Participants:
Series Code: 15ASIC
Program Code: 15ASIC000007A
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00:20 Our precious Father in heaven, Lord we thank you so much
00:24 for giving us this gift of Sabbath rest, 00:28 we thank you for the encouragement 00:30 that we have had these last few days 00:32 as we have been here listening to the stories 00:35 listening to how your work is progressing 00:38 in so many different areas. 00:40 Lord, as we look out 00:42 we see a world that needs you 00:45 and we're filled with a sense of our own inefficiency 00:47 and inadequacy and Father, I just... 00:50 I just want to come tonight, Father, 00:53 like the early disciples 00:55 and bring our inefficiency to you... 00:59 to bring our ignorance to your wisdom, 01:03 our weakness, Father, to your strength 01:06 our unworthiness, Father, to your righteousness, 01:09 our poverty to your exhaustless wealth 01:12 and Father tonight we just claim these things 01:15 and we ask Lord that you would be here in our midst 01:18 and that you would guide us with your presence 01:21 in your precious name, amen. 01:23 Leaving the stage... 01:30 new participants coming on to the stage... 01:39 Good evening ASI... 01:41 my name is Claire Luz Diaz-Henderson 01:44 and I am here as the Youth Coordinator 01:47 with my two assistants, 01:49 these two ladies have worked diligently with me 01:52 all year long to prepare a program for your children 01:56 and it's my honor tonight to introduce these teachers 02:00 and let you see a little bit 02:02 of what they learned during this ASI. 02:05 Briana Ford came to us from Cashmere, Washington, 02:15 and Sherry Gaurnier came from Oklahoma, 02:18 one of my colleagues at Oklahoma Academy 02:21 Janet Bradauer and her daughter, Sarah... 02:24 Janet, come on up, she's our Kindergarten Leader 02:29 and Janet... this year was a little bit miraculous for you. 02:34 Where did you come from? 02:37 Ruth, California. 02:39 Ruth, California... and why is that significant this year? 02:43 Because of all the fires. 02:44 So when the fires broke out in North California, 02:48 what happened to your house? 02:49 Well, our fire was actually the largest in our area 02:53 and it started right behind our house 02:56 up in the... up in the mountains, 02:58 we live in the mountains and it's quite woodsy... 03:00 and the fire came right down... and very, very fast 03:03 and very, very hot, and we were told to get out 03:05 and so, I had very limited time 03:09 so, ASI was all we were working on 03:12 so my mind was on ASI and so... I scooped up... 03:15 we have a ministry as well throughout the world, 03:18 so we scooped up all our ministry materials 03:20 and all of ASI and I had a friend over 03:23 and we shoved it into her car 03:24 and I was madly trying to get all of ASI in 03:27 and by that time... our animals... 03:30 we got most of our animals out 03:31 and then they came and they said, 03:32 "You have to get out now," 03:34 so we got out with the clothes on our back. 03:36 And then some of the ASI things were still there, 03:39 and she was camping on the front yard of some neighbors 03:44 and kept saying, "I don't know if I can come 03:47 the fire is between me and ASI materials," 03:50 but she's here... 03:52 so tell us a little bit about this theme 03:57 that you've had for the Kindergartners this year 03:59 it seems very appropriate. 04:01 Yes, this year our theme has been 04:07 "Survival of the Unfit... Christ Bridged the Gap" 04:12 so I'm going to ask the children to present this to you. 04:18 Children, when God made the world, 04:22 was it perfect? 04:23 Children: Yes. 04:25 And did everything fit? Children: Yes... 04:27 And was it good? Children: Yes... 04:29 And did it stay that way? Children: No. 04:33 Why? Children: Sin... 04:36 Because of sin, is the world getting better 04:39 or is it getting worse? 04:41 Children: Worse... 04:42 Worse... oh... 04:43 now, should we be afraid of all the bad things 04:47 that are happening in the world? 04:48 Children: No... 04:50 What does God tell us in His Word? 04:52 Fear not... right? 04:56 Fear not... 05:02 for I have redeemed you... 05:09 I have called thee by thy name; 05:15 Thou art mine, Thou art mine... 05:20 I have called thee by thy name. 05:27 Now, since everything is getting really bad in our world, 05:32 is there a way to survive and help others to survive? 05:36 Children: Yes... 05:38 Let's see... 05:39 Since I hold all the outfits 05:44 it's down in my backpack 05:48 it's down in my soul, 05:51 it's not in my first-aid kit but makes me feel whole, 05:56 I'm growing every day 06:01 As I follow in God's way 06:04 I wash and comb my hair 06:08 then breathe the rushing air 06:11 walk in the hot sunshine eat veggies all the time... 06:17 it's simple, can't you see? 06:20 What I cannot do... God does in me... 06:25 Since I hold all the outfits 06:29 Christ bridged the gap 06:30 so I can face... 06:35 But we all 06:38 with open face... 06:42 You hold us in your hands 06:47 And all the other world can change 06:53 into the spitting image... 06:58 from glory to glory... 07:02 and that's why the spirit of the Lord. 07:11 Children leaving the stage... 07:19 Audience clapping. 07:26 Our very active Primary Department 07:28 has Janean from Idaho 07:31 and her Assistant is Evette Egan from Michigan 07:35 and these volunteers had a very joyous time together, 07:40 what was your theme and what did you do? 07:42 Well, along with the others, we have been studying survival, 07:46 the physical and spiritual aspects 07:48 but we've done it kind of in a campsite setting this week 07:52 and the kids have been adding to backpacks everyday 07:56 they've had so much fun putting First Aid kits, 07:58 and whistles and compasses and rope and knots and Paracord 08:03 and water bottles... all the things that we think of 08:06 for physical survival 08:07 which we have been able to springboard 08:09 spiritual ideas from but our Scripture songs, 08:12 our memory verses and stories have all focused 08:16 on the fact that God's promises are real and certain, 08:19 and we find that in the end 08:21 the best tool for survival is the Bible 08:24 and we have two songs to share with you 08:27 the first one will be, "The Steps of a Good Man" 08:30 from Psalm 37, 08:31 the second one is our theme song, 08:33 "The Bible for survival. " 08:35 Music... 