I am worn out!

Praise God! Is it possible to be so excited and encouraged that you are just exhausted? I just finished with the KBC evangelism conference. It was interesting, informative, challenging but most of all it was confirming. As I said before, I know God is taking me down a different road that I have never been down before. Truthfully, I was afraid to go down the road, but as most of you know we are along for the ride when God is in control. I am excited about what He wants me to do and I am excited to see the plan that he has for me as He reveals it to me. I'd like to thank brother Kevin Thomas for inviting me to this conference. He has been a great source of advice and encouragement.

In the next couple of days I plan on writing up some of the highlights that God showed me through the speakers at the conference. I feel as though I have sat through over a dozen sermons in two days. I really want to let God work on me as I review my notes, but rest assured He really has some things for me to share with you all. I pray that I can deliver even just a fraction of the knowledge He gave me.

Amazing how God works!

Okay, I know that I should not be amazed but I am. I was supposed to go back to Columbus for a follow up seminar from D2S. I really did not want to go by myself and I had to drive six hours for a three hour seminar. However, I did not have anything else to do so I prayed about going. Really, I did not want to go. God answered my prayer thru my friend Kevin Thomas. He invited me to the KBC (Kentucky Baptist Convention) annual Evangalism conference. Here we go again. I had a great time today (only half day, full day tomorrow and I can't wait) and had so many things confirmed in where I think that God is taking his youth group.

It is late tonite, but hopefully I will write about what I learned in the next few days. Tonite, I just want to share my thoughts about evangelism. I have said for a long time that I am not an evangelist. That is part of the reason that I know God wants to take the Tribe down this road is because it is going to stretch me. But as I sat in these seminars today, it has become abundantly clear that we are all called to be evangelists. God, I confess to you that I am unsure why you are pushing me toward evangelism, but I am going to be obedient to what you have told me to do. I look forward to being apart of the revolution that you are starting in the tates creek area. Let's all get ready and do something.

A B.A.S.I.C. Winter

Following the D2S conference, we then repacked our bags and headed to western KY to our winter camp. We traditionally go to B.A.S.I.C. Training down on the hill in Hardin, KY. Our winter camp is only for a weekend (summer camp is for a whole week) but there is still a whole lot of teaching and fellowship.

This year, Bob Warren chose to speak on leadership. You know, I know that I should not be surprised at how God works, but who do you think that he chose as his example. You guessed it. David and Goliath. We used 1 Sam. 17 as a reference. It was just awesome to see that God was giving us a different perspective on what we had just learned in Columbus.

The main themes for leadership is to have wisdom (the ability to see life through God's eyes), not to get discouraged (Acts 14:19,20), have a passion and people will follow (Paul and Timothy), have a pure heart (seek God first, 1 Tim. 1:15) and most of all never compromise. We should be the "peer" pressure. Again, all very similar to the D2S conference. Bob told the kids that "the truth can be forgotten, you need to be repeatative". (again, should I be surprised at how God gets his message across?) The same point was taught in Columbus. Take the 48 hour challange or else you won't ever do it.

Most of the same kids that went to D2S also went to B.A.S.I.C. so I hope that they all picked up on it. It is always refreshing to spend some time on the hill. If you have never been or want to know more about it I have a link to their website (as well as D2S) at the top of this blog. Visit some time.

One Way -- Last Friday

Like I said, I know I am behind. Please be patient with me while I try to catch up.

Last Friday's One Way was amazing. It was so awesome to see the Holy Spirit fall. We started by showing the kids (and yes the friends of the crew that went to D2S did show up) the promo video to the D2S conference so that they would have an idea about what it was like. We then had the six that went share their testimonies about what had happened. Again, I was so in awe how God had affected each youth in different ways. I should not be surprised, He knew how to get to each of them, but it is still amazing to see the results. Well, when the young man who gave his life to Christ over the weekend shared, let me tell you there was not a dry eye in the house. He was so genuine that it really got to the other kids that were there. He then practically gave an alter call and told them that they really needed to pray about where they were with Christ. We then told the kids that those six would be in the back if anyone had any questions or prayer requests. Then we played some worship music and had some quiet time for the kids to spend time with God.

The crew then went to the back of the room and (all on their own) joined hands and prayed. Are these kids getting it or what!?! After awhile, I went back to them and told them not to be discouraged if no one came up to them right now. That they should be ready because people would be coming up to them through out the day. We then all prayed for those people to come and them to be ready. Just so awesome to witness the power of God.

Well, the report I got at the end of the day was amazing. Half a dozen kids made appointments to speak with the councelor (who went with us to D2S) and she lead two kids to Christ (right there in school). She has other meetings set up with other kids who have questions. Wow! We also had some kids ask if we were going to any other D2S conferences this year because they wanted to go.

Just amazing. I am so blessed just to see God's power working in these young lives. I just pray that the revolution will keep going as these kids realize what having a relationship with Jesus Christ is all about.

48 hour report

I know that it is much later than 48 hours since we have been to the conference. I know that I am behind (feeling the blogging pressure) but here we go anyway.

My first report came back monday morning after we got back. I recieved a phone call from one of our girls that said she had shared the G.O.S.P.E.L. with one of her friends on sunday nite when she go home. Guess what? Her friend listened and agreed to come to One Way on friday. Wow. She took the 48 min challenge. Other reports came back very similar. Some of the kids graduated from P.U. (Persecution University) but were still happy they tried. All in all the Southern kids shared and invited some people to One Way. Our kids had similar reports. Some people listened while others would have nothing to do with it. I keep telling them their only job is to share, not to convince. Only God can change someones heart, but they need to be ready and willing to do their part. It was awesome to see the kids excited about sharing their faith.

Revolution -- Sunday

What a bunch of LOSERs. Thats what we are. We went to the conference as either rebels or posers, but came home LOSERs. (This is based on Matthew 10:39 which says "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.") Sunday morning we all got up and went to the early service at Beechwold Christian Church. They have a "blended" service (which some of the kids "prayed" through) where they recognized us and what the conference was about. I can't thank Beechwold enough for housing us for the weekend.

We packed up the cars, were sent off with a prayer from Jim and Maria (worship leaders who primarily took care of us) and then we were on the road back to Lexington. We stopped for lunch in Florence (y'all) and decided to have a debriefing session after. We had everyone speak about what touched them about the conference. It was amazing to hear the testimonies from these kids. Most of all it was amazing to see how each of these kids (and adults) were affected in so many different ways. Some like the worship, others the skits, some really liked going out in streets, some was the concert and others liked the youth room at Beechwold. God touched these kids in whatever part of themselves that He had to. Now if that doesn't show you how much He cares about each of us I don't what does. The highlight for me (they were all highlights) was when the boy I told you about earlier (on Friday) said that he had always had a head knowledge of Jesus, but really did not believe. That was until Friday nite. Friday he knew that the Holy Spirit was in that conference center and he truly gave his life to Christ. What a LOSER. What a way to cap off a weekend.

We then challenged them to take the 48 hour challenge. That is to share the G.O.S.P.E.L. with someone within 48 hours. They all agreed and we sent them off with a prayer. Then finally on the road back to LEX. I spoke to a few parents where we dropped the kids off and thanked them for their support.