First person I
want to introduce to you
00:00:32.53\00:00:34.66
is Maha.
00:00:34.70\00:00:36.13
Maha, tell me where are you from
00:00:36.16\00:00:38.80
and what do you
currently do for work.
00:00:38.83\00:00:41.97
So, I'm Syrian originally,
00:00:42.00\00:00:44.94
and I work as a caseworker
and sponsorship developer
00:00:44.97\00:00:48.74
at Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
00:00:48.78\00:00:51.21
As a caseworker,
00:00:51.25\00:00:52.58
what are you doing for refugees?
00:00:52.61\00:00:55.45
So I outreach to churches,
faith community groups,
00:00:55.48\00:01:00.02
organizations to
co-sponsor our families
00:01:00.06\00:01:03.73
for the first three
months of their resettlement.
00:01:03.76\00:01:07.03
So you help
families get integrated
00:01:07.06\00:01:09.93
and assimilated into
the American culture,
00:01:09.96\00:01:13.13
especially for the
refugees who recently arrived.
00:01:13.17\00:01:18.61
Recently, in the past year,
00:01:18.64\00:01:20.64
there's been five or so
families from the Congo.
00:01:20.68\00:01:25.75
Can you tell me a
little bit more about
00:01:25.78\00:01:29.22
what did you learn
00:01:29.25\00:01:30.59
once you knew more
about these families?
00:01:30.62\00:01:33.69
So I received the
arrival information
00:01:33.72\00:01:35.82
of five families who
are Seventh-day Adventists
00:01:35.86\00:01:39.06
who were supposed to
arrive to Louisville,
00:01:39.09\00:01:41.26
and then I looked
and searched the Internet
00:01:41.30\00:01:43.97
and I found some Seventh-day
Adventist churches here.
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So I outreached to them
by showing up on Sabbath
00:01:47.37\00:01:51.21
unexpectedly to Middle Town
Seventh-Day Adventist Church,
00:01:51.24\00:01:54.84
and I talked to some
members of the congregation
00:01:54.88\00:01:57.55
who actually warmly welcomed me
00:01:57.58\00:01:59.98
and I asked him to co-sponsor
one of these families.
00:02:00.02\00:02:03.79
So Maha works for a
nonprofit organization
00:02:03.82\00:02:06.86
that helps
refugees get resettled,
00:02:06.89\00:02:09.72
but she quickly learned
00:02:09.76\00:02:11.09
that they were all
Seventh-day Adventist refugees.
00:02:11.13\00:02:14.66
So then you went and
knocked on these churches' doors
00:02:14.70\00:02:20.30
by showing up on the Sabbath.
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You did some research.
00:02:22.74\00:02:24.34
You connected
with a local church.
00:02:24.37\00:02:26.57
And then they invited
her to a board meeting
00:02:26.61\00:02:29.81
in which they
approved to sponsor a family.
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Praise the Lord.
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And that's how I
got connected to you
00:02:36.99\00:02:38.82
because when I was praying
00:02:38.85\00:02:40.52
about how can we
reach Louisville,
00:02:40.56\00:02:43.69
I was talking to
the local churches,
00:02:43.73\00:02:45.89
and one church said,
00:02:45.93\00:02:47.43
"We have a contact.
00:02:47.46\00:02:49.46
We want to
connect you with Maha."
00:02:49.50\00:02:52.00
So this week,
00:02:52.03\00:02:53.37
what happened in the
homes of three refugee families?
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So I went with this
amazing group of people
00:02:58.87\00:03:02.54
who I'm really honored
to know, every one of them.
00:03:02.58\00:03:06.51
They've been to the houses
or three Congolese families,
00:03:06.55\00:03:09.32
Seventh-day Adventists.
00:03:09.35\00:03:10.69
They've been cleaning,
fixing stuff in the house,
00:03:10.72\00:03:14.59
buying things for them,
00:03:14.62\00:03:16.46
vacuum
cleaners, fans, lamplight.
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I'm so amazed by the
enthusiasm, the energy,
00:03:20.06\00:03:24.37
the honesty that
I've experienced.
00:03:24.40\00:03:28.07
This is a rich experience
for me more than for them.
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And thank you so
much for doing that.
00:03:32.27\00:03:34.71
You're really making
this world a better place.
00:03:34.74\00:03:37.71
Thank you.
00:03:37.75\00:03:41.08
So if you look at the screens,
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we can show a few of the photos
00:03:44.25\00:03:45.89
of what the young people did.
00:03:45.92\00:03:47.62
This is a photo
of one single mother,
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and this is some of the
photos of what happened,
00:03:52.86\00:03:56.87
and we cleaned very practically,
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it wasn't very difficult.
00:04:01.04\00:04:03.30
We just did the task at hand.
00:04:03.34\00:04:06.54
And then we also
dropped 8,000 tote bags
00:04:06.57\00:04:11.21
throughout the
whole city of Louisville,
00:04:11.25\00:04:13.85
asking for
donations to give to refugees
00:04:13.88\00:04:17.12
that would benefit the
refugees that you serve.
00:04:17.15\00:04:20.96
So these five Congolese refugees
00:04:20.99\00:04:23.49
will greatly
benefit by the outreach
00:04:23.53\00:04:26.56
that we're doing tomorrow
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when you guys go pick
up those tote bags back up.
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Now on to my next interview,
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I just wanted
to share about more
00:04:35.30\00:04:38.54
about how we can serve
using our hands and feet.
00:04:38.57\00:04:41.94
So who are you and
how did you get involved?
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My name is Ostap
00:04:45.61\00:04:46.95
and we have a ministry
called Build and Restore,
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and we have something
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that we like to
share with people.
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It's called physical evangelism,
00:04:51.82\00:04:53.52
how we can work
with our hands and feet
00:04:53.56\00:04:55.52
and practically coming
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to support our
local churches or schools
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and places of community impact.
00:05:00.53\00:05:03.50
So if we can cue
on some of the photos
00:05:03.53\00:05:05.93
of the young people
fixing a local church
00:05:05.97\00:05:11.34
that needed a lot of
TLC, tender, love and care,
00:05:11.37\00:05:16.31
this is a before
and this is the after.
00:05:16.34\00:05:20.62
Complete transformation.
00:05:20.65\00:05:22.95
What's been your experience
when you transform churches?
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We have seen
00:05:27.62\00:05:28.96
that not only
the building itself
00:05:28.99\00:05:30.86
but the people
that are involved,
00:05:30.89\00:05:32.99
the volunteers,
the staff at the church
00:05:33.03\00:05:36.00
as well as the members,
00:05:36.03\00:05:37.37
they are
impacted again and again
00:05:37.40\00:05:39.53
as they come to
a church building
00:05:39.57\00:05:41.14
that's now fresh and clean
00:05:41.17\00:05:43.17
and ready to
receive the community.
00:05:43.20\00:05:47.01
As we build our local church,
00:05:47.04\00:05:49.24
it reminds us of our own task
to reach out to the community.
00:05:49.28\00:05:54.12
Thank you so much, Ostap,
for the work that you're doing.
00:05:54.15\00:05:58.35
Amen.
00:05:58.39\00:06:01.92
Our last, my last interviewee,
00:06:01.96\00:06:05.09
where are you from
00:06:05.13\00:06:06.46
and how many
GYCs have you been to?
00:06:06.49\00:06:09.53
Hi, so my name is Tiffany.
00:06:09.56\00:06:11.93
This is my very first GYC
and I'm from Orlando, Florida.
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So it was your
first time to GYC.
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And you decided to
come to a pre-conference.
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What have you learned in
your experience coming here?
00:06:24.65\00:06:27.75
Wow.
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Well, there's so
much I have learned.
00:06:29.15\00:06:31.22
But I do want to say
00:06:31.25\00:06:32.59
that out of all the years
that I have been an Adventist,
00:06:32.62\00:06:36.36
I never knew that
there were young people
00:06:36.39\00:06:39.13
such as these who cared so much
00:06:39.16\00:06:41.86
and wanted to
serve God so willingly.
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So I just want to
thank God for that.
00:06:44.23\00:06:46.67
And just
service I was so humbled
00:06:46.70\00:06:49.97
to be a part of this group,
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each young person on this stage
00:06:51.91\00:06:53.91
brought a special
dynamic to our mission trip
00:06:53.94\00:06:57.55
and we were able
to accomplish so much
00:06:57.58\00:06:59.91
in such a short period of time.
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I see there is a
hot pink trash bin
00:07:03.02\00:07:05.79
next to you.
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Can you explain
what that's all about?
00:07:07.19\00:07:10.49
Yes.
00:07:10.53\00:07:11.86
Okay, so this
trash bin will be placed
00:07:11.89\00:07:15.06
at local
Seventh-day Adventist churches
00:07:15.10\00:07:17.67
in the community
00:07:17.70\00:07:19.13
and they will be placed there
00:07:19.17\00:07:21.90
so families who want
to donate their tote bags
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can place them
in these trash bins
00:07:26.44\00:07:30.85
because we may
not be able to reach
00:07:30.88\00:07:32.55
all of the doors tomorrow.
00:07:32.58\00:07:34.98
Yes, so tomorrow,
outreach is going to be...
00:07:35.02\00:07:38.95
Outreach Training is
going to start at 10:30.
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What time? 10:30.
00:07:41.89\00:07:44.03
So that means you
need to be here by 10:15.
00:07:44.06\00:07:47.96
And before you come
00:07:48.00\00:07:49.46
on the Outreach
Training right here,
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please use the restroom first
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and you also
00:07:56.50\00:08:00.11
if you are not
going on Outreach,
00:08:00.14\00:08:02.08
you need to stay in the hall
00:08:02.11\00:08:03.91
until everybody
has left for Outreach.
00:08:03.95\00:08:07.52
We hope to see you.
00:08:07.55\00:08:08.98
We're excited to go
back into the community
00:08:09.02\00:08:11.89
to serve it willingly
00:08:11.92\00:08:13.46
and to benefit
refugees in Louisville.
00:08:13.49\00:08:17.03
Blessings.
