Two specific ways that God has been molding my life for His service are by bringing me to Masters, and by turning my heart to the ways of His heart. Coming to Masters has taught me the discipline and has given me a more intimate relationship with God, both of which are crucial for a life in service to God. By being here, God has also begun to show me who He truly is, and out of that I have more of a desire to live for Him and do His will.
Every morning in worship and devotion we are given the opportunity to really seek after God. This has been such a great opportunity for me because prior to coming to masters I rarely took that time. Now I have become even more hungry for God’s word and I have a new appreciation for the things that God has been doing in my life. I have become more sensitive to His spirit and I am more willing to trust Him. Academics and scripture memory have molded my mind for God’s service. Everywhere I turn I find myself using the knowledge that I’ve gained. I feel so much more prepared to do the will of God. Being in our nightly ministries is another part of Masters that God has used to mold me. It’s really difficult for me to be relational and invest in my relationships with other people. By having the opportunity to go to the same ministries over and over, and spend more time seeing the things that God is doing in these different situations it has been turning my heart to these things and I feel like it’s becoming a little easier for me to show others the love of God.
Through all of the things in masters I feel like God has really been showing me His heart, really showing me what it means to be His disciple. Through this I feel like I am much more prepared to do His work for my life. I have begun to view different situations and opportunities in my life through the filter of God’s will and I have begun to react to these things in ways that would be more pleasing to God than before I came to masters. I definitely feel that by being in masters and by learning what the heart of God is, that I am being molded for His service.
--Andi Sweeney--
First Year Graduate
:: S U N D A Y, J U N E 2 8 t h ::
In March we took a mission trip to the Dominican Republic and on the second to last day we where there we had a great experience ministering to a local village. The team was going out into the local villages to go door to door witnessing, but before we left Tom Sleigh had brought out a balloon animal set. We had about ten minutes of down time before heading out, so Tom tried making a balloon dog and he was the first to figure out how to make a balloon into the shape of a dog, a sad looking dog, but still a dog. So I grabbed several bags of balloons and an air pump thinking that they might be useful somehow in our mission for Christ.
At the second house we stopped at, I saw some children on the front porch and had the idea to make them a balloon dog. Part of our group went into the house to talk with the people inside and I stayed outside making these balloon dogs and in less than 30 seconds I had about fifteen kids surround me asking for more balloon dogs. Then another idea popped into my mind, instead of just giving these kids these balloons dogs let’s try giving them a lesson from the Bible about dogs. Well let’s just say that the verse in proverbs about a dog returning to its vomit was not a good idea for a Bible lesson, but where our mind falls short, God's succeeds and after the total flop of a lesson we decided to move on to the next house, but the children started to follow us. So again seeing the opportunity that God had placed before us, I asked our group what bible story can we tell these children, and somebody said, “let’s tell them about Zacchaeus.” So we had an on the spot, with fifteen kids and no preparation bible story and lesson. I was able to retell the story of Zacchaeus, wanting to see Jesus and having Jesus come into his house, and was able to relate it to how we can have Jesus come living inside our hearts. When I would get stuck in places and not know what to say next my group would fill in, and we were able to create a salvation message right there on the spot. In fact, Pastor Mike and his group were passing by us and he was even throwing in his advice on what we needed to tell these children about Jesus. From what I saw there were four children that prayed the sinners prayer and accept Jesus into their lives. Four children where saved, fifteen children were able to hear the gospel, all because we were willing to use what God gave us at that time to further His kingdom. And for the rest of the day we would find an empty lot or a place that was on the side of the road, fill up some balloon animals and tell a story from the bible about God and his love for us.
--Josh Glock--
Third Year Graduate
:: T H U R S D A Y, J U N E 2 5 t h ::
In May, all of our third year students graduated from Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary, and several of them spoke during the graduation service. Following are some excerpts from Peter’s speech.
“I joined Masters Commission because I felt like it was a good training ground for being a youth pastor. Little did I know that I would acquire all the skills and components that would help form me into the man of integrity that God wanted me to be. Over the past 3 years, I have been able to study the word of God in more in depth detail than I would have ever thought I would. I have learned more about the character of God through our courses, both from my own personal perspective and from the perspective of others as well. My beliefs have been challenged in ways that I did not expect and I have had to learn to defend my faith and what I believe in different situations. This is very important, because as Christians, sometimes we are a little too sheltered from the truth and because of this, our faith is not as strong or deeply rooted as it should be; and so when the storm comes, a lot of Christians find themselves uprooted and violently thrown into a place where they are lost and uncertain of where they are and what they believe in. I have learned how to communicate effectively with people of all backgrounds, faiths and upbringings without being offensive, and also without hiding who I am. Most importantly however, at least I think so, I have learned how to search and study the word of God on my own, and not have to rely on the intelligence and knowledge of someone else. It has been an extremely educational as well as spiritual experience.
I’d like to thank the entire GZMC family for helping me to realize that I am not alone in my pursuit of the King. Each and every one of you have had a contribution in my growth in Christ; thank you. To my brothers, my fellow warriors, with whom I have struggled through bogs of despondency and with whom I have rejoiced and worshipped in the high places, thank you. Without you, I would not know who I am, nor would I be who I am. Thank you all for who you are and for being willing servants to our King.”
If you are interested in being a part of Masters Commission and experiencing all that God can do in your life through intense discipleship and meaningful academic study, fill out an Application today.
--Nic Knapp--
Intern
:: S U N D A Y, J U N E 2 1 s t ::
Through Masters, there are two specific ways that God has been molding my life for His service. One specific way that God has been molding my life for His service is revealing who he made me. For so long I thought I had to be someone different just to be accepted and liked. I had put on different masks and built up many different walls trying to make myself better according to what my friends thought and other influences by the world through television and movie stars. I thought I had to work and change myself to be beautiful and accepted. My standards were following how the world thought and not how God saw it. God has been revealing who He is and also who He has made me. No longer do I feel a need to wear a mask or build up walls so people can’t get close, because as God tore those down, He filled me with Himself. He continues to reveal more of who He is to me. Another way that God has been molding my life for His service is teaching me, through all kinds of opportunities, to love like He loves. It’s easy to just serve but to serve from the heart is different and there must be the right motives. As God showed me who He had made me, He has been revealing areas of my heart that I want to be more like Him, such as the way I view and love people. Loving someone regardless of what they have done or still do. Seeing people through God’s eyes and having a heart like God towards someone.
--Donna Kroll--
First Year Graduate
:: T H U R S D A Y, J U N E 1 8 t h ::
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of how they turned from their idols to serve the one true, living God. What a beautiful picture of repentance! When one lays down the life he/she was living to turn and walk in the opposite direction (toward Christ), they are able to live in the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. The Thessalonians have given a marvelous example of what we are to do as disciples of Jesus Christ. When we decide to give up the idol's in our lives, we are to turn from the things in which our lives were dedicated to and instead be devoted to the LORD. This was a big part of my first year in MC. I knew that there were all these little things that were taking the place in my heart which should only belong to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Simply put, they were idols. So, like the Thessalonians, I was in a position where I had to choose to surrender those things, walk away from them, and live with every aspect of my life in complete surrender to God.
--Rebekah McCrorey--
First Year Graduate
:: S U N D A Y, J U N E 1 4 t h ::
God blessed us with so many amazing ministry opportunities during the 2008/2009 year. This video highlights some of the incredible things we were able to do, including our mission trip to the Dominican Republic, rallies, youth conventions, and so much more. Praise God for an amazing year. If you are interested in Masters Commission, fill out an Application today, or visit our About Us page for more information. Also, don’t forget to check out our youtube page, GZMastersCommission, to see more of our videos.
--Nic Knapp--
Intern
:: T H U R S D A Y, J U N E 1 1 t h ::
God has done so many incredible things in our lives during this past year of Masters. Over the summer we want to share with you a few testimonies from the students that talk about what God was doing in their lives at different points during the year. One question that was posed to all of the first year students in March was, what are some specific ways that God has been molding your life for his service? Arielle talked about obedience and a heart for the world around her.
"God has been molding my life in two ways: teaching me to serve and obey Him and giving me a heart that is broken for this world. I don’t know what God is calling me to, but I know that it is much bigger than me. Over the past few months, I have begun to seek God’s will for my life and in response I feel that He has been teaching me how to serve Him, and more importantly how to obey Him and live my life in a way that better reflects Him. Once I began to focus on Him and ask that He would direct my life, I feel that He has begun to show me the importance of a servant’s heart and obedience. I pray that God would continue to speak to me and that I would learn to listen even more closely to His still, small voice. I know that these next few months in Masters are going to test me even more. I know that God still has plans that He wants me to fulfill here in the upcoming weeks before graduation. I want to remain focused and be obedient to do what He asks of me.
In the past, my focus was always on myself. In one way or another, everything was always about me: how something made me look, or what I wanted or needed. I never even considered the fact that this selfishness would prevent me from being used effectively in ministry. I have always known that I am called to be in ministry, but in high school I couldn’t see past myself. I got hung up on the insignificant stuff and couldn’t see the whole picture. However, since being in Masters, I have asked that God would give me a heart for other people. My desire is to embrace what God has for me, and I know that my heart has to be prepared for whatever is next. I pray that God would give me a heart that feels the weight of responsibility, and desires to carry out His will for my life regardless of how it makes me look, or my wants and needs. I know that God has begun to change my heart and the way that I act and react to situations."
--Nic Knapp--
Intern
:: T U E S D A Y, J U N E 9 t h ::
We are still accepting applications for the 09/10 year. If you are interested in taking college credits while learning through hands on experience, Apply Now. Masters Commission is great for anyone who is seeking to grow closer to God, whether you are planning on going into the ministry or not. Through your experience at Masters Commission, you will gain real life experience that will help you no matter what your future holds. Click here to Apply for Masters Commission, or check out the rest of our site for more information.
