Two young Moravians heard of an island in the West Indies where an atheist British owner had 2000 to 3000 slaves. And the owner had said, "No preacher, no clergyman, will ever stay on this island. If he's ship wrecked we'll keep him in a separate house until he has to leave, but he's never going to talk to any of us about God, I'm through with all that nonsense." Three thousand slaves from the jungles of Africa brought to an island in the Atlantic and there to live and die without hearing of Christ.
Two young Moravians heard about it. They sold themselves to the British planter and used the money they received from their sale, for he paid no more than he would for any slave, to pay their passage out to his island for he wouldn't even transport them. As the ship left its' pier in the river at Hamburg and was going out into the North Sea carried with the tide, the Moravians had come from Herrenhut to see these two lads off, in their early twenties. Never to return again, for this wasn't a four year term, they sold themselves into life time slavery. Simply that, as slaves, they could be as Christians where these others were. The families were there weeping, for they knew they would never see them again. And they wondered why they were going and questioned the wisdom of it. As the gap widened and the housings had been cast off and were being curled up there on the pier, and the young boys saw the widening gap, one lad with his arm linked through the arm of his fellow, raised his hand and shouted across the gap the last words that were heard from them, they were these, "MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING!"
This became the call of Moravian missions. And this is the only reason for being, That the Lamb that was slain may receive the reward of His suffering!
Paris Reidhead continues in the powerful recorded sermon, "I say to you dear Christian if you do not know the fullness of the Holy Ghost, come and present your body a living sacrifice, and let Him fill you so that He can have the purpose for His coming fulfilled in you and get glory through your life."
You see, Kelsey, it's not what you can get out of God, but what God can get out of you, because Jesus is worthy of the reward of His suffering. There are people spending billions of dollars to make us believe in the "American Dream." Unfortunately, where the term "American Dream" once represented a freedom of individuality and relentless work ethic, for most all society it has evolved to mirroring what the American television idolizes: a false freedom. I'm praying we wake up, because this is a nightmare; when the church loses her grip on the reality of eternity and everlasting life, she will lose her motivation to work. This world is decaying, Kelsey- it is passing away. Yet, turn on the television and watch the celebrities be interviewed like gods: it gives the impression that this is what lasts forever. But of all people we should be thoroughly bathed in the reality that everything about this life will not last if you live that way. Our world is slipping away quickly. Jesus is coming back and His reward is with Him, and His kingdom will be with Him. Everything you did for Him will last, and everything you did not do for Him or by Him will pass away and it will die. You'll never see it again. Jesus said, (Matthew 9:37) "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few." Who really has trunks filled with diamonds, crowns of emerald and ruby, gold coins hidden our attics? However, this does not necessarily prove we have avoided falling into the trap of (Matthew 6:19-21) storing up treasures on earth? You are going to die in a minute. For real. Our time on this earth is nanosecond in the span of eternity! So what will we say to the Uncreated One when we stand before the throne of judgment? Do not be anxious! God commands you to be shepherds of His flock (John 21:15-17), fishers of men (Matthew 4:19)! Don't like what He is asking of us as followers of Jesus? Look to see what happened in the case of the Shepherds of Israel (Ezekiel 34). We are turning our backs on God once more, while all He is asking of us is to be the body of His Son, [His Son who became our sin- was crucified, then championed over death when He rose again], while we are here on earth for this short while.
Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not your life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?" (Matthew 6:25-26) You could pack up and leave TODAY! God will care for you! Pray for the heart of ministry, friends. God will provide. Jehovah Jirah. May the Lamb that was slain recieve the rewards of His suffering. Lay down your life. Take up your cross and follow Him! Give to Caesar what it Caesar's (Matthew 22:15-22) Let America have their taxes, their television sitcoms, their wars. Imagine a world where professing Christians prayerfully considered the Lord's call to ministry.
Look to the recession and all the people losing their jobs.. now fasten your eyes on the power God Almighty has. He will care for His children, and I have a miraculous vision of families across America leaving the mundane, apathetic life to serve the nations. In the name of Jesus Christ- giving their homes and cars to the homeless, their jobs and positions to those in need. Not because we're holier than thou, but because we trust God to provide financially, health and education-wise, by means of travel. What a statement of love. We have put God in a box and succumbed to churchianity, a once or twice a week event that no nonbeliever wants to be a part of because it's about as exciting as a tupperware party.
