There is a lot to do. The camp registrations need to be finalized. Need to raise those funds for the convention. Update the website. We have administrative details to complete. The message has to be written. The plane tickets need to be bought. The parents have to be called. Finish training and make a video. Budget must be balanced. The deposit needs to be paid. All are important tasks. All need to be completed.

But Lord, help me if I ever forget the most important thing we do. I don’t need a balanced budget for this to happen. I don’t need to make a deposit to begin this. I do not need a script. It is the easiest thing to do, and the most important thing I can do for a Deaf teenager.

Just show up.

That’s it.

In the middle of the business and administrative clutter (all important stuff, mind you), I think I’m going to take a break. No agenda. No demands. Just show up.
Today, I will just show up. Maybe I will ask “Did you see the game last night?” Let’s see where it goes from there. But first, I just gotta show up.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better…’”

Martha was distracted by the details. Mary just showed up. We can too.

Faithful people like Torrey Johnson, Billy Graham and so many others set a foundation “Anchored to the Rock, Geared to the Times” in Youth for Christ. This foundation is Jesus Christ. When Kathy and I established Deaf Teen Quest in 2000, without compromise, we built upon this same, solid foundation. This ministry is not “our” vision, it is His Vision and we have been so blessed to have been able to see and build so much of it.

There is still so much for us to do. Our task is not nearly complete. Twelve years ago this April was the first gathering of this outreach under the name, Deaf Teen Quest. Since that time, hundreds and hundreds of deaf and hard of hearing young people across the country and beyond, have experience the face of Jesus entering their lives through caring Christian adults, whom we call DTQ leaders.

God is so good! Jesus called to us “Come. Follow me.” This ministry is built, and will remain, on this foundation. “Fun, Friendship, Fellowship, Faith” all fall short if they are without the foundation of Jesus Christ. No other foundation will do. He is the One who has the words of life. He is the One who is the well of water that never ceases to flow. God became flesh and lived among us full of grace and truth. And all of this good work in Deaf Teen Quest is only made possible only through the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

I recognize this scripture is not specifically talking about seeing with your eyes or hearing with your ears, but it struck me this morning as an appropriate description of what we do in YFC Deaf Teen Quest. Deaf students (many of whom have never been told about Jesus) see the gospel in ASL and what they cannot physically hear, they now understand because of the friendship of caring Christian adults in DTQ.

I continue to be in awe of the commitment of our DTQ staff. It is such an honor to lead and empower them for ministry with deaf and hard of hearing young people. For a dozen years now, we have been bringing Grace and Truth through the power of the Holy Spirit as we lift Jesus up. In every conversation I have with DTQ staff, I say a prayer of thanks for the impact they and their leadership teams are having across the country and now in Jamaica. God is so amazing and desires that everyone have an opportunity to see and understand.

Has place a call on your heart for ministry with deaf and hard of hearing young people? Send me an email at bayres@yfc.net and let me know. God is moving in powerful ways across the nation and world. One thing I clearly see and understand, with Jesus, the best is yet to come!

If not us, who? If not now, when?

“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with Him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

“praying… asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call.”

Widespread Prayer… Loving Relationships… Faithful Bible Teaching… Collaborative Community Strategy… Adults Who Empower… these are the foundational priorities – the Five Essentials – of fruitful and sustainable ministry. It all begins with prayer. In fact, prayer undergirds all the other essentials. It is an honor for me to share this journey with you; and yes, I “keep on praying for you” and am grateful for our unity in Christ. The best is yet to come. How shall we follow Him there?

“...accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”

Please read and meditate on this scripture. Consider if God is asking you to commit it to memory. Regardless, I believe it is a message from the Lord to all involved with YFC Deaf Teen Quest. We have been entrusted by God with this mission. Please take some time to really challenge yourself with some of the same things I am challenging myself. Together, we will strive to live lives worthy of His call.

“...our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live”

Two years ago, YFC President Dan Wolgemuth gave a message that in Youth for Christ we have done a great job of moving from “Good” to “Great” but now it was time to move from “Great” to “Godly”. At a recent national leadership meeting, he noted that we have become more “Godly” and now it is time to “Go!” I am making this same plea to you. For me, part of being able to “Go!” is to do a better job of staying in balance spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally and intellectually.

“...made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ”

We cannot do this of our own strength or will to do so. It is only possible because of the grace of God. Transformation is internal but comes from the impact of God’s Spirit upon us. We are called to become holy people bringing an eternal message to lost deaf and hard of hearing young people. I am convicted of my need to better “live a life worthy of his call.” I’ve not been doing anything wrong, but there is much more that I can do right. And God deserves my best.

His call. Not mine. Not yours. But His call to this mission, Youth for Christ’s YFC Deaf Teen Quest; a calling by our God and Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for you, and ask you to pray for me.

I challenge you to look honestly at your own walk with Jesus and ask Him to show you where more transformation might need to occur. This mission is worthy of our commitment into a deeper faith. Deaf teenagers deserve an opportunity to experience authentic, life-changing faith. Good things… honoring the name of Jesus… only possible through His grace.

If not us, who? If not now, when?

There are a couple of towns within an hour of Louisville where Kathy and I love to "get-away" for personal retreats.

The communities share many similarities but some stark differences. They are comparable on several fronts: both are river towns, county seats, accessible to transportation, both face similar economic and social challenges. But one has vibrancy and the other shows serious decline. One is growing and active while the other reflects a past that seems brighter than its future.