--Nic Knapp--
Intern
:: T H U R S D A Y, J U N E 4 t h ::
It’s hard to believe that the year is over already. Graduation is always a bittersweet time, and this year especially. We are sad to see the end of an amazing year that feels like it should’ve continued. At the same time, we look back and are overjoyed by all that God has done in us and through us. And amidst all of this, there is an incredible underlying excitement for next year and all that God is going to do. We held our graduation service this past Sunday, and it was an amazing service. It is always awesome to see how God works in our lives even on the day of graduation. It was an incredible time of sharing all that God has done in our lives through the year and to celebrate that with our family and friends. It was incredible to see all of people that came out to the graduation, people that God has affected through us and people that God has used to affect us. All glory to God for an incredible year of Masters. A year of ministry, family, growth, and so much more.
--Nic Knapp--
Intern
:: W E D N E S D A Y, M A Y 2 7 t h ::
Yesterday was our Academic Graduation from Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary. We went down to Ridgley Maryland where Chesapeake Bible college held a special graduation service for us. We are very thankful for Chesapeake and all that they do in providing us with a high quality education. It is amazing to see that in all of their academic work, the staff of Chesapeake Bible college keep God as their focus, and that truly sets them and their classes apart. We are blessed to be able to work with them. At the service, the following people received their Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministry: Nicholas Cirino, Vanessa Crowder, Joshua Glock, Nicholas Knapp, SherryAnne Macpherson, Breanna McCormick, Peter Odulana, Belinda Renkens, Cassandra Strycharz, and Katy Swiger. The following people received their Diploma of Christian Ministry: Kristen Carlson, Donna Kroll, and Alexis Tebbs.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, M A Y 2 6 t h ::
This Sunday we went to Hamburg, and it was an amazing time from start to finish. We helped out with their outreach during the afternoon, and we also had a lot of time to talk with students. They had a weightlifting competition, a water balloon launch, dart throwing competition, and you could also just hang out and play Wii. Then, at the end of the night, they gave away an iPod Touch. After the outreach, we did a rally, and God’s presence could be felt in that room. All of the dramas that we did, were really relating with the students and the stuff that they were dealing with. At the altar, God hit these students and, they were hungry to go after Him, and they all came up to the altar. We had the opportunity to pray with them and talk about what God wanted to do in their lives. It was just an amazing night for all of us.
To see pictures from the rally, go to our Photos Page.
--Jacob Smalls--
First Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, M A Y 2 6 t h ::
This past Sunday we had the opportunity to serve at an amazing ministry in Philadelphia called Chosen 300. On Sunday mornings they bring people in for a worship service, and then feed them breakfast. These are people that may not have homes, and they may have no idea where their next meal is going to come from, but Chosen 300 ministries is committed to showing them the love of Christ by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. In addition to helping cook and serve the food, we had the opportunity to do a few dramas during the service and pray with those who came. It is always humbling to be able to serve those who are less privileged than yourself, and it makes you grateful for what God has given you. It was also incredibly uplifting to see their faith and their hunger for more of God. While Chosen 300 does meet the physical needs of the people it serves, it is a ministry that is focused on meeting their spiritual needs. It was truly a blessing to be a part of such an amazing ministry.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: F R I D A Y, M A Y 2 2 n d ::
Graduation
is quickly coming upon us. All are welcome to come and experience the heart of
Ground Zero Masters Commission through stomp, dramas, testimonies, and much
more. This will be a time of sharing all that God has done through the year.
Join us on Sunday, May 31st at 6pm at the Christian life center, 125 Saginaw RD,
New London TWP, PA 19352. We look forward to seeing you there.
Click here for directions to the Christian Life Center.
For more information, call: 610.869.7332 or email Christine@gzmconline.com.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T H U R S D A Y, M A Y 2 1 s t ::
On Sunday we went to Cedarbrook Church in Maryland where we were able to spend time with both the Junior High and Senior High students. (the Wave and Oasis) We had time to spend with the student both before and after the rally and it was a great time of God starting something new in the students. We were so blessed to be able to be a part of what God was doing and blown away with how everyone responded to the altar call. Many made a commitment that they were starting over and making a decision in their lives that they wouldn’t be the same or live the same way they had been. They realized that God was calling them deeper and they answered the call. It was not only a time when we got to see God move in others, but God was moving in our hearts and lives as well. It was such a blessing to talk with the students after the altar call and see how they were planning on stepping forward in their relationship with Christ that it encouraged us as we make that same commitment daily.
Last Friday while one team was at Ground Zero, another team had the opportunity to go to Melrose UMC and do a rally. The church used the rally as an outreach event, so there were several churches involved as well as a lot of other people. We had lots of time before the service to get to know people, there was a gym, a Frisbee game outside, and lots of other stuff. There was a band that came in and opened the service with worship and then we moved into our rally. It was great to be a part of all that God was doing in people’s lives, and the relationships we built before the service opened doors for us to talk to people about what God was doing in their lives.
To see pictures from the rally, go to our Photos Page.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, M A Y 1 9 t h ::
On Friday, we were able to do a rally at Ground Zero Varsity, our senior high youth ministry. It was an amazing night. God moved so powerfully in all of our lives. As is custom for Ground Zero, we started the night with some hang out time with video games, pool, air hockey, ping-pong, and all kinds of other fun stuff. As we opened the service, the worship team played a few songs. I love when we are able to start our services with worship, it just sets the focus of everything on God and what He wants to do. We then moved into our rally. Although our rally had the same elements that it always has, it was special and just a little different because we were with our home students. Students that we know and have shared experiences with, good and bad. The altar time was especially amazing because we were with students that we have been open with for nine months or more, and so we were challenged just as much as they were, and we were able to be an encouragement to each other. We are so thankful for the tremendous students that God has placed in our youth ministry, and it was a blessing to grow closer to God with them.
Go to our Photos Page to see pictures from the rally.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: F R I D A Y, M A Y 1 5 t h ::
We are still accepting applications for the 09/10 year. If you are interested in taking college credits while learning through hands on experience, Apply Now. Masters Commission is great for anyone who is seeking to grow closer to God, whether you are planning on going into the ministry or not. Through your experience at Masters Commission, you will gain real life experience that will help you no matter what your future holds. Click here to Apply for Masters Commission, or check out the rest of our site for more information.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: F R I D A Y, M A Y 1 5 t h ::
This morning we had the opportunity to go with Pastor Mike to Delaware County Christian School for a morning chapel on Media and it’s influences on us and our perceptions of everything around us. We had the opportunity to talk with some of the students and hang out a little bit before we started the chapel and then Pastor Mike spoke and we did the drama ‘Overloaded’ for the students. It was a really good time to be able to talk with kids and see how they were made more aware of what was happening in the world around them and how media is so prevalent in today’s society and the impact that it can have on our views of ourselves and our interactions with others. Many students made a commitment to be more guarded in their hearts and minds by what they watched and listened to and it was a blessing for us to see young people taking a stand against what our society considers ok. Also, please pray for our GZ rally tonight for our senior high students.
--Belinda Renkens--
Third Year Student
:: F R I D A Y, M A Y 1 5 t h ::
Last night we had the amazing opportunity to do a youth rally at Ground Zero, our home youth ministry. We have been building relationships with these students all year long, and we love them so much. It was awesome to be able to do a rally for them and challenge them to grow deeper in their walk with Christ. God has blessed us with tremendous students that are always hungry for more of Him, and this was clearly evident during the altar time. Also, like always, we had time before and after the service to just hang with the students and be a part of their lives. It is awesome to see all that God is doing in our students lives and it is a blessing to be a part of it.
Last week we left on Wednesday for Clarksburg, WV and did a rally at Family Christian Fellowship A/G, Christina’s home church. It was and amazing time, there was a great turnout and God moved in amazing ways. It was truly a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing through the youth of Family Christian Fellowship.
Then on Thursday we did two school assemblies with the Seven Project at South Harrison High School. One for the Junior High and one for the Senior High. It is always awesome to be able to work with the Seven Project and talk to students in public schools about making positive choices. Then on Friday we did two school assemblies at Bridgeport High and one at Liberty High. Then that night we did a night rally in which we presented the Gospel. There was a great turnout of students from all three schools, and there was a great altar response. It was so awesome to be a part of what God is doing in the next generation.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, M A Y 1 2 t h ::
Tuesday of Last week we left for our Ohio and New York tour. That night we did a rally at Fuelhouse Youth Ministry. Pastor Mark, the youth Pastor there, was Nancy’s old youth pastor. It was a great group of students that were truly hungry for more of God. It was awesome to be a part of all that God is doing in and through Fuelhouse Youth Ministry. Then on Wednesday night we did a rally at The Race Youth Ministry. This was Nancy’s home church, so it felt very much like family. We had a lot of time to spend connecting with the students, and again they were a group that was hungry for all that God has for them. It’s always a blessing to be able to visit the home churches of our students.
Thursday we didn’t have any rallies, so we spent time with Nancy’s family at her house. It was awesome to be able to get to know her family and spend time with them. This was also a much needed time of refreshment for us. We then traveled to Buffalo, NY where we spent the night at Evangel Assembly of God church.