08:51 The steps of a good man, Are ordered by the Lord, 08:56 And he delighteth in his ways. 09:01 Tho' he fall... tho' he fall... he shall not be cast down 09:06 For the Lord upholdeth him with His hands. 09:10 With His hands, with His hand, 09:15 For the Lord upholdeth him with His hands. 09:20 Tho' he fall, tho' he fall... 09:22 he shall not be cast out 09:24 For the Lord upholdeth him with His hands. 09:29 New song... new music... 09:35 Whenever I walk outside I pat my little bag 09:43 With all the necessary things that I need to survive, 09:48 and I walk down the Christian path 09:50 I always tell the truth... 09:53 The Lord he sees when I go there the very thing I do... 09:59 The Bible for survival... 10:04 it's the one thing that I need, 10:08 He shares it in all our Bibles... 10:13 because the Bible is for me... 10:18 Many times I try to survive it on my own 10:23 but even if there are troubles, I know I'm not alone, 10:28 God gave us His promises 10:30 in His own precious Word, 10:33 and when I kneel and pray to Him, 10:36 my prayers are always heard... 10:39 The Bible for survival... 10:43 it's the one thing that I need... 10:48 It's there in all our Bibles... 10:53 because the Bible is for me... 10:58 Yes the Bible is for me. 11:06 Audience clapping... 11:14 Primary class leaving the stage... 11:20 Our Junior Department this year 11:26 brought Kimi Cruz from Berrien Springs, Michigan 11:30 and Rachel Sumongpong from Spokane, 11:36 we are very thankful for these two ladies who worked very hard 11:41 at bringing another theme 11:43 with the same idea, what was it? 11:45 Our theme for the Juniors this year is 11:47 CSI which stands for Christians Survival Inc. 11:50 with this... children this age need heroes to emulate 11:55 and so we've been studying Esther, Joseph, Jesus and Daniel 11:59 Jesus and Joseph will be tomorrow for the Sabbath 12:02 but we wanted to give these kids strong role models 12:05 to understand what it takes to survive when we're tempted, 12:08 when we have to make a choice 12:10 between peer pressure or obeying God 12:13 and what He has asked us to do. 12:15 One of the things that we've done is 12:17 we've put together a survival kit... 12:20 but each piece in the survival kit 12:22 has a Biblical meaning, for example, the Post-it Note 12:24 to remind you to list your blessings everyday, 12:28 a Band-Aid for healing hurt feelings, 12:30 an eraser to remind you that everyday you can start fresh, 12:33 string to remind you that 12:36 a strand of three cords cannot be broken, 12:38 the importance of having a relationship with Jesus, 12:40 a rubber band to help you be flexible 12:43 and not break during trials, 12:44 a cotton ball to cushion the rough times, 12:47 lifesaver to keep you from drowning 12:49 in everyday struggles and challenges, 12:51 a penny to give you the extra sense that everybody needs, 12:54 mouth to remind you to speak 12:58 kindness, truth, honesty and love at all times, 13:00 a compass to help you find your way when you feel lost, 13:04 stars to remind you to shine your light for Jesus 13:07 and hearts to remind you not only that you are loved 13:10 but also to share the love of God with others. 13:12 Amen... amen... 13:14 Our theme song is, "We are soldiers" 13:17 because it has to do with survival 13:20 and they're very enthusiastic 13:22 about singing it for you tonight. 13:23 Introductory music... 13:30 We are soldiers in the army, 13:34 We have to fight, we have to die... we have to 13:39 hold up the bloodstained banner, 13:42 We have to hold it up until we die. 13:45 Well my mother was a soldier 13:48 She had her hand on the gospel plow, oh yes, 13:51 But one day she got old she couldn't fight anymore, 13:55 She said, "I'll stand up, and fight anyhow. " 13:58 Woe oe oe oe! 14:00 We are soldiers 14:02 In the army, 14:03 We have to fight... although we have to die 14:07 We have to... hold up the bloodstained banner, 14:10 We have to hold it up 14:12 Until we die! 14:14 Well my father was a soldier, 14:17 He had his hand on the gospel plow 14:20 But one day he got old, 14:22 He couldn't fight anymore, 14:24 He said, "I'll stand here and fight anyhow" 14:27 Woe oe oe oe! 14:29 We are soldiers 14:30 In the army, 14:32 We have to fight... 14:34 Although we have to die 14:35 We have to... hold up the bloodstained banner 14:39 We have to hold it up Until we die! 14:42 I am a soldier, 14:45 I have my hand on the gospel plow 14:48 One day, I'll get old, And can't fight anymore, 14:53 saying, "Stand up and fight anyhow" 14:55 Woe oe oe oe! 14:57 We are soldiers in the army, 15:01 We have to fight, Although we have to die... 15:04 We have to... hold up the bloodstained banner, 15:08 We have to hold it up until we die. 15:14 Audience clapping... Amen... 15:21 Our Earliteen Class this year 15:29 has been directed by Beaver Eller from Coeur d'Alene 15:32 and his sister, Phoebe Eller, 15:35 who is a missionary in Belize, Central America 15:38 and they have had a very interesting theme 15:42 and very active things they've done with their class, 15:46 Beaver tell us a little bit about it. 15:47 Well, I have to say that of all the groups here, 15:51 I think that our group was the best one and had the most fun. 15:56 We've been able to learn a lot of great things, 16:00 our theme is "Survive and thrive" 16:03 so in the world, we have to learn how to survive 16:06 sometimes in difficult situations, 16:08 we've also been studying about different Bible characters 16:10 and how they survived, 16:11 Bible characters like Joseph, Moses, Daniel... 16:14 things that they did in very difficult times 16:17 to be able to survive and then how God used them 16:21 to not only thrive but to bless whole nations 16:24 and we've got young people 16:26 that are going to do the same thing in the future, 16:29 we have been learning about things like swift-water rescue, 16:33 different survival skills, 16:35 how to splint injuries and treat burns 16:38 and we've had a wonderful experience 16:41 with the Earliteens this year, 16:43 thank you for sharing them with us. 16:45 My sister, Phoebe, has been helping... 16:47 she's been 16:49 in charge of the music 16:51 and working with different things 16:52 and what's your favorite thing 16:54 about working with the Earliteens? 