Whirlwind

The last few days have been amazing as God is clearly at work. It all started the week before with a number of conversations I had with people. We began to pray about location and provision for our ministry to flow in and take some steps of faith.


Monday our staff met together, Drew, Ashley and I continued to talk about the things we were working on and the need for favor in finances and in general for the ministry. Monday night I met with two gentlemen who made a commitment to us to fund a major project within the city that we had a been looking to move forward in. The commitment was for a year. Details will follow soon.


Yesterday we had an amazing outreach at Hawkins St. I will share more about that tomorrow on the blog. As we were finishing up there I had to leave to head to a meeting I had scheduled to meet with a friend who runs a Canada wide ministry from here in the city. We had talked about partnering together on things in the future and I wanted him to be aware of what we were doing.


I shared my enthusiasm about what He was doing. My friend got very excited about what I was sharing and said that he needed to bring another person into the discussion. In just a short time another person who has a passion for the same things Boaz has sat down with us. He was amazed at what we were doing and said he wanted to get on board. He asked about what our greatest needs were and I told him about housing and more permanent drop in locations.

Well to make a long story short, the second gentleman made a phone call to a high ranking government official and Ashley and I meet with him this morning. God is opening up doors to talk with not only our city officials but this time with provincial officials. We are truly excited to share the Boaz ministry and our desire and ability to meet the needs of our housing communities in a all encompassing way.


Pray for us, that we can clearly share our hearts and how the government might be able to play a role in helping us to attain properties/spaces that we require. Stay tuned I will let you know how it goes.

Evangelism, 2 key components

Evangelism, a word of tremendous hope and yet one of fear for many people. It is something most Christian churches know they should do. It is the lifeblood of the church, yet so many churches are not doing much to deliberately impact the lives of people around them for Christ.

I have had a number of conversations with pastors and key church leaders over the last couple of weeks. Many want to reach the lost but don't know or even where to start. I want to share two key things both people and churches need. Here they are:


1. Compelling compassion that leads to action: You will never reach the unsaved for Christ if you do not have a deep compassion for people. Our hearts need to break for the things that break His heart. When you see an individual or a group of people that are hurt, broken, confused and in despair, does your heart go out to them? When you see people that are bound in sin and continually make unwise decisions, do you tend to blame them or see them through the lens of how Christ sees them? Do their situations or challenges compel you to action? If you see a brother in sister in need do you do something about it or just talk. Brothers and sisters words are cheap. 

I am reminded of the scripture in James 1:26, in the Message it reads like this: "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious", by talking a good game is self deceived. This type of religion is hot air and hot air only." This is powerful truth. If we just talk and do nothing, or talk about what we are going to do but do nothing, we are full of nothing but hot air. Compassion is action, not the action of simply moving our lips.


2. Fight injustice. What are we willing to fight for? Sometimes we spend more time fighting about the color of the carpet, the place of the pulpit, the need to have an organ in our church and the attire of our pastors when there are much more important battles to fight. How much effort do we put in to fighting injustice in the world?

Do you and I care about poverty and children starving to death? Do we care about whether or not a child has the right to have an education? Do we ever consider and do something about people that are abused and trafficked? Are our hearts moved to the point where we are willing to go to our neighbour with three kids and no husband and offer to mow their lawn or help them do up a resume? Are we willing to give up some of our vacation time to build a home for someone that could never repay us?

James 1:27 tells us "Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."


Are you passing the muster test? Who are you reaching out to? Have you become corrupted by the world to thinking you don't have to do anything? Remember, our faith without deeds is unacceptable. We are called to be both hearers and doers of the Word we hear.

Prophetic word spoken

This past summer I was once again at SoulFest and entered the prophetic prayer tent. This is a special place for me as words have been prophesied over me that have been right on the mark. This year the word spoken over me was that I was going to be meeting with city officials to share our ministry and how it can help our city and that I would be talking to other city officials from other locations.

