Participants: Greg Morikone (Host), Moise Ratsara
Series Code: TDY
Program Code: TDY017009A
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00:01 I want to spend my life
00:07 Mending broken people 00:12 I want to spend my life 00:18 Removing pain 00:23 Lord, let my words 00:30 Heal a heart that hurts 00:34 I want to spend my life 00:40 Mending broken people 00:45 I want to spend my life 00:51 Mending broken people 01:07 Hello, and welcome to another 3ABN Today program. 01:10 My name is Greg Morikone. 01:12 Unfortunately my wife Jill can't be with me today. 01:15 But we are so glad that you've joined us again 01:18 as you do each and every day. 01:19 And you know, I know it seems like we say this all the time 01:22 but thank you for your prayers 01:25 and your financial support of the ministry of 3ABN. 01:28 If it weren't for you and the Lord Jesus Christ, 01:31 this ministry wouldn't be where it is, what is it? 01:34 Like 32, 33 years later. You know, what's neat? 01:37 I think only in heaven because it's... 01:39 we're team here. 01:40 Only in heaven where we truly get 01:42 the big picture of how the prayers, 01:46 the financial support of this ministry, 01:48 how we reach people around the world 01:49 for the Lord Jesus Christ. 01:51 It's exciting, isn't it? 01:52 We are excited to be teamed up with you. 01:53 Now today, I'm just going to get right to it. 01:55 We have an amazing testimony, 01:58 may not be quite the right term 02:00 but it's a ministry that we want to talk about 02:02 and it is very familiar to you and that is GYC, 02:05 Generation of Youth for Christ. 02:07 You've probably seen 3ABN airing 02:09 a lot of the programs live 02:10 and then will bring back programs, 02:12 edit them later and then air them on 3ABN. 02:15 So GYC is no stranger to you. 02:17 But we have the current president of GYC, 02:21 Pastor Moise Ratsara. 02:23 We are so glad to have you here. 02:25 We appreciate the ministry of GYC... 02:27 Praise the Lord. 02:29 And, boy, 3ABN and GYC 02:32 have been partnering for almost lose track 02:35 for a number of years, well, over 10 years. 02:36 Yes. More than a decade. 02:38 More than a decade. 02:39 Yeah. Wow. 02:40 And it's been a real blessing. 02:42 And of course, we're talking about GYC as a ministry, 02:45 he has some exciting stories, some updates, 02:48 the direction where GYC is going. 02:51 We're gonna talk about the current one 02:52 that we just came from Houston 2016 in Houston, Texas. 02:56 But God is good, isn't He? 02:58 It's neat to see how God is using young people. 03:01 And I consider myself a young person still, 03:04 Jill and myself, 03:05 but it's neat to see how God is using young people 03:07 such as you pastor and the staff around you, 03:10 all those in attendance to GYC 03:12 to spread God's word around the world. 03:15 But before we get into 03:17 what's happening with GYC currently, 03:18 I want to read... 03:21 Let's see, 1 Peter, 03:22 hope you have your Bible with you. 03:24 1 Peter 2 03:26 and I'm gonna just read verse 9. 03:30 It says, "But you are a chosen generation, 03:34 a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 03:37 a peculiar people, 03:39 that you should show forth the praises of Him 03:42 who has called you out of darkness 03:45 into his marvelous light." 03:47 You know, when we invite Jesus Christ into our lives, 03:50 we have an obligation maybe we say 03:51 to share God's truth to others. 03:54 You know, we're chosen people, isn't that a blessing? 03:56 You are too. 03:58 You're there at home that you're involved too, I know, 04:00 we're spreading God's Word around the world. 04:03 And, pastor, it's a blessing, isn't it? 04:04 I believe He's chosen you 04:06 to be the leader currently of GYC 04:08 but He's chosen the ministry of GYC 04:11 to spread His gospel around the world. 04:14 It's a blessing, isn't it to be use of Him. 04:15 Yes. 04:17 We praise God 04:18 and all the glory belongs to Him. 04:20 That's right. 04:21 And I want to do something just a little bit 04:22 of what we normally do. 04:24 Usually the person who host read the text 04:26 but I ask pastor here if he, 04:27 'cause he is a pastor and we'll talk a little more 04:29 about what he is currently doing here too. 04:31 But there is a text that you guys use at GYC as well. 04:35 Share that with our viewers that which one... 04:36 I know you have multiple ones... 04:38 Yes. 04:39 But there is one you like to share with us today. 04:40 So I have a text that I love to read 04:44 and inspire my team with 04:46 and it's actually found in Joshua 1:9, 04:51 Joshua 1:9. 04:55 And it reads here, it says, "Have I not commanded you?" 04:59 Amen. 05:01 "Be strong and of good courage. 05:03 Do not be afraid and nor be dismayed 05:08 for the Lord your God is with you 05:11 wherever you go." 05:13 Wherever you go. Wow. 05:15 What a promise. Yeah. 05:16 Amen. 05:17 You know, what a promise because 05:19 life has its challenges. 05:20 Are you challenged? Of course you are. 05:22 We all have challenges. I'm challenged. 05:24 Pastor, you too? 05:25 I've had some very big challenges. 05:27 Yeah, and GYC too. 05:28 But it says, "Do not be afraid." 05:30 "Do not be afraid nor be dismayed 05:32 for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go," 05:35 and that is a precious promise. 05:37 Yes it is. 05:38 And, boy, I can't wait to get into this 05:40 update on the ministry of GYC. 05:42 But before we do, we always like to go to music. 05:45 I know, you enjoy music, we here at 3ABN do too. 05:48 And we have Gerri Lynn Mendenhall 05:50 who is the niece of course of our president Danny Shelton 05:53 and also playing the guitar and singing is C.W. Garret 05:58 and ET of course is accompanying on the piano. 05:59 And they're doing a wonderful song called "Amazing Grace." 