What do I believe is the primary difference between these two towns? Vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." as the KJV translates the first part of this text.

The opposite is also true: "Where there is a 'God-given' vision, the people will prosper."

Is this the fundamental difference between towns, organizations, even individuals who either thrive or decline, or even perish? Is there a lesson to be learned from this tale of two towns?

This seems clear. Abraham showed it, Moses led it, David defended it, Nehemiah rebuilt it, Jesus incarnated it... God's vision and our response.

Here is the good news about YFC Deaf Teen Quest: God has a clear vision for this ministry and we are working diligently (and joyfully) to embrace it.

It is God's Vision and it is more than our minds can comprehend. What an exciting time it is for reaching deaf and hard of hearing young people!

Youth for Christ is faithful to God's vision for reaching new generations. YFC Deaf Teen Quest has a unique calling to reach Deaf teenagers within the family of  YFC/USA; full of vision and evidenced in transformed lives. What honor it is to journey together as a mission led by God into a new and challenging era!

Following God's vision is risky but being too afraid to follow is much more dangerous. He leads; we follow. Which town will you be? The journey is great when we respond to those words of Jesus, "Come, follow me."

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.' Simon answered, 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.' When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink." Luke 5:4-7

I wonder how Simon felt about the miracle afterwards. Bemused, probably. How could he have not netted much especially after slaving away throughout the night? For an experienced fisherman, he probably thought he knew all the secrets and tricks of the trade. But after obeying a perplexing command, Simon reaped so much that he nearly sunk.

Perhaps through the lesson, he learned to work smarter. Instead of working so hard, using his experience and knowledge, and bearing little fruit, he should have looked to the Master for answers. After listening to Jesus teach, he obeyed a simple command that Jesus gave him, and he received a reward that overflowed his boat.

This might parallel with youth ministry. One may slave away trying to reach teenagers, graduating with a Bible degree, setting up awesome outreach events, researching for youth ministry curriculums, putting in so many hours, only to have few to none Deaf teenagers following Jesus. The good news is that we don't have to work harder in youth ministry, we only have to work smarter. The best place we can start is to seek the Master, and obey Him and His leading. We can do what Simon has done- listened to Jesus teaching and seeking His wisdom in everything he did, and simply obeying Him.

Jesus's model in reaching out to people is simple and smart. He went out of His comfort zone. He touched and interacted with people. He was present. He was generous and kind. He was there long-term for his disciples. He rebuked and encouraged. He alone empowers us. No wisdom of the world will bring people to Jesus, only the wisdom of Jesus.

May we seek His wisdom and listen to His leading, so we may bear much fruit. May we not become discouraged after working long hours with no results. May our failures lead us to Jesus and His grace, so we may be transformed and learn simple obedience that will bring fruit. May we learn to work smarter, not harder.

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42 

Have you ever read this verse and thought: "Sure, that was easy for them, they didn't have any other choice."

I have. Think about it. Look at this verse, they are spending their time receiving the most amazing bible teaching, eating great food and having really cool prayer times. How could they have gone wrong when Peter and James and the others were their pastors?

During "Fellowship Hall" they probably spent their time talking about when they were at the lake with Jesus and he did this or that really cool thing. What do we get? A verse that looks like utopia, heaven on earth.

I know I compare it to last Sunday when "Howard" once again got in front and took the last of the coffee or cookies. Hey, what happened?

Let's look at Acts 6: "In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food."

Wait. What happened to the listening to the apostles teaching, breaking of bread together and fellowship? Weren't these the same people that were sharing cool church picnic stories about Jesus? Just imagine their prayers, "Almighty Father, please make Hannah see the errors of her ways when she cuts in line in front of me." Where did it go wrong?

So, maybe we are not that different than our brothers and sisters in Acts. Living in community is messy at times because we are. The next time you read Acts 2:42 and feel depressed or upset that we, as the "Bride" of Christ, can't seem to get it together, read Chapter 6 and remember that our brothers and sister were a lot like us: broken, selfish and in need of the gospel of Jesus. This should give us hope.

Yet, as followers of Jesus we are called to be people of hope. We serve a God who comforts us and tells us not to worry. He is with us and provides for our needs above anything we can understand. This is a certain formula for a life of joy and peace; talk with God, thank God, trust God, obey God.

Where we fix our thoughts, our actions will follow. Thoughts lead to words; words lead to actions; actions lead to habits; habits lead to addictions... or good habits lead to holiness. It all begins and depends on our thoughts.

Our thinking applies to every aspect of our lives. It influences our moral choices; how we relate to others. It guides how faithful we are to God's calling in our lives. There are always temptations; the Bible says that Jesus faced every temptation yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). We need to recognize those thoughts or actions that lead us either towards God or towards sin. Choose to respond to God who is actively pursuing you.

Holiness begins with accepting responsibility for our thoughts which ultimately result in behavior. Our behavior forms our habits and identity. Avoid that which pollutes your mind; whether it is media, music, or toxic people. Build healthy relationships with other Christians as a healthy support system. Set your mind on the things Jesus callings you to do. This is the path to wholeness and purpose. We cannot make ourselves holy through our efforts but we can become more like Jesus by following Him. Holiness is a journey of faithfulness in response to grace.

Help young people realize that they are not stuck in their sins. They are never disconnected from the pursuing goodness of God. Yet their choices matter. Help them know there is different way than the one the world tells them; a path of wholeness and goodness. It is the way of the cross and the empty tomb. It is the path that begins with a response to the Jesus who says, "Come, follow me."