00:08:17.06\00:08:18.39
What was he thinking
00:08:33.98\00:08:36.68
That day
00:08:36.71\00:08:42.02
Throwing himself
00:08:42.05\00:08:44.29
In the way
00:08:44.32\00:08:50.46
The death
decree Was meant for me
00:08:50.49\00:08:54.50
I should've been on that tree
00:08:54.53\00:08:58.57
The Son of God
00:08:58.60\00:09:01.30
Was slain
00:09:01.34\00:09:06.37
He took my sins away
00:09:06.41\00:09:10.51
And saved me by His grace
00:09:10.55\00:09:14.12
He could've called
Thousands of angels
00:09:14.15\00:09:17.42
But instead
00:09:17.45\00:09:19.99
In our sins died for me
00:09:20.02\00:09:23.29
Nailed to a cross on Calvary
00:09:23.32\00:09:27.93
Spotless was He born
00:09:27.96\00:09:31.73
And spotless was
00:09:31.77\00:09:33.47
He turned for me
00:09:33.50\00:09:36.00
He gave me His life
00:09:36.04\00:09:39.67
Despite the pain and strive
00:09:39.71\00:09:45.15
Besides the thorns
00:09:45.18\00:09:46.78
And the hands so scarred
00:09:46.82\00:09:49.62
A countenance
That's been so marred
00:09:49.65\00:09:53.82
Blood and water from His side
00:09:53.86\00:09:57.16
Because he died
00:09:57.19\00:09:59.33
Of a broken heart
00:09:59.36\00:10:06.33
But King of kings calls us
00:10:06.37\00:10:09.80
Friend
00:10:09.84\00:10:14.04
Endured the Christ
00:10:14.08\00:10:16.01
Till the end
00:10:16.04\00:10:21.52
He thought of the reward
00:10:21.55\00:10:23.79
He thought of you
00:10:23.82\00:10:25.72
Gave the power to choose
00:10:25.75\00:10:29.86
He is the life giving bread
00:10:29.89\00:10:33.86
He borrowed all our sins
00:10:37.23\00:10:41.20
Wouldn't let the devil win
00:10:41.24\00:10:44.67
He could've called
Thousands of angels
00:10:44.71\00:10:47.81
But instead
00:10:47.84\00:10:50.28
In our sins died for me
00:10:50.31\00:10:53.42
Nailed to a cross on Calvary
00:10:53.45\00:10:58.09
Spotless was He born
00:10:58.12\00:11:01.99
And spotless was
00:11:02.02\00:11:03.63
He turned for me
00:11:03.66\00:11:06.06
He gave me His life
00:11:06.09\00:11:09.83
Despite the pain and strive
00:11:09.86\00:11:15.10
Besides the thorns
And the hands so scarred
00:11:15.14\00:11:19.61
A countenance
That's been so marred
00:11:19.64\00:11:23.75
Blood and water from His side
00:11:23.78\00:11:27.05
Because He died
00:11:27.08\00:11:29.12
Of a broken heart
00:11:29.15\00:11:32.95
He knelt in Gethsemane
00:11:36.02\00:11:40.20
He thought of you and me
00:11:40.23\00:11:43.83
His mind was set Only go forward
00:11:43.87\00:11:47.80
I want to bring
My children upward
00:11:47.84\00:11:51.91
No more suffering, no more pain
00:11:51.94\00:11:55.04
For you I'm glad to save
00:11:55.08\00:11:59.05
I died for you
00:12:03.18\00:12:06.52
Beaten bad and blue
00:12:06.55\00:12:10.29
Spotless was I was born
00:12:10.33\00:12:13.96
And Spotless
was I turned for you
00:12:14.00\00:12:18.07
I gave you My life
00:12:18.10\00:12:21.74
Despite the pain and strive
00:12:21.77\00:12:27.14
Besides knowing
Most would just reject me
00:12:27.18\00:12:31.75
Knowing My
children would not accept Me
00:12:31.78\00:12:35.72
But knowing I'd be with my bride
00:12:35.75\00:12:39.45
I chose to die
00:12:39.49\00:12:41.36
In our since died for me
00:12:45.69\00:12:49.30
Nailed to a cross on Calvary
00:12:49.33\00:12:54.30
Spotless was he born
00:12:54.34\00:12:58.47
And Spotless
was He turned for me
00:12:58.51\00:13:02.94
He gave me His life
00:13:02.98\00:13:06.92
Despite the pain and strive
00:13:06.95\00:13:12.72
Besides the thorns
And the hands so scarred
00:13:12.75\00:13:17.33
A countenance
That's been so marred
00:13:17.36\00:13:21.66
Blood and water from His side
00:13:21.70\00:13:25.07
Because He died
00:13:25.10\00:13:27.30
Of a broken heart
00:13:27.34\00:13:33.27
Because He died
00:13:33.31\00:13:35.48
Of a broken heart
00:13:35.51\00:13:41.98
He chose to die
00:13:42.02\00:13:44.89
Of a broken heart.
00:13:44.92\00:13:51.89
Can we say aloud amen
00:14:15.52\00:14:18.69
to that
beautiful message in song?
00:14:18.72\00:14:20.36
Amen.
00:14:20.39\00:14:22.32
One of the verses
00:14:22.36\00:14:23.69
that we were
claiming this morning
00:14:23.73\00:14:25.06
as we gathered together
in the prayer room at 5:45
00:14:25.09\00:14:30.93
was this beautiful
verse in Luke 11:13,
00:14:30.97\00:14:33.87
"If you then, being evil,
00:14:33.90\00:14:35.24
know how to give good
gifts to your children,
00:14:35.27\00:14:37.37
how much more shall
your Heavenly Father
00:14:37.41\00:14:39.84
give the Holy Spirit
for them that ask Him!"
00:14:39.87\00:14:42.84
Friends, a lot of peoples' lives
00:14:42.88\00:14:44.88
have been changed
in the prayer room
00:14:44.91\00:14:46.25
and one of those friends
00:14:46.28\00:14:47.95
I call her not
my friend right now
00:14:47.98\00:14:49.45
but my sister,
00:14:49.48\00:14:51.15
as her life has been
changed in the prayer room
00:14:51.19\00:14:52.72
is my sister Meztli.
00:14:52.75\00:14:54.42
How many times
have you been in GYC?
00:14:54.46\00:14:56.73
So this would be
my third year here.
00:14:56.76\00:14:58.96
Why do you keep on
coming back to GYC?
00:14:58.99\00:15:00.70
What is your
favorite part of GYC?
00:15:00.73\00:15:02.56
United prayer.
00:15:02.60\00:15:03.93
No doubt about it.
00:15:03.97\00:15:05.30
Yes, we might spare
00:15:05.33\00:15:06.67
a couple of
minutes in the morning,
00:15:06.70\00:15:08.04
but you come out of
there feeling so blessed.
00:15:08.07\00:15:11.17
Tell them about
what you have told me
00:15:11.21\00:15:13.48
how United Prayer or
how intercessory prayer
00:15:13.51\00:15:16.31
changed your life.
00:15:16.34\00:15:17.68
Of course.
00:15:17.71\00:15:19.05
So three years ago,
00:15:19.08\00:15:20.42
I was a very lukewarm Christian.
00:15:20.45\00:15:23.49
I had made decisions
that took me away from God,
00:15:23.52\00:15:26.76
so far away
00:15:26.79\00:15:28.19
that when I
came to my first GYC,
00:15:28.22\00:15:31.09
I didn't feel
like I belong here.
00:15:31.13\00:15:32.73
I felt a hypocrite.
00:15:32.76\00:15:34.90
I felt fake.
00:15:34.93\00:15:36.60
And soon on onward,
00:15:36.63\00:15:39.17
I started getting
spiritual warfare.
00:15:39.20\00:15:42.04
Everything that
could go wrong went wrong.
00:15:42.07\00:15:45.17
It was so bad
00:15:45.21\00:15:46.54
that I wasn't
only ready to leave GYC
00:15:46.57\00:15:49.64
but I was ready
to leave the church.
00:15:49.68\00:15:51.01
I wanted to tap out.
00:15:51.05\00:15:52.51
But in those dark moments,
00:15:52.55\00:15:54.38
Jesus reached out to
me and I was convicted,
00:15:54.42\00:15:57.62
and I realized that the only way
00:15:57.65\00:15:59.75
that we could
overcome was through prayer.
00:15:59.79\00:16:02.76
So I ran, I bolted.
00:16:02.79\00:16:04.93
I bolted to the prayer room.
00:16:04.96\00:16:06.83
And at that moment I saw Gem
and I begged for some prayer.
00:16:06.86\00:16:10.13
I just knew that
that was something
00:16:10.17\00:16:11.70
that I could not do alone.
00:16:11.73\00:16:13.70
Soon on after
intercessory prayer started,
00:16:13.74\00:16:16.81
and I can tell
you, after that date,
00:16:16.84\00:16:19.21
after that last Amen,
00:16:19.24\00:16:21.31
I was reminded
of who I belong to,
00:16:21.34\00:16:23.78
the King of kings, my Father,
00:16:23.81\00:16:25.88
and He promised me
that there was so much more
00:16:25.91\00:16:28.22
and that that
identity of being a hypocrite
00:16:28.25\00:16:30.62
He could change.
00:16:30.65\00:16:32.15
Amen.
00:16:32.19\00:16:34.06
So what happened
to you afterwards?
00:16:34.09\00:16:35.79
Yeah, so a huge transformation.
00:16:35.82\00:16:38.29
I let a lot of things go.
00:16:38.33\00:16:39.93
I had to be all in for Jesus.
00:16:39.96\00:16:41.76
I soon started
volunteering for the Pathfinders
00:16:41.80\00:16:43.93
and Adventurers
group at my local church.
00:16:43.97\00:16:45.77
And not only that
00:16:45.80\00:16:47.14
but recently we
have a small movement
00:16:47.17\00:16:48.80
going on with young-adults
00:16:48.84\00:16:50.17
as the
Seventh-day Adventist Church
00:16:50.21\00:16:52.01
back in Milwaukee.
00:16:52.04\00:16:53.41
Wow.
00:16:53.44\00:16:54.78
So I know that
some of the people here
00:16:54.81\00:16:56.78
that the Lord has brought to GYC
00:16:56.81\00:16:58.25
at the same situation
00:16:58.28\00:16:59.61
like you were
in three years ago,
00:16:59.65\00:17:01.52
by the way,
friends, three years ago,
00:17:01.55\00:17:03.02
this is not the same person
00:17:03.05\00:17:04.39
that I'm spending
time with right now.
00:17:04.42\00:17:06.79
It's a totally different person.
00:17:06.82\00:17:08.16
So what is your
message for them?
00:17:08.19\00:17:09.59
Yes.