Friday night we did a rally at a church in Liverpool, NY. The church brought in several youth ministries in the area, and it was awesome to see the unity among the different churches. The students there were incredibly open and even though we didn’t know them at the beginning, it felt like we were at home and by the time we left we had built great relationship with everyone there. From there we traveled to Pleasant Valley, NY on Saturday and did a rally at my home church. It was great to be back with family, and to see all that God is doing in my church. Finally on Sunday morning we had the opportunity to do the message during the service.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, M A Y 6 t h ::
This past weekend we traveled to Dundalk, Maryland, an urban community near Baltimore, to work with the Seven Project in the high school there. We helped load in and set up sound and video equipment before the assembly and did stomp and human videos during the assembly itself to help illustrate the speakers points about substance abuse, anti-violence, sexual purity, and several other topics. We spent lunch with students and even played stomp in the school cafeteria as students were eating. At the end of the assembly we invited them out to a rally that night at a local church. Over one hundred students showed up that night and enjoyed basketball and volleyball as well as X-Box and free food, and at the end of the night we shared the gospel with them. There were students who had heard about the rally at school that morning and came out just as a way to get away from home. We were able to personally pray with some of these students as they chose to accept Christ for the first time. I talked to one student who told me he had resisted believing that God existed until God changed his heart that night.
This past weekend we spent three days at World Outreach Church of God in Patchogue, NY. This is our third year going to World Outreach church and it was really great to be back again. The church was so welcoming and from the moment we arrived we could feel the family atmosphere. Several different churches that attended the Friday night youth rally, and it was awesome to see the unity among the different churches. God moved in amazing ways in the lives of everyone there, and there were many people that came forward to grow deeper in their walk with God.
On Saturday morning we did workshops on purity, dramas, sharing your faith, and identity. Students who attended were able to learn about their identity in Christ and how it affects their lives, talk about purity and ways that they can keep themselves pure, they learned a drama and how to use dramas in ministry, and they also learned how to use their testimony to share their faith with their friends. The students who came were truly interested in growing deeper in their relationship with Christ, and it was awesome to see all that God was doing in their hearts.
Saturday evening we did a service based on our surrender seminar. We talked about what surrender means, how it affects our lives, and some practical ways to surrender ourselves to God. It was a time of going deeper in our relationship with God. A time of getting past the surface and laying down the things that we want to hold on to, the things that God is asking us to let go of. We had a white flag at the front of the room and at the end of the service we opened up the altar to for anyone who wanted to come forward and write down on the flag the things that they needed to surrender to God.
We also had the opportunity to do a couple of skits during the Sunday morning service. This is an amazing church that welcomed us with open arms. It was such a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing through their ministry.
This past weekend we went to Woodbridge, VA to help with the Potomac district Youth Convention. We went down on Wednesday and helped with setup. We set up an amazing light system as well as sound and video. During the convention we helped with security, back stage stuff, helped the bands load in and out, worked video cameras, and also helped at the district’s product table. There was an amazing speaker who challenged the students to live their lives completely for God. On Saturday we had the opportunity to do stomp outside during the lunch break. It was great to be back in the Potomac district, we have spent a lot of time with the students and leaders in that district, and have great relationships with many of them. Overall, it was an amazing weekend, and we were blessed to be a part of all that God is doing in the Potomac district.
Go to our Photos Page to see pictures from the Potomac Youth Convention.
Also, a few weeks ago we started a twitter, so you can now keep up to date on all that we are doing. You can go to our Twitter Page and follow us to get frequent updates about all that we are doing.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, A P R I L 2 8 t h ::
Wednesday we left for Appomattox VA, but about an hour before we got there we found out that the church we were scheduled to do the rally at had to cancel
due to circumstances out of their control. We were blessed by Buena Vista
Pentecostal Holiness church who provided a place for us to sleep and fed us an amazing breakfast the next morning. Then on Thursday we headed to Beckley WV and started setting up for the Appalachian district A/G Fine Arts Festival and Youth Convention. It was great to see Pastor Chet again, and for the last time as DYD of the Appalachian district. He is moving on to become the National Director of Speed The Light, and we are very excited to see all that God has for him in that role.
Friday morning we finished setting up for the convention, and that afternoon students started arriving. We started the night with a service. Pastor Chet led worship, and the guest speaker talked about putting your faith to action, challenging the students to get out and do something for Christ. We then moved into the first session of the Fine Arts presentations. Fine arts focuses of helping students discover, develop, and deploy their ministry gifts, and it was a blessing to be able to help this students grow in the gifts that God has given them.
On Saturday, we continued with the Fine Arts presentations and then moved into another service. After lunch we finished the Fine Arts Presentations and had the final service. Pastor Aaron was introduced along with his wife as the new DYD, and Pastor Chet and his wife shared some parting words with the students of their district. A lot of people got sick on Saturday, and it was a time of perseverance and relying on Christ as we ran the convention and then tore down afterward. But God is faithful and provided us with the strength we needed to make it through.
Click here to see pictures from the trip to West Virginia.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 2 2 n d ::
This past weekend, while part of the team was in Massachusetts, there was a team that went to Tri-County Worship Center, Arielle’s home church. On Saturday we went out into the community and did a kids outreach called Crazy Kids Day. We did face painting with the kids and also made balloon animals and gospel bracelets with them. Then we did a skit for the kids and taught a message about staying away from sin. Then in the afternoon, we spent a couple of hours doing yard work and other jobs for people in the community.
On Sunday, we did a portion of the Sunday morning service and even taught some of the congregation how to do stomp. Arielle also had the opportunity to talk about all that God has been doing in her life through masters. Then on Sunday evening we did a rally at a local youth center called On Fire Youth Ministries. We went in and were able to spend time with the students, playing basketball, volleyball, and lots of other stuff. Then the teen worship band from Tri-County Worship Center started the service with worship. After worship we did stomp and some skits and dramas. It was awesome to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the students there.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, A P R I L 2 1 s t ::
On Saturday we had the opportunity to be at Winchendon United Parish. We were there last year during our Massachusetts tour, and the youth there were extremely excited to have us back. They were just finishing their 30 hour famine as we were arriving, and from the moment we walked in the door the presence of God was evident. Throughout the night God continued to reveal Himself in amazing ways. The service was anointed in so many ways, and it was incredible and humbling to see how God used us to minister to those who were there. God dealt with a lot of issues in people lives, and healed a lot of wounds. Sherry did the altar call again, and it was amazing to see how God worked through her, and how much she had grown from her first altar call (which was good) to her second one. In just a few short hours, because she was open and willing to learn, she had grown so much. That’s one of the great things about Masters Commission, as long as you are willing, there are always opportunities for you to grow in.
Go to our Photos Page to see pictures from the youth rally.
If you are interested in learning to do ministry through hands on experience, or if you are just looking to grow in your relationship with God, Apply for Masters Commission.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: S A T U R D A Y, A P R I L 1 8 t h ::
Last night we were blessed to be able to minister at Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg Massachusetts. PJ, who graduated with us last year, is the youth director at the church, and it was amazing to see all that God is doing through him. The rally was amazing. God moved in incredible ways in the lives of everyone there, including our lives. Sherry did her first altar call, and it was absolutely amazing. God moved in powerful ways through the words she spoke. It was such a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing in Massachusetts and to be able to support PJ and his ministry. There was even a girl there who gave her life to Christ for the first time! Praise God!
This morning we did purity seminars at PJ’s church, one for guys and one for girls. We just spent some time talking to the students about relationships, dating and purity. The groups were fairly small, but the students that were there were serious about pursuing God and honoring Him in their relationships. It was awesome to see students who were serious about God, and who were willing to sacrifice temporary satisfaction and what their friends might think in order to pursue Him.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to lead the midweek service at Bethel Christian Church in Bristol, CT. The church was extremely welcoming, and they provided us with amazing food. We opened the service with worship, and it was immediately evident that everyone in the building wanted more of God. The presence of God was so real in that place, and we were all moved by Him. At the end of the service, several people came up to the altar, and gave God control of things in their lives. Many people were struggling with the future. Trying to figure out God’s plan for their life, trusting God to provide for them, or just letting go of the fear of the future. We also met Josh, a student who is interested in Masters Commission and had even received information from us. This morning we had breakfast with the pastor of the church and Josh, and we just had a great time sharing what God is doing in our lives.
We then traveled to Horizon Christian Fellowship, the church we will be ministering tomorrow night. PJ, who graduated from our Masters Commission last year is the youth director there, so we had time to just hang with him and share with each other all that God is doing through our ministry. He is working on an amazing youth room, and God is doing amazing things through his ministry. We are currently at Lindsey’s house, another student that graduated last year, and we are just spending time together, relaxing and fellowshipping. It is such a blessing to see old friends and just spend time together as a family.
Last night we were at Embassy Youth Ministry of Cornerstone AG in Massachusetts and it was an amazing service. Before the service even started, the presence of God was so evident, and then we went in to a time of worship. The Masters Commission worship team had the opportunity to lead worship, and it was truly a blessing to be able to join the students in worship. We then moved into the rest of our rally, and it was amazing to see how tangibly God was dealing with issues in the student’s lives. Many of the students were dealing with a lot of stuff in their lives, from family issues to pressures from school and a lot of other stuff. It was awesome to see how God was dealing with those issues in their lives, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the healing God was doing in their lives. We had a great time at Cornerstone and even got to meet Kaley, who is accepted for next year of Masters. It was such a blessing to be at Cornerstone AG and be a part of what God is doing.
To see pictures from the rally, go to our Photos Page.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: M O N D A Y, A P R I L 1 3 t h ::
Thursday and Friday of last week, we had the privilege of being able to help with the Penn-Del A/G youth convention in Hershey, PA. It was an absolutely amazing weekend and it truly was an honor to be a part of it. This is the home district of a couple of our students, and we have also visited many of the churches in the district, so we saw a lot of familiar faces. Worth Dying For, the worship band for the weekend, led us in times of praise and celebration, as well as intimate times of worship, and the word of God was delivered by Robert Madu. He did an amazing job of teaching the word of God, and how it applies to our lives. There were nearly six thousand students at the conference, and about half of them responded on Friday by committing themselves to pursue God with everything, and follow the call He has placed on their lives. It was an incredible weekend that had a real and tangible impact on everyone who was there.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 8 t h ::
This past weekend, we got to visit Clintonville, PA and do a youth rally there. It was a great time, and we got to see a lot of familiar faces, as our friends from Oil City came to the rally. Cassandra got the opportunity to give the altar call and it was completely anointed. I know that it had as much of an impact on us MC students as it did on the teens at the rally. God really moved in a tangible way that night. On Sunday morning, we were able to be a part of the Palm Sunday service at the same church. There’s nothing better than starting out the Holy Week with a little Stomp! Pastor Mike was able to give the message, and again God moved in a mighty and powerful way.