06:19 Amazing grace 06:23 How sweet the sound 06:27 That saved a wretch 06:31 Like me 06:35 I once was lost 06:39 But now I'm found 06:43 Was blind but now 06:47 I see ' 06:51 Twas grace that taught 06:54 My heart to fear 06:58 And grace my fears relieved 07:06 How precious did 07:10 That grace appear 07:14 The hour I first believed 07:21 My chains are gone 07:25 I've been set free 07:28 My God, my Savior 07:32 has ransomed me 07:36 And like a flood 07:40 His mercy reigns 07:44 Unending love, 07:48 amazing grace 08:01 The Lord has promised 08:05 Good to me 08:08 His word my hope secures 08:16 He will my shield 08:20 And portion be 08:24 As long as life endures 08:30 My chains are gone 08:34 I've been set free 08:38 My God, my Savior 08:42 Has ransomed me 08:46 And like a flood 08:50 His mercy reigns 08:54 Unending love, 08:57 Amazing grace 09:01 My chains are gone 09:05 I've been set free 09:09 My God, my Savior 09:12 Has ransomed me 09:16 And like a flood 09:20 His mercy reigns 09:24 Unending love, 09:28 Amazing grace 09:33 The earth shall soon 09:37 Dissolve like snow 09:40 The sun forbear to shine 09:48 But God, Who called me here below 09:56 Will be forever mine 10:04 Will be forever mine 10:11 You are forever mine 10:30 Amen. Praise the Lord. 10:32 Praise God for His amazing grace. 10:35 All of us are covered in His grace and His mercy. 10:37 And I tell you, "Well done." 10:38 Thank you very much for that wonderful music. 10:40 And in case, you are just now joining us, 10:42 we're with the president of GYC, 10:46 Pastor Moise Ratsara. 10:48 And again, welcome again to 3ABN. 10:50 It is a real privilege and honor to have you here. 10:53 And of course, 3ABN has just been so grateful 10:56 and so blessed to being able to partner with GYC 10:59 for over a decade. 11:02 Now, pastor, before we get into GYC, 11:04 I know some people that again, 11:06 you've watched him on, at GYC, 11:09 may be preaching or, you know, 11:12 giving an announcement or doing an introduction, 11:15 we may not know much about you. 11:16 So I was talking about my wife 11:18 and can't be here with me today. 11:20 But I know that you're married 11:21 so tell me little bit about your family. 11:22 Sure. 11:24 And again, GYC is the main focus 11:25 but you also have other responsibilities 11:27 that you are actually paid for it. 11:29 Yeah. 11:30 So tell me a little bit about your family 11:31 and about what you're currently doing? 11:33 Okay. So I'm married... 11:34 Amen. To one wife. 11:36 Praise the Lord. Amy. 11:38 And she works as an attorney in Michigan. 11:41 Great. 11:42 We've been married for about two years. 11:45 We actually met through GYC at Easter or so... 11:49 So, let's add that in there, 11:50 maybe it's a place to meet a spouse, 11:52 a godly spouse. 11:53 Praise God for that though. That's a... 11:54 Well, we praise the Lord for it. 11:56 I mean, you know, 11:57 so we met through the ministry of GYC. 12:00 And I've been in love with her 12:03 and she is a beautiful and godly woman. 12:06 Praise God. And I pastor as well. 12:09 I pastor one church of about 23 members. 12:12 All right. 12:14 And I pastor another church of about 264 members. 12:17 Okay. 12:18 And one of the churches that I pastored, 12:21 Jackson was actually the first church in 1853 12:27 that Ellen G. White said, 12:29 "You need to reform." 12:31 So we have that in our history and so we, you know, 12:37 it's a very special church. 12:39 Ellen G. White used to have 12:41 a lot of her great controversy visions in Jackson. 12:44 Well, this is Michigan. Jackson, Michigan. 12:46 Correct. 12:47 And a lot of her visions were there 12:50 about the great controversy and it's a special place. 12:53 They used to have the camp meetings there 12:55 and it's a real honor to pastor and I pastor full time. 12:59 Amen. 13:00 And you've been pastoring now for how many years? 13:02 For four years. Okay. 13:03 I have started pastoring when I was about 21 years old. 13:06 So if you do the calculations... 13:08 Yeah. You will know my age. 13:09 Yeah. You are in your mid 20s. 13:11 Four years and a half I have been pastoring. 13:13 Wow. 13:14 And this is now also your second... 13:16 Do you call it terms or second year, 13:18 I would say as GYC president? 13:19 Yeah, first term, second year. 13:21 Second year. Okay. Yeah. 13:23 So tell me your involvement of getting involved with GYC 13:26 and then we'll go back to about what GYC is 13:27 and its history. 13:29 Yeah. How did you get involved? 13:30 So I got involved... 13:31 actually it started in 2007. 13:35 Okay. 13:36 My father had an invitation to speak and I was going, 13:40 I decided to go with him and go to GYC. 13:44 And to be honest, it was a little bit different 13:48 from what I thought, you know, 13:51 a gathering of young people would be, 13:53 these people were in fire for the Lord, they love Jesus, 13:59 they were studying very hard topics 14:01 like, hermeneutics, you know. 14:04 And you know, it was a whole different culture environment. 14:10 Yeah. 14:12 And I said, you know, "I want to be part of this." 14:14 I don't know what they have but I want what they have. 14:17 Sure. 14:19 I want to be on fire for the Lord. 14:20 I want to be all in for the Lord. 14:21 I want to live a life of meaning. 14:24 Yeah. 14:25 So in 2009, actually that summer, 14:30 actually 2010, that summer 14:33 I started to Bible work and to study more intensely 14:38 what ministry is all about. 14:41 And my friend invited me to become a bus leader for GYC. 14:45 He says, "Hey, Moise, you know, you enjoy ministry, 14:47 you enjoy door to door work. 14:49 Come and be a bus leader." 14:51 And I said, "Sure. I'll volunteer." 14:53 So I volunteered and that's how it started. 14:57 In 2010, I started volunteering, 15:01 became a programming vice president 15:04 and that entailed taking care of the program of GYC in 2014. 15:12 And then, ever since then, you know, 15:15 in 2016 became president and... 15:18 Yes. What an honor? 15:20 What a privilege? 15:21 Privilege and the blessing 15:24 and God is doing wonderful things. 15:28 Yeah. 15:30 You know, unlike we've mentioned earlier, 15:31 if some of you at home, 15:32 you're very familiar with what GYC is. 15:35 But now, pastor, and I'm gonna refer to you as pastor, 15:37 I know you're president but Pastor Moise, 15:40 tell our viewers at home about what GYC is, 15:43 its goals, its mission 15:45 because it started in the year, was it 2002? 15:48 2002. 2002. 