Witness 52 E-Mail Update Archives - 2011/2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Dear Friends,
Once again the world is made aware of the fact that riches, fame and power do not bring fulfillment nor significance as
another great and talented star dies much too early under terrible circumstances. The bible says in Matthew 16:26 "What
good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their
soul?" Sometimes you might feel intimidated by all the things people might have in the world, especially "successful" people.
You may feel like you have nothing to offer them when in reality you have the greatest thing to offer them.... the Gospel of
Jesus Christ and all that comes with it!
When I first met my wife Linda 'Peaches' she was a big recording star with gold and platinum records, three number one
hits on the charts, 9 million records sold and was selected as one of the ten most beautiful woman in the world by Bizarre
magazine. She had everything a person could want and more but she didn't have Jesus and she did not have me!
I was not intimidated by all that because I knew Jesus was greater and more important than all of that. I led her to the Lord
and we got married a year and a half later. In fact, we just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary this past Valentines Day.
I wonder what would have happened to her life if she did not accept Jesus?
Now, you don't have to marry the person you witness to and you may not run into any "stars" but don't ever feel intimidated
when you are talking to anybody because you have so much to offer them! You have the love of Jesus!
I want to encourage you to let your light shine in the lives of people this week!!
God bless you,
Stephen
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dear Witness 52 Family,
I want to share some exciting news! The Lord put the idea for Witness 52 on my heart a year and a half ago. I knew that even if we
would have reached millions of people at WOW JAMS, there were still many more to reach. I felt that if the Lord could use me to ignite
something in people to take their role as a disciple seriously, then more people would be reached and each individual would grow stronger
in Christ. They could realize that God would use them to not only spread the gospel, but also lead people to Jesus and then disciple them
to reach even more people. Their witnessing would not depend on what their church did or on some leader because when we stand before
the Lord, He will not ask what our church did but what WE did to build God's kingdom!!
I felt it should be more than just an idea that I shared, but a serious commitment with accountability built in to help us develop discipline
and intentionality when we say we will do something. I have realized that we ask for all kinds of commitments in the church, like giving
regularly, attending each week or praying every day, but do we ask people to commit to witnessing and leading people to Jesus and discipling
them? So Witness 52 became a reality.
I wanted to be able to measure the results and share what happened with the church body. It was a simple concept: sign a card committing
to God and to me that you would witness once a week, lead one to Jesus each month and disciple three people for a year. Report in each week
no matter what happened, not feeling bad about what you didn't do but celebrate what you did do. My commitment was to email you each week
with encouragement, teaching and most importantly testimonies from others in the Witness 52 family so that we can all see the real deal in
witnessing in everyday situations. We only opened it to three groups of people: The interns that attended the LA/Pasadena Mission Week in 2011
including Pasadena Foursquare church, the Water of Life team from Fontana that went to Detroit in 2011, and finally Abundant Life Church in
Cupertino, CA where I preached in September of 2011. We have not opened it to any other people.
It has been so exciting to see what has happened so far as we have reached the half way point! 140 people of many different ages and walks of
life signed up. 50 people have responded with 188 emails. 525 people were witnessed to, resulting in 134 salvations and 18 people being
discipled! That was all done through you....from right where you live! Just think if this spreads and people see that it can be done and people
really will get saved.
So, keep up the good work and please don't feel discouraged if you have not checked in for a while or even at all. Everyday is a brand new day
of opportunity. I am learning a lot from you all and I believe, at the end of the year, we will have some good information to pass on to the church
at large resulting in many hearing the gospel, many getting saved and many Christians growing in their faith.
Please let me know how you feel about it up to now, what you have learned, some suggestions on how it can be better. If you have not
responded or have stopped, please tell me why and any frustrations you are facing. All of this will be useful information as Witness 52
developes and evolves.. You are all so very important as being the first ones. So much can be learned from you and there are many
leaders anxiously waiting to hear the results. We have 6 months to go, I trust this will encourage you to go out this week with confidence
that you can impact another person's life.
Here is another great testimony!
"Hello friends, I have been continuing to see the faithfulness of God grow in and around me at work. I have seen my boss growing in
her leadership role as I have modeled and invited her to organize a childcare program that is Christ-centered. She is beginning to
disciple the young people at our childcare center in the things of God and they are growing in their knowledge of Scripture and prayer.
Sixteen children were rewarded with a treat for memorizing the Lord's prayer. I invited them to break into groups of two or three and
led them in a prayer time for each other's requests. Most of them said they felt good and cared for as we reflected upon this experience
which was different to most of them. I was able to pray for a co-worker who was in need of physical and emotional healing this week.
I also, have been able to encourage my co-workers with a cool testimony of God's provision as all of our hours at work were cut recently.
I was able to give to and encourage a homeless woman. I have organized a park play date for my daughter's first grade class for the
purpose of building relationships with and bringing Christ love to them.
Thank you for your ministry. Heather Richardson"
God bless you,
Stephen
Friday, January 27, 2012
Dear Witness 52 Family,
Be encouraged this week for there is a person just waiting to hear the good news of the gospel from you. God bless
you and be inspired by this testimony!
"Greetings WOW Family, I am always encouraged and excited to hear of all the wonderful things the WOW family is
doing for our Lord! Well, as you know I was in St. Louis attending my nephew's" Home Going Celebration" when I notice
something wasn't right. His son, my grandnephew was up speaking about a relationship that he wished he had while his
father was alive? There was much family conversation over what he said, and was it the right time? All I saw was a young
man that needed a lot of love and was reaching out for help. So later on during that day I let him know I was available if he
needed to talk about anything or if he needed something. Well a few days went by and he called me and we talked about
family matters. I was able to pray with him and let him know how much God loves him and "He" would be his Father!
Terrance, my grand-nephew wants to know more about our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus! I am praying that Terrance keeps
his heart and mind open to receive all that Christ Jesus have for him! Blessings, Brother Steve"
God Bless You,
Stephen
Friday, January 20, 2012
I have been praying for you this week. I want to encourage you that it is only the things we do for the Lord that have
lasting value. This is good to know in a society where values are constantly changing and results are fleeting. Many
people give up when things become difficult or challenging. I know that, in trying to honor your committmiment to wittness
to one person a week, you can easily get discouraged. Here is a verse, however, that always encourages me (I like
the new Living Translation): "So let's not get tired of doing good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of
blessing if we don't give up". WOW! That blesses me because it is sayiing that the only thing that can stop you from
getting blessed while you are doing good is if you give up.
