2011

98 degrees in Nashville!

by p2orange on July 29, 2011 in Nashville, TN (July 25-30) with No comments

Ministry has continued this week despite the average temperature every day being 98 degrees. These groups get out there and get it done with a smile on their face! Here’s a little bit about what the rest of our fearless groups have been doing:

Capstone Community Church & Trinity Baptist Church have joined forces to work with H. L. Edwards and The Merge Church. They have been doing surveys in the neighborhoods around the school where the church meets. They have also helped pickup and clean around the school, as well as make gift baskets to give to the teachers.

Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church from Texas has divided into two groups to help two different church plants. Part of their group is helping out Jess Rainer and Grace Church in Hendersonville. They have been putting on a sports camp/field day. They are also doing community outreach today by picking up trash around Old Victory Lake. This is the first time the city has allowed a church to do cleanup in the city.

The second group is working with Jamie Mosley and Redeemer Church. They’ve been passing out waters and talking to people at the local YMCA. They’ve also been prayer walking and passing out flyers for a movie night that will be held Friday night. Both groupshave made real connections in their communities.

Grace Church is working with Shelby Craig and One Church. This group has been working really hard this week doing canvassing and surveys everyday for this new church plant. One Church has yet to be publicly launched, so this group is telling people in the community about the launch in August.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church & Riverview Baptist Church are both working with Kent Shingleton and Hope Fellowship. Both church groups have been passing out flyers, inviting people to a backyard bible club being held at Kent’s house as well as inviting them to block parties. The groups are also putting on the BYBC and the block parties.

This week has been incredible and its so encouraging to see the passion and drive these students have for reaching the city of Nashville. Pray that they have strength and safety on their ministry sites today.

Grace & Peace, P2 Orange Team

Christ Centered Cincy

by p2blue on July 29, 2011 in Cincinnati, OH (July 25-30) with No comments

Everyone here has been officially challenged this week. There’s a group that wasn’t sure what they were going to do at their ministry site this week, but God didn’t let them fall. There was a group that was supposed to talk and evangelize to people in the park; not many were there. Some people just didn’t have enough to do at their site yesterday. HOWEVER, no one is discouraged. Seeds are being planted in Cincinnati regardless of the effects that will happen tomorrow. Many times that is the thing that can discourage a participant. Prayer walking is a common act at PowerPlant. It’s a wonderful thing, but sometimes it can take a while to see results. In most cases, results don’t happen until the kids have left PowerPlant and gone home to their beds. We try to make sure they know prayer walking is crucial, standing around at the park waiting for someone to talk to is crucial. God is going to do amazing things because of this week; He just may not do it right away.

We are also hoping some seeds were planted in lives last night as we had the Concert of Prayer. Instead of the main gathering, we had a time for the groups to pray about 1. Their personal relationship with the Lord right now, 2. The ministry site they are helping with this week, 3. Hometowns, the cities everyone came from, and finally 4. The nations. It really turned out to be the highlight of the week; many students’ hearts began to stir about possible missions and church planting opportunities in their future. We hope and pray that the seeds that were planted in the students hearts during the Concert of Prayer will be watered by God and sprout into church planters or missionaries–whether that be abroad or right at home.

British Columbian Coffee

by p2red on July 29, 2011 in 2011, Vancouver, BC (July 25-30) with No comments

Tonight… We all took part in something called “The Concert of Prayer”. As helpful and fruitful as sermons may be, tonight we focused on prayer. Prayer of the God-centered kind. Literally… an hour of prayer. It was incredible to see followers of Christ – from student to student leader – praying to our God, begging Him to start a revival in Canada. Please join all of us tonight by praying for the following: The church planter you are working with this week; neighbors in the vicinity of your ministry site; any specific people you have encountered on your ministry site; this city and the work of the local churches that will continue even though this project ends in a few days. Also, for your hometown, your children’s schools, your state and the impact of your church on its surrounding communities.

