My urgency
As I’m in the final stages of preparing for camp (staff & counselors head down today at 2:00) I can’t help but think about the challenge Mark Beeson laid out to all who attended the GCC Men’s Retreat ’08 last fall.
He was speaking out of John 1:41-42 where Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. He challenged us to “bring a brother to Jesus…because we never know what that person could be or what they could do for the Kingdom.” This came after a weekend of talking about how Jesus is the one who transforms our lives and if we can get people to Jesus their lives would never be the same.
In all of his messages that weekend there was a sense of urgency about bringing people to Jesus and I too (NOW ESPECIALLY) feel this urgency to bring our students to Jesus.
As I’ve been dreaming about our students preferred future, the revolving preface is this: If we can just get them to JESUS….
My heart for both weeks of Camp, and the week that I’m speaking for Pinelake Church’s Camp, is that I can do whatever it takes (with the strength I have and the power of the Holy Spirit) to bring these students to a place where they can encounter Jesus.
It’s not about my message, it’s not about my ability to say the right things, it’s not about how good our band sounds, it’s not whether or not the facilities great, what the food tastes like, what the elements of fun are…..it’s about trying to get them to Jesus and sincerely asking Jesus Christ the Lord of All to touch the lives of each and every person there. IT MATTERS! HE MATTERS.
As teachers, pastors, preachers, etc. it’s easy to get lost in our own creative ability to communicate on behalf of Jesus but shame on us if we put more emphasis on our ability to speak for Jesus and completely miss that it’s HIS transforming love that does any and everything in the hearts of those listening!!!!
I believe God’s been with me in my message prep time, he’s laid on my heart what he wants me to say, but now it’s GAMETIME and I feel this strong urgency to bring these students to Jesus! Almost to the point of nervousness. I’ve been trained (by playing sports) to be poised, but let me tell you, what I believe God is going to do this summer is SO BIG that if i didn’t get nervous, I would questions whether i really even believe God is capable of fulfilling this dream. So I’m actually pretty nervous…not timid, not scared, not frightened, not afriad….but nervous!
I am aware of a fraction of how big our God is and THAT brings me to a deeper sense of awe, wonder, and amazement!
Mark finished the Mens’ retreat with this challenge: ”In the next 4 years can you bring 1 person to Jesus.”
Well this sumer, between our camp and 1 other camp, I will have the task and burden of humbly attempting to bring over 600 students & counselors to an encounter with Jesus…God I need you, help me to hear your voice and obey, thank you that I am yours and you’ve given me everything I need to share your Word this summer.
Hey DC we’ll be praying for you. It’s an awesome priviledge to lead young people, but at the same time a great responsibility. I’ll be praying that God moves greatly in your two camps.
Chris
I’m in. As I’m thinking about all of you today, I keep coming back to the phrase Pastor Mark used a while ago: “God has provision we know not of. More than we can ask or imagine.”
I know we will see that reality this week at camp.
You all have my heart and my prayers.
Now go give them Jesus!
Chris and Phil, thanks so much for your prayers man, they were felt in a BIG WAY!