Not only that, but God says He will bless you at just the right time. There is a special time to a blessing and God knows
just when the best time is. I can't think of a better way of doing good than to tell people about the love of God and the
hope there is in Him.
So, go out and do good and keep doing good and don't give up from doing good! I know, and God promises, that you will
be blessed at just the right time and so will the person you witnessed to!
Let me hear from you no matter what happens.
God Bless You,
Stephen
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Dear Friend,
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I trust you had a wonderful Christmas and are looking forward to a great New Year. You can have a great year, not because of what is going on in congress or the entertainment field or the sports world but because of what God says in Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." So tell someone else this week that they can have that same hope if they trust in God, tell just one person!
The way we end something will dictate how we begin something else. Many people did not end the year very well and participated in things on New Year's Eve that they regretted the very next day. My family and I along with a few other families had a great dinner and then prayed in the new year in our home.
Our family put together 20 red gift bags full of food, candy, gum, $10 target gift cards, water bottles and gospels of John. We then drove around the city and asked the Holy Spirit to lead us to people begging on the street corners. The girls would jump out and give them the bags and say "God Bless you and Merry Christmas!" It was wonderful and has become a family tradition.
It does not take too much to be a witness. Those red bags were given in the name of Jesus and therefore I am confident they will make a difference in people's lives. Do something simple this week for a person in need and make a difference in a person's life so they too can have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Here are a few testimonies to inspire you to go for it.
"Hi everyone! =) I'm writing for my witness 52. I know it has been a while, and I am trying to start off this new year right! =) This weekend Thomas and I connected with our neighbors. We live in a fourplex and it is long overdue that we connect with them. We were given an extra crock pot, and therefore reached out to give a new crock pot out to our neighbors. It was really great to just shake hands and smile to get to know them better. We love you all and hope you had a wonderful holiday!!! =) Erika"
"Hello Steve, May this New Year be filled with blessings for you and your family and the WOW Team, The Block events with our PF church were great and also a golden opportunity for witnessing!! Not sure how many faces I got to paint but they were quite a few! ( about 30 ??).Two of them a young man and a sweet little girl accepted Jesus as their saviour, yeah!! Got to pray for a mother and her family as I painted her baby's smiley little face :). Witnessed to just about every person who came for some facial art work!; Ha! Couldn't waste such grand opportunity!! Blessings and so great to have you guys as part of this great outreach effort!! Love you all, Beatriz"
I am praying as we start this new year that we can all honor the commitment we made and signed to witness to one person a week and lead someone to Jesus once a month. I know we can do it because there are so many hurting people out there just waiting for the good news of the Gospel.
God Bless You,
Stephen
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Dear Witness 52 family,
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." Revelation 21:4
I believe there are two moments in time when Heaven feels very real and very close. One is when you hold a baby that was just born. I felt like my two girls had just come from heaven when I first held them. They were so pure and holy not yet marred by this world. The second is when a loved one slips away to be with the Lord. My mother died and went home to be with Jesus yesterday. Just a few minutes after she died, Linda, Kathy and I sat in our home and talked about how she was in Heaven right now reunited with my father, smiling, laughing, all her pain gone, all her questions answered as she gazed into the face of Jesus..... and she will be there forever......and I will see her again someday........and we will be together forever....
No more tears, no more sorrows, no more fears for your tomorrows, no more being alone.... You are finally home.
These are the opening lines in a song I wrote about Heaven. I have included it to encourage you. This is the kind of hope you have to give to people when you witness this week.
Live your life like Heaven is real.........because it is! Click here for the song "Heaven"
Your fellow servant of Christ,
Stephen
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Hi Everyone,
How has your week been going? I hope you all had a great time with family and friends. Thank you for your encouraging words and prayers for my mother. Your continued prayers are very much appreciated.
This week I pray that you will have increasing courage to step out in boldness and witness. I know it can be quite intimidating to walk up to a perfect stranger and witness to them, but if God is tugging on your heart to do it, what is the worst that can happen? A friend of mine posted on Sunday “Courage diminishes where there is a lack of dependency on God" (Pastor Matthew Barnett). When you look at at that way, you probably have more courage than you think. In that moment of opportunity, admit your complete dependency on Him, and He will give you courage.
Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
The following testimony is a great example of courage in witnessing to a perfect stranger on both accounts. I hope it encourages you.
"Hi Stephen….. An employee at Jiffy Lube asked me about my physical challenge. I explained to him I had polio in 1951. It was an opportunity to share with him about God healing me from being paralyzed for a year during the on-set of polio in the early 50's. I sensed God used that encounter with this gentleman as a witness of encouragement and a witness of God being the Almighty healer.
Another opportunity opened when I approached a gentleman at a supermarket who was selling candy. I engaged in conversation with him, which lead to asking if he knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He replied, yes, but as he shared a bit of his life, he was expressing that he felt fearful that the enemy would cause him to trip up and fall. The Lord opened the door to encourage this man, saying that God loves him and "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world". I saw a peace that came upon this man as the spirit of God met this gentleman right where he was at during this particular point in time. I'll plan to touch base with you tomorrow to report on this past week. Thank you and God Bless you.......James"
Go out and be strong and courageous this week!
Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Stephen
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Hi Everyone,
My mother is slowly dying a little more each day in an agonizing way as many complications fight her. I stood by her bed all alone on Monday and sang to her. Her eyes were closed and her emaciated body would suddenly erupt in spasms while her mouth would open and close. Cancer has ravaged her lungs, infections have coursed through her blood stream, a terrible bed sore has dug a hole deep into her body and her heart barely beats after a heart attack a few days earlier. I bent down close and said "Mom, are you in pain?" Her swollen right eye opened for a moment and her toothless mouth twisted in a slight smile and she whispered hoarsely over and over again,,,,,,"Jesus.....Jesus......Jesus".
Please don't take this Witness 52 lightly; it may be the most important thing you do all week. You see, the question isn't whether or not we will die, but what will be on your lips when we do.... for it will determine where you spend eternity.
