Watching God Move in Heartland USA!
I had been feeling it the whole week.
Like a thrum of electricity that I could somehow sense, but couldn't exactly say why, I just had a SENSE.
A sense that God was wanting to do something extraordinary in the lives of the hundreds of young student athletes at the 2017 FCA Iowa Sports Camp.
I had been asking for prayer from you - my friends - and really from anyone who would listen.
But this was the moment of truth…
"If you want to say YES to Jesus, and make a public commitment to follow Him, I want you to JUMP to your feet and raise your hand on the count of three. ONE. TWO..."
I had told them it would take courage. I had done everything I could over the last four days to explain the message of freedom and love available through Jesus. I had asked for God to draw people.
But this was the moment of truth.
"THREE!"
There was a split second of complete silence and then the young people began to surge to their feet - twenty, fifty, one hundred young people - the softhearted young volleyball players, the tough football players, and everybody in between - until nearly the whole crowd was on their feet, many with tears beginning to spill down their faces.
And in that moment, it hit me with an almost physical force - I caught my breath, took a step backwards, and just began to cry uncontrollably. For a few minutes.
Because this really is why we do what we do.
After coming forward and saying "Yes" to Jesus' offer of freedom, the young people lingered for a long time, praying for one another, many of them crying together as God brought healing to broken areas of their lives. And then, when the camp staff finally had to ask the young people to leave the auditorium, they spilled out into the lawn and continued to pray for one another.
By the end of the evening, by rough count, hundreds of young people had recommitted their lives, and many had made first time commitments to Jesus.
And for a while, I just stood there, stunned.
It is hard to put into words how moving it is to see firsthand the incredible love that Jesus has for people - the way He pursues them passionately in order to bring them the freedom and healing that we all so desperately need.
Jesus gave His life for us, and He continues to pursue us, because He loves us more than we can possibly imagine.
I won't forget this camp experience, and I'm deeply humbled that - together with YOU - we get to watch God draw people to Himself all over the world.
NEXT WEEK, we’re headed back to participate in this year’s FCA IOWA SPORTS CAMP - please pray for God to impact hundreds of lives again this year!
Our mandate is to reach AS MANY AS POSSIBLE with the message of Jesus – every time you pray for this ministry, support the mission financially, or share the music and the message, you help us reach thousands with the love of Jesus, and we can’t thank you enough for your partnership. Over the next few months, we’re scheduled to minister at large outreaches in PERU, across the USA, and possibly in MOLDOVA, THAILAND, and LAOS.
If you’re interested in being part of our team, here are THREE easy ways you can help:
1) PRAY: We have countless stories of being strengthened to fulfill our mission overseas as a direct result of the faithful prayer of friends like you.
2) SUPPORT: Every gift helps us reach the nations with the love and message of Jesus!
3) SHARE: Music is our tool to reach the world with this message. LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE on social media if you like it – it helps more than you know!
If you haven’t heard our latest CD, THROUGH IT, please check it out! You can listen or watch here:
God bless you friends – we can’t thank you enough for standing with us!
In Jesus,
Zach and White Ribbon Day
