Unity It's Every Christian's Call: Discover the Key to Fulfilling Your Destiny

By Kevin Almond and Glen Berteau

“God’s dynamics for unity in His Church is revealed in this wonderful book, UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call. No matter how bad you or someone else may have caused division in the Church, or in your relationships outside of it, this book shows you how to get back to God and reconcile all your relationships. I highly recommend this book.”
–Pastor Stan Nixon, Hartselle, Alabama

“UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call fully illustrates how the power of unity between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit should function throughout the body of Christ. Kevin masterfully pulls together all the aspects of biblical unity that are needed to bring souls into the kingdom. I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in fulfilling God’s plan for their life.”
–Terrence Kinney, Former pastor-Better Life Community Church, Cottondale Texas

“The pursuit of unity has exploded worldwide...Thank the Lord for Kevin Almond’s clear call for genuine Christian unity available only as we humble ourselves in pursuit of the fullness of Truth only found in Christ alone. To that cause Kevin has given his life.”
–Charles Crismier, Attorney and Author Founder – SAVE AMERICA Ministries
Radio Host – VIEWPOINT

“I’ve known Kevin for over 30 yrs. He’ll help other churches any way he can to bring unity in the body of Christ. I’ve witnessed this time and time again...UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call is a good book. Kevin breaks it down real simple to understand.”
–Pastor Hank Parker, Grace Alive Outreach Church Midlothian VA.

“There is much to glean from Kevin’s book, starting with the Introduction...Many in today’s “Church” believe that “unity in the Church” means compromising what God says with what “culture” says. This book stays focused on what the Bible says, not what the world says. UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call is great for an in-home or Bible study group.”
–Donald N. Blake, Chairman and President Virginia Christian Alliance

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664229044

Kevin Almond

Kevin Almond is a conference speaker, author and Bible teacher who has taught across denominational, gender, age, and racial lines for over 30 yrs. His efforts encouraging and teaching people how to walk in unity are well documented through working with numerous church affiliations and national ministry leaders. Kevin has been a key speaker on the National Day of Prayer and is a Certified John Maxwell coach and has authored nine books on unity and destiny. He has developed inter-denominational discipleship strategies for inner-city ministries and sat on multiple committees with community and church leaders. Kevin and his wife Kathleen have been married 39 yrs. and live in Ft. Worth Texas with their son Jonathan.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Kevin Almond.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture marked (NKJV) taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture marked (KJV) taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-2905-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-2904-4 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 4/28/2021

Contents

What This Book Is About

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Introduction

Foreword

The Value of a Book In U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call You Will Discover

Chapter 1 Unity, the Church, and You

Chapter 2 The Key to it All

Chapter 3 Unity in the Third Person

Chapter 4 The Unity of the Father and the Son Part 1-The Greatest Relationship

Chapter 5 The Unity of the Father and the Son Part 2: Demonstrating Their Relationship through Our Lifestyle

Chapter 6 Recognizing the Need for Unity

Fulfilling Your Destiny by Acknowledging Truth

Chapter 7 Unity Through Spiritual Adoption

Chapter 8 The Power of Partnership Making Sure We Don’t Lose the Harvest

Chapter 9 Two Walls-The Building Up and the Tearing Down

Chapter 10 Unity and the Condition of the Church Today

Sneak Preview of an Upcoming Volume

What This Book Is About

Unity and Purpose – A Match Made in Heaven

With the increasing turmoil in the world today it’s no wonder so many are talking about unity. In Vol. 1 of, UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call, Kevin Almond brings together the two hottest topics in Christianity today; Unity and Purpose. In John 17:21-23 Jesus prayed for His followers to be one. In that same prayer He also revealed that the very believe-ability of the Gospel in the world’s eyes depends upon the unity of the Christian Church. He prayed, …that they may be one [even] as We are one…that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me. Not only is unity a crucial issue for the Church today but it also directly ties into God’s unique purpose for you. UNITY It’s Every Christian’s Call reveals from a biblical perspective how the principles of unity are a vital part of God’s plan for your life.