Look for the best, expect the best, and believe in the best. Opening ourselves to living more holy lives does not mean we lose touch with those we reach out to. Jesus was God in the flesh yet shared life with sinners. But we are calling people out of sin and into newness of life. Authentic faith is transformational.

It all starts in our minds and hearts. It all begins with responding to a Holy God who wants only the best for His children. It begins with our thoughts and is expressed in our actions. May we dwell on the things of excellence and those worthy of praise. Our lives will reflect these choices. AMEN

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God."

What is life like for you? Is it a burden? Is it enjoyable? Or do you even care? We are meant to enjoy life and live to the fullest. That's what God ultimately wants us to do in life...ENJOY IT! From the beginning God created us to work and take care of the earth (Genesis 2:15).

So, it isn't any surprise that we are here today to work and earn the fruits of our labor. God desires us to find something that we love to do and to enjoy it.

Too many of us find some dissatisfaction in our jobs. Even Christians. I have met several Christians that complain about the place they work! To be quite honest, I was one of them, and I often wondered why. I asked myself if there was something wrong with me.

There was a time when I realized that my focus was in the wrong place. Everything we do is meant to glorify God, so that means we are to work as if we are serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:7).

There can be many reasons why we find discontentment in our jobs. These reasons may be lack of motivation, not making enough money or desiring more money, lack of meaning in the job, stresses, difficult co-workers, etc. These things can come and go in our lives, but some continue to hover over us. I believe that the key is finding contentment in every circumstance (even in our jobs). Eliminate pessimism and cultivate optimism. So, how can we be content in our work? Here are two ways:

1)  We would be so much more interested in our work if we fix our minds that our work somehow honors the Lord. The more we love the Lord, the more our work reflects it. Everything we do is meant to glorify God as it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

2)  We can simply pray. If currently you feel like work is such a burden, ask God to build meaning into your work until His timing for something new is right. It's perfectly okay to desire for promotions or a change of job, but sometimes it's a matter of God's timing. The Lord can show you how you can honor Him in your work relationships and service. If you think about it, our work is more of a calling than a duty. We are called to bring glory to God in all things.

I've been involved in ministry for about five years now and it is hard work! There are days when I feel exhausted and other days I feel like I'm on top of the world. I have a new challenge ahead of me and it's going to require a lot of work.

Do I really look forward to it? Yes, I do, because this is my chance to really trust in the Lord and grow closer to Him.

There's nothing I can do of my doing. Do I fear failure? Yes. Ultimately, it's really all for Jesus. Daily I make it my priority to keep my focus on Jesus Christ for strength, desire, and motivation. By the end of the day, I want to be able to feel good about what I've accomplished that day for the Lord.

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42

Recently, as everyone surely knows by now, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, has passed away. His death has spawned a great deal of reflection and thoughts regarding his life. Of course, I'm a great admirer of his products. His tools have allowed myself and many others to do ministry with excellence. And like many people, I've spent a good deal of time absorbing what others are saying about his life's work, good and bad. But there is an aspect of his work that I have been dwelling on recently.

Not only did Steve Jobs make technology cool, he made it simple. While everything around us has been crumbling, economically and politically, Jobs churned out one beautifully polished product after another, easy to use, usually with only one button, starting with the iPod in 2001. Incidentally, this was just after the World Trade Center attacks.

To the world, for the last decade plus, Jobs' brilliance was that he offered a perfectly articulated form of community that fit into our laptop bags. The "cult of Mac" became a worldwide phenomenon that developed with a common love for all things Apple. People came together because they loved the power of being able to push a single button and get the cheap thrill (expensive thrill?) of controlling "incredibly complex engineering  made simple for the masses." This was a welcome respite in a world that was spiraling quickly out of control.  

That's when it hit me.  If we look really closely, what we see is not Koinonia (authentic, deep fellowship) rather it is iKoinonia.

I coined the term iKoinonia because it's not a real form of Koinonia. It's a way to deal with the unwelcome realities of the world by distracting ourselves with endless apps, to relate with people only through the internet, or any other cheap imitation of the real thing. 

And it's not limited to Apple products, there are many cheap imitations to real Koinonia; iKoinonia can never really satisfy us. 

Apple products themselves are morally neutral. Steve Jobs just wanted to make good tools accessible to people. In reality, anything can become an excuse to become a cheap imitation of real Koinonia. But the "cult of Mac" and "iKoinonia" is one example of a world wide hunger within us for intimacy with God and others manifesting itself in a way it was not intended to. 

Both Deaf teenagers and those of us in ministry with them are in great need of communion by intimate participation in the Body of Christ.   

I'm one of those people. For too long, I've looked toward the Lone Ranger mentality as an effective way to do ministry. But deep down, I want the full richness of Koinonia in my life to recharge me and receive the Word of God through others. I hope my recent purchase of the iPad 2 was not an attempt to fill that void.    

Deaf teenagers across the United States are looking for connections through unhealthy relationships, Facebook and other social pressures to fill the void created by intense isolation. 

Imagine the transformation that takes place if we live in healthy relationships with other like-minded Believers and teach our Deaf teenagers this model.     

2012, I think, will be the year of Koinonia, at least for the Belwood family.  Real, authentic relationships, centering around the apostles teaching, fellowship, prayer, and the breaking of bread as described in Acts 2:42.