00:17:09.62\00:17:10.96
So if anyone is
feeling in those same shoes,
00:17:10.99\00:17:14.10
if you have one
foot in, one foot out,
00:17:14.13\00:17:16.63
if you are doubting
your faith, if you feel like,
00:17:16.67\00:17:19.03
"No, I shouldn't
have come here at GYC,"
00:17:19.07\00:17:21.54
let me tell you,
you are not alone.
00:17:21.57\00:17:24.01
I welcome you
to open your hearts
00:17:24.04\00:17:25.81
and let Jesus come in.
00:17:25.84\00:17:27.71
Please come to prayer.
00:17:27.74\00:17:29.31
And it's okay for
you to ask for help.
00:17:29.34\00:17:31.31
Look around you, look
to the person next to you.
00:17:31.35\00:17:34.08
We can pray for you and
we can intercede with you
00:17:34.12\00:17:36.58
and I promise you not
only did God change me
00:17:36.62\00:17:40.39
but He can change you as well.
00:17:40.42\00:17:41.86
Amen.
00:17:41.89\00:17:43.22
From the person
who needed prayer
00:17:43.26\00:17:44.59
is now the one giving prayer.
00:17:44.63\00:17:46.29
Amen.
00:17:46.33\00:17:47.80
So this time we'll spend
only a few seconds of prayer
00:17:47.83\00:17:52.83
while my sister
Abigail and my brother Austin
00:17:52.87\00:17:55.24
will lead us into a song.
00:17:55.27\00:17:56.71
Please sing with us
00:17:56.74\00:17:58.07
and let's spend a
few seconds in prayer.
00:17:58.11\00:18:01.21
Let's be on our knees.
00:18:01.24\00:18:02.58
Please join us.
00:18:09.28\00:18:11.89
Oh my God
00:18:11.92\00:18:14.19
Let me see Your Strength
00:18:14.22\00:18:17.76
In moments I can't feel You
00:18:17.79\00:18:24.07
Oh my God Let me know the length
00:18:24.10\00:18:29.70
Your power and mercy go to.
00:18:29.74\00:18:35.78
Grant me the victory
That's not in my hand
00:18:35.81\00:18:41.28
I'll trust You
To help me to stand.
00:18:41.32\00:18:46.49
Yes, Dear Father, we
cannot do it without You.
00:18:51.03\00:18:54.33
So, Lord, I pray
00:18:54.36\00:18:56.06
that You please
pour Your spirit upon us.
00:18:56.10\00:18:59.03
Help us to cling upon You,
00:18:59.07\00:19:00.54
help us to run to You
00:19:00.57\00:19:01.90
the way that woman ran to Jesus
00:19:01.94\00:19:05.51
and touched the
hem of His garment.
00:19:05.54\00:19:07.68
Give us the courage.
00:19:07.71\00:19:09.41
Give us the
strength to reach out.
00:19:09.44\00:19:11.91
We ask this in the
name of Jesus, amen.
00:19:11.95\00:19:15.48
Grant me the victory
That's not in my hands
00:19:15.52\00:19:21.39
I'll trust you
To help me to stand.
00:19:21.42\00:19:27.40
Amen.
00:19:27.43\00:19:28.76
I've tried to stand my ground
00:19:53.52\00:19:56.56
I've tried to understand
00:19:56.59\00:19:59.36
But I can't seem to find
00:19:59.39\00:20:01.86
My faith again
00:20:01.90\00:20:06.40
Like water on the sand
00:20:06.43\00:20:09.50
Or grasping at the wind
00:20:09.54\00:20:12.47
I keep on falling short
00:20:12.51\00:20:17.65
So please be my strength
00:20:17.68\00:20:23.72
Please be my strength
00:20:23.75\00:20:28.02
'Cause I don't have any more
00:20:28.06\00:20:33.76
I don't have any more
00:20:33.80\00:20:37.87
I'm looking for a place
00:20:52.75\00:20:55.68
Where I can plant my faith
00:20:55.72\00:20:58.52
One thing I know for sure
00:20:58.55\00:21:03.59
That I cannot create it
00:21:03.63\00:21:06.70
And I cannot sustain it
00:21:06.73\00:21:09.13
It's Your love That's keeping me
00:21:09.16\00:21:14.20
So please be my strength
00:21:14.24\00:21:20.61
Please be my strength
00:21:20.64\00:21:25.05
I don't have any more
00:21:25.08\00:21:30.55
I don't have any more
00:21:30.59\00:21:37.39
And at my final breath
00:21:37.43\00:21:40.13
I hope that I can say
00:21:40.16\00:21:42.96
I fought The good fight of faith
00:21:43.00\00:21:48.30
I pray your glory shine
00:21:48.34\00:21:50.94
In this doubting heart of mine
00:21:50.97\00:21:53.74
And all would know
00:21:53.78\00:21:56.14
That You
00:21:56.18\00:21:59.55
You are my strength
00:21:59.58\00:22:05.55
You are my strength
00:22:05.59\00:22:10.09
You and you alone
00:22:10.13\00:22:15.03
You keep bringing me back home
00:22:15.06\00:22:20.90
O
00:22:20.94\00:22:22.34
You are my strength
00:22:22.37\00:22:28.08
You are my strength
00:22:28.11\00:22:32.61
You and You alone
00:22:32.65\00:22:37.82
Keep bringing me back home
00:22:37.85\00:22:43.63
It's You and You alone
00:22:43.66\00:22:49.86
You keep bringing me back home.
00:22:49.90\00:22:56.84
Good evening, GYC.
00:23:17.03\00:23:20.23
I hope that you
had a major blessing
00:23:20.26\00:23:23.93
at the seminars today
00:23:23.97\00:23:26.07
and that you're ready
for Outreach tomorrow.
00:23:26.10\00:23:27.97
Amen. Amen.
00:23:28.00\00:23:29.57
Amen.
00:23:29.60\00:23:30.94
Young people, rightly trained,
00:23:34.38\00:23:38.71
can change the world.
00:23:38.75\00:23:40.08
Amen.
00:23:40.12\00:23:41.45
Do you believe this?
00:23:41.48\00:23:42.92
I believe that
education is paramount
00:23:42.95\00:23:45.29
to the success of our church.
00:23:45.32\00:23:47.79
The Seventh-day Adventist church
00:23:47.82\00:23:49.72
has associations
00:23:49.76\00:23:51.09
with over 8,500
educational institutions
00:23:51.13\00:23:55.80
with over 1.95 million
students across the world.
00:23:55.83\00:24:02.00
You can believe
in those statistics,
00:24:02.04\00:24:03.64
I got them
straight from Wikipedia.
00:24:03.67\00:24:07.51
Of all the churches in the world
00:24:07.54\00:24:09.04
that we have the largest network
00:24:09.08\00:24:11.55
of educational institutions
00:24:11.58\00:24:13.01
behind only the Catholic Church.
00:24:13.05\00:24:15.32
But, friends,
numbers are not enough.
00:24:15.35\00:24:18.15
We have a mission.
00:24:18.19\00:24:20.79
The true objective of
education is to restore
00:24:20.82\00:24:23.53
the image of God in the soul,
00:24:23.56\00:24:25.99
and working within education,
00:24:26.03\00:24:28.06
I see just how
difficult this can be.
00:24:28.10\00:24:31.00
This is
something that we cannot do
00:24:31.03\00:24:33.47
in our own strength.
00:24:33.50\00:24:35.67
Many months back in
preparing for this message,
00:24:35.70\00:24:38.21
I came across a quote
00:24:38.24\00:24:40.18
by the great German
reformer Martin Luther.
00:24:40.21\00:24:45.55
He says, "I am much afraid
00:24:45.58\00:24:47.75
that the universities will prove
00:24:47.78\00:24:51.09
to be the great gates of hell,
00:24:51.12\00:24:55.09
unless they diligently labor
00:24:55.12\00:24:56.99
in explaining
the Holy Scriptures
00:24:57.03\00:24:59.73
and engraving them in
the hearts of the youth.
00:24:59.76\00:25:01.93
I advise no one's to places
00:25:01.96\00:25:03.77
child where the scriptures
do not reign paramount.
00:25:03.80\00:25:06.94
Every institution in which
men are not unceasingly occupied
00:25:06.97\00:25:10.81
with the word of God
shall become corrupt."
00:25:10.84\00:25:15.28
From the title for
this evening's message
00:25:15.31\00:25:17.75
is The Great Gates of Hell.
00:25:17.78\00:25:21.05
Let's pray.
00:25:21.08\00:25:22.42
Father in heaven, we
pray for Your presence,
00:25:22.45\00:25:25.19
for Your spirit
and for Your power.
00:25:25.22\00:25:27.92
In Jesus name, amen.
00:25:27.96\00:25:30.99
I believe that Adventism
00:25:31.03\00:25:32.36
is where identity can be found
in the three angels' message,
00:25:32.39\00:25:35.70
the everlasting gospel.
00:25:35.73\00:25:37.07
Can you say amen?
00:25:37.10\00:25:38.97
You cannot discuss the history
nor the present of our church
00:25:39.00\00:25:42.97
without this chapter.
00:25:43.00\00:25:44.34
It is absolutely
fundamental to who we are,
00:25:44.37\00:25:46.94
to what we are, to
when we are, and why we are.
00:25:46.98\00:25:50.28
And I think that
we will do our best
00:25:50.31\00:25:52.18
that putting it to memory
00:25:52.21\00:25:54.72
for it is in the
first angel's message
00:25:54.75\00:25:56.38
when the words, "Fear
God and give Him the glory
00:25:56.42\00:25:58.49
for the hour of
His judgment has come"
00:25:58.52\00:26:00.79
that Josiah Fitch was awakened,
00:26:00.82\00:26:03.22
that William Miller
was given added impetus
00:26:03.26\00:26:05.53
to preach the
message of the Lord,
00:26:05.56\00:26:08.30
and that the hand
that heralded the birth
00:26:08.33\00:26:10.60
of the great Advent movement.
00:26:10.63\00:26:13.27
Ellen White stated
00:26:13.30\00:26:14.64
that the theme of
greatest importance
00:26:14.67\00:26:17.17
is the third angels' message,
00:26:17.21\00:26:19.77
embracing the messages of
the first and second angels,
00:26:19.81\00:26:23.14
all should understand the truths
00:26:23.18\00:26:24.75
contained in these messages
00:26:24.78\00:26:26.51
and demonstrate
them in the daily life
00:26:26.55\00:26:28.32
for they are, listen to this,
00:26:28.35\00:26:29.95
essential to salvation.
00:26:29.98\00:26:33.32
What does this have
to do with education?
