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Sunday, December 16, 2012

Colombia Team - Outreach Preparation Week

Just a short snippet of the Colombia team preparing for outreach with the drama 'Shackles'.  This was when we were still learning the dance moves...


Hot Cheetos and Takis - YPDTS Staff Represent!


The crazy things that happen when you have a group of young people and a group of young-at-heart staff (who are still young) that are challenged to come up with a presentation from each of their rooms.  This one is the YPDTS Fall 2012 Staff presentation of 'Hot Cheetos and Takis'!

(Video by Maria)

12 Weeks of DTS (A Vocal Video Production)

An adaptation of 'The 12 Days of Christmas' with a DTS (Discipleship Training School) flair.  Created and presented by all YPDTS (Young Peoples DTS) staff and students at their December Love Feast.

(Video created by Lynelle)

Destiny by Design!


Every person on earth was designed with a call of God on their lives.  Most people don’t recognize that it has been there all along and is not going away.

Do you know what God’s call is on your life?
Do you know how to discover it?
Do you know how to help others realize theirs?

Destiny by Design was created to help people answer these questions.

Your calling is not something you have to come up with yourself.  You were created with a plan of God inside of you.  Do you want to know what that is?  God knows, and He wants you to know. 
Destiny by Design was created to help you walk through this process.




(http://www.destinybydesign.org/)

NEFARIOUS: Merchant of Souls - The Trailer



What is Nefarious?
Nefarious is a documentary trilogy which unleashes the veil covering the sex industry in the World as we know it today.  It shows that prostitutes aren't really prostitutes, children aren't really children, and the World is more corrupt than we realise.

The video in this post is just the trailer for the first Nefarious film (of the trilogy) with part two and three still being created.

For more information on what Nefarious is and how you can be a part of breaking this corrupt cycle visit www.nefariousdocumentary.com

Friday, December 14, 2012

ANDREW IN NIGERIA

One of our YPDTS (Young Peoples Discipleship Training School) leaders, Andrew Farland, has recently returned home after spending a couple of weeks in Nigeria.  Here's a few of his posts (from facebook) to describe some of the amazing things that happened.


http://impactnigeria.net/  <-- website with a little bit of information on what they're doing.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dLk6K4_Ra3I)



Ethan Renoe
Hey, everyone! The team for Impact Nigeria leaves today to rock the nation for the Lord! We're expecting thousands to come hear the gospel message, so if we could all be covering them in prayer, that would be awesome! — with Andrew Farland andIsrael Carbajal.
"Welcome to Dallas where the local time is 2:34" :-)

New York

Arrived safely in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Yesterday we prayed and prepared for the Discipleship Event, and we really saw God move as we prayed for the floodgates to open and it started raining really hard. Today we are traveling to the first village to meet with the pastors of Iskiopo and visit the field where we will be hosting 7,000-10,000 people for 3 nights to come and hear the GOOD NEWS of JESUS! :) It really is good news. In 2 days we will also be hosting our Discipleship Youth Conference. Thank you Jesus for being good, you deserve the glory!
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I hate being "Comfortable" as the word would be defined in the terms of society in America. I've always been dissatisfied with the options I was given in comfort. I heard myself mutter under my breath today "This is where I am most alive." I feel like I am serving God's purposes, changing lives, my gifts are used, the body is encouraged, and new believers are coming into the kingdom. I don't want 
to be comfortable. I don't even want a good life. At the end of this thing,  what will I say was a good use of my time? What will my stories be about? Would I rather have a few good stories or make my life the story? Jesus PLEASE take my comfort away that hinders my growth in you and my relationship with you. Kill the virus of culture that dampens the depth, the love, the joy. Bless these people in Nigeria Father. They know you.

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Today the main speaker at our youth conference bailed, looks like I will be free styling for an hour on God's heart for Nigeria and inspiring 2,000 university students, bring on the fire Lord! # I was made for this.
Hello Everyone. :) Just got internet again. So far we have seen 70+ young leaders make commitments to be transformational leaders in Nigeria through our discipleship event. Today by God's grace we will preach the gospel to 5,000 people. I will be sharing a message on "Jesus is the answer" Please pray for people to be touched by God's Spirit. Tonight begins 6 nights of meetings. People on our team are walking in freedom, getting free from past struggles, and learning to break through the enemies resistance. Proud to serve the ONLY God that pursues me today! Blessings from Nigeria!