On Sunday night we drove a couple of hours to a church called Glad Tidings. The opportunity we had there was so God ordained. We didn’t even know that we would be there until just before we left for the trip, but I believe firmly that God knew we would be there and He had some divine appointments ready for us. The congregation was so welcoming, and it instantly felt like we were home. Peter even got the opportunity to play drums for worship that night! God’s presence was so heavy on the service, and I don’t think that anyone left that night unchanged, Master’s Commission students included. I know that God did some radical things in my life that night. Pastor Tony ended the night by encouraging us to just sit for a while in God’s presence. It was so good to be able to come together as the body of Christ and just seek the Lord together in worship and in prayer. God was so faithful to meet with us this weekend, and He showed up in so many incredible ways!
To see pictures from the weekend, go to our Photos Page.
--Nancy Kemp--
First Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 1 s t ::
Join
us for the Ground Zero Masters Commission class of 2009 graduation! You will
have the opportunity to hear testimonies from the graduating class about what God has done in their lives this year,
and you will also be able to see some of our dramas, skits and our new stomp. All are welcome to come and experience the heart of Ground Zero Masters Commission. Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 31st and join us at the Christian Life Center, 125 Saginaw Road, New London TWP, PA 19352.
Click here for directions. For more information, call: 610.869.7332 or email Christine@gzmconline.com.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 1 s t ::
This morning we once again had the privilege of being able to be a part of the chapel at Red Lion Christian Academy. It is always a blessing to be a part of their ministry. We did two chapels, one for junior high and one for senior high, in which we did stomp and a couple of dramas that challenged the students to surrender to God the things in their life that are holding them back. At the end of each chapel the students broke up into small groups, and we had the opportunity to be a part of the small groups, talk about the things the students were dealing with, and pray for each other. Afterward, we were able to hang out with the students for two lunch periods. It was a great time of building relationships with the students, and being able to encourage them in their walk with God. The students in Red Lion were eager to grow and learn, and they earnestly desire a deeper relationship with God. It was a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in their lives.
This past weekend we took over 150 students to North Bay retreat center in Maryland for our [un]plugged spring retreat. It was an amazing weekend where we got to spend time with the students from our youth group and deepen our relationships while challenging each other to grow closer to God. The band Compelled led worship for us and Jason Maupin, an internationally known speaker and graduate of Fort Myers Masters Commission, challenged us to examine our walk with God and give Him every part of ourselves. Small groups and workshops provided time for students to build relationships and talk about what God is doing in their lives. We also had lots of fun playing dodge ball, basketball, on the rock climbing walls, high ropes course, zip-line, and the new giant swing. We also had our annual GZ Olympics, and our famous glow-in-the-dark dodge ball. In the end, it was an amazing weekend of building friendships and seeking after God.
Check out pictures from the retreat by going to our Photos Page.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T H U R S D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 t h ::
We
are very excited about this weekend. We will be going to North East, MD and running our Ground Zero Spring Retreat.
This year we have nearly 160 students coming to spend a weekend seeking God. At ground zero our motto is, “Serious about fun.
Serious about God.” In being serious about fun, there will be video games, open gym, dodge ball & basketball tournaments,
climbing walls, high ropes courses, a zip-line, our famous glow-in-the-dark dodge ball, and our very own Ground Zero
Olympics where cabins will compete against each other in some crazy games. Being serious about God, we have the band
Compelled leading us in worship for the weekend, and Jason Maupen, a graduate of Fort Myers Masters Commission and
internationally known speaker, will be challenging us to take a deeper look at our relationship with God. The Spring
Retreat is one of the most anticipated weekends of the Masters year, because we get to spend all weekend with our
youth group students and be a part of what God is doing in their lives. It’s also a time where we have the opportunity
to examine ourselves and see what God is doing in our lives. The theme for this year’s retreat is unplugged. We are going
to get “unplugged” in our relationship with God in the sense that we want to be real, open, unprocessed, and raw in our
relationship with Him. We don’t want to have a relationship with Him that is polished and perfect, but rather one that
is real and meaningful. Please pray for the spring retreat and all that God is going to do!
Also be praying for the Metro Maryland Youth For Christ retreat called "IMPACT" which is being held this same weekend.
Ground Zero Masters Commission is sending six students down to help setup, run security, and to teach a workshop
for teens on how to share their faith with their friends in practical, step by step, real life, ways.
Lastly, we're holding our Spring Preview Day next Friday, April 3rd. If you haven't signed up yet, click the link on the
left for our College Preview Day Registration.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T H U R S D A Y, M A R C H 2 6 t h ::
To say that this past week has been incredibly hectic would be an understatement. In addition to the team that went to Virginia, some of us went to West Virginia and then to western Pennsylvania. We all got back home from the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, and on Wednesday my team left for West Virginia. We had the opportunity to be a part of some 7 Project school assemblies with Kevin Dawson, the Youth Alive Director of the Potomac A/G youth district. It is always amazing when we get the opportunity to go into a public school and reach out to the students there. So many of them are hurting, and even though we are unable to preach about Christ, we can share his love by showing these students that someone really does care. In regards to
our team, it is always an incredible experience when one comes to the end of
himself, both physically and spiritually, and he has no choice but to put all of
his trust and dependence on God. Even though we were all tired, the team kept
their composure and did all that was required without complaints.
We also got the chance to minister at the churches of two of our 1st year students which was incredible. It is always encouraging to see the moral and spiritual support that comes from the friends and family of a student; it reveals the background that the student came from and how God had been nourishing them before they even came to masters. Since we left, God had been with us and it is always such an honor to join Him where He is already working. We got to witness and be a part of people who made the decision to follow Christ, we saw people recommit themselves to Christ and we even saw a couple of young men who were very deep into Satanism delivered from it, all because God’s plan was already at work in their lives. The kingdom of God is forcefully advancing and I am so glad that we are all a part of it, and I will do everything that I can and more, while I am still here to give Him all the glory and to do His will, no matter what the cost.
Praise God for for the opportunities that He has placed before us to joing Him in the work that He is doing! You can see pictures from the weekend by going to our Photos Page.
--Peter Odulana--
Third Year Student
:: W E D N E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 5 t h ::
This past weekend we spent three days in Virginia and we had the opportunity to minister at three different churches. Friday night we were at Buena Vista Pentecostal holiness church in Buena Vista, VA. Pastor Jason, the youth pastor there, was one of Meaghan O’Malley’s youth leaders from before she came to Masters Commission. The church there was very welcoming, and we felt right at home. There were three bands that started the night off with worship, and then we did our rally. The presence of God was moving, and all of us came out changed.
On Saturday we had breakfast with Pastor Jason and his wife, and then drove to Promisedland Church in Spotsylvania, VA. We have worked together with Pastor Aaron, the youth pastor, and this church many times before, and it felt like home being there. We knew some of the students that came out and were able to build on the relationships that we already had with them. They had a guest speak talk on commitment to open the service, and then we did our rally. It was an amazing night of encountering God. Nancy had the opportunity to give the altar call, and many people came forward to deal with hurts in their lives, rededicate their lives, or come to Christ for the first time. Praise God for an amazing night.
Sunday we attended church at Freedom Church A/G before driving to Culpeper A/G in Culpeper, VA. We worked with Culpeper A/G earlier this year, helping them with their fall retreat, so being there provided us with a great opportunity to reconnect with some of the students we met at the retreat. The church’s worship team started the service with worship. It is always refreshing to be able to worship with the people at the churches we go to. The anointing was upon the entire service, and God moved deeply in many people’s lives.
Praise God for an amazing weekend of ministry! Go to the photos page to see pictures from the Rallies.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: T U E S D A Y, M A R C H 2 4 t h ::
We arrived in the Dominican Republic on Monday March 9th, and we spent the day with Pastor Carlos, the pastor we were working with, just getting to know him and learning about his ministry and the work that God was doing in the area of Hato Mayor. We were also able to go over some of the details of the week, as our involvement with him was very last minute. It was great to hear about all that God had been doing through Pastor Carlos and his ministry in Hato Mayor. After just a short time talking to him and hearing about all that God had been doing, and hearing about what they had planned for the week, it was very evident that God had a specific reason for bringing us to Hato Mayor. Near the end of the week, Pastor Carlos’ church was having three celebration services to celebrate their new church building, and he was very excited to include us in those services.
On Tuesday part of the team spent the morning helping another missionary team build houses for people in the area that either didn’t have houses, or their houses were falling down. The rest of the team went with Pastor Carlos and we prayed for some of the churches in the area that they had planted. We also prayed for a piece of land that they had been given by the government to build an orphanage on, and another piece of land that they were praying for to put a school on. In the afternoon we went to the center of the village that we staying in and we did a kids crusade. We spent time just loving the kids, playing soccer and baseball with them, making bead bracelets with the younger kids, and the girls painted fingernails. Then we gathered all the kids together, did a drama for them and talked about the message of Jesus, and how much he loves us.
On Wednesday, we went to a Haitian community and helped dig the foundation for a kitchen that feeds nearly 300 kids from the community every day. They are currently doing this out of a tiny building that is structurally unsound. That afternoon, we did a kids crusade in the village with about 50 kids. We also helped to paint the inside of the church in the community. Many of the kids were with us all day, and we were able to build friendships with them and just share the love of Christ with them by loving them.