Have we not been called to fight a more important battle than oil, power, land? The battle of souls for all of eternity, whether it be for the Kingdom of Heaven or the pits of hell? Don't be blinded by the world! We are not of this world, we belong to the Creator.
James 4 is the prayer I pray for myself today
What causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not recieve, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he sad made to dwell in you."
Gone must be the days of watching the television more than we pray, reading the newspaper more than we read the word. We're here to fulfill God's purposes, there is no other reason why we're here. I heard a message where a believer spoke out, "We Americans face the greatest temptations in respect to being lured away from God's treasures. Our refridgerators are filled with food as we relax in our climate controlled homes, firing our remote controls on colored tvs and CD stereo systems.. leaving only to drive our air conditioned cars to the nearest Blockbuster's video store to rent the latest movie, later loading it into our home theatre while lounging on sofabed couches, [ironically called a LazyBoy]."
The less joy you have the more entertainment you need.
27 February, 2011
25 February, 2011
Faith and Finances Rap
This is my classmate Bryan's creative take on our book report this week..
Enjoy!
22 February, 2011
"Letter to a Home Church"
Loved ones of my Church family,
A difficult task lays before me as I aim to string together a page of words to demonstrate the Lord's transforming effect on my life in the last few months. However, in an attempt to build up the Church, I would like to share some of what God is doing in my life as I attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) at the University of the Nations.
My class is smaller than most schools this YWAM base offers, yet the size has positively affected us in growing as Ohana (Hawaiian for Family). Called not just to one or two specific ways in reaching the lost, "360DEGREES" has a greater focus on what Youth With A Mission refers to as the seven spheres of society: Family, Religion, Education, Government, Arts and Entertainment, Media, and Business/Science and Technology. Cross-cultural exposure and global awareness are special emphases throughout the DTS, preparing us as students to reach current and future generations. The outreach phase begins early April; we will show the love of Jesus in practical ways, going into all the world to share the gospel and make disciples out of the nations. Split into two teams, I am joining half the class as we travel to Tijuana, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. I have attached two video clips in faith that the story will speak to you as we see the opportunity we have as Christians to minister to the developing world.
As we prepare for this mission trip, students are to raise their own support and, as a class, raise the funds for every home build. Each house project is an estimated $6,500. This will give the family sturdy walls and some basic furniture. At this time, I personally have a remaining need of $3,000 for airfare and travel expenses. As I obey the Father and lean not on my own understanding, I place my hope and trust in Him to provide for our class financially, and invite you to join in ministry of what God is calling us to do for families in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Currently in week seven of the lecture phase, I am so honored to watch Jesus unfold lives around me and see the walks of my brothers and sisters strengthened. God is revealing to this passionate generation miraculous visions for sharing the gospel and, as for myself, the peace I have surpasses description as I learn to trust the Lord's will for my life. Prayers are continually answered as I receive breakthrough concerning my true identity in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus pinpointed a hidden loneliness and has restored areas of brokenness as I surround myself with a body of believers who constantly reflect the nature and character of God. Living in a room with six other girls from four countries has been such a joyful experience and I know I will treasure their friendships for the rest of my life.
Always appreciating your thoughts and prayers, I am awestruck seeing and hearing the Wonderful Counselor more each day. I would not be the woman I am today had it not been for the experiences I've had with all of you and I think of you fondly with tender memories.
His, therefore yours,
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth
If you would like information on gifting financially, either to our class fund for Homes of Hope or to my outreach fees, please email me: kelsey.tungseth@gmail.com
A difficult task lays before me as I aim to string together a page of words to demonstrate the Lord's transforming effect on my life in the last few months. However, in an attempt to build up the Church, I would like to share some of what God is doing in my life as I attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) at the University of the Nations.
