Below is a bit of an email report I sent to my parents about what's been happening here. Thought you might like to hear as well. I miss you guys and am praying for you when ever I think of you. Enjoy!
Paul
Saturday night I was at an event called ReturnUK, a christian worship night put on by a really gifted worship leader here who used to attend Vineyard. He now works with Uni students in Chitchester 1 night a week and is a successful web designer. Rex (that's his name)called me last week and told me that if there was one event to bring young people to, this was it. So I invited Sarah, James, and Poppy (three of our core young people...james couldn't make it in the end, sadly) and I invited Kelly, Laura, Kate and Helen from the uni student group. Rex had a guest speaker (Gearald Coates) come along. Gerald kind of reminds me of John Wimber, and like wimber he has started a church movement here called Pioneer church. Seems pretty close to Vineyard to me. Anyway, Saturday was amazing. It started with worship (as it usually does) and then we kind of wait and see what God wants to do. It's all a very relaxed environment kind of thing. And after Gearald shared some things, he asked if there was a Sarah in the room. Now, you have to understand that there were about 40-50 of us in this room. There was bound to be at least two sarah's in the room, or so I thought. In the end, Sarah Morris was the only one, and she went up with Poppy and got a powerful prophectic word. Knowing what I know of Sarah and her heart for Africa and children, I think most of the word was spot on. The word was basicially about Sarah being called to the missions field, and that she has a heart to work with children and that God is going to use that gift to touch thousands of lives. And that Sarah and Poppy are friends for a very specific reason, and that they have a call together to serve God.
After this, Kelly (who's been a Christian for about 8 months or so) came over to me. I was sitting on the floor, and she came up next to me and said that she felt God had a word for me. She said that while Gerald was sharing some things about how to hear from God she asked God "if this is real, can you give me a word for Paul?" and she said the response she heard was so clear, and like nothing she had heard before. The resoponse was "Tell him I believe in him". It got me at first when she said it, and I knew it was God in my heart. I thanked kelly with a smile and was so proud of her for taking the risk to share that. After she went away and started talking to someone else, I broke down crying, cause it was so good to hear. I've been stressing about the youth alpha (we started that this weekend) and I've had a lot on my plate as a young leader and have been asking God "when is it all going to be worth it? when do I see fruit from my sacrifice?" and while that didn't answer all my questions about direction, or about what I'm meant to be doing, it certainly cut to my heart on a lot of things.
Sunday we had a full service. We had two children dedicated and we had 8 people get baptized sunday night. 5 of them under 21, and individuals I work with. We all were so encouraged to see young people taking such a stand in faith. Helen and Kelly were two of the five. Really great young believers, and I am so excited over how far they have come in their faith these past few months. Last monday Helen asked me to baptize her. I was blown away, and was so honored to be asked. I've been here barely 7 months and already I'm honored to be baptizing people! wow.
Sunday night I got a call from Helen. She lives with 4 other students (all female) and one of her housemates (who I'm kind of friends with as well) talked to Helen before bed and said that she thinks she believes in God! Helen called me wanting to know what verses to go to and some steps to maybe walk through. I gave her a few and said that if they wanted to chat more I would be available today before group or after. i was so thrilled to hear of another entry into God's kingdom, and I'm so proud of Helen's testimony and the way she lives her life in front of 4 non-christian housemates.
We also had the start of our youth alpha course. I was a bit nervous of how to take the opener, but I felt good about it in the end. The team is very excited, the young people are ready for it, and I feel confident that God has plans to use it to encoourage, train and equip the young people in their everyday life. Wow. A lot is happenening at the moment!
This next weekend is our annual men's weekend away, and I'm very excited about that as well. Jan has asked me to take a session over the weekend, and I said I was more than happy to do so. I have yet to hear what the theme will be or if there is a specific topic I should go for, but overall I am very honored to have a chance to share something of God in my life with the men.
Wed. we are starting a youth night for younger guys. We have a pretty good crowd (5 or 6) and I hope to see those numbers grow. Jan and I will be leading it, I am a bit uneasy over the first week, but once we fall into a routine, I'm sure I'll be more comfortable with the role.
So that's what's been happening. I'm learning new things and seeing a lot of good come from it, and yet I am constantly reminded of the fact that i am a young leader and in leadership I can't please everyone or get everything right 100% of the time. It's a tough lesson and one I may always have to be reminded of. But for now I'm thankful for this weekend and all that God did!
Five Hats - The Leader
11 years ago