00:26:33.36\00:26:36.16
For Sister White says
00:26:36.19\00:26:37.53
that the true
objective of education
00:26:37.56\00:26:39.23
is to restore the
image of God in the soul.
00:26:39.26\00:26:43.43
That is the gospel.
00:26:43.47\00:26:46.50
The third angel's
message is not a complex one.
00:26:46.53\00:26:48.70
It is about receiving
the seal of God in the mind.
00:26:48.74\00:26:52.27
It is about the
mind being transformed
00:26:52.31\00:26:54.61
into the very mind of Christ
00:26:54.64\00:26:57.01
and that, my friends, is
also the work of education.
00:26:57.05\00:27:01.92
It was envisioned in
1872 that Ellen White wrote it
00:27:01.95\00:27:05.42
comprehends
speaking of education,
00:27:05.45\00:27:07.52
the practice of
temperance of godliness,
00:27:07.56\00:27:10.66
of brotherly kindness
00:27:10.69\00:27:12.39
and love to God
and to one another.
00:27:12.43\00:27:14.63
And in order to
attain this object,
00:27:14.66\00:27:16.60
the physical, the
mental, the moral,
00:27:16.63\00:27:19.27
and religious
education of children
00:27:19.30\00:27:21.50
must have attention.
00:27:21.54\00:27:24.27
Friends, I hope that
this is not new to you,
00:27:24.31\00:27:26.74
but I fear that it might be.
00:27:26.78\00:27:28.88
The purpose of education
00:27:28.91\00:27:31.01
and the purpose of
school is to save souls,
00:27:31.05\00:27:36.18
your soul, your friend's soul,
00:27:36.22\00:27:38.35
your classmate's
soul, your teachers' soul,
00:27:38.39\00:27:40.89
and your community's soul.
00:27:40.92\00:27:42.99
God can save by few or by many,
00:27:43.02\00:27:46.19
but He has blessed us
00:27:46.23\00:27:47.56
with such
educational institutions
00:27:47.60\00:27:50.00
because His desire
is to save by many.
00:27:50.03\00:27:54.30
This is why the very first
Adventist schools were erected
00:27:54.34\00:27:57.34
with this missionary focus.
00:27:57.37\00:28:00.34
Yes, they offer
language courses,
00:28:00.38\00:28:02.01
of course, so that
you could communicate
00:28:02.04\00:28:03.85
the gospel effectively.
00:28:03.88\00:28:05.51
Did they offer
practical trade training?
00:28:05.55\00:28:07.82
Yes, so that you can support
yourself in the gospel work.
00:28:07.85\00:28:11.45
Adventist education had a focus,
00:28:11.49\00:28:14.42
a mission, a theme,
00:28:14.46\00:28:16.49
with such an army of
workers as our youth,
00:28:16.52\00:28:19.09
rightly trained,
00:28:19.13\00:28:20.46
might furnish
how soon the message
00:28:20.50\00:28:22.16
of a crucified risen
00:28:22.20\00:28:23.63
and soon coming Savior
00:28:23.67\00:28:25.13
might be carried
to the whole world.
00:28:25.17\00:28:28.64
Friends, I ask you,
does that exist today?
00:28:28.67\00:28:31.84
Do our schools bear the
name of this God given movement?
00:28:31.87\00:28:35.01
Do they still
have this philosophy
00:28:35.04\00:28:37.61
built into the dorms?
00:28:37.65\00:28:39.51
Does it bring
focus to the classroom?
00:28:39.55\00:28:41.32
Does it unite the
student body in mission?
00:28:41.35\00:28:43.89
I fear that at
times it does not.
00:28:43.92\00:28:47.16
The quote that I
just read concludes
00:28:47.19\00:28:49.32
how soon might come the end,
00:28:49.36\00:28:51.49
the end of suffering and of sin.
00:28:51.53\00:28:54.90
But it seems to me
00:28:54.93\00:28:56.26
that sometimes
the goal of education
00:28:56.30\00:28:58.63
looks like it's
not to get rid of sin
00:28:58.67\00:29:00.34
and bring this world to an end
00:29:00.37\00:29:01.70
but rather to make
00:29:01.74\00:29:03.07
our experience in
it more comfortable.
00:29:03.10\00:29:05.97
As the great
reformer Langston once said,
00:29:06.01\00:29:07.94
"Religion cannot be
maintained without schools."
00:29:07.98\00:29:12.31
And if you're on the opinion
00:29:12.35\00:29:13.78
that the church
may be struggling then
00:29:13.82\00:29:15.48
by default,
00:29:15.52\00:29:16.85
our educational
institutions cannot be reaching
00:29:16.89\00:29:19.02
the goals and
standards that heaven desires.
00:29:19.05\00:29:24.06
A brief history, mind you,
00:29:24.09\00:29:25.76
is littered with great schools
00:29:25.79\00:29:27.23
that eventually
lost their greatness,
00:29:27.26\00:29:29.73
some of which
don't even exist anymore.
00:29:29.76\00:29:32.47
If you trace the
lines through history,
00:29:32.50\00:29:34.64
if you look at
places such as Battle Creek,
00:29:34.67\00:29:36.77
if you look at Madison,
00:29:36.81\00:29:38.14
if you go even
before the Advent movement
00:29:38.17\00:29:39.87
and look at Bible
schools such as Oberlin College,
00:29:39.91\00:29:42.78
and a little
further back, even Harvard,
00:29:42.81\00:29:44.95
you will see a
pattern and a trend.
00:29:44.98\00:29:48.12
When these
educational institutions
00:29:48.15\00:29:50.19
ceased in making the
scriptures their core textbook,
00:29:50.22\00:29:53.69
God's blessing upon
them also slowly ceased.
00:29:53.72\00:29:57.66
Friends, when
sociology begins to trump
00:29:57.69\00:30:00.16
theology,
00:30:00.20\00:30:01.53
we are sliding down
the slipperiest of slopes.
00:30:01.56\00:30:04.83
Over time,
00:30:04.87\00:30:06.20
many of our great
Protestant universities
00:30:06.23\00:30:08.07
dispelled their
Christian undertones
00:30:08.10\00:30:10.51
in favor of funding
an worldly acclamation.
00:30:10.54\00:30:14.98
In Testimonies volume five,
00:30:15.01\00:30:16.34
we're told that
the Lord never designed
00:30:16.38\00:30:18.25
that our colleges should imitate
00:30:18.28\00:30:20.25
other institutions of learning,
00:30:20.28\00:30:22.22
the religious elements
00:30:22.25\00:30:23.59
should be the controlling power.
00:30:23.62\00:30:27.56
Friends, a true Christian school
00:30:27.59\00:30:28.92
not only has the
Bible in its curriculum
00:30:28.96\00:30:30.83
Bible principles of the
guise of the student's life
00:30:30.86\00:30:33.50
and the spirit of the Bible
00:30:33.53\00:30:34.96
is the sole
inspiration of the school.
00:30:35.00\00:30:37.73
The school must
be more than a place
00:30:37.77\00:30:40.30
for the
distribution of information.
00:30:40.34\00:30:44.64
We're told that
the world does not need
00:30:44.67\00:30:46.81
so much men of great intellect
as much noble character.
00:30:46.84\00:30:51.31
Sister White says
00:30:51.35\00:30:52.68
that character building
is the most important work
00:30:52.71\00:30:55.58
ever entrusted to human beings.
00:30:55.62\00:31:00.16
What the world I
believe needs to see today
00:31:00.19\00:31:03.22
is the power of the gospel.
00:31:03.26\00:31:05.53
And that is most clearly seen
00:31:05.56\00:31:07.40
when the
character of Jesus Christ
00:31:07.43\00:31:09.60
is reproduced in His people.
00:31:09.63\00:31:12.73
But to what end
00:31:12.77\00:31:14.20
does our education
work towards today?
00:31:14.24\00:31:17.67
Very often, I believe
00:31:17.71\00:31:19.04
it is towards the
uplifting of self.
00:31:19.07\00:31:21.68
We usually go to
school not for the Lord
00:31:21.71\00:31:24.75
but for ourselves.
00:31:24.78\00:31:26.25
The focus shifts
from salvation to success.
00:31:26.28\00:31:30.59
Friends, I believe
that success in heaven
00:31:30.62\00:31:32.82
looks very
different to success on earth.
00:31:32.85\00:31:35.92
Friends, I believe
00:31:39.93\00:31:41.26
that God wants to
bless our institutions,
00:31:41.30\00:31:44.20
but heaven places no
value in worldly success.
00:31:44.23\00:31:46.84
It cares not about
our cause or our homes.
00:31:46.87\00:31:50.27
It cares not about
our income or our status,
00:31:50.31\00:31:52.81
its agencies are moved
00:31:52.84\00:31:54.38
no more for
those that have PhD's
00:31:54.41\00:31:56.44
than those that have
never been to school.
00:31:56.48\00:31:59.31
Heaven places
value in character.
00:31:59.35\00:32:04.09
That's why it's the only thing
we're going to take with us.
00:32:04.12\00:32:07.69
Jesus Christ came to set us free
00:32:07.72\00:32:10.23
from the bondage
and slavery of sin.
00:32:10.26\00:32:12.63
But so often we
enslave ourselves to wealth
00:32:12.66\00:32:15.16
and material things,
00:32:15.20\00:32:16.53
when a fire is coming, friends,
00:32:16.56\00:32:17.93
that is so hot
00:32:17.97\00:32:19.30
that not even the purest
gold will stand in its place.
00:32:19.33\00:32:23.54
And if you think
00:32:23.57\00:32:24.91
that perhaps we do
have the right focus,
00:32:24.94\00:32:26.61
let me ask you a question,
00:32:26.64\00:32:28.81
with all of the
Adventist young people
00:32:28.84\00:32:30.35
we have in schools,
00:32:30.38\00:32:32.61
how many Adventist
businesses are we producing?
00:32:32.65\00:32:37.52
You tell me
00:32:37.55\00:32:38.89
whether we are
truly educating people
00:32:38.92\00:32:40.82
to take forward
the work of the Lord
00:32:40.86\00:32:43.32
or whether we are
just teaching them
00:32:43.36\00:32:44.69
how to make money for the world.
00:32:44.73\00:32:47.30
Character is to be the focus
00:32:47.33\00:32:49.93
of our educational institutions,
00:32:49.96\00:32:52.13
character.
00:32:52.17\00:32:53.60
My fear though is
that on many grounds,
00:32:53.64\00:32:55.94
academics is
beginning to trump discipleship.
