The Rubber Meets the Road

Praise God, we had an amazing experience as UNITED yesterday. We went to a very depressed area of Chicago and were able to share the love of Christ. God kept us safe and all of my logistical concerns were covered by YOUR  prayers--thank you!  These kids are amazing, they are going above and beyond and are maturing in powerful ways.

1. So I was praying that our students would be bold during the times that are set aside for witnessing, and they have been.  But yesterday when "witnessing time" was over the kids did not stop. When we left "the hood" and got back on the bus to come back to Moody they just kept on going. By the time we got back about another 15 people were either prayed for or witnessed to. I was blown away.

2. Last night several kids were talking about how to bring this back to Grand Rapids!!!! 

3. Another student led a person to Christ!

Even with all of these things accomplished on the trip, the most intimidating task is left for today. Each student will be writing letters to loved ones back at home.  How is this more intimidating than witnessing in the hood?  Because these are people we see and love in our everyday lives, and that makes it feel like there is that much more to lose. 

Please pray between 1:30 - 5:00pm Central time

1. That students would be bold and brave.

2. That the students would be filled with compassion.

3. Pray that the students will view the lost with the eyes and heart of Jesus. 

4. Pray that the hearts of those receiving the letters will be softened.

5. Pray earnestly that many people would come to faith by these letters.

6. Tonight were are going out to dinner as a youth group, pray that we have a blast!!!

7. Pray for David Alcook, as he was attacked by a very mean bug in his sleep. He has bites all over his body, pray for relief.

8. Pray for me (Pastor Aaron) as last night I kind of hit a wall in regards to energy. Also I am still feeling kind of sick, so please pray for me. Last night I felt like I wanted to be an introvert, pray that The Lord would anoint me with a fresh wave of the Spirit so that I can pour out what I have in me to these students. 

Here is a pic from yesterday's trip.

Hope for the Hood

Today is an exciting day, after 2 days of being out with people mostly from other churches we now get the chance to go out into the community as UNITED!!!! The little piece of Muskegon inside of me jumped for joy when I found out where we are going (I understand that that might make you nervous :-). We are going out to serve at a local church call New Hope Bible Church. They have an event called hope for the hood, and we get to go into the neighbor hoods evangelizing and inviting the local residents to this Bible believing Church. Just to calm your hearts, this is not a terrible neighborhood, but it is low income and our group will get the experience to feel what is is like to be the minority.

Please pray:

1. For safety: (pardon my wizard of oz reference) I will let the kids know "we're not in Forest Hills anymore"

2. Logistics: this is big because I am in charge of getting 84 people to the same place via bus.

3. Boldness: Most of our students have not had a ton of experience with people of different race and socio-economic status. Today they will, pray that they will be bold.

4. Compassion: When Jesus looked on the crowds he had compassion. This is what we need our students to experience, pray that they will be full of compassion.

5. Thanks to everyone who has continued to lift me (pastor Aaron) up in prayer. I can literally feel it. and I am so thankful. Last night Jake Boerman stood up and explained to the kids how blessed we are to be from Calvary, it was emotional and powerful for all who heard. I just want to express what a privilege it is to be a part of Calvary, when I tell other you pastors about our church and parents I almost feel guilty because of the love support and generosity you offer us. Thank you! I am blessed to call many of you friends and I love you, and you kids.

Pastor Aaron 

Fire Fall Down

Andrew Boluyt and I have been teaching the kids a new song this week it is called Fire Fall Down. The song is a cry out to God to send down His Holy Spirit and to fill us anew. I am glad to tell you all that God has answered our cry, students are engaging with the Holy Spirit in new and powerful ways.

Here are a few highlights of God's working in and trough us from yesterday:

1. We are praising God that to members of our team were able to lead someone one to The Lord!!!!!!! 

2. Nearly every student who was timid on Tuesday was bold and shared their faith with someone on Wednesday.

3. One girl was able to pray for 7 different people in a span of 2 hours at Grant Park.

4. I have been praying that God would bring the boys closer together (the girls are already there for the most part). He has answered in a mighty way, last night all the boys were up past curfew (with my permission of course) just hanging out and loving one another. This is a huge breakthrough!!!!!

5. The best way for me to sum up what is happening is this... It took 1 1/2 hours to get through the testimonies and praises of the students last night (with some songs mixed in)

Thanks for all the support, we love you and your kids.