Acts 4:12 "There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."
Tell someone about Jesus this week.
I am praying for you.
Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Stephen
That's me with the shovel next to my mom and my brother at the beach!
Wednesday, November 17, 2011
Hi Everyone,
We are approaching the holiday season where statistics tell us that depression and despair are at their greatest in people's lives and that the suicide rate goes up by 33%. Given that information, be aware of those around you and be open to the Holy Spirit as He leads you and directs you. Listen to what is behind the words people are saying to you this week and be ready to be a conduit of the love of Jesus to a person that is closer to the brink then you would think.
I want to encourage you not to ignore the headlines and news like so many Christians do. They say 'well it is filled with bad news that depresses me'. First, I don't go to CNN for the purpose of getting good news, I go to the Bible which is filled with really good news that is straight from our Heavenly Father. We must, however, be aware of the heartache, despair and terrible circumstances that people are facing every day. Jesus spent time with the poorest of people and did not shy away from the pain and hopelessness of the culture. Instead, He confronted it with strength, joy, light and salvation! We must not hide our head in the spiritual sand because the world depresses us. We must confront the headlines with the truth of God and allow the joy of the Lord to be our strength in bringing light to the darkness, hope to the hopeless and life to a dying world. We must not remain ignorant to what is going on around us but let the injustice of this world drive us to our knees in supplication, draw us to the Word for education, direct our mouths to praise for inspiration and give us a platform to the world for declaration.....JESUS IS LORD!!!
Here is a testimony and a verse to build you up to do Kingdom work!
"Greetings! Thank you for your kind words! Serving the Lord is just amazing!! Last Friday I got a shift at work ending at 12 midnight, with the last 2 hours totally dead, no work activity. My assistant, a young man with whom I started to chat and intentionally came to ask him about the place of God in his life. He admitted his absence and after explaining the good news to him, he received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. I encouraged him (James is his name) to read the Bible and to attend a christian church.
This week, my witness have consisted on extending love and care to a misfortune stricken family consisting of a single mom with 6 kids. Like in this situation the paradigm is so big, that all you can do is extend a hand and pray for God's grace and mercy upon these kids and mom. Is really heartbreaking to see what is like a family within this government system: lots of kids, different fathers, underdevelopment mental and physical...yet human beings made in God's image and with great need for love. Thank you for being such a great outlet of encouragement on pressing on... Blessings on you all, Beatriz"
Acts 26:16 "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you."
I am looking forward to hearing from you this week.
Your fellow servant of Christ,
Stephen
Friday, November 11, 2011
Dear Friends,
How has the week gone for you? Mine was crazy with a ton a people at our house Sunday to celebrate 20 years of WOW, then we ministered at Jack Hayford's pastors conference Tuesday. I was at the hospital most of Wednesday night with my mother and then back the next morning at 6:00 am so she could get a blood transfusion. That night, I was back at the hospital because she had a heart attack. I put my wife Linda on a plane for Washington DC on Thursday morning and now I am Mr. Mom for Sierra and Coco with basketball, school play, sleep-overs and ......our two new giant puppies are not only eating our back yard but our entire house!
I am sharing this because some people think our lives are lived on a stage and that it is easier for us to witness, but I assure you our lives are as crazy and busy with every day things just like yours. It is in those times that we let our light shine for Jesus. In the emergency room, I laid my hands on my mother's head and prayed for her before the doctors took her away. The nurses and doctors stood and listened to me pray. Little did they know, it was as much for them as it was for my mom. Linda gave some money to a homeless man at the store and prayed with him, my daughter prayed for and encouraged a girl in her high school class who attempted suicide by taking 50 pills because she is having a rough time in her life since her father died of cancer a few years ago and her mom is lost in grief and just trying to make it each day with her family.
We are surrounded by hurting people as the world continues to spin out of control. From the horrible disaster at Penn State with the assistant coach molesting young boys for 15 years, to earthquakes in Oklahoma and Turkey, to Italy and Greece about to go under and jeopardize all of Europe, and our own politicians fighting with each other like school children....... but in the midst of it all, you are filled with the Holy Spirit and called by the King of the Universe to proclaim the good news that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!' Acts 2:21.
I wrote a song and it starts like this: "You got your ticket to heaven's station, your bags are packed you're ready to go, but there's much more to your salvation and now's the time it needs to show. Can you hear the Savior calling as He ascended through the air? Go forth unto every nation, take the message everywhere......ANSWER THE CALL!"
I included the song with this email so you could listen to the rest of it. I pray it inspires, encourages and energizes you to ANSWER THE CALL to tell people about the good news...JESUS!!!
Click to hear: ANSWER THE CALL
Let me hear from you this week, I am praying for you.
Your fellow servant of Jesus,
Stephen
Thursday November 03, 2011
Dear Friends,
How has the week been going for you? You are being prayed for on a regular basis because you carry the Hope of the world with you where ever you go. The Bible says " A wise man wins souls". In all of your comings and goings this week, be wise and contribute to the winning of a soul by being open to the Holy Spirit's leading and then being courageous enough to follow through. The smallest thing you do this week out of obedience to the Lord will do much in bringing someone to Jesus!
I got this great testimony from a great brother in Cupertino California, Steve Cox. I pray it will be encouraging to you.
"Wow! I just had the coolest experience with a non-believing friend. Three years ago I reconnected with a man who I played football with in high school. Subsequent to that my wife, Sherry, and I engaged him to act as our real estate broker on the sale of my father-in-laws home. We ended up spending quite a bit of time together over the course of the next 4 months. He was able to see and hear my wife and I talk about our faith. I have continued to have lunch with him every couple of months for the last couple of years. Nothing heavy, just fellowship and the sharing of my faith through life stories. Flash forward to last month when I got a call from him asking if we could talk about “death.” He said he knew I was a “man of faith” and he was interested in hearing my perspective of death and what happens after we die. We had lunch last Friday. I waited until he brought up the subject. It seems he had a dream where he died and everything just went black. He question was “Is that really what happens? I believe I have lived a good life, treating others as I want to be treated. What will happen to me when I die?” Over the course of the next hour I was able answer his questions and explain the difference between religion and relationship. I was absolutely amazed to watch how the Holy Spirit worked as this man sought after the things of God. The amazing part was realizing that I could not have orchestrated any of this and been successful. The lesson for me was learning to see where God was working and step out there. Once God has opened the door we can step boldly knowing that the Holy Spirit is preparing our way and we will not fail. This man has not accepted the Lord (yet) but God is definitely at work! Steve Cox Cupertino"
Next week I will be giving you all the stats since WITNESS 52 started. Go out this week and be wise not by the world's standards but by God's standards. WIN SOULS!!!
