For years I championed restoration in the church. This is more than the outpouring of charismatic gifts.

Since the beginning of the last century, the body of Christ has increasingly embraced the Holy Spirit’s activity. Statistics show that today half of all Christians around the globe are Pentecostal, charismatic, hearing God’s voice, expelling demons, or seeing miracles of healing. These activated saints are the fastest growing segment of the Church today, outpacing all religions, even Islam.

Having been exposed to this lively Christianity, I can testify that when we worship in the Spirit or we spend time with God, our prayers get heard and astonishing things occur that can’t be explained by science or coincidence. This is important because it means the Bible is relevant, the Lord responds to faith, and Jesus is the same today.

The restoration I am seeing now is of the offices of Christ - apostles and prophets. (Ephesians 4:11) Who are they? Why are they important? How do we identify them? If you read Acts in the New Testament, apostles are more prominent than pastors. And just like in the Old Testament, prophets in Acts also played a prominent role.

Let’s discuss prophets, a subject dear to my heart. I love prophets because I identify with them. They are always upsetting the status quo. They disturb our comfort zones. They call us up to a higher standard. They remove our blindness due to traditions. They describe what God expects now. They seem to be absorbed in a vision of Christ that surpasses religion. They are like men or women transported to heaven who behave on earth like someone aflame with a residual glory. They see invisible realms. They answer our cry: “Is there a fresh word from the Lord?”

Prophets seem to be born with extra senses. They tune in to heavenly frequencies that most don’t hear. They discern the times or sense new strategies. They advise apostles, kings, presidents, or pastors. They pray. They despise idolatry. They can’t be bribed or intimidated yet they are valuable members of a team. In a crisis, I want prophetic people near me that I trust. Is the enemy attacking? Has new territory opened up? Whom do I send? Has the season changed so old tactics won’t work?

For all their value – having been sent by Christ and set in the Church – prophets are often ignored or rejected. Our religious traditions still resist the prophets today.

These thoughts came as I considered a recent story of Bono, the lead singer of U2. He is recovering from multiple fractures after a bicycle accident. I picture Bono as a secular prophet, a spokesman who addresses leaders of the world, calling them to help people suffering with AIDS in Africa. Prophets should remind leaders of their duty, like Nathan did for David in the Bible. Bono was badly injured and is sidelined.

Sadly, many of God’s modern prophets are wounded. They are recovering from being broken. They were defeated due to collisions with unyielding religious systems. They were beaten by bands of stubborn rebels. They were cast out, cut off, and stoned by resistant saints.

These courageous voices had thrown themselves against barriers that did not break. For valiant deeds, they suffered but they were faithful. God is now pouring healing balm on his prophets. God always has a way of going around man-made walls and releasing his holy word to his beloved people.

Christ’s agents of change are wounded but not silenced. If you have ears to hear, they are releasing fresh words of Jesus’ kingdom. Do you hear what I hear?

Ron Wood is a writer who formerly pastored in Meridian. Write to him at wood.stone.ron@gmail.com.