00:32:55.97\00:33:00.01
I remember being in church
00:33:00.04\00:33:01.38
and witnessing the
return of one of my friends
00:33:01.41\00:33:03.48
after they had spent
four years in school,
00:33:03.51\00:33:05.55
they come back with a degree,
00:33:05.58\00:33:07.05
pulled up to the
front of the sanctuary
00:33:07.08\00:33:08.68
and given a rousing applause
00:33:08.72\00:33:10.12
because they have found success.
00:33:10.15\00:33:13.56
The problem
though and I know this
00:33:13.59\00:33:14.92
because they told me this
00:33:14.96\00:33:16.32
is that in the same
place they found success,
00:33:16.36\00:33:18.89
they lost Christ.
00:33:18.93\00:33:21.56
Friends, it is no victory
to achieve worldly status
00:33:21.60\00:33:25.83
and miss out on a heavenly one.
00:33:25.87\00:33:29.40
What about the students
00:33:29.44\00:33:30.77
that leave to
secular universities
00:33:30.81\00:33:32.41
and they drop out
00:33:32.44\00:33:33.78
because they just see
00:33:33.81\00:33:35.14
they can't maintain their faith,
00:33:35.18\00:33:36.58
they're not strong enough yet,
00:33:36.61\00:33:37.95
and they come home
00:33:37.98\00:33:39.31
and they sit at
the back of the church,
00:33:39.35\00:33:40.68
where's their applause?
00:33:40.72\00:33:42.68
Friends, their
applause is in heaven.
00:33:42.72\00:33:45.85
I believe it is
the responsibility
00:33:45.89\00:33:47.36
of our schools to
place character building
00:33:47.39\00:33:49.19
at the very
epicenter of all that they do.
00:33:49.22\00:33:52.69
But for some, what
matters most is money
00:33:52.73\00:33:56.73
that we need to
keep the school afloat.
00:33:56.77\00:34:00.30
Friends, with all due respect,
00:34:00.34\00:34:02.80
those that have money
00:34:02.84\00:34:04.17
are not keeping
our schools afloat.
00:34:04.21\00:34:07.34
God is keeping
our schools afloat.
00:34:07.38\00:34:10.75
If we have schools
00:34:10.78\00:34:12.11
still standing in today's world,
00:34:12.15\00:34:13.48
it is not
00:34:13.52\00:34:14.85
just because of
the hard work of staff
00:34:14.88\00:34:16.22
and it is not just
because of the investment
00:34:16.25\00:34:17.69
of some of our faithful members.
00:34:17.72\00:34:19.25
It stands
because God holds it up.
00:34:19.29\00:34:21.99
It stands because He believes
00:34:22.02\00:34:23.49
that they can still be
effective training centers
00:34:23.53\00:34:25.96
for our young people today.
00:34:25.99\00:34:27.36
But if all we look at
our enrollment numbers
00:34:27.40\00:34:29.53
and financial
standings and grades,
00:34:29.56\00:34:31.53
friends, we completely missed
00:34:31.57\00:34:32.93
the point of
Adventist education.
00:34:32.97\00:34:36.00
It is not the Lord's will
00:34:36.04\00:34:37.41
that our schools be
so academically rigorous
00:34:37.44\00:34:40.18
that one cannot
find time for prayer,
00:34:40.21\00:34:42.64
that one spiritual
life is crowded out
00:34:42.68\00:34:44.81
by textbook and papers,
00:34:44.85\00:34:46.51
that degrees and
diplomas are put before devotion
00:34:46.55\00:34:50.25
and dedication to
the cause of Christ.
00:34:50.29\00:34:53.56
We must understand
00:34:53.59\00:34:54.92
that whilst it is admirable
00:34:54.96\00:34:56.29
to have a large
number of institutions
00:34:56.32\00:34:57.79
across the world
00:34:57.83\00:34:59.16
to have
graduates becoming doctors
00:34:59.19\00:35:00.80
and working for large
firms if we have failed,
00:35:00.83\00:35:04.63
if we have not given
them everything in ensuring
00:35:04.67\00:35:07.64
that when our young
people leave our schools,
00:35:07.67\00:35:10.17
they do so with the
strongest relationship
00:35:10.21\00:35:12.37
with Jesus that
is possible to them.
00:35:12.41\00:35:15.44
Can we win every
soul? Of course not.
00:35:15.48\00:35:17.61
But not even
Jesus wins every soul.
00:35:17.65\00:35:20.25
That's not the goal.
00:35:20.28\00:35:23.28
The goal is to make
an effort for every soul.
00:35:23.32\00:35:26.86
And so to my fellow
educators, I ask you,
00:35:26.89\00:35:30.16
do your students
see Jesus in you?
00:35:30.19\00:35:33.26
Are they
encouraged to follow Christ,
00:35:33.29\00:35:35.20
not just
because of how you teach
00:35:35.23\00:35:36.56
but how you live?
00:35:36.60\00:35:38.63
To my principals
and my head teachers,
00:35:38.67\00:35:41.34
do your staff members follow you
00:35:41.37\00:35:42.94
because they know
God is leading you?
00:35:42.97\00:35:44.94
Or do they follow you
because they're afraid
00:35:44.97\00:35:46.41
if they stand up,
they'll lose their position.
00:35:46.44\00:35:49.54
To my presidents
and my board members,
00:35:49.58\00:35:51.55
have you
analyzed and scrutinized
00:35:51.58\00:35:53.75
every single aspect of
the institutions you oversee
00:35:53.78\00:35:57.32
to ensure that this school
00:35:57.35\00:35:59.49
is working towards
training young people
00:35:59.52\00:36:02.16
to not just work for
God but to live for God.
00:36:02.19\00:36:04.86
Now I don't believe
00:36:08.50\00:36:10.10
that the finger
need only be pointed
00:36:10.13\00:36:11.53
at our schools.
00:36:11.57\00:36:12.90
I think maybe
we need to point it
00:36:17.67\00:36:22.04
a little closer to home.
00:36:22.08\00:36:24.91
The Bible says in Proverbs,
00:36:24.95\00:36:26.28
"Train up a child in
the way that he should go,
00:36:26.31\00:36:28.28
and when he is old, he
will not depart from it."
00:36:28.32\00:36:32.22
That is speaking about a
child that is being trained
00:36:32.25\00:36:34.69
before he goes to school.
00:36:34.72\00:36:36.69
Solomon is in a sense
00:36:36.73\00:36:38.13
surmising that the
success of the school
00:36:38.16\00:36:41.13
first depends on
the success of the home.
00:36:41.16\00:36:45.63
It's at home that we
are taught to love God.
00:36:45.67\00:36:48.67
It is at home
00:36:48.70\00:36:50.04
that these
principles are applied
00:36:50.07\00:36:51.71
on these young growing minds.
00:36:51.74\00:36:54.78
It's every parent's dream
00:36:54.81\00:36:56.85
that a child would truly confess
00:36:56.88\00:36:58.78
their love for God.
00:36:58.81\00:37:00.15
But oftentimes that
confession of love comes
00:37:00.18\00:37:02.78
because they have
been taught to love.
00:37:02.82\00:37:07.96
Friends, I'm afraid to say
00:37:07.99\00:37:09.32
that homeschooling
your children is not enough.
00:37:09.36\00:37:13.90
I appreciate that some
mothers and even some fathers
00:37:13.93\00:37:16.63
have given up their
jobs and their careers
00:37:16.67\00:37:18.43
to educate their
children at home.
00:37:18.47\00:37:20.37
But simply
homeschooling is not enough.
00:37:20.40\00:37:22.57
Simply having the child at home
00:37:22.60\00:37:24.14
during hours of
schooling is not enough.
00:37:24.17\00:37:26.98
They need
attention, they need training,
00:37:27.01\00:37:29.64
and they need the love of God
00:37:29.68\00:37:31.11
and they needed when
it is not just convenient
00:37:31.15\00:37:33.31
for their parents.
00:37:33.35\00:37:35.42
Homeschooling
00:37:35.45\00:37:36.79
does not automatically
equal righteousness.
00:37:36.82\00:37:40.79
Some of us are so concerned
00:37:40.82\00:37:42.16
with not sending
our children to school,
00:37:42.19\00:37:45.73
yet they stay at home
00:37:45.76\00:37:47.10
and all they
witness is Mum and Dad
00:37:47.13\00:37:48.66
arguing and fighting
00:37:48.70\00:37:50.03
if they even
witness Mom and Dad at all.
00:37:50.07\00:37:54.27
In that case,
send them to school.
00:37:54.30\00:37:57.97
It is the responsibility
I believe of every parent
00:37:58.01\00:38:00.71
that bears the name of Christ
00:38:00.74\00:38:02.48
to devote themselves
00:38:02.51\00:38:04.08
to the training
of their children.
00:38:04.11\00:38:06.45
Listen to what I said,
00:38:06.48\00:38:07.82
the training of their children
00:38:07.85\00:38:11.29
because a lot of
parents are out there
00:38:11.32\00:38:12.82
training other people's children
00:38:12.85\00:38:14.66
and expecting the
academies to train this.
00:38:14.69\00:38:18.19
The problem is that by the time
00:38:18.23\00:38:19.56
your children
get to our academies,
00:38:19.59\00:38:21.46
they're already 14,
15 and 16 years old,
00:38:21.50\00:38:24.07
their characters, their
habits, their beings are formed.
00:38:24.10\00:38:29.67
And I'm grateful for
a platform such as GYC
00:38:29.70\00:38:32.51
so that something like
this only has to be said once.
00:38:32.54\00:38:35.34
Adventist education
00:38:35.38\00:38:37.05
was never meant to
come back Adventist homes.
00:38:37.08\00:38:41.38
Our pioneers did
not sacrifice everything
00:38:41.42\00:38:44.35
in building these schools
00:38:44.39\00:38:45.92
so that our
parents could neglect
00:38:45.95\00:38:47.39
their God given duty of
raising a child in the hope
00:38:47.42\00:38:50.83
that an
underpaid Adventist teacher
00:38:50.86\00:38:52.96
will pick up the slack.
00:38:52.99\00:38:56.60
I've seen this, I've
witnessed it for years,
00:38:56.63\00:38:58.27
I've witnessed as the staff
00:38:58.30\00:39:00.04
that I worked side by side
00:39:00.07\00:39:01.50
with give their lives
00:39:01.54\00:39:03.27
trying to correct
the crippling habits
00:39:03.30\00:39:05.84
that have been formed
00:39:05.87\00:39:07.21
because of the
negligence in the home.