I got a picture of one person. and I felt like God said a big part of the reason you are there was because He was going to use you to impact the life of one specific person, who would be set off into their destiny. I asked who the person was, but I felt he said, "does it matter?" every moment of every day and night...live, act, and obey as if the destiny of that one person is going to be decided. One person in the places you are staying. One person who drives a bus. One person who commits to lead other. One person who gives their life to God. One person on your team. God will do the rest. Praying for you!


   
Cherished Friends and Family!

Many of you know last year I had an impression on my heart from God to come to Nigeria and spend some time seeing "Lives visibly altered by God's Love" Well, 9.5 months of planning, two scouting trips and lots of meetings later, WE ARE HERE! Our team of 6 (Israel, Ashley, Katrina, Sue, Bethany, and myself) arrived safely on the Nov 18th at 7pm. We met with our conta
ct at the Port Harcourt, Nigeria Airport and got some much needed rest.

We have been very amazed at what is happening here and how God is using our teams to not only impact people but an entire nation. We are so thankful for YOU and everything you have done to help out. Whether it was giving financially, spending time in prayer for us, or even just being a wonderful support system, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU! We want you to know that without your support NONE of this would be possible. Even though you are not physically here in Nigeria with us, this message is part of your inheritance...

Our prayer for you is threefold.
1) That God would continue to open the eyes of your heart
2) You would understand the glorious riches of His inheritance
3) You would understand the Raw power of God inside of you to love others and bring hope into peoples lives.

We want to make this email short and sweet, so here it is...

-The first two days we put on a Discipleship Training Schools for youth in Port Harcourt.
*80 Youth made commitments to become transformational leaders in their communities.
*Each Impact Nigeria Team member taught an hour-long class that equipped those in attendance.
*Our contact is printing off over 30 testimonies which we will later share with you FROM the people.

Today was our first night time evangelistic meeting out of three to reach the people for Jesus in Ubimini.
*I preached on "Jesus is the answer"
*15-20 people were physically miraculously healed of various ailments through prayer.
*80-90 people gave their lives to the Lord and started their faith journey.
*We were able to hand out 100 gift bibles to get the people started in Discipleship.
*Connected the people to local pastors and church bodies for further Discipleship.

We were the first white people this whole community had ever seen, and the first white people to ever minister to them. It was funny watching Ashley run to the kids, and them run away half scared and half curious. That time ended in a not so frightening play time! Everyone wonders if the girls on our team are famous singers or not. Its quite enjoyable!

I must say, this is quite the adventure. Dreams are coming true, people are growing, and we are learning what it takes to step out in faith.

We will be back in the United States Dec 5th. It will be so sad to leave this place.

We are also making a documentary that we plan to show at college campuses, youth groups, and mission training events. If you or your church would be interested in hosting us and watching the 25 minute movie, please let us know! We would love to come speak and encourage your friends!

I pray that the Lord would bless you and keep you, and make his face to shine upon you today.

Andrew and the Impact Nigeria Team

Prayer points:
We have 5 more nights of night time campaigns, please pray for good health, rest, and that the people would be blessed. Pray for our contact Humphrey, that God would bless his obedience to host and serve us, and for all the people who come to know Jesus-that their lives would be forever changed!
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90 people saved. First night in Ubimini!
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  • Enrique Midence Wow praise jesus
    23 hours ago · Like · 1
  • Rachel Hergert Yeah!!!! Come on!!
  • Ethan Renoe WOOOOOOO
  • Spending the day preparing for the 2nd night in Ubimini! We get the honor of spending the day with Mosy Madugba, an anointed man of God who meets with world leaders, he will be preaching. What an honor to serve Jesus today and get inspired by men who have followed him for 30+ years. Help me know more of you today Jesus!
    Like · 
    • Mary LefeverKatie Beard and 11 others like this.