16:55 Man, they have so much energy, there's... once... 17:00 well at first they were a little bit shy, 17:02 but we did some ice-breakers 17:05 and you know, worked with them a little bit 17:07 now it's even hard to get a word in edgewise. 17:09 We've also had a great survival instructor, Ross Mason, 17:14 who has come and has been instrumental 17:17 in helping our young people learn 17:19 about different aspects of survival 17:21 and I've got a couple of students 17:24 that I'm going to ask a question of... 17:26 one is Cory... Cory would you come on up? 17:28 what was the favorite thing that you learned at ASI this year? 17:32 It was that we got to... that when the kid... 17:36 when babies are dead... when they're dying... 17:40 we can help them again and then do 17:42 and make them back to life 17:44 it was cool what we learned about it. 17:46 So they learned about infant choking and infant CPR 17:50 and they did a really great job with that. 17:52 What was your 17:54 most interesting experience in ASI this year, this is Sophia. 17:59 I learnt how to splint an arm. 18:02 So she was generous enough 18:04 to wear a splint for us this evening 18:06 so that she could demonstrate 18:09 some of the stuff that we've been practicing. 18:11 You should have seen the ones yesterday when we were outside 18:14 we had cervical fractures with C-Collars 18:18 and some splinting that would impress 18:21 even the best paramedic or doctor. 18:24 Ross, what was one of the most important things 18:28 that you felt that we've been able to 18:30 teach our young people here? 18:31 Well, I think that it was really cool 18:34 that we were able to teach technical skills 18:36 like survival skills, safari skills, things like that, 18:39 but underlying all of those we were able to incorporate 18:41 Biblical values and principles, 18:44 core concepts that speak to what is important to us 18:48 as... as Christians, 18:50 that is... following Christ and reflecting Him in our lives, 18:53 probably the single, coolest principle 18:56 that we got to share was the idea that 18:59 we're here not just to survive, 19:00 to maintain our health in this world but to thrive, 19:04 to increase our health and give that to someone else, 19:07 Amen... so we've had a great experience 19:11 but specifically one quote that we've been learning 19:14 is one that most of you probably know 19:17 and it's in the book Education page 57 19:21 and we're going to actually quote that for you this evening. 19:24 "The greatest want of the world is the want of men, 19:30 men who will not be bought or sold, 19:33 men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, 19:38 men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, 19:42 men whose conscience is as true to duty 19:46 as the needle to the pole, 19:48 men who will stand for right though the heaven's fall" 19:53 and one of our skills has been 19:55 learning about how to use a compass 19:57 and a lot of you don't think of compasses 20:00 it's all GPSes now-a-days right? 20:02 but you find out in disasters 20:04 that things electronic don't always work 20:06 and you have to go back to the basics 20:08 and to survive in this world spiritually 20:11 and to thrive, we have to be... 20:13 back to the basics of using God's Word 20:15 and the most important thing is putting God's Word in our heart 20:18 that we have that compass that keep us through to duty 20:22 as the needle is to the pole. 20:27 Children to leave the stage 20:31 Audience clapping... 20:38 Last but definitely not least, we have our Youth Department 20:43 with Sean Nebblett from New Mexico 20:46 and Paul Dysinger from Tennessee 20:48 and they have volunteered their time 20:51 to come and spend with about 80 youth 20:53 and have been teaching them about survival as well 20:57 if you look to the front right, left quadrant or my right... 21:02 you see a section partialed off 21:05 because the youth would want to come and join you 21:08 tonight and tomorrow morning for the sermon, 21:11 they're going to be part of ASI one day soon right? 21:14 so Sean... what was your program, 21:18 what was your emphasis, what did you do this time? 21:21 Claire, our theme in the Youth Department was 21:23 "Ransomed to Rescue" 21:25 and it's built off of the idea that we are made strong by God 21:30 not just to be strong but to do something to save, 21:33 strong to be put to work for a purpose 21:36 and so, we have been exploring strength 21:39 over the last couple of days 21:41 from kind of a unique perspective 21:43 we've identified three principles 21:45 that when they work together... 21:47 form this upward spiral of experience, 21:53 upward spiral of spiritual strength, 21:56 those three principles are, 21:57 Excellence, Service and Restoration 22:01 and so we pursue excellence, 22:05 we've been pursuing excellence as a group of young people 22:07 for the purpose of being in power to serve 22:10 and then when we are empowered to serve, 22:13 we get to take part in this beautiful process of restoration 22:17 and when you add those two things together, 22:20 this excellence, service, restoration, 22:22 when we're restored, of course, excellence goes up, right? 22:26 And then service goes up and then restoration goes up 22:29 and... and away we go... 22:30 so, Paul, tell us about some of the specific ways 22:34 in which we have explored this concept, 22:36 the first concept which will be: Excellence 22:38 over the last couple of days. 22:39 So excellence... really... excellence is so important 22:42 and we explored it in various different ways, 22:45 one of them was that part of our day... each day 22:48 was devoted to mental excellence 22:49 through various methods of memorization 22:52 and the memorization of the Scriptures, 22:55 we also focused on social excellence 22:58 through team-building activities that were so much fun 23:01 to do with... to do with each other 23:03 inspiring us to greater cooperation with each other 23:06 and learning practical lessons of leadership skills. 