Awesome Testimonies from Camp

Children,Outreach,Uncategorized — admin on June 18, 2009 at 2:25 pm

Before this camp I was feeling very distant from the Lord, but the
first day i felt this feeling that i cannot describe. I felt something
like circulating inside of me, and all the hairs on my body stood up.
I felt the Lord’s presence, and it was good. I repented and I felt
like a whole new person. The Lord put me back on the right track,
because before the camp, I was walking the wrong way. I feel revived
and ready to serve Him once again. I thank Pastor Kurt for preaching
to us, and Pastor Marla for leading us in worship, it was great and I
learned much.
-Bao

God did alot to me at camp. he raised my spirit so high that tears
shed down my face. He made me realized that if i follow his ways ill
be a better man in this life.
-Anonymous

Overcoming camp, Pastor Kurt and Pastor Stephan had help me build my
relationship with God stronger. i was able to reborn by Pastor Kurt,
and other pastor. i 4 got their name. (that means he decided to follow
Jesus and experienced spiritual rebirth.)
-Tai

I learned that your sins can be forgiven by God. Once you cry tears
for the Lord you should not take it for granted but you need to bring
yourself towards him. He is powerful and has been watching you from
the day you were born and that you need to be devoted to him. I just
wanted thank God everyday from the time I was born till now that I’m
grateful. Once you give yourself to him its like setting your spirit
free and it feels very good. I thank Pastor Kurt for his preaching and
blessings. I also thank you for the lovely time a camp and all the
worshipping and fun we had.
-Diana

I just want to thank Pastor Kurt and Pastor Marla for coming out to
preach and help us learn more about God. You guys made a difference to
those people that hasn’t experienced God well. The teen youth is very
appreciative and hopeful that you guys will visit us someday. :] God
Bless.
-Betty

Before camp, God never played an important front seat role in my life.
I was often prone to ‘do this’ or ‘do that’ because I knew I was a
Christian and that’s what Christians do. But camp has taught me that
there’s more to being Christian than just going through the same
procedure of praying, going to church and worshipping God. I learned
that being more intimate with God is what He wants and that in doing
so, I can deepen my love for Him in a way I never though possible
until now. During camp, God has taught me not to be afraid of what
might be ahead because I know that He will always be right there with
me. I’ve also learned to never be afraid to ask for God’s forgiveness
or help because that’s what he wants us to do. God has allowed me to
meet a group of incredibly amazing people that have helped me connect
and worship Him in a way I’ve never done before. And I’m extremely
thankful for this. Thank you so much Pastor Kurt and Pastor Marla for
coming and helping us become more intimate and learn more about God.
If it wasn’t for you two, I would still be the that girl who has never
experienced the true love of God and what he has in store for us. :)
- Bobbie

After the camp, i feel a revival in my relationship with GodBold. I feel like i grew closer with him again…
-Pat

Back from Youth Camp

Children,Outreach,Uncategorized — admin on June 17, 2009 at 3:05 pm


I had a great time hanging with the folks from the Vietnamese
Christian Assembly last week. While we’ve been planting Renaissance
Church, we’ve become friends with Pastor Timothy, Pastor Stephan, and
many of the great people at this church. I think the reason why we’ve
struck such a fast friendship is that they are so Kingdom-minded.

They asked me to be the speaker at their youth camp, and it was a
pleasure. God really moved, and the young people were great. I spoke
on intimacy with God. On the last day, several made first-time
commitments to Christ, and there were many more serious re-
dedications. Almost everyone was very touched by the Holy Spirit, and
many youths were weeping in the presence of the Lord.

And of course, we had a lot of fun, too. We even ate well! Who knew
you could make good Vietnamese food at a camp site?

Check out the blog above, “Awesome Testimonies from Camp” to read what the Vietnamese youth were saying about the camp.

Blessed are the poor…

Christianity,Outreach — admin on May 25, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
–Jesus  (Luke 6:20)

What do you make of this statement?  Is Jesus talking about people who don’t have much money?  The parallel passage in Matthew’s Gospel says “blessed are the poor in spirit…”.   That makes more sense.  But why did Luke just write “poor”?  I can only assume that Jesus preached it that way at least once.