      November 27th (E-MAIL)

      We Love you and BLESS you! 

      Tonight was our FINAL night in Ubimini. With the rest of our time we wanted to honor and bless the local elders, pastors, and chiefs who made this whole event come together. 

      We held a ceremony to "clothe" the pastors and give out gift bibles for their churches as well as handing out native fabric to commemorate our thankfulness to them! 300 bibles were distributed in all. 

      We also call
      ed forward any people in attendance that wanted to recommit their lives to Jesus. 25 people came forward and received a blessing from Rev. Humphrey Nisrim.

      Their names were written down and the pastors met with them to welcome them into their new church family. They were each given a bible before they departed.

      After that we had a time to share testimonies and the people called us forward to pray over us. Rev. Nisrim heard the Lord say to us "The gates of the nations are open to you now."

      ...This was amazing confirmation of what God was speaking to us. Before this Impact trip, God told me that the people who joined this vision would receive a key that would open the doors of nations, may God lead us as we go!

      Pastors told us that because of our sacrifice to come to Nigeria, God healed their land.

      THANK YOU JESUS. TAKE YOUR GLORY!

      In 3 days...
      1,500 People HEAR the Gospel
      345 Salvations
      300 Bibles Distributed
      20+ Recorded Healings including BLIND EYES OPENING.

      Again, thank you everyone for praying we LOVE you, and can't wait to see you, and give you all a big HUG!

      Andrew and the Impact Team! :)

      Next we have 2 rest days with conferences at night and then the next 3 days of Crusade events!

Prayer Points... in a nutshell ;)







This was created by my leader, Jenna, and hopefully it gives you a quick idea of what we're doing and who we're seeing, when, etc.  If you could pray (see points below) that would be amazing!  Thank you so much for all your support and love.  Blessings to you all and GBUG (God Bless U Good)!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Seek His Face!

I'm realising that this past week God has been teaching me to seek His face.

One of Peter Warren's quotes he said during the 'Acts One' conference (held in week 4, in Colorado Springs) was "Seek His face, not His hand".

I love this saying and have tried to press into doing that as I believe it is vital to surviving life, but in watching 'The Passion of Christ' on Thursday and reading "Compelled by Life" by Heidi Baker tonight, God has revealed to me, that we're not only to seek His face over seeking His hands, but we are also to not look at our problems, worries, issues, debts, due dates, etc. but continue (or start) looking at (and focusing on) His face.

Yes, these situations can add pressures on us, but God's face is our rock solid foundation.  It is our relationship with Him that will provide stability in the rest of life.  No matter how shaky life is, God is ALWAYS firm, solid and unbreakable!


Love Feast ~ 12 Weeks of DTS Song

This video is from one of my team mates and room mates, Lynelle, but basically each table was given 2 pieces of paper, with a one week (on each piece of paper) of our DTS (discipleship training school) and we had to come up with something that we did in that week and convert it into words that matched the tune of '12 Days of Christmas' and this is what we came up with... :P

Love Feast ~ YP Staff's Presentation of Hot Cheetos and Takis

Last night we had 'Love Feast' where we join together as a family and celebrate the last 10 weeks together. A part of the night was doing a talent show - each room presented something. This video (filmed by one of my team mates) was our awesome YP Staff's presentation. Watch it. THEY ARE LEGENDS!!!


Monday, December 03, 2012

Meet the staff of the Fall 2012 YPDTS @ Eagle Rock!


Hey guys,
So I thought I’d just introduce you all to the staffthat are running the YPDTS!  These guys are awesome people of God, walking in His ways and encouraging each of us to find our identity in Christ (going to Him for support, rather than them or other people) whilst also being there for support.  They are not just leaders, they are not just friends, they are family!

Mark & Donna MacGowan (Colorado formerly Virginia)

These guys are the YPDTS and Eagle Rock Base Directors (or rather, Mark is thedirector and Donna is his lovely and a true representative of ‘Proverbs 31’wife).  They’ve staffed the YPDTS for 20years already (leading a total of 27.5 DTSs – not all YPDTS) and have a strongpassion for God.  Mark and Donna bothbecame Christians, where Jesus became their personal saviour and friend in the60s-70s, through the Jesus Movement that occurred in America during that time.