23:09 And then, of course, we switched into service, 23:13 we spent much of Thursday exploring 23:17 how each young person can expand and... 23:20 and maximize their efficiency, their service in the world 23:25 by a number of exercises 23:27 one was a Personality kind of assessment, 23:29 another... Spiritual Gifts Assessment 23:31 so that each young person could have a better idea 23:34 of where they fit in the work of God 23:36 then we actually started an activity 23:39 which will obviously continue 23:40 of actually taking time to prayerfully consider 23:44 coming up with a motto as a young person 23:47 based upon our gifts, based upon our talents 23:50 more or less a tagline for living 23:53 something by which we can 23:54 define all of our choices going forth, 23:57 a very enriching experience. 23:58 And then today was an absolute blast, 24:01 I mean, you just heard the 24:02 Earliteens talking about what they did, 24:05 we all joined together with them 24:07 digging down into the nitty gritty... 24:09 the practical forms of service 24:11 specifically when it comes to dealing with 24:12 emergency situations, you know, like water rescue, 24:15 fire, scene safety, choking, 24:19 splinting, burns, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, 24:22 more and more actually talking about 24:24 how we can practically be of service 24:26 and put our excellence to use 24:28 when it comes to other people... specifically in situations... 24:32 emergency situations like that. 24:34 And then finally, of course, restoration. 24:37 The Word of God has been before, behind, below, 24:40 all through the process... 24:42 one of my favorite parts... 24:43 last night at the close of the day, 24:45 we enjoyed what we called, "Boot Camp in a Box" 24:49 it was kind of the big questions in Christianity, 24:52 all packed into a small amount of time, 24:53 dealt with the issue of faith, 24:55 dealt with the issue of the Word of God, 24:57 the authority of the Word of God, 24:59 we dealt with the issue of humility, 25:00 some of the big things, had a blessed time together 25:03 and just as we close here... 25:04 we would like to share with you a small part 25:07 of our memory passage for this week, 25:10 we kind of split up Philippines chapter 2 25:12 and different ones of us attacked different parts 25:15 but we'd like to share with you 25:17 Philippines 2 verses 5 through 8, 25:19 as we close. 25:21 Ready? 25:26 "Let this mind be in you, 25:29 which was also in Christ Jesus: 25:31 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery 25:36 to be equal with God: 25:38 But made himself of no reputation, 25:41 and took upon him the form of a servant, 25:44 and was made in the likeness of men: 25:47 And being found in fashion as a man, 25:50 he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, 25:55 even the death of the cross. " Amen. 25:58 Amen... 26:00 Audience clapping... 26:08 Good evening, happy Sabbath. 26:11 Audience: Happy Sabbath. 26:13 Well, we have spent a wonderful month together here in Spokane 26:20 this is your "Youth for Jesus... 26:22 this ASI Youth for Jesus Program" 26:25 and these young people behind me have been here for one month 26:29 doing evangelism on the frontlines, 26:33 they have been... 26:35 they've preached, they've sang, 26:38 they've led out in the Children's Department, 26:41 they have visited homes, 26:42 they have given Bible Studies in the homes, 26:45 they have done everything 26:48 that an adult evangelist does 26:51 and so these are actually not your "Youth for Jesus" kids, 26:54 these are your Youth Evangelists. 26:56 Just a quick history of Youth for Jesus, 26:59 this was started in 1999, 27:02 this is the 16th year of Youth for Jesus 27:05 and some of our 15-year olds here... were not born 27:08 when the very first Youth for Jesus started 27:10 and so we are coming up... 27:13 a whole new generation of Youth Evangelists, 27:16 this year we participated in evangelistic programs 27:21 in six Spokane-area churches, three English-speaking churches, 27:25 one multi-cultural church which represented 18 countries 27:31 and a Spanish church and a Russian-speaking church 27:34 and so we've had a wonderful summer together, 27:37 we also have had Bible Workers in this... in those six churches 27:42 working since March, 27:44 all the Bible Workers... where are you? 27:46 Can you raise your hands? 27:48 Okay, there you are... 27:49 these are Bible Workers... 27:51 Audience clapping... 27:55 these are Bible Workers that came here... starting in March 27:59 and they worked with Church members... 28:01 training church members, going out with church members 28:04 and going door-to-door in the Community 28:07 and following up on interest leads 28:09 and with that pre-work done 28:11 when our young people came in July, 28:13 they had contacts already in the community 28:16 that they could take them to, 28:19 that they could teach them 28:21 how to give Bible Studies in their homes 28:23 and it's been a wonderful, wonderful experience. 28:26 Now, today I have with me Frank Fournier... 28:29 he is the outgoing ASI President, 28:31 you have one more day... Frank: Yes. 28:35 Okay, but I really have appreciated 28:38 the ASI support of Youth for Jesus Program 28:42 and as the ASI President, 28:44 you have come and helped in the Program 28:47 because what happens with our young people 28:49 is that... in the morning they have classes 28:52 and these classes include not only 28:55 classes in public and personal evangelism, 28:58 but also... Teen Life Issues... 29:00 like what's God's will for my life, 29:02 why are you an Adventist, 29:04 music and media, dating, 29:05 all these issues that our young people face, 29:08 and so, Frank came and taught a class 29:11 and... for the last two years... 29:13 but you've also had some grandchildren come 29:16 Frank: Yes Ma'am. Leasa: How many? 29:18 Well as far as I can count, there's been four 29:21 and I assume there'll be quite a few more. 29:23 So... so... what has... what have you witnessed 29:29 in your grandchildren's lives that has made a difference? 29:31 Well, you know, it's been amazing... 29:34 amazing... my grandchildren... 29:36 the ones that I have seen go through Youth for Jesus 29:38 have been impacted tremendously 29:40 and I have some that are a little bit older now, 29:43 they're 21 and 20 and whatever they are 29:46 and they're all involved in the Church, 29:49 they're all involved in evangelism, 29:51 they've all preached evangelistic series 29:53 and I assume 29:55 that Youth for Jesus had that impact on their lives. 