Hey friends, family and faithful supporters! It has been an exciting week here at the University of the Nations! God has been stirring in my spirit for some time now to go to Haiti, and I was really hoping I would be able to go with the April Call2All DTS (Discipleship Training School). When it looked like that might not happen, I began to seek the Lord on what His plan was.
I felt like I was to go to this DTS in Port-au-Prince this summer, and long story short I told my leaders what I was feeling, talked to my parents and got felt it was right every step of the way. My previous leader released me and my new leader accepted me, and God worked out everything completely! So while I'm not staffing the entire school, I will still be involved in the Call2All DTS in some way while I'm here. My primary role will be leading worship at the base as well as working in student services, helping students apply to schools.
The DTS I'm now staffing is going to be in Port-au-Prince Haiti! It is an incredible honor to be a part of, as it is the first one that YWAM has done in Port-au-Prince. It will be 5 months long, from June 11th- November 12th. We have an amazing staff, with both Haitians and “foreigners.” We are believing God for 50 students, both Haitians and international. The theme of this school will be to partner with God in making Haiti a blessing not a curse among the nations. If you're interested in taking this school, we would love to have you as a student! God will surely make a way and supply the finances if that is His will!
So I will need to be in Haiti by May 20th, with a school start date of June 11th. I would much appreciate much prayers for myself and the school, as well as for the nation. Another prayer point is the presidential election that is happening today. Lets agree with God's heart for this nation to see it transformed! Remember God uses our prayers to change the course of history! Thank you all so much for all of the love and support that you guys give me!
For more information check out the website: Haiti DTS
I hope you also enjoy this video that will give you a better picture of what the school will be like.
Nathan's Adventures with Jesus
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Why do we pray?
Recently I heard a teaching that really challenged and encouraged me, and I just had to share it with everyone!
This is from Daniel Lim, who is from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC), which is famous for their prayer and focus on intimacy with Jesus. He was talking about prayer, and he asked us all a question, why so we pray?
He listed a few different reasons of why we pray:
This is from Daniel Lim, who is from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC), which is famous for their prayer and focus on intimacy with Jesus. He was talking about prayer, and he asked us all a question, why so we pray?
He listed a few different reasons of why we pray:
- We have a need (someone is sick, we need a car, house, food)
- We have work/ministry to do
- The enemy is fighting against us, and we have to do spiritual warfare
- We want to see the lost saved
- We want revival to come in our area
However, one day there will no more need, no more work, no more spiritual warfare! Do we still need to come before Jesus? What then is the reason to come to Jesus?
And this is simple, yet profound: when every demon is bound, there is no more work to be done, no more sickness or pain, Jesus is the reason to come to Jesus.
Jesus is the reason to come to Jesus!
He said that prayer is not a means to an end, prayer is the end. The final destination of every christian is going to be an ongoing worship meeting in heaven. What a glorious day that will be!
So in a world that is so driven by works and getting things done, what do we need practically to truly be with Jesus just to be with Him? What can we have so that we're not always thinking about what we need to do, but just loving being Jesus?
We need the knowledge of God. We need to know that Jesus desires to be with us. Jesus prayed in John 17 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. (NIV, emphasis added)
And I really believe that if we see God not as someone who just wants us to serve Him, but also to be with Him, it will radically transform our view of prayer! When we truly realize that God loves us not because of what we do, but because of the way He is, we will WANT TO PRAY instead of having to pray.
If you're having trouble loving your prayer times, and feeling more like its more of a duty, than anything something you like to do, here is something you could pray that I believe could be a spark to your prayer life.
Father who loves me, thank you so much that you loved me so much that you sent your son on a mission out of glorious heaven down to earth. Thank you that you love me even before I love you. And Jesus, even before I did anything for you, you died for me. Thank you Jesus that like a shepherd after a lost sheep you're pursuing me with your love, like a bridegroom chases after His bride. Holy Spirit, thank you that you, the infinite, all powerful God, are dwelling inside of me, and I am your temple. God, thank you for love, and you want to be with me where I am. I ask that you would help me to know your love and your delight in me even more. Thank you Jesus, in your name amen.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
In sickness and in health
I, Jesus, take you, Church, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. I, Jesus, take you, (insert your name), for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death brings you to heaven.
