Making a Difference

an unusual evening

I find myself in a very unusual situation, for me anyways.  It's Wednesday night and ELEVATE is going on but I'm not speaking, leading or even showing up.  It only serves to confirm what the Spirit of God has been saying to me all day.  I am called to raise up leaders, kingdom leaders who will expand the kingdom of God.  Leader who will one day replace me.  Leaders who will see greater works than me.    So many times we are focused on reaching the masses, don't get me wrong I LOVE the masses, nothing like having a "big" night and seeing hundreds of students in attendance and dozens giving their life to Jesus, but really we have made the false assumption that we are able to retain the good we do in these sort of events.  Jesus didn't focus on the masses, he loved them, fed them, healed them, cried for them but the majority of his time was to the few.  He raised up men who would reach the masses!  Truth is, it's no different for you and me (yp's out there)  my challenge to you is simple...pray for the masses but invest yourself so deeply in a few that when the masses show up..you have someone to lead them.   I am renewing my commitment to the few..you know who you are. -pw

By the way..it's 49 degrees here.

In the News

This past week a local news station came out to do a report on the economy.  Honestly they were looking for more gloom and doom.  We were able to tell them about our 10 mile run and how generous people really can be.  When you think about it, it's really just a matter of perspective, we are worried about our stocks, credit, and retirements, while people around the world are trying to figure out how to get clean water so their children don't get sick and die.  -pw

Great week!

This past week at ELEVATE was pretty incredible.  It all began on Tuesday with our Pre-Pole Rally.  As you know this past Wednesday was see you at the pole.  This year we decided to have 4 different services at 4 different locations.  On Wednesday we began at 5pm at Marana High School from there we went to our regular service at the Victory Campus at 7pm.  On Thursday we went to Flowing Wells High School at 4:30 and our regular service at 8:30 at the Tucson High School Campus which is just across the street from the University of Arizona.  All total we had about 375+ in attendance with 28 making decisions for Christ.  I have to give it up to our incredible staff, interns and leadership team to pull off such a full schedule of ministry. I am so excited to lead such a great team.   Through it all we made some incredible connections with student and school administrators.  Job well done.  -pw

Imagine if you will

Imagine if you will an auditorium full of students worshiping God!  It was last week in a time of prayer that I had such a burden and vision of the anointing of God being so strong in this room that it began to affect the very classes that were meeting there during the day.  It was as if I could see oil running down the walls signifying the tangible presence of God.  It was to my amazement that when we went to see the room that I found out that this is actually a "religions" classroom. A place where they "study" Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.  It's only appropriate that Jesus would be here..  only one more week till we launch the 21 days of prayer focus.  -pw

Meeting with the Pope

Today was a pretty incredible day. I had the opportunity to sit around with what I would call some of the sharpest minds in A/G youth ministry and dialogue about the future of student ministry in the Assemblies of God. Dr. George Wood, our newly appointed general superintendent put together a group of youth pastors specifically for the purpose of discussing where our fellowship is going as far as youth ministry. I have to tell you I walked away drained but encouraged. The sincerity and authenticity in which Dr. Wood talked about his passion to reach and keep the future generations..it was as one youth pastor said, "breathtaking!" We all want a change to be heard, a chance to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. I have tell you I have a strong sense that with this new leadership, we are heading for big things. Besides all that, I made some real new friends from all over the country. Man, what a great job I have. I'll share more tomorrow, but for now I'm bushed.. -pw

Musicpalooza

Today a few of the guys and myself from the worship band went to Cholla High School (pronounced choy-ya for all you anglos)   We went to play and promote Musicpalooza.  A few of our amazing students came up with the idea to put on a band fest of sorts to raise funds for missions.  They took it to the next step by getting permission for us to show up during lunch period, travel system in tow and play for ALL the students of their high school.  Imagine being set up in the courtyard where every student in the high school hangs out to eat lunch and chill.  There we were singing a lil Hillsong United full on singing about Jesus.  Never in my years of youth ministry have I felt doors opening up so easily..it's truly an amazing time to be in student ministry.  I'll let you know how the band fest goes off tonight..until then keep on rockin'  -pw

Ready to run

Tonight I will make a declaration...I am ready to run.  It's been said that you have to learn to crawl before you can walk and walk before you run.  I have had my time of crawling.   Feeling the hard concrete on my knees  feeling the ache in my back. Then comes the relief of walking upright, this is how it is supposed to be and now..it's time to go. Recently I have been feeling this calling in my spirit..to run.  Run towards all that God has for me and those I lead, Run away from stuff that has tripped me up before.  I can't really explain it I just feel the prompting to run. To go after all that God has, to think big.  It's really a incredible time to be alive, wanna go for a run.   -pw

5 results

Last night was our last night of our outreach "5".  With over 100+ documented decisions for Christ, I have to say it was an awesome month.  Our job now is following up on all those students and getting them plugged into cell groups.  I told ELEVATE that I could really live like this. Seeing lives changed by God is the ultimate rush, no place else I'd rather be.  I want to give a special thanks to everyone who worked so hard to pull this off.  Those who prayed, planned, invited, picked up, served, prayed some more...well done.  You will never know the full impact of your service this side of eternity.  From Jesus and me...thanks.  -pw

Demolition

I had the great privilege to speak at a local high school this morning.  The theme of the day was "Demolition"  and had to do with tearing down stuff in our lives.  I have to say I was really impressed with the student leadership there.  I had the opportunity to meet many great teachers and administrators and hopefully encourage them in their work of preparing students for life after high school.  I couldn't help but be reminded of my days back in Christian school.  It was the summer between by 9th and 10th grade years.  God really got a hold of me that summer and I decided that I couldn't possibly go back to public school due to the influences and pressures.  I made the decision to activate my faith and trust God to provide for my private school education.  (Did I also mention that I washed dishes and bussed tables 35 hrs. a week)  That season in my life taught me so much, even though at times I probably squandered it.  I learned responsibility, independence, and most of all I met my incredible wife.  You never know how your simple acts of obedience will bring you.  Keep being faithful and following Him, no matter what age you happen to be. -pw

Momentum 08

Last night and this morning I had the great pleasure of speaking at Momentum 08.  It's always a huge blessing to be able to speak into the lives of students.  I shared the idea that we as followers of Christ, even really as human beings have "greatness within".  It's not pop psychology but spiritual principal.  I'm reminded to Jesus, when asked about paying his taxes. As usual Jesus goes about satisfying his critics with flare and creativity.  He sends Peter to go fishing..the first fish you catch open it's mouth and there will be a coin...WHAT????  Peter obeys and there it is.  It's awesome how God is able to supply our needs in the most creative ways.  Even more than that I can hear Him say,   Who's inscription or "image" is on that coin?  The obvious answer...Caesar's.  "So give to Caesar what is Caesars...and to God what is God's."  It's Jesus way of telling all of us, "You have the very image of God stamped into your very being!"  What could be greater than that?  I had a ton of fun and got to connect with so many friends both old and new.  So now I set out to prepare myself to speak into the lives of the body at this weekends services at Victory.  I have the greatest job on earth. -pw