In U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call you’ll find answers to questions like:

• What are the biblical principles that reveal the path to fulfilling my destiny?

• What is the primary Key to the Church becoming one as Jesus prayed?

• How does this Key determine the success of every relationship I’ll ever be involved in?

• How does answering Christ’s Call to Unity ensure that I will fulfill my God-given destiny?

Come and discover the answers to these and other questions that are directly related to the purpose God has designed specifically for you. When you do, you’ll see that the biblical principles of unity are actual principles you must walk in if you are going to fulfill God’s great plan for your life. Anyone who wants to know how to complete the destiny God has specifically designed for them must first, answer the Call.

I dedicate this book to my wife because without her love, understanding, patience, and continual help and support, this book would not have been possible. Aside from God’s gift of salvation through the blood sacrifice of His Son, she is and always has been the greatest blessing in my life that God has given to me. May every man be as blessed as I.

Acknowledgements

A special thank you to the following people for helping to make the publication of this book possible. Their recognition of the importance of unity, their belief in me, and their self-less-ness to see this message reach others, is a testimony to their understanding of the importance of the body of Christ working together.

Kerry, Jeremy, Jean, Sham, Johnnie, Brian, Mike P., Whitney, John P., Barbara, David S., James S., Don S., Gerome, Melanie and Tom, Roger, Troy and Sherrie, John M., Carol, Pat, Lynn, Terrence and Delores, John C., Philip, Evie, George and Laura, Larry and Melanie, Eva, Rebecca, Will and Mary Lou, Tommy, Nicole, Sunny, Mike F., Dwayne T., Dan and Judy, Jean, Craig, Ed and Cindy, Dara and Donny, Jack, Doris, Dwayne, Sue, V-Tex Remodeling, and Tom and Shona F.

About the Author

authorphoto1.jpg

For over 30 yrs. Kevin Almond has worked with many different denominations as well as national and international ministry leaders. His efforts in encouraging and teaching the body of Christ how to walk in unity are well documented. Whether organizing citywide events, developing discipleship strategies for inner-city ministry involving various church denominations, or sitting on multiple committees with both community and church leaders, Kevin’s commitment is both refreshing and reassuring. He is a noted conference speaker and bible teacher that has spoken across denominational, gender, and racial lines. Kevin and his wife Kathleen have been married for 35 yrs. and live in Ft. Worth Texas with their son Jonathan.

516968.png

Evangelism - In 1985, Kevin did his first evangelistic crusade geared toward teenagers, after having accepted Christ as his Savoir a year and a half earlier. He rented the local community center for two days, using all of the money he had at the time ($50), and he advertised the event by putting posters in the windows of local businesses. He built a platform to preach on out of the scrap wood he collected from houses he was painting for local builders. Sixty people attended and one teenage girl gave her life to Christ.

Teaching - From 1986-87, Kevin taught Sunday school ages 7-10. He also co-taught a series of evangelism classes with his pastor that were geared toward helping people share their faith with the lost, in preparation for street ministry.

Youth Pastor - From 1985-1990 Kevin was a youth pastor under Pastor Robert Sawyer at Family Worship & Praise Center in Hopewell, VA. Kevin was also a youth camp counselor for teens for 3 years while youth pastoring. He continued to stay very active in the youth ministry at Living Word World Outreach Center through January 2001.

Speaking - In 1987 and 1988, Kevin was asked by a professor at a Bible College to speak to students and encourage them to continue to pursue the call of God on their lives.

Evangelism/Unity - In 1989, he did his first tent meeting involving youth groups from more than 12 different churches to promote unity in the body of Christ. Since that time, Kevin has been asked to speak in various churches across denominational lines to promote unity.

Networking/Unity - For 2 years in the 1990’s, Kevin met twice a month with two different groups of local youth pastors to pray for the youth in the Richmond, VA metro area as well as for local ministries and churches. He was also an active member of R.A.Y.M.A. (Richmond Area Youth Ministers Association).