Song of Songs 8
6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy[q] unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.[r] 7Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.
Lately at our base we've experience quite a bit of sickness. Nothing serious or life-threatening, but just enough to humble us and bring us to our knees and our beds. And its in the place of weakness that we really do discover God's amazing love.
You see, while we were still sinners Christ loved us enough to die for us (Romans 5:8). "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." (Titus 3:5) Jesus said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) And thank the Lord that the strength of our relationship does not depend on our pursuit of God, but of His pursuit of us!
Because of who He is, Jesus is an unending, unrelenting wedding vow to love us, to honor us, to pursue us no matter what our condition is. What a glorious truth!
I discovered that as a follower of Jesus I have to continually keep coming back to that reality. Even when I'm doing good, I'm fasting, praying, studying the word, evangelizing, giving, and loving, He loves me the same. And when I'm in rebellion, falling into temptation, sick and tired of being disciplined, He loves me the same! When I don't want to read my bible, He loves me the same. When I say no to the Holy Spirit, He loves me the same. When I sleep 12 hours and completing miss my appointment with Jesus, he loves me the same. When I disciple the nations and bring a whole country to Jesus, He loves me the same. When I give all of my money away, He loves me the same. When I memorize the whole bible, He loves the same. He already loves me, is already proud of me, He is already pleased with me. If I never opened my bible again, we would still want to be my friend. God loves me the way God loves God, even when I am as far away from being like God as possible.
This amazing, unconditional, unrelenting love is what keeps us going. Its what keeps us coming back to our first love. So please, wherever you are, just remember the He already loves you. And be compelled by His love, and let it be an overflow of this amazing love that touches the world around you.
And Please pray for the YWAM base in Kona that the God who loves us and can heal us would fill us with the knowledge of His love and His healing power. Thank you.
Song of Songs 8
6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy[q] unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.[r] 7Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.
Lately at our base we've experience quite a bit of sickness. Nothing serious or life-threatening, but just enough to humble us and bring us to our knees and our beds. And its in the place of weakness that we really do discover God's amazing love.
You see, while we were still sinners Christ loved us enough to die for us (Romans 5:8). "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." (Titus 3:5) Jesus said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17) And thank the Lord that the strength of our relationship does not depend on our pursuit of God, but of His pursuit of us!
Because of who He is, Jesus is an unending, unrelenting wedding vow to love us, to honor us, to pursue us no matter what our condition is. What a glorious truth!
I discovered that as a follower of Jesus I have to continually keep coming back to that reality. Even when I'm doing good, I'm fasting, praying, studying the word, evangelizing, giving, and loving, He loves me the same. And when I'm in rebellion, falling into temptation, sick and tired of being disciplined, He loves me the same! When I don't want to read my bible, He loves me the same. When I say no to the Holy Spirit, He loves me the same. When I sleep 12 hours and completing miss my appointment with Jesus, he loves me the same. When I disciple the nations and bring a whole country to Jesus, He loves me the same. When I give all of my money away, He loves me the same. When I memorize the whole bible, He loves the same. He already loves me, is already proud of me, He is already pleased with me. If I never opened my bible again, we would still want to be my friend. God loves me the way God loves God, even when I am as far away from being like God as possible.
This amazing, unconditional, unrelenting love is what keeps us going. Its what keeps us coming back to our first love. So please, wherever you are, just remember the He already loves you. And be compelled by His love, and let it be an overflow of this amazing love that touches the world around you.
And Please pray for the YWAM base in Kona that the God who loves us and can heal us would fill us with the knowledge of His love and His healing power. Thank you.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Its all about Jesus
Jesus has been teaching me something so precious: its all about Him. This life is not about living for people's approval, fame or fortune. Its not even about having fun, or even living life to the fullest, although those are all good things.
This life is about being in love with our creator. Falling in love, and then going where he goes. Abiding in the vine, and bearing much fruit. Being like a tree planted by streams of living water, so that our leaves are always green.