00:39:07.24\00:39:09.31
The number of
young men and women
00:39:09.34\00:39:11.31
that eventually
reach our schools
00:39:11.35\00:39:13.01
that are already
addicted to movies and music
00:39:13.05\00:39:16.35
and video games
is heartbreaking.
00:39:16.38\00:39:19.89
And oftentimes
they arrive more wealthy
00:39:19.92\00:39:22.02
than the non-Adventists.
00:39:22.06\00:39:24.06
How did it come to this?
00:39:24.09\00:39:25.99
How did we get to the point
00:39:26.03\00:39:27.36
where we are
allowing the Internet
00:39:27.40\00:39:28.73
to raise our children?
00:39:28.76\00:39:32.97
God forbid that
it's because we're busy
00:39:33.00\00:39:34.67
doing the Lord's work.
00:39:34.70\00:39:36.57
Raising our
children is the Lord's work.
00:39:36.60\00:39:40.68
There's no point being out there
00:39:40.71\00:39:42.51
saving souls when the one soul
00:39:42.54\00:39:44.45
that you're
actually responsible for
00:39:44.48\00:39:46.61
is at home
00:39:46.65\00:39:47.98
addicted to
movies and pornography.
00:39:48.02\00:39:52.25
Friends, God is not honored
00:39:52.29\00:39:54.59
when we disown our
children for the mission field.
00:39:54.62\00:39:57.23
How do we expect
our children to grow up
00:40:00.36\00:40:02.36
loving the Lord and His work
00:40:02.40\00:40:04.03
if all we've shown them
00:40:04.07\00:40:05.40
is that the work is
more important to us
00:40:05.43\00:40:07.10
than them?
00:40:07.14\00:40:09.90
How will they love the God
00:40:09.94\00:40:11.27
that seemingly
stole their parents?
00:40:11.31\00:40:15.51
And I say that
knowing how easy it is
00:40:15.54\00:40:18.11
to fall into that temptation
00:40:18.15\00:40:20.75
because it's easy to be up
here and preach and baptize,
00:40:20.78\00:40:24.42
but it's at home
where the real work is.
00:40:24.45\00:40:27.32
Friends, let me
give you some advice
00:40:27.36\00:40:28.69
if this is your problem.
00:40:28.72\00:40:30.06
Leave the mission field.
00:40:30.09\00:40:33.66
The home is your mission field.
00:40:33.70\00:40:36.87
God will supply that
mission field's needs.
00:40:36.90\00:40:39.10
But God has already
supplied your children's needs.
00:40:39.13\00:40:41.90
He supplied you.
00:40:41.94\00:40:44.67
Children need their
parents so much more
00:40:44.71\00:40:46.84
than they need their teachers.
00:40:46.88\00:40:48.21
But so often the
teachers are working
00:40:48.24\00:40:49.88
two jobs.
00:40:49.91\00:40:52.35
The Bible says in the 127 Psalm,
00:40:52.38\00:40:55.15
"As arrows are in
the hand of a mighty man,
00:40:55.18\00:40:58.55
so children are of the youth."
00:40:58.59\00:41:01.26
Arrows,
00:41:01.29\00:41:02.62
our young people are weapons.
00:41:02.66\00:41:05.09
If the Bible was written today,
00:41:05.13\00:41:06.46
it might even call them bullets.
00:41:06.49\00:41:08.90
They were created, listen to me,
00:41:08.93\00:41:10.33
they were created to do damage.
00:41:10.37\00:41:13.60
Many new parents have
recognized this already.
00:41:13.64\00:41:16.00
The children
barely begin to walk,
00:41:16.04\00:41:17.87
and they're already
doing damage in the home.
00:41:17.91\00:41:21.24
But it makes sense.
00:41:21.28\00:41:22.88
Our children and our
students, our young people,
00:41:22.91\00:41:25.25
you young people are weapons.
00:41:25.28\00:41:28.55
This is why we're told
that we have an army of youth
00:41:28.58\00:41:33.49
because we're going to war,
00:41:33.52\00:41:34.86
and one needs
weapons when we go to war.
00:41:34.89\00:41:36.89
And I love this analogy
00:41:36.93\00:41:38.26
because I don't know
how many of you have fired
00:41:38.29\00:41:40.66
an arrow or shot a bullet,
00:41:40.70\00:41:42.60
but you would have
realized that once its set out,
00:41:42.63\00:41:46.13
it rarely changes course.
00:41:46.17\00:41:49.17
You don't see an arrow
just shoot out of a bow
00:41:49.20\00:41:51.54
and then eventually
take a 90 degree turn
00:41:51.57\00:41:53.38
because it felt like it.
00:41:53.41\00:41:55.04
Arrows go where we aim them
bullets go where we aim them.
00:41:55.08\00:42:01.28
And so do young people.
00:42:01.32\00:42:03.62
They hit
whatever they're aimed at.
00:42:03.65\00:42:06.19
You don't aim
them, they go nowhere.
00:42:06.22\00:42:09.22
And it makes no
sense to be pointing them
00:42:09.26\00:42:11.29
towards secularism
00:42:11.33\00:42:12.79
and then just be
completely shocked
00:42:12.83\00:42:14.90
when they turn out secular.
00:42:14.93\00:42:17.60
That's where we pointed them.
00:42:17.63\00:42:19.87
The harsh reality
00:42:19.90\00:42:21.24
is that many of our young people
00:42:21.27\00:42:22.60
have left the Lord
00:42:22.64\00:42:23.97
because that's
where we shot them.
00:42:24.01\00:42:25.47
They left oftentimes
00:42:28.68\00:42:31.31
not because of the
lack of spirituality
00:42:31.35\00:42:32.68
in the church
00:42:32.71\00:42:34.05
but because of the
lack of spirituality
00:42:34.08\00:42:35.42
at home.
00:42:35.45\00:42:36.79
The results of Daddy
always being at meetings
00:42:36.82\00:42:39.35
and on visitations
00:42:39.39\00:42:40.82
but no time for
his sons or daughters.
00:42:40.86\00:42:43.39
The results of Mummy
00:42:43.43\00:42:44.76
being so
concerned with cleanliness
00:42:44.79\00:42:46.93
because someone told her
00:42:46.96\00:42:48.30
that cleanliness
is next to godliness,
00:42:48.33\00:42:50.37
and she hasn't realized
00:42:50.40\00:42:51.73
that it's the
hearts of her children
00:42:51.77\00:42:53.37
that are filthy.
00:42:53.40\00:42:54.74
It's the result of our
parents being so conservative
00:42:57.54\00:43:01.11
that we as young
people are far more concerned
00:43:01.14\00:43:03.71
with not sinning
00:43:03.75\00:43:05.08
than we always having a
relationship with Christ.
00:43:05.11\00:43:07.05
It's the result of our
parents being so liberal
00:43:07.08\00:43:09.62
that we think we
can just come to Him
00:43:09.65\00:43:10.99
whenever and however we like.
00:43:11.02\00:43:12.35
And then the cherry
on this horrible cake
00:43:15.76\00:43:20.23
is the parental pressure
to achieve academic success.
00:43:20.26\00:43:24.43
This could be a whole sermon.
00:43:24.47\00:43:26.94
And, parents, please don't think
00:43:26.97\00:43:28.30
this is for someone else.
00:43:28.34\00:43:29.67
It might be for
you and young people.
00:43:29.70\00:43:31.04
It might be
00:43:31.07\00:43:32.41
for how you're going to grow up.
00:43:32.44\00:43:33.78
I appreciate the parental desire
00:43:33.81\00:43:36.01
for children to do well in life,
00:43:36.04\00:43:37.81
to prosper and
be in good health,
00:43:37.85\00:43:39.71
that's the Lord's will also.
00:43:39.75\00:43:42.62
But when we are extinguishing
our children's missionary zeal
00:43:42.65\00:43:46.69
so that we can
vicariously live through them
00:43:46.72\00:43:48.72
and take glory in
their academic achievements
00:43:48.76\00:43:50.99
to make it feel
00:43:51.03\00:43:52.36
as though we have
just rendered some success.
00:43:52.39\00:43:54.33
We have robbed the
Lord of a gospel worker.
00:43:54.36\00:43:59.70
I might not
make too many friends
00:43:59.73\00:44:01.07
for this statement.
00:44:01.10\00:44:02.47
But young people,
your life is not your own,
00:44:02.50\00:44:04.41
but it is also not your parents.
00:44:04.44\00:44:07.98
Obey your parents in the Lord.
00:44:08.01\00:44:11.85
It is your duty to
first and foremost follow
00:44:11.88\00:44:15.95
the voice of your God.
00:44:15.98\00:44:19.85
Friends, if we
get the home wrong,
00:44:19.89\00:44:21.22
we get the schools wrong.
00:44:21.26\00:44:22.59
If we get the schools
wrong, we get the church wrong.
00:44:22.62\00:44:24.59
And I know
00:44:24.63\00:44:25.96
that there are parents out there
00:44:25.99\00:44:27.33
giving their all,
00:44:27.36\00:44:28.70
giving every
ounce of their being
00:44:28.73\00:44:30.07
to do all they
can to raise children
00:44:30.10\00:44:31.43
in the fear of the Lord.
00:44:31.47\00:44:32.80
God is with you.
00:44:32.83\00:44:34.57
There are single
parents out there,
00:44:34.60\00:44:36.27
some divorced, some widowed.
00:44:36.30\00:44:38.67
God is with you.
00:44:38.71\00:44:40.48
This is not an attack.
00:44:40.51\00:44:41.91
This is an alarm.
00:44:41.94\00:44:43.38
It is an alarm that
we cannot keep pressing
00:44:43.41\00:44:45.38
the snooze button on.
00:44:45.41\00:44:47.05
And I am
pleading with our parents
00:44:47.08\00:44:48.98
and with our educators,
00:44:49.02\00:44:50.35
please take the time
to love your young people
00:44:50.39\00:44:54.99
because in my history
of being in education,
00:44:55.02\00:44:57.23
that's the one
thing that I've seen
00:44:57.26\00:44:59.46
the most broken young people
00:44:59.49\00:45:02.00
because they have not
really experienced love.
00:45:02.03\00:45:05.40
Friends, it's my greatest desire
00:45:09.60\00:45:12.01
to see revival and reformation
on our Adventist campuses.
