Episode Summary:

Picture walking into a neighborhood bakery and sensing something deeper than the smell of fresh bread - an atmosphere charged with love, peace, and transformation. What if that bakery wasn’t just a place to satisfy your hunger, but a place where heaven meets earth, and lives are transformed daily?

In this episode of the As in Heaven podcast, we uncover how one woman, Deniz Koprulu, went from opening a small bakery in Toronto to becoming a beacon of hope and spiritual transformation, turning her bakery into an Ecclesia—a gathering place where Jesus shows up every day.

Her story invites us to consider how we can bring the presence of heaven into our everyday spaces.

Key Takeaways:

1. God shows up in unexpected places: Deniz’s bakery became a place where heaven touches earth, showing that God can use any space as a meeting place with Him.
2. Love is the most powerful tool for transformation: Deniz’s testimony highlights how her acts of love, through her baking and interactions, opened doors for people to experience the love of Christ.
3. The Ecclesia is not just a Sunday gathering: Deniz’s story challenges the traditional view of the church, showing that the body of Christ can gather and worship in everyday spaces like a bakery.
4. God answers specific prayers: Deniz’s journey shows how God spoke to her through people, events, and even customers, answering her prayers and guiding her in both spiritual and practical matters.
5. Boldness in faith leads to impact: Deniz stepped out in faith to make Jesus known in her community, transforming not only her life but also the lives of those she encountered.

Pull Quotes:

1. "Why limit Jesus to a church building? He’s everywhere - He’s in me, and He’s in my bakery." - Deniz Koprulu
2. "I’m just a simple baker, but God is using my little bakery to impact my whole neighborhood." - Deniz Koprulu
3. "Heaven is not just for church on Sundays; it’s meant to show up in our everyday lives and spaces." - Bryan Elliott

Chapter Markers:

• 00:00 - Introduction: Meeting Deniz Koprulu and her story
• 02:07 - Deniz’s background: From Turkey to Toronto’s bakery scene
• 07:27 - Discovering the presence of God in the bakery
• 12:33 - The turning point: Deniz’s first encounter with Jesus through prayer
• 16:47 - Surrendering to Jesus: Deniz’s journey to faith
• 22:21 - The bakery as an Ecclesia: A place of ministry and community transformation
• 26:57 - Deniz’s dream of "The Table" and creating spaces of testimony
• 31:59 - Deniz’s message to business owners: Bringing heaven into everyday spaces

Imagine walking into a small bakery, expecting nothing more than the usual pastries, but instead, you feel something deeper - an atmosphere of peace, joy, and love that captivates your soul.

What is it about this bakery that makes people linger? It's not just the food - it's the presence of something divine.

How can we, as believers, live out our role as the Ekklesia - God's called-out ones - beyond the walls of a church building, bringing the power and principles of heaven into every sphere of life?

In this episode, we explore what it means to live as Ekklesia - God's legislative assembly on earth - and how ordinary people and places, like a humble bakery, can become gateways to heaven's influence.

1. The Ekklesia is not confined to a building or Sunday service: It is a 24/7 movement of believers called to bring heaven to earth.
2. We are participationists in God's grand story: Our role is to be available and active in our communities, workplaces, and homes, shaping society according to God's kingdom.
3. The power of agreement and unity is foundational: When two or more gather in Christ's name, they have the authority to legislate heaven’s realities on earth.
4. Spiritual warfare is real, but victory is assured: When we understand our identity in Christ, we can operate from a place of guaranteed victory rather than fear.
5. Start small but with purpose: Whether it's in your family, workplace, or community, begin by taking responsibility for the area God has placed you in.

1. "We are participationists in God's grand story. Our job? To be available, ready for His move at any time."
2. "You don't need a big church or special building to be Ekklesia. Two believers in agreement can change the spiritual atmosphere."
3. "The kingdom of God is fully relational - it operates through love, and only through love can we transform the world."

• 00:00 – Introduction: Defining Ekklesia and its broader implications beyond traditional church.
• 03:00 – Called Out Ones: Exploring the true meaning of Ekklesia as a legislative body with authority to influence the world.
• 10:00 – The Power of Agreement: How two or more gathered in Jesus' name can transform the spiritual landscape.
• 17:00 – Bringing Heaven to Earth: Practical steps to live out your role as Ekklesia in your family, business, and community.
• 30:00 – Spiritual Warfare: Understanding the battle and operating from a place of victory.
• 50:00 – Ecclesia in Unexpected Places: The story of a bakery transformed into a hub of God’s kingdom.
• 1:03:00 – The Kingdom Economy: How the principles of God’s kingdom can create sustainable, flourishing economies.
• 1:10:00 – Closing Encouragement: A call to action to live as Ekklesia, wherever you are.

Imagine standing in front of God and asking, "Why are there so many problems in the world?" Now imagine God turning to you and saying, "This is why I sent you."

This is the crux of the episode: we are co-rulers with Christ, tasked with partnering with God to bring about His kingdom on earth.

In this episode of As In Heaven, we shoulder the weighty responsibility we carry as co-heirs with Christ, exploring the Kingdom Principle of co-ruling and what it means for believers to take action in solving the world’s problems.

1. We are called to be co-rulers with Christ — Our role as believers is to exercise Kingdom authority and extend God’s rule on earth through our actions and decisions.
2. Faithful stewardship starts small but extends broadly — Like tending a garden, we can bring Kingdom solutions into our homes, communities, and eventually the world.
3. Kingdom authority is tied to humility and intimacy with God — Before we can rule, we must first yield our hearts fully to King Jesus.
4. Kingdom advancement involves both prayer and action — It’s not enough to pray; we are called to be active participants in bringing Kingdom solutions to the problems we see around us.
5. Healing the world begins with us — God has chosen believers to be the solution to the world's pain and suffering, empowering us to bring restoration and order in every sphere of life.

1. "God didn’t just send you to pray for change; He sent you to be the change."
2. "We are living gateways for the Kingdom of Heaven to come to earth."
3. "Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not."

1. [00:00] - Introduction to Kingdom Solutions Setting the stage for the episode's focus on the Kingdom Principle of co-ruling with God.
2. [01:22] - Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World Exploring the concept of humanity’s divine partnership with God in repairing the brokenness of the world.
3. [02:05] - Our Role as Co-Rulers Discussing what it means to be co-heirs with Christ, responsible for stewarding God’s authority on earth.
4. [06:11] - The Garden Analogy A metaphor for how we are called to cultivate small “pockets of heaven” and expand God's Kingdom across the earth.
5. [10:52] - The Power of Humility and Prayer The importance of repentance, prayer, and humility in inviting God’s presence to move through us.
6. [13:32] - Kingdom Authority in Everyday Life How believers can bring Kingdom solutions into business, family, and communities.
7. [19:21] - Reclaiming Lost Ground Addressing how the Church can regain the influence and authority that has been relinquished to the world.
8. [23:04] - Practical Partnership with God Stories and examples of how believers can practically live out their calling as co-rulers.
9. [30:04] - Kingdom Authority and Transformation Exploring the power of God’s authority to bring transformation to every area of life.
10. [41:31] - Closing Prayer Ending with a call to embrace the grace and responsibility of ruling and reigning with Christ in all areas of life.