minister to others for Jesus and actually taking action. She uses the example of hearing a colleague crying in the bathrooms at work: do you offer to pray for them, or is that just too weird so you ignore it and go back to your desk like nothing’s happened?

Getting away to give it a go

We often feel too nervous to offer to pray for people or share a word of knowledge in our everyday lives, so on mojo days out or ‘wild weekends’, you can join a team and visit a different town, receive training and go out in pairs, stretching yourself when it comes to ministering like Jesus to people on the streets.

“There can be a gap between what we see in the Bible and what we feel able to do – and this makes us feel like bad Christians! But the gap is just confidence. It’s easier to have a go at this stuff when you’re not in your hometown. You’re with a group in a different environment and get to have a go at chatting to people, offering prayer or sharing words of knowledge. We can then be empowered to do this stuff back home, in our own streets and in our own workplaces.”  

A woman with knee pain received prayer and was immediately healed

Mojo groups typically visit seaside towns in England. They may use music or games to start connecting with people, but the goal is to build confidence in ministering Jesus boldly yet humbly, so the experience translates into everyday life back home. “We meet and just sit in a coffee shop, or approach people with no agenda, to meet them where they are at. We just pray: “Holy Spirit, send us.”

Seeing God move 

Esther has many exciting stories about mojo encounters. Just recently, a woman with knee pain at Westfield shopping centre received prayer and was immediately healed. They have also seen how words God has given them have impacted those they interact with in their everyday lives.

“One older lady who comes out to minister with mojo, called Brenda*, is a church warden who had never operated in the gifts of the Holy Spirit before. We prayed for her to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and she received a word of knowledge for someone suffering from extreme headaches. Brenda didn’t find anyone who resonated with that word. But the next day, she logged into Teams for work and her colleague said her son had been off with bad headaches! Brenda’s word of knowledge was accurate after all, and she got to pray with her colleague.”

Matthew 10:8 tells us to: “Heal those who are ill, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” The Holy Spirit was poured out so every believer could share His power with the world, so people would come to know Jesus. All Christians are called to spread the kingdom of God through the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. And those withinmojo groups are certainly living this out.

During a weekend in Blackburn, Sally* prayed for a woman with hip pain, who reported immediate relief and saw a vision of a red ring around her hip as she was healed. Later on, the mojo team were playing music in an underpass while it was wet, and some young girls started mucking around nearby, teasing them. One went back, though, when the team was playing ‘The blessing’. After the team chatted with her, this young woman decided to follow Jesus. They introduced her to a local church, where she is still thriving today! 

Another time, a mojo team went to serve with a church in Dover that is reaching the wild swimming community. One lady in her 60s from that church wasn’t yet a believer but went out with everyone and when asked: “What do you think about Jesus – would you like to follow Him?” She replied: “Yes, I would!”

People are more receptive to Jesus than ever before

These stories illustrate how simple faith expressions and connections with local churches can lead to meaningful spiritual encounters. Esther explains: “There is a difference between mission and mojo. With ‘mission’ you’re doing something short-term, so you switch something ‘on and off’. Mojo is training, which means you can practise the stuff with us, and then take it back into your workplace and everyday life.”

Esther points out that even though, statistically, it may take several encounters with the gospel before someone decides to follow Jesus, they do try to connect people with a local church where possible. For others, it may be an encounter with God that draws their attention and paves the way for salvation later.

This is for everyone

Esther reminds us that while some people might have specific gifts of evangelism, faith or healing, the command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is for all of us – and for all personalities. 

“Some people are quiet in nature, not extroverted at all, and that’s OK. It’s these people who notice what God is doing on the fringe, too.

“Jessie* is one of our team members who is naturally quite shy, but she is amazing at engaging one-on-one with people through more subtle conversations. Quieter people are like our secret weapon for building relationships and gently leading people to Jesus.”

Often we hear about this stuff inside the four walls of our church, but it can feel too scary to go and try to put it into practice. It’s like learning all the theory, but, without the practical element, we’re not fully equipped. But once you’ve experienced hearing from God, the false barrier – the belief that ‘you can only minister in church’ – is removed. It’s exciting, and God wants to send you into scenarios where you can make a difference. 

Esther encourages us as women of faith that now is the time to try this. The spiritual climate has changed in the UK, and people are more receptive to Jesus than ever before. God is ready to work through us powerfully to reach others and draw them to Himself. Let’s be expectant that He will do more than we dare to imagine.

Esther’s tips for ministering to others

Recognise you carry the presence of Jesus wherever you go – the supermarket, your local pub, your office, etc – which can change the atmosphere. Stay conscious of this throughout your day with a simple prayer: “Thank You, I carry the presence of Jesus with me.”

A helpful 30-second prayer can help you tune in and hear how Jesus wants to move in different situations: “What are You doing, Lord, “and do You want me to help?”

If the answer is “Yes”, pray: “How?” He may want you to share a word of knowledge, or offer to pray for someone. Always share whatever God puts on your heart, confidently but also gently and humbly. Don’t overthink it; it’s about having the obedience to act. 

Take your cue from people, and be sensitive and responsive to what they are saying and what they need. 

If you pray for someone and they don’t get healed, don’t worry about it. We may feel disappointed, but, more often than not, recipients of prayer appreciate it anyway. 

When things don’t turn out a certain way, realise that it’s OK. It might not be the right time for that person, so just offer them up to God and move on.

Always be ready to share the gift you have and be alert to the opportunities God is bringing to you.

linktr.ee/mojoministers

*All names have been changed to protect anonymity