God Bless You,
Stephen
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I pray you're doing well and not getting discouraged if you have not yet led someone to the Lord. Equally as important, I pray that you are not getting overly filled with self-importance if you have led many to the Lord. I say this because we all live with the constant tension within us of how small, fragile and needy we are and yet how greatly the King of the Universe, our Great and Wonderful Heavenly Father desires to work through us! It is staggering to comprehend, yet we must live in those two extremes.
C.S. Lewis helps us keep things in perspective in his letter to Sheldon Vanauken entitled "A Severe Mercy" when he writes "My feeling about people in whose conversion I have been allowed to play a part is always mixed with awe and even fear: such as a boy might feel on being first allowed to fire a rifle. The disproportion between his puny finger on the trigger and the thunder and lightning which follow is alarming. And the seriousness with which the other party takes my words always raises the doubt whether I have taken them seriously enough myself. By writing the things I write, you see, one especially qualifies for being hereafter "condemned out of one's own mouth." Think of me as a fellow-patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier could give some advice."
It is so amazing that God will take a gesture as small as giving a cup of water in His name and using it to change the course of a person's life for eternity! Here are some more testimonies of people just like you that "pulled the trigger with a puny finger" and thunder and lightning happened!
"This week I had the opportunity to witness to a man who was feeling like God was not caring for him and his situation. I was able to talk and pray for him about Gods timing not being our timing but God's promises are always true." C. Campbell
"Hi Stephen - This is the witnessed report for 10/17 to 10/23. I witness to one person during half time last Friday at a high school football game. This person, who was the mascot of the football team, was a senior at San Dimas High School. He shared with me his excitement about his new class ring that had his name and a cross inscribed on it. I asked him, what's the significance of the cross for you. He replied, I'm Catholic. I asked him if he knew Jesus as his Lord an Savior? He replied, I don't go to church much any more. At that point, he had to get back to the team for the second half. Before he left, I shared with him that he can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the assurance of salvation, by simply, asking Jesus into his heart. He had to go at that point, but I could sense the spirit touched him. It was a special encounter." J. Hansen
Rom. 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." What is the Gospel? 1 Cor. 15:1-4 says it is the sacrificial death and physical resurrection of Jesus for sins. It is the powerful message of salvation to sinners. If you know that the Word of God will accomplish what God wants it to and if you know that the gospel has power to save, then it should ease your mind to know that in witnessing you are using two very powerful weapons: God's Word and God's Gospel. The Word of God is the Bible. The Gospel of God is His revelation of redemption.
Go out this week and "PULL THE TRIGGER", then watch God make the THUNDER AND THE LIGHTNING!
I want to hear from you this week, I am praying for you.
God bless you,
Stephen
Friday, October 21, 2011
"THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE, I'M GOING TO LET IT SHINE!" I sang this and knew all the hand motions to this song when I was a child. The song, however, is much more than just a childen's sunday school song. This is a blueprint for WITNESS 52, the basic truth of just letting the light of Jesus shine through your life each day. When you light a candle, shine a flashlight on something or turn the light switch on in a room, the light itsef does the work to dispel darkeness. It's the same way with witnessing..... allowing the light of Jesus to shine through in your words, expressons, giving, actions and every aspect of your life. He will do the work of dispelling the darkness in people's situation or life.
"HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL NO! I"M GOING TO LET IT SHINE" The second verse tells how it's possible for us to stop that light from shining if we're not careful. If, in a conversation, we feel the Holy Spirit leading us to share about our relationship with Jesus, pray for someone, give a needy person some money or even just smile at a person but we don't, then we are hiding the light of Jesus under a bushel. If there are people in a dark room with objects in it that they can run into and injure themselves, all you have to do is turn on the light and people can see the obstacles in the room and in their life and avoid running into them. People without Jesus are going through life in the dark running into things that injure, destroy and eventually kill them.
Matthew 5:15 says "Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house." Perhaps even the church building can become a big bowl or bushel because that is the only place we "act' and "talk' like christains where the world never sees it. Our lives are the stand on which the lamp is placed so it brings light to all around us in every stuation. In fact, we are to live our lives in such a way that the entire world can see. Look at verse 14. It says "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill canot be hidden".
So many great testimonies have been coming in every week where people are just letting their light shine! Here are a few more. Be encouraged!
"Hi Steven!
It is good to hear from u. Guess what?! Past weekend I had friend who had two deaf boys that spent 2 nights. I had opportunity share and witness about Jesus Christ. I told them do u want accept Jesus. They said yes. It is wonderful experiences and my kids were there too ! They were encouraged them and I helped to pray for them too. Praise Him" -Jeff T.
"Dear WOW,
I went with a friend to visit her great uncle who is in an acute long term facility. He is over 80 years old and on his way out...When we walked in the room, he gazed our way, but it was hard to decipher his coherence level...he couldn't speak, only grumbled and his eyes looked glazed over. My friend believes he was of the Catholic religion but we did not know if he knew Jesus...my friend read a couple of chapters out of psalms to him and we both prayed over him. At one point his eyes closed and it looked as if he had a peaceful smile on his face...and then before we left, he 'lipped' 'Thank You' he said it twice! Just those few moments with him was such a blessing to us as well. I am so thankful for these opportunities to serve Christ and trying to be 'intentional, alert and willing' to opportunities he places in my path. Sincerley- Jennifer Guidubaldi"
"I witnessed to a lady this week on Tuesday. It was cool. She just heard about god and had to leave to catch the bus. Seed planted." Krislyn Cox
"This is a little different than a one on one. But I had my message for the youth group already done about choosing the right friends and how acceptance is a powerful force. Then hours before the service I was really convicted to add a whole other direction of finding our acceptance totally in GodI did not grow up in the church nor in a "alter call culture" and so that is not something I am used to doing or using as a way of inviting people into submission to Jesus. But I also don't care what I am comfortable with. I want people to know him AND more importantly I felt that the Spirit was really telling me to witness in this particular way that night.There were about 7 new kids that came, 2 gave their life to Jesus 4 recommitted their life to Christ! So so cool.