On Thursday morning we went out into the community we were staying in and walked through the community going house to house and witnessing to the people there. We divided ourselves into five teams and spread out through the community. It was humbling to see the warmness with which we were welcomed by everyone. We were able to encourage those who were already Christians and share the gospel with those who weren’t. It was the same community that we did the kids crusade in on Tuesday and it was great to see some of the kids again, and to see the impact that our time with them had on their parents, some of the parents were in tears they were so thankful that we had taken time to love their kids. In the afternoon we travelled to another village and did a kids crusade. It gets harder and harder every time to say goodbye to the kids. Thursday evening four of the girls went with the other team that was there and handed out food to over fifty different families in the area that needed food. Then we went to a small sister church and where Sherry gave a message about how God can transform the hurts in our lives and give us joy in return. There were about 75 people gathered there in the street because we didn’t all fit in the church. We also did a drama and at the end prayed for about 20 people that came forward for healing, either physical or spiritual.
Friday morning we went to a small village that sprung up just outside of an orange grove about 16 kilometers outside of Hato Mayor. The majority of the people that lived their worked in the orange grove and didn’t make much money. We were able to go house to house, talking to the people there and distributing items like soap, dishes and toys for kids. In the afternoon we went to another village in Hato Mayor, it was an area that was designated by the owner as free land for those who need a place to live, it is very densely populated and many of the people there did not have jobs. Friday night we went to the first of three celebration services to celebrate the new church building that Pastor Carlos’ church just moved into.
We did more door to door evangelism on Saturday morning. We were in the same village that we had been in on Thursday, so we knew many of the people there, and we were able to revisit some of the people that we had already talked to. It was cool to see all that God had been doing in their lives in just a few days. Saturday afternoon we had time to rest and prepare for the dramas we would be doing the rest of the week. Some of the team went with Pastor Carlos during this time and prayed for a piece of land in a Haitian community that they are asking the government to give them to put a church on. That evening we went to the second of the celebration services where we were given the opportunity to minister through drama. It was such a blessing to be able to minister at Pastor Carlos’ church. There was over 600 people in attendance from nearly 30 different churches.
There was a missions conference at the church on Sunday morning that we were able to attend. It was great to see all that the church is involved in and how they are concerned about reaching their community. During the afternoon, we had time to relax and prepare for the service that evening. We then went to the third and final celebration service, at which we were again blessed to be able to minister through drama. At each of these services, there were Dominican recording artists, a time of worship, and a message from Pastor Carlos’ senior pastor from Puerto Rica. The presence of God was extremely evident at each of these services, and it was a blessing to be a part of what God is doing through Pastor Carlos in Hato Mayor and beyond.
We had an unexpected opportunity come up for Monday and we were able to go that morning to the Haitian community that we some of the team went to on Saturday. We able to once again pray for the land where they are hoping to build the church, do a kids crusade, and walk through the community praying for the people there. It was a very densely populated area, and many of the people there were dealing with sickness. We were able to pray for the people there, as well as give them things like soap, miscellaneous hygiene items, and toys and coloring books for the kids. After lunch we gathered together and Pastor Carlos spoke to us a little about everything that had happened during the week. He also gave a short devotion and encouraged us to continue striving after God. We originally had nothing planned for Monday since we were leaving later in the day, but it was a blessing to have one more opportunity to meet people and share the love of Christ with them.
Thank you again for all of your prayers and support. To see pictures from the mission trip, go to our Photos Page.
--Nic Knapp--
Third Year Student
:: F R I D A Y, M A R C H 2 0 t h ::
Hey everyone my name is Michelle, and being in the Dominican Republic is a lot like the first week of Masters for me. Here, everyday is new and different. Everyday I am learning and growing; and at the same time there is so much to process and take in. One experience that I had defiantly opened my eyes in a new way. During a time when we were evangelizing in the streets of Hato Mayor; we met a woman, who at that time, we were only planning on praying for basic things and then heading back for lunch because our time was running out for us to be outside our camp grounds. This woman however was just yearning to have a relationship with God. She knew all these facts about Him and had all this head knowledge of who a Christian is, but she didn’t want to believe in it. Something inside of her was holding her back from fully committing her life to God. Myself, as well as the rest of my team, could feel the Holy Spirit calling her to allow God to change her heart. We came so close to praying her into salvation; but this woman would not let go of the last grip that she had with this world. She was so afraid of what a life with God was going to look like and the places that God might bring her, she feared what other people would say about her. And she allowed those things to hold her back. As I watched her tell us no and as our time with her ran out, we were forced to leave her. I became so overwhelmed with sorrow for the choice that she had made. My heart hurt for her and how lost she was; and how close she came to experiencing freedom. Freedom that she doesn’t even realize is everything she is looking for. On our walk back to our camp, our translator said something to me that made me realize something about God that I never pieced together before. He said, “ We are leaving but God is not, He is still there and working in her.” I have been shown here in the Dominican Republic that sometimes all that we are capable of doing is planting a seed. It is a choice that all people have. To let go, and allow God in. To want Him or reject Him. We cannot force, we can only present. And even though I am leaving for America, God is still here with these people. And the seeds that my team and I have planted will still be here as well. My prayer is that God uses those seeds according to His perfect will. God Bless the people of Hato Mayor.
Hi this is Donna Kroll. This is the first time for me being over seas and on a mission trip, and I had no idea what to expect. I had heard stories of past mission trips but now that I have experienced a week in the Dominican Republic it is nothing like I have ever heard before. With each opport
Two specific ways that God has been molding my life for His service are by bringing me to Masters, and by turning my heart to the ways of His heart. Coming to Masters has taught me the discipline and has given me a more intimate relationship with God, both of which are crucial for a life in service to God. By being here, God has also begun to show me who He truly is, and out of that I have more of a desire to live for Him and do His will.
In March we took a mission trip to the 
At the second house we stopped at, I saw some children on the front porch and had the idea to make them a balloon dog. Part of our group went into the house to talk with the people inside and I stayed outside making these balloon dogs and in less than 30 seconds I had about fifteen kids surround me asking for more balloon dogs. Then another idea popped into my mind, instead of just giving these kids these balloons dogs let’s try giving them a lesson from the Bible about dogs. Well let’s just say that the verse in proverbs about a dog returning to its vomit was not a good idea for a Bible lesson, but where our mind falls short, God's succeeds and after the total flop of a lesson we decided to move on to the next house, but the children started to follow us. So again seeing the opportunity that God had placed before us, I asked our group what bible story can we tell these children, and somebody said, “let’s tell them about Zacchaeus.” So we had an on the spot, with fifteen kids and no preparation bible story and lesson. I was able to retell the story of Zacchaeus, wanting to see Jesus and having Jesus come into his house, and was able to relate it to how we can have Jesus come living inside our hearts. When I would get stuck in places and not know what to say next my group would fill in, and we were able to create a salvation message right there on the spot. In fact, Pastor Mike and his group were passing by us and he was even throwing in his advice on what we needed to tell these children about Jesus. From what I saw there were four children that prayed the sinners prayer and accept Jesus into their lives. Four children where saved, fifteen children were able to hear the gospel, all because we were willing to use what God gave us at that time to further His kingdom. And for the rest of the day we would find an empty lot or a place that was on the side of the road, fill up some balloon animals and tell a story from the bible about God and his love for us.
In May, all of our third year students graduated from Chesapeake Bible College and Seminary, and several of them spoke during the graduation service. Following are some excerpts from Peter’s speech.
Through Masters, there are two specific ways that God has been molding my life for His service. One specific way that God has been molding my life for His service is revealing who he made me. For so long I thought I had to be someone different just to be accepted and liked. I had put on different masks and built up many different walls trying to make myself better according to what my friends thought and other influences by the world through television and movie stars. I thought I had to work and change myself to be beautiful and accepted. My standards were following how the world thought and not how God saw it. God has been revealing who He is and also who He has made me. No longer do I feel a need to wear a mask or build up walls so people can’t get close, because as God tore those down, He filled me with Himself. He continues to reveal more of who He is to me. Another way that God has been molding my life for His service is teaching me, through all kinds of opportunities, to love like He loves. It’s easy to just serve but to serve from the heart is different and there must be the right motives. As God showed me who He had made me, He has been revealing areas of my heart that I want to be more like Him, such as the way I view and love people. Loving someone regardless of what they have done or still do. Seeing people through God’s eyes and having a heart like God towards someone.
In 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 verse 9, Paul reminds the Thessalonians of how they turned from their idols to serve the one true, living God. What a beautiful picture of repentance! When one lays down the life he/she was living to turn and walk in the opposite direction (toward Christ), they are able to live in the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. The Thessalonians have given a marvelous example of what we are to do as disciples of Jesus Christ. When we decide to give up the idol's in our lives, we are to turn from the things in which our lives were dedicated to and instead be devoted to the LORD. This was a big part of my first year in MC. I knew that there were all these little things that were taking the place in my heart which should only belong to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Simply put, they were idols. So, like the Thessalonians, I was in a position where I had to choose to surrender those things, walk away from them, and live with every aspect of my life in complete surrender to God.
God has done so many incredible things in our lives during this past year of Masters. Over the summer we want to share with you a few testimonies from the students that talk about what God was doing in their lives at different points during the year. One question that was posed to all of the first year students in March was, what are some specific ways that God has been molding your life for his service? Arielle talked about obedience and a heart for the world around her.
