Participants:
Series Code: ASIC
Program Code: ASIC180009A
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00:01 Music...
00:19 Today I was at the Young Professionals' Meeting 00:22 and it's just an inspiration and a blessing 00:25 to be around people who are passionate and excited 00:28 about the work that God has for them 00:30 and there's the work that they're doing 00:32 in all the different areas and places that they are. 00:34 Amen and how long have you been coming so far, John? 00:37 Well, I don't know 00:38 but I do know that I've been coming long enough to know 00:41 that each one of the Youth Programs 00:43 from the very young age... all the way up are fantastic 00:47 so... that's... that's about how long I've been coming. 00:50 Amen... amen... 00:51 and so you've been coming for multiple times to ASI 00:54 and you're so blessed every time huh? 00:56 Amen, happens every time. 00:57 Even though you've been blessed already, 00:59 God still has more blessings in store for you, 01:01 do you guys believe that? 01:03 How many of you are ready for a blessing tonight? 01:05 Raise your hands. 01:07 The Bible says that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly 01:10 above all that we can ask or think 01:12 but you just have to be ready for it. 01:14 So you have to be ready for the blessing tonight 01:17 and God will bless you more than you could ever imagine. 01:19 We're here to celebrate Jesus 01:21 whose life and death gives purpose to everything we do 01:24 and as we pray that God will be here with us 01:27 during our worship service, 01:28 I'll ask John to have our prayer. 01:29 Yes, praise the Lord, will you bow your heads with me 01:31 as we pray. 01:33 "Father in heaven, 01:34 Lord, you have brought us here together 01:36 as a group of believers... 01:38 a group of people who are passionate about finishing 01:41 the work that you have for us here on this earth. 01:44 I pray that as we're here tonight, 01:46 that you would bless us, you would bless the Speakers... 01:49 the people that will be sharing 01:51 and I pray that you will bless us 01:52 so that we can leave here and go to bless others, 01:55 I pray this in the name of Jesus, amen. " 01:58 Amen... 01:59 Amen. 02:06 Music. 02:13 Have you ever wondered where we began? 02:17 This spark to begin this Movement... 02:20 music... 02:22 remember... 02:41 message... 03:00 Under her guidance this college was established. 03:03 Self-support... inspiring... educating... 03:07 the foundation was laid. 03:09 Ministries sprang up all over the world, 03:12 lay members and church leaders 03:14 burned to join ministry with the church... 03:17 ASI was born. 03:19 Today, ASI continues with the example of the Apostle Paul 03:25 sharing Jesus Christ in the marketplace. 03:28 Business professionals were needed on the team 03:33 and as ministry and business united in their efforts, 03:36 a dynamic network was formed. 03:38 Every day, ASI members and ministries 03:41 carried the light to mission fields 03:44 across the North American Division and the whole world. 03:48 Music. 03:51 It's important to be a part of ASI 03:54 because I'm able to share my gifts with a team of people 03:57 in so many ways worldwide. 03:59 It's not just a blessing to the people I teach, 04:02 it's a blessing to me as well. 04:04 Building a one-day church is a really special experience 04:11 because you get to come in here 04:13 and these people sometimes don't even have a church. 04:16 They value the church so much and building it... 04:19 is... it's a good build... it's not hard... 04:22 I didn't have to go through any special training to do it 04:25 but the rewards from it are incredible. 04:28 It's such an experience. 04:29 It's a great opportunity to be a part of ASI as a business 04:34 because it's God who gave us these positions 04:37 in the first place 04:39 and now being a part of the ASI family, 04:41 I can work together in a strategic way 04:44 to use my business to multiply the kingdom of God 04:47 in a way that I never could have done before. 04:49 Well, I... you know, I think that this... 04:52 this whole program says two or three important things. 04:56 Number 1... it says, "I can be involved, 05:00 no matter who I am... 05:02 no matter what my skill level or what my talents, 05:05 I can be involved... 05:06 and that really is a message for the whole church. 05:08 The takeaway is... we can work together... 05:11 we can... we can build community 05:15 that... that goes beyond what differences we have. 05:19 Healing... 05:21 Teaching... 05:23 Training... 05:26 Sharing... 05:28 Proclaiming... 05:31 Building Faith... 05:33 Restoring... 05:35 this is what we do... 05:37 this is who we are. 05:39 message... 06:28 We are a team in business and ministry 06:33 together... focused on Christ... 06:36 passionate about the mission of the church 06:38 just like you. 06:40 Join us in spreading the light... 06:43 of the Advent Message to the world. 