After weeks of prayer and preparation we finally had our first day of a gospel event at STI West Negros University here in the Philippines! I can’t begin to even describe the power of the Holy Spirit I experienced yesterday. WE HAD OVER 20+ STUDENTS GIVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST!!!!! While I celebrate the fact so many did, that isn’t the only amazing part of yesterday…
The event started with my teammates leading worship for about 1,000 students in the gym, then they were split up into 4 groups and were sent to the 4 stations we had set up for them. At some stations they heard testimonies from my teammates about sexual identity, soul ties, addiction and how the power of God rescued them from that. The station I was asked to be a part of had the boys and girls split up, and I got the privilege to speak to the future men of the Philippines.
When I first heard where I was assigned it felt somewhat ironic. Since the start of the race God has been teaching me a painful yet powerful lesson about what it means to act like a son of God, not an orphan. I am going to write a blog about it all when the time is right, but the main point here is, I felt a bit unqualified to speak.
The size of group we spoke to ranged anywhere from 50 to 5 boys. The main focus I aimed at was a single question: AM I ENOUGH? This is a question that every man must have answered, we will go to anything to find it. Girls, being the best at sports, academics, possibly our own father’s approval. So, I started with a story of how I have felt like I wasn’t “enough” and broke off into smaller groups for them to share a time where they felt that way too.
Now for any of you who have led any small group of men you can understand how we don’t often open up about things like this, let alone in front of your friends with a stranger leading the discussion. I honestly had very low expectations of how vulnerable and open these boys would be. AND BOY WAS I WRONG.
God opened hearts. After brief silences these boys poured out feelings of being cowards when their family received death threats. How they have been working since they were 8 years old just to feed their family. When they lived on the streets after being abandoned by their parents and tried to protect their little brother through it all. Needless to say… God showed up and I felt more humbled than I have before.
Who was I to tell these boys, who had endured more than I could even imagine, who they are? I can truly tell you that hearing story after story like this my heart broke for these boys. Some never knew who their dad was or even what race he was. I sat listening to them and internally praying. Pleading with God to give me words for those who had endured so much. A verse from Galations came into my mind.
For the last 10 minutes of my station we brought the small groups all together in one area and my squadmate Nathan gave them some nuggets of truth about being a man and then it was my turn. I spoke and heard words I had not ever thought of coming out of my mouth, and I felt the Holy Spirit speaking through me as I answered their question. YOU ARE ENOUGH IN CHRIST.
The verse that came to mind was this:
“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son… that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” –Gal. 4:4-7
SONS… HIERS, titles so rich in meaning.
This was the message sonship I was chosen to deliver to these boys. That in Christ, they are not only enough, but A SON.
I gave each of them a small rock. So that every time they see one they would be reminded that the “Living Stone” Jesus (1 Peter 2:4) who already paid the price. Most of all, that if they choose to make Him Lord over their life, that they are adopted as SONS.
I reminded each of them of what happened at Jesus’ baptism… God the Father affirmed from heaven that Jesus was His son, with whom he was pleased. And in that same way, they too are affirmed as believers.
I saw enter as boys, and walk out as men. Each holding a rock, a small and powerful symbolic reminder of who they are. And no matter what anyone says, even about themselves, the fact remains that THEY ARE FOREVER SONS.
God brought Freedom from to each of these men, and taught me that my current struggles often become the most valuable lessons I have to share.
The best part of all this? WE STILL HAVE TWO MORE DAYS with different age groups!!
Please continue to pray for us on Friday and Saturday, as God continues to use us to minister to the future of this nation.
Yours in Christ,
Andy