Radio Host/Unity - In 1989-1990, Kevin had a radio program for teenagers on WDYL-92.1, which gave teens an opportunity to share their testimonies on the air and allowed them to minister to the needs of other teens in the listening audience.

Radio Guest/Unity - He has been interviewed on various radio and cable programs such as Viewpoint, Church Talk and The Reconciler to help promote unity in the body of Christ and to bring an awareness of the need to reach teens.

Promise Keepers/Unity - Kevin also served on the Promise Keepers’ task force, Men of Vision, in Richmond, VA which coordinated the Promise Keepers’ Richmond, Wake-Up Call event at the Richmond Classic Amphitheater in 1996, where approximately 4,000 men were in attendance.

Pioneering/Unity - In 1996, Kevin designed a prayer network to minister to the needs of people in any given city by praying for their needs as they called a central phone number published through a variety of media sources. Those that received ministry and the unchurched were guided to one of the participating churches based on the preference of the caller. The design of this prayer network encouraged church growth and unity in the body of Christ.

Chief Expo Coordinator/Unity - From 1993-1995, Kevin was the chief coordinator for the annual Christian Business and Ministry Family Expo. He oversaw 150 (plus) Christian businesses and ministries that came together for a two-day event, under one roof, to promote unity and to present their ministries and businesses to the Richmond, VA metro area.

Concert Promoter - Kevin has assisted in the organizing of concerts as well as spearheaded the organizing of concerts that featured local and national music ministries, such as Ron Kenoly and Bruce Carroll.

Copywriter/Unity - Kevin is also an accomplished copywriter. He has written radio spots for various national ministries such as Washington for Jesus ‘96’ (for their Virginia statewide youth rally) as well as for other crusades for other ministries. He has also written radio spots for Ron Luce’s Acquire the Fire conventions and for Rich Wilkerson of Peacemakers Ministries in conjunction with Washington for Jesus ‘96’. He’s also written commercials for Danny Chambers of High Praise Ministries as well as many local churches and ministries.

Rally Coordinator/Unity - Kevin was the Transportation Coordinator for the Richmond, VA metro area for Washington for Jesus ‘96’ and the coordinator for the Virginia statewide youth rally for Washington for Jesus ‘96’.

Steering Committee/Unity - He also served for 2 years on the steering committee for Common Ground, a group of local pastors and ministry leaders who came together once a month to pray for ministry leaders and the Richmond, VA, Tri-Cities area as a whole, in an effort to foster unity in the body of Christ.

Key Speaker/Unity - In May of 1997, Kevin was asked to be one of the key speakers on the National Day of Prayer at the state capitol in Richmond, VA. Each speaker was given a topic to speak on. Kevin’s topic was on the revival and reconciliation in our nation.

Prayer Coordinator/Unity - In 1998, he started a weekly prayer meeting for teens in the Richmond, VA Tri-Cities area (an area roughly the size of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex) on Saturday mornings from 7:30 am – 9:00 am. Dr. Edwin Louis Cole of the Christian Men’s Network and Pastor Danny Chambers of the Oasis Church in Nashville, Tennessee didradio spots for this weekly event.

Prison Ministry - Kevin has ministered multiple times to hurting teens in correctional facilities and institutions such as the Bon Air Correctional Facility. This is a holding facility for every teenager that commits a crime in the state of Virginia. Kevin has also ministered in the city jails on a regular basis, speaking to hundreds of inmates about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

National Youth Rally Coordinator/Unity - Kevin has been affiliated with citywide events in Richmond, VA, such as March for Jesus in 1996. During this time, he worked with various youth groups, encouraging their participation. As a result of the success in 1996, Kevin was asked to take the position of the youth task group leader for March for Jesus in 1997 and 1998 in the Richmond, VA, Tri-Cities area to encourage participation from local youth groups and help unify the churches.