29:58 Well, as an ASI President coming to observe 30:01 and joining the Program, what did you witness? 30:04 Well, this week was amazing, just amazing, 30:07 I don't know, I've repeated it several times already 30:09 but if I could just take these forty kids 30:12 and start an academy, 30:14 we would turn the world upside down. 30:16 This is... this is how spiritual I found these young people to be 30:20 just amazing... really. 30:22 So, these ASI members, 30:24 who have children ages 15 and older, 30:27 what would you tell them? 30:28 Well, it's obvious, 30:30 there was a time when this program was questioned 30:35 as to whether it should go on or not go on 30:37 and we fought for it to keep on going, 30:39 and today it has proven to be an amazing, amazing blessing 30:43 and if I had anything to say to you, 30:46 get your kids ready for next year... 30:48 to come to this program and for the years to come, 30:50 if anyone ever thinks of closing this thing again, 30:53 they'll have to think twice 30:55 because we're going to deal with it. 30:59 Amen... next we have Mr. Job Winslow 31:03 and he is the Principal of Upper Columbia Academy 31:07 which is located about 20 miles right? 31:10 And they were so gracious, 31:12 they have a beautiful facility there, 31:14 and this is where we were housed... for the month, 31:18 all of our young people, we got our very own Dorm rooms, 31:21 sometimes we go to church schools 31:24 and we carry our bunk beds 31:26 and our kitchen and everything with us, 31:28 and sometimes we have 20 kids in one classroom 31:32 and that kind of cuts down on 31:36 the amount of rest and sleep that you can get 31:38 but this year, we were privileged to 31:42 have our home at the Upper Columbia Academy 31:45 and they were just so gracious and it was just a... 31:49 a beautiful housing experience, 31:52 in fact, we felt like we were at a hotel 31:54 and so Mr. Winslow, 31:57 we are so thankful for your hospitality 32:00 and I know that you 32:02 came and visited our Program a couple of times, 32:04 what were your impressions? 32:06 You know, Leasa, it was amazing to have 32:09 Youth for Jesus on our campus 32:11 and I'm looking at them because I had a lot of fun with them 32:13 and just real quick, 32:17 the thing that was amazing to me 32:19 when I got to go and give them a worship... 32:21 I got to go and worship with them one time 32:23 and share a little bit of what Jesus has done in my life, 32:25 and the enthusiasm that they had was infectious, 32:28 it was just amazing, starting with the Song Service, 32:31 writing to the testimonies that they had 32:33 and even while they listened to this old guy talk, 32:36 it was just a blast, 32:38 but the thing that really, really made a difference for me 32:41 that was amazing was... 32:43 when I got to talk to one of the students 32:46 when I was driving the bus... Leasa: Okay... 32:48 and I said, "What was the best thing 32:50 that happened over this entire time that you were here? 32:53 And this young lady, unquestionably looked at me 32:56 with this amazing sparkle in her eye and said, 32:58 "I got to lead somebody to Jesus" 33:01 That was so awesome and she was so excited 33:05 she said, "I'm going to see her get baptized," 33:07 that was just incredible. 33:09 Yes, now I know that you and I have had conversations... 33:12 you're the Principal of a High School... Academy... 33:15 and you have a vision, you have a passion 33:18 for these young people to have 33:21 some of the similar experiences so what are your plans? 33:23 Well, Leasa, we... we're doing a lot of things 33:27 in the Upper Columbia Academy 33:29 and I have amazing staff that I am excited to be a part of 33:32 but we're specifically thinking about evangelism and outreach 33:36 and discipleship... Leasa: Amen. 33:38 And in that outreach and discipleship, 33:39 we've actually been able to hire somebody 33:41 just to take care of that 33:43 and they are putting programs in place 33:45 and looking at how they can actually do 33:46 both traditional evangelism and things like we just did 33:50 or things like this group just was a part of 33:53 in the Pathways to Health 33:55 and I am so excited about 33:56 things like that that we're getting going, 33:58 we're also getting agriculture things going 34:00 but specifically, I love to think about outreach 34:04 and just tonight even... 34:06 I was able to spend a little bit of time 34:08 talking with Chris Luis and to say, 34:12 "What do you think about us coming to LA 34:15 and helping you out in the spring?" 34:16 And he said, "Let's talk" 34:18 so I don't know what's going to happen 34:20 but God is good and He has bigger plans 34:22 than I can ever imagine for His school. 34:24 Yes, I know about your Farm Program, 34:26 our kids spent many an hour weeding your potato patch 34:29 so... and we still had quite a few rows left 34:33 before we were going to leave 34:35 and so we really, really wanted to finish 34:37 and so one day, every single one of our kids 34:40 went out there and we finished the potato patch. 34:42 Amen... 34:44 It looks beautiful. 34:45 Yes, thank you so much. Thank you... 34:46 Leasa: And thank you again. 34:48 It's fun to have you guys here. 34:49 Amen... okay, next, representing the pastors of the churches 34:54 that participated in the Youth for Jesus, 34:56 this is Pastor Valodi and can you say your last name? 35:00 Nesteruk... 35:01 Okay and... and... 35:03 I know how to mispronounce it 35:07 but anyway, as a Pastor of the church, 35:09 what was your experience with Youth Evangelism? 35:13 I'm very grateful for Bible Workers 35:16 and Youth for Jesus Team that came to work with us 35:18 at Linwood Church, it was amazing, 35:21 it was the highlight of our summer, 35:23 they did a wonderful job 35:25 presenting the Word of God 35:28 proclaiming the messages from Daniel and Revelation 35:30 with energy, passion and love... the most amazing thing was 35:35 to see... how they developed relationships with people 35:38 and became very close friends with them, 35:39 great music, great energy, 35:41 just a fun, fun team to work with. 35:44 So, you know, young people are always told 35:47 that they are the church of tomorrow, 35:48 how many of you have said it? 35:51 Oh, come on, you can be honest, 35:53 okay, but you know, 35:56 they are the church of today is that what you found? 