May you be blessed with an authentic, rich Koinonia yourself as you serve Deaf teens in ministry, and live Koinonia with them as they experience this transformational relationship with God and His people. AMEN

Where is your rest? Do you find respite within the distractions of activities or in the presence of the Holy One? Returning and resting in God is part of salvation. We know from where our strength comes. Salvation is a relationship with the Holy One of Israel.

Since God is sovereign, does it mean He overwhelms us without respect of our ability to resist? Does God's perfect plan exclude our responsibility? What is our role?

"In quietness and confidence is your strength...

The world tells us that winners take all and everything else is failure. The world tells us that enough is never enough and more is always better. But God's word says our strength springs forth from humility and obedience. Our willing dependence IS our strength. In quietness, we listen for direction.

"But you would have none of it...

Our hearts tell us; our minds remind us; our experience bears out the truth of God's eternal faithfulness but for some reason, we pull back. How can that be? If we abandon our confidence in the One who created us, then to whom shall we turn? What other authority can compare to the God who sent Jesus? We look away. All fall short.

Is this not the Original Sin in consuming from the tree of knowledge of good and evil; we want to be our own gods? We want to determine for ourselves what is right, what is wrong? We know so little yet claim such authority. We live an illusion which leads to disillusion.

"So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion...

The Lord waits. He patiently watches for us to turn around. His Holy Spirit pursues us from even before we are born yet He is SO loving that in all His power, all His sovereignty, He still waits. He waits for us.

How ironic. He waits so He can show us His love and compassion. While we struggle with life as we go our own way. One waits for us so we can experience love and compassion. One who knows us best, loves us most, and waits.

"For the Lord is a faithful God...

How much of what we worry about will really matter in 100 years? Only the things that are eternal will matter eternally. God is faithful. God is good. Does it make sense to stress over the temporal in exchange for embracing that which is a gift, and is permanent? God is true. God is faithful.

Blessed are those who wait for his help."

As you begin another week of praying, preparing, and planning for ministry with deaf and hard of hearing young people, remember the promise of God's presence. Remember He is Holy. Remember He is Sovereign. He is always good. Seek Him and He will be found. Knock and the door will open. Ask and it will be given. Be blessed. Be patient. Be assured that God is a faithful God.

"Now may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father be with you; and may the Holy Spirit come among you and disturb you and trouble you, and set before you an impossible task and dare you to do it; until in your desperation you fall on your knees and remain there until he fills you with his power, which alone will enable you to do it; and then... and only then may the Lord grant you his peace. AMEN"

(Benediction by Archdeacon Julian Dobbs of CANA)

Jesus replied, "I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can't tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit." John 3:5-8

When I was pregnant with my son, we discovered that the due date was November 16th. When there was only days left before the due date, my husband and I did everything we could to safely "encourage" his arrival. My husband threatened to ground Junior if he didn't come on time. I walked miles to try and jumpstart my labor, only to find myself incredibly tired and sore. There wasn't a single sign of possible labor. We could hardly wait for Junior's arrival.

Hardly 30 minutes after the due date had passed and signs of Junior's arrival began. Contractions hit fast and impeccably regular. Fourteen hours later, Junior was born on November 17, 2010 at 2:40pm. It was a life-changing event for our little family.

How I wonder what a spiritual birth is like. How long would the "labor" be required for the birth? Minutes? Days? A lifetime? What would the spiritual birth be like? Would it be uneventful or a joyous celebration?

"... so you can't explain how people are born of the Spirit." There are many mysterious things about His Spirit, and especially, how people are born again of His Spirit. But the evidence is all around us of transformed lives through spiritual birth.

In our work with teenagers, we'll never be able to anticipate exact timing a spiritual birth of a teenager. No matter what we do to "jumpstart" the labor leading to a spiritual birth, it will come on His timing, not our own. We could do everything we can: drag the teens to church every Sunday, sit for hours listening to the teenager's self-centered conversational topics, fundraise thousands of dollars to send teenagers to camps, and many more actions. Sometimes a teenager will go through DTQ and yet never truly become born again. Perhaps their spiritual birth will happen years, or even decades later. Perhaps it will be tomorrow.

Praise God for allowing us to be alongside teenagers for their spiritual birth; to build Christ-sharing relationships with them. How wonderful it is to celebrate births into His Kingdom. And may we be granted the patience, wisdom and discernment with waiting for the teenagers' to be born again and transformed through His Spirit.

God-called... 

Christ-centered... 

Spirit-led...

Worshiping together, sharing the Lord's Supper (Communion) in their homes, sharing meals with great joy and generosity, praising God, enjoying the goodwill of all the people...

Can you imagine? Have you dared to dream what God can do in Deaf World if we begin living like the early church; living in community, in Koinonia? Doesn't it take your breath away a little to ponder God adding to our fellowship, every day, new people being saved? Jesus changed our personal destiny when He died for us on the cross. When He was resurrected, His Spirit sent to us as a community to change the world. Does He not offer this same kind of revival to the Deaf community? How can we not be changed when we have been in the presence of the Holy God?

There is no worldly formula for revival. Claiming credit would be analogous to a surfer proclaiming ownership over the waves upon which she rides. We cannot bend God to our will nor should we ever attempt to do so! Our desire is to follow as He leads. We have prayed to the Lord of the Harvest and He is answering our prayers. God is as active in the 21st Century and willing to pour out His Spirit on our sons and daughters as He was in the 1st Century A.D. Our greatest passion is to respond to what we see God doing in our lives.