We are still accepting applications for the 09/10 year. If you are interested in taking college credits while learning through hands on experience, 
This Sunday we went to Hamburg, and it was an amazing time from start to finish. We helped out with their outreach during the afternoon, and we also had a lot of time to talk with students. They had a weightlifting competition, a water balloon launch, dart throwing competition, and you could also just hang out and play Wii. Then, at the end of the night, they gave away an iPod Touch. After the outreach, we did a rally, and God’s presence could be felt in that room. All of the dramas that we did, were really relating with the students and the stuff that they were dealing with. At the altar, God hit these students and, they were hungry to go after Him, and they all came up to the altar. We had the opportunity to pray with them and talk about what God wanted to do in their lives. It was just an amazing night for all of us.
This past Sunday we had the opportunity to serve at an amazing ministry in Philadelphia called Chosen 300. On Sunday mornings they bring people in for a worship service, and then feed them breakfast. These are people that may not have homes, and they may have no idea where their next meal is going to come from, but Chosen 300 ministries is committed to showing them the love of Christ by meeting their physical and spiritual needs. In addition to helping cook and serve the food, we had the opportunity to do a few dramas during the service and pray with those who came. It is always humbling to be able to serve those who are less privileged than yourself, and it makes you grateful for what God has given you. It was also incredibly uplifting to see their faith and their hunger for more of God. While Chosen 300 does meet the physical needs of the people it serves, it is a ministry that is focused on meeting their spiritual needs. It was truly a blessing to be a part of such an amazing ministry.
Graduation
is quickly coming upon us. All are welcome to come and experience the heart of
Ground Zero Masters Commission through stomp, dramas, testimonies, and much
more. This will be a time of sharing all that God has done through the year.
Join us on Sunday, May 31st at 6pm at the Christian life center, 125 Saginaw RD,
New London TWP, PA 19352. We look forward to seeing you there.
On Sunday we went to Cedarbrook Church in Maryland where we were able to spend time with both the Junior High and Senior High students. (the Wave and Oasis) We had time to spend with the student both before and after the rally and it was a great time of God starting something new in the students. We were so blessed to be able to be a part of what God was doing and blown away with how everyone responded to the altar call. Many made a commitment that they were starting over and making a decision in their lives that they wouldn’t be the same or live the same way they had been. They realized that God was calling them deeper and they answered the call. It was not only a time when we got to see God move in others, but God was moving in our hearts and lives as well. It was such a blessing to talk with the students after the altar call and see how they were planning on stepping forward in their relationship with Christ that it encouraged us as we make that same commitment daily.
Last Friday while one team was at Ground Zero, another team had the opportunity to go to Melrose UMC and do a rally. The church used the rally as an outreach event, so there were several churches involved as well as a lot of other people. We had lots of time before the service to get to know people, there was a gym, a Frisbee game outside, and lots of other stuff. There was a band that came in and opened the service with worship and then we moved into our rally. It was great to be a part of all that God was doing in people’s lives, and the relationships we built before the service opened doors for us to talk to people about what God was doing in their lives.
On Friday, we were able to do a rally at Ground Zero Varsity, our senior high youth ministry. It was an amazing night. God moved so powerfully in all of our lives. As is custom for Ground Zero, we started the night with some hang out time with video games, pool, air hockey, ping-pong, and all kinds of other fun stuff. As we opened the service, the worship team played a few songs. I love when we are able to start our services with worship, it just sets the focus of everything on God and what He wants to do. We then moved into our rally. Although our rally had the same elements that it always has, it was special and just a little different because we were with our home students. Students that we know and have shared experiences with, good and bad. The altar time was especially amazing because we were with students that we have been open with for nine months or more, and so we were challenged just as much as they were, and we were able to be an encouragement to each other. We are so thankful for the tremendous students that God has placed in our youth ministry, and it was a blessing to grow closer to God with them.
This morning we had the opportunity to go with Pastor Mike to Delaware County Christian School for a morning chapel on Media and it’s influences on us and our perceptions of everything around us. We had the opportunity to talk with some of the students and hang out a little bit before we started the chapel and then Pastor Mike spoke and we did the drama ‘Overloaded’ for the students. It was a really good time to be able to talk with kids and see how they were made more aware of what was happening in the world around them and how media is so prevalent in today’s society and the impact that it can have on our views of ourselves and our interactions with others. Many students made a commitment to be more guarded in their hearts and minds by what they watched and listened to and it was a blessing for us to see young people taking a stand against what our society considers ok. Also, please pray for our GZ rally tonight for our senior high students.
Last night we had the amazing opportunity to do a youth rally at Ground Zero, our home youth ministry. We have been building relationships with these students all year long, and we love them so much. It was awesome to be able to do a rally for them and challenge them to grow deeper in their walk with Christ. God has blessed us with tremendous students that are always hungry for more of Him, and this was clearly evident during the altar time. Also, like always, we had time before and after the service to just hang with the students and be a part of their lives. It is awesome to see all that God is doing in our students lives and it is a blessing to be a part of it.
Last week we left on Wednesday for Clarksburg, WV and did a rally at Family Christian Fellowship A/G, Christina’s home church. It was and amazing time, there was a great turnout and God moved in amazing ways. It was truly a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing through the youth of Family Christian Fellowship.
Then on Thursday we did two school assemblies with the Seven Project at South Harrison High School. One for the Junior High and one for the Senior High. It is always awesome to be able to work with the Seven Project and talk to students in public schools about making positive choices. Then on Friday we did two school assemblies at Bridgeport High and one at Liberty High. Then that night we did a night rally in which we presented the Gospel. There was a great turnout of students from all three schools, and there was a great altar response. It was so awesome to be a part of what God is doing in the next generation.
Tuesday of Last week we left for our Ohio and New York tour. That night we did a rally at Fuelhouse Youth Ministry. Pastor Mark, the youth Pastor there, was Nancy’s old youth pastor. It was a great group of students that were truly hungry for more of God. It was awesome to be a part of all that God is doing in and through Fuelhouse Youth Ministry. Then on Wednesday night we did a rally at The Race Youth Ministry. This was Nancy’s home church, so it felt very much like family. We had a lot of time to spend connecting with the students, and again they were a group that was hungry for all that God has for them. It’s always a blessing to be able to visit the home churches of our students.
Thursday we didn’t have any rallies, so we spent time with Nancy’s family at her house. It was awesome to be able to get to know her family and spend time with them. This was also a much needed time of refreshment for us. We then traveled to Buffalo, NY where we spent the night at Evangel Assembly of God church.
Friday night we did a rally at a church in Liverpool, NY. The church brought in several youth ministries in the area, and it was awesome to see the unity among the different churches. The students there were incredibly open and even though we didn’t know them at the beginning, it felt like we were at home and by the time we left we had built great relationship with everyone there. From there we traveled to Pleasant Valley, NY on Saturday and did a rally at my home church. It was great to be back with family, and to see all that God is doing in my church. Finally on Sunday morning we had the opportunity to do the message during the service.
This past weekend we traveled to Dundalk, Maryland, an urban community near Baltimore, to work with the Seven Project in the high school there. We helped load in and set up sound and video equipment before the assembly and did stomp and human videos during the assembly itself to help illustrate the speakers points about substance abuse, anti-violence, sexual purity, and several other topics. We spent lunch with students and even played stomp in the school cafeteria as students were eating. At the end of the assembly we invited them out to a rally that night at a local church. Over one hundred students showed up that night and enjoyed basketball and volleyball as well as X-Box and free food, and at the end of the night we shared the gospel with them. There were students who had heard about the rally at school that morning and came out just as a way to get away from home. We were able to personally pray with some of these students as they chose to accept Christ for the first time. I talked to one student who told me he had resisted believing that God existed until God changed his heart that night.
This past weekend we spent three days at World Outreach Church of God in Patchogue, NY. This is our third year going to World Outreach church and it was really great to be back again. The church was so welcoming and from the moment we arrived we could feel the family atmosphere. Several different churches that attended the Friday night youth rally, and it was awesome to see the unity among the different churches. God moved in amazing ways in the lives of everyone there, and there were many people that came forward to grow deeper in their walk with God.
On Saturday morning we did workshops on purity, dramas, sharing your faith, and identity. Students who attended were able to learn about their identity in Christ and how it affects their lives, talk about purity and ways that they can keep themselves pure, they learned a drama and how to use dramas in ministry, and they also learned how to use their testimony to share their faith with their friends. The students who came were truly interested in growing deeper in their relationship with Christ, and it was awesome to see all that God was doing in their hearts.
Saturday evening we did a service based on our surrender seminar. We talked about what surrender means, how it affects our lives, and some practical ways to surrender ourselves to God. It was a time of going deeper in our relationship with God. A time of getting past the surface and laying down the things that we want to hold on to, the things that God is asking us to let go of. We had a white flag at the front of the room and at the end of the service we opened up the altar to for anyone who wanted to come forward and write down on the flag the things that they needed to surrender to God.
This past weekend we went to Woodbridge, VA to help with the Potomac district Youth Convention. We went down on Wednesday and helped with setup. We set up an amazing light system as well as sound and video. During the convention we helped with security, back stage stuff, helped the bands load in and out, worked video cameras, and also helped at the district’s product table. There was an amazing speaker who challenged the students to live their lives completely for God. On Saturday we had the opportunity to do stomp outside during the lunch break. It was great to be back in the Potomac district, we have spent a lot of time with the students and leaders in that district, and have great relationships with many of them. Overall, it was an amazing weekend, and we were blessed to be a part of all that God is doing in the Potomac district.
Wednesday we left for Appomattox VA, but about an hour before we got there we found out that the church we were scheduled to do the rally at had to cancel
due to circumstances out of their control. We were blessed by Buena Vista
Pentecostal Holiness church who provided a place for us to sleep and fed us an amazing breakfast the next morning. Then on Thursday we headed to Beckley WV and started setting up for the Appalachian district A/G Fine Arts Festival and Youth Convention. It was great to see Pastor Chet again, and for the last time as DYD of the Appalachian district. He is moving on to become the National Director of Speed The Light, and we are very excited to see all that God has for him in that role.