Evangelism and Follow-up Organizer/Unity - In 1996, he helped organize and coordinate segments of the A.C. Green event (featuring former basketball pro A.C. Green) at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond, VA, in association with the Richmond Christian Medical and Dental Society. This event promoted the Abstinence Now Until Marriage program. Kevin was asked to head up and structure the follow-up strategy for this event, which had over 4,000 teenagers in attendance and 244 at the altars who gave their heart to Christ.

Advisor/Unity - In 1998, he was asked by the Christian Men’s Network to design and put together a Youth Prison Pack consisting of Dr. Edwin Louis Cole’s materials for use in youth correctional facilities.

Author/Unity - In 1996, Kevin wrote a manual dealing with strategies for youth ministry, which outlined the vision God had given him for helping bring unity in the body of Christ through the facilitating of local youth groups. National ministry leaders, Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, Rich Wilkerson, Glen Berteau, Danny Chambers, Dave Roever, Dr. James Anderson, and Bishop Wellington Boone joined with Kevin and contributed special messages in the manual. The manual has been introduced in 7 countries: Haiti, Switzerland, New Zealand, Singapore, Uganda, Australia and Peru, where pastors and youth leaders have utilized the strategies for discipling teens to Christ, encouraging church growth, and helping to foster unity among churches.

Co-pioneer/Unity - In 1995, Kevin co-pioneered the start-up of a ministry reaching out to pastors and their wives with author and founder of Save America Ministries, Chuck Crismier, in an effort to foster unity among leaders. This ministry, Pastor to Pastor, was in the homes of various pastors once a month.

Youth Pastor/Trainer - From 1999-2001, Kevin did the Wednesday night youth services (ages 13-19) at Living Word World Outreach Center. Then in 2000, he trained the new youth pastors prior to his move to Ft. Worth, Texas, in January 2001.

Education - In September 2001, Kevin attended the Believer’s Leadership School at Embracing His Grace Ministries and graduated in May of 2004.

Youth Pastor - In October of 2003 - 2005, under the direction of Pastor Stan Nixon, Kevin was asked to pioneer a new teen ministry as an extension of an already established adult ministry called Overcomers which dealt with people who had addictions of all types. As an extension of that ministry, the teen ministry called Overcomer Teens, ministered to the teens of these hurting parents as well as any other teen that desired to come and sit under the teaching of God’s Word.

Author/Unity – In 2009, Kevin began writing what would later be 9 books on unity in which he teaches the body of Christ what true unity in Christ is and what it is not, and how unity directly affects every Christian’s purpose and destiny. In each volume, Kevin deals with what believers need to do to fulfill the purpose and destiny that God has created them for. U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call is volume 1 of this series.

John Maxwell Certified Coach/Speaker/Trainer - In August of 2016 Kevin became a John Maxwell certified coach, speaker and trainer with the John Maxwell Team, offering the leadership skills he learned, to leadership staffs in both businesses and churches alike. This focus is the teaching of biblical leadership principles, which both encourage and add value to everyone who is willing to experience the richness found in these training sessions.

Conference Speaker/Unity – Kevin not only speaks at conferences, but also does his own conferences that are specifically geared toward teaching and informing the body of Christ what true unity in Christ is and what it is not. In these conferences, Kevin relates the biblical connection of unity in Christ to every individual’s God-given purpose and teaches how everyone can fulfill the destiny that God has divinely planned for them and called them to.

Kevin and his wife Kathleen attend Gateway church in Southlake Texas where Kevin is one of the teachers in the Equip ministry. The Equip ministry is focused on teaching and equipping the saints for the work of the ministry according to Ephesians 4:11-13.

Kevin and his wife Kathleen have been married 39 years. They reside in Ft. Worth, Texas with their son Jonathan.