Respectfully, Casey Roth

Thoroughly blessed this Thursday

by p2green on July 29, 2011 in Madison, WI (July 25-30) with No comments

Once again, the day began with a huge blessing by Bob. We were taught about the Good Samaritan- but from a new angle. We learned that to love your neighbor is to love those who hate you. This is an impossible task for humanity… but not for Christ. Since we were the half dead man lying on the side of the road, and Jesus was the good Samaritan who saved us, poured into us, and is coming back for us, this causes us to rejoice and love God and love others.

With that message, the kids went out and shared the gospel on the University of Wisconsin campus with people who very well may hate Christians. At the end of the day, we hosted yet another block party, where we had the opportunity to love and serve people who know nothing about God.

With that, we spent the night worshiping God and praying for His people at the Concert of Prayer. In this reverent time, we got the opportunity to humbly come before God and ask for the nations. God is at work here in Madison. He is at work in Indiana and Michigan. He is at work in this nation, and He is at work around the world. He has chosen to use us as His hands and feet this week. It is our prayer that we be sent ones, and that others will be built up and sent, ready to go to the nations for the sake of Christ.

Vild and Vonderful Vednesday in Vancouver

by p2red on July 28, 2011 in 2011, Vancouver, BC (July 25-30) with No comments

Ahoy! Today, I had the chance to converse with representatives from both Mineral Wells and Lifepointe Church!

First off, Mineral Wells! I spoke with MaryAnn, and she told me all about how her group went throughout downtown Vancouver washing windows for free. In her words they “…[talked] with people and [told] them where [they] were from and why [they] were here.” She asks that we prayer for the people of Vancouver to be more open to the gospel message.

Secondly, Lifepointe Church! I chatted a bit with a man by the name of Justin Wilkerson. He informed me that him and his team were joyful bust all day fixing up someone’s yard on Behalf of the church plant Church On the Rock; laying some sod, more specifically. Also, yesterday they prayer-walked. Furthermore, they plan on hanging out with the Kids On the Rock. Justin asked that we pray for the success of the church plant’s service ministry.

Check back in tomorrow folks!

Respectfully, Casey Roth

Truly Terrific Tuesday

by p2red on July 28, 2011 in 2011, Vancouver, BC (July 25-30) with No comments

Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, I was graced with the fine opportunity to speak with two representatives from the Glen Meadows group. First off, I spoke with the lovely Brittany Patterson, a participant. She proceeded to explain to me how her half of the Glen Meadows group worked with the Blessed Baptist church plant. She mentioned how they were currently in the process of staging a Block Party within the area in which Blessed Baptist is attempting to reach out to. Some activities included face painting, crafts, a performance by an illusionist, et cetera. Some activities that are planned for the rest of the week include skits, mini-sermons spoken by students and more music. Some things she asked us to pray about were, as she puts it, “…to reach across to these kids… that they would get something out of this.”

Secondly, I also spoke with the leader of Glen Meadows, Mr. William Rainey. The church plant his half worked with was called Gateway. He informed me that they canvassed the neighborhood surrounding Gateway inviting folks to church and passing out “Evang-a-cubes” which had gospel tracks written upon it. He continued t tell me of how they eventually plan on going to the local mall to perform similar tasks for Gateway. He would like us to pray for a Hindu lady that accepted Christ that day; that the church planters do not become discouraged; and also for the people of Vancouver whom are indifferent to the gospel.

Party in Madtown

by p2green on July 28, 2011 in Madison, WI (July 25-30) with No comments

Another successful day under the belt! This morning we were fed pancakes and the word of God. Bob Turner spoke once again, today on the parable of the sower. He pointed out that in order for the seeds to fall (on any soil- good, path, rocky, thorny, or otherwise) one must first sow them. This means that it is not up to us who will receive the word, but rather God.

Taking this lesson with them, the group diligently set out to be bold witnesses today. This afternoon, everyone had an opportunity to host a block party, where MANY citizens of Madison came out to party. Even a local news station came out to document the events. With each snow cone and hot dog passed out, the kids got the opportunity to share the gospel with children, men, and women- seeds were dispersed everywhere.

After a smashing success of a party, the kids returned to hear Mike speak about the work God is doing in the hearts of the people of this city. He cautioned the participants to realize that Christ is working in the lives of the people they will meet. For some, the gospel will seem like an instant attraction, while others will not respond at all. No matter the outcome, the Lord is working in this city, and he is using us as His hands and feet!

Serving in Cincy

by p2blue on July 26, 2011 in Cincinnati, OH (July 25-30) with No comments

According to locals here in Cincinnati, it’s hot here! Being from the south myself, it’s not too bad. However, when students are walking around passing out door hangers, it can get hot quick. Today the teams were sent out into their community to help with specific needs of a church planter. In order to pray specifically for your loved ones here, below is a list of what church is working with who:

Brownsville Baptist Church – Red Door and Rolling Hills Baptist Church
First Baptist Church of Edgewater – The Bridge Oxford
Parkview Baptist Church – Origins
Pleasant Ridge Church – Red Door and Rolling Hills Baptist Church

The speakers have really kicked off the week. Last night Steven Staten spoke on we’re just watching UNLESS God’s awakening. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.” This morning, Dave Dorr challenged the students to evangelize back home. In order to do that, everyone’s house should be built on solid rock (Matthew 7:24-27). Staffers can already tell these guys are making the students think about what’s really important in their life.

Walking, walking, and more walking…

by p2orange on July 26, 2011 in Nashville, TN (July 25-30) with No comments

We’ve started this week with a bang! All groups have arrived safely and are geared up and ready to go! Jason Davis brought a powerful word about abiding in Christ last night during our Gathering and the students took it in and are ready to embrace thecity. After getting a taste of Church Planting this morning and a great meal of spaghetti and meatballs, we set them loose on Nashville.

Over at Parkwood Community Center, Dogwood has teamed up with New Seasons Churchto do kids clubs with the neighborhood kids. With over 100 kids in attendance today, things were wild and crazy when we visited their site today. They have different stations for the kids to go to including crafts, rec and snacks! There is a lot of loved needed and a lot of love to give. Pray for these students and leaders to have patience and strength to work with this bunch of kids this week.

First Baptist Church Sperry from Oklahoma is helping Resonate Church this week. Today we visited them while they were prayer walking and canvassing the neighborhood around where they meet. The church plant currently meets in a Shoney’s on Sunday nights and also at Madison First during the week. The group had some good and bad reactions as they walked around and talked to people, but they knew that whatever they did, they were doing it for the Lord.

Bethany Baptist Church, from Winston-Salem, NC is working with Jason Egly and Ekklesia this week. Today when we saw them they were picking up trash and painting over graffiti on the Laser 1 building. The owner of this building had allowed them to use the warehouse to meet for worship, but by God’s awesome work the building is now to small. The church is moving to the Vanderbilt campus to meet. Students from Bethany will be doing community outreach the rest of the week like helping a family who’s house burnt down four weeks ago. Pray that the Lord will present opportunities for them to share the Gospel and build relationships with these people.

God is moving all over this project and we are so excited to be a part of what He is doing. Pray that all of our groups get rest and are pumped and ready to go each day to their site. I’ll keep you updated!!!!!

Grace & Peace, P2 Orange Team

Movement in Madison

by p2green on July 26, 2011 in Madison, WI (July 25-30) with No comments

Our first day on the work sites of PowerPlant: Madison has come to an end. This morning, the participants got the opportunity to hear from Bob Turner about how to build their houses on the rock, so that when the winds came and the rain poured, they would have a solid foundation. Taking what they learned, the kids went out to boldly proclaim the gospel, preparing gift bags for businesses in the area, telling families about the local church plants door to door, and preparing different conversation tactics to take with them to state street- a street filled with people who need to know the Lord.

Through all of this great conversations were had, and many seeds were planted, that will hopefully sprout and grow in good soil.

At night, everyone attended the Gathering, where we heard about being Christ’s witness in everything that we do, whether that be mission trips, cheer camp, or jobs at fast food restaurants. Christ is sovereign in our lives, and He will continue to put us in situations and locations where we will be stretched for His glory, and where there are people to be reached with His gospel.