Apostolic Mandate #3: The Call of Peter and Joshua
Welcome to part 3 of our series on apostolic mandates! Today we’re talking about the Trailblazer, the most fiery and fearless of the bunch.
Meet the Trailblazers: Joshua and Peter
Trailblazers go first. They break new ground and take new territory. They don't wait for permission, they move with a sword in hand.
Think of Joshua, leading Israel into battle. While Moses stayed on the mountain holding up his hands, Joshua was down in the trenches, taking the land. His boldness opened the way for others to enter.
Then there’s Peter, the first apostle to step into a Gentile’s home. He broke a huge barrier by preaching salvation outside of the Jewish world. He upset tradition, challenged the system, and made a way for Paul’s mandate to unfold.
What Is a Trailblazer?
Trailblazers carry a sharp edge. They're bold, messy, and full of fire. One minute they're speaking by the Spirit, next minute they’re getting rebuked (sound familiar, Peter?). They challenge mindsets, confront demons, and don’t shy away from backlash.
This is not the easy path. It’s full-on spiritual warfare, offense, rejection, and risk. But for those called? It's fun. You were made for battle. You live to see something new take shape.
They Go First, But They Don’t Always Stay
Trailblazers often start the work, but they don’t always finish it. They dig the well, break the ground, and move on. Then the pattern makers and builders come in to complete what was started.
That’s how Joshua worked with Moses. That’s how Peter opened doors for Paul. And that’s how the apostolic team is supposed to function.
You don’t have to be every mandate. You can’t. But if you’re a trailblazer, go ahead and shake things up. Just don’t expect to settle down until someone else joins you with a plan.
The Price of the Trailblazer
Before you shout, “That’s me!” know this mandate costs.
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You’ll be misunderstood.
People won’t get you. You challenge systems, break barriers, and get labeled “rebellious” for doing what God told you to do. -
You’ll offend without trying.
Trailblazers shift atmospheres, and not everyone’s ready for that. But you're not here to fit in. You're here to make way. -
You’ll face real warfare.
Hell pushes back when you’re taking ground. Don’t be surprised by the backlash, it’s proof you’re hitting the mark. -
You’ll move on before you're ready.
You start the fire, but someone else may tend it. That stings, but it's part of the call. -
You’ll want to settle.
But the moment you do, the fire in you dies.
Are You a Trailblazer?
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Do you thrive in chaos?
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Do you feel called to go first, even when no one else sees it yet?
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Do you offend people without trying?
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Do you have a sword in your hand and fire in your bones?
Trailblazers, we need you. The Church needs you. But we also need the rest of the team, so don’t go it alone.
Something very important to note about this call: Trailblazers don’t choose this call, it chooses them. Yes, they disrupt the system. But when they’re gone, fruit remains in their wake. If there isn’t fruit, it’s not trailblazing, it’s just spiritual vandalism.
I highly recommend getting Apostle Colette Toach's The Apostolic Mandate, as she dives deeper into this topic. There, she explains how to function in this mandate:
