Participants:
Series Code: 12GYC
Program Code: 12GYC000015
|
00:11 Happy Sabbath. Got you.
00:14 Well, wait a minute. Wait a minute, Livvy. 00:17 It's Sunday. 00:19 It is Sunday. Okay. 00:21 Well, it wasn't Sabbath today but it was a very good day. 00:25 Amen. Amen. 00:27 Kyle, why was it such a good day? 00:28 It was a good day because we went on-- 00:31 what was it everyone? 00:32 Outreach. 00:33 How many of you went on outreach? 00:36 Amen. Amen. 00:37 How many of you were called? 00:41 How many of you were really called? 00:43 All right, everyone. I was shivering. 00:44 My hands couldn't even move after a while, Livvy. 00:47 But it was a blessing. 00:48 I know that all of you that went, 00:50 you met people and you prayed with people 00:52 and people signed up to come 00:53 to our evangelistic meetings, amen. 00:55 It was a tremendous day, today. Amen. 00:58 So when we were loading the buses 01:01 I was standing out here waving flags, 01:03 directing people where to go. 01:04 And I was so struck by how happy everyone looked. 01:10 And I was thinking about this 01:11 because I don't think God needs us. 01:14 He's God-- please. 01:15 He's the God that said that 01:17 if we didn't sing His praises the rocks would cry out. 01:20 He also said that He could make 01:22 and I'm pretty sure that if He needed to 01:25 He could make faithful Adventists 01:27 out of these rocks to spread the gospel to the world. 01:30 So it must be then that it is God's graciousness 01:36 and from His kindness that He allows us 01:38 to participate with Him 01:40 in telling the world about Jesus. 01:42 And I've seen that today. 01:44 I've seen that today that spreading Jesus makes us happy. 01:49 I've seen that in your faces today 01:51 and that has been a privilege for me. 01:52 Amen, amen. 01:53 And I saw it on everybody's faces 01:55 as we were coming back today Livvy, as well. 01:57 And I'll just share really quick, 01:58 I was out there and we went to the doors 02:01 and I honestly-- I didn't know what to think. 02:02 I mean, we're in Seattle, you know, I didn't know 02:05 that it was gonna be very successful 02:06 and my faith was low, I'll be honest, okay. 02:09 But the second door, the second door, 02:12 a lady came and we handed her the flyer. 02:14 And she looked at it and we could tell that 02:16 she was interested and she looked it over 02:18 and she said, you know, I've been searching 02:21 and I think I'm gonna sign up to come. 02:23 And so she signed up to come. Amen. 02:25 And so we'll call her Anna. 02:27 I'm sure there are many other stories like that 02:30 and whatever the response was at the door for you today, 02:34 whether it was someone who signed up 02:36 or maybe they just took the flyer 02:38 or maybe you just prayed with someone. 02:41 God has promised us in Isaiah 55:11. 02:43 I'll just read for you this promise. 02:45 He says, "So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth, 02:49 it shall not return unto me void, 02:52 it shall accomplish what I please." 02:55 Amen? Amen. 02:56 God's word will not return void 02:58 and we can claim that promise tonight 02:59 and believe that the efforts that went out today 03:02 will make a difference for God's kingdom eternally. 03:04 Amen. 03:05 Let's bow our heads and pray as we begin. 03:08 Father, thank you for this day, the wonderful day 03:11 that we've had together the outreach that took place. 03:14 Father, we want to pray for each and every flyer 03:17 that went into a home this afternoon. 03:20 We want to pray for each and every person that we met. 03:24 People like Anna who are searching for You, 03:28 people like Anna who need You. 03:29 Father, we pray that You would move upon on their hearts 03:32 to come to these evangelistic meetings. 03:33 Please Lord, please use our feeble efforts today 03:38 to bring many into Your kingdom. 03:39 We pray for baptisms, hundreds of baptisms, Father. 03:43 Thank You for what has taken place. 03:46 To Jesus be all the praise tonight. 03:49 Be with us now in this evening devotional 03:51 we pray a special blessing upon our speaker Pastor David. 03:54 These things we ask in Jesus name, amen. 03:56 Amen. 04:24 Darkness around me 04:28 Sorrow surrounds me 04:33 Though there be trials 04:38 Still I can sing 04:43 For I have this treasure 04:48 My God reigns within me 04:53 And I am determined 04:58 To live for the King 05:06 I am determined 05:11 To be invincible 05:15 Till He has finished 05:20 His purpose in me 05:24 And nothing shall shake me 05:28 For He'll never forsake me 05:33 I am determined 05:37 To live for the King 05:53 Hell's gates are trembling 05:57 from our prayers ascending 06:02 Darkness is crumbling 06:05 From praises we sing 06:10 Our Sovereign, 06:12 Victorious is marching before us 06:19 And we are determined 06:23 To live for the King 06:30 I am determined 06:34 To be invincible 06:38 Till He has finished 06:42 His purpose in me 06:46 And nothing shall shake me 06:50 For He'll never forsake me 06:55 I am determined 06:59 To live for the King 07:06 When I am weary, 07:10 I'll look to His face 07:14 And when I am tempted 07:18 I'll trust in His grace 07:24 I'll trust in His grace 07:30 I am determined 07:35 To be invincible 07:39 Till He has finished 07:43 His purpose in me 07:47 And nothing shall shake me 07:51 For He'll never forsake me 07:56 I am determined 08:00 I am determined 08:04 I am determined 08:08 To live for the King 08:20 I'll live for the King 08:30 Amen. 08:35 I have a group of amazing leaders with me today. 08:39 And they are the leaders of GYC affiliates 08:43 across North America. 08:45 And I've two questions for them. 08:47 Number one, to tell us the territory they cover. 08:52 Number two, tells us the plans you have for 2013, 08:58 so that every young person can be involved in the mission 09:02 of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 09:05 Thank you, Valmy. 09:07 My name is Brennen Vaneck 09:08 and I'm representing ACTS for Christ in Western Canada. 09:12 ACTS stands for Adventists Commissioned 09:14 to Train Servants for Christ. 09:16 Our next conference is going to be March 28 till 31st. 09:23 The theme is, "Do You Love Me?" 09:27 It's based off of John 21 when Jesus asked Peter, 09:30 "Do you love me?" 09:32 For more information please visit 09:33 our website at actsforchrist.org. 09:36 Thank you. 09:37 My name is Kimberly St. Val and I represent GYC Atlantic. 09:42 We cover the north eastern states 09:44 of the United States of America. 09:46 And our conference for next year 09:48 will be in October. 09:49 And for more information 09:51 we are located at gycatlantic.org. 09:57 First of all I want to say. Buenas tardes, GYC. 10:02 Oh, there's so many Hispanic over here. 10:05 My name is Alexander Ramirez and I do represent GYC Espanol. 10:09 We have wonderful plans across the States. 10:11 We're gonna have youth rallies in California, 10:13 Illinois, Texas and New York. 10:16 But we're looking forward for one event 10:18 that is gonna take place, it's gonna be huge. 10:20 We want to invite every one of you 10:21 to be in November in Texas, in Keene, Texas. 10:28 My name is Eric Louw and I represent GYC Southeast, 10:32 on the campus of Southern 10:33 Adventist University in Tennessee. 10:36 And this October coming up well, next October, 10:38 so while off we're gonna be having 10:40 a conference entitled "Called Apart." 10:43 And we're gonna just be looking at our identity 10:45 as Adventist and the necessity that, 10:48 that causes in our lives to be people 10:50 who love as though we're called apart. 10:53 The dates as I said will be in October 9 to 12 10:55 and we also gonna be working 10:57 with the SALT's program on southern campus 10:59 which is known as abbreviation for the Soul-winning 11:03 and Leadership Training program. 11:05 So just initiatives of them in evangelism 11:07 and we hope that those of you who are in the vicinity 11:10 will be able to join us for that events. 11:14 Good evening. 11:15 My name is Janice Adea 11:16 and I'm the representative of GYC Southwest. 11:19 Our ministry is based in Southern California 11:22 and our flagship conference is on labor day weekend 2013. 11:27 Its gonna be on August 30th to September the 2nd. 11:30 And our topic for this year is gonna be on Unity. 11:34 We invite you to the study with us the Bible 11:36 and see what biblical unity is. 11:39 We're gonna cover practical things 11:40 such as unity in the family, unity in the church 11:44 and also look at the pillars of our faith, 11:47 the sanctuary message in connection with the 2300 days, 11:50 the Commandments of God, in the faith of Jesus 11:53 and see what about, about these topics 11:55 that is perfectly calculated to unite the flock. 11:58 We hope to see you there. 12:01 Good evening. 12:02 My name is Mark Teh and I represent GYC West. 12:06 GYC West among other things hold an annual conference 12:10 and we've done so on the beautiful campus 12:13 of Weimar in sunny Northern California. 12:16 And we cover the areas 12:17 surrounding Northern California. 12:21 When I think of GYC West, one of the things 12:24 I think of are the young people and the families 12:26 who have been inspired to make decisions for Christ. 12:30 But with that decision also comes 12:32 a calling to be always ready. 12:35 Our theme for 2013 is "Always Ready." 12:39 And it's found in 1 Peter 3:15 12:42 we're counseled to be always ready 12:45 to give an answer for the hope that is in us. 12:48 We pray that you will be able to join us 12:51 and that you will also be always ready. 12:55 Good evening, GYC. 12:57 My name is Sue Sunny Lee. 12:59 It is wonderful to have GYC here, 13:02 almost our backyard. 13:03 I represent Oregon Youth for Christ. 13:06 We affectionately call ourselves the Baby YC of GYC 13:10 because we're the youngest and perhaps the smallest. 13:14 But being here I am wanting to urge all of you 13:17 who are in the Northwest area to help, 13:21 pray for this Oregon Youth for Christ. 13:24 We are a ministry that is supported 13:26 by the Stone Tower Seventh-day Adventist Church 13:29 which is part of the Oregon Conference 13:31 and our territory covers all of Oregon 13:34 and part of into Washington. 13:37 So it doesn't exclude all the Washingtonians either. 13:41 We have-- our conference also is being planned 13:44 and it's interesting to know that the themes 13:47 that are coming out are pretty similar 13:49 but it's nice to know that the Bible never can get old 13:53 and it's always bringing out new truths. 13:56 We are coming on from awakened hope, 13:59 having a wellness reformation 14:01 and last year was be ready always, 14:04 and this years will be transformed. 14:06 Please visit our booth for more information, 14:09 it's upstairs. 14:10 Thank you. 14:13 Hello, I'm Rob Mosier with Wisconsin Youth for Christ. 14:16 And as you can guess our territory covers Wisconsin. 14:19 Of course we invite our neighbors to come out as well. 14:21 Our next event will be the weekend of September 20th. 14:24 We'll be having training outreach 14:27 and of course inspiring messages. 14:28 So we welcome everyone in Wisconsin 14:30 and those around the area 14:32 to come out the weekend of September 20th. 14:35 My name is Ann Ikonne and I represent SYC, 14:38 the Southern Youth Conference. 14:39 And if you want to be transformed in the south 14:42 you just come to our conference, 14:44 if you're from Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, 14:46 New Mexico or Louisiana we hope to see you there. 14:51 Amen, GYC. 14:53 This is what God is doing in North America, 14:56 across North America. 14:57 Now I understand Alexander, 14:58 that you have a testimony for us 15:00 of what God is doing in your territory. 15:03 Share with us what's happening. 15:05 Well, this is the beautiful thing to happen. 15:06 You know, there was a group of people 15:09 that came from New York 15:10 but they didn't have any money to come to our event. 15:13 So they plan idea to how are we gonna make it there, 15:16 so they start selling oranges. 15:20 You're saying they are selling oranges. 15:22 Oranges. Well, the whole time. 15:24 So they told me that they went to the event, 15:27 they enjoyed the whole time, they came back, 15:29 the last penny of the oranges, they spend it on the gas, 15:33 they just go home and then after that 15:35 they started doing there own GYC in their church. 15:39 One of them told me. 15:40 Okay, I attended to this preacher over here, 15:42 so I started preaching the same class 15:44 that they told me over here. 15:46 He was like that. He was like a copy and paste. 15:48 So they were doing it. Amen. Amen. 15:50 And, Janice, you also mentioned 15:51 that you have a testimony 15:53 for what's happening in your territory as well. 15:57 You know, what, in GYC Southwest 15:59 is not just inspiring but it's also practical. 16:02 Last year our theme was about the family. 16:05 So we have this family 16:06 that came to Southwest Youth Conference 16:08 and the husband was a non-Adventist. 16:11 He came to the conference, 16:13 listened to one of the speakers 16:15 and he approached the speaker and asked him, 16:17 well, how do you know you have the truth? 16:19 So the speaker actually spent personal time, 16:22 an hour studying the Bible with him, showing him 16:24 that the Seventh-day Adventist Church has the truth. 16:28 The man went out of his room 16:29 and jokingly told his friends that, 16:31 you know, I think that guy wrote the Bible. 16:34 But you know what? 16:35 The wonderful think is that we're able to bring 16:38 practical things out of the conference 16:41 and that man after a week we found that he decided 16:44 that he and his family will have evening 16:46 and morning worship. 16:48 So we praise God for that. Amen. 16:52 We praise God for what God is doing in North America 16:55 and I believe that every young person, 16:58 every young person in this room 17:00 can get involved in finishing the work 17:03 so we can go home. 17:04 Thank you so much. 17:08 I have with me Wes Via. Wes is from Pennsylvania. 17:12 Now tell me about what's going on up in Pennsylvania? 17:16 Well, Pennsylvania is really investing 17:18 in empowering young adults to drive mission forward 17:21 and I've the distinct privilege of being involved 17:24 with an urban mission project called "Mission to the Many." 17:26 So this is something that the conference 17:28 is supporting and promoting, right? 17:30 Yeah, absolutely. 17:31 So the conference is supportive of an urban evangelism 17:34 in which they are engaging 17:36 and putting young people to work. 17:38 Amen. 17:39 All right, so "Mission to the Many" 17:41 tell me a little bit about what you guys do at 17:43 "Mission to the Many." 17:44 "Mission to the Many" was established 17:46 specifically to identify and implement the plan 17:49 that we're given in Spirit of Prophecy 17:51 to work the cities. 17:52 The plan that we're told that when we follow that plan 17:55 we'll set an operation, the mighty moment 17:57 such as we've not yet witnessed. 17:59 And so our charge from the conference 18:01 is to take our team, primarily of young adults, 18:04 almost all of us are young adults 18:07 and do the best that we can to find ways 18:10 to engage the cities 18:11 and to identify the best way to go about 18:14 making the difference in the community. 18:16 So a lot of you went out on outreach today. 18:18 You went on knocked on door. 18:19 Is there a need for the gospel in the cities? 18:24 There is a huge need, amen. Amen. 18:28 Say like you mean it. Amen. 18:29 There is a huge need for this. 18:32 So Wes is working in a project in the cities 18:34 that is doing and targeting evangelism 18:37 and the people of the cities 18:39 and its young people that are involved. 18:40 Now you guys also, 18:41 you don't just send young people out to work 18:43 but you equipped them as well with a program. 18:45 What's that program called? Yeah, absolutely. 18:47 We're starting a brand new training program. 18:49 We're so excited about. 18:50 It's called Simplicity Institute 18:52 and this is not like any other kind of training program 18:55 that you heard of before. 18:56 It's a training program specifically designed 18:59 to teach young people or older people 19:01 if you want to come along as well 19:02 how to be urban missionaries? 19:04 We're gonna be working to give you the skills 19:06 that are necessary to be able to go 19:07 and do a medical missionary work 19:09 or welfare ministry work 19:11 and do evangelism in the urban centers. 19:13 Okay. 19:14 So it's called Simplicity Institute? 19:16 Yes. 19:17 That is, it's simplicity but it's not easy to say. 19:21 You know, simplicity, simplicity. 19:23 Okay. It's not easy. 19:24 It's a bit of tongue twister but Simplicity Institute. 19:27 All right, so now tell me how long is this program? 19:30 The program actually runs for six months. 19:31 Now that's longer than many 19:33 of the other evangelism schools why? 19:36 Well, we did that for two reasons. 19:38 One, we want to give the opportunity for our people 19:42 who come, our missionaries that will come to be trained. 19:44 They have the opportunity 19:45 not only to learn in a classroom setting 19:48 and get a little bit of outreach time 19:49 in conjunction with that 19:51 but we've designed the program so that four months of that 19:54 is instruction time, it's classroom time, 19:57 but then the last two months will be evaluating 20:01 with our participants, with our missionaries, 20:03 what's their passion for ministry in the cities. 20:06 What is their skill set? 20:07 What are they feel most comfortable? 20:08 And the last two months of that six months time frame 20:12 is specifically set aside to give the people 20:14 who come the opportunity to engage in fulltime ministry 20:18 and see what it's like when you step out of the classroom, 20:21 when you put the classroom behind you 20:23 and now you're working fulltime for the Lord. 20:26 How does that begin to, to take that instruction you receive? 20:29 How does that begin to really work in the real world 20:32 and then have the opportunity to be there 20:34 and be able to ask questions 20:36 and have the support of the whole team with you still. 20:38 Excellent. I think that very needed. 20:39 A long time ago, not really a long time ago, 20:42 I'm still young. 20:43 A while ago I went to an evangelism school 20:45 and in class you learned a lot of things 20:47 and lot of information and it's overloading, 20:49 it's overwhelming. 20:51 If any of you have been, you know, 20:52 and then you get out into evangelism 20:54 and you're in the day to day life and you're like, 20:57 oh, man, I know I learned this in class 20:58 but I don't remembering. 21:00 So it's great that you guys are offering 21:02 two months of continuing education to work with 21:05 and disciple and mentor these students 21:08 so that they can actually really apply those things 21:11 and learn how it works in the wild, 21:13 not just in theory in the classroom. 21:15 And I think that, that is beautiful. 21:17 So when does this program start? 21:19 The program actually starts in just a little over month, 21:21 January 31st is our first day. 21:24 That's like right out a month. Yeah, it's coming up quick. 21:26 Now is it too late for anybody to apply if they want to go? 21:29 It's not. We have just a few slots left. 21:31 So if there's anyone here that they really feels like 21:33 the Lord is calling you to do something. 21:34 You may just haven't quite figured that out 21:37 yet come by and see us at our booth 21:40 and we've got a few slots open. 21:41 We love to talk to you about join us. 21:43 So if somebody here has felt God calling 21:45 or pulling and tugging on their to get involved 21:48 with evangelism to witness, to do more for Him, 21:51 to work more for Him, they have an opportunity 21:54 to still get involved in a training program 21:57 that will give them the practical skills 21:58 that they need and the practical experience 22:01 to become an effective soul winner in an urban setting. 22:05 Yes. 22:06 So if somebody lives in a city they can go back to a city 22:09 where they come from and become, 22:10 you know, a Christian, evangelist in that city 22:14 winning souls for Christ. 22:17 And if I can just very quickly, one of the areas 22:20 that were gonna be doing training 22:22 is entrepreneurial business principles. 22:25 What we want to do is equip people 22:26 who come to our program to be able to go 22:29 wherever God calls him, regardless of whether 22:31 there's an opportunity to work directly 22:33 with the church or for a conference 22:34 but give them the skills where they can go 22:36 and start a business or engage in some enterprise 22:40 where they can be self-supporting, 22:41 the way the Paul was self-supporting 22:43 so that they can answer the call 22:44 Lord, wherever they go and we're gonna be 22:46 actually starting some of the businesses like 22:48 we see when you read about like the Beehive in San Francisco. 22:51 Some of those businesses are there. 22:53 We're gonna be actually starting those in our program. 22:55 Our students will gonna have the opportunity 22:57 to engage in that first hand 22:59 and what it takes to make that happen. 23:00 So this is extremely practical. Absolutely. 23:03 Everything we've done is to try to make it 23:04 as practical as possible. 23:05 Even our instruction time is more seminar based 23:09 and very heavy on the practical application 23:12 even during that four month training period, 23:14 this gonna be a lot of outreach time, 23:15 more than you would normally get 23:16 at a regular training school. 23:18 So now remind me, 23:20 if somebody wants to sign up for this program 23:22 or learn more about it, what booth do they go to? 23:26 We're at booth 400. All right. 23:28 Now supposed that somebody doesn't have six months, 23:31 I understand that you're gonna be partnering with GYC 23:34 to do urban mission projects. 23:37 When does that happen? 23:38 That is going to be May 31 to June 9. 23:41 May 31 to June 9. 23:43 So if somebody wants to go experience urban missions 23:45 and kind a get a taste for this, 23:46 they can go May 31 to June 9. 23:48 They can participate in that if they want. 23:50 The full experience training and equipping, 23:52 then they can go to the entire four month program 23:55 that starts in January 31-- 23:57 or six month program excuse me. 23:58 January 31, Simplicity Institute, 24:01 you're a mission to the many, booth 400, right? 24:04 That's right. All right. 24:06 Are you interested go talk to Wes? 24:09 Thank you. Thank you, Wes. 24:10 I want to invite Uncle Bill out on to the stage. 24:15 Now Bill is not my uncle. 24:18 The reason we call him Uncle Bill is that his niece 24:22 is one of the executive committee members, 24:24 Livvy Knott is our secretary. 24:26 And so we affectionately refer to Elder Knott as Uncle Bill. 24:30 Glad to be known as Livvy 's uncle. 24:33 You never saw that one coming didn't you? 24:34 Never saw that one coming. 24:35 I hear it shouted across the hall sometimes here. 24:39 Now what do you do? 24:41 Well, most days I work as editor 24:43 of the Adventist Review and I work on the kind of issue 24:46 you see sitting on your chair this evening, 24:48 a special GYC edition of the Adventist Review. 24:51 Now everybody has one of these sitting on their chair. 24:54 Now you guys, you guys publish one magazine every week, right? 24:58 We publish 48 issues a year between Adventist Review 25:01 and Adventist World, thirty six, Adventist Review, 25:03 12 monthly Adventist World so that every week 25:07 we're turning out of 32 or 48 page magazine 25:10 and so we're pretty fast paced production. 25:13 That sounds like a lot of work. 25:14 It's a lot of work but it's also a lot of fun. 25:16 So why with all of that work would you say, 25:19 hey, let's add another magazine 25:21 and let's produce a special edition for GYC? 25:25 One Christian author has defined the role of leadership 25:28 as "Figuring out with the Holy Spirit 25:30 is doing in the church and getting in on it." 25:33 That's exactly the way we at Adventist Review see 25:36 what are our tasks. 25:38 We concluded that the Holy Spirit 25:40 is living and active in the life of the GYC. 25:43 We're eager to be part and cover 25:45 and to give prominence to what the Holy Spirit 25:47 is doing in this organization. 25:48 So every year we put out a special edition 25:51 of the Adventist Review to highlight 25:53 what happens at this conference. 25:54 What's the circulation of that issue? 25:57 That issue is, but right not it comes, 25:59 hard copies goes to everyone here 26:01 and it's on our website. 26:03 In fact this gives me an opportunity to mention, 26:05 go to the adventistreview.org and you can get unlocked 26:09 all the contents of this edition 26:11 and of our regular weekly edition, 26:13 the last one of December. 26:14 It gives you a chance to browse at no cost, 26:18 see what's there, see what you're missing, 26:20 if you're not a regular reader of the review. 26:22 Now I got to see this a little bit 26:23 before everybody else here did. 26:25 And there's some really interesting stuff in here. 26:27 I know I want to go home and read about more of this 26:30 and read some of these articles. 26:32 But tell me a little bit about this issue? 26:36 What's the purpose and the goal with this issue? 26:38 It's got the V for Revolution, right? 26:41 Well, you know, we're all thinking 26:43 in the next 24 hours, about plans 26:46 we might be making for ourselves, 26:48 challenges we want to put 26:49 in front of ourselves for the next year. 26:51 But actually it's not a resolution 26:53 we need as the theme of this conference 26:55 is pointed out, it's a revolution we need. 26:58 And the article here, the cover story authored by, 27:01 an author to be named later 27:03 well, it talks about New Year's revolutions. 27:07 How is it that God's gonna bring about 27:09 a change in my life in the coming year? 27:11 How will 2013 be different than 2012? 27:14 John Chapter 1 lays out some beautiful ways 27:17 of understanding how Jesus is gonna bring 27:19 about a revolution in my life and your life. 27:21 Amen. 27:22 I think we all need to read that. 27:24 Now tell me, I know that, 27:25 I also saw in here that there's a short blur about 27:30 the average age of people in Adventist Church, 27:32 they were accomplishing things. 27:33 And were these old people or young people? 27:35 You know, one of the ironies is that on many of the committees 27:37 I sit on at the general conference building, 27:40 at an age I'm not going to tell you. 27:41 I'm still the youngest person in the room. 27:43 There's something dramatically wrong with that. 27:46 And one of the reasons we come here to GYC 27:49 is to encourage you to engage with your church, 27:51 get involved in leadership, get the experience, 27:54 take a look at this page and look at six-- 27:57 actually seven key pioneers of the Adventist faith 28:00 and look at the age at which they began 28:02 working for this movement. 28:04 You'll be surprised and startled to discover 28:07 that God doesn't wait until people are 30, 40, 28:10 or 50 plus to start using them for His cause. 28:13 He begins using you now and the Adventist Review 28:16 is committed to finding that talent, 28:18 helping to grow that talent, making sure you get your place 28:21 at the table to help lead God's church. 28:23 So you guys support young people being active, 28:27 being, you know, in the frontlines working, 28:29 leading and doing things in the church. 28:31 Talent doesn't depend on age 28:32 and gifting is the Holy Spirits business. 28:35 It doesn't depend on a certain level of years 28:37 sitting at a committee table. 28:39 One of the reasons I come to GYC every year 28:41 is because God has given the gift of writing 28:44 to individuals who are within 28:45 the hearing of my voice tonight. 28:47 I come to find those people every year at GYC, 28:50 encourage them, tell them, 28:51 when you send your material to us, 28:53 we're not looking to turn it down, 28:55 we're trying to help you share the message 28:57 God has given you with the worldwide audience. 28:59 And so tonight even though I know 29:01 I'm asking for a lot of contacts. 29:03 If you have a concern or an interest in writing, 29:06 find me after the meeting tonight. 29:08 I'll be delighted to help develop you. 29:10 Amen. 29:11 Take a look at this, keep your copy, read it, 29:14 there's some fascinating content in here. 29:16 I want to thank you. Thank you, Brandon. 29:18 I appreciate it. God bless. 29:21 This morning we heard Pastor Wes sharing 29:22 how he was challenging each and everyone of us 29:25 to memorize a whole book of the Bible. 29:28 And tonight I have my friend Alonna and Natasha 29:31 and they are going to share with you something really cool. 29:33 What did you guys do early this year, Natasha? 29:37 Well, throughout this year 29:38 we decided to memorize the Book of the Acts. 29:39 The whole Book of Acts? 29:41 In preparation for the conference. 29:43 Wow. Isn't that amazing, guys? 29:44 Isn't that inspirational? What lead to that? 29:47 What was the inspiration? What motivated you? 29:50 Well, actually we ended up happening 29:52 was earlier this year in February 29:55 we were at an executive committee planning retreat 29:57 and Alonna and I were rooming together. 30:00 And one evening we were talking sitting on our bed there 30:05 and we were somehow gone 30:06 to the subject of Bible memorization 30:09 and because we had been talking about this 30:11 up coming conference, Acts the Revolution continues. 30:14 Alonna looks at me and she's like, 30:15 you know, I've been thinking, I think I should memorize Acts, 30:18 you know in preparation for the conference this December. 30:20 And I was like really, that's really neat, 30:22 I'll do it too. 30:23 And so it was kind of an abrupt decision 30:27 but then we thought about little bit 30:28 and talked a little bit about it more 30:30 and then when I went home 30:31 I said to my brothers and sisters, 30:33 hey, listen, Alonna and I are memorizing 30:35 the Book of Acts for the conference 30:37 in preparation for the conference, 30:38 you should memorize it with us. 30:40 And so my brothers and sisters said, 30:42 oh, yeah, that's a good idea and so then my brother 30:44 was posting his blog to make a long story short, 30:46 when 150 people across four continents decided to join us 30:50 in memorizing the Book of Acts. 30:52 That's amazing. So amazing. 30:54 And how did you come up about actually 30:56 memorizing the Book of Acts? 30:58 I've done Bible memorization before 30:59 but I've never memorized a book of that size. 31:02 So how do you go about it? How did you guys do it? 31:05 You know, it was a challenge for sure, 31:07 but several things happened. 31:09 Number one is, I listen to the Book of Acts on audio 31:12 every chance I had literally every moment in the car, 31:15 every time I was exercising literally for the past, 31:17 you know, 10 months. 31:18 The second thing was, many of us 31:20 are literally almost attached 31:21 to our Smartphones or iPhones or what have you 31:24 and there's a really cool app called Scripture Typer that-- 31:28 I don't know how I could have done it without it. 31:30 It really helps with review and you know just knowing 31:33 that everybody was doing it with me 31:35 just really help to, for the consistency. 31:38 And you're not somebody 31:39 who has a ton of free time, right? 31:41 No, I don't think so. 31:42 So if Alonna can do it, can we do it, right? 31:45 I think we can. 31:47 And so I want to ask you, 31:48 you know, you've been spending 31:49 all these months going over these passages of scripture 31:53 over and over and over, 31:54 they have been coming better than your mind. 31:57 Has that had an effect on your life at all? 32:00 I'll tell you. It has had a tremendous effect. 32:02 Now that we have-- there's a difference 32:05 in how much the Word of God 32:07 is in your thoughts through the day. 32:10 How much it is constantly a part of your life 32:14 when you're memorizing the Book of Acts 32:15 is really big and I don't know 32:16 if we had realized what a big project 32:18 that would be at the beginning we would have committed to it 32:21 but once we committed to it, 32:22 it was really good and the accountability 32:24 was really key in memorizing it. 32:26 But I remember as we're going through 32:29 and memorizing the Book of Acts, 32:31 one day Alonna and I were texting, 32:32 we live across the continent from each other 32:34 but we were texting back and forth 32:35 and Alonna said to me, you know, 32:37 I was at nominating committee today 32:39 and the thing that kept running through my mind 32:41 over and over and over again 32:44 was the quotation from Acts 1 verses. 32:47 "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, 32:49 shew whether of these two thou hast chosen." 32:51 When they were trying to decide which Matthias or Barsabbas 32:55 who was going to join the apostles. 32:58 And I thought to myself how much more beautiful 33:00 is it of a thing to go to nominating committee 33:02 and think "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, 33:04 shew whether of these two thou hast chosen." 33:06 Instead of going to nominated committee and thinking, 33:09 man, I can not stand the way that elder runs this church. 33:12 Hey, do you want to nominate so and so with me? 33:13 Come on let's nominate so and so. 33:15 Isn't it so much more beautiful? 33:16 And we just notice that in so many respects 33:19 that the Word of God is in your mind 33:21 and it effects your life 33:22 and the way you think about the world. 33:24 That is so exciting. 33:26 As I was listening to you guys throughout the year 33:29 and keeping up with friends that I knew or doing it 33:31 as well I was also very inspired. 33:33 And I want to thank you for that and ask you, 33:35 you know, if somebody out in the audience 33:37 or even myself if I was interested 33:39 in doing something like this, 33:41 what word of encouragement or advice will you give us today? 33:45 I would say that there are three things in my mind 33:48 that are most important. 33:49 If you want to memorize a large amount, 33:51 the first is inundate yourself with scripture. 33:53 Listen to it, read it, 33:55 constantly, have constant input of the scriptures. 33:58 The second would be, have a really good review system 34:01 which is why Scripture Typer. 