Eric & Amy Barlow (Pennsylvania & New Jersey)


(and their kids - Malachi and Lucas)

When I think of disciples of Christ, I think of theseguys.  They’re under thirty years of ageand have such a huge heart for God, His children (everyone) and representingthe body of Christ with everything they have no matter what struggles they’regoing through or have gone through.  One ofthe many things that these guys are passionate about is living out the Word ofGod (the Bible) and using it in everyday situations. 

Amy, being my small group leader and one-on-one has helped in rekindling mypassion for God’s Word and learning how to apply it to every day life.

Eric is an adept Settlers of Catan fan, eager to challenge anyone to a game.  He's also a great leader, filling in for Mark, as director of the school, when he's away. 

Their sons, Malachi (3) and Lucas (9 months) are the cheekiest yet funniest kids you’llever meet.  Malachi has such intelligenceand wit that it’s crazy to believe he’s only just turned 3.  When I talk to him I feel like I am talkingto someone around my age.  He often hasquestions or comments that leave you wondering what God has in store forsomeone who has wisdom and knowledge and curiosity beyond his age.  It’s going to be amazing that’s for sure!




Jenna Cassel (Pennsylvania)




For a 23 year old, this beautiful woman of God has theleadership of a Loawnu.  She is wise,strong and very capable and she has beauty that cannot be marred – internally andexternally.  Jenna is also the head leaderof the Colombian team, with Joel as her assistant.  For someone so young, she has a heart biggerthan the World!  It’s huge!







Joel Bishop (California)




As stated above, Joel is the other leader that is going toColombia.  He’s big into sports,seemingly volleyball at the moment (mind you it’s also the only sport we really play up at the mountain), and has a heart to genuinely know people andmake situations fun.  He has a greatcharacter that makes people feel at ease and welcomed into any situation.  Joel also likes turtles!









Mary Lefever (Pennsylvania)




This woman of God is one of the boldest and most influentialwomen that I have ever come across.  Sheis strong and powerful, and crazily anointed with the Holy Spirit, lettingnothing sway her from the path that God has placed her on.  Saying that though, Mary is also one thatsearches for fun and milks it for all it’s worth!  This beautiful chica definitely knows how tomake life an adventure and shares it with all around her!










Andrew Farland (California)






From a child that should have been aborted, to beingadopted; having heaps of money to surrendering it all to God and following thecall on his life of being a missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), thiscrazy kid is as fun as they get. 

These past few weeks he has been in Nigeria starting arevival with a group of other people (www.impactnigeria.net)where amazing things have been happening in Jesus’ name.  He’s also the head leader of the YPDTS Africateam, who will be going to Rwanda and Uganda in two weeks. 

One thing that amazes me about Andrew is how he genuinelywants to know you as an individual, and how God sees you, and he’s willing andeager to pray for you and hear and share God’s personal word for you! 









Kelsey Gilchrist (Ontario, Canada)

Kelsey with Malachi Barlow

Up on top of Eagle Rock



Snowboarding, trailblazing, rock climbing, adventure seeking…this chica knows how to live life to the extreme.  She’s only 21 but has lived life a lot morethan most twenty-one year olds and has discovered God in a real and intimateway that has resulted in her living her life for Him and helping others knowhow they can have this life too by the choices that they make daily.   She’shelped me learn that I am in control of the choice that leads my life and I amthe one that needs to choose it daily! This beautiful woman of God is also Andrew’s assistant on the upcomingoutreach in Africa.








Bradley and Emily McKay (Oregon & South Dakota)


Emily and Israel (Izzy - 1 y.o.)