Pastor Aaron

 

God is here

Yesterday was an incredible day, the stories of God's mighty hand at work are to numerous for this blog. Here are so e highlights...

1. Praise God one of our people was able to lead a young woman to faith yesterday. The story is amazing, the young woman was being "hit on" by an older man and one of our guys was able to step in and turn an uncomfortable situation into an opportunity to show God's grace. Please pray for this young woman (her name escapes me).

2. Nearly everyone of our students shared the gospel with someone.

3. I was blown away when I watched one of the boys from my group share his faith on the L train. You could see the love of Jesus pouring out of him, and I could see that the woman (a Ukrainian immigrant in he late 50's) was genuinely moved by his compassion for her. He then finished the conversation by praying for her out loud on the busy train!!!!!

4. Probably 30 or more students had the opportunity to pray with a person yesterday. One of the things that we do is we ask people if we can pray for them. This is an incredible seed planting action!!!

5. Last night during our UNITED time (we get a 1/2 hrs. to meet with just our church) God showed up in a powerful way. In between songs students and leaders could share scripture and testimony. By the end of our time there were very few dry eyes. This time was so powerful that some students were brave enough to stand and challenge their peers, and some even publicly confessed their sins. I was amazed!

Please continue to lift us up in prayer:

1. Pray that we would be bold and brave.

2. I have been teaching the students what it means to be "filled with the Holy Spirit) so please pray that they will experience the filling of the Holy Spirit in ways that are beyond their expectations. 

3. Pray unity, and that relationships between students and leaders will continue to grow.

And of course here are some pictures!!!!

Coughing & Rain Clouds

A few quick Prayer request:

1. Please pray for me (Pastor Aaron) I am sick. I have come down with a really bad cold, and I am in danger of losing my voice. I believe that spiritual warfare has something to do with this sickness. I am not out of commission by any means but I am sore and weak. Please pray that I will recover quickly and that I will recover my voice.

 

2. It is a rainy day here in Chicago, and the SEMP leaders are worried that we may not be able to go out witnessing on the streets. Please pray that the rain will pass and that we will be able to go out in the city.

Ready or Not

In about 3 hours we are going out to share the gospel on the streets. Please keep us in your prayers.

Pray that:

1. We would be safe

2. That there would not be any logistical errors, or peoplegetting separated

3. That the peace of God will comfort those of us who are nervous including me ;-) 

4. That the students would learn to rely on the Holy Spirit

5. That through this challenge UNITED would grow closer together as a group

6. That we would be bold

7. That we would be salt and light in the city

Thanks for all you do!!!!

A Great Start

Thank you all for your prayers! We are safe and sound here in Chicago, and  we are having an awesome time. Monday was like a whirlwind, with literally every minute of the day filled with work and activities. I am so proud of our students , as their conduct has been excellent. For example when we stopped for lunch on the Indiana  border the managers of all three restaurants went out of their way to let me know that "they have not seen a more respectful group of teenagers" what a blessing!!!! We finished of the night with  an encouraging message and some powerful worship. Thanks for the prayers.

High School Mission Team is On Its Way!

The High School Team has departed for Chicago. Below are pictures from their send-off. Please be praying for safe travels as they begin their trip.

Pastor Bruce Huseby shares from his own SEMP experiences and leads the group in prayer.

Pastor Tom Olsson encouraged the students and reminded them how proud God (and their church family) is of them and the work they are setting out to do.

The High School's super senior, Mel Dykstra, prayed the send-off prayer over the students and they were on their way.

 

But first we had to stop them for a picture!

We tried to include the leaders in our picture...

 but it got a little crazy!

More updates to come...

Ways to Pray

Here are recent prayer requests from the High School Chicago Team.

1. Please shower the team with prayers for safe travels and good weather.
2. Pray for a hedge of protection around our team as they go throughout their days in Chicago; that they receive encouragement and are able to receive discernment in regards to the strangers they will be talking with.
3. That they grow together as a team.
4. Pray for the families of the leaders who will be missing their loved ones.
5. Pray for the parents who will be missing their students.
6. Pray the Chicago mission team receives the follow-up and support God will ask from Calvary and especially Student Ministries.
7. Pray that all High School Students and Leaders have the courage to share their faith even when it seems like a huge “reach.”