Today I took the DTS students out on the streets to share the Gospel. As we split them up into groups of two, I paired up with a group.  As we were walking to set up our Gospel Guy signs, I asked the two girls if they were looking forward to today.  Both said, "To be honest, we are terrified and I really don't want to."  I reassured them that it is okay to feel that way, and we quick prayed and began to walk to our corner to set up.  As we were walking a couple approached us and I began to speak with them.  Since this week is Valentines, I asked them what their definition of love was.  Both of them basically responded in a way that said they think man defines what love is.  As we began to speak more, the Holy Spirit seemed to be softening their hearts in an amazing way.  Tough to explain, but you sometimes can just feel the Holy Spirit doing His work in peoples lives literally in front of you.  I shared the Gospel with them and invited them to a relationship with Christ...but for some reason, they said they were not ready yet.  they were open, very honest and sincere.  I prayed for them and they went their way.  To be honest , I really thought they were going to give their lives to the Lord, but I guess that the Lord needs to work on them some more.  As they walked away, I looked over and Allie, one of the students was in tears.  I asked her what was wrong and if she was okay and her response was amazing. "My heart is so broken for those two.  Why don't they realize what they just reject, or more importantly who they just rejected."  We had a great debriefing time.  This is what I love about evangelism.  When students intentionally speak with those who are lost, the Lord begins to give them a heart for the lost.  And that is exactly what the Lord gave Allie today.

Training Youth Groups for Missions...Anytime, Anywhere!

One of the favorite parts of my ministry is being able to train youth in evangelism to prepare them for their upcoming summer mission trips.  All through the year I get the opportunity from local churches to do this.  The above picture is of an activity i did with some students last week at a church who is going to Mexico and Sacramento this summer.

Yearly YWAM Salem Leadership Retreat

Every year at this time, YWAM Salem's Leadership Council get together for three days of meetings, prayer, and seeking the Lord for YWAM Salem.  As part of this team, I am encouraged at the amazing things God is doing with YWAM Salem.  By the way, please check out our website at www.ywamslaem.org to see all the amazing things going on here.  Although I am primarily involved in three main areas (Mission Adventures, Outward Apologetics School, and the Gospel Guy Network) all the ministries and things that go on here at Salem I am privileged to be a part of.  The above picture represents a classic YWAM base leadership team...interdenominational, and international...we have Germans, Sudanese, and Americans on our team!  

We spent some time dreaming big and planning as we look to do major construction projects here for YWAM Salem.  We are talking 10-15 years down the road type of planning!

First Foundations Training Goes Great

This past Monday we ran our first Foundations Training for the churches who will be joining the Gospel Guy Network that we are launching on the 20th.  It was a great time. We had about 20 people from three different churches present.  Our Foundations Training is for the churches to see why and how we do the Gospel Guy.  Please be praying for our Network Launch event on the 20th!  what a priviledge to equip the local church, and provide practical hands on outreach opportunities.

Spiritual Warfare and Staying Healthy

"I was walking up a trail in the mountains somewhere.  As I looked ahead, I saw a rattlesnake in my path, but it was way to far up ahead for me to be concerned.  I slowed down and waited for it to get out of the way.  As I did, the snake rattled and lunched at me from far away and it seemed to just keep getting longer as it made the lunch.  Just in the nick of time, I crinched my neck to my shoulder as I flinched and the snake bit into my jacket, missing my skin and neck.  I woke up sweating, and a bit scared."  I was not sure what the dream meant, but I recall taking a few minutes to pray and ask the Lord for protection.  I felt led to pray for protection.  The next day, I told Sarah about my dream and then I began to think about it a bit more.  I feel that this dream was meant to remind me of how Satan does not want the Gospel to be proclaimed.  He wants our voice to stop, he wants to silence those who proclaim the name of Jesus.  I never have dreams.  Which is why when I do, I pray about them if they have any spiritual meaning or significance.  As you know, we are getting ready to launch the Gospel Guy Network in Salem this month...a ministry whose whole purpose is to train the local body in how to do evangelism, and then get them doing it, leading people to Christ.  It is very intentional in its purpose, and i know the enemy does not desire it to succeed.  Interestingly enough, the night we were supposed to have our first "Foundations Training" I got the flu....I never get the flu.  So i had to cancel it to this week.  Along with that, Sarah has been battling pnemonia for two weeks, and the kids have been sick with all sorts of things.  Coincidence?  Not this time.  We need your prayers.  Please pray for Sarah's healing, and that she would recover completely from pnemonia.  Pray for the kids, that they would stay healthy.  Pray for me, as it seems Satan is throwing a lot at us to stop the work we are in.  I am convinced of the certainty in our calling at starting the Gospel Guy Network, and one of the indicators is the spiritual battles we find ourselves in the midst of.  

Enjoying the Oregon Outdoors

Every winter we try and get out to the mountains for some ice skating and sledding.  This year we are going to try and get some snowshoeing in as well, but our first time out to the mountains the kids had a blast ice skating and sledding.  Great times and it is so great to be able to drive an hour and a half away from the rain and be in the dry snowy mountains of Oregon!  

The kids had a blast sledding.

Enjoying the snow

YWAM Western North America Gathering and NAMALT Meeting

I just returned from a YWAM Western North America Gathering held in Chico, CA.  It was a great time and there were around 250 YWAM'ers representing all of Western North America.  YWAM is goin thruogh some good structural changes, and this gathering was about how that all looks.  Long story short, it was great and so good to see old friends and meet new ones.

The other purpose of my time in Chico was meeting with our Mission Adventures North America Leadership Team (NAMALT).  This is a once a year meeting and I always look forward to it.  We are seeing Mission Adventures programs pop up all over North America rite now, and it is so cool to be a part of it all.  This was a great meeting of goals setting, strategizing, prayer, etc.. for our ministry.  One great take away from our meetings is we are offering 4 internships this year, one in Salem, one in Orlando, one in San Fransisco, and one in Vancouver BC to help YWAM locations in their pioneering of the program.