So we stand in reverence of the Sacred and strive to be obedient to the One who calls us to share this life in Christ with others. We are foolish to ignore what we sense is happening and the movement of God's Holy Spirit. Several of us have observed that we stand on the cusp of revival in Deaf World unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes. It reminds me of the first warm breezes of spring and the budding of the trees. We need to pause and recognize the movement of God's Spirit. How we should respond? What are we to do next?

So let's go! Let's follow where God leads! Don't be afraid; only fear inaction! God is on the move and let's be on the follow! Sound the call to others!  If not now, when? If not us, then who?

We are call to be transformational in our world, in Deaf World. We ARE a missional community. Experience Koinonia in such a way that it allows this mission to spread in ways you've never dared to imagine. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit propel you into new ways of living, relating, and reaching others for Christ. We have such good news to spread! Don't keep it to yourself.

Koinonia Deaf Fellowship is not a ministry of Youth for Christ/USA but God is using us to give this model away and join in with it. Please, do not delay. God may not be calling you personally to start one but I ask that you share this vision with others. Read Acts 2:42-47 again and again this week, praying for what this might look like in Deaf World. Ask others in your community to consider this model. We didn't dream it up; but we are called to lift it up as a way to create healthy missional communities. Are you ready and willing?

Please visit the Koinonia Deaf Fellowship facebook page for more information.

The term missional community is a popular and contemporary label for an ancient, biblical practice. Three spiritual realities are foundational for healthy missional communities to exist: they must be God-called, Christ-centered and Spirit-led.

A clear picture of this type of missional community comes into focus in Acts 2:42-27. Living as part of a missional community so powerful and visible in this setting that the author Luke observed "and each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." (vs. 27)

Let's take a moment to look more deeply into the four priorities of this early church gathered and how they shared life and mission as described in Acts 2:42:

Apostles teaching - at the time, the only scriptures available to these believers were the Hebrew Scriptures, which we now refer to as the Old Testament. The Apostles, who lived with Jesus daily for three years, were the primary source of what would later become the New Testament. So, the current day equivalent to the "Apostles teaching" is New Testament Bible study.

Fellowship (Koinonia) - the Greek word commonly translated "fellowship" is the practice of Christians living in relationships that are marked by sincerity, authenticity and a unity of mission. There were other earlier versions of communal living (such as the Jewish sect, Essenes) but this experience of Koinonia was different in many ways; including being so influential in the neighborhoods where these followers of Jesus lived.

Breaking of Bread - these gatherings of believers shared meals together. Acts 2:46 expands on verse 42: "They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity." It is important to notice that these relationships were not based solely on friendship but upon the central message and presence of Jesus Christ.

Prayer - the resurrection of Jesus ushered in a new way of living as a Body of Christ on mission in a world desperately needing hope and salvation. As heirs of the promises initially made to Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, they (and we) are "blessed to be a blessing". Part of blessing others includes prayers for forgiveness, healing, strength in persecution and for God's kingdom to come on earth as in heaven.

We are called in YFC Deaf Teen Quest to reach deaf and hard of hearing young people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This will never be accomplished by individuals, no matter how hard we work individually. As we gather in His name in missional community, we are transformed to become transformational in our world.

Are you part of a missional community? Are you living in Koinonia with other Christians? Are you regularly studying the teaching of the Apostles? Are you sharing meals with other Christians and remembering the Host of the banquet when you gather? Are we praying together, really praying, for God's kingdom to show itself here on earth?

Our collective prayers continue for each YFC Deaf Teen Quest ministry to be truly God-called, Christ-centered and Spirit-led. We ARE a missional community. The challenge is to experience Koinonia in such a new way that it allows this mission to spread, flourish and honor God's calling for more Christ-sharing relationships with Deaf young people. We are sharing life and mission, in the name of Christ. AMEN

One of the most intimate moments in life is when you pause and listen to the heartbeat of someone you love. Placing your head against the chest of a loved one and quieting yourself long enough to hear or feel the rhythm of their life: when a couple hears or watches the first ultrasound of a baby in utero or when an adult son or daughter snuggles up on the deathbed of an infirmed parent; when your child cries out in the night from a nightmare and you rush to his or her side, when you lay your cheek on the chest of your spouse and just listen; listen for the heartbeat as all other distractions fade away other than the thump, thump, thump of the heart, again and again and again. You are sensing life - unborn, infirmed, energized, resting - and each heartbeat is a celebration of the mystery and majesty that is life.

All those around us live or die based on their heart continuing to beat, but rarely if ever, would we dare to listen that closely. In fact, it is such an intimate experience that it is usually reserved for those in our families. Everyone you see, everyone you meet, has this relentless beating in their chests that circulates their oxygen-giving blood flowing to every cell in the body. But we almost never think about how vital this organ is until it struggles or stops. Even standing right next to another person, the heartbeat is imperceptible, almost impossible to detect. Yet without it, life would suddenly cease.

So how do we hear the heartbeat of God?  Maybe it's as simple as being still and knowing He is God. Maybe we have to pull away from all the clamor and distractions that draw us away from God's heart. Like a child on the lap of a parent, we draw closely and wait. It takes time for the noise to settle. It takes effort to listen past the spiritual tinnitus, the persist ringing in our souls. We must relax and focus and maybe not even move for a moment, just to catch a sensation of the beating heart. Just listen. Just feel the rhythm. God is with you. God holds you gently. God loves you so much. God wants you close enough to feel the rhythm of His heart and the patterns of His thoughts. He is our Creator; we are His creation. All creation longs for connection with its Creator. We are no different.