Thank you for challenging me to listen to the Spirit and be bold." - Ben Skinner
I can't tell you how much these testimonies mean to me. They are a great source of encouragement! There are many of you that I have not heard from, please stay connected even if you didn't think you "witnessed". Just go out there and LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!
God Bless You,
Your fellow servant lampstand,
Stephen
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Dear Friend,
My immediate thought when I heard Steve Jobs died was "what was his relationship with Jesus?" Because right now for him that is all that matters. All of the amazing devices he designed, the ipod, iphone and ipad will not go with him and won't do him any good. All of his millions stay here and don't cross over. His incredible company, Apple, and all the world's accolades give him no leverage when he stands before God, nor does the fact that he was a 'good' man that loved his wife and children gain him any points regarding where he will spend eternity. Though his name is listed in the record books and newspapers as one of the greatest minds of our time, if his name is not listed in the Book of Life, then the bible tells me he will suffer eternal torment with no chance of redemption.
You may think me harsh but I am quite the opposite. My heart breaks for the man that enters eternity without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Your heart should break too for those that are perishing. It is that brokenness that propels me to reach as many people as I can with the gospel whatever the cost or challenge. I am reminded of the scripture in Luke 12:16-21 when Jesus spoke a parable to them, saying, "The ground of a certain rich man brought forth abundantly. He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
In Luke 9:25 Jesus asks the question "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" This is the very essence, the driving force that fuels WITNESS 52. Those that you run across each day may know they will die but don't know when and don't know that their soul will be required of them. I was just with many of you in Cupertino a week ago urging you to be open to the Holy Spirit and be a witness to those around you. Little did any of us know yesterday, in Cupertino, that a cement worker would fill his car with many guns and ammunition and go to where he worked and walk in and shoot 9 people, killing three of them. He is still on the loose. His friends and family were 'shocked' because he seemed like such a 'nice' man, not realizing that just below the surface there was rage that was about to erupt with hellish results.
I know it is hard, awkward and inconvenient to witness but I wonder if one of us had run into this man yesterday morning in a store or a gas station and shared a kind word with him, maybe things would have been different. If one of his co-workers that see him everyday for years would have just invited him to church or asked if he needed prayer things might have been different. I do know that one word inspired by the Holy Spirit spoken at just the right time can change the course of a life. I am not heaping guilt or condemnation on anyone but I am trying to point out the fact that it's vital that we take witnessing, in whatever form it takes, very seriously.
I hope Steve Jobs had a relationship with Jesus and that those three killed by this mad man in Cupertino had received salvation, but I never take it for granted that everyone I run into is saved. I pray that this shooter accepts Jesus for even he is one whom Jesus died for.
I just returned from Toledo Ohio where I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes put what being a Christian witness is very simply. He said "It is one beggar telling another beggar where the bread is". That is all it is friend, we are beggars that were hungry and somebody told us where the bread of life was. Go out this week and tell someone where the bread is... you never know if that person's soul will be required of him that day.
God bless you, I am praying for you. Please let me hear from you this week and continue to honor our commitment to God and each other. More great testimonies next week! They are pouring in!
You fellow Servant of Jesus,
Stephen
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Dear Friend,
How are you doing? Are you feeling good because you witnessed to somebody? If so, that’s great, just remember there are many more out there that need to hear about Jesus. Or maybe you’re feeling bad because you didn’t witness to anyone yet? Well, don’t feel bad because you still have all week! Witness 52 is not set up to make you feel bad but to make you more aware of people in need and how intentional we need to be in witnessing to the lost.
This week, I was able to meet in person with some of the people that are part of WITNESS/52. Some of them mentioned how rewarding and challenging it has been. Mike made a suggestion that we set things up so that everyone committed to Witness 52 could read the testimonies that come in each week so that we could pray for each other, dialogue and be encouraged. I love the idea and we will start to create that.
Many of those I met with commented on how much the testimonies helped and encouraged them, so please send yours in this week. All you have to do is push reply on this email and it will be received. Remember, even if you don’t have a testimony or did not get a chance to witness, please check in anyway so our accountability agreement is a real thing.
Let me leave you with a wonderful testimony from Coral
“It seems today that my witness is a quiet one, but one that people notice. Everyday before school starts I walk the outside perimeter of our school. I pray for each teacher and the issues that come up and the kids in my classroom. Well, today my principal asked, "did you walk today?' I take it that she depends on my prayers and wanted to find out if we were covered by prayer. One mom said today to me before school, oh you are the one that walks the school before the bell. I did not tell her that is was a prayer walk, but I'll mention it tomorrow. Our kids need so much prayer, they are in the battle of a lifetime and I want to intercede for them everyday. We are paid to educate them, I want them to have wisdom, this is how I pray” Coral
“But let your hearts be fully consecrated to the Lord God, always being prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in you to anyone who asks, with humility and respect. Thus, you will have a clear conscience; and those who speak evil of you will be ashamed by your Christ-like conduct”. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
Go for it this week!
Your fellow follower of Christ,
Stephen
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Dear Friend,
I am excited to tell you that 15 more people joined WITNESS 52 this weekend when we were ministered at Abundant Life Church in Cupertino, CA!! They have been sending interns to the WOW JAM Mission Weeks for 10 years and have been wonderful friends of WOW. We had a tremendous two services on Sunday morning and I want to share with you something that happened.
The key to not only WITNESS 52 but to living for God, is to hear and obey the voice of the Lord. When you do this, nothing you do will ever be in vain, even the smallest or what seems like a very insignificant thing. 18 years ago I felt the Lord leading me to do concerts and minister to many of the prisons along the west cost, which I did. One of the toughest prisons was Folsom prison.
This past Sunday, a man came up to me and said "I just want to thank you for coming to Folsom prison 18 years ago. I was serving time there and my life was radically changed by your words and music. I have been out now for a few years and I am serving the Lord, attending church here and doing great! Thank you". That meant the world to me! Even though touring all those prisons was very challenging, I have received so many testimonies from guys that were locked up.