36:00 Amen... amen... that's what I found, 36:01 they're very capable of presenting the message 36:03 that we have to the world around us 36:06 they have connected with the Community... 36:08 with people around us 36:09 and they have done a wonderful, wonderful job. 36:12 Amen, you know, if we can make our youth 36:15 involved in our churches, make them the church of today, 36:19 we will not see them go out the door, 36:21 isn't that true? 36:22 Amen, amen, that's very true 36:24 I'm very grateful for all of you 36:25 and those who worked at Linwood Church. 36:27 Amen, thank you so much Pastor. 36:30 Okay, next we have Cari and Bill 36:33 and their two daughters. 36:35 Now Cari and Bill, where do you live? 36:38 We live in Erway Heights. 36:40 Okay, so now, how did you find out about these meetings? 36:46 We received a flyer in the mail and it was about Bible Prophecy 36:52 and Bill and I have always been 36:54 interested in the prophecies of the Bible. 36:56 So what made you come? 36:58 Ah... just... well we'd been searching for a church 37:02 for many, many years and we kind of left a bad situation 37:08 with our last church and we just... 37:12 have been searching for the right church 37:15 and we started going to these... the Bible Prophecy meetings 37:22 and the Youth for Jesus people wow! 37:25 Now, what did you think when you first came... 37:28 and these 15- 16- 17-year-old kids were preaching? 37:31 We were blown away, literally blown away. 37:34 So did you learn something new from them? 37:37 Absolutely, yes... yes... 37:39 And all the things that you learned, 37:41 led you to make a decision, what was that? 37:44 Absolutely, Bill and I both were baptized on Tuesday. 37:48 Amen... amen... 37:50 Audience clapping... 37:53 And not only... not only you 37:56 and your husband but who else? 37:59 Who joined by Profession of Faith? 38:02 Bill's mom and dad, 38:05 yes, they also went to the meetings as well... with us. 38:08 Yes, amen, okay, and on Tuesday night, 38:10 Pastor Finley welcomed 38:12 all the newly-baptized members into the church 38:14 and he made an appeal and what happened at that appeal? 38:17 Mom is trying to figure out who is going to answer... 38:23 Who raised their hand? 38:24 Oh, my daughter, Grace, did. 38:27 Amen, amen... 38:28 Yes, she did... 38:30 Audience clapping... 38:32 And I was talking to her and she wants to be baptized 38:36 before her school starts this year 38:38 and so I told her, 38:41 "What are you going to do next summer?" 38:42 Join the ASI... 38:45 Amen... okay... thank you so much... 38:51 she will be up on the stage 38:53 as one of the young Youth for Jesus Evangelists. 38:58 Okay, thank you, the Bible work that goes here 39:02 is... starts in March and it goes all the way through 39:06 to the end of September to follow up 39:09 and this year I was very privileged 39:12 to work with Jack Phillips who was our Bible Work Coordinator 39:15 and he was absolutely invaluable 39:19 so I want to have him tell a short testimony 39:22 about his experience here 39:23 and then interview one of our Bible Workers. 39:27 My experience here was absolutely amazing 39:30 to come out here and lead a team of Bible Workers 39:33 that were passionate about sharing Jesus, 39:35 it's been a joy and while I was here 39:38 I went around and I shared a message 39:40 of just what someone is worth and what they're worth to Jesus 39:44 and while I was doing that, I met a young man 39:49 who was raised Adventist but was not Adventist, 39:54 he had left and he heard me preach 39:56 and we sat down and we ate together 39:58 and we talked and he signed up for studies 40:02 and me and him journeyed together 40:03 and he was baptized the other night as well. 40:06 It's a joy to do this work, I have a Bible Worker with me, 40:11 this is Laura and Laura works at the Linwood Church 40:16 with Pastor Volody and the rest of the team 40:19 and she has had a pretty awesome experience there 40:22 and I just want to ask her a few questions, now, 40:25 before you go out, what do you do? 40:28 I pray that God will lead me to somebody 40:31 who was searching for Him. 40:33 Okay, praying that God leads you 40:35 to someone who wants to know Him 40:38 and one of the times you prayed, what happened? 40:40 Five minutes later, God answered my prayer. 40:43 So... He answered your prayer, 40:45 how did He answer your prayer? 40:47 He led me to the store where I got to meet 40:50 a wonderful woman who was struggling with 40:53 life's struggles and health and she went on to explain 40:56 how she was searching for God. 40:57 All she was looking... was for answers from the Bible. 40:59 All right, so you met her, 41:02 now, before the conversation is over, what did she do? 41:06 She asks me for Bible Studies. 41:08 So she asked you for Bible Studies, 41:10 you're going over to her to ask her if she wants to study 41:12 and she ends up asking you, "please study with me" 41:15 and so you ended up studying, 41:17 you study for a while and... 41:19 then the Youth for Jesus Group shows up 41:22 and they go with you and what happens then? 41:25 We study with her more 41:27 and then we invite her to the Evangelistic Series 41:29 we were hosting at our Church. 41:31 Who did the studies? Did you keep studying with her. 41:33 Actually no... the Youth took over. 41:35 All right, so, these guys did it, 41:37 these young ladies and gentlemen took over 41:39 and how did they do? 41:41 They did great. 41:43 They did how? 41:44 They did great. 41:46 Great! All right, I love it, 41:47 all right so, you invited her to the meetings, 41:49 what was her reaction to coming to the meetings? 41:51 Before I actually was able to invite her, 41:54 she told me that she got the flyers in the mail 41:56 the previous week 41:58 but she couldn't go because she didn't have a ride. 42:00 All right, 42:01 now when she found out 42:03 you guys were doing the meetings, 42:05 what was... what did she say? 42:07 We ended up picking her up 42:09 every single day and taking her home 42:11 but she was excited to come to the meetings. 42:13 So she was going to the meetings 42:15 and then you get to the Sabbath topic... 42:17 presented it at the meetings and how did she react? 