06:45 What the world needs is Jesus, remember. 06:53 Good evening, 06:56 the Youth Convention this year has just burst at the seams 07:03 and it's a wonderful problem we've had. 07:05 This year, we have two assistants, 07:08 we have Lupita from Oklahoma, 07:10 myself, Claire Diaz-Henderson from Oklahoma 07:14 and I have my friend who's coming up right now, 07:17 Rosie Tresenrider from Grants Pass, Oregon 07:22 and we keep hopping during these days of ASI. 07:26 but we have a wonderful group of children 07:29 and our theme this year has been Hebrews 12 verse 1 07:34 and we're going to sing that for you, 07:37 if you can look at it in your Bibles, 07:39 you can join us at the end of this presentation. 07:42 We're going to sing it on our own 07:44 but it's a real catchy tune 07:45 and this year, Sean Neblett, our co-Youth Leader 07:50 wrote this song for us 07:51 and we want to remember this wonderful race 07:55 that we need to run with patience 07:57 until Jesus Christ comes 07:58 and so tonight, 08:00 our Kindergarten all the way to our Youth... 08:04 our Earliteens are just getting in there, 08:07 look at how many we have this year, isn't that wonderful? 08:09 Audience: Amen. 08:11 Clapping. 08:18 We have two guest speakers this year 08:21 that have just kept the kids mesmerized... 08:24 we have Sally Strieb for the Lower Divisions 08:26 and those children get to take a little beach in a bottle 08:30 with all the shells 08:31 and lessons they've learned with their notebooks 08:34 and then we've had Pavel Goya who knows what it's like 08:37 to have a lot of patience in the Christian's race 08:41 and so, listen now as our youth will sing Hebrews 12 verse 1. 08:48 Pause. 08:50 More pause. 08:58 Music... 09:05 Blessed be our soul unto us tonight 09:13 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about 09:19 Wherefore seeing we also... 09:22 are compassed about 09:26 with so great a cloud of witnesses, 09:32 let us lay... 09:34 let us lay 09:36 lay aside every weight 09:39 the sin which doth so easily beset us, 09:45 let us run... let us run 09:49 run with patience the race 09:53 With patience the race that's set before us 09:58 Let us lay aside each weight and let us run. 10:05 Let us run... let us run 10:09 lay aside every weight 10:12 the sin which doth so easily beset us 10:18 let us run... let us run... 10:22 run with patience the race... 10:25 With patience the race that's set before us. 10:31 Let us lay aside each weight and let us run... 10:38 Let us lay aside each weight 10:41 and let us run... 10:47 Audience: Amen. 10:52 Audience clapping... 10:54 more clapping. 10:59 Well, our Kindergarteners are right here in the front 11:04 and Skip Dodsen, where are you from 11:07 and what has ASI inspired you with? 11:09 Claire, my wife and I, Rene, 11:12 are from Pagosa Springs, Colorado 11:15 and what inspires me about ASI 11:18 is to be part of a group of people 11:21 whose unusual business is to make "Mission" first. 11:25 Amen and what are you going to do for us tonight? 11:30 Well, we're going to sing our theme song 11:32 build... we'll build on the rock... 11:34 it's in the Seventh-day Adventist hymnal 11:36 for those of you who know the song 11:38 and this year for our Kindergarten Class, 11:42 we've been talking about building. 11:43 Now, of course, any one of you who've build anything 11:47 know that it's a lot like running a race. 11:50 There is always a race to the finish... 11:53 time is money... 11:55 I don't think I have to mention that to this crowd. 11:57 So, that's what our Kindergarten Class has been learning 12:00 about builders in the Bible, 12:02 we've been learning about animal builders 12:05 that God has given special gifts to, 12:07 to build their own homes 12:09 and we've also been learning lessons from the woodshop 12:12 about how God wants to shape and mold our characters 12:17 and finish us... seal us so that we reflect His glory. 12:21 Wonderful, thank you for all your good work. 12:23 Pause... 12:29 more pause... 12:35 Piano... 12:41 more piano... 12:48 We'll build on the Rock, the living Rock 12:54 On Jesus, the Rock of Ages; 13:00 So shall we abide the fearful shock, 13:06 When loud the tempest rages. 13:12 We'll build on the Rock, 13:18 We'll build on the Rock; 13:24 We'll build on the Rock, on the solid Rock, 13:32 On Christ, the mighty Rock. 13:38 We'll build on the Rock, for ever sure, 13:43 The firm and the true foundation; 13:49 Its hope is the hope which shall endure, 13:55 The hope of our salvation. 14:01 We'll build on the Rock, 14:07 We'll build on the Rock; 14:12 We'll build on the Rock, on the solid Rock, 14:20 On Christ, the mighty Rock. 14:28 Audience: Clapping. 14:35 Pause. 14:42 Elisa, where are you from? 14:45 My husband and I live in the Dallas Fort Worth area in Texas. 14:49 And from Dallas, Fort Worth, 14:51 what have you brought to ASI to share with the children? 