This week, I want to encourage you to let your heart be so broken for the lost that the brokenness will propel you into boldness to reach somebody with the love of Jesus in the most regular, everyday situation. Whatever time you spend with a person this week, make it count. Jesus was missional. He was always making the most of the time He had with people. Here are some more testimonies that show that witnessing for Jesus can come out of just ordinary situations with ordinary people but an extraordinary God!
“Hi Stephen, last Saturday we went to a funeral for a friend. We were blessed that at the end of the service the pastor ask if anyone wanted to accept Jesus. About 6 people raised their hands. This open the door for witnessing to many people about what God has done in my life. We look forward to hearing from our friend about the progress of her family and friends. God Bless, Cheryl Campbell”
“Thanks Mr. Tavani for your last update it was very encouraging. A couple weeks ago I met a lady while I was sitting waiting for my mom at the doctors office. Her name was Sheri and right when she sat down she asked me if i was sure I would go to heaven and what qualified me to go there. I answered her and she said that that was good hat I knew that at a young age. That was the first time someone really witnessed to me and it encouraged me a lot. Now I will try using her method of witnessing to people. Thanks so much, Ellen Rekedal”
"Dear Steve and Linda, It is wonderful what every week brings forth! Our car broke down this Sunday on our way home and it needed to be towed to the shop. As we went with the driver, I engaged him in conversation which it revealed his noble heart and I could sense God's love for this man. No wasting any time I took the opportunity and witness to him. I know that God changed our normal Sunday routine and had us reach this man instead. With so many people yet to be reached it is encouraging to realized that Harot (the tow truck driver's name) got to hear that Jesus loves and cares for him. Looking forward for next divine appointment! Your sister in Christ, Beatriz"
We welcome all the people that have joined this effort and we are all learning from it. Please report in this week whether you were able to do something or not. Become intentional in reaching people with the Gospel and let the love of Jesus compel us all. God Bless you this week.
Your fellow servant,
Stephen
P.S. We now have all of the Witness 52 Email updates available for you to read on our website at www,wowjam.com. Just click on the Witness 52 image and catch up on any of the emails that you’ve missed!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Dear Friend,
I have been praying for you and the rest of the WITNESS 52 team because I know the struggle you face in your desire to keep the commitment. The biggest struggle one faces when getting serious about reaching people with the gospel is the struggle of feeling inadequate, incapable and unqualified. Well, you are not alone: Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses was a murderer & stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead.... Now, what's YOUR excuse? Can God use you or not?.......... "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the CALLED!"
You may think it was your choice to commit to WITNESS 52 but I want you to know that God called you by His Holy Spirit. I want you to know that because there is great confidence when you know someone greater and more powerful calls you to a purpose. It is that call that qualifies you because you are being obedient. If it is God calling and our answering that starts us off, what is it that keeps us going when the emotion wears off and the struggle begins? It is not your love that will keep you witnessing. My love is not enough and it ran out long ago in some poverty stricken ghetto in Chicago. It is the love of Jesus that compels me to keep going, to keep proclaiming the gospel and to keep witnessing. Let these verses sink in deep, they are in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17: "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
So let His love compel you to reach others this week with the good news. When you feel funny or awkward or shy about witnessing, let the convicting power of these next two verses bolster you to go for it. Verses 20 and 21 say: "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Those verses really shook me up! I am an Ambassador for Christ and He wants me to "implore" which is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as "to ask someone to do or not do something in a very sincere, emotional and determined way." Another definition says; "To beg for urgently; entreat, plead". That is the posture God takes towards the lost. He wants us to plead on His behalf for people to be reconciled to Him. WOW!
Sometimes we get the picture of God standing up there all big and a bit smug saying"well if you want forgiveness come to me" But instead, the scripture is saying that His heart is to plead with us to be reconciled with Him. He is not mad at us, He loves us. If you wonder what drives me to reach a million people in the poorest,, most dangerous places in the world for the last 20 years, it is all of the above.
Here are two great testimonies we received that will encourage you. It is thrilling to read each one that we are getting!!
"Dear Mr. Tavani,
Last week I went to Colorado for my Grandma's 70 birthday party. We all got together including my mom's brothers and their families for the first time in about 8 years. My mom's younger brother is a Christian but his wife isn't. I got a chance to minister to her and her children this weekend by loving her and respecting her. I also ministered to them by respecting and honoring my parents. As my Aunt saw how I treated them she got more and more curious how I could do that. My sisters and I continued to work on her throughout the week and tell her about the wow jams we participated in and out block parties on new years. I shared how much I love church and dance and her eye's lit up when I told her how much fun I have and the life time friends I made because of it. She did not come to the Lord but I know that she was changed by the time we left. I can't wait to see who God gives me this week to minister to!!! See you next Sunday!!!
God bless you,
Ellen Rekedal"
"Hi Stephen - The witness report for August 1-7 is as follows:1 person witnessed to and 1 person discipled (a person who I lead to Jesus two weeks). Thank you, Stephen. I'll plan to touch base next week. God Bless you. - JHANSEN"
As you can see, they could be long or real short, but send them in even if you didn't get to someone this week. Please let me hear from you, the week is not over! Let the Love of Jesus compel you to implore people on God's behalf to be RECONCILED TO HIM! God bless you.
Your Fellow Ambassador for Christ,
Stephen
P.S. Your testimonies have been encouraging to people and very informative! If you would rather me not using them in these reports or use them without your name please let me know.
Tuesday, August 30th
Dear Friend,
I hope you're having a great week so far. I want to encourage you on the importance of keeping the urgency of the our great commission alive. All around us are the signs of the times which the bible warns us about before the end comes. From the killings in Norway to the riots in England, the world is clearly getting darker and darker. It's no coincidence that we have been placed in this location and in this time in history..... God knew what He was doing. It speaks volumes of His faith in us as His disciples to spread the Good News in these dark times.
Revelation 1:3: says "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near". God has created you for such a time as this!! He will equip you and fill you with His spirit to accomplish what He has begun in you. I pray that as you obey His promptings, that you will indeed be blessed!!
