Highland Lakes Camp hosted the second weekend, winter youth retreat in a row. Students and leaders from all over Indiana were in attendance. It was the first time I had seen many of these folks since BJ passed. What encouragement, support, and love were extended. Some by words, and some speechless, through hugs.
I love to see a packed worship center, where people are offering up praise to our God. Several gave their hearts to the Lord, and others felt God's call to stand up and walk their walk.
It was my privilege to share BJ's story with this group. The Lord truly moved among us, and stirred the hearts of His children. Last weekend, many of the students were senior high. This weekend many were junior high, the age BJ was when God called him to the mission field.
I was struck momentarily speechless, when after I shared, two precious sixth grade girls came up and asked Tom (the director of the event) and me what a "mission field" was. My immediate internal reaction was "are you kidding?!" The girls asking, had seeking eyes, and were completely serious.
What an honor to explain to them that the mission field was all around us, and encompassed anyone who was not a believer in Jesus, as Lord and Savior of their lives. And to go on further and share that God called some of us across the street, and others across the seas to share His love. They walked away with the satisfaction of this new knowledge.
I met students and adults that are missions minded, and are serving. I met people who are hurting, but by His grace have been sustained. I met one young lady who at 13, knows God's call on her life, and will go on her second mission trip this summer. Many others were realizing their need to be faithful.
At the conclusion of sharing his testimony, and as "Die for You" (by MercyMe... the BJ inspired song) played, many spontaneously rose to honor the Lord, and reflect their hearts desire to take BJ's place.
Lord, I trust these were not just emotional gyrations, but further evidence of "raising a revolution!"
May Your Name be greatly praised in this day!
brent (dad)
posted by Pray for BJ @ 7:00 AM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Brent, sounds like another wonderful weekend. Just want you all to know you are still thought about daily. I hope and pray that each day gets a little easier for you. When do the rest of us get to hear Mercy Me's song??
Brent, I am so glad that you had this encouragement this weekend - I know that time like these are what bring you some degree of peace. I know that your sharing emotes your heart and releases some of the hurt. That you are able to do so amazes me at times.
As I read through the O.T. and am reminded of my own wanderings, I long for the time that we can look back and see this life in its encapsulated form, nodding in recognition at the lessons we know to be coming as we read of the trials being endured. It is so hard to appreciate the lessons as they are unfolding.
I love you guys and pray for your trip this week.
Brad
bloggers:
"DIE FOR YOU" will be on Mercy Me's album "COMING UP TO BREATHE" being released April 25th.
Praise the Lord! What a beautiful weekend you described. I thank God for all these open doors to testify and all these open hearts that hear and obey. I am praying for them that they do not waver in their obedience. I know our King Jesus will guide their steps, supply their needs, and satisfy their souls along every step of their path.
I pray the Lord enlarges your tent, that you would have more influence and opportunities to spur on this generation for the kingdom. I love you and am prising God along side you.
Dad-thats awesome. Seemed as though God is doing a lot in many young peoples lives right now. As i shared with you on your voicemail, I did a D-Now with my new church family (So good to have one of those again!!) and I have the 10th grade girls. 13 of them. Little did i know that the 10th grade guys would be coming over to the house the girls were staying at for teaching time. We had a guy from another church that taught all of our 'Focus' times at the house. The first night I shared with the girls BJ's self letter. I gave Mick (the lesson leader) a copy of it as well and some journal entries. I dont know what he did with them but I shared evey night there after about Beej with my girls. We talked about being adults and not being kids. About being Godly woman and leading out. Some of my girls were very responsive and i stayed up till late hours of the night sharing with some of them. Be praying for Andrew. He is 16 and seems hungry for more and i gave him a brochure to pray about going this summer. Anyways, as I was just there and relied on Gods strength to move more...he continually blessed me with my girls and the other people there and I got to sing with the praise band "You Said". Only a few people where in there because they were setting up but it was a beautiful things. I wanted to run to the top of the stairscase in hopes of seeing more of him...if that makes sense. :-) And then this morning on my way to school, I ran out of gas, however a man stopped and I knew that God was doing something with it...and he helped me out. Come to find out, he was a believer and attends Putnam City Baptist Church--what a faithful God we serve! We just wants to love on us! Well i am going now. Off to class!
Serving Him!
Tara
GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!!!
Oh how I have missed reading these entries. My sister, Sue, made it through her surgery ok and is slowly recovering. Thank you all for your prayer support, which I truly felt. I was with my sister for 5 days, home for 1, then back helping her for 5 more days after she got out of the hospital. It was difficult to see her struggle with such basic things, but good to see her improve over the course of the week.
I so appreciate the depth of your sharing, Brent and Deanna, as I believe it pulls us together as one body, as Christ meant it to be.
Continued prayers are with you all. Looking forward to the Mercy Me song too!
Tina
Dad,
Thats so awesome to hear. Its amazing how faithful God is. I get the opportunity to speak to the youth at my church on the 15th. I think that I'm going to speak about BJ, and who we are in Christ. I'm so pumped!
I'm praying for you this week. I pray that God shows you more than you knew about Him a second ago. And even now, and now.
So I love you guys! I cant wait to hear what God does!
Barbara Ann
Hi- I went to the winter youth retreat and I wanted to know if you could send me any information regarding missions opportunities. I remember you talking about them after your son's extremely inspiring testimony but I never got a chance to ask you about it. I don't have an email address but if you could send some info to tomgr@ethixs.com I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks- love in Christ
Sarah
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