14:54 Well, this year we've been talking about Kingdom Runners 14:58 and how God wants us to... not literally but figuratively 15:02 run the race to finish... to the finish line... to heaven 15:05 and so, we've been talking about different tools that we need 15:08 as Kingdom Runners 15:10 so far, we've covered the fruit of the Spirit, 15:12 we've talked about the armour of God 15:14 and the fact that God has given us all talents 15:17 to share with the world. 15:18 Is this your first year at ASI? 15:21 It's my first time leading in Primary 15:24 but it's not my first ASI. 15:26 And Skip and Rene Dodson... 15:28 they were here last year with you as well. 15:30 Yes, they were. 15:32 That's wonderful when we can have the same teachers 15:34 who get the experience come back. 15:35 Share with us. 15:37 Thank you. 15:44 Pause. 15:51 Piano... 16:01 God said go into the world 16:06 Tell them about me 16:10 help them learn what you have learned 16:14 Always follow me 16:18 And if that's what Jesus said 16:22 That's what I'll do 16:25 I'm ready to go 16:28 I'm ready to grow 16:30 I'm ready to show this world of Yours 16:36 Every step I take 16:39 below... 16:44 I'm ready to grow 16:45 I'm ready to talk 16:47 I'm ready to lock into my heart 16:54 Everything you say my Rock. 17:00 I'm ready to go 17:02 I'm ready to grow 17:04 I'm ready to show this world I'm Yours. 17:10 Every step I take 17:13 Let them know 17:16 I'm ready to walk 17:19 I'm ready to talk 17:21 I'm to lock into my heart 17:28 Everything you say my Rock. 17:34 Piano. 17:39 more piano... 17:44 Audience: Clapping. 17:53 Pause. 17:59 Pastor Christian, how many times have you done ASI for us? 18:03 How many times... well I believe... 18:05 I want to say it's my fourth time... I believe so. 18:09 Is that important... and... 18:11 and is this an enthusiastic group you have this year? 18:13 Oh Boy! what a question! 18:16 Yeah, short answer, "Yes. " 18:18 Is this the biggest group at ASI this year? 18:20 You know, the Bible says, 18:22 "Give thanks to God for all things" 18:25 and we are definitely thankful 18:27 that God has entrusted us with one of the largest classes 18:31 in the Children's ministries, 18:33 we've had over 60 Juniors attending our meetings. 18:36 Yeah, step up Juniors... step up. 18:39 Audience: Clapping. 18:41 So, tell us about your theme 18:43 and what you've been learning this ASI. 18:45 Yes, our theme this year is "Running for Jesus" 18:49 Running for Jesus... 18:50 and you know we've discovered 18:52 that running is not only a spiritual discipline, 18:56 it's also a physical discipline 18:58 and so we taught both about running physically 19:01 and, of course, spiritually. 19:03 Today we had... we trained up for this day... 19:07 we... we did an outdoor activity here on campus 19:10 and several Juniors ran a distance of a mile today 19:14 and we are very proud of them 19:17 and, you know, during the course of our sessions, 19:21 we learned not only what it means to run with Jesus 19:25 but what it means to run for Jesus 19:27 and I have three Juniors here with me, 19:30 I'd like to invite Theodore to come up 19:32 and got Joshua and Camille 19:34 and our Juniors themselves are going to share with you 19:37 some of the things we learned talked about his week, 19:40 Camille, I'm going to start with you. 19:41 Tell me, what does it mean to run for Jesus? 19:45 It means like, you could take a Glow Tract or two to work 19:51 and you could share them with your work partners 19:55 and tell them a little bit about God. 19:57 That's right, it's running for Jesus, 20:00 Jesus is with us 20:01 as He gives us the power to be witnesses for Him 20:04 and Joshua, it is true that not only we run for Jesus 20:09 but we must run with Jesus, 20:11 tell us more about that. 20:12 Running for Jesus is like we can pray with... 20:17 and we can read our Bible and grow spiritually with Him. 20:21 That's right, that's right... praying, reading our Bibles, 20:25 running with Jesus, 20:26 now, Theodore, we... 20:28 we talked about the importance of... 20:30 of not only running... choosing to run with Jesus, 20:33 but the importance of maintaining a walk with Jesus, 20:37 now, I've got to tell you with Theodore, 20:38 I... I asked Theodore... 20:39 "Theodore, what question would you like me to ask you 20:43 that encompasses the kinds of things we've been talking about 20:45 and Theodore himself came up with this question. 20:49 "Theodore, what motivates us 20:52 to keep walking or running with Jesus?" 20:55 Well, there are three things that can keep you motivated... 20:59 three steps to continuing to do the run, 21:02 Step One is to know why you're running, 21:05 Step Two is to 21:08 think of how you're going to run... 21:10 if you're going to run to the best of your ability 21:12 or if not... 21:13 if not, there's no point of running, 21:15 you can't have a lukewarm cup of coffee, can you? 21:17 That's right. 21:19 Audience: Laughter. 