My class is smaller than most schools this YWAM base offers, yet the size has positively affected us in growing as Ohana (Hawaiian for Family). Called not just to one or two specific ways in reaching the lost, "360DEGREES" has a greater focus on what Youth With A Mission refers to as the seven spheres of society: Family, Religion, Education, Government, Arts and Entertainment, Media, and Business/Science and Technology. Cross-cultural exposure and global awareness are special emphases throughout the DTS, preparing us as students to reach current and future generations. The outreach phase begins early April; we will show the love of Jesus in practical ways, going into all the world to share the gospel and make disciples out of the nations. Split into two teams, I am joining half the class as we travel to Tijuana, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. I have attached two video clips in faith that the story will speak to you as we see the opportunity we have as Christians to minister to the developing world.
As we prepare for this mission trip, students are to raise their own support and, as a class, raise the funds for every home build. Each house project is an estimated $6,500. This will give the family sturdy walls and some basic furniture. At this time, I personally have a remaining need of $3,000 for airfare and travel expenses. As I obey the Father and lean not on my own understanding, I place my hope and trust in Him to provide for our class financially, and invite you to join in ministry of what God is calling us to do for families in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Currently in week seven of the lecture phase, I am so honored to watch Jesus unfold lives around me and see the walks of my brothers and sisters strengthened. God is revealing to this passionate generation miraculous visions for sharing the gospel and, as for myself, the peace I have surpasses description as I learn to trust the Lord's will for my life. Prayers are continually answered as I receive breakthrough concerning my true identity in relationship with our Heavenly Father. Jesus pinpointed a hidden loneliness and has restored areas of brokenness as I surround myself with a body of believers who constantly reflect the nature and character of God. Living in a room with six other girls from four countries has been such a joyful experience and I know I will treasure their friendships for the rest of my life.
Always appreciating your thoughts and prayers, I am awestruck seeing and hearing the Wonderful Counselor more each day. I would not be the woman I am today had it not been for the experiences I've had with all of you and I think of you fondly with tender memories.
His, therefore yours,
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth
If you would like information on gifting financially, either to our class fund for Homes of Hope or to my outreach fees, please email me: kelsey.tungseth@gmail.com
21 February, 2011
Ashtray Ambitions
Rewind to elementary school art class, however many years ago, to the week your focus was on ceramics. How many children mold their handful of clay into an ashtray, no matter that neither parent smokes?
Without Jesus to wash us white as snow, there can never be a genuinely white Christmas. Consider Lindsay, for example; his father, a distant and severe man, worked him especially hard during the holidays. Lindsay was given extra chores at the family ranch, and his old man whipped him if he didn't work hard enough. Lindsay lived in fear of these beatings, which often drew blood; but even worse were the verbal floggings. The names, the insults, the belittling put-downs; they seemed especially harsh at Christmas. The memories stayed with him all his life, tormenting him like demons every December. One friend once said, "Lindsay was never able to find happiness. He became a hard drinking hell raiser who went from woman to woman and couldn't find peace or success." Finally, at age 51, he angrily watched Bing Crosby's White Christmas one last time, put a gun to his head, and a bullet through his brain. "I hated Christmas because of Pop," he once said, "and always will. It brings back the pain and fear I suffered as a child. And if I ever do myself in, it will be at Christmas time. That will show the world what I think of Bing Crosby and his White Christmas. Ironically and sadly, this man's name was Lindsay Crosby.. Bing Crosby's son.
I am so blessed to have had Steven Brian as my earthly father for the eighteen years of my life in which he was alive. I, personally, made a ceramic hamburger for daddy back in elementary school; but the more I get to know my heavenly Father, I realize His plans for my life are greater than my own.
"But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
God told me to trust him,
and He promised He doesn't want to make me an ashtray.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"Relationships are eternal. Might as well have good ones!" Dean Sherman spoke out to the students a few weeks ago. Dean taught on relationships, expanding on how we see this in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the beginning, Genesis describes the magnificent act of creation, but (v.26) tells us "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..'" The first chapter of the Bible tells us relationships are eternal, that the image of God is not aloneness. John 1:1-3 reads "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." I do not see it to be by chance that the gospel of John begins with a subject of relationship and continually focuses so much on God's love for us.
In Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as a King, the Messiah for the Jews. In Mark, Jesus is shown to be a servant, and was written for the Romans. Mark features the disciples, the crowds, and the religious leaders, none of whom understood Jesus. As the prophecies were fulfilled and the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, the religious Pharisees arrested him, the disciples abandoned him, and the crowds criticized him. Only when he died alone on the cross did a Roman centurion recognize that He was the Son of God. The Gospel of Luke was written by a physician, and focuses so much on the healing ministry of Christ. Luke wrote this as a letter for the Greeks, and presented Jesus as a Perfect Man. John is so tender in writing to persuade people to believe in Jesus, the Son of God. The opening verses declare that Jesus is God, stressing his unique relationship with God the Father. Read John 3:16-17 :God met sin with love. The more we step out in love, the more we draw near to God! John 15:34-35 reads, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."
The Bible talks about a love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). [SURPASS]:to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree; be greater than; exceed. Something beyond what we are capable of understanding with our minds! The love that the King of Kings has for you is something you cannot comprehend! God loves your self image whether you like it or not. Dean entertained us some more, "God did facebook. The Lamb's book of life... you've been tagged." The class erupts into laughter at this fifty-something's amazing sense of humor and his capability to relate to this crowd of mostly young adults.
Something deep within me still aches when I look at the last five years of my life. Christ is continually renewing my soul as I look back to the ways I toiled and strived to make something of myself; I sought freedom as a child and became a rebellious teen. I chased freedom down the path of reckless abandon and found myself an angry drug addict. I conformed to the corporate world, climbing "promotion pyramid", and assumed my plastic Barbie doll success was freedom. I shattered the mirror of false identity and believed freedom was arranging a mosaic of my broken, jaded life. I traveled countries and states, a flower child toting a backpack and a peace pipe, and thought walking barefoot and smiling at strangers was freedom. Dancing from one mask to another, I've had a surface faith. As a counterfeit believer I was blind to the bondage and the slavery I was under. I was making my Father an ashtray! What does it mean to be a disciple? The call of Christ is to long for God and the plan He has for your life. Most people I've met in the last two years have made mention of my lifestyle and the freedom I have. Until I made the decision to live for the cause of Christ, I was restricted. There will always be limits to the liberties we gain independently. When we allow God to create in us a heart that is pure, He will break the secret shackles; He will wash away shame and guilt. Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Once you realize that we, as humans, were not made to be alone and embrace God's gift to have fellowship and relationship with our Heavenly Father, you are truly set free.
A Shane and Shane song called "Want it All" is so appropriately my prayer as I write. Wherever I go, I want Christ to be magnified. I want people to look to my life and say, I see Jesus Christ. Imagine if someone looked at your life and said, "if that's Christianity, I don't want it." Jesus is perfect love, that same love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). The enemy has been at work in the world and, generation by generation, has twisted God's truth: Lust is not love, and love never lusts. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." John 15:9
The High Priestly Prayer (John 17) is such a powerful portion of scripture, ending with, in verse 26, "I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." God is our Father, our Creator, and our Counselor. "'..It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.' (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'"
John 6:63-65
Will you allow the one who designed you to define you?
Or will you make your Father an ashtray?
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6
As the Father's love for us surpasses our knowledge and understanding, so also do His desires surpass our wildest dreams.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Without Jesus to wash us white as snow, there can never be a genuinely white Christmas. Consider Lindsay, for example; his father, a distant and severe man, worked him especially hard during the holidays. Lindsay was given extra chores at the family ranch, and his old man whipped him if he didn't work hard enough. Lindsay lived in fear of these beatings, which often drew blood; but even worse were the verbal floggings. The names, the insults, the belittling put-downs; they seemed especially harsh at Christmas. The memories stayed with him all his life, tormenting him like demons every December. One friend once said, "Lindsay was never able to find happiness. He became a hard drinking hell raiser who went from woman to woman and couldn't find peace or success." Finally, at age 51, he angrily watched Bing Crosby's White Christmas one last time, put a gun to his head, and a bullet through his brain. "I hated Christmas because of Pop," he once said, "and always will. It brings back the pain and fear I suffered as a child. And if I ever do myself in, it will be at Christmas time. That will show the world what I think of Bing Crosby and his White Christmas. Ironically and sadly, this man's name was Lindsay Crosby.. Bing Crosby's son.