Here is this week's encouraging testimony:
"Hello Stephen, I want to let you know on the progress that I have had. I was in a summer session of college. During that time, many of my classmates various life situations relating to work and family. For instance one of them had both grand parents in the hospital. During my time I was able to pray and talk about the Lord in class. At the end of the session when we were all telling each other what we appreciated about each other, one of the things that was commented on was my love for God and willingness to help my other classmates. Currently I am trying to maintain contact with the classmate that has her grandparents in the hospital. I would appreciate your prayers that I would be able to share that gospel in that situation in a meaningful way. Thank you, R.R"
God bless you all and have a wonderful week!
Stephen
P.S. Your testimonies have been encouraging to people and very informative! If you would rather me not using them in these reports or use them without your name please let me know.
Tuesday, August 23 2011
Dear Friend,
I have been praying for you because I know that you will reach people with the love of Jesus that I never will. My heart is for all to know about the forgiveness that Jesus provides freely and the promise of eternal life with Him. I could do a WOW JAM every day with thousands of people attending and hundreds getting saved but I still would not reach that one that you will reach this week. John 3:16 tells us "For God so loved the world". The world is a big place, so it is going to take all of us to carry the wonderful gospel to those we are in contact with.
One thing I have discovered over the years is that people are much more responsive and open when they are in trouble, in pain or in need. In fact, that is who Jesus ministered to most of the time and was received by them. He really focused a majority of His time with the poor, sick and disenfranchised. This has become the main focus of my life and WOW JAMS which I will discuss further in the future. For right now, please read the two testimonies below that stirred my heart and inspired me to be ready to minister to people in need and be even more aware of how fragile life is. You never know what some one just went through or what they are about to go through. This first one comes from Cora:
"Stephen,Thank you for your reminder. This week I am reminded to ask even casual acquaintances if they know Jesus. This past January my next door neighbor was riding his bicycle competitively down Glendora Canyon Road, when he hit a patch of gravel and went down sliding across the roadway (which would be really bad in itself) when an oncoming car ran him over. He was air lifted to USC, but died. He was 45 years old and in perfect health. His wife is next door trying to live without her husband of 15 years (no kids). I have made her my project to share God's love in practical ways. I have not had many opportunities to ask her to accept Jesus, but I believe it will be soon. Keep praying,Cora"
WOW, that really grabbed me! No shooting, or earthquake or war or even disease.....Just riding his bike. Thousands of these things happen every day and we are right there. This next one comes from Susan:
"Stephen,I have been able to witness to 2 residences of our Angels Way Sober Living. One of which his father died suddenly and tragically hiking. His name is Jeremy Fox. The other is a wounded soldier that has returned from the war at the age of 37. He was shot in the chest and stepped on a land mine along with his troop. Very sad situation. He has been an alcoholic since his return as he suffers severe nerve damage throughout his foot and body. He is always in pain and has gotten use to drinking everything away!! Since coming to Angels Way Sober Living he is coming up on 60 days sobriety for the first time ever. He is under the management of doctors, which his pain is under control. Praise God.
Blessings, Susan"
The best way to be a witness is to serve people in need and extend kindness to them. This is what it says in James 2:14-17 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead"
Be encouraged this week, have faith that is ALIVE!!! Please report in with whatever you did or didn't do, it is a good excersise and God will continue to build character in all of us. In the process, He will reach the world with His love.
God Bless you,
Stephen
P.S. Your testimonies have been encouraging to people and very informative! If you would rather me not using them in these reports or use them without your name please let me know.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Dear Friend,
This is turning into quite an exciting and very informative endeavor. I wish you could read all the emails coming in about what WITNESS 52 is doing in people's lives. I so appreciate the honest dialogue and response that I am having with so many of you. The real raw uncut challenges to witnessing to one person a week. It sounds so simple but as many of you are discovering it is not. One of the reasons is that although we believe the Bible, we believe the commands of the Lord, and we are followers of Christ, many of us have not been intentional nor strategic in our approach to witnessing to people. We want it to just happen. There are occasions where opportunities arise but what if we approach each week with an intentional strategy? Jesus was very intentional and very strategic in every aspect of His life. I want to examine some of the ways Jesus applied his strategies to circumstances that arose and share them with you over the next few weeks. You will see how they influenced me in designing WOW JAMS.
Don't get discouraged if you have not kept up each week. Just the fact that you are thinking about it and that you remembered you didn't witness is an improvement on where you were before you started. Why? Because you are aware of the need to witness to people and your commitment to the Lord to do it. I believe one of the driving factors in Jesus' life was how aware He was of the fragileness of life and how, like a vapor, it could end at any time. I could give you so many examples of people that were killed days after accepting Jesus at a WOW JAM or somewhere I preached and gave an alter call. I know it might be awkward and I am not saying every time you talk to a person you need to lead them to Jesus but......when the Holy Spirit prompts you to, it is imperative that you obey! Read this testimony I just received from one of your fellow Witness 52 team mates.
"After reading the newsletter about Detroit, I feel I must share this with you. During the batism on Sunday I stood along side those who were waiting to get Baptized. As they entered the water they needed a place to leave their belongings so they would not get wet. Worried that they might be taken if set down, I offered to hold personals for many people. As a result, I was caught up in the excitement and awesome transformation that was taking place. I prayed with two women after their baptism, Makeba and Chante'. The difference in their contenence was so remarkable. Both women had desperate stories, Chante had lost a 2 year old in an apartment fire a year ago. Makeba was struggling to support her two boys. After we prayed together, she asked me if I would pray with her boys. I said "sure". But they weren't there. She called them on her cell to come to the church. A few minutes later three young men arrived. Makeba introduced two as her sons and the third was a friend who clearly wanted nothing to do with what was going on. I apologized to the boys that they had missed the batism, but laid hands on them and prayed a prayer of protection and encouragement. It was very emotional. Clearly, mom was praying hard for the salvation of her sons. I got the boys some water and they were off as quickly as they had arrived.