In many cases, it does seem that people without much money tend to have more of the positive quality called “poverty of spirit”.  I’m generalizing here, but let’s face it - people without much money have fewer options and tend to be more aware of their need for God, more willing to to be inconvenienced…

Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:5

Yes, I think that’s it.  It’s easier for the poor to have faith.
I think of the multitudes in Mozambique who are coming to radical faith under the ministry of Rolland and Heidi Baker.  Or the tens of millions of on-fire believers in the underground Chinese churches.
They had almost nothing material to begin with – and then often lose everything through the persecution that comes from following Christ.  But they gain everything – faith in our Savior that yields lives of complete devotion, a faith that witnesses miracles on a regular basis, a faith that allows them to live joyfully in the midst of difficult circumstances.
I recently heard church planting expert Ed Stetzer comment something like this: “I find it very interesting that so many of the people who are planting churches today, feel “called” to plant their church in nice upper-middle class suburban areas.” (my paraphrase from memory)
I’ve been wrestling with this issue lately, reflecting on my ministry in various settings in the U.S.  and all over the world.
Here’s what I’ve decided.  Forget about rich vs. poor.
Give me the hungry for God.
Give me the poor in spirit.
They’re the ones that respond to God.  They’re the ones that will lay down everything to follow Jesus.
It just so happens that you tend to find more people like that among the “poor”.
Jesus was right.  They are blessed.
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Everyone deserves a chance to hear

Christianity,Multi-ethnic,Outreach — admin on May 22, 2009 at 6:14 pm

I’ve been thinking about the people in our society that haven’t had the opportunity to hear the amazing Good News of Jesus Christ.

Last Thanksgiving, we were presented with an amazing opportunity.  Seven visitors from a very closed country were visiting Charlotte on official business, and expressed a desire to experience a traditional American Thanksgiving.   When Marla and I heard that, our first thought was how difficult and stressful the holiday would become if we hosted them.  But then we thought about how, in their home country, they had zero chance of ever hearing the Gospel.  It simply is not allowed.  If they were ever going to hear, it would have to be now.  That thought was so compelling, we accepted.   Seven guests from a very different culture, plus their two chaperones.
We are very comfortable with people from other cultures, having travelled a lot.  But we were apprehensive.  We didn’t know these people and had no idea what to expect.
It turned out to be an awesome experience.  Our guests were charming, and very appreciative for the invitation.  Before we ate, I explained the Christian origins of our nation and the first Thanksgivings.  Our guests were very interested.  They even directed the discussion towards spiritual subjects during dinner.  Before dessert, I shared a clear Gospel message.
No one made a public declaration of faith.  Even if they had wanted to, it would not have been possible among their peers.  But for one evening, we had the opportunity to show sacrificial love, and share good food, gracious conversation, and the Best News in the Whole World.
They heard.  They experienced Jesus’ unconditional love from one family who loves Him.  We’ll keep praying for our new friends, and the Holy Spirit will take it from here.
Such people are all around us, even in America.  You don’t have to go overseas.
We need to care about them enough to strike up a conversation with them.  To listen.  To become their friend.  To share life with them.  To earn the right to be heard.
Because everyone deserves a chance to hear.

Faith like a child

Children,Christianity,Outreach,Pastor Kurt,Prayer — admin on May 8, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Isn’t this a great picture? My boys are interceding over a shower curtain. Well it IS a shower curtain, but it’s got a map of the world on it. My boys have a heart for the nations of the world, and they pray for them daily.
Over a year ago, Bryan adopted Brazil as “his” country. He kept talking about wanting to go preach in Brazil. As parents, Marla and I thought it was just a passing interest. But he wouldn’t let it go. He had to preach in Brazil.
We tested his sincerity by arranging for Portuguese lessons. He loved them. He worked hard towards his goal of being able to stand on a stage (“there has to be a stage, daddy!”) and tell people in Brazil about Jesus. There was only one problem – we didn’t know a soul in Brazil. But this was clearly God, so we figured He would make a way.
And He did. Doors opened, and last summer we went to Brazil. Bryan and Steven both preached about Jesus in some short Portuguese phrases – from the stage. And, wow, did God move!
If you want to see the report from our trip in pdf form, click here.

« Previous Page