From Dr. Mark Virkler, Author of How to Hear God’s Voice and President of Christian Leadership University

Mission: To equip you to do everything as an outcome of your daily conversations with God, and to train others to do the same.

Celebrate with us – Christian Leadership University just passed 5000 cumulative students!

We praise God for this milestone, and are very thankful to Him and to you for the spreading of the message that everyone can hear God’s voice and live out of direct ongoing encounters with God, the Lover of their souls.

To commemorate this occasion, we would like to give you the gift of free downloadable wallpaper for your desktop on the four keys to hearing God’s voice, created by Charla Virkler. Enjoy!

Would You Give Us Some “Link Love”?
Every day we receive calls and emails in our office from people saying, “Where have you been? Christian Leadership University is exactly what I have been longing for! Why didn’t I know about you five years ago?” We want to make it easier for the people who are looking for what we have to offer to find us.

If you have a presence on the web – a church or ministry website, or even a Facebook profile or a blog – we’d really appreciate your adding a link to: www.cluonline.com or www.cwgministries.org (or both!).

Thank you in advance for helping us help others achieve their destiny!

Another fantastic book hits the marketplace from Cheryl McKay, a CLU graduate!
(Patti Virkler received an early version of this book and could not put it down, reading the entire book in one night!)

Many of you will remember the wonderful motion picture “The Ultimate Gift” and the fact that a CLU graduate, Cheryl McKay, wrote the screenplay for it. We are happy to announce that Cheryl has written another screenplay which will soon be produced. In the meantime, she has partnered with author Rene Gutteridge to adapt it into a novel.

Never the Bride is being released by Random House/WaterBrook Press on June 2^nd and the audio book version will be out on June 16th. Cheryl sent us an advance copy which several of us have read and we just love it! It is a romantic comedy with God as a main character, and those of us who journal will recognize His voice and personality throughout the story.

Cheryl has graciously taken time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for our readers.

CWG: Cheryl, thank you for including CWG and CLU in the launching of this exciting new project. You said that you based this story loosely on your own conversations and relationship with God. How much of yourself can we see in the main character, Jessie?

CM: A lot. Jessie is a fictionalized, humorous version of myself. God likes to ask me to turn my life and its angst into comedy. Sometimes, I cooperate. So through Jessie, I make fun of myself, my pain and my impatience with being in my thirties, still single and waiting and trusting God to show up and write my love story. (God and I have very different ideas about writing deadlines.) The conversations that Jessie has with God are based on conversations I’ve had with God. Well, especially our fights. But I should clarify: God doesn’t show up cute in my living room like He does in the story.

CWG: You say that you took your dialoguing relationship with God and turned it into a film/book. What influence did what you learned at CLU have on your story?

CM: The first time I ever really understood that God speaks and wants to spend time with us in a real relationship was when reading Virklers’ Dialogue With God. The day my mom gave me that book changed my life. This script is the result of my prayer journaling. The first journal entry I have about God wanting to write my love story is from 1994, just after I started reading Dialogue With God. He asked me if I would trust Him with that part of my life. He acknowledged it as a very natural desire. But He made it clear that it needed to happen in His timing and not mine. Yeah, that was 1994. I had no clue the wait I had ahead of me! But my answer to Him back then was, “There must be a reason, Lord, that You want me alone. You must be shaping me for something. Me and my fleshly self are sick of it. I’ll be honest. But as I always say, You know best.” I’m still saying that, even though I have my weak moments. And He hasn’t stopped talking about the subject since then.

CWG: There is a great surprise that people are saying is “the biggest twist you didn’t see coming” since “The Sixth Sense” came out. How did you come up with such a creative idea?

CM: Well, obviously, we can’t talk any specifics here because we don’t want to give anything away about the story. But I will say, that one night at midnight when I first started brainstorming the story, I asked God a question about why I felt inspired to write this script in a particular way. (He should know that answer. After all, He is my co-writer.) His answer to my question (which must remain a secret for now) astounded me. I looked up at the ceiling and shouted, “No way! That’s awesome!” It was far too good of an idea for me to come up with on my own. God definitely gave it to me—He makes me look good.

CWG: You’re writing another book, Finally the Bride, which is a non-fiction companion to Never the Bride. Please tell us a little about that.

CM: I kind of feel like the last year of my life, God “arrested me.” As much as I wanted to be out there making more movies, instead, God specifically told me I had to write the non-fiction version of Finally the Bride while Rene Gutteridge novelized my screenplay for Never the Bride. This was the year it had to get done. I had to write it during a season when I’ve been in various degrees of pain over this single-life journey. It’s almost finished. Then I will begin submitting to publishers. Those who’ve seen it feel like it’s a fresh message for this culture that could revolutionize how we see dating and how we must wait on God (and the detrimental effects of not waiting). So while Never the Bride has a strong purpose of using fiction and entertainment to get this message out (which will reach a lot of people who won’t pick up a non-fiction work), Finally the Bride allows me to get a little more honest and raw about what I’ve been through on this journey with God and where to go from here. And I share a lot of dialoging in it. (Yes, even my arguments with God.) So many people these days have to wait so long to find love and are losing hope. I want people to read these books and find hope again.

