Power Unleashed

“I care.” “I can do more than you think.”

“I have power.” “Even my small acts can change the world.”

“I love a challenge.” “All I need is a chance.”

These are among the many powerful statements from our youth.They want to be heard, valued, appreciated, and used by God. They are the voice of the nation, it’s very future. So at our recent Enrich conference, 75 local pastors and youth ministry leaders gathered to become better equipped in reaching our youth.

Pastor Jodie Stehouwer from Resurrection Life Church Mid-Michigan and Mike Benson from the Conquerors International Strength team were our guest speakers. Both have godly wisdom and practical experience in reaching youth, and huge hearts for unleashing their power and potential.

Historians say that 11 of the 12 disciples were young people. When Jesus went to be with his Father, he placed the future of the church into their hands. He unleashed the power that surrounded him, the passion within them, and the potential before them.

Something Pastor Jodie said really jumped out at me… When we’re only doing things within our reach, it also means our own strength and our own results. God’s plans are bigger than that. He wants us to reach beyond our abilities and comfort zones, to trust him, and to need him.

God does not qualify us through age or experience. He looks at our hearts. That is why it’s so important to equip young people, and release them to do what God has called them to do. Sure they will make mistakes – but everyone does. They might even fall into sin – but who is without sin?

As leaders, we need to have faith in our young people, but more importantly, we need to have faith in God as they step out. We need to believe in them.

Why? Because God does.

Forever Changed

I remember walking into Michigan Theological Seminary (now Moody) filled with excitement and fear, anticipation and intimidation. I was hungry to learn and deepen my faith, but I also felt like I was stepping in over my head.

Seminary was an incredible, life-changing experience for me - one that helped launch me into full-time missions. So it’s troubling to think that I have more formal training than 90% of the pastors here in South Africa. I am truly blessed, and now I’m thankful for the opportunity to bless others as well.

For the past 13 weeks I’ve been teaching Foundations for Christian Growth - a rigorous course that provides certification to graduating students. One of my highlights has been seeing incredible growth in each student. Deeper understanding of God’s Word. Better application in daily life. More intimate relationships with God. Increased faith.

The Lord knit together a diverse class consisting of pastors, church leaders, and laypeople; young and old; mature believers and seekers. Caroline (far left) came as a seeker wanting to know more about God and why she should give her life to Him. She attended faithfully, completed the homework on time, and did well on her tests. Yet as her mind was immersed in information, her heart experienced a transformation.

Her life was forever changed. Caroline came seeking, and left surrendered to Christ.

“I was not born again before, because of this class I’m born again. The Spirit of God is dwelling in me. I know what God is expecting from me and he delivered me out of Satan’s authority and power. I was full of anger and revenge from the past, but now I know I have to plant forgiveness so that God can forgive me too.” - Caroline Mofokeng

Please join us in praying for Caroline and the rest of our FCG students as they continue growing in their faith.

More Than Conquerors

Words can’t even describe what it’s like to stand in the middle of 900 high schoolers cheering at the top of their lungs! That’s what our school assemblies have been like.

This week we are blessed by a team from Resurrection Life Church Mid Michigan and the Conquerors International Strength Team. They have been treating our youth to amazing feats of strength, music, and break-dancing and the kids absolutely love it!

But this team is so much more than conquerors. Along with these amazing gifts, they are also sharing the gift of hope in Jesus Christ.

With each powerful testimony shared, we see youth light up with the recognition that God loves them unconditionally and has a purpose and plan for their lives. A purpose that can be side-tracked by poor choices, or a lived out abundantly when lived for Christ.

We were talking to a teacher after one of the assemblies and she echoed the same thing. That her students were greatly impacted as they were challenged, inspired and equipped to surrender themselves to Jesus.

Please pray with us for the many youth who have made decisions to live their lives for Christ.

Created for Relationship

God created us for relationship – to love Him, to be loved by Him, and to love others. Because of this, one of the most powerful and effective ways Satan can sabotage us is through our relationships. Broken marriages, unhealthy relationships between parents and children, sacrificed friendships, and division in our churches…all within the body of Christ.

During our recent Enrich leadership conference, more than 100 pastors and church leaders joined to learn God’s design for relationships, and how to handle challenges and communicate in a godly way. Our final session was an open discussion where folks could ask tough questions, exchange ideas, and encourage one another. It was a pretty amazing day!

Based on the feedback, it was clear that these leaders left inspired and equipped to nurture their relationships with God and with those whom the Lord placed in their lives. After all, it’s what we’ve all been created for!

“Today I learned how to strengthen my relationship with God and prepare myself to win battles against Satan with the Word of God alive in me. It is my heart’s prayer that God gives me strength and increases my faith to make a difference in the lives of my children, my church, my relatives, and community.” - Masetjhaba Magdelin Tau