This is my prayer for my life, that I would be solely focused on one things: intimacy with Jesus. Please join me in praying that we would be so consumed with loving this man that our only desire is to love him more.
I really believe that God is calling the church to really put the first commandment first in our lives, and we will see the world truly transformed when our walk is not just about doing ministry, doing good things and not doing bad things, but being in love with God!
So please, pray for the church of Jesus Christ, that we would not be swayed by any other mission, other than loving our precious King.
This life is about being in love with our creator. Falling in love, and then going where he goes. Abiding in the vine, and bearing much fruit. Being like a tree planted by streams of living water, so that our leaves are always green.
This is my prayer for my life, that I would be solely focused on one things: intimacy with Jesus. Please join me in praying that we would be so consumed with loving this man that our only desire is to love him more.
I really believe that God is calling the church to really put the first commandment first in our lives, and we will see the world truly transformed when our walk is not just about doing ministry, doing good things and not doing bad things, but being in love with God!
So please, pray for the church of Jesus Christ, that we would not be swayed by any other mission, other than loving our precious King.
Monday, January 24, 2011
First week of staff training
Hey everyone! I'm here at University of Nations where I am on staff with Youth With A Mission. It has been a week now of being on staff, and it is an incredible experience. I feel like I'm exactly where God wants me to be, and I see His goodness all around me. I've been rejoined with so many good friends, and have made many more. Everyone is so eager to talk and be friends. And everyone has the pursuit of one person on their mind: Jesus.
We spend much time as a campus and as individuals simply being with our precious savior. It is in His presence that we get transformed, we get refreshed and we receive new strength for the new battles. It is in His presence that we find out who we really are, and who God really is. What a privilege to live in the presence of the Almighty God!
Looking ahead to future, we are very excited about the April Call2All DTS. We already met as a school and have been hearing so many good things from the Lord, who is giving us our identity as a school. So far we have 11 staff, and they should all get here early February.
We are in the process of praying for and recruiting students. We are expecting the Lord to send a huge workforce into the harvest fields, and we are hoping for 60+ students in our school. Will you be part of the faithful intercessors who join us in praying for these students?
Also, here is a little more information about the school and how you can join us as we follow the Lord.
Video:
U of N Kona
Call2All DTS
YWAM home page
We spend much time as a campus and as individuals simply being with our precious savior. It is in His presence that we get transformed, we get refreshed and we receive new strength for the new battles. It is in His presence that we find out who we really are, and who God really is. What a privilege to live in the presence of the Almighty God!
Looking ahead to future, we are very excited about the April Call2All DTS. We already met as a school and have been hearing so many good things from the Lord, who is giving us our identity as a school. So far we have 11 staff, and they should all get here early February.
We are in the process of praying for and recruiting students. We are expecting the Lord to send a huge workforce into the harvest fields, and we are hoping for 60+ students in our school. Will you be part of the faithful intercessors who join us in praying for these students?
Also, here is a little more information about the school and how you can join us as we follow the Lord.
Video:
U of N Kona
Call2All DTS
YWAM home page
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Its actually happening!
This is one of those exciting moments where I can just see God's hand at work in amazing ways! I'm finally going to Kona! After three and half months, I am soon going back to the YWAM base to start the work the Lord has prepared for me! I now have enough support where I can confidently go back, knowing that I am in God's will and He is providing for me! Its so exciting that after talking about it for so long, its actually happening! Praise God!
And I have really cool news about my family as well. They are just so fired up for God! It has been such a blessing to see in each one of my family members. My parents are coming back from Haiti with a week long missions team that they are leading! They continue to amaze me everyday by their willingness to go wherever and do whatever the Lord has them do. I am truly blessed to have such amazing parents. Papa mweh aye Mama mweh, M' reme ou. (My father and my mother, I love you, in creole).
My brother is doing amazing at Oregon State University, where He is studying Graphic Design. He is working hard, getting good grades, working a job on campus, and He has just started leading a high school group at his local church. It really is incredible to see God just dramatically turn his life around! Please continue to keep my family in your prayers, because we know that Satan doesn't like it when people follow Jesus.
