TESTIMONY / STATEMENT OF FAITH / VISION
1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."
TESTIMONY
Augusto was born in Cuba and lived there for 12 years. He came to the U.S. in 1963 with his family where he has lived ever since. From childhood Augusto felt that God had an important work for him to do when he grew up. At the age of 30, one night as he was lying on his bed sleeping, he heard someone call out his name softly. As he got dressed and went to the door, he opened it only to find no one outside. That night Revelation 3:20 became a reality to him. A few weeks later, God showed him through a dream the new birth experience (A Visit To Heaven). Several months later after receiving a Bible study, Augusto wholeheartedly gave his life to Jesus, was baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit and miraculously transformed and set free from sin and bondage by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was married to his present day wife a few months later and the LORD called him to preach the gospel that same year (Smile Jesus Loves You).
THE CALL TO BE A PASTOR/TEACHER
Right after Augusto received his divine call from heaven to preach the gospel, a missionary from Colombia asked him to preach his first message in a small Spanish congregation in Miami, Florida. The LORD confirmed his calling that day as he preached the gospel and people were saved and touched by God. He has not stopped preaching ever since. From 1985 through 1992 the Lord used Augusto to start a church that was responsible for hundreds of people being saved in the city of Miami, Florida. He had a radio ministry for three years, which was heard by over twenty thousand people daily.
For seven years he served as senior pastor and teacher to this thriving congregation, which produced two ministers. While Augusto was still Pastoring a church, he started conducting evangelistic crusades on a small scale throughout this nation. God was working in a special way through him, as people were being set free from bondage, diseases and sin through the spoken word. He felt that rather than limit his ministry to a specific place, the LORD wanted him to reach a greater cross section of people, crossing geographical, cultural, racial and denominational barriers. This led him to seek the LORD more intently in a long season of prayer and fasting.
THE CALL TO BE A PROPHET / EVANGELIST
At the beginning of 1992, the Lord spoke to Augusto for a long time in the middle of the night, and specifically told him to give up the church where he was pastor. Not only was he told to give up the church, but also the city where he had lived for twenty-six years, and go to a place that God would show him. He was obedient to the heavenly call, and with his wife and six year old daughter, packed his belongings and left his family, friends and relatives not knowing where he was going. For the next several years as he was being trained in the wilderness, the Lord confirmed His call to him through several men of God, and through different people who did not know him, or had any information concerning his ministry. God genuinely uses Augusto through the ministry of the “Spoken Word” and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Signs, wonders and miracles follow this man.
As Rhema words flow, people are delivered from demonic strongholds, healed, encouraged and established, identifying their gifting and callings from God. His simple yet profound revelatory understanding of spiritual truths is a “fresh breath” to the Church. His love, wisdom and compassion shows as he ministers to God’s people individually or as a group. This man has a prophetic anointing that cuts through the flesh, soul and into the spirit-man. When this anointing is flowing, only one word will accomplish what many sermons and counseling sessions could not. Through the years, he has developed a proven track record of specific prophetic words spoken over congregations, leaders, people in many parts of this nation as well as other countries and world events in general that have come to pass. Augusto has a rare blend of divine authority and spirit power manifesting in his life and ministry. His passion is Jesus, and his desire is to see the Glory of God manifested in all the earth.
THE PRESENT MOMENT
This ministry was raised by God to preach the gospel of the Kingdom to the whole World. The purpose of this ministry is to restore and heal the Body of Jesus Christ, and prepare His Bride for the great end-time harvest and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ (See Salvation Section). Besides conducting miracle crusades, Augusto has been conducting training seminars on this nation and overseas to equip leaders in the five-fold ministry. He has always had the heart of a father and shepherd. In the past, many pastors from different churches have sought his advice, wisdom and counsel in dealing with difficult situations. Augusto is considered an apostle and prophet by many pastors and congregations throughout the United States, as well as other nations (See Mission/Vision). The Lord has given him many foundational revelations from the Word (See Teachings and Newsletters), as well as visions, dreams and prophecies of world events that have come to pass (See the Dreams and Visions Section).
Many years of walking in fellowship and obedience with the LORD, and severe times of testing through trials and tribulations have graced him to walk in divine authority. Augusto's only desire is to glorify the LAMB. When he is received by a church and allowed to function in his office, he brings direction, revelation and confirmation to the whole congregation, the leadership, and people individually. He has oversight over several churches in the United States and overseas as well (See Missions). When the Lord called Augusto to be a part of this great army that He is raising up in this last day, he was told that God's glory would be manifested all over the earth in this last great move of God. In the last few years, in addition to doing revivals and miracle crusades, he has been conducting leadership training seminars and sessions all over this nation and overseas. The Lord has given Augusto a divine commission to train, prepare, equip and release the emerging army of believers that will reap the end time harvest of souls that is upon us, and manifest Jesus Christ to the whole world.