15:50 So take us back a little bit, 15:51 walk us through the original vision, 15:53 where you are going with GYC and what it's all about? 15:55 Yeah. 15:56 So, Greg, you know, 15:58 GYC started as a movement of young people in 2002. 16:03 They got together and they said, you know, 16:06 "We want to understand the Word of God. 16:10 We want to understand it fully," 16:12 you know, young people, 16:13 "And let's do something about, 16:15 let's study the Bible 16:16 for more than eight hours a day." 16:19 For more than eight hours a day. 16:21 Yes, eight hours a day. Wow, it's incredible. 16:23 So they organized their program 16:25 and they actually went to Pineridge, California. 16:28 And as they went over there, 16:31 they were only expecting probably 16:33 a couple hundred people. 16:34 Okay. 16:35 But people started coming from all over the state. 16:39 And... Wow, of California? 16:40 California, all over the United States. 16:43 Oh, okay. Wow. 16:44 And they were studying the Bible, 16:46 studying the Bible, praising the Lord, 16:49 a kind of the model in Acts 1 and 2 there. 16:54 And, you know, getting together, praying. 16:57 And from there 2013, it started... 17:01 sorry 2003, it started to 17:04 grow and grow and grow and now we're in 2017. 17:11 And in Houston we had 17:14 a couple thousands, thousands of people, 17:16 young people. 17:18 And it came from this desire to study the Word of God 17:22 to be equipped and rightly trained 17:26 to finish the work in this generation as young people... 17:30 Yeah. In our generation. 17:32 You know, every generation 17:33 has the privilege of finishing the work. 17:37 And we want the work to be finished in our generation, 17:40 and that's why GYC exists for, 17:42 it's a movement of values. 17:46 It's a movement of being Adventist. 17:50 What does it mean to be an Adventist young person? 17:52 What does it mean to live in a world 17:58 where there all of this different thoughts 18:00 and ideas being presented to young people. 18:03 I'm a millennial and GYC, 18:07 the aim of GYC is to strengthen our identity in Christ. 18:11 Yeah. Amen. Yeah. 18:12 And if we can achieve that by God's grace, 18:16 if we can get young people to read their Bibles 18:20 to discover the love of God. 18:22 Yeah. Amen. And the beauty of truth. 18:26 That is why GYC exist through a firm identity in Christ. 18:30 Yeah. Well, that's great. 18:31 You know, it's amazing to think 18:32 about GYC starting out as just, what? 18:34 A couple of few hundred to where it is now. 18:37 I mean, you've seen some of those white jib shots 18:39 that Tammy takes or whoever is running jib. 18:41 And there's, like you said thousands of people... 18:43 Thousands of thousands. Are prepared now. 18:45 Whoever would have thought 18:47 how God has just grown this ministry and the impact. 18:50 Yes. 18:51 We actually are, we have 18 different affiliates. 18:55 Affiliates are... Wait, wait. 18:56 18? 18:58 Eighteen different affiliates, okay. 18:59 So you're gonna tell me what an affiliate is, all right. 19:01 An affiliate is a, let's say, 19:03 a group of young people that gather anyone in the world 19:06 and want to inspire their generation 19:09 to follow Jesus Christ. 19:11 And you know, they want a model that similar to GYC, 19:17 how it functions, the worships and all of those things 19:20 and they become an official affiliate. 19:21 Okay. 19:23 And we have 18 of those around the world. 19:25 Wow! 19:26 So on a yearly basis there are about 19:29 more than 10,000 young people 19:31 that gather for GYC related event... 19:34 Oh, that's amazing. Throughout the world. 19:36 So I know the GYC, like we just came from Houston, 19:39 there were people from all over the world coming there 19:41 but you're saying there's actually affiliates. 19:43 Is that what you call them? Yes. 19:45 In other parts of the world that have grown GYC. 19:47 So as a president of GYC, do you travel around 19:49 to each one of these events? 19:51 Is that part of your responsibility? 19:53 Well, I try to. Wow. 19:54 I have my good friend Taylor Hinkle 19:56 who is in Michigan Conference. 19:57 Yes. 19:59 And he is part of his duty is to go around 20:03 as much as he can to those different places 20:06 and support, pray with them, 20:08 inspire them because we're all volunteers. 20:10 That's amazing. 20:12 And it's a large staff. Yes. 20:14 Makes up GYC. Yes. 20:15 There is a lot of people, a lot of dynamics. 20:20 So it's only a miracle of God that we are able to function 20:26 and to do what GYC is doing around the world. 20:29 Yeah. 20:30 You know, I think about the impact 20:32 that it makes, I know, 20:33 for Jill and myself, for years we're involved 20:34 because of 3ABN. 20:36 So we are not always able to attend, 20:37 like the seminars 20:38 and the main meetings and things. 20:40 But we're always very blessed attending just the spirit... 20:42 Amen. That is there. 20:43 But pastor, I was thinking that you basically 20:45 first attended as a teenager, didn't you? 20:47 Yes. About what, 15, 16 years? 20:50 I was 17. 17 years of age. 20:53 You know and young people then 20:54 'cause I know that was a number of years ago. 20:56 But young people now are bombarded with a tremendous 21:00 amount of influence from media, friends, school, 21:05 so to have something like GYC that is, wow, 21:11 inspiring them, did you say to get into the Word of God. 21:16 I like GYC because it challenges you. 21:18 It really does. 21:20 Can I say this, did they ask hard questions? 21:22 Yes. 21:23 That makes you soul search for yourselves, 21:26 so these young people, you know, 21:27 it's just tremendous the impact, 21:29 I know that GYC has had. 21:30 I mean, we praise the Lord, you know, we... 21:33 Young people are looking for substance. 21:36 That's right. 21:38 Performance is not as important as substance to young people. 21:42 When you think... Ooh. Say that one more time. 21:44 That's really good. 21:45 Performance is not as important 21:48 to young people as substance. 21:50 Yeah. That's great. 21:51 They want something that's relevant. 21:54 They want something that is real. 21:56 So when you come to GYC as a young person, 22:01 you will see seminars 22:04 that ask the hard questions. 