I've been out of contact a lot this past week as I was in Byron Bay, NSW leading an outreach of a bunch of our YouthStreet Crew. It was an amazing time of seeing God's hand move and to see people being drawn to Him, and the life that He promises through His Son.
We started with a 9 hour bus ride from Newcastle, with lots of excited teenagers juiced up on energy drinks... (Not sure why they need energy for a bus ride.. maybe I'm just losing touch with my youth?)
We get to Byron and are introduced to our hosts and to our accommodation. Which consists of a Church, and a hard floor. Welcome to Outreach! :) It really brought back a lot of memories of my other outreaches when we would sleep on the floor and not shower for days/weeks at a time.
We hit to town after some worship and seeking the heart of God, and immediate got to know the city through a scavenger hunt/meet lots of strangers and embarrass ourselves as much as possible in front of them time.
Through the course of the week, we would simply set up a few BBQ's, put up a free food sign and see the people flock to us.
We had many, many conversations. I personally would have had in depth conversations and explained the Gospel to over 20 people. As a team, it would have been hundreds.
We encountered people from every background, religion, ideology and place we could think of. We saw how broken people can be, and how all of us are so desperately seeking the love and fulfillment that we hunger for. For many, it comes through religions. Many started with a Christian framework, but what was offered to them was dry and powerless, so they searched it out in other areas of eastern mysticism, blended religions, and secular humanism.
Others seek it out in the bottom of a bottle, in a needle, in a joint or in the arms of another. Each one was looking searching, and seeking for the truth.
To simply saw we had it would have invited closed hearts. They had been told countless times the same thing. But simply taking a step out of our comfort zone. Crossing the park, the street or the beach to approach someone and get to know them was so powerful. We would talk, and they would see in us every time something different! Every time they were blown away by a witness. That there are people who live as the bible shows us how. They live as Jesus lived. Trusting God, loving people, seeing God move in power and love in our lives, and then to those around us.
There are so many testimonies I cannot write them all. But Jesus was glorified, many hearts were convicted, and opened. A hunger was born in people for the truth of the man Jesus Christ. People were healed, physically and emotionally.
I prayed for a man who had his girlfriend murdered only recently, and was attacked by the same man who killed him. But was resuscitated by doctors. He had a dislocated neck and could not move it. Well, I prayed and invited the Holy Spirit to renew, remake and realign, He was perfectly fine with no pain and complete movement.
What a power we have in Jesus Christ! What a love that we hold! All it takes is a step across the room to show people the Glory that is in you! Be encouraged my friends that a group of teenagers just changed people's lives. You can too! Seek the heart of God, and then let it shine from your life!
A special thanks to those people who helped me get there, without you guys none of this would have happened. You won a great victory, and you will see people in heaven because of the gifts that you gave. AJ Whales, Beth Walters, Rachel Goodwin, Mark Twyerould, Zach Miskiewicz, the person who anonymously healed me out, and all those who were praying back home. You guys are amazing, I love you and be blessed by what you did!
Thanks, and let God birth a hunger in you this week for more of Him!
Daniel