I am so blessed to have had Steven Brian as my earthly father for the eighteen years of my life in which he was alive. I, personally, made a ceramic hamburger for daddy back in elementary school; but the more I get to know my heavenly Father, I realize His plans for my life are greater than my own.
"But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
we are the clay, and you are our potter;
we are all the work of your hand."
Isaiah 64:8
God told me to trust him,
and He promised He doesn't want to make me an ashtray.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"Relationships are eternal. Might as well have good ones!" Dean Sherman spoke out to the students a few weeks ago. Dean taught on relationships, expanding on how we see this in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the beginning, Genesis describes the magnificent act of creation, but (v.26) tells us "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..'" The first chapter of the Bible tells us relationships are eternal, that the image of God is not aloneness. John 1:1-3 reads "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." I do not see it to be by chance that the gospel of John begins with a subject of relationship and continually focuses so much on God's love for us.
In Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as a King, the Messiah for the Jews. In Mark, Jesus is shown to be a servant, and was written for the Romans. Mark features the disciples, the crowds, and the religious leaders, none of whom understood Jesus. As the prophecies were fulfilled and the time came for Jesus to go to the cross, the religious Pharisees arrested him, the disciples abandoned him, and the crowds criticized him. Only when he died alone on the cross did a Roman centurion recognize that He was the Son of God. The Gospel of Luke was written by a physician, and focuses so much on the healing ministry of Christ. Luke wrote this as a letter for the Greeks, and presented Jesus as a Perfect Man. John is so tender in writing to persuade people to believe in Jesus, the Son of God. The opening verses declare that Jesus is God, stressing his unique relationship with God the Father. Read John 3:16-17 :God met sin with love. The more we step out in love, the more we draw near to God! John 15:34-35 reads, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."
The Bible talks about a love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). [SURPASS]:to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree; be greater than; exceed. Something beyond what we are capable of understanding with our minds! The love that the King of Kings has for you is something you cannot comprehend! God loves your self image whether you like it or not. Dean entertained us some more, "God did facebook. The Lamb's book of life... you've been tagged." The class erupts into laughter at this fifty-something's amazing sense of humor and his capability to relate to this crowd of mostly young adults.
Something deep within me still aches when I look at the last five years of my life. Christ is continually renewing my soul as I look back to the ways I toiled and strived to make something of myself; I sought freedom as a child and became a rebellious teen. I chased freedom down the path of reckless abandon and found myself an angry drug addict. I conformed to the corporate world, climbing "promotion pyramid", and assumed my plastic Barbie doll success was freedom. I shattered the mirror of false identity and believed freedom was arranging a mosaic of my broken, jaded life. I traveled countries and states, a flower child toting a backpack and a peace pipe, and thought walking barefoot and smiling at strangers was freedom. Dancing from one mask to another, I've had a surface faith. As a counterfeit believer I was blind to the bondage and the slavery I was under. I was making my Father an ashtray! What does it mean to be a disciple? The call of Christ is to long for God and the plan He has for your life. Most people I've met in the last two years have made mention of my lifestyle and the freedom I have. Until I made the decision to live for the cause of Christ, I was restricted. There will always be limits to the liberties we gain independently. When we allow God to create in us a heart that is pure, He will break the secret shackles; He will wash away shame and guilt. Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Once you realize that we, as humans, were not made to be alone and embrace God's gift to have fellowship and relationship with our Heavenly Father, you are truly set free.
A Shane and Shane song called "Want it All" is so appropriately my prayer as I write. Wherever I go, I want Christ to be magnified. I want people to look to my life and say, I see Jesus Christ. Imagine if someone looked at your life and said, "if that's Christianity, I don't want it." Jesus is perfect love, that same love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). The enemy has been at work in the world and, generation by generation, has twisted God's truth: Lust is not love, and love never lusts. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love." John 15:9
The High Priestly Prayer (John 17) is such a powerful portion of scripture, ending with, in verse 26, "I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." God is our Father, our Creator, and our Counselor. "'..It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.' (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.'"