00:45:12.04\00:45:18.05
We have some institutions
00:45:18.08\00:45:19.98
that have thousands of students.
00:45:20.02\00:45:22.55
Imagine the work
that can be done.
00:45:22.58\00:45:24.79
But, friends,
revival does not just happen.
00:45:24.82\00:45:26.86
Revival is not random.
00:45:26.89\00:45:28.22
We do not believe in a random.
00:45:28.26\00:45:29.59
We are creationists.
00:45:29.62\00:45:30.96
We believe in purpose.
00:45:30.99\00:45:32.33
And we believe in design.
00:45:32.36\00:45:33.70
We believe in intentionality.
00:45:33.73\00:45:36.90
And I believe that
something has institutionalized
00:45:36.93\00:45:39.83
as education
needs not just revival
00:45:39.87\00:45:42.77
from the bottom
down but from the top up.
00:45:42.80\00:45:47.38
Friends, it's not
easy being a leader,
00:45:47.41\00:45:50.18
especially in the
realms of education.
00:45:50.21\00:45:52.95
You are surrounded by
vastly intelligent people
00:45:52.98\00:45:57.22
with great
ideas and philosophies
00:45:57.25\00:45:59.15
and sometimes their own agendas.
00:45:59.19\00:46:01.52
I pray daily for
revival and reformation
00:46:01.56\00:46:03.86
among the leaders
of our institutes.
00:46:03.89\00:46:08.20
But allow me to interject this.
00:46:08.23\00:46:10.20
On the slight chance
that school principals,
00:46:10.23\00:46:12.60
board members,
and department heads
00:46:12.63\00:46:15.10
might catch this message,
00:46:15.14\00:46:16.91
our schools do
not belong to you.
00:46:16.94\00:46:19.74
They belong to God.
00:46:19.77\00:46:21.84
It is your responsibility
00:46:21.88\00:46:23.21
to sit down with the scriptures,
00:46:23.24\00:46:24.81
with your staff members,
with the Spirit of Prophecy
00:46:24.85\00:46:27.18
and ask yourself
the hard questions.
00:46:27.22\00:46:28.92
Ask yourself
00:46:28.95\00:46:30.29
if the
institutions you are a part of
00:46:30.32\00:46:31.92
are leading
00:46:31.95\00:46:33.29
or following the
light that God has given us.
00:46:33.32\00:46:35.49
Is the Bible the main textbook?
00:46:35.52\00:46:37.63
And I don't mean is
it just in the classroom.
00:46:37.66\00:46:39.89
I mean is it being
taught in the classes
00:46:39.93\00:46:41.83
and not just Bible classes.
00:46:41.86\00:46:43.37
Are you using the Bible
to teach your math classes,
00:46:43.40\00:46:45.67
to teach your science classes,
to teach your English classes?
00:46:45.70\00:46:50.21
Is the education that
we give our young people
00:46:50.24\00:46:52.27
actually practical?
00:46:52.31\00:46:54.54
Will it benefit their lives
00:46:54.58\00:46:56.04
because most
students are ever learning
00:46:56.08\00:46:58.05
but never come to a
truly learning of truth.
00:46:58.08\00:47:00.75
Friends, I fear
for our young people
00:47:04.99\00:47:06.32
because I see them all the time.
00:47:06.35\00:47:09.52
I see the
stress, I see the pain,
00:47:09.56\00:47:12.29
I see the struggle.
00:47:12.33\00:47:14.36
Sometimes our
courses and our curriculum
00:47:14.40\00:47:16.90
are so challenging
00:47:16.93\00:47:18.27
and rigorous academically
00:47:18.30\00:47:19.63
that we leave no
vital energy left
00:47:19.67\00:47:23.10
for the students
to spend in places
00:47:23.14\00:47:24.77
like the garden,
00:47:24.81\00:47:27.24
the greatest travesty
00:47:27.28\00:47:28.61
that we see agricultural studies
00:47:28.64\00:47:30.61
slowly being weeded
out of our curriculum.
00:47:30.65\00:47:34.58
We have robbed our students
of a vastly practical education
00:47:34.62\00:47:38.22
and told them that
the most merit is found
00:47:38.25\00:47:40.72
in how much
information they can memorize
00:47:40.76\00:47:42.86
and regurgitate
00:47:42.89\00:47:44.23
from their
professor's PowerPoint slides.
00:47:44.26\00:47:47.16
What happened to
not just reflecting
00:47:47.20\00:47:49.76
another man's thoughts?
00:47:49.80\00:47:51.67
What happened to
teaching our young people
00:47:51.70\00:47:53.87
to think for themselves?
00:47:53.90\00:47:56.74
Friends, are we
producing gospel workers,
00:47:56.77\00:47:59.71
are we producing
medical missionaries?
00:47:59.74\00:48:01.94
Or are we just
producing pastors and doctors
00:48:01.98\00:48:04.45
because there's a difference.
00:48:04.48\00:48:07.18
I challenge those
of you that sit a top
00:48:07.22\00:48:09.45
of these
educational institutions
00:48:09.48\00:48:11.95
to come down a little,
00:48:11.99\00:48:13.62
analyze from the bottom
up and not just the top down.
00:48:13.66\00:48:16.46
Revival is
possible in our campuses
00:48:16.49\00:48:18.93
if that's what all of
us desire collectively.
00:48:18.96\00:48:23.00
I spoke earlier of
the missionary zeal
00:48:23.03\00:48:25.17
that once a company the
early days of our schools.
00:48:25.20\00:48:29.50
Friends, I believe
00:48:29.54\00:48:30.87
that this is truly what we need.
00:48:30.91\00:48:33.07
And oftentimes to bring
revival onto our campuses,
00:48:33.11\00:48:36.24
maybe where we
should shift our focus
00:48:36.28\00:48:38.65
is revival in our communities.
00:48:38.68\00:48:41.58
What do I mean by this?
00:48:41.62\00:48:44.42
For the past two years,
the school that I've attended,
00:48:44.45\00:48:46.69
Weimar Institute
00:48:46.72\00:48:48.06
decided that we
were going to take
00:48:48.09\00:48:49.59
our shift and our
focus off of ourselves
00:48:49.62\00:48:52.63
and onto our
surrounding neighborhoods
00:48:52.66\00:48:54.43
and communities.
00:48:54.46\00:48:55.80
We came up with a
program called TCI,
00:48:55.83\00:48:58.73
Total Community Involvement.
00:48:58.77\00:49:01.30
It's a great
premise, catch this.
00:49:01.34\00:49:03.17
For one half day of the
week, every Wednesday afternoon,
00:49:03.20\00:49:07.08
school stops,
everything stops, work stops,
00:49:07.11\00:49:10.35
and we go out into the community
00:49:10.38\00:49:12.25
and we work for them
00:49:12.28\00:49:13.62
in whatever realm
they want for free.
00:49:13.65\00:49:17.12
Imagine an opportunity
00:49:17.15\00:49:18.89
to be like Jesus for half a day.
00:49:18.92\00:49:23.32
And it is on the campus
00:49:23.36\00:49:24.69
I believe directly as a result
00:49:24.73\00:49:26.70
of the extraneous
outreach work that has been done
00:49:26.73\00:49:30.27
that we have
experienced revival inwardly.
00:49:30.30\00:49:33.77
Is there room for
growth? Of course.
00:49:33.80\00:49:38.07
But as Ellen White said,
00:49:38.11\00:49:39.44
"The early
church oftentimes forgot
00:49:39.47\00:49:41.21
that strength to resist evil
00:49:41.24\00:49:42.88
is best gained
through aggressive service."
00:49:42.91\00:49:47.32
Friends, I know
00:49:47.35\00:49:48.68
that not all of
you are students,
00:49:48.72\00:49:50.05
not all of you are students
in Adventist institutions,
00:49:50.09\00:49:52.95
but wherever you
are, this is for you.
00:49:52.99\00:49:54.82
Strength to resist
evil is best gained
00:49:54.86\00:49:58.39
through aggressive service
00:49:58.43\00:50:00.10
and so I
implore you to serve God
00:50:00.13\00:50:01.96
with all of your heart.
00:50:02.00\00:50:05.57
And to my friends
and fellow young people
00:50:05.60\00:50:07.40
holding up the banner
in secular universities,
00:50:07.44\00:50:10.71
God is with you.
00:50:10.74\00:50:13.74
Do not forget that the man
whose prophecies our church
00:50:13.78\00:50:17.31
is built upon
gained His higher education
00:50:17.35\00:50:21.35
in a secular university.
00:50:21.38\00:50:23.72
But please do not believe
00:50:23.75\00:50:25.25
that your calling is any
less than the rest of the people
00:50:25.29\00:50:28.36
in Adventist universities.
00:50:28.39\00:50:30.03
Daniel changed the world
00:50:30.06\00:50:31.73
from inside the
holes and walls of Babylon
00:50:31.76\00:50:35.33
through making wise
choices in social situations
00:50:35.36\00:50:39.00
and spending time in
prayer with likeminded friends.
00:50:39.03\00:50:44.11
Friends, we cannot be
satisfied with where we are,
00:50:44.14\00:50:46.51
we must go forward.
00:50:46.54\00:50:48.08
We must work for change.
00:50:48.11\00:50:49.68
And as I said last
night and I repeat again,
00:50:49.71\00:50:52.01
you can make a difference.
00:50:52.05\00:50:54.88
Your student
associations and student leaders
00:50:54.92\00:50:57.49
can make a difference.
00:50:57.52\00:50:58.85
Your small groups
and your youth retreats,
00:50:58.89\00:51:00.86
they can make a difference.
00:51:00.89\00:51:02.22
Your
conversations in the dorm halls
00:51:02.26\00:51:04.49
and in the cafeteria,
00:51:04.53\00:51:05.86
in the classrooms,
they can make a difference.
00:51:05.89\00:51:09.20
And I praise God
00:51:09.23\00:51:10.57
because I know so many out there
00:51:10.60\00:51:12.20
that are making a difference.
00:51:12.23\00:51:14.27
I know so many that are
keeping that banner high
00:51:14.30\00:51:16.97
and there are great examples
00:51:17.01\00:51:18.54
and witnesses in the schools
in which they study and work.
00:51:18.57\00:51:21.84
Friends, you are
doing the Lord's work.
00:51:21.88\00:51:24.38
And we praise God
for your faithfulness,
00:51:24.41\00:51:26.58
for your commitment,
and for your dedication.
00:51:26.61\00:51:28.98
You are changing lives.