22:06 Yeah. 22:07 Questions that we face in our circles. 22:11 For example, the average millennial 22:15 spends about more than 10 hours a day on social media. 22:20 Ten hours? 22:21 Ten hours a day, more than that. 22:23 And actually, what is interesting 22:27 is most of the content that they consume 22:30 is from their own peers. 22:32 Now the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible gives us a rule 22:36 that by beholding you become changed. 22:38 That's right. 22:39 So if you behold the thoughts of others, 22:43 you become a reflection of others. 22:46 And as a generation we are consuming ourselves 22:53 and we are looking for a guidance 22:55 from our own peers. 22:58 And I tell you what? That is dangerous. 23:01 Very much. 23:03 'Cause we're, you know, as Greg, 23:04 you and I know, we live in a world 23:06 filled with darkness and sin. 23:08 We are. 23:09 And at GYC when a young person comes there, 23:13 we want to ask the hard questions. 23:15 The questions that even I sometime say, 23:17 "Oh, are we really going to deal with this one?" 23:19 Yeah. That's great. 23:21 And I mean, if the Bible talks about it, 23:24 why don't we talk about it? 23:26 That's our thinking at GYC. 23:28 And countless stories of people that were changing. 23:31 I want to share a quick story. Great. 23:35 There was a story of a young lady, 23:37 she recently became Adventist. 23:41 She, you know, she is learning the truths about Adventism 23:45 and all those things and she started to watch 3ABN. 23:49 Oh, wow. Okay. 23:50 And actually this happened just a couple of months ago. 23:55 She started watching 3ABN and then 3ABN was airing GYC. 24:00 And the speaker at that time who was speaking was talking 24:03 about Adventist education 24:06 and the need for us to have an education 24:10 that centers around God and the Word of God. 24:12 Amen. 24:14 So she had two kids at that time 24:15 and she was watching it. 24:17 And the local church that she was going to had a... 24:21 they had, you know, a church school 24:23 and all of those things. 24:25 But they were a small school and they were, 24:28 you could say in a little bit of a crisis. 24:30 The school is not growing as much. 24:34 And they had a meeting and they said, 24:36 "Well, let's get together and find different ways 24:40 how to grow our school," 24:41 and some of the ideas that people were suggesting 24:45 were quite questionable. 24:47 But the pastor said, "Well, you know, 24:49 let's be faithful, God is going to do something." 24:53 And you know what, at the end of GYC, 24:56 after this lady was watching GYC, 24:58 she sent her two kids to school. 25:01 Wow! 25:03 Another lady was at GYC that same local church 25:06 and she decide to send her kids to that Adventist school. 25:10 And they only had about 23 students. 25:13 So three students in the school of 23 students 25:17 is almost a 15% increase. 25:20 Oh, yeah. That's huge. 25:21 Just from watching GYC, through the blessing of 3ABN. 25:26 And God works in wonderful ways. 25:31 He does. 25:32 And those are just one of the stories... 25:34 Amen. One of the ways. 25:35 You know, I was thinking 'cause if people at home, 25:36 you know, you've touched 25:38 on a couple of important things here. 25:39 And one of them is, 25:41 it's more than just the evening meetings 25:44 that you see on 3ABN and well, you know, 25:46 of course we broadcast or show you later 25:47 after we've edited it, 25:49 like, they call it plenary session. 25:51 But he said a word here, seminars. 25:52 Yeah. 25:54 Now because some one at home may say, 25:55 "Hey, I get GYC. 25:57 I can just sit at home in my comfortable couch 26:00 and turn on 3ABN, 26:01 watch the live broadcast then I'm off to other activities." 26:04 Why would it be important, pastor, 26:07 to attend GYC or send a young person to GYC 26:10 'cause it's so much more than just sitting 26:11 and watching it on 3ABN. 26:13 Oh, you. Tell me why? 26:15 You hit it on the nail, Greg. 26:17 I mean, GYC is not only about the main plenary sessions 26:23 but it's about the experience of fellowshipping, 26:28 studying the Word, 26:29 praying together with thousands of young people. 26:33 Oh, yeah. It's about the personal work. 26:36 And at the seminars, you get the chance 26:38 to hear a man of God or woman of God 26:42 talking about a certain topic, 26:45 whatever topic it is, 26:46 relationships, marriage, finances... 26:49 Oh, wow. 26:51 Health, temperance all of those different things 26:54 or even missions or controversial topics 26:58 that the world is trying to wrestle with. 27:00 Good. 27:02 All of those things are presented at the seminars 27:05 and you get to ask questions of the speakers. 27:07 You get to study together, you get to pray together 27:11 after that seminar session. 27:13 And GYC is really about 27:17 having an experience of worship 27:22 where you're there. 27:23 Yeah. 27:25 You know, we as a church pastor, 27:28 one of the most effective ways to reach people 27:31 is to come in contact with them. 27:33 Yeah. You know... 27:34 One on one, isn't it? One on one, you know... 27:36 Well, it's very important. How are you doing, brother? 27:38 How are you doing, sister? Praying together. 27:42 You know, as a pastor, 27:48 I might not preach well. 27:49 I might not be the best, you know, 27:53 board chair or whatever it is. 27:55 But if I don't visit my members, 27:58 they won't forgive me. 28:01 And you know, they won't forgive me, you know, 28:04 they can forgive me, maybe pastor, 28:07 I mean, by God's grace I hope I preached the Word. 28:10 Yes. Amen. 28:11 I might not be the best of preachers. 28:13 But the personal work is what pastoral ministry is all about. 28:17 And that's what GYC is all about. 28:18 Yeah. 28:20 You know, you come from all over the United States. 28:23 This GYC at Houston we had more than 50 countries present. 28:28 Fifty? Fifty. 28:29 Wow. That's amazing. 