21:20 And Step Three is to ultimately just keep on running 21:25 until you finish the race 21:27 and just keep on going on new races 21:29 then, every time you go to a new race, 21:31 there will be obstacles... 21:33 there will be times when you think, "I can't do this" 21:36 but with Jesus by your side, 21:38 it's always better to run with a group 21:41 and when Jesus is there... you are. 21:43 Amen... amen... you got it... amen, amen, amen, amen. 21:49 So if only I had time to share with you 21:52 all the various team challenges we had 21:54 as we went around the Convention 21:56 putting to practice the kinds of things we talked about 21:59 and so, ASI Family, we want to... 22:01 we want to share with you now 22:03 a song that I think all of us know very well, 22:07 we just changed the word "Marching" to "Running to Zion" 22:13 I think you might know this song. 22:15 All right Juniors, let's sing. 22:18 Piano... 22:25 Come we that love the Lord, 22:29 And let our joys be known; 22:33 Join in a song with sweet accord, 22:37 Join in the song with sweet accord 22:41 And thus surround the throne, 22:45 And thus surround the throne. 22:49 We're running to Zion, 22:53 Beautiful, beautiful Zion; 22:57 We're running upward to Zion, 23:01 The beautiful city of God. 23:05 Then let our songs abound, 23:09 And every tear be dry; 23:13 We're running through Immanuel's ground 23:17 We're running through Immanuel's ground 23:21 To fairer worlds on high, 23:24 To fairer worlds on high. 23:28 We're running to Zion, 23:32 Beautiful, beautiful Zion, 23:36 We're running upward to Zion, 23:40 The beautiful city of God. 23:44 We're running to Zion, 23:48 Beautiful, beautiful Zion, 23:52 We're running upward to Zion, 23:57 The beautiful city of God. 24:01 Audience: Amen... 24:05 clapping. 24:10 So Joel, you have had the Earliteens this year, 24:14 but have you been at ASI before? 24:16 I have, a few times. 24:17 All right, and this year. 24:18 This is my first year at the Earliteens. 24:21 All right... and what has your Team learned? 24:24 Well, our theme based off of Hebrews 12:1 24:26 has been "Undeterred" 24:28 and we're looking at how we can remove any obstacle 24:32 in our sprint to the finish line, 24:34 so, we want to be physically, 24:35 spiritually, mentally, emotionally prepared 24:38 for the final race. 24:39 Wow! so what are you going to share with us tonight? 24:42 Well, I think the highlight of our few days together 24:45 has been the service project that we did... 24:47 something that I really believe, 24:48 we've had a terrific group of Earliteens here 24:51 and I think that ASI Earliteens are service oriented 24:54 and they're ready for challenge 24:56 and so, I wanted to take them out 24:57 into the Community and to bless someone else 25:00 so, last night, when all of you were learning... 25:02 I mean, when all of you were heading to supper... 25:05 we were loading up on to buses, 25:06 we had our sack supper in our hand 25:08 and we drove down to downtown Orlando 25:10 went into a hospital and we were going room to room 25:12 singing to the patients, praying with them, 25:15 reading Bible verses and giving them Get Well Cards 25:17 that we had made ourselves. 25:18 Absolutely wonderful. 25:20 And we have a little video... few video clips... 25:23 something that we put together 25:24 that's going to show you what our experience was there. 25:27 Thank you so much Joel. 25:29 Video... 25:41 You guys ready to sing? 25:44 Yes. 25:46 He's able, He's able, 25:48 I know He is able 25:51 I know my God is able to carry me through. 25:57 Christ Jesus lives today, 26:01 He walks with me and talks with me... 26:06 The sun comes up It's a new day dawning 26:12 It's time to sing Your song again 26:17 Whatever may pass 26:20 And whatever lies before me... 26:23 Pause... 26:26 "As he gets ready for an operation, 26:28 may You please work with the surgeons 26:32 so that the operation is a great success. " 26:34 Pause. 26:39 "Please help them to improve. " 26:43 We know that... 26:45 only begotten Son that "Whosoever believeth in Him 26:47 should not perish but have everlasting life. " 26:50 Okay, "It is well with my soul. " 26:52 What is the number? 26:56 We can do that, okay, Number Ten... 26:58 "Be with her schooling... 27:01 I pray that You will continue to be her strength 27:04 and her provider and I pray that... " 27:06 "We're going to sing, "How Great Thou Art" on page 9, 27:09 "It is well with my soul" page 10. 27:11 Oh, perfect. 27:13 Song: You alone are my heart's desire 27:20 and I long to worship Thee. " 27:25 Experience... 27:28 Awesome... 27:29 Pretty good... 27:31 One man that only spoke Spanish cried... 27:34 But we were touched by the smiles, 27:38 and "thank you so much" 27:39 like, "you're very appreciated" 27:41 I could tell that they really liked what we did. 27:43 Pause... 27:45 This guy had a... had a birthday... 27:48 Oh, birthday... 27:49 Did you have fun? 27:50 Yes. 27:52 How was it running with the kids? 27:53 I'd say, "It was pretty good, 27:54 these guys are well trained, well behaved and no problems, 27:56 they prayed, they sang pretty well 27:57 so, I'm happy... I worked with Group Number 4." 