Authorphoto2.jpg

To book Kevin to speak at conferences, events,

and church services send requests to:

www.call2unity.com or

kevinalmond.com

Praise for –

U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call

"God’s dynamics for unity in His Church between all Christians is revealed in this wonderful book, U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call. No matter how bad you or someone else may have caused division in the Church, or in your relationships outside of it, Every Christian’s Call shows you how to get back to God and reconcile all your relationships. I highly recommend this book."

Pastor Stan Nixon

Hartselle, Alabama

"U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call uses a God inspired vision to explore every Christian’s greater significance, to see us all as one. The biblical plan for unity is spelled out simply and systematically so every reader can understand their role and how it fits into God’s plan for true unity."

Pastor Randy V. Thomas

Ft. Worth, Texas

The pursuit of unity has exploded worldwide ever since Woodrow Wilson created the League of Nations. It is the central mantra of the modern building of Babel, and has confused pastors and parachurch ministers, luring them unsuspectingly to a false spirit of unity. Thank the Lord for Kevin Almond’s clear call for genuine Christian unity available only as we humble ourselves in pursuit of the fullness of Truth only found in Christ alone. To that cause Kevin has given his life.

Charles Crismier, Attorney and Author

Founder - SAVE AMERICA Ministries

Host – VIEWPOINT

"Kevin Almond’s book, U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call, is right on time. In the world we live in, there is no greater need than the evidence of love and no greater victory than the body of Christ united. Why? Unity is the vehicle for the anointing to flow unhindered and without restraint. This book is a must read!"

Dara Maclean,

Dove Award Winning International Recording Artist

"U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call fully illustrates how the power of unity between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit should function throughout the body of Christ. Kevin masterfully pulls together all the aspects of biblical unity that are needed to bring souls into the kingdom. I highly recommend Every Christian’s Call to anyone who’s interested in fulfilling God’s plan for their life."

Terrence Kinney,

Former pastor-Better Life Community Church

Cottondale Texas

I’ve known Kevin for over 30 yrs. He’ll help other churches and ministries in any way he can to bring unity in the body of Christ. I’ve witnessed this time and time again. If you really want unity there has to be humility. This is a good book. Kevin breaks it down real simple to understand.

Pastor Hank Parker

Grace Alive Outreach Church

Midlothian VA. 23112

There is much to glean from Kevin’s book, starting with the Introduction There is one body and one Spirit…one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all… Ephesians 4:3-6 (NKJV). Many in today’s Church believe that unity in the Church means compromising what God says with what culture says. U N I T Y It’s Every Christian’s Call stays focused on what the Bible says, not what the world says. Every Christian’s Call is great for an in-home or Bible class study group.

Donald N. Blake Chairman and President

Virginia Christian Alliance

Introduction

"Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace. [There is] one body and one Spirit – just as there is also one hope [that belongs] to the calling you received – [There is] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all."

Ephesians 4:3–6

I can distinctly remember when God first began dealing with me about the lack of unity in the body of Christ. It was in the mid 1980’s, and I was just a young youth pastor who had only been walking with Jesus for a few years. I didn’t know a whole lot about spiritual things yet, but I did have a heart for Jesus. I also knew that I was called to deliver His Word to those who did not know Christ as their Savoir. As I grew in spiritual knowledge through deepening my relationship with God, I began to see that not everyone in the body of Christ was as eager as I was to work together, or even to simply communicate occasionally on any kind of relational basis. This, of course, not only disappointed me, but puzzled me as well.

As time went on though, my desire for unity to be on every Christian’s heart and mind grew. In fact, so much so that the thought of it was with me constantly. Then it happened. God began revealing to me how youth groups in my local area could come together as a unified body, not just occasionally, but on a regular basis and not just for the purpose of singing a few songs or holding some kind of spiritual pep rally. No, this was the kind of coming together where people connected. What I mean by that is that they were willing to build relationships with one another as they discovered they each had many things in common—like the desire to grow spiritually and the desire to spread the word about the need for unity.

But it was even more than that. God had revealed to me a series of strategies that enabled the youth of our city to reach out to people who were hurting. In addition, there were also strategies I learned from guys like Glen Berteau, that I chose to incorporate with what God had given me in prayer.