28:31 People from China, people from Iceland, 28:33 people from Indonesia, 28:35 people from all over the place and they come. 28:39 Amen. 28:40 And they come over there, we worship together, 28:44 we talk, we really come to Jesus as we are. 28:50 And we say, "Lord, do something more 28:52 because we want to give more." 28:53 Yeah. 28:55 And that's why it's just 28:56 a wonderful experience to be there. 28:58 You know, that's important because, 28:59 you know, you may have actually a young person right now 29:01 that's saying, "You know what? 29:02 I have an emptiness inside, I'm little empty. 29:05 I should really attend the next GYC 29:09 but I don't feel that I'm really there," 29:10 but you are saying come as you are, right? 29:12 Come as you are. 29:13 Because, yeah, it's there that this person, 29:16 well, you might be able to find Jesus 29:17 or whatever you're missing, right? 29:18 It's an encouragement because 29:20 you're around all these young people, 29:21 you're around these godly men and women 29:23 that are presenting the seminars, the plenary, 29:25 the early morning devotional. 29:26 Yes, there is an early morning devotional. 29:28 Yes. 29:29 The evening meetings as well, you have the... 29:32 Tell me a little bit about the exhibits 29:34 because it's not just about, 29:36 like just showing your wares, so to speak. 29:39 It's actually about networking so the exhibits, 29:42 this is another fantastic opportunity 29:44 when you attend to network here in the exhibit area. 29:47 So tell me a little about that? Yes. 29:48 So the exhibit areas are where we gather, 29:52 we like to call them the best ministries in Adventism. 29:57 I mean, all ministries blessed 29:59 but we want to plug people into, 30:01 young people into ministries 30:03 they could be a part of or support. 30:05 Yeah. 30:06 And that's the exhibit area, you know, 30:08 we have all sorts of ministries that gather there 30:11 but we want to give them an exposure 30:13 to young people to recruit them. 30:15 For example, after we make an appeal for missions, 30:19 it's nice to be able for them to find a ministry 30:23 that's involved in mission, 30:25 or plug them with the Middle East for example 30:27 or a ministry wherever it might be 30:30 so that they could be involved in action and service. 30:34 And that's why the exhibits happen 30:36 because you get that one-on-one, 30:38 that networking that we so much need. 30:41 Yeah. 30:43 And we've seen it through the years where, 30:44 I'm just, when it comes to mind, 30:46 I say come to 3ABN a number of times, there's army... 30:48 Yes. The army, what's it? 30:50 The army Bible camp. Oh, yes. 30:52 Yeah. They are doing fantastic job. 30:54 I remember when they were just bringing their little exhibit 30:57 and how that has grown 30:58 and you can go on and on down the list. 30:59 Oh, yeah. 31:01 I mean, I got a story for our audience here. 31:04 Great. 31:05 You know, several years ago 31:07 we were talking about the prayer room 31:09 'cause army focus is on the prayer rooms. 31:11 Oh, yeah. You know, the prayer... 31:12 Thank you. 31:14 That's important part of the GYC. 31:15 And I mean, you know, we were saying, 31:18 well, usually we used to have only 31:23 probably 10, 8 people 31:25 that'll go to prayer room and pray. 31:27 And we say, "We got to get serious about this." 31:30 So this year we started the 40 days of prayer. 31:34 Forty days of prayer? Yes. 31:36 Wow. Leading up to GYC. 31:37 Okay. 31:38 So we were praying for 40 days leading up to GYC. 31:42 And I remember how it happened. 31:45 Our room for the prayer room was about 100 people, 31:48 it could fit 100 people. 31:50 The first morning, Thursday morning... 31:53 Okay. Early in the morning? 31:55 Early in the morning. 31:56 As early as, you know, well, 32:00 6 o'clock getting ready, 6 a.m. 32:05 But obviously they had to wake up before then 32:07 and get ready and all that stuff. 32:09 And more than 200 people... 32:13 Two hundred? 32:15 So our logistic person tells us, 32:17 "You know, we got to get a bigger room." 32:19 We got a big problem, that's a good problem. 32:21 Yeah. 32:22 We got a problem, more than 200 people, 32:23 and he was filling up and filling up. 32:25 And we were saying, "What are we gonna do?" 32:28 Our room cannot fit the amount of young people 32:30 that want to pray in the morning. 32:32 That was my next question. 32:34 So these are young people getting up before 6... 32:36 Yes. To get there to pray. 32:37 Get there to pray. Amen. 32:39 And we have a full day. 32:41 It's not like, you know, we get there to pray 32:43 and we sing "Kumbaya," and we're done. 32:45 I mean, we, you know, we... Always busy. 32:47 We are there till probably 9. 32:49 Yeah, in the evening. In the evening. 32:51 And people are getting there ready to pray in the hundreds, 32:57 praying in all different languages. 33:00 It was like a picture of heaven. 33:04 Wow. And that... 33:06 A beautiful. It is just amazing. 33:09 We praise the Lord for that. 33:10 Yeah, 'cause there is definitely power in prayer. 33:12 Oh, yes. It is there. 33:13 I tell you, it's neat 'cause I know that 33:17 you may be a parent or grandparent 33:19 and you are just now thinking about your, 33:21 "young person," in your life 33:23 that you're worried about and you're praying 33:27 that they could attend GYC. 33:29 And, boy, I tell you, never give up on praying 33:32 for the young people. 33:34 Even if they're "following God," you say, 33:35 "You know, their life is perfect." 33:37 Boy, I tell you, Satan attacks 33:38 because these young people are on fire for God 33:40 and Satan knows all about it. 33:42 Oh, yeah. 33:43 So continue to pray even if you can't attend 33:44 and join these prayer groups or prayer room. 33:46 Yeah. 33:47 Prayer is an important aspect 33:49 to our Christian growth for sure. 33:50 Yeah. 33:51 And you know, there is a quote from one of 33:53 that I like to keep in my heart. 33:56 It says, "No man is bigger than his prayer life..." 33:59 Oh, wow. 34:01 And it continues, it says, you know, 34:03 "God does not bless missionary 34:06 but He blesses people, people who pray." 34:10 Wow. That's powerful. 34:11 And that's what we want to experience. 34:14 You know, the disciples never asked God or Jesus. 34:17 They never said, 34:19 "Jesus, teach us how to preach." 