If you could partner with me in prayer for the following things:
Also, I hope you enjoy this awesome video about the Call2All Discipleship Training School.
And I have really cool news about my family as well. They are just so fired up for God! It has been such a blessing to see in each one of my family members. My parents are coming back from Haiti with a week long missions team that they are leading! They continue to amaze me everyday by their willingness to go wherever and do whatever the Lord has them do. I am truly blessed to have such amazing parents. Papa mweh aye Mama mweh, M' reme ou. (My father and my mother, I love you, in creole).
My brother is doing amazing at Oregon State University, where He is studying Graphic Design. He is working hard, getting good grades, working a job on campus, and He has just started leading a high school group at his local church. It really is incredible to see God just dramatically turn his life around! Please continue to keep my family in your prayers, because we know that Satan doesn't like it when people follow Jesus.
If you could partner with me in prayer for the following things:
- For spiritual authority in our staff team to lead a powerful school
- For all of our financial and housing needs met
- For God to send the right staff and students to our school
- For vision and passion to really see this school be the best it can be
- For us to be focused on intimacy with Jesus, that ministry would be an overflow
- For my family to have unity, God's direction and deeper intimacy with Christ
Also, I hope you enjoy this awesome video about the Call2All Discipleship Training School.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! I know its a little late, but at the same time I'm getting an early start on this year! I hope everyone has had a great holiday season, full of family, friends and lots of JESUS!
Its been a while since my last post, so this one is a recap of everything that has happened over the holiday season.
The first big event was having Tom & Alex Purvis leave, a young couple that are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. My parents were very generous in letting them stay with us. We really miss them not being here, but we're very excited that they get to do the work of the Lord! They are going to be working in Utah, which surprisingly is an unreached people group, with about 1% of the population Christians. Feel free to check out their website: tomandalexpurvis.com. I highly recommend them as people to support. From the first day they stayed with us through the very end they were incredibly encouraging, friendly, hard working and have amazing hearts to pursue God.
Next, we had all the family home! And this was the first Christmas where everyone was believing in Jesus! We had a really cool time reading the story of Jesus' birth and praying and worshiping together.
The day after Christmas, I flew to Kansas City, MO for a young adult conference called "onething". It was put together by the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC). There were amazing times of worship and teaching, and everyone walked away more encouraged to live what society says is radical, but the bible says is normal. I want to highly encourage anyone that is interested to check out the free archives of teaching and worship, its powerful. Click this sentence to watch the onething archives.
So now I'm in Sisters, Oregon getting the final details taken care of before I head to Kona January 17th.
Merry Christmas! Here is a video showing the highlights of this past holiday season:
Its been a while since my last post, so this one is a recap of everything that has happened over the holiday season.
The first big event was having Tom & Alex Purvis leave, a young couple that are on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. My parents were very generous in letting them stay with us. We really miss them not being here, but we're very excited that they get to do the work of the Lord! They are going to be working in Utah, which surprisingly is an unreached people group, with about 1% of the population Christians. Feel free to check out their website: tomandalexpurvis.com. I highly recommend them as people to support. From the first day they stayed with us through the very end they were incredibly encouraging, friendly, hard working and have amazing hearts to pursue God.
Next, we had all the family home! And this was the first Christmas where everyone was believing in Jesus! We had a really cool time reading the story of Jesus' birth and praying and worshiping together.
The day after Christmas, I flew to Kansas City, MO for a young adult conference called "onething". It was put together by the International House of Prayer in Kansas City (IHOP-KC). There were amazing times of worship and teaching, and everyone walked away more encouraged to live what society says is radical, but the bible says is normal. I want to highly encourage anyone that is interested to check out the free archives of teaching and worship, its powerful. Click this sentence to watch the onething archives.
So now I'm in Sisters, Oregon getting the final details taken care of before I head to Kona January 17th.
Merry Christmas! Here is a video showing the highlights of this past holiday season:
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