Pioneers
By: Ken Malone
Our History books are filled with stories of the men and women who are now known to have been Pioneers. Pioneers are trailblazers, people who prepare the way of the Lord for a generation or for their city, state, and nation. These folks are not Settlers though Settlers are needed in order to build Kingdom life on the earth. As History has revealed Pioneers from times past, today is no different. Pioneers are still among us to this day. They are now known as Forerunners and Reformers who are more clearly defined as people who have been called by God to prepare the way of the Lord in territories where little to no Kingdom work has been done. Pioneers are much needed today so that the Ekklesia can move into her destiny. A Pioneer challenges the status quo and calls for awakening and reformation. This awakening not only impacts the church but has a massive influence on all of society. Likewise, a Pioneer calls for reformation into the seven mountains of society thereby reaching into some of the darkest places on earth.
It is easy for the church to misunderstand the Pioneer since they are vastly different from the Settler. Pioneer men and women have a vision that reaches beyond average. They do not accept “the norm” which has no power to transform a life or take a city for God. When you read the hall of fame as written in Hebrews 11 you will find men and women who had accepted the challenge in their day and, through the power of Holy Spirit, have brought about great change in the earth. Most of these folks did not receive the approval of men but have received the approval of God through their faith. There is a promise waiting for us of a great outpouring of His Spirit as spoken of by Joel, Peter, and other former Forerunners. This requires today’s Pioneer to trumpet their message as well. Yes, the 21st century Pioneers MUST step forward so that the promise God made to former Pioneers can be fulfilled.
Here is a personal story that may be of help to paint this picture. In the area where I live a bridge was built that would span across some railroad tracks. I don’t know of anyone who likes to drive through an area where there is road construction and this project was no different. There were many inconveniences while it was underway. Roads were rerouted, traffic was backed up and it seemed like the bridge took forever to complete. However, now that it’s finished the road and bridge are streamlined and efficient. I am now so thankful for those who helped to “prepare the way” for this bridge. Pioneers are much like this. They will tear things up in order to re-build something nice. Some don’t understand and will ask, “Why are we doing this? I like the old way, leave it alone.” But when the finished work manifests, you will hear sounds of praise for the work that was done.
We are among many Pioneers who are on the earth today. Those who, like John the Baptist, prepare the way of the Lord. Their stories cannot be written because history is yet to do that. Examples of modern-day Pioneers who are now in the great cloud of witnesses are Kathryn Kuhlman, Oral Roberts, Gordon Lindsey, Derek Prince, David Wilkerson, George Beverly Shea, Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham…and as well many others. In Acts 17:6 we also read of some Pioneers who turned the world upside down. David cried out, “Is there not a cause?” in first Samuel 17:29.
And now I will share some traits that can help us to better understand these Pioneers. We must understand that above all else, true Pioneers have tremendous love and passion for God and His Kingdom. They will venture into unknown and unclaimed territory blazing a trail by being the first to enter, open and prepare the way of the Lord.
Years ago, I had a well-meaning Pastor rebuke me for embracing the prophetic. He said, “Ken, you need to stay away from the prophetic, it’s really hurting people.” At the time he said this, the prophetic and Prophets were blazing a trail. It was, and still is, a misunderstood gift. But because the prophets have opened this much-needed gift, it is now being embraced by the body of Christ.
The same can be said of the Pioneer as they too are visionaries.Their keen spiritual eyesight enables them to see where we will need to go and where we should be. The Joshua generation, who went in to possess Canaan, did not see things like the former generation. They saw things the way God viewed them. They saw themselves with the ability to conquer and possess.
Pioneers are also connected to the roots of the great commission as written in Matthew 28 and Mark 16. They are aligned with the Holy Spirit’s work as found in Acts 2 and the miracles and salvations displayed in Acts 3. Pioneers are connected to the Roots of Covenant, the Roots of History, and the Roots of Promise. For there is hope for a tree when it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and its shoots will not fail. Though its roots grow old in the ground, and its stump dies in the dry soil, at the scent of water it will flourish and bring forth sprigs like a plant. Job 14:7-9
Being apostolic in nature Pioneer’s function as “sent ones.” They are “ambassadors” and “generals” who have a sense of being sent by God. They may be from America but are also sent to America. They may be born in a certain city but also have a sense of being sent to that city. Sent by the King of the Kingdom of God to expand that Kingdom into all the earth. Don’t misunderstand the gift of the apostle. They are men and women who possess a mindset of a military general and a spiritual warrior. Much like Caleb, they are called to take mountains, cities, and regions for the Kingdom of God.
To “leave a mark” is defined as “leaving a trace or impression.” Pioneers leave an indelible mark on society. People will talk about that mark, whether good or bad, depending on how the person is viewed and what they have done. Either way, Pioneers create a type of “footprint” that others can follow.
The challenge of adversity does not deter those with the Pioneer spirit, in fact, they thrive on it. Without this trait, they would drop out of a spiritual battle at the hint of trouble. David had several such traits that he was noted for. One, he was a Lover of God. He loved the Presence of the Lord and would stay in the heavenly courts with God for days. Next, he loved to pray. Prayer marked David’s lifestyle. When you read the Psalms, he wrote you will find that many of them are prayers to the Lord. The enemy was as food for him and he thrived on it. Show me someone who loves spiritual warfare, and I will show you someone like David.
God’s “change agents” have an attitude to press the envelope and change things no matter what. As God’s “change agents”, Pioneers will often challenge the status quo. The story of Elijah is one example of this. When Elijah appears on the scene with Ahab, it is the first time we hear of him. He set the tone and the pace by saying “There will be no rain except by my word.”
It is because of these such traits that Pioneers can be challenging to work with. They will knock over a golden calf or two, they will blaze a trail against the religious spirit, they will challenge the staleness of the church, they will go against the compromise within the church, civil government or anywhere else it exists and they will even refuse to be politically correct in the church, society or government.
As we continue to encourage these men and women in their God-given attributes they can and will usher in the presence of the Lord, alter the course of a nation and bring a great awakening to America. If you like adventure-connect to a PIONEER.
Scripture
Ezekiel 22:30 reads in the NASB, “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it…”
Prayers
Father, I thank you that America was birthed from the hearts of Pioneers. George Washington, Paul Revere, Thomas Jefferson, and many others have blazed a trail to make this nation what it is today.
I decree today that the Pioneer spirit will arise in the body of Christ, blazing a trail and preparing the way of the Lord. Raise up the modern-day Deborahs, Baraks, Davids, Pauls, and the like.
Father, we welcome the Pioneers, the Intercessors, Apostles, Prophets to pioneer in our nation and the nations of the earth. Send us men and women who are as flames of Holy fire.
Holy Spirit, raise me up as one of Your Pioneers. Give me a heart like David.
Ken's Domain 