34:02 If you have a Smart Phone, 34:04 get Scripture Typer, it will save your life. 34:05 If you're gonna memorize a lot, 34:07 Scripture Typer kept us on track with review 34:09 and the third thing is accountability. 34:10 I remember Alonna calls me one time 34:12 and she's like how you doing with Acts? 34:14 And there's was this long pause and she says, 34:16 this is your conscious speaking. 34:20 It makes a big difference. 34:21 That's something, thank you so much 34:22 for sharing with us tonight. 34:24 Isn't that exciting? 34:25 I think, I think all of us can be challenged 34:28 to aim higher in what we do. 34:30 And right now I'd like to share with you another person 34:33 who's going to-- who's actually doing 34:35 something really exciting in Canada. 34:37 Mrs. Sandra. Sandra, I want you to tell us 34:40 what is it that is happening in Canada right now? 34:44 Well, we're very excited 34:46 Canada starting a new school of Evangelism. 34:50 It's starting May first to end of July. 34:54 And it's basically the first real three month program 34:57 that we ever really had. 34:58 So this is three month Bible worker, Bible training-- 35:02 Yes. Program in Canada. 35:04 Yes, we'll be training individuals 35:06 to be literature evangelist 35:08 as well training them to be Bible workers 35:11 and evangelism coordinators for the churches even. 35:14 That is really exciting. 35:15 How did this come about in your own life, 35:17 what motivated you to pursue this? 35:20 Well, it's amazing how God leads. 35:23 We never know. 35:24 I mean, I was working in banking 35:26 and I remember waking up from a dream with a latter 35:28 is amazing facts and saying 35:30 God, if this is for me You make it clear, 35:33 I don't get it. 35:34 And about a week and half later 35:36 I received a brochure in the mail 35:38 and the broacher was Amazing Facts 35:41 College for Evangelism and God laid in my heart. 35:44 Sandra, leave everything and follow Me and go. 35:47 And so I went to AFCOE, 35:49 after that I taught at schools of evangelism 35:52 in Brazil, Germany, Portugal, other places 35:55 and I guess God was preparing me 35:58 to then start something back in Canada 36:00 which is really where I was born, so. 36:02 That is exciting. 36:03 And if somebody was interested in doing something like this 36:07 or participating in this program 36:09 how will they become involved? 36:11 Well, I think most importantly you can go to the website. 36:15 We have www.changeschool.ca. 36:20 And so we're located on the campus 36:22 of Canadian University College 36:24 and that's Alberta, Canada for those of you 36:26 who know where that is, near the West Coast 36:29 and they just contact, you know, through the web, 36:34 even call through the Alberta Conference 36:36 and they could be told how to get involved 36:38 and look at even opportunities in working together. 36:41 That's really exciting. 36:42 And you know, what I really appreciate 36:43 is the fact that you were able to see a need 36:46 and by God's grace follow His, 36:47 His leading right, in that direction. 36:49 Well, what would you say to somebody 36:51 who may be feels that in his local area 36:53 he doesn't have those resources that would enable him to do 36:56 what he feels he's been called for God to do? 36:58 Okay. Yeah, very good question. 37:01 I think we may not understand always God's leading 37:05 and I didn't realize God was preparing me 37:09 for so many years to then really start a school. 37:12 But I was doing volunteer work for many years 37:15 and I just wanted to be faithful, 37:18 wherever God placed me to do the work 37:20 and I would train in my church, other churches 37:23 and so what I would say is, 37:25 you know, connect with the Lord everyday 37:27 and say, God, what can I do 37:30 in my sphere of influence to further the work 37:32 and I know that God will place you 37:34 and use you powerfully for His service. 37:37 Thank you so much for sharing with us. 37:38 Thank you. 38:03 Morning by morning 38:08 I wake up to find 38:13 The power and comfort 38:18 Of Gods hand in mine 38:26 Season by season 38:30 I watch Him, amazed 38:35 In awe of the mystery 38:39 Of His perfect ways 38:44 All I have need of, 38:49 His hand will provide 38:54 He's always been faithful to me 39:10 I can't remember a trial or a pain 39:18 He did not recycle 39:22 To bring me gain 39:29 I can't remember 39:33 One single regret 39:37 In serving God only, 39:42 And trusting His hand 39:46 All I have need of, 39:51 His hand will provide 39:55 He's always been faithful to me 40:37 This is my anthem 40:41 This is my song 40:45 The theme of the stories 40:50 I've heard for so long 40:56 God has been faithful, 41:00 He will be again 41:04 His loving compassion, 41:08 It knows no end 41:12 All I have need of, 41:16 His hand will provide 41:24 He's always been 41:27 Faithful to me 41:36 He's always been faithful 41:46 He's always been 41:50 Faithful to me |
Revised 2015-02-19