Brad snowboarding


This beautiful couple, whilst not leading the YPDTS schoolitself, are a very important part of the staff up here at Eagle Rock.  Brad looks after the IT area, but also playshis hand in maintenance (my work duty) and joining in on the volleyballgames.  Emily, his lovely wife, althoughoften looking after Izzy, has been a dear friend to me.  She was one of the first leaders that made mefeel welcomed and has the sweetest heart. Both these guys testimonies are amazing and whilst the journey has notbeen easy for them they have big hearts for people who are struggling, gonethrough addictions and/or mental illnesses, and are also eager to help leadpeople to the light of Jesus and freedom!








Lars Lindquist (Colorado)



     
Meet Lars, he’s one schnazzi dude!  He’s also the leader for Costa Rica!  This bro knows how to pull a fashionstatement that creates trends, as well as play multiple musical instruments(with talent) and get fully into the word. He’s even made previous YPDTS leaders (having done his DTS as a YPDTSstudent a few years ago) make changes to the curriculum by asking the question/statement“We do a lot of book reports, but for a Christian/missionary school we don’topen the Bible for assessment often”. This resulted in weekly Bible readings being implemented into ourcurriculum which has definitely resulted in growth for most of us.  This guy is definitely a trend setter for thekingdom of God that has a heart for getting to know people and making Christknown!







Veronica Beck (Pennsylvania)

 





A woman of many colours, Veronica has an identity thatallows her to fit into any crowd without trying and without being fake.  She’s a gamer, an adventure seeker, acleaner, a cook, a medic, a worshipper, a movie lover and a woman of God (amongmany other great qualities).   Her quirkypersonality allows people to feel like they belong without changing themselvesand her hunger to persevere is inspiring beyond measure!  She is truly one of a kind, but being one ofa kind she fits the missing puzzle piece perfectly and is one great godlychica!




  

Megan McClimans (Illinois)




Nineteen, beautiful and a leader in God’s kingdom (and alsohere at Eagle Rock and on YPDTS), this stunning daughter of girl has thesweetest, cheekiest heart.  She knows howto make you smile without trying and has a sweet skill in hospitality!  This bella make come across as gentle andsweet but she’s definitely a fierce warrior of the Lord Jesus Christ!






Isaac Burkhead (Illinois)





Another one of the younguns, this bloke is also ferventlyafter God’s heart.  He’s down to earthand is a top gun bloke in that he’s genuinely interested in people.  Isaac also dotes on his girlfriend Megan,with a godly character that defines him as a true gentleman and it’s such anencouragement to see that this love still exists!  Isaac has his passions of pokemon and severalother anime shows, but that doesn’t stop him from hitting the slopes and sportsregularly and just chilling with the guys around him.







Danny Churman (Pennsylvania)




Danny is our chef in the kitchen, organising all the menusand meals for every day that we’re here.  He’s also in charge of accounts, whilst we’reup at Eagle Rock, and our go to man for making payments or getting updates onhow much support is risen. He’s quirky and fun and likes to have a game ofvolleyball with anyone who’s playing, as well as being able to relate well tothe base (and the world’s) children, no matter what their age.   







Alex Haney (Michigan)





Alex is one of those guys that when you get to know him you’lllove him.  He’s so gentle hearted andcaring that Christ shines straight through him. His role at Eagle Rock is to assist Danny in the kitchen and also fillin with other jobs, one of which is supervising the afternoon kitchen work crew.  Often you’ll see him sitting and reading hisBible, sometimes with a hot drink, but usually just basking in the sunlight andconversing with God.  Alex is also onewho’ll have a hit at the volleyball when a game is on, as well as watching his Sundayfootball and is one (of the few) who actually likes and plays soccer (when weplay it)!  He’s a true blue legend that’sfor sure!








Christin Seigle (Germany)



Christin (pronounced Christine) is our newest staff member,who took up the challenge of filling in the deep shoes of Andrew’s role whilst hewas in Africa.  We are now blessed withher being allowed to stay with us until we go on outreach.  But this gem of a treasure is truly that, atreasure.  Whilst English is not herfirst language, she is so sweet and caring that it’s amazing!  She’s qualified as a dance teacher – helping uswith some of our outreach skits/dramas/dances, and just got back from staffingand leading the Summer outreach (June – October).  Her passion for people’s true identity to bein Christ is real encouraging, as is her hunger on just getting to know eachperson individually!