27:59 Would you do it again? 28:00 "Yeah. " 28:02 Thank you. 28:05 Audience: Clapping. 28:09 Our Youth Leaders... co-Leaders this year 28:13 has been Paul and Natasha Dysinger, 28:15 where are you from? 28:17 We live in Virginia... Northern Virginia. 28:20 And what was the Youth Theme for this year? 28:24 The Youth Theme for this year is: Indomitable 28:28 which means, someone who cannot 28:31 or something that cannot be conquered. 28:33 And how did you explore that, what did you do in your class? 28:38 You know, we explored it in multiple different ways. 28:43 but first, I want you to think in your mind for a moment, 28:47 just imagine with me 28:49 the whistle of leather flashing through the air... 28:53 the sickening thud as metal and bone 28:59 land in the back of raw flesh, 29:03 that hrissshhhh... 29:05 as hunks of flesh are torn from the back of the man 29:10 not one time... not two times... 29:16 not three times... but 39 times... 29:19 one short of what could possibly take His life. 29:23 Only for him then to be thrown into a prison cell 29:27 with the raw flesh ground into the ground 29:31 and for him to look up into the darkness 29:35 to smile and to sing 29:38 and you thought that was bad, 29:41 what about the three other times that broken wood... 29:45 the sound of cracking wood was heard 29:47 as his ship sinks into the sea 29:49 and he spends a night and a day adrift on the sea 29:53 not to mention the dangers and rivers and robbers 29:56 and in false brethren 29:58 and you wonder where is the 30:01 majesty of Christianity to get today. 30:05 Where are those that cannot be conquered? 30:08 In our Youth Class, we are going through 30:13 and looking at what does it take 30:15 to lay every hindrance aside? 30:17 It's a theme that has been running through 30:18 multiple of the youth divisions 30:20 but what does it take to lay every hindrance aside 30:23 and to live a life that is absolutely unconquerable. 30:26 To live a life that brings back the power and the majesty of God 30:31 in our Christian lives today. 30:33 We've been hearing testimonies from person after person, 30:38 we've had Pastor Pablo Goya come and share... 30:40 Moise Ratsara... the GYC President 30:44 came and shared stories after stories... 30:46 miracle stories of the way that God is working today 30:49 in the lives of people that give themselves completely to Him 30:52 and inspiring us to do the same as well. 30:55 Thank you so much and thank you young people 30:58 and we pray for you every day. 31:00 Amen. 31:02 Pause. 31:04 When I learned that Jesus 31:07 was so in love with everybody in the world 31:09 that he was willing to stay on the cross 31:11 and give up His eternal existence if necessary 31:15 to get us in heaven, 31:16 that totally changed my life at age 16 31:19 and that's where it's compelled me to go as a missionary 31:22 throughout the world 31:23 to be able to just say, "People have to know 31:26 this God who loves us so much that if they're not in heaven, 31:29 He will miss them for eternity. " 31:31 I... I just... I think that as we meet people, 31:35 as we see them and look at them, 31:36 we have to pray for God to fill our hearts 31:39 with the ability to see them like He does 31:41 and to love them that much and just know 31:44 we have to talk to them. 31:45 A lot of times I'm sitting on a plane or somewhere 31:48 and I want to read a book or want to take a nap 31:50 and then somebody sits down and I remember 31:53 it's my job to ask Jesus... 31:55 what does He want to say to them? 31:57 How do I interact with them? 31:58 And so, He teaches me to put away my book 32:01 and turn to them and begin talking to them 32:03 and that really... that really is what motivates me 32:06 is because Jesus loves them and He will miss them 32:10 and the more I have had my own children 32:13 and I realize how much I would miss them in heaven 32:16 if they are not there, 32:17 that also is what keeps me going 32:19 and it makes me say, 32:21 "I want to make sure everybody I meet, 32:23 has an opportunity to know Jesus... 32:25 and is able to be with Him forever. " 32:27 Pause. 32:33 Good evening, ASI... 32:35 Hasn't this been an exciting program so far? 32:39 Audience: Amen. 32:40 There's nothing better than seeing our little ones 32:44 and as they get older be involved in something for Jesus 32:49 and tonight, I feel like I came back home 32:53 because Youth for Jesus 32:55 started right here in Orlando, Florida 32:58 several years ago. 33:00 I was one of the originals... they needed a cook... 33:03 so I came and cooked and brought my three children. 