Is there a message in the heartbeat? Certainly there is, but no literal translation can be given. It is simply a message of presence. It is a message of assurance and comfort that we are not alone nor will ever be abandoned. We are neither accidents of nature nor orphans without a home because we belong to God and we are loved. We are God's treasured creations and His image is within us. God's heartbeat is for all of His Creation
but especially so for humans who are the zenith of His creative actions.

God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present. God is always good, all the time. This is what the rhythm of the heartbeat proclaims: we are loved by the One who created us. We belong to God, who has not forgotten us. This is the heartbeat of God. As our heart beats in sync with His, we are sent back into the world with concern for the things that burden His heart. We reflect the One who sends us to share with deaf and hard of hearing young people this experience of astonishing, personal, intimate love; the heartbeat of God.

Shhh... just for a moment, listen... can you sense His presence? Are you paying close attention? Are you ready to respond; to receive? Are you willing to go?

"He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love." Job 37:13

When I spend more time outdoors, I see more of the vastness and beauty of God's universe. God is truly amazing. No matter what scientists theorize of how certain parts of the universe are created such as the plant life, the human life, and everything else; God is simply in the midst of it all.

God is the one that formed it all. He has allowed us to explore the universe and discover the new things that God has already created thousands of years ago! What an amazing demonstration of His power. This same power of God can do anything in our lives, especially in creating a new person inside of us, IF we surrender our lives to Him and trust in Him completely.   

No matter the decision we make in surrendering and trusting Him, we will experience trials and blessings. The 'clouds' that God brings in our lives can be viewed as judgment (to punish us) or it can be viewed as mercy (to water his earth and show His love).

The question is what is your focus during trials? Is your focus on God's intent behind your trials or is your focus in how you will respond during trials?

God connects to us in diverse ways. He can be comforting to one person and extremely uncomfortable to another. His blessings can prompt gratitude in one person and cultivate corruption in another. No matter what, it all depends on our relationship with the Lord. For some people, trials bring them closer to God and demonstrate that their worship is genuine. For others, trials drive them away and they want nothing to do with God.   

Job was a man of faith, patience, and endurance. Satan has challenged God that if Job's blessings would be taken away from him, he would abandon God. God allowed Satan to do whatever he wishes to Job except to lay a finger on him (Job 1:12). Job's family, health, livestock, and home all came crumbling down. Job's first response to God was whether he has sinned; but when he realized it was not the reason, he still trusted in God. Job knew God was in control. In this case, God's intent for testing Job was to draw Job closer to Him. And Job did draw closer to the Lord. In the end, Job received blessings far more than he received before the trial he endured.

There are two reasons why trials happen in our lives: 1) we have become distracted and God is disciplining us to get our attention, or 2) God is challenging our faith in Him by developing our character.

Regardless, the 'clouds' will come and go in our lives and it is our decision how to respond. Stop focusing on God's intent. Instead, start focusing on how you respond. Job's response was that he knew he did nothing wrong and trusted in God's glory.

As for myself, I have been experiencing a "thorn" in my flesh that just cannot seem to go away. I have always said if it would go away, things will be a lot better. Boy, was I wrong. My focus was in the wrong place. I've asked God to take it away, but He hasn't. I thought there's a sin in my life that is causing that thorn, but there isn't. I have been too focused on what God is doing to me rather than what I can do to draw closer to Him. Finally, I decided to allow more of God's presence into my life. I decided to embrace the trials in my life in order to lean on Him a lot more. I have decided that it is an opportunity for me to develop my character and grow deeper with Him.

God will bring 'clouds' in your life. It's quite possible that they're hovering over your right now. Regardless, ask yourselves this: "Will I view it as punishment?" or "Will I view it as part of His love and mercy?"

Will you choose to focus on God's intent or on your response to Him? The Lord's mercy is ready to fall upon us and all we need to do is open our arms wide and embrace it willingly. What's it going to be?

Lord, when you send clouds into our lives, we ask that you use the rain to transform our hearts. May we view your clouds as your love and mercy, and be willing to allow You to transform us through it. May you help us focus on ourselves and our response to you through our trials. May you refine our character through the trials in our lives. You are a loving and merciful God, and we thank You for the clouds in our lives. AMEN

Moral excellence and religious legalism are two completely different things although they may, in fact, look alike. Faith in response to grace and forgiveness is the foundation of a morality that is the natural expression of a transformed heart. Conformity in fear of punishment or rejection is the bedrock of socially compliant behavior yet may mask a dark heart. Both seem to be "good" but only one is reflective of life in Christ. The Apostle Peter challenges us to consider these qualities of a transformed life as "true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Holiness is not about "trying" to be good; holiness occurs when we persistently respond to the God within us who wants good things for His children. Holiness is the fruit of abiding (John 15). God knows that when His children respond to the Spirit who comforts, convicts, and guides us; we will naturally get better as we walk with Christ.

The first three years of my life as a Christian were spent trying to be good; the next thirty-five have been about opening my life to a God who wants good things for me. My early years as a Christian, in particular, proved that I cannot be "good enough"; but I CAN take my heavenly Father's hand and walk through life daily.