I always leave times  like this wondering what these things mean. I am beginning to see what this prophecy meant. Today we were at our outreach location with Elise and Shari and we had some amazing conversations. Each person we talked to shared how much they desire and need a ministry like ours in the middle of their housing project.


One of the ladies we met told us that she wanted us to have a building right in the middle of their area. She then told me that I needed to talk with local city officials about having them help us to provide a location. She then added that her uncle was one of the city council members and that she would try to set up a meeting for us to talk together. 


Another of the moms talked to us at length about the challenges being faced, and the help they are desperate for. She walked away to do something and then came by again to thank us for doing what we were doing. The answer for poverty is not to put people experiencing poverty together, as it becomes overwhelming  and hopeless. People in poverty need to know that there are people that want to be involved in helping them get out of this vicious cycle.

We met a mom the first day we went to Hawkins. Today we met again and she opened up even more about her sadness of losing her relationship with her daughter. This was caused due to the challenges of living in poverty. Where there is poverty there is depression. Depression leads to hopelessness. Depression leads to drugs and alcoholism and chaos in general. When you place many people in the same situation it is hard for people to rise above the challenges. Families give up on having rules and boundaries and that is not good for neighbours. 


A teen from one family has no rules and their teens can do whatever they want, they think it is freedom. You have another parent that tries to give structure and teens rebel because those around them can do whatever they want. Behaviors are changed for the negative, and parents fight another battle that adds to their depression and hope.Can you sense the despair living in this situation.


There is hope. We can make a difference, God can make a bigger difference. Pray with us that God gives us opportunity to meet with city officials and have favor from them. We have been placed strategically by God in Hawkins St. and we are going to impact this area for Him! He cares!

Manicures and ministry

We do lots of different things in our ministry and love trying new things. Robyn has volunteered her time to give some of the girls that come in manicures or pedicures.
Susan was her first manicure of the night. we love making those who come to our ministry feel like they are important and valued.
It is all about using your talents for Him and making a difference in peoples lives.

Visionaries

Being around people of vision is incredibly gratifying. Being around people who are vision killers are incredibly draining. Being a person of vision is something I desire to be. 


This past week I had conversations with three different people that have great vision from God for the future. As we have shared together I have been encouraged to keep pushing in deeper to follow His leading. All three of these people came to me to ask how they could bring their ministries and vision together with our Boaz vision.


These three people represent two different churches here in Fredericton. These folks all shared the same thing, that they wanted to be able to partner their people with our present and future ministries. It seems they are discovering that they want to be active in reaching the lost and we are a ministry that is very active in this on a regular basis.

As we met as a staff today we continued to talk about vision and what our next steps are. Here are some of those things:

• development of an after school program for our Hawkins St. ministry
• involve more and more people in the preparation and delivery of food to our Hawkins ministry
• have a permanent location in the downtown core in partnership with local churches
• find a location to provide hot meals for students at least once  a week
• developing new merchandise to be able to promote the ministry
• empower others to be involved in Christian mentoring relationships with hurting teens and children
• take a mission trip to identify a location to adopt a village
• make a more concerted effort to reach hurting teens by having other outreach locations
• partnering in new relationships with others with the same heart we have
• planning and providing a self esteem workshop/seminar with well known people as guest speakers
• having a greater presence at local level by attending concerts and showcasing the ministry, This includes new promo videos and brochures

I believe that God has big things planned for Boaz. There is much work ahead and exciting days await us!

Meeting people with same passion

If you ever want to be inspired in life, take the time and find someone else that has the same types of passions that you have. There is something special that happens when you hear the stories of how other people have come to this place in their lives and what drives them.

I had the unique privilege of meeting one of those people while I was at SoulFest. He is the leader and director of an organization in United States called "Forsaken Generation". He shared his story of how God called him to start an organization to reach the homeless teens of his country. He shared the stories of some of the people that changed his heart for the homeless and the trafficked teens.


