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!!!!
My eyes filled with tears as I read this post. I have been praying continually for all of you. The report time comment reminded me of how God worked in the past in SEMP and how He is going to continue to work through a new generation committed to share the love of Christ with others. Pastor Byron and I will see you all on Thursday. God is Able!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the updates. We continue to pray for the group; for safety and unity, for God to use you in amazing ways and that in all that you experience you give God the glory! So proud of the kids for stepping out in faith and so thankful for leaders who gave up a week of their summer to pour into our kids!
ReplyDeletePraying that God will use you for His praise and glory in mighty ways this week! Thank you for your commitment to serve Him on the streets of Chicago. God will honor you for your efforts!
ReplyDeletePraying for the team! Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing Christ!
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit is doing powerful things in your team. I am encouraged and filled with joy as I read the updates. You truly are ambassadors for Christ!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Praise God! God is here and he is doing incredible things
ReplyDeleteWithin you guys. Praise God and I will be praying for you guys.
Wonderful report. Praying like crazy. To God be the glory!
ReplyDeleteI hope that one of the students or leaders is sharing "Jesus Calling" with you these last few days because they seem to speak to all you are doing.
ReplyDeleteToday: June 26
Stay calmly conscious of me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you into the day. Nothing takes me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances to overwhelm you so long as you look to me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents. Collaborating with Me brings blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My Presence contains Joy that can endure all eventualities.
We are so happy to read the posts on the blog and see the pictures of the wonderful Calvary students! Praise God for all the work He is doing through you all. We will continue to pray constantly for the amazing work you are doing and for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the people you are connecting with.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 52:7
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful on the mountains [and city streets!] are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion [Chicago], “Your God reigns!”
Whoo-hooo! Keep "making the most of every opportunity!" Praying that you will experience the power and peace of the Holy Spirit as He fills you and you overflow with HIS love, compassion, joy and peace as you talk to others about Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI was so excited reading this post! Wow, God is amazing. I Tim 4:12 came to mind--"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in life, in love, and in purity." You guys are an encouragement to me!
ReplyDeleteFrom--Dianne Bowman
Praying that Jesus will reveal Himself to you in unique and powerful ways...and that He will enable you to effectively share Him with others!
ReplyDeleteColossians 4:5-6 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
That's terrific! Praise God!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Blown away by God's goodness. Praying that the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully in all.
ReplyDeleteJoshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Jeremiah 10:6-7 No one is like you, O Lord; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. Who should not revere you, O KIng of the nations? This is your due. Among all the wise men of the nations and in all their kingdoms, there is no one like you.
Wow! Love what God is doing! The testimonies and pictures are so uplifting! Thank you Leaders and Students for sharing the light of Christ boldly! Good news!
ReplyDeleteSo exciting to hear what God is doing in and through you guys! I've been praying for you continually, at multiple points, throughout the day, and will continue to do so. Praying God will lead you to people who need to hear the message of the gospel, and that he'll give you boldness and the right words to speak...always full of grace, seasoned with salt. Also praying you'll not be ashamed but will be confident and proud to be an agent of God's truth. And finally that you'll grow in your faith through this experience. Look forward to hearing more updates! BTW, I'll be in Chicago tomorrow and that will also remind me to pray for all of you!
ReplyDeleteOur God is an awesome God!! Way cool how He provided so many opportunities to work through United today. Will keep on praying for strength, boldness, and an openness to the Holy Spirit. I cannot wait to see how God is going to continue to use United back home!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing with us how God is working through all of you! I'm excited to read the updates that will be posted tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteAddie - we miss you lots! but we are so thrilled that you have been able to go on this mission trip and to experience how God is working in your life and other people's lives so far, and how he is going to work in the days ahead.
Love you lots ~ Mom
Philip asked the Ethiopian, "Do you understand what you are reading?" The eunuch replied, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?"
ReplyDeleteUNITED, today is your day to go out and share the GOOD NEWS about Jesus and His love for the people of, and in, Chicago!
Lord, may our kids and leaders have a soul that "followeth hard after thee" (Ps 63:8), one that clings passionately to you.
Philippians 4:13
ReplyDeleteI can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
We're praying for you guys as you share your faith and His love in Chicago this week!
Brandon Douglas - we miss you! We can't wait to hear about the opportunities that God is giving you to share His truth! We can't wait to see you again!!
Love, Mom and Dad
So blessed to read the amazing report! Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord you God is with you HE IS MIGHTY TO SAVE, He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Keep looking to Him, for He will be all that you need Him to be!! - Cindy Gronsman (Hi Leah and Evan, love you!)
ReplyDeletePraising God for such an amazing report already. I've prayed this scripture for the youth team in Chicago since I first heard they were going. Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."
ReplyDeleteWe will continue to lift you up to the throne of Almighty God that you will sense his presence and power within you on the streets of Chicago!