42:19 She was very enthusiastic, 42:23 that morning, she was studying in devotionals 42:25 about the Sabbath and she's like, 42:27 "Well no church teaches the Sabbath anymore 42:30 so I don't know where to search" 42:32 and on that night, in that Evangelistic Series, 42:34 she found out more about the Sabbath. 42:36 Amen... amen... okay now, you kept going to the meetings 42:40 and you get to baptism and what happens? 42:43 And you shared something that really touched my heart, 42:45 would you share what happened that night. 42:46 Okay, she was sitting there and she looked like 42:54 she was struggling about the baptism call, 42:56 she went up by herself, no one else followed her, 43:00 no one else was up there with her, 43:02 but she went up by herself 43:04 and she made the decision for God herself, 43:06 later on that night, she came back and she told me, 43:09 "Laura, I kept telling God, 'I am not going up there, 43:11 you will not let me go up there'" 43:13 she's like, "but I went up. " 43:15 Amen, amen, now, she made a decision, 43:20 has she been baptized yet? 43:22 No, she hasn't been baptized yet 43:24 but she's doing baptismal classes with Pastor Volody 43:27 and also, her boyfriend has joined her 43:29 in the baptismal studies 43:30 and he was formerly an Atheist before the Series. 43:33 Amen... amen... Audience: Amen... 43:36 Okay, our time is ticking down quick, 43:39 you know... one of the reasons... 43:42 the highlights of the program 43:44 is the impact that the program has 43:46 on the young people themselves. 43:47 You know, a lot of our young Adventist members 43:51 are just Adventists because somebody told them they were, 43:53 they don't know why they're Adventists for themselves 43:56 but through this program, 43:57 they have an experience with God, 43:59 they have an experience in winning souls 44:00 and they get a vision, 44:01 or they get a... a sense of mission 44:03 for why they are Seventh-day Adventists 44:05 and the mission of the church and their part in it 44:07 so Alessandra, you are 16-years old 44:10 and you have a ministry 44:12 and yet, you took time away from 44:15 basically, like a family business 44:17 and your ministry, to come to Youth for Jesus, why? 44:20 Well, I was really excited to come to YFJ... 44:24 or Youth for Jesus because 44:26 I had heard so much about it and everything that I heard, 44:29 turned out to be true and more, 44:31 because I was able to make friends with people that... 44:37 they were more like me, you know, 44:39 they had the same Christian standards, 44:41 they had the same kind of mindset 44:43 and it was just incredible to find youth 44:46 that were like that, youth that I could connect with 44:48 and my favorite part, I think was... 44:50 being able to give Bible Studies 44:53 to other people and just seeing God work through us 44:57 as broken vessels and still be able to use us 45:01 to be able to change the lives of other people 45:03 in the surrounding community and that to me 45:05 was incredibly special. 45:06 Amen... amen... thank you Alessandra, 45:09 this is Nelson, this is Nelson's second year 45:12 and you grew up in an Adventist home 45:14 but what was your spiritual experience like? 45:18 Um... for me... I would never really... 45:22 my parents were the people 45:23 that encouraged my spiritual walk, 45:25 I never really took an interest in that, 45:28 I didn't go to church to get closer to God, 45:30 I went to church to hang with friends and what not. 45:32 So you came to Youth for Jesus 45:34 and one thing you missed, I know, was your electronics 45:38 because you're really big into sports 45:40 and you needed to check on your sports teams every hour, 45:42 is that right? 45:43 Yes. 45:45 Okay but at Youth for Jesus, we don't have electronics 45:49 because we want to dedicate this month 45:51 to your relationship with God 45:53 and we want to leave all distractions aside, 45:55 so how was that experience for you? 45:56 Um, at first when I got here, I was like... 46:00 "What am I doing with my life, like, why am I here?" 46:03 But then as time progressed and I got to talking with 46:07 my Bible Worker, Eugene, he was a really powerful impact 46:11 on my life and he really made me think about 46:14 "Do I really want to go to heaven? 46:16 Do I really want to encourage my walk with God? 46:19 What do I want to get out of this program?" 46:21 And so at the end of the Program you shared a testimony 46:25 and you had made a decision and what was that? 46:28 So one night I was praying and I was like, 46:30 "If I don't get closer to God after YFJ and what not... 46:34 this is a waste... like, why did I come?" 46:36 So I prayed that if sports was what was keeping me 46:40 from getting closer to God, to take that away from me. 46:44 Amen and we're going to be praying for you, 46:47 thank you so much. 46:48 This is Kendall and Kendall, you had a plan for summer 46:54 that did not include YFJ, is that right? 46:56 Yes, I did. 46:57 Leasa: And where are you from? 46:58 Kendall: Originally? Leasa: No. 47:00 Right now, I'm from Wenatchee, Washington. 47:01 Okay, it's about three hours from here 47:03 and you had a plan and then you got a call 47:05 and we asked you to do something, what was that? 47:08 So, I was planning, this summer, 47:11 to be taking a CNA Class at our local Community College 47:15 and then I got a call 47:16 in January from someone I didn't expect to get a call from 47:19 it was from Ms. Vivian, she said, 47:21 "Kendall, what would you think about coming back to speak 47:24 at Youth for Jesus?" 47:25 and I was like, "Well, I'll pray about it" 47:28 and so I finished talking to her 47:30 and I started praying about it and I was like, 47:32 "No, I don't think it's going to work 47:33 because I have three things... " 47:34 I needed to be able to find 47:36 another way to take the CNA Class, 47:38 I needed to work or I needed to find 47:39 some way to pay for school, 47:41 and then I just had a lot on my plate with the other... 