Less of Me and More of Him

Wow, this week God has continued to floor me with how much of this ministry is all Him and that we as staff as Joe's Place are just honoured that He would even think of using us to be apart of His work. Here are a few stories that have encouraged me this week.
First, on Wednesday I gave a tour to two ladies from Mortlack who have been hired by the government to try and start a youth centre for the youth in Mortlack. As I was giving the tour I began to get a sense that one of the ladies was a Christian. By half way through the tour she told me that she had previously worked at a church as the youth pastor and had volunteered at Joe's Place years ago. Near the end of the tour she told me that they have gone to visit lots of different government runned youth centres and none of them are really working. SHe then asked me what my thoughts were of why Joe's Place has been around for 13 years and has continued to grow and be blessed and make a difference in the city of Moose Jaw. I got the chance to explain that I believe that Joe's Place is a success not because of Joe or the workers or the programs or the building that we have but because it is a ministry that is focused on the heart of God. We don't run Joe's Place because of the phsycial issues and needs of the youth of Moose. We know we can't be these youths saviours. but we know the one who can. THe high violence, pregnancy, and alcohol and drug abuse rates are rampant in our city because their is a spiritual void in their lives that they are trying to fill. we could shake our heads in disappointment of the choices our youth are making but the real issues comes down what is in their heart. Joe's Place I believe is successful because our staff and volunteers are not there to fix the problems of our city but we're here to bring the hope that Christ has to some of the darkest places in our city. We genuinely love and care for our youth. we don't condemn them for the choices they make but we try to point them to the one who can fill that void in their lvies. I've been reminded lately that if Jesus walked around Moose Jaw in 2007 it would have been our youth and their families that He would have been friends with and ministered too. They are not too far gone for the power and love of GOd to reach down and touch them. Youth continue to come to Joe's place because the love of GOd is here in our staff and youth. IT thrives in everything we do and thats why I believe we continue to see little a new sense of hope and purpose in Moose Jaws youth. After I shared all this to these two ladies the other lady who wasn't a Christian just nodded her head and wiped tears from her eyes. I don't know what God is doing in this ladies life but I do believe that GOd used a half hour tour of our building to spread the Gospel of God's grace, love and hope to a lady who may have thought programs is what changes peoples lives. Joe's Place has programs but thats not what is changing kids lives its the relationships that they build with our staff and volunteers that are getting them to realize that there is a God out there who wants to give them abundant life.
That was a really long segmant of this blog sorry, I'll try and make the next two things I want to share with you a bit shorter. GOd isnt just using our staff and volunteers to spread His hope to the youth in Moose Jaw He is also using our youth who are young in their faith to spread the Gospel to their friends.
Friday night we opened and one of our youth who has been a CHristian now for 3 years and is going to Briercrest next year to go into pastoral ministries was out in the smoke pit hanging out with some youth when a girl named Shelby walked right up to him and was like "Shawn your a Christian right? WHat is GOd?". Shawn was floored by the question and began to tell her about who GOd is. an hour and half later Shelby and Shawn come up to the kitchen window where I was working and Shelby is just beaming from ear to ear as she shows me her first Bible. SHe didn't become a Christian Friday night but there was definatly a transformation going on in her heart. I could see a new sense of joy and hope in her eyes that were just beaming off her face. You couldn't help but see that God was changing her heart and doing a work in her. THe next day I saw her in the morning and she had read half the Bible and told me she was going to come to church on SUnday, which she did. Please keep this young girl in your prayers. GOd is moving in her life and is prompting her to seek out truth. Praise GOd that she knows where to find Christians she can trust to ask her questions and to find truth. Another boy, Justin, told one of our volunteers on Saturday that He knows GOd is the truth and wants to get His life on track. Praise GOd.
Lastly, our youth are coming to church and they're inviting their friends. Our youth who have become Christians are not afraid to invite their friends to church and they're friends are actually coming. These are kids who have NEVER in their lives entered the doors of a church and are now being invited to come and hear and be apart of worshiping God. Please pray that their hearts will be soft to recieving Gods word and that the seeds will fall in deep and we will see fruit that lasts for years and transform this city.
It is so cool that we are watching our youth develop into followers of Jesus. Yes, they are young in their faith, but God is using them to bring the hearts of the fatherless back to the Father. I'm starting a discipleship group soon for all our youth who are wanting to grow deeper in their walk with GOd. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for myself and the other volunteers who will be helping us lead this group. We can't do it on our own strength or wisdom, but with GOd all things are possible.
Thanks again for all your love and support. It is always an encouragement to hear from you. May you know the blessing of God this week.