Somehow, when you hold closely to the One who loves you deeply, sin becomes less attractive. If He loves me this much, then why wouldn't I want to take care of myself and respect others? I want to please my Father who cares so much for me. There is a reason behind every rule He gives. He doesn't want His children to get hurt. That is how loving parents are; they sometimes say "no" to keep their children safe. This is also the heart and nature of transformation; paying attention to our Lord helps us make better decisions. Naturally, when we spend time with Him, we begin to take on His characteristics, traits and perspectives. Holiness pursues us. Our responsibility is to respond.

Let's look at this scripture a little closer. 

Diligence... paying close attention to the things in life that move us in the direction we want to go. 

Moral excellence... humbly living in obedience to the One who desires only good things for His children.

Knowledge... awareness and insight into the mind of God through His Holy Scriptures.

Self-control... recognizing that the difference between temptation and sin is huge; sin is a decision to act upon ungodly impulses.

Perseverance... remaining faithful to our calling regardless of the struggles, trials, and tribulations that we face.

Godliness... yielding to God's Spirit who desires to shape us more and more into the image of Christ.

Brotherly kindness... friendship that expresses itself as a willingness to serve and care for others who need a gentle word.

Love... entering the lives of others full of "grace and truth" and intertwining our journey with the path of others.

Diligence... moral excellence... knowledge... self-control... perseverance... godliness... brotherly kindness... love.

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

We are called to live holy lives in reflection of our Lord who is without sin. Yet we are sinners. The only way to shine these qualities in our lives is through abiding to the vine, Jesus. Our efforts will not be useless; they will not be unfruitful. We begin this process by "applying all diligence". In other words, we must make a serious decision to live our lives in response to God's call in us for holiness. We desire for these qualities to be ours and increasing, for we share in the true knowledge of the Lord.

As you go through this week, turn your focus away from your efforts to be good and towards the God who loves you so passionately. When your thoughts wander and you realize you heart has gone the wrong place, turn back to your Loving Father and say "Thank you for calling me back to you." Don't waste time trying, trying, trying to be good. Spend time opening your heart and mind to the One who draws you into holiness.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." John 10:11-13

Working with the Deaf youth is the one of the most difficult things you can do in your life. At times, it feels like a rewardless, thankless job. You sow seeds in the lives of young people, and once they graduate, you don't know for sure if they'll bloom and they will follow Christ. You have to teach the same thing thousands of time to them before they finally understand. You might have to wrestle with the school administration. It feels like you want to pull your hair out finding interpreters for the teenagers when they attend church.

You often sit patiently and listen for hours about their dating life and how they know their 26th girlfriend is their soulmate for the 26th time. You might experience rejection, animosity or drama in your youth group. All the work you pour in your teenagers at summer camp might feel like it is flushed down the drain once they return home to a dysfunctional family. You might even experience a personality conflict with a fellow youthworker, or unwillingly nurture an ongoing grudge. Being a youthworker is one of the most challenging opportunities out there, indeed.

Jesus said that He is the good shepherd. He is, indeed. He tends after His flock, feeding them and protecting them from the lions and wolves. He is faithful to all of his sheep. He will leave his flock to look for just one lost sheep. His heart is wholly invested in his flock. Just like a passionate owner of a business. The owner would pour in hours of work. He would invest his own money into the business. He would do everything he can to make the business succeed. He would enthusiastically search for business models, products or ideas to improve his business. With an owner like that, it's clear that his heart is in the business.

However, an owner sometimes needs to hire employees to help run his business. Would the "hired hand" (verse 12) display the same degree of devotion as the owner? Would the "hired hand" be willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the business? Probably not.

Jesus said that he doesn't even want one of us to perish. His heart was ripped out seeing those He loves, remain in bondage to sin. He came and sacrificed His life for us to protect us and give us new life. Would a regular human being be willing to do what Jesus did for us? Probably not. The first thing we might do is to run. Jesus also warns us about the "wolves".

What are the "wolves" in the youth ministry that steal away the sheep? Unfamiliarity with the teen culture... insecurity with the Deaf culture and sign language... frustration with other youth leaders or with the teenagers themselves... frustration when the teenagers don't show up... passivity in sharing our lives and His Word with the teenagers... not taking care of our own relational and spiritual health... fear of failure... distractions from the mission... and many more!

Are we, those in ministry with young people, all in it just like Jesus or do we approach ministry like the hired hand? What happens if we see a "wolf"? Would we run? Or would we defend the "sheep" with the passion of a Good Shepherd?

May we be strengthened to face and fight the "wolves" in the youth ministry to the Deaf. May we be encouraged when we face difficulties in serving the Deaf youth, for we can take in comfort that Jesus faced difficulties in serving the people and have overcome.  We are cared for by the Good Shepherd and draw other sheep to our loving, strong Lord. We approach this mission with passion and commitment. We will do our best to care to the sheep entrusted to our care. AMEN

Contact: Bob Ayres

"Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter the gates of the nobles." Isaiah 13:2

In the Bible, the word "banner" is used in battles and wars. Banners are raise to direct the route to cities which are well defended (Jeremiah 4:6) and to call attention to news (Jeremiah 50:2;51:12). In wars, the soldiers need to count on somebody to catch their attention and to direct them to fortified cities where they can be safe from enemies.

Jesus is the Banner of Salvation in our battleground of the world of deaf and hard and hard of hearing young people. Lift Him up! Jesus reaches out to us from the hilltop in midst of the war of good and evil, and beckons us to run and enter the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to choose to seek out and follow the Banner which signals the way to safety and peace, or perish.

In the teenagers' lives, we are also the Banners, calling to them: "Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! Follow Him, so you will not perish!"  