John 6:63-65
Will you allow the one who designed you to define you?
Or will you make your Father an ashtray?
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Hebrews 11:6
As the Father's love for us surpasses our knowledge and understanding, so also do His desires surpass our wildest dreams.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
05 February, 2011
Is That Really You, God? - book report
If someone had asked me six months ago where I saw myself headed, it is safe to say I would have been more likely to envision tours through Egyptian pyramids before ever picturing myself holding hands with strangers, praying for a man named Hosni Mubarak. Then again, six months ago, I did not respond to or have knowledge of the tool of Intercessory Prayer. During such times of political unrest in the nation of Egypt, I have been guided to an opportunity in which I can embrace my call as a Christian and fill in the gap by praying for those blinded by the devil’s evil schemes. While reading Is That Really You, God? by Loren Cunningham, I was touched by another time when people stepped in to pray for Kalafi Moala, an original staff member of Youth With a Mission, during a time of backsliding in his faith. Through different people and situations, the Lord spoke tenderly to Kalafi, calling him home and healing his ministry.
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) was merely a dream in the making just over fifty years ago. A vision came to Loren, a young man enthusiastic to join the mission field. He saw young people filled with the love of the one true God crashing like waves across the nations of the world, spreading the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The values that YWAM has incorporated into their ministry are both practical and practiced, giving light to areas newcomers may be skeptical towards. Practicing worship and intercessory prayer has been one of those foundational values I have enjoyed learning about since my arrival in Kona, Hawaii just one month ago. It has been a great step for me in learning to listen for and hear God’s voice. The Lord presented the original staff with many lessons in humility as they listened for His voice and, in turn, followed in obedience. I saw these opportunities clearly as Loren described the plans for the ‘Maori’, and it’s hopes for being the first vessel in YWAM’s mercy ministry. After the life shattering effects Hurricane Cleo had in 1964, a wonderful revelation was given to Loren: a salvation ship! A way to serve places with real needs practically, i.e. food, clothing, building supplies, and the love of Jesus; what our creative human minds can throw together, God will blow out of the water. Loren, with his wife Darlene and friends Jim and Joy Dawson, had the chance to heal the 'Maori', but knew by listening to God’s voice that He would be faithful in resurrecting the vision in an even more powerful way. At an unexpected but perfect time the ‘Anastasis’, (the Greek word for resurrection), was a dream come true. YWAM relied on being visionary in these times of trusting God, and where the youth of that generation saw ships sailing to the lost sheep of this world, my generation is now sending flying cars to do the same.
One of the most profound areas Youth With a Mission specializes in, ironically so, is proclaimed within it’s name. In championing young people for the gospel, I am strengthened in a place with people my own age, learning to value myself and others; gaining insight for the Lord’s will for my life. When I look back to the Olympic games of 1972, held in Munich, Germany, it is obvious there were hundreds of lives changed by the kids for Christ present during such catastrophe. It was the first few visionaries who took the leaps of faith and now testify to the effectiveness of the Cunningham’s schools of evangelism. Loren’s willingness to train young people for missions was quickly honored by God as he received blessing and revelation to begin schools where students were raised in a family of believers and then sent out to minister to the nations. By doing first, then teaching, leaders have immediate connection to the students who come to join the missionary and discipleship training schools. They have been faced with many situations that provide them with experiences that relate to questions, more so than any answers you could read in a how-to manual. Interestingly enough, the how-to manual we use is the 66 books of the Bible, and the staff are prepared to teach you “how to” use it as the weapon it was designed to be.
The University of the Nations base in Kona is precious in it’s calling. Complete with a school of Biblical studies (SBS) and discipleship training school (DTS), there are forms of mercy ministries by community outreach right here on campus. Jesus loves the little children, and the preschool here is blessed with riches of the little ones’ trust in an Uncreated God who loves without end. Na' Kupono is a ministry within the College of Counseling & Health Care facility and is a place of great healing for the broken.