I expected the story to end here. Remarkable that a white guy from California was praying with three guys from the hood. It did not. It was only a few minutes later that we were loading the last of us onto that "Blue Bus". Shots rang out as the last of us were getting on. I ran to the end of the bus to see what I could see. While others are saying - get on the bus - get on the bus, I look to see two of the boys I just prayed with getting shot at. I don't know about the third. Their fear brought back the stark reality that these are desperate times for desperate people. As we started the bus and moved on down the road, I had a nudge from the Holy Spirit like I have never had before. "Never miss the opportunity to offer salvation." You see I had just prayed with these boys but didn't ask them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. That could have been their last opportunity, and I was overwhelmed with the implications. I continue to pray for these boys and their mom, and her friend. And I pray that I will have the boldness to offer salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ when next the Spirit prompts me.
God Bless us all and a little extra for the people of Detroit. David Campbell" I heard those shots too and saw the boys running.
Ask the Lord to lead you this week. Don't just wait for opportunities to show up.... Share the love of Jesus, be intentional and MAKE THEM show up!
155,000 people die every day.... you may be talking to one today.....
God Bless you, I am praying for you. Please keep up the communication each week even if it is one sentence. We are growing, sowing and flowing together.
Your fellow follower of Jesus,
Stephen
Friday, Aug 12, 2011
Dear Friend,
Another week has already flown by! Hopefully, you've had an opportunity to share Christ with someone whom God has put in your path. You may not feel like you're in "ministry mode" when you're going about your routine activities, but God already knows that you will encounter those times. That's why He says in 2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season". It's ok to have doubts about whether or not it's a good day to tell someone about Jesus, but when that doubt comes, trust that He will multiply the words that you do share to have a greater effect than you can imagine. Trust that He will do the work in that person's heart, no matter how you feel you came across.
Here is this week's encouraging testimony:
"Hey Stephen, Just want to let you know that although I haven’t been checking in each week I have been seeing the Lord bring different people across my path in these last weeks since you asked for our commitment. I have prayed with some, spoken & spent time with others and begun relationships with others. It is so good to see the Lord move and even remind me of “this is that person” moments each week! Thank you for the challenge and I praise Him with you for all that He is doing thru us! G."
God Bless You,
Stephen Tavani
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Dear Friend,
It is the middle of the week and maybe you have not witnessed to any one yet. Well don't be discouraged, the week is not over! You might be finding this more challenging then you thought, but just think..... you are intentionally reaching people every week with the gospel. This makes you a big target for hell, but a much bigger target for Heaven! Many people just talk about their faith, but when you activate it and actually become more than a hearer but also a doer, the enemy does everything he can to discourage you because now you are living your life like somebody else's life depends on it. You can't save anybody but if you sow the seed and witness, then the Holy Spirit will do His part. Just be ready for the harvest. You will never have a flower in your garden unless you plant a seed and water it, but only God can make it grow and become a beautiful bloom.
Here is a recent testimony from Harmony who has committed to WITNESS 52 just like you: "These past weeks I have been able to share Jesus with my students through curriculum, a colleague battling cancer, and with my in laws. I have not led anyone to ask Jesus into their hearts, that I know of, :( but I have been sharing Jesus' love with them almost daily. From Harmony Cano" This blessed me and I hope it will bless you! It has been wonderful hearing from so many people each week, even if to say they did not get to witness this week but are still reporting in. I have not heard from some of you and please don't feel bad if you have nothing to report. It is, however, still vital to keep our commitment in being accountable. When we don't, it erodes our confidence in what we say. When that happens, we start to doubt others when they commit to something. It can then spiral down into not even believing that God will keep His word. I believe when God gave me this idea for WITNESS 52, it was more then about witnessing to people but also to build something into all of us about commitment and persistence. I was never the best or the star player on the football field and I was never as fast or as strong as the other players, but I never quit...ever...and because of that, I got results. I am not even close to being the best preacher in the world, as I'm sure some that have heard me would agree...but the power is not in the talent or the giftedness. The power is in the word of God, our willingness to be obedient with what we do have, our understanding that people are lost without Jesus and our openness to let the Holy Spirit work through us. Even though over 428,000 people have raised their hand and prayed with me to accept Jesus, it is never easy. In fact, it only gets harder....but it is always more precious then anything I know.
I love this scripture in Galatians 6:9: "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest". Hang in there, you are going to see a glorious harvest!
Your fellow witness in the Lord,
Stephen
Tuesday, July 26 2011
Dear Friend,
It is a new week with tons of opportunities to share the love of Jesus. We just returned from Detroit where over 4,000 people came to the WOW JAM and 417 accepted Jesus! More were saved the next day at the outside water baptism where 52 people got baptized. Thanks for your prayers!
It would not have happened if we just sat and waited for God to open a door. We were intentional with what we did and God honored it and the miraculous happened. What I mean is we passed out flyers and God drew the people, we offered haircuts and God worked through our hands, we offered food and God ministered to people because we did it all in the name of Jesus. And after loving people in practical ways I told them why we did all these things by presenting the gospel......and they were drawn to the Father by the Holy Spirit and got saved through the blood of Jesus. We can't do the drawing or the saving but if we give God something to work through, even if it is a cup of cold water in Jesus name, God will do the impossible. Give God something to work through this week and watch what happens!
I am excited to tell you that 37 more people have joined us all in committing to WITNESS 52! They are all from the mission team from WATER OF LIFE church in Fontana that came to Detroit to serve at the WOW JAM. I put out the challenge after 5 days of intense ministry there. This is getting exciting when you think of the possibilities of all the people that can be reached with the gospel with this simple commitment. I want to encourage you with this testimony from Beatriz:
Hi Guys! Just read the blessed outcome of WOW Jam-Detroit!! Wonderful! Wonderful! My family and I kept you guys in prayer all the time! Praise the Lord! What a harvest!! May God continue blessing you guys for all you do!! :D
Regarding my commitment of week #4! Had the blessed opportunity to witness to about 30 people and led to the Lord about 12 people!! Indeed yesterday was harvest time for me!!! Praise the Lord!! Just took advantage of couple outreach events!! :D
Yes, dear WOW International Team, your challenge has increased the urgency of the Great Comission! and I am loving it and being blessed by it!! Yeah!!! :D
Love you guys and can't wait to see you again at church! Your sister,
Beatriz :)
Don't be discouraged if you missed a week or two, go for it this week and LIVE YOUR LIFE LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFE DEPENDS ON IT....BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE'S LIFE DOES!
I will be praying for you, please let me hear from you this week,
God Bless You,
Stephen