34:21 They never said, "Lord..." 34:23 Yeah, they never said, 34:24 "Lord, teach us how to give a Bible study," 34:25 though those things are very important. 34:28 I could tell you as a pastor, they're very important. 34:30 Of course. 34:31 But what they wanted to know was teach us how to pray. 34:36 Wow. 34:37 That's what they wanted to know about Jesus. 34:40 Teach us how to pray. 34:41 And prayer is so important. 34:45 And that's the only way 34:46 we will receive the latter rain. 34:48 Yeah. And that's the only way. 34:49 Yeah. 34:50 So we've touched on, you know, the main meetings, 34:52 touched on the prayer room, seminars, exhibit area. 34:56 Another very exciting aspect because you touched on this, 34:59 so this was your first participation 35:01 was being a bus leader, 35:05 so that has to do with outreach. 35:07 Oh, yes. 35:08 And that's another huge aspect to GYC. 35:10 So tell us about what outreach is all about? 35:13 Maybe you even have some statistics from Houston... 35:14 Yes. 35:16 What took place or touch on that aspect of GYC, please? 35:20 Greg, I'm excited. Amen. 35:22 Outreaching is... Way to begin. 35:23 One of the things 35:25 that everybody should get involved with. 35:27 And at GYC we truly believe in it. 35:30 You know, even in the leadership of GYC, 35:32 I have never missed an outreach by God's grace. 35:35 Oh, wow. Thousands. 35:37 So we usually have, you know, 35:41 40 buses or so that go throughout the entire city. 35:44 So let's take for example Houston. 35:46 We go through the entire city, 35:48 we look for Bible studies, we give them, 35:52 we give books as well to the community in that city. 35:55 So how do you do this, 35:56 so basically the buses go to different parts? 35:58 Yeah. 35:59 Kids get off and they just start knocking on doors? 36:02 Yes. 36:03 I mean, they receive a training. 36:04 We want to make sure they, they're well-equipped. 36:08 And we also do a follow-up plan 36:10 with the local churches in the area. 36:12 So that, you know, 36:14 we don't want any Bible study to be lost somewhere. 36:18 Amen. That's good. 36:20 So we organize the outreach 36:22 and we go throughout the entire city. 36:23 This last day outreaching Houston, 36:27 we had close to almost 2,000 people go on outreach. 36:30 That's a lot. 36:32 Young people, going all over the place. 36:34 And then by God's grace 36:36 we had 1,783 Bible studies in one day. 36:43 So 1700? 36:44 Seventeen hundred and eighty three, 36:46 yeah, about 1700 Bible study. 36:50 And there was only 'cause I know Jill and I again 36:52 because we're with the production 36:53 where we can see the training taking place. 36:55 There is a lot of young people then everyone files out. 36:58 It's very organized by the way, if you've never attended. 37:00 All the buses are lined up in the back dock 37:03 at Houston here and then they come back, 37:05 it seems like just a few hours later. 37:06 So 1700, 1800 in how many hours? 37:09 In about two hours and a half. 37:11 Isn't that amazing? Yeah. 37:13 I mean, imagine 1,700 Bible studies 37:16 in two hours and a half. 37:17 And we don't only do that, 37:20 we do the tracks and all those things and... 37:22 Amen. 37:23 I remember at this GYC, Houston, you know, 37:27 now I'm there as service president, I was... 37:31 I had a lot of meetings that Friday. 37:33 And I said, "Lord, I really wanna go on outreach." 37:36 I just don't wanna say, "Let's go on outreach 37:39 and I don't go on outreach." 37:40 So I said, "I got to go." 37:42 We had some meetings and, you know, 37:47 we found a way to get a car to take us on outreach because, 37:51 you know, our schedule is very heavy. 37:53 And I remember in that car, some of my friends and I, 37:56 we were, they were trying to say, 37:58 "Well, Moise, maybe we shouldn't go 38:01 because we have all these meetings and..." 38:03 I said, "Well, you know, 38:04 Lord is really calling us to go." 38:07 So we decided to go through this one neighborhood. 38:10 And then this neighborhood, you know, 38:12 we divided ourselves, 38:14 I went with a union president from Colombia. 38:17 Oh, wow. In Colombia, South America. 38:20 And we started knocking on doors 38:23 with this church leader, just powerful. 38:25 Yeah. 38:26 And then knocking on doors and my other two friends 38:29 Taylor and his friend David 38:31 decided to go on the other side of the street. 38:34 So we started knocking on doors and passing our Glow tracts, 38:38 you know literatures. 38:39 Literature. 38:41 And all of a sudden 38:42 on the other side my friend David, 38:44 he knocks on the door and a lady comes down 38:48 and she is mad, really mad. 38:52 And he explains, you know, "Hey." 38:54 And then she speaks Spanish and he praise the Lord, 38:57 he spoke Spanish as well and they're talking. 38:59 And he says, "Hey, you know, I'm here with some tracts, 39:03 some Bible tracts, and all of those things." 39:06 And she starts to, you know, 39:12 she is taken aback a little bit. 39:14 Sure. 39:15 She says, "You know what, I had a dream 39:19 that they were going to be two ministers 39:21 that would come to my door and give me Bible tracts." 39:26 Now at that time David was knocking at that door 39:28 and he was talking to the lady, 39:29 Taylor was passing out some more Glow tracts. 39:32 And he was by himself and he works in ministry 39:36 and just at that time Taylor comes 39:39 by his side and they're two. 39:41 She never asked them what they do, 39:43 never asked them. 39:45 And but she says, "You know, I had a dream that 39:47 two ministers will come, they will give me Bible tracts. 39:52 And just at that time when you are knocking 39:55 that there was a voice telling me to be quiet. 39:59 And I was so mad because 40:01 this voice was saying me to be quiet." 40:03 And so that she could hear the knock on the door. 40:07 And she says, "You know, I had another dream." 40:11 And she says, "In my dream the Lord was telling me... 40:15 I saw, you know, a lot of red and different things 40:19 and pools of blood and a voice telling me, 40:24 I'm coming soon, 40:26 and this is one of your last chances 40:29 to accept the truth. 