September Newsletter

I Just Wanna Be Where You Are...

September 12, 2017

To know God...and make Him known.

Knowing God and Making Him Known

Aloha ,

I just wanna be where you are…

As I sit down to write this, I’m overwhelmed by the goodness of God and that He wants me to spend time with him in his presence. In his presence, I am undone and always overcome by unending love. There’s a song that’s been in my head all morning and the chorus lyrics are:

I just wanna be where you are

I just wanna be near your heart

There is nothing like your love

and the bridge lyrics are:

With all the angels singing

Holy, holy

You are holy, holy

Holy, Holy

Jesus, I love you

When God Moves In Power…

Last week was the corporate week for Summer DTS’s (Discipleship Training Schools). In a corporate week, all the different DTS programs come together for worship and training. This happens in the Ohana Court which is our biggest gathering space on campus. I (Chris) had the honor of leading worship through music each morning. Each day we marveled at how God moved and touched lives. How he brought freedom to students who are preparing to leave on outreach to the nations. They leave in a week and a half. The training centered on bringing freedom in our lives from the things that hold us back. The things that keep us from fully walking in the authority that we have been given as believers. The authority we have as Ambassadors of the kingdom of God.

Passivity…

This is one such area that hinders us from following the call of God in our lives. No matter how well we know the word of God, passivity can cause us to grow at a snail’s pace in our Christian life. Not only does it hinder our growth, but it can literally cause us to move backward in our development. This is why the Devil wants passivity to remain hidden. We will have powerful break-through in our lives if we bring passivity out into the open. Passivity must be destroyed with force in the Christian life. It is the opposite of initiation and causes us to move slowly and resist change and transformation. Passivity is not from the Lord and is a form of rebellion. It is the void that is left when action should be occurring. God has called us out of passivity. He calls us to be active in our faith, building relationships, in service, and in every area of our lives. We should no longer see things the way that the world sees things. Instead, we need to see things the way that Jesus sees things. (Freedom Manual)

You Are Chosen…

The bible says this about us…

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

”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. As God’s co-workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” 2 Cor 5:20-6:1

“You are the salt of the earth…and you are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt 5:14-16 (para-phrase)

Jesus’ Mission Is Our Mission…

When Jesus began his ministry he went to the synagogue and read from Isaiah. He read this:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus came to bring freedom! He came to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He came not to call the righteous but the sinners because it is not the healthy who need a doctor but those who are sick (Mark 2:17). Jesus, who is the way, who taught/modeled the way to live, who is truth, and gives abundant life has all authority in heaven and earth. He has the full power of God…because he is God. In light of that…”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, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.

Missional Living…

Each of our “missionary” work may look different but the call is the same. We need intimacy with God in order to make disciples of all nations. We, as followers/disciples of Jesus, have to be in such a deep place of relationship and intimacy with God. The overflow of our time with God will be to obey everything Jesus commanded. He will empower us by the Holy Spirit to bring to life Jesus’ prayer to the Father. Jesus prayed, “your Kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As we step into Fall, let’s step into a deeper knowing of God and a deeper conviction to make Him known...in love, through word and deed.

Norway…

God is doing amazing things in Norway! I (Chris) fly back to Norway on September 23rd and will be there until Oct 4th. I was asked to be a part of some local church gatherings in Bergen. These are happening as pre-gatherings. They will lead up to a big stadium gathering next June (2018). Our family will be a participating in it! After Bergen, our dear friends in Molde are flying me over to do an intimate worship workshop time. It will be with a few of the worship leaders from local churches. We'll also have a night of worship, and intentional time of prayer as they step into all the new things that God is calling them to. Please pray that this is a fruitful time of ministry for me even in the midst of the new quarter starting at home in Kona. Also, please pray for my wife and family. Pray that God would equip them with everything they need for life and ministry while I’m gone.

Kona…

This fall quarter is shaping up to be the biggest quarter we’ve ever had in the history of YWAM Kona. Pray all the work we are doing to prepare and build new housing all finishes in time. We need enough housing for all students and staff who need housing. Pray for all the staff as we end this quarter, commission these students to outreach, and finish preparations of the new students. They arrive at the end of the month to begin their training as missionaries. We are also in an intentional time of praying and fasting this week. The themes of our prayer are Joyful Repentance, Radical Blessing, Abundant Life on Campus, and Harvest in the Pacific Islands. Will you join in prayer with us as we seek the Lord in these things?

Green Shack…

My friend Vesku and I are in the final stages of renovating the “green shack” and making it into a usable recording studio. We’re very excited about completing this project. With God's help, we will finish in time for the new quarter and before we both leave…him to Finland and me to Norway. We can’t wait to begin sharing the sound that God is releasing here in Kona.

Songs…

All of this leads me back to where we started…music…a song that has been burning in my heart beckoning me into the depths of God. I just wanna be where you are Jesus…I just wanna be near your heart.

Peace be with you always,

-Chris, Lizzi, Malakai, Laila, and Rhema-

P.S. - We would love to hear what dreams God is putting in your heart to reach those in your community with His love!