CWG: What else are you hoping your readers get out of Never the Bride?

CM: I want people to know that God can be trusted with the pen of their love stories—that it’s worth waiting for God’s best. I want people to have hope in their present circumstances even if life hasn’t exactly gone according to their plan or on their timetable. I hope people will hunger to have a close relationship with God when they see how Jessie and God interact. I hope people will see that God really is enough and is all we need. A husband will never fulfill us the way God does. I also hope people will get a clear picture of what true surrender to God looks like. And also, to see how just when we think God isn’t doing anything for us, He’s working behind-the-scenes. He is trustworthy and the best Husband we could ever hope for.

CWG: Is there anything else you want to share with our readers?

CM: Obviously, I’d love it if you’d read the book. If you love it, please spread the word (but don’t post any spoilers!). We want to do more projects like this. I’m pondering its sequel, where God goes to work on the sister next (which the end of the book and script already set up). Also, when positive value films come out, go support them so studios will be encouraged to make more like them. (We hope to shoot Never the Bride later this year in Savannah, Georgia.) Lastly, the two benchmark messages of my life are that God still speaks today (and He loves to be pursued and sought) and that God can take any bad situation and turn it around for His glory. Let Him.

Feel free to visit my website:
www.cherylmckay.net

CWG: While this is an incredibly fun story about a single woman who longs to be married, the deeper message is clearly about surrendering your own desires and dreams to God, whatever they may be. By spending time with Him and getting to know Him intimately trust is built, and when we trust Him fully, we are willing to fully obey His leading.

We highly recommend this entertaining and encouraging book! Please visit your local bookstore and ask for it by name, or get it online at Amazon.com.

CLU Course of the Month: Creative Writing I – Save 25%!
As Cheryl McKay so wonderfully illustrates, the Creator God has deposited His creative Spirit within each of His children, and lit a fire within each one to express that creativity through his or her own unique personality and gifting. Many people have an urge within them to write, but because of insecurity, the criticism of early teachers, lack of time or training, or a host of other reasons, they have not released that creative urge in a satisfying way.

ART220 Creative Writing I is designed to encourage, instruct and liberate those whom the Lord has called to minister through the written word. Whatever you are impelled to write, the Holy Spirit wants to be your Source and your Inspiration.

During the month of June 2009, we have discounted the tuition for this course by 25%. (Financial Aid students will receive a 10% discount off their already-reduced tuition.)

If you have ever wanted to grow in your creative writing skills, now is your time. Why not enroll in this dynamic course today?

A Picture of Revival – Journaling from Jennifer Kramer who is taking the Communion With God Module with a Personal Spiritual Trainer

“No eye has seen nor ear heard the unquenchable fire that is coming upon the earth. A fire so strong that it will be all consuming! Those who have opposed Me will come running to MY THRONE giving Me all that they have to begin worshipping Me.

“Strongholds and principalities and dark spiritual forces that have been assigned to different nations will have to leave their post – their ancient seatings in the heavenly realms. People groups all over the world will have a freedom that they have never known before…

“I love My children, I want them all to come to Me for cleansing and to learn of My love for them …Come, My children, choose Me now for a time is coming that the choices made now will influence how you live later… My child, I AM a loving God, I desire all of you … I will never leave you nor forsake you!”

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

What’s New with God? – Journaling from Dawn Veldman, a Certified CWG Facilitator (May 13, 2009)

Daddy, LaDonna gave me an idea; a question that I have never thought of asking You. I ask my friends all the time how they are doing and what’s new in their lives but I have never thought to ask You that. So, Daddy, what is new in Your life and what are You up to these days?

“My darling Dawn, that is a very loaded question. For one thing, I finished the work which I had in mind from the beginning but at the same time I am still doing stuff. The difference is, that now, I do not have to speak it into being as it already has been done. My work from the beginning was spoken in such a way as to keep on evolving, and evolving right into eternity. So in that way, it is never finished. Always evolving. That is why, when you speak MY words into the heavens as declarations and decrees, the principle that I set in motion so long ago, will come to pass because it was already spoken. Does that make sense, Dawn?”

Yes, sort of, Lord. In other words what is going on perpetually in heaven is going on here on earth as we live, walk and proclaim in the heavenlies, for heaven to come to earth because that is Your will. Right?

