The clues on our treasure map led us to a home improvement store, where we began looking for our treasure—someone with “red hair,” “headache,” “Ralph,” and “back problem” were among our clues. 

Immediately, I noticed a woman with red hair. As I approached her and her husband, I asked, “Hey, do you by any chance have a headache?” She responded, “As a matter of fact I do!”

She was visibly shocked that I had this inside information. After explaining that God had clearly highlighted her on my treasure map, she agreed to let us pray for her even though she adamantly stated that she was not a Christian.

After a short prayer, her headache vanished and she started to cry, overwhelmed that God would care enough about her to send us to help her. She then asked Jesus into her life right there in the middle of the aisle, while her husband stood at a distance in obvious disgust.

I remembered that I also had the name “Ralph” as one of the clues on my treasure map. I turned to the loathing husband and asked, “Hey, by any chance, is your name Ralph?”

“As a matter of fact it is,” he responded. Showing him the treasure map with his name written on it, I asked if he had a back problem. He matter-of-factly said, “No,” but his wife chided, “Come on, Ralph, you know you cannot even reach down and touch your feet because your back hurts so bad.” 

After some further prodding from his wife, he reluctantly agreed to let us pray. After a short prayer, I asked if he felt any change. With a shocked expression, he responded that he felt heat in his lower back where I had placed my hand. He then began touching the ground over and over, bending with ease. He was totally healed. And then, with cigar in mouth, Ralph also prayed to invite Jesus into his life. He and his wife left very happy.

This is one of hundreds of examples of how I have found lost treasures (people) as I have asked the Holy Spirit to give me the clues (words of knowledge) that I write down on a treasure map. 

I call it a treasure hunt. I believe Jesus alluded to the treasure hunt in the parable of the lost coin/treasure (Luke 15:8-10). Ananias went on the first treasure hunt when he was given specific clues to find Saul at the house of Judas on Straight Street, and that he would be praying as he waited to be healed (Acts 9:11,12).

Similarly, I simply search for the undiscovered treasures that are scattered throughout the community, then demonstrate the goodness and kindness of God to them with a prophetic word, describing the good plans and purposes that God has for them, or healing them through the power of Christ.

I believe that we are all called to be treasure hunters. Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8, NIV). Notice, Jesus does not limit the command to the competent or the confident—to the skilled or extroverted. 

No, the mandate to witness encompasses every personality/temperament type and gift mix, regardless of one’s level of knowledge and skill. Ananias was called upon to witness to Saul even though he was fearful and may have felt incompetent. Likewise, Timothy was challenged to do the work of an evangelist even though he was a pastor/teacher (2 Tim. 4:5).

God still loves the world, and He wants to use us to find the lost treasures who are waiting to be healed, saved and set free from bondage. If we don’t do it, who will? It’s treasure-hunting season.

Kevin Dedmon has been in pastoral ministry for more than 25 years. He teaches various aspects of kingdom revival theology, including kingdom foundations and New Testament theology at the School of Supernatural Ministry of Bethel Church in Redding, Calif. Kevin also oversees the Treasure Hunt outreach, in which students are equipped, empowered and activated for “supernatural evangelism.” He has a degree in biblical studies and a master’s in church leadership from Vanguard University. Kevin is the author of The Ultimate Treasure Hunt: A Guide to Supernatural Evangelism through Supernatural Encounters; Unlocking Heaven: Keys to Living Naturally Supernatural; and The Risk Factor: Crossing the Chicken Line Into Your Supernatural Destiny (all Destiny Image).

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