As he talked about his heart I found mine in full agreement. As he shared some of the challenges in starting and operating a ministry like this I understood those too. As he shared his vision for the hurting, mine was stirred again. As he talked about some of the ideas they have for ministry, I felt like it was the same message God has been drilling deep into my heart.


Here is a poignant news article that talks about the reasons for teen homelessness. It will make you think, just as Sean's talk made me think even more. Sean didn't write this article but it was written by someone with the same passion:

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4911329_what-causes-teenage-homelessness.html

Character vs talent

There is a debate that rages sometimes as to what is better to have in an organization or sport team, a talented person or a person that has character, a good character specifically. There are many people that have great resumes but yet they lack any kind of integrity. Then there are others with great reputations, integrity and a big heart for a cause but may lack experiences. I know which one I prefer.

This past Friday night I had a wonderful conversation with two young adults, Karla and Robyn. I listened intently as they shared their stories and some of their journeys, but more importantly they shared their hearts. They may not have theological degrees but they are people full of compassion for hurting people. These are the types of people I want to surround myself with.

If there is one trait I look for in people is humility. I love working with people that are humble and not focused on all the things they think they are great at. I read a quote recently that said, "organizations work best when no one cares who gets the credit for something good that happens." I love that. It is so important to do good work and grow but if you constantly have to tell other people that you should get the credit for something, your not humble.


Another important trait for me is dependability. I want people around me that follow through on their commitments. I want to be able to entrust responsibilities to others and know they will do it well and with a heart to serve and minister. Being a person of our word is very important. Why am I talking about these things?


I am blessed by our staff and the quality of people God is raising up to assist in ministry. I love to sit down and chat and discover what a person is passionate about. I desire to have people around me with big hearts for hurting teens, children and families. I love when people are motivated by love and compassion and not by money. I am blessed when God radically changes people from a focus on themselves and their personal needs and wants to living more simply and blessing others.


Thank you God for raising up the right people for this ministry. I am excited about the quality of character in the people He is leading to us. I am not looking for fancy resumes, I am looking for...

Mentoring relationships

First I need to say I love our staff and their commitment to ministry and their joy in serving. Drew and Ashley are such a blessing to me and more importantly to the Lord.

Today we took a trip to a near by trailer park where we met Jenna and Garrett. They are awesome kids in need of some more positive people in their lives. They love the things most kids love, art, games, video games, sports and animals. Unfortunately because of their families financial challenges they have not been able to participate in things that others take for granted.

Ashley connected with Jenna right away as Jenna showed her art skills by drawing a horse for Ashley and then they got to play some DS games against each other. At the same time Drew was outside teaching little Garrett how to play ball. It was so wonderful to seethe simplicity of loving His children.

The dad was so impressed and I asked him if he would allow us to be involved in mentoring his children and his answer was a resounding yes. We now have two kids and one teen involved in our mentoring ministry.

If you would like to contribute in anyway to this ministry, we would love your involvement. We would love to involve you in three ways, your involvement, your prayers and your finances. The reality is we need volunteers, we need God’s leading and we need financial resources. 

Please consider getting involved. “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world”

a one litre washed out chocolate milk jug filled with water.

I guess I don’t even know where to start, really. I’m sitting here, staring at the computer screen, thinking of what I should say and comparing it to what I could say - it’s endless.

Yesterday Drew, Scott and I went to Hawkins Street. I really didn’t know what to expect, to be honest. There were also a few others who helped out while the barbequing was taking place, which was and still is an amazing blessing.
And here I go.

I had one of those moments yesterday - a vivid moment. I have very few of those in my life, but when I do have them, they are unforgettable. I think you know which ones I am talking about. You remember what the day was like, the weather, the temperature, what you were wearing, what sounds were happening after and during certain conversations - it goes down to the very last detail. I think it’s a collective striking of the heart, mind and emotion, all in unison. God saying, “Wake up. You’re alive.”