33:05 Well, on Tuesday evening I had the opportunity 33:10 to attend the baptism that was held at the Avon Park Church 33:15 and you know, I cannot wait for you to hear 33:20 what happened there 33:22 and I'd like to introduce you to Evan Fox. 33:25 What happened in Avon Park? 33:29 Well Donna, it's a... it's an incredible story 33:32 and we're so happy to be here, 33:34 we're happy to be a part of Youth for Jesus this summer 33:37 and behind me you see a group of young people 33:41 that spent their July... instead of sleeping in... 33:45 they were out winning souls for Jesus. 33:47 Can we get an Amen... 33:49 Audience: Amen. 33:50 Amen, the Bible says in Proverbs 11:25... 33:53 that the liberal soul shall be made fat: 33:55 and he that watereth shall be watered also himself 33:59 and I think that's true for these youth behind me 34:02 here this evening, 34:04 we had a blessed experience and God really moved 34:07 even through a small group of... of young people 34:11 who had a passion for doing God's work. 34:14 Amen... and you see these young people, 34:17 did you all know that this is what God had in mind for you 34:20 six months ago? 34:21 No... absolutely not. 34:24 God put this program together so quickly 34:27 but we need to hear from the Youth now 34:29 so, it's time for us to hear 34:32 what you have to tell us this evening. 34:34 Very good, thank you Donna, 34:36 so, just to give you an idea of what we did for Youth for Jesus, 34:39 we re-launched Youth for Jesus 34:41 and we wanted to give the youth who were participating 34:44 in this program, a holistic evangelism experience 34:48 starting with Health Evangelism and Medical Missionary Work 34:52 on to Literature Evangelism and then into Bible Work 34:55 and gospel proclamation through evangelistic preaching. 34:59 We had... we had a holistic experience 35:02 and so tonight, we're going to give our youth 35:05 an opportunity to share how that impacted them 35:08 but first, I'm going to give them opportunity 35:10 to share with you just their names and where they're from 35:13 because we have a small group 35:14 but they're literally from all over the world. 35:17 Let me share with you. 35:19 Mario from California, 35:21 Joseph... Mwava Georgia, 35:24 Matthew from Brittany Springs, West Virginia 35:27 Oren Reef from California, 35:29 Caleb from Canada, 35:32 Kalan from Wildwood, Georgia, 35:35 Isabelle from Brazil, 35:37 Christina from Austria, 35:39 Anna from Chile, 35:42 Raphael from Blythe, California, 35:45 Abby from Walden, Georgia, 35:47 Michael, Teresa, Sandra and Lowell Hargreaves 35:54 from Amazing Facts, Africa. 35:56 Brenda from Avon Park. 36:00 Amen, so you can see, we had quite a diverse group 36:04 and God put them all together, 36:06 He brought us together for this one thing 36:09 and it was such a blessing. 36:10 So, tonight, I'm going to give you an idea... 36:12 I'm going to give the students an opportunity 36:15 to share what blessings God gave them during this program. 36:19 First we have Abby Vega and she's going to come forward 36:23 Abby, come forward and share with us 36:25 your testimony this evening. 36:27 So, let's start by telling you a little bit about Michelle, 36:30 if we could have the first picture up on the screen... 36:34 Michelle is a disabled widow who recently began Bible Studies 36:38 with our Bible Worker, Teresa 36:41 and the thing about Michelle was 36:43 that she needed a little more than just Bible Studies, 36:45 she needed to see the gospel in practice. 36:49 Tell us, Abby, tell us... 36:51 tell us, how did you and your group 36:54 minister to Michelle? 36:56 Well, due to an accident two years before, 37:00 her house had not been cleaned or... 37:03 or like cleaned up in two years, 37:05 so we decided to help her and we cleaned up her yard, 37:08 we cleaned up her home, 37:09 we opened up the windows that had been closed 37:11 and let the fresh air come in 37:13 and... and it was a blessing while we did it. 37:16 We cleaned up her backyard and everything... 37:20 as much as we could. 37:21 Amen, so, let me ask you this, what was her reaction 37:25 when you did that practical right before her, 37:29 you weren't necessarily preaching the gospel in word 37:32 but you were demonstrating the compassion of Christ, 37:34 how did she respond? 37:36 She was overjoyed 37:38 that her neighbors could now see that her yard was clean 37:41 and her dog could run around and have fun 37:43 and she broke out crying because of this. 37:46 Amen... amen... 37:47 Medical Missionary Work melts hearts... 37:50 that's what we're told, it breaks down prejudice 37:52 and gives an open... an opening wedge... 37:54 an entering wedge into the heart. 37:56 Now, let me ask you this Abby, 37:58 what did this experience with Michelle 38:00 teach you about practical ministry. 38:03 That although... goes on both sides... 38:06 us or they can read it or hear about it 38:09 it doesn't work the same as if you're out there 38:11 doing it with your own two hands 38:12 or if they're experiencing it firsthand. 