This year, our teens decided to participate in the 30 Hour Famine as a time to refocus and renew their relationship with God and His call on their lives. What an active and powerful time we had together!

Our packed-full program began Friday, with going door to door witnessing, sharing our testimonies and distributing food to people in need.

When we got back to the church, we broke off for a time of private prayer and Bible study. The Teens were invited to attend and participate in the The 20 Somethings Group in a study on Finding God's Call for Your Life.

After The 20 Somethings, we played two ice breaker games led by "Chief Maputo." These helped us interact better and to get to know each other while burning off energy in a fun way!

Before going to sleep for what was left of the night, we gathered in the sanctuary to watch a documentary on the persecuted church in Iraq. We had no idea of how Iraqi Christians were being persecuted, and how many are being killed or chased out of the country. It is good to learn what is happening around the world in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Last, we broke off for quiet reflection, prayer and meditation time before going to bed.

Saturday began with a nonbreakfast, where we talked about fasting, did a morning study on John 17 and had time for private prayer.

At 9:30 a.m. we had a hands on workshop on how to make your own tracts as a way of getting God's Word out. Pastor Steve made his first tracts when he had been saved only about a year. He showed us some copies of those ancient manuscripts(!) and told how to write them in a way that people would read and would want to come to the Lord.

Some of the tracts he wrote for the Bible Society of India were printed in twelve languages each, with initial printings of more than a million copies each! He wrote twelve tracts for them, for a total of 144,000,000 being printed!

He explained how we can reach our friends, family and strangers with simple tracts that we can produce inexpensively, and how there will be people in Heaven because of our obedience!

We each spent time writing our own tracts, so we could reach people with the gospel. They will be edited if needed and produced in the office for us to hand out.

As soon as we were finished doing the tracts, we did a workshop on how to make video testimonies for Youtube, God tube, xangas, myspace, facebook, etc... as a way of reaching people for the Lord.  With these ways of making basically free videos, we can reach millions of people in countries all around the world, twenty four seven, for years! Plus, people can email them to their friends! Every one of the videos was anointed and will be used effectively for the Lord and to bring people to Him!

Finally, at 2 pm, we broke our fast and broke actually ATE!!!  Food never tasted so good! It made us realize how fortunate we are to live in a country where food is plentiful and our bellies rarely get empty. During the mealtime we shared what we learned and how we grew in our time together! All this... in just 30 hours!

Food - a great tool for evangelism.

 

Our Mission - the trailer park across the street from the church. You've got to start with those God's already placed around you and reach out.

Joint Bible study with the20 Somethings on Finding God's Call for Your Life - individually and collectively.

"Chief Maputo" talks to the teens and then initiates them into his tribe...

...via ancient musical chair ritual!

Go!

Phew! Close call, Macy!

This is so much fun!

Jessica and Macy battle it out for the prize!

"Chief Maputo" hits the drum and...

...shows the winner the victory dance she must do in order to rightfully  claim her prize! YAY Jesse!

Next up is the treacherous game of limbo!

Don't fall!

Yeah... um, I'm pretty sure that's cheating...

Next, we all settle in to learn about the Persecuted Church and the 500,000 persecuted Christians in Iraq.

 

Watch the video above to learn more.

Pastor Steve led a workshop for the teens on tract literature and how effective it is for sharing the message of Jesus Christ.

Jesse gets busy at work, using her artistic abilities for God.

Macy and Ariana start brainstorming ideas too.

Pastor Steve gives some great advice, hints and help - sharing his experience as a tract artist and illustrator for Operation Mobilisation, The Bible Society of India and Send the Light Publishers. 12 of his tracts were produced in 12 Indian languages each, at 1 million copies per tract by The Bible Society of India!

K.I. and Mike share ideas on how to share their testimonies.

Aprol busily puts the finishing touches on her tract.

Jesse proudly shows off her work!

Dominique takes a moment to show us her work so far.

Ariana is happy to share her tract! What a great idea!

Next, we do a workshop on video testimonies and how  to use internet evangelism as the new door - to - door.

Check out the videos the teens made!

 

 

 

 

Mike and KI show off their acting abilities.

The famine ends with a light lunch together, where we fellowship and discuss what we learned and share how we've grown.

Yum! The teens certainly have a new appreciation for food!

What a wonderful time together we had! Be sure to come out for our next teens event and check back to see the video testimonies that the teens recorded! It will bless you!