Friday morning we finished setting up for the convention, and that afternoon students started arriving. We started the night with a service. Pastor Chet led worship, and the guest speaker talked about putting your faith to action, challenging the students to get out and do something for Christ. We then moved into the first session of the Fine Arts presentations. Fine arts focuses of helping students discover, develop, and deploy their ministry gifts, and it was a blessing to be able to help this students grow in the gifts that God has given them.
On Saturday, we continued with the Fine Arts presentations and then moved into another service. After lunch we finished the Fine Arts Presentations and had the final service. Pastor Aaron was introduced along with his wife as the new DYD, and Pastor Chet and his wife shared some parting words with the students of their district. A lot of people got sick on Saturday, and it was a time of perseverance and relying on Christ as we ran the convention and then tore down afterward. But God is faithful and provided us with the strength we needed to make it through.
This past weekend, while part of the team was in Massachusetts, there was a team that went to Tri-County Worship Center, Arielle’s home church. On Saturday we went out into the community and did a kids outreach called Crazy Kids Day. We did face painting with the kids and also made balloon animals and gospel bracelets with them. Then we did a skit for the kids and taught a message about staying away from sin. Then in the afternoon, we spent a couple of hours doing yard work and other jobs for people in the community.
On Sunday, we did a portion of the Sunday morning service and even taught some of the congregation how to do stomp. Arielle also had the opportunity to talk about all that God has been doing in her life through masters. Then on Sunday evening we did a rally at a local youth center called On Fire Youth Ministries. We went in and were able to spend time with the students, playing basketball, volleyball, and lots of other stuff. Then the teen worship band from Tri-County Worship Center started the service with worship. After worship we did stomp and some skits and dramas. It was awesome to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the students there.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to be at Winchendon United Parish. We were there last year during our Massachusetts tour, and the youth there were extremely excited to have us back. They were just finishing their 30 hour famine as we were arriving, and from the moment we walked in the door the presence of God was evident. Throughout the night God continued to reveal Himself in amazing ways. The service was anointed in so many ways, and it was incredible and humbling to see how God used us to minister to those who were there. God dealt with a lot of issues in people lives, and healed a lot of wounds. Sherry did the altar call again, and it was amazing to see how God worked through her, and how much she had grown from her first altar call (which was good) to her second one. In just a few short hours, because she was open and willing to learn, she had grown so much. That’s one of the great things about Masters Commission, as long as you are willing, there are always opportunities for you to grow in.
Last night we were blessed to be able to minister at Horizon Christian Fellowship in Fitchburg Massachusetts. PJ, who graduated with us last year, is the youth director at the church, and it was amazing to see all that God is doing through him. The rally was amazing. God moved in incredible ways in the lives of everyone there, including our lives. Sherry did her first altar call, and it was absolutely amazing. God moved in powerful ways through the words she spoke. It was such a blessing to be a part of all that God is doing in Massachusetts and to be able to support PJ and his ministry. There was even a girl there who gave her life to Christ for the first time! Praise God!
This morning we did purity seminars at PJ’s church, one for guys and one for girls. We just spent some time talking to the students about relationships, dating and purity. The groups were fairly small, but the students that were there were serious about pursuing God and honoring Him in their relationships. It was awesome to see students who were serious about God, and who were willing to sacrifice temporary satisfaction and what their friends might think in order to pursue Him.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to lead the midweek service at Bethel Christian Church in Bristol, CT. The church was extremely welcoming, and they provided us with amazing food. We opened the service with worship, and it was immediately evident that everyone in the building wanted more of God. The presence of God was so real in that place, and we were all moved by Him. At the end of the service, several people came up to the altar, and gave God control of things in their lives. Many people were struggling with the future. Trying to figure out God’s plan for their life, trusting God to provide for them, or just letting go of the fear of the future. We also met Josh, a student who is interested in Masters Commission and had even received information from us. This morning we had breakfast with the pastor of the church and Josh, and we just had a great time sharing what God is doing in our lives.
We then traveled to Horizon Christian Fellowship, the church we will be ministering tomorrow night. PJ, who graduated from our Masters Commission last year is the youth director there, so we had time to just hang with him and share with each other all that God is doing through our ministry. He is working on an amazing youth room, and God is doing amazing things through his ministry. We are currently at Lindsey’s house, another student that graduated last year, and we are just spending time together, relaxing and fellowshipping. It is such a blessing to see old friends and just spend time together as a family.
Last night we were at Embassy Youth Ministry of Cornerstone AG in Massachusetts and it was an amazing service. Before the service even started, the presence of God was so evident, and then we went in to a time of worship. The Masters Commission worship team had the opportunity to lead worship, and it was truly a blessing to be able to join the students in worship. We then moved into the rest of our rally, and it was amazing to see how tangibly God was dealing with issues in the student’s lives. Many of the students were dealing with a lot of stuff in their lives, from family issues to pressures from school and a lot of other stuff. It was awesome to see how God was dealing with those issues in their lives, and to have the opportunity to be a part of the healing God was doing in their lives. We had a great time at Cornerstone and even got to meet Kaley, who is accepted for next year of Masters. It was such a blessing to be at Cornerstone AG and be a part of what God is doing.
Thursday and Friday of last week, we had the privilege of being able to help with the Penn-Del A/G youth convention in Hershey, PA. It was an absolutely amazing weekend and it truly was an honor to be a part of it. This is the home district of a couple of our students, and we have also visited many of the churches in the district, so we saw a lot of familiar faces. Worth Dying For, the worship band for the weekend, led us in times of praise and celebration, as well as intimate times of worship, and the word of God was delivered by Robert Madu. He did an amazing job of teaching the word of God, and how it applies to our lives. There were nearly six thousand students at the conference, and about half of them responded on Friday by committing themselves to pursue God with everything, and follow the call He has placed on their lives. It was an incredible weekend that had a real and tangible impact on everyone who was there.
This past weekend, we got to visit Clintonville, PA and do a youth rally there. It was a great time, and we got to see a lot of familiar faces, as our friends from Oil City came to the rally. Cassandra got the opportunity to give the altar call and it was completely anointed. I know that it had as much of an impact on us MC students as it did on the teens at the rally. God really moved in a tangible way that night. On Sunday morning, we were able to be a part of the Palm Sunday service at the same church. There’s nothing better than starting out the Holy Week with a little Stomp! Pastor Mike was able to give the message, and again God moved in a mighty and powerful way.
On Sunday night we drove a couple of hours to a church called Glad Tidings. The opportunity we had there was so God ordained. We didn’t even know that we would be there until just before we left for the trip, but I believe firmly that God knew we would be there and He had some divine appointments ready for us. The congregation was so welcoming, and it instantly felt like we were home. Peter even got the opportunity to play drums for worship that night! God’s presence was so heavy on the service, and I don’t think that anyone left that night unchanged, Master’s Commission students included. I know that God did some radical things in my life that night. Pastor Tony ended the night by encouraging us to just sit for a while in God’s presence. It was so good to be able to come together as the body of Christ and just seek the Lord together in worship and in prayer. God was so faithful to meet with us this weekend, and He showed up in so many incredible ways!
To see pictures from the weekend, go to our 
This morning we once again had the privilege of being able to be a part of the chapel at Red Lion Christian Academy. It is always a blessing to be a part of their ministry. We did two chapels, one for junior high and one for senior high, in which we did stomp and a couple of dramas that challenged the students to surrender to God the things in their life that are holding them back. At the end of each chapel the students broke up into small groups, and we had the opportunity to be a part of the small groups, talk about the things the students were dealing with, and pray for each other. Afterward, we were able to hang out with the students for two lunch periods. It was a great time of building relationships with the students, and being able to encourage them in their walk with God. The students in Red Lion were eager to grow and learn, and they earnestly desire a deeper relationship with God. It was a blessing to be a part of what God is doing in their lives.
This past weekend we took over 150 students to North Bay retreat center in Maryland for our [un]plugged spring retreat. It was an amazing weekend where we got to spend time with the students from our youth group and deepen our relationships while challenging each other to grow closer to God. The band Compelled led worship for us and Jason Maupin, an internationally known speaker and graduate of Fort Myers Masters Commission, challenged us to examine our walk with God and give Him every part of ourselves. Small groups and workshops provided time for students to build relationships and talk about what God is doing in their lives. We also had lots of fun playing dodge ball, basketball, on the rock climbing walls, high ropes course, zip-line, and the new giant swing. We also had our annual GZ Olympics, and our famous glow-in-the-dark dodge ball. In the end, it was an amazing weekend of building friendships and seeking after God.
We
are very excited about this weekend. We will be going to North East, MD and running our Ground Zero Spring Retreat.
This year we have nearly 160 students coming to spend a weekend seeking God. At ground zero our motto is, “Serious about fun.
Serious about God.” In being serious about fun, there will be video games, open gym, dodge ball & basketball tournaments,
climbing walls, high ropes courses, a zip-line, our famous glow-in-the-dark dodge ball, and our very own Ground Zero
Olympics where cabins will compete against each other in some crazy games. Being serious about God, we have the band
Compelled leading us in worship for the weekend, and Jason Maupen, a graduate of Fort Myers Masters Commission and
internationally known speaker, will be challenging us to take a deeper look at our relationship with God. The Spring
Retreat is one of the most anticipated weekends of the Masters year, because we get to spend all weekend with our
youth group students and be a part of what God is doing in their lives. It’s also a time where we have the opportunity
to examine ourselves and see what God is doing in our lives. The theme for this year’s retreat is unplugged. We are going
to get “unplugged” in our relationship with God in the sense that we want to be real, open, unprocessed, and raw in our
relationship with Him. We don’t want to have a relationship with Him that is polished and perfect, but rather one that
is real and meaningful. Please pray for the spring retreat and all that God is going to do!