“Yes, Dawn, right. It is My will for heaven to come to earth but it has been My will from the beginning for My people, who are called by My name, to do exactly that, for them to bring heaven down to earth. Pull it down, so-to-speak.”

Lord, that’s awesome, but where does binding and loosing come into play here?

“It fits very well here; you bind what you do not like to see and know that it’s not My will to happen and then as you loose the things that are in heaven, so it shall be done on earth. Your domain. I gave it to you.

“That’s why you could speak to those storms recently and have them go over you and therefore cause you no damage. My people are beginning to rise up in the authority I have given them as never before. Satan hates for My children to get a hold of that truth as it does much damage to what he thinks is his kingdom; but he lost that right at Calvary. Dawn, this was My plan from the beginning.”

Wow, Lord, there is so much to learn from You; please forgive us for spending so much time with even the good things when we could be spending time with You, our best Friend and finding out what’s new with You, for us. LOL. I’m so glad You are not the least bit worried about what’s happening with us, re: economy, etc. because we can speak and have that turn around for us also. Right?

“Yes, Dawn, many of My people are really taking hold of the fact that they are Kings and Priests, now in this time. Now and forever; with Me now: with Me forever. Think on these things and be blessed.”

I will, Daddy God. You are so awesome and I love and adore You so very much. :-)

June Special – Wading Deeper Into the River of God – Save 20%
This book is the story of Mark’s personal journey toward revelation knowledge. With his trademark transparency and humor, you’ll identify with his challenges along the way and rejoice in his breakthroughs as he endeavors to continually wade deeper into the river of God.


“Rev. Mark Virkler was a trained Baptist theologian and left-brain thinker, rather than a right-brain visionary. He tells his story of how God slowly, patiently, and lovingly drew him out of rationalism and into Spirit encounter. The road Mark describes was long and tedious, covering 32 years. However, he is convinced now that there are some lampposts along the way which others can follow. Some of the major landmines along the path have been identified, and now one can follow his 32-year journey in just a very short time, and then be prepared to sail right on past him, into new heights and depths in the river of God.”

-- John Arnott
Senior Pastor
Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship


Regularly $14.95, on sale this month for $11.96.
Ebook version regularly discounted by 20% is an additional 20% off at only $9.56!

Get your copy today!

Two New Free Downloadable Files

“Suggested Outline for a How to Hear God’s Voice DVD Class with a Small Group”
This is a one-page handout for using the 10-week DVD How to Hear God’s Voice course with a small group. It provides you a structure for the small group gatherings, and informs you what chapters to assign for weekly reading in the large book, How to Hear God’s Voice.

“How to Memorize” – If you have difficulty hiding the Word of God in your heart, these ideas will help you.

Prayer Request
Many of you know our friend Jim Goll whose anointed teachings are used in several of CLU’s Prophetic and Intercession courses. Jim is battling cancer and we want to enlist as many prayer warriors as possible to lift him up and agree with us for his complete restoration and healing. We know that all things are possible to them that believe!

If you want to contribute to his medical fund to help cover expenses, you can click here to donate to the Mercy Assistance Medical Fund for James W. Goll. Or checks can be made out to Encounters Network and sent to their office address at PO Box 1653, Franklin, TN 37065.

Thank you for standing with Jim and his family during this time.

Get Connected
Are you looking to tell people what God is speaking to you, or see what God is saying to others? Check out the Forum at www.cwgministries.org/smf and register (completely free) today, and get the opportunity to share and be encouraged!

Bring a group to an upcoming seminar and receive FREE books, free admission to the seminar (maximum value $20), and $125 off your next Christian Leadership University course! Click here to find out how.

Seminar details available at cwgministries.org/itinerary.

Online Giving
Make a financial gift online to CWG Ministries and help us saturate the world with the message of how to hear God’s voice. We are so grateful for each and every one of you who faithfully partners with us in this way. Bless you!

New Translations Posted – Help Us Spread the Word
Special thanks to Sergiu Daniel Beghian for translating into Romanian the tracts, “You Can Hear God’s Voice” and “Overcoming Blocks and Hindrances to Hearing God’s Voice.” They are both available for free downloading here.

We have received offers from individuals around the world to translate our books into various languages, and we now have free material available on our website in over 30 different languages. We appreciate each and every person who has given of their time and talent for this work. If you would like to volunteer to translate any of our materials, please contact Mark Virkler.

E-mail: mark@cluonline.com
Websites: cluonline.com and cwgministries.org
Enroll in Christian Leadership University: cluonline.com/apply
Mark’s speaking itinerary: cwgministries.org/itinerary
Online shopping for books by Mark and Patti Virkler: cwgministries.org/catalog
Ordination opportunity: cluonline.com/network
Establish a church-centered Bible school: cwgministries.org/college