40:31 Wow. And she started to weep. 40:34 She was weeping, she says, "Give me whatever you can." 40:36 She was going to San Antonio, moving to San Antonio. 40:39 And just at that time, you know, 40:43 God had a plan and that's outreach, 40:45 God has a plan. 40:47 He has people who are seeking the truth. 40:49 And imagine if we, Greg, said "Well, we're not going." 40:53 We're too busy ourselves. 40:55 I got the meetings, all these meetings I have to attend, 40:56 that's important. 40:57 Let's just forget outreach. 40:59 And they were good meetings. Of course. 41:00 Meetings that are needed to take place. 41:02 But God knew that there was his daughter 41:04 somewhere in Houston, 41:07 that He had spoken to... 41:09 we don't know how much longer before GYC and said, 41:14 "There will be two ministers that will come 41:16 and lead you to the truth." 41:17 Praise the Lord. 41:19 What a blessing 41:20 to be an instrument in His hand, isn't it? 41:21 Yeah. Well, we praise the Lord. 41:23 Yeah. 41:24 So these young people that go on outreach, 41:27 all of them are well-experienced, 41:28 I mean, everyone that goes is just like, 41:30 "Yeah, I'm ready to go, I'm not afraid, 41:32 this is piece of cake." 41:34 That's it. 41:36 Get the whole gamut, don't you? 41:37 Yes. 41:38 We got people that go for the first time... 41:40 Probably, literally shaking on bus like... 41:41 Oh, yes, and let me tell you something. 41:43 I too the first time was afraid and I'm still... 41:45 Of course. I'm a very shy person. 41:46 I know it's hard to believe, but I'm a shy person. 41:48 Okay. 41:50 And, you know, there is always that little 41:53 timid part of you that 41:55 and even this time in Houston, I was a little bit shy. 41:59 Wow, it's amazing. 42:00 But, you know, God gave us a great commission, 42:03 not a great option. 42:05 And... Say that again. 42:07 God gave us a great commission, not a great option. 42:11 And... 42:13 What is the commission? 42:14 The commission is going... 42:16 Into all the world. All the world. 42:18 That includes Houston, that includes Thompsonville, 42:22 that includes St. Louis, that includes Detroit. 42:26 It does. 42:27 That includes Cairo. Yeah. 42:30 So, yes, I mean, we're all inexperience, 42:34 a lot of us are inexperience that go on outreach. 42:37 But we're going under the authority of Jesus Christ. 42:41 Praise God. 42:42 And He's going before us like that lady. 42:44 He went before us. Yeah, prepare the way. 42:46 All we have to do is be willing. 42:49 God doesn't need our experience 42:53 but all He needs is our willingness. 42:55 Yeah. And that's outreaching. 42:56 Amen. Yeah. 42:58 I tell you this hour is going by so quickly. 43:00 I wanna just touch briefly because someone again at home 43:02 may not be familiar and we're gonna again 43:04 put up the GYC contact information. 43:06 If you feel impress to donate to the ministry 43:09 that contact you can just get your pen and paper 43:12 and write it down. 43:13 But I wanna talk about... 43:15 So someone may say like age I've got, you know, 43:19 toddlers or you know, kindergarten, or how old? 43:22 Or tell me the age range that GYC really targets? 43:25 We really target the age of 18 to 35. 43:29 But we also target the aged people 43:31 who feel young at heart. 43:33 Yes. 43:34 So you might be 90, you might be 80, 43:37 you might be 12 or 13. 43:39 It doesn't matter, but our main focus, 43:42 the main age is 18 and 35. 43:45 Yeah. Yeah. 43:46 And why that age range? 43:48 Why that target audience? 43:50 I guess if you wanna call it that. 43:51 Well, it's the target audience that 43:54 in that period of time they make life decisions. 43:58 That's right. Who do I marry? 43:59 Yeah. 44:01 Do I keep being a Seventh-day Adventist? 44:03 Do I... 44:05 It's a very critical time 44:07 because a lot of important decisions need to be made. 44:10 And the Spirit of Prophecy actually teaches us 44:13 and Desire of Ages that when we're young 44:17 is when a lot of those decisions 44:19 upon our character are made 44:21 and that's why we target that age 44:24 because it's so vital, so important. 44:26 Yeah. Amen. 44:28 And I know that there are some younger that are 10, 44:29 I think with their parents 44:31 or maybe their brothers and sisters 44:32 but that's the main target 44:34 audience that you're going forward? 44:35 That's our target 18-35. 44:36 Yeah. Fantastic. 44:38 So tell me the future here of GYC? 44:39 What's your goals and future for GYC? 44:41 Well, the future of GYC, you know, 44:48 the future of GYC belongs 44:53 or depends upon our faithfulness 44:55 to the Word of God. 44:57 Praise the Lord. 44:58 Where we want to go 45:00 as we want to stay faithful to Jesus Christ, 45:02 that's our future. 45:04 Yes. To stay faithful. 45:06 We have big plans, very big plans. 45:08 Some of them, you're gonna hear them this year in the Phoenix, 45:12 things that we've never done before. 45:15 All right. 45:16 In Phoenix, you're gonna hear about those plans, 45:18 but the overall plan that we have 45:21 is we want to finish the work in this generation. 45:25 Our vision is to experience Bible based revival, 45:30 where every attendees inspired to be missionary, training. 45:35 And that's the future of GYC. 45:37 Now we know the future of this world. 45:40 We do. 45:42 It's going to be a very hard future. 45:46 Our theme for this year is "arise and shine" 45:49 from Isaiah 60:1-3. 45:52 Amen. Where there is grose darkness. 45:54 But you know, where there is grose darkness, 45:59 God will shine His light. 46:02 The darker the day is... Yeah. 46:05 The brighter the light would be. 46:06 Amen. 46:07 Or the darker the night will be, 46:09 the brighter the light will always be. 46:11 And we know that we're going through serious times, 46:13 our future is gonna be very serious. 46:17 We don't even know ourselves 46:18 if we'll be able to host the GYC as we know it. 46:21 We don't know that. 46:23 But we know who we're following... 46:25 Yeah. And that's Jesus. 46:27 And that is the future we wanna stay faithful, 46:30 faithful, faithful. 