Now some might ask, how did I know these strategies were from God? The answer is twofold: first, because they lined up with what Jesus taught, and second, because of the fruit they produced. It actually became quite an awesome experience. I knew then that I was to write the vision of the ministry in booklet form, so I did. As time went on, God opened the door and allowed that booklet to go into eight countries where pastors and youth pastors began applying the biblical principles in whatever way they felt God was leading them.

Over the years God has continued to minister to me and teach me things concerning unity in Christ. In fact, while I was still youth pastoring, I was on my knees in prayer one night when He began dealing with me about the need for unity again. I knew in my heart, clearly, that He was saying to me that I was to write a book on unity. Not knowing how I would ever accomplish this, but being willing to trust Him in it, I simply yielded to His will and agreed.

However, even though I knew the time was not yet, I also did not know exactly how long it would be before I would begin. Eventually (over a period of about a year or so) I sat down and attempted to begin, but nothing would flow and nothing would come to my mind, as to how I was to begin. I had never written anything, much less a book. Praying for some kind of help, I soon understood that it was still not time. This same scenario repeated over the years, three or four times. I would think to myself, surely it must be time now to write this book, but each time I would come up short. Finally, realizing that it still was not time, I would put my notes back in the folder titled unity and file it away in the closet. But God was always speaking to me, giving me bits and pieces of His wisdom concerning unity in Christ.

One of my mentors, early on in my walk with Christ, was Ed Cole. You may remember him from any number of the books he has written, specifically Maximized Manhood. Dr. Cole taught me to always keep a pen and paper with me so I could be sure to capture anything that the Holy Spirit might communicate to me at any given time. As the years passed, I accumulated numerous pieces of paper, napkin corners, Post-it Notes … you get the idea. Then finally and suddenly, one day it happened. It was time.

How much time had passed since that initial evening on my knees in prayer? Twenty-two years. By this time, I had learned that I not only had a desire to write, but somewhat of an ability, even though it needed to be perfected. However, having been a copywriter for three Christian radio stations, my writing had somewhat improved. Now when the time came to write the book, the desire swept through me like a fire.

And by the time I was done writing what I believed God had given me, I had written six books. But I wondered why it took twenty-two years to get started. As quickly as I asked that question God had His answer ready. He revealed to me the many different relationships that He brought me into; relationships with pastors, youth pastors, lay people, Christian business owners, numerous ministry leaders of many different denominations and affiliations, and even many national and international Christian leaders. He reminded me that during that period, there were many doors that He opened in my life that only He could open—doors to relationships, on many different levels, that would lead to new relationships and new opportunities for ministry.

Through it all, the Lord taught me many things about how the body of Christ was functioning, both good and not so good. But most importantly, He showed me areas where I needed work: areas I was walking in that were my contribution to the problem—not the solution, attitudes I needed to shed, belief systems I needed to discard, and habits and opinions that I needed to change.

And it did not happen overnight. At any rate, I realized that there were things that I had to walk through and things that I had to experience through relationship both with other people and most importantly in my relationship with God. But the important lesson here is that I was the one that needed to change first before God could begin to take the things He wanted to teach me and work them through me.

And I have to tell you, this book (as well as many of the other volumes) is nothing like I thought they would be. There are so many things concerning unity that I believe most people just do not realize are actually connected to it. Unity is very complex. It literally encompasses all aspects and principles of God’s Word as well as every aspect of your purpose and destiny. We’ll see this demonstrated throughout this volume and the following volumes.

In addition, you’ll discover that God’s Word reveals that without the principles of unity working in your life, it is doubtful that you will fulfill the destiny God has planned for you—even if you do know what your purpose is. We’ll discuss this in depth in each of the volumes as we learn how these principles are connected to not only our walk with Christ, but also to the relationships we develop along our journey.