To say that this past week has been incredibly hectic would be an understatement. In addition to the team that went to Virginia, some of us went to West Virginia and then to western Pennsylvania. We all got back home from the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, and on Wednesday my team left for West Virginia. We had the opportunity to be a part of some 7 Project school assemblies with Kevin Dawson, the Youth Alive Director of the Potomac A/G youth district. It is always amazing when we get the opportunity to go into a public school and reach out to the students there. So many of them are hurting, and even though we are unable to preach about Christ, we can share his love by showing these students that someone really does care. In regards to
our team, it is always an incredible experience when one comes to the end of
himself, both physically and spiritually, and he has no choice but to put all of
his trust and dependence on God. Even though we were all tired, the team kept
their composure and did all that was required without complaints.
We also got the chance to minister at the churches of two of our 1st year students which was incredible. It is always encouraging to see the moral and spiritual support that comes from the friends and family of a student; it reveals the background that the student came from and how God had been nourishing them before they even came to masters. Since we left, God had been with us and it is always such an honor to join Him where He is already working. We got to witness and be a part of people who made the decision to follow Christ, we saw people recommit themselves to Christ and we even saw a couple of young men who were very deep into Satanism delivered from it, all because God’s plan was already at work in their lives. The kingdom of God is forcefully advancing and I am so glad that we are all a part of it, and I will do everything that I can and more, while I am still here to give Him all the glory and to do His will, no matter what the cost.
This past weekend we spent three days in Virginia and we had the opportunity to minister at three different churches. Friday night we were at Buena Vista Pentecostal holiness church in Buena Vista, VA. Pastor Jason, the youth pastor there, was one of Meaghan O’Malley’s youth leaders from before she came to Masters Commission. The church there was very welcoming, and we felt right at home. There were three bands that started the night off with worship, and then we did our rally. The presence of God was moving, and all of us came out changed.
On Saturday we had breakfast with Pastor Jason and his wife, and then drove to Promisedland Church in Spotsylvania, VA. We have worked together with Pastor Aaron, the youth pastor, and this church many times before, and it felt like home being there. We knew some of the students that came out and were able to build on the relationships that we already had with them. They had a guest speak talk on commitment to open the service, and then we did our rally. It was an amazing night of encountering God. Nancy had the opportunity to give the altar call, and many people came forward to deal with hurts in their lives, rededicate their lives, or come to Christ for the first time. Praise God for an amazing night.
Sunday we attended church at Freedom Church A/G before driving to Culpeper A/G in Culpeper, VA. We worked with Culpeper A/G earlier this year, helping them with their fall retreat, so being there provided us with a great opportunity to reconnect with some of the students we met at the retreat. The church’s worship team started the service with worship. It is always refreshing to be able to worship with the people at the churches we go to. The anointing was upon the entire service, and God moved deeply in many people’s lives.
We arrived in the Dominican Republic on Monday March 9th, and we spent the day with Pastor Carlos, the pastor we were working with, just getting to know him and learning about his ministry and the work that God was doing in the area of Hato Mayor. We were also able to go over some of the details of the week, as our involvement with him was very last minute. It was great to hear about all that God had been doing through Pastor Carlos and his ministry in Hato Mayor. After just a short time talking to him and hearing about all that God had been doing, and hearing about what they had planned for the week, it was very evident that God had a specific reason for bringing us to Hato Mayor. Near the end of the week, Pastor Carlos’ church was having three celebration services to celebrate their new church building, and he was very excited to include us in those services.
On Tuesday part of the team spent the morning helping another missionary team build houses for people in the area that either didn’t have houses, or their houses were falling down. The rest of the team went with Pastor Carlos and we prayed for some of the churches in the area that they had planted. We also prayed for a piece of land that they had been given by the government to build an orphanage on, and another piece of land that they were praying for to put a school on. In the afternoon we went to the center of the village that we staying in and we did a kids crusade. We spent time just loving the kids, playing soccer and baseball with them, making bead bracelets with the younger kids, and the girls painted fingernails. Then we gathered all the kids together, did a drama for them and talked about the message of Jesus, and how much he loves us.
On Wednesday, we went to a Haitian community and helped dig the foundation for a kitchen that feeds nearly 300 kids from the community every day. They are currently doing this out of a tiny building that is structurally unsound. That afternoon, we did a kids crusade in the village with about 50 kids. We also helped to paint the inside of the church in the community. Many of the kids were with us all day, and we were able to build friendships with them and just share the love of Christ with them by loving them.
On Thursday morning we went out into the community we were staying in and walked through the community going house to house and witnessing to the people there. We divided ourselves into five teams and spread out through the community. It was humbling to see the warmness with which we were welcomed by everyone. We were able to encourage those who were already Christians and share the gospel with those who weren’t. It was the same community that we did the kids crusade in on Tuesday and it was great to see some of the kids again, and to see the impact that our time with them had on their parents, some of the parents were in tears they were so thankful that we had taken time to love their kids. In the afternoon we travelled to another village and did a kids crusade. It gets harder and harder every time to say goodbye to the kids. Thursday evening four of the girls went with the other team that was there and handed out food to over fifty different families in the area that needed food. Then we went to a small sister church and where Sherry gave a message about how God can transform the hurts in our lives and give us joy in return. There were about 75 people gathered there in the street because we didn’t all fit in the church. We also did a drama and at the end prayed for about 20 people that came forward for healing, either physical or spiritual.
Friday morning we went to a small village that sprung up just outside of an orange grove about 16 kilometers outside of Hato Mayor. The majority of the people that lived their worked in the orange grove and didn’t make much money. We were able to go house to house, talking to the people there and distributing items like soap, dishes and toys for kids. In the afternoon we went to another village in Hato Mayor, it was an area that was designated by the owner as free land for those who need a place to live, it is very densely populated and many of the people there did not have jobs. Friday night we went to the first of three celebration services to celebrate the new church building that Pastor Carlos’ church just moved into.
We did more door to door evangelism on Saturday morning. We were in the same village that we had been in on Thursday, so we knew many of the people there, and we were able to revisit some of the people that we had already talked to. It was cool to see all that God had been doing in their lives in just a few days. Saturday afternoon we had time to rest and prepare for the dramas we would be doing the rest of the week. Some of the team went with Pastor Carlos during this time and prayed for a piece of land in a Haitian community that they are asking the government to give them to put a church on. That evening we went to the second of the celebration services where we were given the opportunity to minister through drama. It was such a blessing to be able to minister at Pastor Carlos’ church. There was over 600 people in attendance from nearly 30 different churches.
There was a missions conference at the church on Sunday morning that we were able to attend. It was great to see all that the church is involved in and how they are concerned about reaching their community. During the afternoon, we had time to relax and prepare for the service that evening. We then went to the third and final celebration service, at which we were again blessed to be able to minister through drama. At each of these services, there were Dominican recording artists, a time of worship, and a message from Pastor Carlos’ senior pastor from Puerto Rica. The presence of God was extremely evident at each of these services, and it was a blessing to be a part of what God is doing through Pastor Carlos in Hato Mayor and beyond.
We had an unexpected opportunity come up for Monday and we were able to go that morning to the Haitian community that we some of the team went to on Saturday. We able to once again pray for the land where they are hoping to build the church, do a kids crusade, and walk through the community praying for the people there. It was a very densely populated area, and many of the people there were dealing with sickness. We were able to pray for the people there, as well as give them things like soap, miscellaneous hygiene items, and toys and coloring books for the kids. After lunch we gathered together and Pastor Carlos spoke to us a little about everything that had happened during the week. He also gave a short devotion and encouraged us to continue striving after God. We originally had nothing planned for Monday since we were leaving later in the day, but it was a blessing to have one more opportunity to meet people and share the love of Christ with them.
Hey everyone my name is Michelle, and being in the Dominican Republic is a lot like the first week of Masters for me. Here, everyday is new and different. Everyday I am learning and growing; and at the same time there is so much to process and take in. One experience that I had defiantly opened my eyes in a new way. During a time when we were evangelizing in the streets of Hato Mayor; we met a woman, who at that time, we were only planning on praying for basic things and then heading back for lunch because our time was running out for us to be outside our camp grounds. This woman however was just yearning to have a relationship with God. She knew all these facts about Him and had all this head knowledge of who a Christian is, but she didn’t want to believe in it. Something inside of her was holding her back from fully committing her life to God. Myself, as well as the rest of my team, could feel the Holy Spirit calling her to allow God to change her heart. We came so close to praying her into salvation; but this woman would not let go of the last grip that she had with this world. She was so afraid of what a life with God was going to look like and the places that God might bring her, she feared what other people would say about her. And she allowed those things to hold her back. As I watched her tell us no and as our time with her ran out, we were forced to leave her. I became so overwhelmed with sorrow for the choice that she had made. My heart hurt for her and how lost she was; and how close she came to experiencing freedom. Freedom that she doesn’t even realize is everything she is looking for. On our walk back to our camp, our translator said something to me that made me realize something about God that I never pieced together before. He said, “ We are leaving but God is not, He is still there and working in her.” I have been shown here in the Dominican Republic that sometimes all that we are capable of doing is planting a seed. It is a choice that all people have. To let go, and allow God in. To want Him or reject Him. We cannot force, we can only present. And even though I am leaving for America, God is still here with these people. And the seeds that my team and I have planted will still be here as well. My prayer is that God uses those seeds according to His perfect will. God Bless the people of Hato Mayor.
Hi this is Donna Kroll. This is the first time for me being over seas and on a mission trip, and I had no idea what to expect. I had heard stories of past mission trips but now that I have experienced a week in the Dominican Republic it is nothing like I have ever heard before. With each opport