47:43 with the Nursing prerequisites and so I was like, 47:44 "I don't think this is going to work... God. " 47:46 Okay, but you obviously ended up here. 47:49 But I did, so then about a week later I went 47:52 and I talked to my Nursing Advisor 47:54 and she was like, "Not a problem, 47:56 we'll have you take the three-week accelerated course 47:58 at the end of the summer" 48:00 and then I was like, "Okay... " so that worked out, 48:02 and then I had forgotten that my grandparents had sent me an 48:04 application for a scholarship 48:05 and I didn't even know how much money it was for, 48:08 so the day before it was due, 48:10 I filled it out and applied for it 48:11 and I ended up receiving and it was for the exact amount 48:14 that I needed for Nursing School in the fall. 48:17 Amen... amen... amen... so... 48:19 preaching the gospel to the general public, 48:23 what was that experience like? 48:24 Well, I sometimes think, 48:26 we think that... us sharing the gospel... 48:28 that we're blessing other people but God is blessing us 48:32 and just to be able to... 48:33 to spend that time reading His Word 48:35 and then being able to teach it and share it with other people, 48:38 it's just... it takes on a whole new form 48:40 and it becomes living in a whole new way 48:42 and it was just an amazing experience 48:45 and I'm so glad God had a specific plan 48:47 for me to be here at Youth for Jesus this summer. 48:50 Amen... thank you so much for serving Kendall. 48:52 Okay, this is Michael Cuke. 48:54 Michael Cuke came from New York as one of the last replacements 48:59 for some people that couldn't come 49:00 now, what was your experience at Youth for Jesus like? 49:04 Okay, so, like Ms. Leasa said, I came from New York 49:08 and... I mean... it was a pretty big contrast, 49:11 coming from New York, to like, Farmville... basically 49:15 and kind of like other people I know down here, 49:21 when I first came here I was like, 49:22 "I can't do this, I have to go to bed at 9:30, 49:25 they have pizza with no cheese, they take away my phone," 49:30 I'm like, "I can't do this" 49:32 but as the days progressed and just like Nelson was saying, 49:35 the way Youth for Jesus is... 49:37 it causes you not to feel... like... pressured 49:40 to be in the church or to serve God, 49:42 it causes you to make it like a desire... 49:44 and you want to serve God, you want to finally choose 49:47 because God and a relationship with him 49:49 and making it to heaven is bigger than the cell phone, 49:51 it's bigger than pizza with cheese, 49:53 it's bigger than anything you could ever imagine 49:55 and coming to Youth for Jesus 49:57 is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. 50:00 Thank you Michael. Audience: Amen... 50:02 Audience clapping... 50:06 So, this is Harold Lance, 50:08 he is a President of ASI Mission Inc. 50:10 which funds the Youth for Jesus Program, 50:13 and you've been funding it for 16 years 50:17 and you were a member of the Linwood Church 50:20 which is one of the Youth for Jesus churches 50:23 and so what was it like, as a church member 50:26 experiencing Youth for Jesus? 50:27 We've seen Youth for Jesus from the outside 50:30 but to experience it from the inside... 50:33 to see the faithful leadership of the people 50:37 who make this happen every day, the Bible Workers, 50:41 the bright and shining committed young people 50:44 there... every night... 50:46 what an inspiration it was to us personally 50:49 and to our church that rallied around 50:52 and saw to it that we were there every night 50:56 to make it a respectable and interesting place 51:00 and I can tell you ASI Family that the dollars that we invest 51:05 in these young people, 51:07 and the money that the Conference puts into it 51:10 is well-spent dollars and we got our money's worth 51:13 and I am proud to wear their shirt. 51:16 Amen, now for any of the church members 51:18 that are from the Phoenix, Arizona area, 51:21 Phoenix, Arizona is where we will have 51:23 Youth for Jesus next year, okay, we'll see you there. 51:27 Thank you so much. 51:35 Piano being played... 51:39 some more music... 51:43 I'm longing to be like Jesus 51:51 I'm following in 51:55 His way 51:59 I'm learning to love 52:04 as He did... 52:08 and know that I do inside... 52:15 At times I am tempted 52:19 to make a wrong choice 52:23 but I want to listen 52:28 as the still small voice whispers, 52:34 "Love one another as Jesus loves you 52:41 try to show kindness in all that you do 52:48 be gentle and loving" 52:53 indeed I did find... 52:57 for these are the things Jesus taught. 53:06 piano playing... 53:14 piano... 53:22 I'm learning to love my neighbor 53:29 I'm learning to serve my friends 53:37 I watch for the day of gladness... 53:45 when Jesus will come again 53:52 I long to remember 53:56 the lessons He taught 54:00 then the Holy Spirit 54:04 enters into my thoughts saying, 54:09 "Love one another as Jesus loves you 54:16 try to show kindness in all that you do 54:24 be gentle and loving" indeed I did find... 54:32 for these are the things Jesus taught. 54:40 Love one another as Jesus loves you 54:48 try to show kindness in all that you do 54:56 be gentle and loving" indeed I did find... 55:04 for these are the things 55:10 Jesus 55:16 taught. 55:21 closing music... 55:27 Will you please bow your heads with me for prayer? 55:29 "Father, God, tonight we lift our hearts in prayer to you Lord 55:34 you know the messages that we have heard today 55:38 and tonight in music and in word, 55:40 Lord, maybe you've touched our hearts 55:43 but Lord, we want you to more... 55:45 we want to be more than just hearers Lord, 55:47 Lord, we want to be doers 55:49 and we ask that we wouldn't leave here 55:51 the same as we have come in 55:53 but that we would do your will, 55:56 that our lives would be a witness for you 55:58 in everything that we do 56:00 that we wouldn't just go to church on Sabbath 56:03 but that we would in all of our lives 56:06 in our work... in our school, 56:08 Lord that we would be servants for you 56:11 and that people would see Jesus in us, 56:13 that we may bring your message to the world at this time 56:17 of the closing of earth's history, Lord, 56:19 and we just thank you so much that you have not left us 56:23 but that you've cared so much about us... 56:26 Lord, we are so unworthy 56:29 and yet you've come down to our sinful planet 56:32 and made a difference 56:34 and father we want to make a difference for you 56:36 and we just thank you that you have given us the power 56:39 and we claim that and we thank you Lord 56:41 in Jesus' name, amen... 56:45 ASI Spokane, Washington |
Revised 2016-07-13