As a result, you’ll see how these spiritual truths light the way to the path that leads to the discovery of your purpose and the fulfilling of your destiny in and through Christ. If you believe you already know your purpose—God’s plan for your life—then the biblical truths in this book will serve as a guide to help you understand how your purpose is to work with the Call to unity. Through the introduction of solid biblical principles and instruction, and how to implement them in your life and your walk with Christ, these principles will ensure that you not only understand unity, but also what your part is in helping unity become a reality in the body of Christ and in every relationship you enter into.

Even though unity is much more of a complex issue than most realize, it is in many ways phenomenally simple. It’s simple in the sense that for unity to take place all that we need to do, as followers of Christ, is simply be obedient to God’s Word. Yet, the goal of unity is complex because in the body of Christ, the state of disunity has existed for so long that many people have views and opinions that have become deeply rooted in the soil of separation. So much so, that there are many who seem uninterested in taking the time to work together towards the unity that our Lord prayed for, just hours before He went to the cross.

As a result, I’m convinced that there are those in the body of Christ today that believe everything is just fine the way it is. And herein lies the deception that Satan has worked so long to maintain. But I’m equally convinced that there are people in the body of Christ today that not only believe there is a need for unity, but are interested as well in seriously working on it and moving toward it.

I believe there are people in the body of Christ today who believe as I do, that the hour is late, revealing that now is the time to put petty differences of thought aside. They realize that because Jesus did pray for unity, the Father is answering that prayer loud and clear today.

Yes, there are some serious concerns that do need to be dealt with. But we need to understand that the answers and solutions to these concerns will only come as we keep our eyes on Jesus and stay close to Him in prayer, in His Word, and in His presence. Only then will we see if the thoughts, opinions, belief systems, and ideas we’ve developed and submitted to are truly from Him, or whether some of us have been following after doctrines that are opposite of Christ Himself. My prayer is that, where needed, the scales fall from the eyes of every person’s understanding, that they might fully see the heart of the Father concerning His desire for the unity of His Church. But keep in mind, there’s a devil loose, and his deception has succeeded into the ranks of the Church.

Otherwise, unity would’ve occurred a long time ago. But let’s not be so quick to give the devil all the credit. We have had our own part in the terrible condition of disunity as well. Remember that the Church has been divided in many ways for centuries. We must realize that there are a great many things that we need to learn. And they can only be learned from God’s Word.

So as you read this entire volume and the other related volumes, we’ll deal with two types of walls: the primary wall or outer wall, and the secondary walls or inner walls. One wall needs to be rebuilt, while the others need to be torn down. When relationships in the body of Christ are strong, a wall of protection is formed that keeps the enemy out.

This is the first and primary wall and is used in the singular tense because it deals with the one wall that surrounds every individual who is in Christ—thus surrounding the entire body of Christ. As broken relationships are healed and restored, this primary wall is rebuilt and made strong. Broken relationships make for broken walls, allowing the enemy access where he doesn’t belong. Healed and restored relationships make for a strong primary wall that provides protection—keeping the enemy out. This first wall that protects the body of Christ is not to be confused with the secondary or inner walls that people build around themselves to keep relationships they should engage in, cutoff.

The secondary walls are plural because they deal with each individual in the body of Christ. These walls should be torn down, and need to be, in order for people to work together in the rebuilding of the first and primary wall. In other words, if our relationships were not broken, if we were walking in God’s love toward one another, as His Word commands, the outer wall would not be broken down as it is now.

So in essence, we have a tearing down in our individual lives, resulting in a rebuilding in the lives of the body of Christ corporately. Also, let it be noted that the secondary walls are not to be confused with the defense strategy of every believer to keep their guard up.

This reference of, keeping our guard up, is in relation to being watchful as to how the enemy of our soul tries to lure us into partaking of the fruit of human nature without God. This involves anything from wrong relationships to any other form of self-preservation and denotes the forgetfulness of not wearing our spiritual armor to keep the enemy out as instructed in Ephesians 6:10–18.

Throughout this volume and others, we’ll look