38:14 So, it's a blessing on both sides as well. 38:16 Amen... amen... thank you so much Abby, 38:18 the next testimony we have is from our friend, Joseph Mariano, 38:24 so Joseph, I want to ask you... we had an amazing experience 38:30 to be involved in literature distribution 38:32 particularly with a fourth of July Glow Tract blitz 38:37 and we not only did that but week after week, 38:40 we were going out... these kids loved to glow 38:43 so let me ask you Joseph, 38:44 what did you like most about glowing? 38:47 Well, what I like about glowing... 38:49 it's fun... it's easy... 38:51 it feels like you're on a mission. 38:52 What I like to think about, when I'm glowing, 38:56 what I'd like to think about is like... I'm like, 38:59 "I hope God uses me to reach the person 39:01 so maybe I'll see them in heaven. " 39:04 It's crazy... 39:05 Glow is small enough to fit in your pocket 39:07 but it's still power enough to reach the heart for God 39:12 and to create a hunger to know more about Him. 39:14 Amen... amen... so you also took the lead quite a bit 39:19 in our music ministry as well 39:21 during the evangelistic series, 39:23 how does it feel to know that God used you to bless others? 39:27 Well, it's a different experience, 39:29 at first I didn't want to do it 39:31 but later on it turned out to be a blessing. 39:34 One time while I was playing the piano... 39:36 I was playing this piece and I started to forget... 39:38 I started to mess up and then I prayed to God 39:42 and then, all then of a sudden He started guiding my fingers, 39:45 it felt weird and cool at the same time. 39:46 Amen. 39:48 I'm glad God was able to guide me 39:52 and that He was able to use my talent to... for His work... 39:56 it's been a blessing. 39:58 Amen, thank you so much Joseph, 40:00 our next testimony will be from Christina 40:03 and Christina is actually one of our staff... 40:05 she was our Girls' Dean but she also did something else, 40:09 we not only had an Evangelistic Series, 40:11 but along with that, we actually had 40:14 a nightly children's program 40:16 that actually followed the exact same topics 40:19 as the Evangelistic Series for the adults 40:22 and Christina was leading that, Christina, tell us... 40:25 when you began the children's program, 40:28 you had a very distinct prayer, 40:30 what was that prayer and how did God answer it? 40:32 Yes, so the first evening, we had... 40:35 they were just children from church members 40:38 and my prayer was that God would send children 40:40 who are not from the church 40:42 and who maybe never heard about God 40:45 and on the second evening, 40:47 God already brought a little girl... 40:49 she was four years old brought by her neighbor 40:51 who as well was a person who got Bible Studies by Teresa 40:56 and since that day on she came every single evening 41:00 and she even left her birthday party 41:03 because she wanted to come rather to church 41:05 and her neighbor... he said that 41:08 he actually didn't want to come every day 41:10 and... as well not on Sabbath 41:12 but that little girl didn't give him peace at all 41:15 so he had actually no chance to... 41:18 so he needed to come because of her 41:20 and he got baptized 41:22 and the little girl wanted to get baptized 41:24 but she was a little bit too young because she was just five 41:27 and then we had another girl, she was ten years old, 41:30 Angel... and she as well she came to church 41:34 she brought her older sister, she brought her two brothers 41:38 and she got... she got baptized at the end 41:40 with ten years 41:42 and her grandma who had never entered a church before... 41:46 she came and her whole family came and 41:48 because of her granddaughter they actually came to church 41:53 and got to know more about God 41:55 and we had a second baptism, she was Trinity... ten years old 42:00 and she visited her grandparents for a vacation 42:03 and decided to get baptized as well 42:06 so God really answered my prayers. 42:08 Amen... not just the adults coming to Christ, 42:11 not only men and women but children as well, 42:14 it's a beautiful experience, thank you so much Christina. 42:17 Our next interview is going to be with... 42:20 with one of our youth 42:21 and her name is Anna, all the way from Chile 42:25 and we had three youth evangelists, 42:28 our preachers for the Series 42:29 and Anna was one of them, 42:31 now, Anna, I have a question for you this evening, 42:33 we... we had a 20-Part Evangelistic Series, 42:37 which is quite a heavy load 42:39 for someone who maybe has never preached before, 42:41 so, how did it feel to be used by God as His messenger... 42:46 His mouthpiece in this Series? 42:48 Well, at first, I didn't want to preach, 42:51 I'm like, "Naw, I'm good... next time. " 42:53 But then it... it ended up being a huge blessing 42:57 because it pushed me out of my comfort zone 42:59 and it made me rely on God more than I ever had before 43:03 because I knew that if I didn't rely on God 43:05 to work through me, I would mess it up 43:08 and in the end... to see people coming to Christ 43:12 because God used me as His tool, 43:14 that's amazing! 