This man has an apostolic and prophetic calling on his life, working together to pull down divine revelation, strategies and patterns from heaven. It helps to penetrate and separate the spirit, soul and body of man, helping to break down demonic strongholds and paradigms in people. When this anointing is flowing, it can accomplish what many sermons and counseling sessions could not. For this reason and purpose, The Appearance Ministries Inc. was born. Augusto continues to travel and minister all across the U.S. and overseas preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom (See Missions). There are many teachings he has done through radio and Internet that are heard in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, Central & South America and other countries as well (See Radio Shows). He has written four books, three are for training and equipping believers and one is his autobiography. The books are: "Introduction To Signs and Wonders", "Foundational Principles For New Converts and Believers", "Open Heavens" and his latest one "Smile Jesus Loves You". (See Store).
He also has produced three Prophetic Music CD's. The first one is called "Bone to Bone", the second one "Tuning In To Reality" and the third one "The Challenge ". In January 2013 he produced his first DVD with The Prophecy Club titled "The End Of Times". Augusto has traveled to several schools in the United States as well as overseas and ministered to the young people using the anointed music that the LORD gave him. Hundreds of young people have given their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ Yahushua; many have been healed and delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit as he ministered to them. Most of the young people had never had an encounter with the risen Savior before. Augusto's music was the bait the Lord used to get them to come to the feet of the Master. The Lord has also used his music to minister to adults and even older people who may not have been attracted by the type of music but were captured by the divine anointing behind it. To this day, Augusto's music is loved by the young people and adults alike and his books, CD's and DVD remain popular.
COMMENTS
Galatians 2:1-2: "Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them who were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain."
"Augusto Perez is a humble and thoughtful servant of Jesus Christ with a genuine prophetic ministry. As a pastor, I have had reason to be skeptical of some who are called 'prophets.' But Bro. Perez has won my complete confidence and has brought a true spiritual gift to our church."
Pastor Stephen Yadon
Christ Church
Pocatello, Idaho
"Augusto Perez is a true Apostle and Servant of God. Wisdom, Integrity and an extreme passion to train the next generation of God's Sons and Daughters is the motivation of his heart. Our Ministry has forever been affected by this man, and eternity will reveal the special impact of his life to the Kingdom of God."
Billy Price, Senior Pastor
City on a Hill
Cincinnati, OH
STATEMENT OF FAITH
1 Corinthians 3:10-11: "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For no other foundation can a man lay than what is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Jude 1:3-4: "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into licentiousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE
1. That there is only one God, creator of the heavens and the earth, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That there exists a real Heaven of everlasting bliss for those who are written in the Lambs Book of Life, and a real Hell, where the worm dies not, for those that are not found written in the Book of Life; That the only way to be written in the Book of Life is through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the Cross of Calvary. (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 6:4, Psalms 9:17, Isaiah 5:14, 14:9, Mathew 5:22, 10:28, Mark 9:45, Luke 12:5, 16:19-31, John 1:1-14, John 10:30, 2 Corinthians 12, 13:14, Mark 12:29, John 15:26, I Peter 1:4, 2 Peter 2:1-9, Revelation 3:12, 19:1, 20:11-15, 21)
2. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. He lived a sinless life and had a miraculous ministry. He was crucified and died for the sins of the world, was buried and descended into hell. On the third day He rose from the dead bodily, ascended to Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding as our High Priest. He will return bodily and visibly, in power and glory at the consummation of all things to judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom on earth. (Isaiah 7:14, Mathew 1:18-23, Acts 2:27-33, Hebrews 4:14-16, I Corinthians 15:3-4, Acts 1:9-11, Ephesians 4:8-10, I Timothy 3:16, Revelation 19-22, 1:7)
3. That man was created in the image of God, but through disobedience sinned and spiritually died. As a consequence, the entire human race inherited spiritual death. That in this degenerate condition, man cannot have communion with God, and is unable to regenerate himself in his own strength, wisdom or goodness. The only way man can change and come alive again in his spirit is by the New Birth experience. This happens when a person believes in his heart and confesses with his mouth by faith that Jesus Christ died at the Cross of Calvary for his sins, and was raised from the dead to save him from eternal death in Hell and give him eternal life. (Genesis 1-3, Isaiah 64:6, Romans 5:8-19, 6:23, John 3:1-8, Romans 3:22-24, Titus 3:5-7, Ephesians 2:1-9, Romans 8:8-10, John 3:16, Acts 10:43)
4. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible word of God and the rule for faith and conduct. No denomination, church or individual has the authority to establish any doctrine or teaching that goes contrary to the scriptures that have been accepted and embraced by the early Church Fathers and Christian Church. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:21, Mathew 24:35, Romans 15:4, Luke 24:27)
5. That every believer after conversion must be baptized by immersion in water in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in obedience to the gospel. Baptism being a sign of the circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that has been obtained by faith in conversion, symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ as the old man has died, been buried and has risen to new life. (Mathew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Romans 4:9-11, Romans 6:1-14, Acts 8:12-16, 36-37, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:5). The baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the manifestation of tongues and the gifts of the spirit, is for every believer to empower and anoint them for evangelism. (John 14:26, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 5:12, 10:45-46, 19:6, Galatians 3:14, 4:5-6, I Corinthians 12, 14, Hebrews 2:3-4)