I don’t think I will ever be able to forget Angel’s face. She lives off of Hawkins street and walks around with a one litre washed out chocolate milk jug filled with water. She has the most piercing stare, especially when asking, “Where are you going?” as I was walk away from her.

She also has a heart breaking voice when she asks, “Are you coming back next week?”

wake up, you’re alive.


- Ash.

Bar-b-Q's that don't work.

This past week I resided in the deep woods of New Brunswick helping out my former band Atlantic with their last week of camps for the summer. These guys were my family, friends and co-workers for the past 4 years of my life, so since I have left the band in January I haven’t had the community I once had with them. There are strong bonds that you have with certain people throughout your life, something that is just refreshing to your soul when you can be around them. So as rainy and tiresome the week was, it was renewing in a foreign sense.

On Tuesday of this past week Jenna and I started week two on Hawkins Street. The plan was to barbeque some dogs in the park and invite teens/kids/parents to the park. This of course didn’t go as planned. Their was a piece missing from the camper barbeque we brought, even after I called my mom to bring a back up, the barbeque didn’t get hot enough to cook anything. So we went door to door handing out bottles of water, which in Hein site provided a chance to have some one on one conversations people from the community. Sadly every conversation we have is with a single mom, maybe the father or boyfriend is out bringing home the bacon, but there is doubt that weighs heavily in my heart. When we tell these moms what we are doing and what we want to do with mentoring and programming they state how much they need that, how they feel hopeless when it comes to having any control over their kids.

When you walk around this street long enough the heaviness only get heavier, but my God is the God of the poor, the oppressed, the depressed, those who feel stuck. He hears their cries. And if we listen only for a few minutues we hear them as well.

I’m excited to barbeque tomorrow.

-Drew

Family ministry

I arrived home exhausted after a week at SoulFest 2011, it was a great week to worship God and focus on Him. I am grateful for these times of refreshing.

At the same time when I am away I do not get to be at our drop in on Friday nights. I was talking to my daughters tonight and they shared with me something that was exciting to hear. They told me that this past Friday night they went and helped out. One of my girls, Amy, went and bought some food with her own money and did some art for the teens. My other daughter Erin baked some cookies and spent some time with the teens too. In fact she told me that she really connected with one specific teen.


It really means a lot to me to see my kids take an interest in the ministry. They have much to offer. It was so refreshing to hear them be so excited about being involved. 


I remember last year Erin helped out at a VBS we ran, and she had her heart broken for a little boy that was really having a hard time. He was curled up in the fetal postion a couple of times and cried and cried and cried. We could not get this little guy to talk at all, but Erin did. He told her all about his dog and that made him a happy little guy. I know she is still impacted by little Thomas.

This ministry is about families and bringing families back together. I am going to continue to pray and see how my girls can continue to help people gain hope and reconnect in their own families. God is good! 


I love my family! I am thankful for my children Erin and Amy who live here in Fredericton and  my son Ryne who lives in Halifax. I am blessed to have a godly wife who cares about others! We are family and now it is time to spend some time together now that I am back home!

The BOX

The other night on our trip away with some teens from our youth group, I asked them to write down three things that they were passionate about. It was a way to try and help them evaluate what was most important in their lives. The answers given were quite as I had expected. Our culture has really shaped teens and has told them what is most important.

For me it was a reminder once again that I have passion for three things. I am not including my family or God in these three things because they are already a given in my life. Without God nothing else matters and without family life would be empty. That being said, here is what I am passionate about:


1. Missions--- I love doing ministry in other nations. I love being Christ's hands and feet to those much less fortunate than us. I am most fulfilled when I am making a tangible difference in the lives of those with so much less than we have. The irony, is that in many ways, they have a deeper faith and trust in God because they have grown to trust Him and not allow the trap of money and possessions to become their God.


