REVIVE US SERIES: Our World Is Changing Empower Your Students To Be Brave.

Our world is changing.  Due to the shooting on Parliament Hill and the Hit and run a few days ago Canada has changed. How are you doing? Are you at peace or feeling anxious about it all? How are your student’s dealing with it?  More importantly how are their friends and classmates processing this?

Jesus followers who have gone through tough times such as a death in the family, depression, miscarriage, or job loss you will overhear them at some point say out of bewilderment and a heart full of gratitude for their faith, “I don’t know how people get through it without Jesus.”

Again I ask, how are your student’s friends and families doing right now who don’t know that Jesus is Emmanuel?

Don’t shy away from messages on current events.

Your Junior Highs need to know that Jesus knew that things were going to get crazy. He knew that the terrorists were coming and so He a plan that involves them.

The Role of the Gospel.

Your students are a light in their school on their teams in their homes. They have a hope in Jesus, they need not be afraid because of Matthew 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1. Teach Your Students to Pray in Jesus’ Name

All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me.

Because Jesus’ blood was shed on the cross AND he rose again, nothing is bigger or stronger than Jesus. All authority has been given to him. Jesus calls you and your students friends. The perk here is all that He learns He passes it on to His friends…us.

“You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14-17

Your students can tap into Jesus and He will guide them and direct them even through the Spirit of God (Holy Spirit). When they pray for protection in Jesus’ name it will be done. They too can walk in the power of Christ. They do not need to be afraid. Youth worker YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AFRAID but pray about everything. Demonstrate to your students that they can be comforted in Jesus Name by praying over them as one with authority. Let them hear and experience the difference. I’ve watched people move from anxiousness to a being at peace and assured after I prayed believing that what I prayed would come to pass as I prayed in Jesus’ Name. That’s called the prayer of faith.  but I haven’t always prayed that way.

I was at my friend’s doctor’s appointment when she found out that she had cancer. As soon as we got into the car, she cried.

I was speechless. I cried too. Then I prayed for her. I seriously didn’t know what to pray so it came out as The Prayer of Hope. I hope that she doesn’t die, I hope that God will heal her, I hope that my prayers work!

After I prayed the deep seated fear in her and even in myself was still there! Why? Because it was the prayer of Hope.  We went to our church to meet with our pastor.  As we arrived, the anxiety was still there. My pastor came in through the doors and he said, “Tammy, you shall live and not die. With long life will He satisfy you.” There was a shift in the room. I believed him. He then began to pray but he didn’t pray the prayer of hope, he prayed the prayer of FAITH as mentioned in James 5. He spoke as one with authority. LoL like Jesus! I believed. My friend’s countenance changed and fear fled and their was clarity of mind. My pastor knew he had authority in Jesus’ Name to make a difference and a difference was made!

Youth Worker, do you believe that there is power in Jesus name when you pray? If not, get your face into the gospel books. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke or John with the eyes of your heart it starts with you knowing who Jesus is and the significance of you having a relationship with Him and what all that entails along the prayer of faith.

2. Empower Your Students To Be Bold Because Jesus is with them.

Jesus knew days like today would happen, when there would be so much uncertainty in our world. He knew we’d have trouble, but he said, “…take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

It does seem like the end is really near, but I smile comes to my face when Jesus whispers in my ear, “[Alison,] surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” He’s with me to the very end.

It is for this very reason we must go and make disciples, baptizing them, teaching them. We can be brave. Train and equip your students to pray with their friends. How to really pray, the prayer of faith and the power of Jesus’ Name. And to share this truth, this good news of Jesus with Canadians that are angry, anxious, and sleepless that they too can enjoy the peace that only Jesus can bring.

Youth Speaker & Founder of the Young Woman of Power (YWOP), Alison hosts conferences and develops programs that are designed to build the confidence of youth such as the YWOP PivotFWD workshop which she delivers in Calgary’s Youth Judicial System and the citywide Young Women of Power Conference. She considers herself to be a pastor to those who don’t want one or don’t know they need one. For more info or to book Alison as a speaker visit www.ywop.ca 

REVIVE US SERIES: Wimpy And I Know It

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3

Have you been lambasted by the accusations and demands of others, broadsided by the unexpected, slipped warp speed into old unhealthy habits that God spoke to you about this summer during the change in pace? Have you noticed that ‘the thing’ you began to implement change on this summer has been extremely hard to continue to do?

I started off everyday listening to God and getting specific instructions from Him that I’d write in my journal. Everyday was a purposeful adventure. I was growing more aware of God and what He was doing in the present. Then early morning meetings began to rise along with phone calls or messages during my God time. Each chime, swoosh or chirp stimulated an automatic reach for my phone. Someone took something I said the wrong way and I started getting these mean texts and emails drenched in judgement. Then I lost my day timer, (I know you’re wondering why I am not using digital. I prefer the hard copy.) Three weeks past, it is gone. But then I found it! Yeah, the world is a happy place. I flew out the next day and I left it at the airport with my bible! Reading the digital bible for devotions, it’s not the same. My routine is ruined. The airport cannot find them. My bible...gone, my day timer... gone again! Today I converted; I started switching my schedule to digital. (You win)

Alas, my schedule is gone, I’ve lost my rhythm and I’ve stopped having my morning time with God.