46:33 Amen. Yeah. 46:34 Now that's casting the vision for the future which is great, 46:36 and I think the GYC has been faithful, you know, 46:39 to the coin of the original group 46:41 wanting to study the Bible 46:43 more than eight hours a day, right? 46:44 Yes, more than eight hours a day. 46:46 Yeah. What a fantastic God. 46:47 Because you can't go wrong with God's Word, 46:49 by studying the God's Word. 46:51 You can't. You can't. 46:52 You know, I was thinking about this current, 46:54 this past GYC, pastor, 46:55 that we just went through and we... 46:57 I know we talked about it 46:58 on the behind the scenes here few weeks ago, 47:00 coming back from GYC. 47:01 But there were a number of challenges 47:03 I know from the production side of things for that event 47:07 and just things we had never had happened before. 47:11 And, you know, these are live broadcasts 47:13 and it's just challenges. 47:15 Let me just say challenges. 47:17 And I appreciate you coming backstage, pastor, you know, 47:20 I know you're busy with so many things 47:23 and you just had this wonderful peace 47:26 about yo and a great smile on your face. 47:28 And you say, "Greg, the devil knows 47:30 all about what's going on 47:32 and he knows what this event is about." 47:33 Yeah. 47:35 It's about taking those from his kingdom 47:37 into Christ kingdom. 47:38 Amen. 47:39 And he knows that it has been broadcast around the world 47:41 and so he was, 47:43 the devil was causing these disruptions. 47:45 Yeah. 47:46 But greater is He that is in you 47:47 than he that is in the world. 47:49 So we were relying on Christ for our strength. 47:52 So we appreciate again your leadership. 47:54 Praise the Lord. 47:55 And coming back to because, you know, 47:57 Satan in mad about the work that GYC is doing, 47:59 not only just with 3ABN but with GYC. 48:01 And there is always challenges so, you know, 48:04 and again another way for you to participate 48:06 is to pray for the ministry of the GYC. 48:10 You know, I want to thank you as well 48:11 for supporting the ministry of 3ABN 48:15 because it's because of your financial support it costs 3ABN 48:18 multiple thousands to drive our trucks 48:20 and take the crew there and have the privilege 48:22 again of working with the GYC to broadcast of this event. 48:26 And we just thank you 48:28 for your continued financial support. 48:30 But tell us a little bit, I know you have a few needs, 48:32 I think at GYC, I mean as well 48:34 because if people want to donate directly to you, 48:37 tell us how some areas that they could help 48:38 and again we're gonna put up 48:40 the address information shortly. 48:41 Yes. 48:42 Well, you know, as you know 48:44 we are a volunteer organization. 48:47 Yes. Every one of the staff. 48:48 We're all volunteers. All of us. 48:51 So ways that you could support is by 48:54 one of the best ways is by your presence. 48:57 Be there. That's good. 48:59 Pray, financial support as well is a blessing. 49:02 And we have a lot of mission endeavors 49:05 that we engage in. 49:06 You know, a million Glow tracts, buses, 49:10 and we're all about mission and mission cost some money. 49:14 It does. 49:15 But God has all the money. He does. 49:19 And we get to be a part of His work by giving. 49:24 By being in part of it, through financial, 49:26 through our time, 49:27 and any help we can receive is a blessing 49:31 because it's an investment in the future of the youth. 49:35 Sure is. And that's important. 49:37 That's very important. 49:39 You know, I think about some of the young people 49:40 that started out now. 49:42 Oh, well, back in 2002, in 2003, you know, 49:45 they moved on so to speak, you know, in their ministry. 49:49 And what God is doing in their lives 49:50 but these generations 49:51 just keep coming up and I know is ministering to... 49:55 Oh, man, just countless people around the world. 49:57 You know, one of the things that always 49:59 is just incredible to me 50:01 is you're talking about the call for mission service. 50:03 Yes. 50:04 I probably, do you think every GYC 50:06 we've done that multiple times, right? 50:07 You, guys, have made a call to mission service, 50:09 and these young people this isn't just a call, 50:11 they go home and that's that. 50:13 This is a serious call. 50:14 This is a call, some of the calls 50:16 are call for your life. 50:18 Okay. Explain that briefly? Yes. 50:20 So we have some calls 50:24 that require you to be a missionary in places 50:27 where if they discover that you are a Christian 50:31 or whatever it might be, you know, 50:33 you'll have to tremendous oppositions 50:36 and it might cost you your life. 50:37 That's a serious commitment. 50:39 That is a commitment. 50:40 And we have almost hundreds of people 50:43 that make that decision. 50:45 And it's a serious commitment. 50:47 I mean, we know that if we stay faithful to our Lord, 50:51 we're gonna suffer persecution and it might cost our life. 50:55 But you know, this world is just a comma. 51:00 Eternity is through gain. Oh, I like that. Amen. 51:03 And if we follow Jesus Christ, if we follow Him faithfully, 51:08 there is no end to what Jesus can do. 51:10 So this life might pass 51:12 but it's just a little comma, a pause, 51:14 and we'll be all right. 51:16 Amen. God is gonna come very soon. 51:17 Praise the Lord. 51:19 What we wanna do right now 51:20 is to get ready to go to the address break here 51:22 and then we go to the news break 51:24 and we'll come back for couple of closing comments. 51:26 But if you feel inspired to may be attend 51:29 GYC for the very first time 51:31 or want information on how to build support 51:33 this wonderful ministry, 51:35 here is how you can do just that. 51:39 GYC seeks to equip and inspire young people 51:42 to be Christian ambassadors 51:43 to their respective places of work and study. 51:46 If you would like to learn more, 51:47 you can contact Moise at 1968, 51:50 South Coast Highway, number 492, 51:53 Laguna Beach, California 92651. 51:56 That's 1968, South Coast Highway, 52:00 number 492, Laguna Beach, California 92651. 52:05 You can call him at 707-234-5492. 52:09 That's 707-234-5492. 52:13 You can also find them online at GYCWeb.org. 52:17 That's GYCWeb.org. |
Revised 2017-03-02