We need to be perched on the hilltops in their lives, in clear sight so they may be able to view the Banner plainly. We need to be shouting loudly, beckoning to them so they will be able to hear us. We need to show them the route to the Kingdom of Heaven, so they can find their way Home. For if the teenagers do not have any Banners in their lives, they will be lost in the war and will die spiritually.  

I pray that we all will pick up the Banner of Salvation, and wave it ceaselessly until the war is over. I praise God for your love for these students. Your faithfulness makes all the difference in the world. Have an awesome summer sharing the story and holding the Banner high. In Christ, only and always. AMEN

 

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" Matthew 9:35-38
 
Church was unique yesterday and I was inspired. It wasn't just spiritual, though it is the major component, but it was educational as well. I thought it would be inspiring to share with the rest of you. I had a brief lesson, well, more of a refresher, about physics. Listening to the youth pastor talking about physics brought back memories to when I was in high school. It's been a while! Physics... what does that have to do with Jesus? Let's take a look.
 
Δ is Delta in the Greek language and it simply means change. This change can be applied to anything in life and comes largely from a transfer of energy. Energy can be transferred from one place to another. The two ways that energy can be transferred is by:

1.    Heat Transfer (by conduction, convection, & radiation)
2.    Doing Work

In heat transfer, heat is given off when an object's thermal energy is transferred. Examples of things in life we use are refrigerators, pressure cookers, washing machines, television, sun's electromagnetic rays, toasters, and more.

Let's dive right in is the "doing work" part of physics. In doing work, energy is being transferred from one object to another. Because there are work being done to an object, it results in a change of energy. Consider an equation that includes acceleration, distance, and time. If any one of these change, the other does. For example, acceleration is a change in velocity. Velocity is determined by speed and direction, so if either one of these changes, velocity changes.
 
Motion, friction, and collision are a part of physics. Suppose you are driving a car down a hill and into a brick wall. The speed of the car accelerates and causes a more powerful collision. However, as soon as you hit the brakes, friction happens, the speed of the car decelerates, and there will be a less impact on collision. All of this is a process of change. When one part of the equation changes, the other part does as well.
 
Jesus works within the law of physics and He is always doing work. How?
1.    Motion - Jesus is always on the move to reach out the lost and sick. He performed many healing and miracles.
2.    Friction - Jesus caused differences among people. Some followed Him, others did not and I'm sure they butt heads with each other.
3.    Collision - Jesus caused conflicts, especially with the Sadducees and Pharisees. The Truth causes conflict with sin.

Whether there was a change in motion, friction, or collision- a change in one thing leads to a change to another. Jesus was able to transfer all of his energy to others through his love.  
 
So, how are we doing? Are we simply standing still or are we producing change in other people's lives? I believe that God has put us on earth to make a difference in each other's lives.  
 
The Bible lists out the things we can determine what our strengths and weaknesses are. It is our duty to recognize our gifts and what we need to work on. In Romans 12:6-8, the apostle Paul lists out different spiritual gifts. All of us have a spiritual gift that we can use to build up God's family. That's why we need each other because our weaknesses can be another person's strength.
 
Through our strengths and weaknesses, we can examine our love for one another. Love is a whole list of unselfish things. None of us are perfect and we all have areas that need work. Let's change so that we can produce change in others. Let's keep moving forward and reach out to the lost. Let's make a difference.
 
Personally, I try to examine my own life to see what I can do to make a difference.  The ministry I'm involved in is reaching out to the lost souls, whether deaf, hard-of-hearing, or hearing. I want people to know that Jesus loves them. I may not always say "Jesus loves you" but I try to put my actions as an example.  
 
Sometimes it means sitting down at the lunch table with a group of teenagers or maybe taking a moment out of my day because someone needs for me to listen to them. Sometimes I need to set aside my own time restraint, finances, and agendas to invest in others. Don't get me wrong; I have my own weaknesses such as pride, anger, and selfishness. I am working on weak areas of my life just as well as I am constantly using my strengths.
 
The harvest is out there, but the workers are few. We need more workers in the field to produce constant change in themselves and others. Be transformed. Be renewed. Seek God's will. Follow Him. Be a living sacrifice for Him.
 
Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."
 
Let all God's people say, AMEN!

Through Christ, our love can be more enduring than their pain. Anger is exhausting. Christian love, which emanates from Christ, is strong. If you can get up one more time than you are knocked down, you win. This is the message of the Resurrection. Enduring love, in the name of Christ, makes all the difference.

For a long time, I called this "unconditional love". The word "unconditional" is much more a product of the 1960's and 1970's than an accurate expression of scripture. God's love may be unmerited or unearned or undeserved or un-understood (that should be a word) but it is not truly "unconditional". There is one huge condition and others that follow. We must give our life to Jesus. This is a condition of receiving the grace God offers. Grace is the gift; faith is our response. As theologian and martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer is oft quoted, Jesus bids us to "come and die." God's grace is not cheap; it "cost God the life of His Son". (from The Cost of Discipleship).

In our Campus Life's YFC Deaf Teen Quest ministry, we must never think of "Loving Relationships" as an alternative to "Faithful Bible Teaching". Christian love is a relationship based on truth as revealed in the scriptures. Love is much deeper than feelings that simply come and go. Love is a commitment.

Sometimes, it means we just keep showing up. Even in the face of rejection of everything we hold dear, our faithfulness remains steady. We might even love others beyond their anger or pain. Enduring love - in the name of Christ who is clearly revealed in the scriptures - wins.