00:51:29.02\00:51:31.19
Your sacrifices are
recorded in the books of heaven
00:51:31.22\00:51:34.66
and in the changed
lives of the young people
00:51:34.69\00:51:36.32
who have come across
your path, but we need more.
00:51:36.36\00:51:40.13
And so, students, we
must look at ourselves.
00:51:43.80\00:51:48.90
We must look within.
00:51:48.94\00:51:51.37
Revival will not
take place on our campuses
00:51:51.41\00:51:54.64
if it does not first
take place in our hearts.
00:51:54.68\00:51:59.81
We must ask ourselves,
00:51:59.85\00:52:01.32
"Why are we even
choosing to become students?"
00:52:01.35\00:52:04.42
Because some of our
priorities are really messed up.
00:52:07.99\00:52:11.43
There's more to
life than a degree.
00:52:11.46\00:52:14.43
There's more to life than a
4.0 as glossy as it may look,
00:52:14.46\00:52:19.27
don't let your 4.0 son
for four years of studies
00:52:19.30\00:52:22.24
and zero souls
brought to the Lord.
00:52:22.27\00:52:24.27
Even when you're in
school, work for Jesus
00:52:27.48\00:52:30.88
because whilst you're in school,
00:52:30.91\00:52:32.51
Jesus is working for you.
00:52:32.55\00:52:36.92
So many of our
young people are out here,
00:52:36.95\00:52:39.39
spending their
health on achieving wealth
00:52:39.42\00:52:41.89
just to spend their wealth
00:52:41.92\00:52:43.26
on re-achieving
health or wasting our time.
00:52:43.29\00:52:47.63
To what end?
00:52:47.66\00:52:49.10
So that we can have careers,
00:52:49.13\00:52:50.97
so that we can
have cars and houses,
00:52:51.00\00:52:54.40
so that our cars
can drive themselves.
00:52:54.44\00:52:56.54
Give me a break.
00:52:56.57\00:52:57.91
You can have more than that.
00:53:02.91\00:53:06.15
You can have more
than silver and gold.
00:53:06.18\00:53:08.85
You can have
00:53:08.88\00:53:10.22
more than glossy
paper in a frame.
00:53:10.25\00:53:12.22
Friends, there's
openings in the Lord's army.
00:53:15.26\00:53:17.69
Students, I hope you
listen to last night's message.
00:53:24.30\00:53:27.87
It only takes one.
00:53:27.90\00:53:30.01
One young soul
00:53:30.04\00:53:32.04
filled with the
Holy Spirit to the brim
00:53:32.07\00:53:34.38
to enact the
greatest of changes.
00:53:34.41\00:53:36.85
And so I implore
you, win your school back,
00:53:36.88\00:53:39.91
don't just say,
00:53:39.95\00:53:41.28
"Well, I'm in the third
year or my fourth in studies,
00:53:41.32\00:53:42.88
I'm going to leave eventually.
00:53:42.92\00:53:44.25
What does it matter?"
00:53:44.29\00:53:45.62
It matters the
legacy you leave behind.
00:53:45.65\00:53:48.02
It matters that the
school that you're in
00:53:48.06\00:53:49.52
is better for you being in it.
00:53:49.56\00:53:53.76
If you feel like
your school has strayed
00:53:53.80\00:53:55.53
from the educational blueprint
00:53:55.56\00:53:57.30
that this
school has been gifted,
00:53:57.33\00:53:58.90
then do something about it.
00:53:58.93\00:54:01.37
It's too easy to sit there
00:54:01.40\00:54:03.07
under the
proverbial pomegranate trees
00:54:03.10\00:54:05.21
and blame everyone else.
00:54:05.24\00:54:07.31
One thing I've
learned is simple.
00:54:07.34\00:54:09.11
If you're not willing
to do something about it,
00:54:09.14\00:54:10.98
then keep this closed
00:54:11.01\00:54:13.31
because your
lackadaisical attitude
00:54:13.35\00:54:15.45
surrenders your
right to be critical.
00:54:15.48\00:54:19.89
Friends, we're not
alone in our desires.
00:54:19.92\00:54:21.42
I believe that the
Lord wants to transform
00:54:21.46\00:54:24.66
our educational institutions.
00:54:24.69\00:54:27.93
A complete transformation.
00:54:27.96\00:54:29.86
God will fight for us.
00:54:29.90\00:54:32.20
So I encourage you to
pray for your schools.
00:54:32.23\00:54:34.64
Get together with your
friends that are likeminded
00:54:34.67\00:54:36.87
and put together strategic plans
00:54:36.91\00:54:38.91
to implement change.
00:54:38.94\00:54:40.31
Dialogue with your
leaders, your presidents,
00:54:40.34\00:54:42.98
your student
leadership, your pastors,
00:54:43.01\00:54:45.18
your board members,
00:54:45.21\00:54:46.55
work together to
make a difference
00:54:46.58\00:54:48.12
to put mission
focused Adventist schools
00:54:48.15\00:54:51.09
back on the map.
00:54:51.12\00:54:54.29
And, friends, if you
cannot find a school,
00:54:54.32\00:54:56.73
that is following
God's plan, build it.
00:54:56.76\00:55:00.30
It was once an outlandish dream
00:55:05.20\00:55:08.07
that Andrews
University campus would exist,
00:55:08.10\00:55:12.07
that Southern
University campus would exist,
00:55:12.11\00:55:15.11
that Loma Linda, that Oakwood,
00:55:15.14\00:55:17.18
that Walla Walla, that Unasity,
that Spicer would exist,
00:55:17.21\00:55:21.08
that NCU, that
Helderberg and Bogen Hoffman
00:55:21.12\00:55:23.75
and Colonche and New Bolden,
00:55:23.79\00:55:25.32
Bermine and
Avondale would exist.
00:55:25.35\00:55:27.26
They were pipedreams, but
the Lord made them happen.
00:55:27.29\00:55:30.56
Maybe we need more schools.
00:55:33.60\00:55:37.30
So as to why it says
if a worldly influence
00:55:37.33\00:55:39.07
is the best way in our school,
00:55:39.10\00:55:40.64
then sell it all
to the world leaders
00:55:40.67\00:55:42.17
and let them have
the entire control.
00:55:42.20\00:55:45.37
And those that have
invested their means
00:55:45.41\00:55:47.28
in those institutions
00:55:47.31\00:55:48.71
will establish another school
00:55:48.74\00:55:51.11
to be conducted
00:55:51.15\00:55:52.48
not upon the plan
of popular schools, no,
00:55:52.51\00:55:55.35
according to the desires
of principals and teachers
00:55:55.38\00:55:57.95
but upon the plan
which God has specified.
00:55:57.99\00:56:02.76
I'm not giving
up on our schools.
00:56:02.79\00:56:05.13
But I'm also not
willing to sit down and watch
00:56:05.16\00:56:08.56
as we become like other schools.
00:56:08.60\00:56:11.13
Adventist
education should be having
00:56:11.17\00:56:13.57
a marked
difference in the world.
00:56:13.60\00:56:16.14
And in some places it is,
00:56:16.17\00:56:17.51
but we need to
turn that dial up.
00:56:17.54\00:56:20.88
Friends, don't
give up on our schools.
00:56:20.91\00:56:23.01
Don't stop praying for them.
00:56:23.04\00:56:24.58
Don't stop supporting
00:56:24.61\00:56:25.95
and don't stop
supporting those students.
00:56:25.98\00:56:30.49
We have educators
all over the world
00:56:30.52\00:56:32.42
that are giving their lives
00:56:32.45\00:56:34.26
for the gospel
through our schools.
00:56:34.29\00:56:36.49
I encourage you to support them.
00:56:36.52\00:56:40.40
And so tonight,
I have one appeal
00:56:40.43\00:56:42.83
but for two
completely different groups
00:56:42.86\00:56:44.27
of people.
00:56:44.30\00:56:46.37
The first is for our leaders,
00:56:46.40\00:56:50.21
our teachers, our presidents,
00:56:50.24\00:56:53.91
our board members,
our pastors, our parents,
00:56:53.94\00:56:59.35
our student leaders,
all of our educators,
00:56:59.38\00:57:04.09
show tonight that you too desire
00:57:04.12\00:57:06.86
revival and reformation
00:57:06.89\00:57:08.52
on your campuses
and in your homes.
00:57:08.56\00:57:11.99
I don't know what
that means for you.
00:57:12.03\00:57:14.66
I don't know whether that
means revising curriculum.
00:57:14.70\00:57:17.07
I don't know whether that means
00:57:17.10\00:57:18.43
instituting
family worship at home.
00:57:18.47\00:57:20.24
I don't know whether that means
00:57:20.27\00:57:21.60
reevaluating your staff members.
00:57:21.64\00:57:23.10
I don't know whether that means
00:57:23.14\00:57:24.47
completely changing your school.
00:57:24.51\00:57:28.64
But if today
00:57:28.68\00:57:30.01
you're in one of
those categories,
00:57:30.05\00:57:32.21
if today you
sit here as a leader
00:57:32.25\00:57:34.32
and I know that may not be many,
00:57:34.35\00:57:36.12
this is a youth conference.
00:57:36.15\00:57:39.62
But if you're here,
my appeal goes to you.
00:57:39.65\00:57:41.62
If the Spirit of
God is speaking to you
00:57:45.89\00:57:49.33
to be a part of a movement
00:57:49.36\00:57:51.67
of revival and
reformation in our schools,
00:57:51.70\00:57:56.74
I encourage you to
step forward this evening.
00:57:56.77\00:58:00.44
I encourage you to
stand here at the front
00:58:00.48\00:58:03.85
and let your presence testify
00:58:03.88\00:58:06.28
to those that are underneath you
00:58:06.31\00:58:08.82
that we are in
this work together.
00:58:08.85\00:58:10.65
I stand with you.
00:58:18.59\00:58:19.93
I know the high calling
that God places on parents
00:58:22.70\00:58:26.63
and on educators.
00:58:26.67\00:58:28.90
I want you to know that
your work is not in vain.
00:58:28.94\00:58:32.57
I believe that if
our focus is on revival
00:58:32.61\00:58:36.95
within our schools
and within our homes,
00:58:36.98\00:58:39.01
we will be home in no time.
00:58:39.05\00:58:42.02
Our homes and our schools
will instead be in heaven,
00:58:42.05\00:58:46.76
a foretaste of Eden,
00:58:46.79\00:58:50.93
a re-taste of Eden.
00:58:50.96\00:58:54.00