2. The fatherless---my heart goes out and I have deep compassion for the child that is orphaned. No child deserves to be forgotten and neglected. I want my life to be one that impacts the fatherless. Fathers have such a critical role to play in the life of hurting children and teens. My desire is to be a "father to the fatherless".


3. Hurting people--- I don't mean I like to hurt people as one of the teens joked. I love to bring help to those experiencing grief, loss, crisis, pain etc... In the midst of deep hurt or times of trauma for people they require someone that they can talk to and help them walk through their trial. This comes from various places including natural disasters, man made disasters, unexpected loss, repetitive trauma.


Overall there is a constant theme. I care about the poor, the disadvantaged and the hurting! 


This is the challenge for me. Our culture has taught us to look out for me first. How do I reconcile these two things? Do I really fit in with this culture? What can I do to help change that? These are the questions I am working through this week.

"When you do it unto the least of these you do it unto me"

day two without coffee.

Ladies and gentlemen...we have made it to New Hampshire. Soulfest starts tomorrow and I think it’s safe to say that I have received my required sleep - for today. I slept a solid 12 hours last night. Every summer, I get a cold – and it stays for quite some time. Today, we went to CVS (drugstore). I went up to the pharmacist and explained, (while praying that I wouldn't be charged for the consultation) what my symptoms are.

He looked at me and said, "Miss, you don't have a cold. Stop taking cold medication. You have allergies... notice how you get this 'cold' every summer?" 

I'm on the road to success of feeling better - hopefully. May this hiatus of coffee drinking end soon... for the sake of myself and everyone else around me.

Scott asked the youth and myself last night, “What do you want out of Soulfest?”

It’s funny, the way that God has been preparing me for this trip. He’s been doing so for the past month and a half  and I only found out that I was going four days before leaving.

I can expect anything and everything. I mean really – the Spirit will be here. Guaranteed presence of the Holy Spirit. But we need to know this – the Spirit is everywhere – and can be. God doesn’t just use New Hampshire as a way to bring His people closer.  

He didn’t just create everywhere else to be a city of mediocrity. He doesn’t just use conventions and festivals as a way to reach our hearts – that would place a very large limitation on His love. 

Are we only opening up to God in the obvious places? Because really, Soulfest is a very obvious spot to find the Spirit - it is a safe place.

If we want to grow and stretch your faith – challenge it. I mean, if God is for us, who can be against us?

When I go to Soulfest, I feel like it’s a very tiny glimpse of what heaven might be like.  Believers, followers and worshipers - all in the name of His love.  


Ash.

these last two weeks.

If ever my faith in God has been challenged, it has been in these last two weeks!

The emotional and mental pain I have been facing due to an unfortunate chain of events has been almost unbearable. I questioned God and asked Him what he was doing.

What had I done wrong to deserve this? I let my faith slip, but Friday morning I had a teen come up to me, hug me and hold me, and tell me how much she loved me! This is when I realized God hasn't left me but is making me stronger - stronger in faith, stronger in leadership and stronger in love.

This teenage girl has been through things that I can not even imagine, but yet she stands tall and proud to be a child of God. She looks up to me. I thought God had placed her in my life for so many purposes where I thought I was to show her, but she has been teaching me through God all along!

Prior to these past two weeks, I thought I was one of the best Christians. I went to church, I prayed to God, I thought I was doing what He wanted me to do. Did God ever bring me down off my pedestal! I believed that my faith would never falter, I believed I knew God completely and that their was no more to know. Now I know that I will never know Him completely. I will always have to seek Him out to discover more and more - but that's part of the journey.

As God's children, we never stop learning and discovering. We have to seek God out everyday and not be too confident, because God's work is never done with us. I thank God for opening my eyes, even though it's been painful. I truly believe it has strengthened my relationship with God and the people around me!

I love my teens, I love my job with Boaz, but most of all I love God for giving it all to me and reminding me that I am doing it for Him!


Jen