Truth is…I am a whimpering, wilting wimp that my personal trainer Holy Spirit has exposed. 

Have you ever thought that you were looking mighty fine doing your sit ups or your push up with ease until some trainer walks by and adjusts your form, now you are struggling to get one done! You thought you were strong but the truth was revealed.

How strong are you? Will you last? Can you outlast the enemy? God is pushing for endurance. He desires to develop a mental toughness in you and I, like an athlete able to push through pain and the fiercest conditions. No matter what comes your way do what you know to do. These unforeseen circumstances we all are facing is strength building time also known as the endurance test. God has given your personal trainer Holy Spirit specific instructions to turn you into a strong, solid, spirit-led superstar who truly reflects the gospel of Jesus Christ in the fullness of His power, grace and compassion.

In the midst of inhumane, deplorable actions of terrorists, respiratory virus that is taking out children and secret sins captured on elevator cams, Holy Spirit has developed a plan of action that will prepare you for what’s ahead. He is raising up youth workers that will remain standing, who know how to push through the thoughts of self-doubt, whose faces are like flint when surrounded by adversity or faulty philosophy’s, a faith and integrity that shines all the brighter when fear and temptation hovers. God is making you strong.

Youth Worker let’s stand together and not allow the trivial to pull us away from our Sabbath, our holy time with God. Remain in that sweet spot and stick with the plan. Spend more quiet time each day, slow down and rest more, pray, read, play with your family, protect that date night whatever it is stay true. Work your muscles even when it hurts. Are your students caving under sexual pressure? Do they decide to live for God but it lasts for only two days. Youth Pastor, this is why, God is making you strong.

It was a rough night and now morning has come, the wimpy side says, “God will understand if I miss our meeting this morning.” My prayer is that you will hear the voice of your personal trainer leaning over your bedside reminding you firmly,

Problems develop endurance. Endurance is developing and strengthening your character. Character strengthens your confidence and certainty in the hope of salvation. This hope will not lead to disappointment. For you will know how much God loves you, that’s why He gave you me Holy Spirit.  When I am done with you, your heart will be filled with His love…SO GET UP!!!  Based on Romans 5:3-5 NLT

Youth Speaker & Founder of the Young Woman of Power (YWOP), Alison hosts conferences and develops programs that are designed to build the confidence of youth such as the YWOP PivotFWD workshop which she delivers in Calgary’s Youth Judicial System and the citywide Young Women of Power Conference. She considers herself to be a pastor to those who don’t want one or don’t know they need one. For more info or to book Alison as a speaker visit www.ywop.ca 

THE SERIES REVIVE US : Time to Implement

This past summer I was away speaking at a number of different teen camps and it has been an incredible experience. I have been learning so much as I began implementing and applying what God has been showing me through this Revive Us Series. For those of you who are new to Canadian Youth Workers, I started a new series just before the summer as a result of the startling responses from a grade 12 class project at a Christian School where they had to create their own church. Holy Spirit convicted me and opened the eyes of us ministry leaders that were in involved with that project. Our students know how to do church but they lack the heart of Christ which is the motivation for why we do what we do.

We have a crisis on our hands. There is a model of youth ministry that is producing church doers instead disciples as mentioned in Matthew 28. These church doers will not be able to withstand the global pressures and pop culture of this age or carry the torch after we are gone.

Revive Us is not about what we need to do to fix the students…No, we are the problem. Our students are a reflection of us. Youth Worker this Fall do not go back to doing youth ministry. Re-examine yourself. This year 'Consecrate yourself for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things amongst you.' Joshua 3:5

How?

1. Be Bold, Strong and Courageous. If He is for you, don't worry about who is against you. Think Big, Act Big, Be Bold. This is bigger than think Big Youth Ministry. When was the last time you prayed the prayer of faith and stuck around believing that God would heal that person right then and there? Yeah, that takes courageous.

2. Preach Jesus. The Gospel Message of God's Love Through Jesus is what makes darkness flee and students free.

3. Take Time To Hear What God Is Saying In The Morning. Are you still in love? Were you ever in love with Jesus or has your relationship with him been more out of gratitude, a Sinner to a Saviour relationship. Yes, that is the relationship Jesus died for but that is not all that He rose again and lives for. Do you love him? Love compels one to listen and seek to understand.

These factors are at the core of what we need within us to go make disciples who will remain standing through all uncertainties. We cannot reproduce what we do not have. It is time. Revive Us O Lord. 

* The purpose of this blog series is not to tear down the students projects for they worked hard on them.  This problem is not a reflection of a school or isolated to the specific city or an age demographic. The views and concerns addressed in this blog are bigger than our youth, I believe it is a reflection of how Christians young and old view the church and what we've sacraficed to make Jesus look cool. 

The Founder of the Young Woman of Power (YWOP), Alison develops programs that are designed to build girls confidence such as the YWOP PivotFWD workshop which she delivers in Calgary’s Youth Judicial System and a citywide Conference. Alison’s heart for young women is to see the statistics of violence against women decrease and to see females become counter culture/culturally dangerous by growing in true confidence. For more info or to book Alison as a speaker visit www.ywop.ca