Branching out, I would imagine, was always the direction Loren, Darlene, and so many others stood firm in as they accepted Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. I can also imagine the strife they endured for standing by the decision to make YWAM interdenominational and international. The era in which they began this foundation must have been filled with people judgmentally disqualifying them from the vision they were so clearly given from our Heavenly Father. It was a time where God placed within you a call to a country, not to the whole world. It is a world where young people are expected only to accomplish the completion of more education. In love, those burned bridges have been mended, and it is because of God Almighty’s faithfulness that I write now from a room where I am but one of seven roommates from four different countries. Seven girls from different worlds entirely, unique in the intricate design God so specifically engineered, continuing to learn to love one another as ourselves and love the Savior who showed obedience to His Father. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) was merely a dream in the making just over fifty years ago. A vision came to Loren, a young man enthusiastic to join the mission field. He saw young people filled with the love of the one true God crashing like waves across the nations of the world, spreading the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The values that YWAM has incorporated into their ministry are both practical and practiced, giving light to areas newcomers may be skeptical towards. Practicing worship and intercessory prayer has been one of those foundational values I have enjoyed learning about since my arrival in Kona, Hawaii just one month ago. It has been a great step for me in learning to listen for and hear God’s voice. The Lord presented the original staff with many lessons in humility as they listened for His voice and, in turn, followed in obedience. I saw these opportunities clearly as Loren described the plans for the ‘Maori’, and it’s hopes for being the first vessel in YWAM’s mercy ministry. After the life shattering effects Hurricane Cleo had in 1964, a wonderful revelation was given to Loren: a salvation ship! A way to serve places with real needs practically, i.e. food, clothing, building supplies, and the love of Jesus; what our creative human minds can throw together, God will blow out of the water. Loren, with his wife Darlene and friends Jim and Joy Dawson, had the chance to heal the 'Maori', but knew by listening to God’s voice that He would be faithful in resurrecting the vision in an even more powerful way. At an unexpected but perfect time the ‘Anastasis’, (the Greek word for resurrection), was a dream come true. YWAM relied on being visionary in these times of trusting God, and where the youth of that generation saw ships sailing to the lost sheep of this world, my generation is now sending flying cars to do the same.
One of the most profound areas Youth With a Mission specializes in, ironically so, is proclaimed within it’s name. In championing young people for the gospel, I am strengthened in a place with people my own age, learning to value myself and others; gaining insight for the Lord’s will for my life. When I look back to the Olympic games of 1972, held in Munich, Germany, it is obvious there were hundreds of lives changed by the kids for Christ present during such catastrophe. It was the first few visionaries who took the leaps of faith and now testify to the effectiveness of the Cunningham’s schools of evangelism. Loren’s willingness to train young people for missions was quickly honored by God as he received blessing and revelation to begin schools where students were raised in a family of believers and then sent out to minister to the nations. By doing first, then teaching, leaders have immediate connection to the students who come to join the missionary and discipleship training schools. They have been faced with many situations that provide them with experiences that relate to questions, more so than any answers you could read in a how-to manual. Interestingly enough, the how-to manual we use is the 66 books of the Bible, and the staff are prepared to teach you “how to” use it as the weapon it was designed to be.
The University of the Nations base in Kona is precious in it’s calling. Complete with a school of Biblical studies (SBS) and discipleship training school (DTS), there are forms of mercy ministries by community outreach right here on campus. Jesus loves the little children, and the preschool here is blessed with riches of the little ones’ trust in an Uncreated God who loves without end. Na' Kupono is a ministry within the College of Counseling & Health Care facility and is a place of great healing for the broken.
Branching out, I would imagine, was always the direction Loren, Darlene, and so many others stood firm in as they accepted Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations. I can also imagine the strife they endured for standing by the decision to make YWAM interdenominational and international. The era in which they began this foundation must have been filled with people judgmentally disqualifying them from the vision they were so clearly given from our Heavenly Father. It was a time where God placed within you a call to a country, not to the whole world. It is a world where young people are expected only to accomplish the completion of more education. In love, those burned bridges have been mended, and it is because of God Almighty’s faithfulness that I write now from a room where I am but one of seven roommates from four different countries. Seven girls from different worlds entirely, unique in the intricate design God so specifically engineered, continuing to learn to love one another as ourselves and love the Savior who showed obedience to His Father. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:8
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