6. That marriage is a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman, joined as husband and wife in an intimate partnership of love and life. This union was founded by God and is backed by the word of God. Marriage therefore exists for the mutual love of both spouses, and for the procreation and nurturing of offspring. God intends for believers to only be sexually active within the bonds of marriage. The institution of matrimony between one man and one woman is morally essential to the continuance of the human race. The institution of marriage is a blessed and holy ritual that brings both honor and favor from God. Marriage is more than a civil contract; it is a love union that reflects the manner in which the LORD Jesus Christ personally loves his bride and is united with her. (Genesis 2:18, 21-25, Malachi 2:16, Mathew 19:6, Romans 1:25-28, 1 Corinthians 6:13,18, Galatians 5:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Ephesians 5:22-23, Hebrews 13:4, 1 Peter 3:1-7, 2 Peter 2:6, Jude 1:7)
7. That sanctification is a process that starts in the life of every believer at the moment of conversion, and continues on through life as the person, under the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit and the fully restored five-fold ministry offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, changes his life and conduct and starts living a holy life, being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ, from glory to glory. (Romans 8:19, I Corinthians 13:8-13, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 2:20-22, 4:11-16, 5:25-27, Colossians 1:28, 3:5-14, Hebrews 12:14, I Peter 1:15, I John 2:15-17, 3:2-3)
8. That the Divine Government, Order, Power and Authority of God flow from the Head (Jesus) down and manifest on the Earth through His Body (The Church), establishing His Kingdom in nations, cities, churches and homes, bringing order where there is chaos, light into darkness, clarity to confusion, healing to sickness and disease, blessing to curses, deliverance to oppression and depression, illumination to the ignorant, and salvation to the lost. (Mathew 28:18-20, Romans 13:1-7, Ephesians 1:18-23, Philippians 2:9-11, I Timothy 3:1-12, 5:1-14, Titus 2, 3:1-11, I Peter 2:11-18, 3:1-12)
9. The healing for mans body, soul and spirit was provided for in the New Covenant by the wounds, bruises and stripes Jesus received in His atoning death. Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, sin, sickness and death. (Isaiah 53:5; John 10:10; Acts 4:30; 10:38; I Corinthians 12:9; Galatians 3:13-14; James 5:13-16; I Peter 2:24)
10. In the ordinance of the Lords Supper, that symbolizes the communion, fellowship and spiritual unity of all believers, which together make up the Body of Christ. In essentials we need to agree and in non-essentials we need to exercise tolerance, but in all things we need to show the love of God, and treat each other with the same kind of love (agape) that Jesus loved us, without regard of race, background, or religion. That we must always strive to walk in this love, without which no one has a right to call himself a Christian. (Mathew 22:36-40, 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20, John 13:34-35,15:9-17, 17:20-21, 26, I Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-30, I Thessalonians 3:12, I Peter 1:22-23, I John 4:6-12, 16-21)
11. In the priesthood of all believers, that is having direct access to God through our Lord Jesus Christ. That everyone has gifts and callings from God placed in them at the time of conception, activated by the Holy Spirit and the laying-on of hands by the presbytery, but ordained of God before the foundation of the Earth, to do good works prepared for them in advance. That one of the purposes of the five-fold ministry offices is to train, teach, perfect and release the saints to function in their gifting and callings in the local church body, and wherever the Lord sends them. (Mathew 27:51, I Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6, Ephesians 2:10, 4:11-12, Hebrews 4:16, I Peter 2:5-10, Revelation 1:6, 5:10, 20:6)
12. That Tithing is holy unto the Lord, and a Covenant of giving established during the times of Abraham prior to the dispensation of the law. It was required under the Law of Moses, confirmed by Jesus Christ, after the order of Melchizedek, as He came to fulfill the law. We being the children of Abraham need to practice it today as part of the Testament Covenant that the Lord established. That the principle of sowing and reaping, as well as giving liberally and joyfully is well established in the Word of God. That the finances should be used to support the kingdom of God, the five-fold ministry offices, the widows, orphans, and poor. (Genesis 14:18-23, 28:20-22, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:7-11, Mathew 6:19-21, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 6:38, Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, I Timothy 5:3-11).
Be It Therefore Resolved That We
1. Reserve the right to defend such beliefs privately and publically.
2. Reserve the right to require such beliefs as standards of morality in any/all leadership/membership positions.
3. Train, teach, disciple, counsel and otherwise instruct said beliefs when discussing pre-marriage dating, marriage, sexuality, parenting and other related topics.
4. Reserve the right to implement any/all formats of communication including but not limited to radio, television, books or pamphlets, internet and cellular devices when discussing said beliefs.
5. Endorse and support, at our discretion, civic, religious or social organizations which embrace common beliefs and oppose, at our discretion, civic, religious or social organizations holding contrary beliefs.
We Conclude
That these positions taken and agreed to by The Appearance Ministries, are both scripturally and morally fundamental. And that our position to marital infidelity, homosexuality and/or same-sex marriage is not an illustration of unreasonable discrimination or animosity toward any persons or groups of people. This statement of faith was not written for the purpose of injuring, offending or abusing any person or persons. We hold the position that all societies must respect the basic human dignity of all individuals.
2008 The Appearance
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