43:16 Amen, thank you so much Anna, 43:18 now, I have another question for you, 43:20 not only did you preach and people came to Christ 43:23 and people were baptized, 43:25 but you also at the end of the Series 43:27 decided to be re-baptized 43:29 how did that work? 43:31 How did God work in your heart as you were leading others 43:34 to commitment to Christ, 43:35 how did He lead you to renew your commitment to Him? 43:39 Well, I think we've all gone through those times 43:42 when we're not quite as on fire for God 43:45 as we should be 43:46 and for me, that was definitely true 43:48 but once I felt God's power in a very personal way, 43:55 I knew I had to start over 43:57 and completely re-dedicate my whole life to Him. 44:01 Amen... amen... 44:03 this is what Youth for Jesus is all about, Folks, 44:06 and lastly... but not least we have our sister here, 44:09 Brenda Garza... Brenda Garza is a church member 44:13 and an Elder at the Avon Park Church. 44:16 Now, Brenda, I want to ask you 44:17 from your perspective as a church member and an Elder... 44:20 a leader in the church, 44:22 how did Youth for Jesus 44:24 not only impact the youth and the community, 44:26 but how did it impact your church? 44:29 Well, first of all, I want to say 44:31 that Evangelism is very dear to my heart 44:34 and the reason I say that is... 44:36 I was baptized 50 years ago today. 44:38 Interviewer: Wow! 44:40 And so, what an incredible journey 44:42 the Lord has taken me on! 44:46 I'm just so blessed... we're all so blessed aren't we 44:49 to have this message? 44:51 But when the Youth for Jesus came, 44:54 I was so surprised and delighted 44:57 because it's always great to review our beliefs 45:02 but you know, we can always learn 45:05 and sometimes we think, "Oh, I know that" 45:07 but I found that when they deliver their sermons, 45:12 they were so simplified and yet profound 45:16 and even the young people could understand 45:20 and I have two granddaughters, one is eight and one is eleven 45:24 and they wanted to be there every night they could. 45:27 They didn't want to go to the Children's Program... 45:30 not that the Children's Program wasn't good, 45:32 but they wanted the Adult Program 45:34 and they love the quizzes too 45:38 but the impact on our church... 45:41 the biggest impact I feel we'll probably not know 45:45 until we get to heaven 45:47 but everything's been positive, 45:50 I have not heard one negative comment at all 45:53 from our church members 45:54 and it's been such... such a blessing. 45:57 Now, of course, we have to... they're passing the torch to us 46:03 and it's our responsibility to go ahead 46:07 and nurture these people... study with them... 46:11 and to seek out more in our community 46:15 and I just want to tell you 46:18 that if they ever offer "Youth for Jesus" to your church, 46:23 don't bat an eye, just say, "Yes. " 46:26 Thank you. 46:27 Amen, thank you so much. 46:29 Thank you so much Brenda, 46:31 just to wrap this section up with Youth for Jesus, 46:35 I just want to say, "To God be the glory" 46:39 all credit goes to Him. 46:42 I will tell you from the very beginning 46:44 that we started behind the eight ball... 46:47 usually we start in September 46:50 planning and organizing and getting things in order, 46:53 but we didn't start until February 46:55 and we didn't have a church, we were looking for a church, 46:57 God gave us a church, 46:59 not only a church but a supportive church 47:02 with attentive pastors... we were so blessed 47:04 but not only that... God didn't stop there... 47:07 He kept leading us, step by step... 47:09 we needed... we needed Bible Workers 47:12 and God sent us a beautiful family 47:14 all the way from AFCOE Africa 47:16 that we literally could not have done this work without. 47:19 We had eight youth, four teammates... 47:22 and we needed... we needed experienced evangelists 47:25 and God sent us just the right people 47:28 and so we're so thankful to have 47:29 Pastor Hargreaves and his family with us. 47:32 But not only there... we needed a team... 47:35 we needed a leadership team, 47:37 we needed a Girls' Dean, a Guys' Dean, 47:38 and God brought four strangers from literally across the States 47:43 and across the world together and we gelled like peas in a pod 47:47 it was just beautiful 47:48 and we could see that God was really in it 47:51 we just in conclusion... we just have to say, 47:54 to God be the glory, great things He hath done. 47:58 Amen, we need to pray for you, 48:02 we are so excited that you are here Eben, 48:04 it's not been that you've been an Adventist all your life, 48:06 have you? 48:08 No Ma'am, baptized in the summer of 2013. 48:11 That's right and God used you and your team, 48:15 thank you so much... 48:16 thank you so much Avon Park Church 48:19 for having this YFJ there 48:22 again, to God be the glory. 48:26 Amen, amen... 48:27 Music. |
Revised 2019-01-30