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Testimonies
These testimonies come from students and adult leaders from around the country representing a wide variety of denominations, who have experienced God on one of our urban mission adventures. Please take some time and read these accounts of the Lord Jesus Christ impacting the emerging church.
PARK AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA
Wow! First I want to say you all have been a big part of changing my life! In this town I saw sadness, but at your service (Sat.) I saw the light in people. The Lord has shown me how to put my full focus on Him and how I should worship Him all day… I wanted to thank you for everything you all have done for us, and I want you to know you all have been totally awesome this week! Thanks again! Jennifer Welch -Student
The worship really hit me hard. When I would go to church I would be ashamed to clap. The only reason why I would do it was because my friends would do it. But now I learned that it REALLY doesn't matter what other people think about me. When I would worship here I really felt like I was the only one in the room. I wouldn't do it because other people would do it, I would do it because I felt the Holy Spirit move in me! I never would have gotten stronger with God in that area if it wasn't for all you guys! I really appreciate that! I went sooo much deeper with God than I could have imagined! When I would walk into his presence I felt Sooo much joy it was unbelievable! It was joy I had never experienced before! I thank you guys again! You took me places, spiritually, that I had never dreamed of! I love all ya'll! Billie Murray - Student
The Lord has made me more intimate with Him this week and I've loved every minute of it. This is the closest I've ever been to the Lord. I've built new friendships this week too. That also was great. But the thing I'm most thankful for is being able to come to this trip and meet all the great people. I'll never forget Joe, James, Gabe, Chris, Clayton, Brad, Both Shawn's, and Melissa and Andy. All of you were great all of you made a great impact in my life, and I won't forget any of you. Nick Myers - Student
This week was awesome. I learned so much, not just about the Bible, but I learned how to give with all my heart. I loved children, prayed for strangers, gave to the poor, and grew closer to god. I think I definitely saw Jesus in a lot of people. Jill Bryant - Student
I saw Jesus in the eyes of many. It has given a charge to the calling on my life to pray for the nations. I also have not worked and lived in a black ghetto before. "He" opened my eyes to new ways to pray for those in our own country. I will never forget the feel of the child, Damien, in my arms at the Grace Eaton nursery. His outlook in the natural is bleak, but through the power of Christ there is hope for him. May His richest blessings be yours! See you in June 2002! In Spirit and truth walk forward in faith. Malachi 4:2
Cathy Mattews - Adult Leader
[These are Happy's exact words. I copied them to this paper so I could share what she wrote with her mother. Thanks for stretching and blessing my daughter and myself.]
He helped me to love others.
He helped me to be bold.
He helped me care on people. Happy- 2nd grade student, daughter of one of the youth leaders
SONLIGHT WESLYN CHURCH BLUFTON, INDIANA
During this week God has helped me to become more spiritually in tune with Him. He has brought me closer to Him. I have learned to just worship no matter who is around watching you. Just close your eyes and imagine you are worshiping at the feet of God. Just you and Him alone. This week has been the most memorable week in my life.
Jonathon Wafford - Student
The Lord has done so many things in my life this week, it is almost indescribable. I was able to get to know the Lord better throughout the week because everyday we were able to worship Him. This helped me draw so much closer to Him than I previously was. The Lord has also blessed me with so many new friends. After the third day it was so easy for many of us to share with people we may never have. I loved meeting the little children, who even though they never met you, loved on you deeply. I also was blessed when meeting my first homeless person. This was the first time I was truly blessed. This week has truly been a life changing event for me. I saw Jesus through many people. I hope our youth group can stay united, and continue to draw closer. Eden Studebaker - Student
This week God pointed out a lot of sin in my life. I have repented and now I have a healthy, strong, and happy relationship with God. Ben Habegger - Student
Wow, where do I begin! The Lord has opened my eyes to see people in a new perspective, not by what they look like on the outside, but to see them on the inside. Also, God really touched my life through the children of Jo Johnston; I never thought my heart would be so broken and hurt so much to see what these children go through… Finally God really touched me through the love of these children. They didn't care who you were, what you've done, nothing, and that kind of love is so precious and I guess the best way to put that kind of love into words is unconditional love. That automatic love was really special to me and touched my life in many ways.
Thanks, Jessica Starkey - Student
Through this week the Lord showed Himself to me. On the3rd day here I gave myself to Him. After that my week was awesome; I crossed my own boundaries that I would never cross. I shared the word of God with people in places I would never have thought. The Lord brought me closer to Him and my group. Through this week I guess the Lord did everything with me. Katie Spencer - Student
So many things. All the goals I set for myself and for the kids were all achieved in abundance. Then God continued to stretch all of us even more. Life changing! The biggest thing for me was an opening up of myself to God's work within me and through me and the blessing of seeing God's power working and honoring that openess in my life. God is much bigger than I was giving Him credit for. Most of this week I felt as if I got anymore God in my life that I would not be able to handle it, that I would literally die, I was so filled with God's presence this week. Thank-you all. God was at work in all of us and through all of us. My prayers are with you and your ministry. Salvation for Jo Jo!
Pastor James Matchette - Youth Pastor
DYER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DYER, INDIANA
God is soooo awesome! God took burdens of my mothers death from me this week and helped me to understand that everything will be okay and that I have to face my problems. He also told me that not everyone is called into the mission field, but that your occupation can be used as a mission…God also brought our team closer. I thank Him for that and I pray that we don't let our fire for God sizzle after we return home, but that we become a forest fire for God and reach out to the rest of our youth group and congregation and others! Michelina Hill - Student
Awesome stuff. I know that my faith has grown so much. Also, I believe in prayer so much more…The Lord has given me insight on what to do with my life. I feel that missionary work may be my calling. Seeing everyone in action this week has inspired me even more. The Lord has also given me the gift of seeing Him this week in every Jo-Jo kid, every homeless person, even the people we saw while sight-seeing. The amount of blessings that God has given me cannot be measured by our standards, only by His. Thanks for everything, you have all touched my life so much! Abby -Student
LA CROIX UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI
It has been a great experience a definite mile marker in the life of my students and leaders. In my own life God really ministered to my heart through the eyes of children who see no color, who look past titles and facades, who give even more than they receive. I will never forget the little girl (who did not know me and had never hung out with me) who ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck and said "I have been looking for you everywhere!" How God pursues us is amazing!
The tears and broken hearts of my students is priceless, it's what my leadership team and I have been praying for and without a doubt God has heard us. Standing in the midst of a shower of darts and arrows has been worth it. Thanks Brad and team. What a joy to have been a witness to what the Lord is doing in your ministry! What a joy to see the joy of you using your talents in surrender to Him. We'll pray for you on our early Tuesdays and will be looking forward to seeing you again!
Your partner and sister in ministry, Kasy Hitt - Youth Pastor
As a youth leader you are always looking for what is going on in the lives of the students- what God is doing in them, but in the process Jesus caught me off guard, and ROCKED MY WORLD! Carrie Johnson - Adult Leader
He broke me. He taught me how to love. When I went into the neighborhood He protected me and showed me what some people live in day and day out. He showed me how blessed I am and how much I take for granted. He showed me how to put my trust in Him. He showed me true worship and how to fully praise Him. P.D. Stuart - Student
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