SEPTEMBER UPDATE

It seems that the month of September has flown by! It is hard to believe that fall has already arrived, although Southern California has not offered many hints of its emergence, except for a few degrees of change in the temperature. I have been spoiled the last four years of my life living on the east coast where once fall hits it becomes quite apparent.

This month has been a season of preparation as I have moved into my new role as an intern at Saddleback. Currently, as I shared with you in my last update, my new responsibilities will be to mobilize our college aged ministry, known as Crave, for missions. Momentum has already gathered in Crave from this past summers global trips. However, I am realizing that it will require a lot of patience and work to continue building that momentum. Nonetheless, I am very excited about all of the opportunities before me and Crave.
It is funny, during my time in Rwanda God began to really fashion in me a heart for Europe, yes in Africa of all places. After getting back to Saddleback I began to share this passion for Europe that had over time risen up in me. After engaging in several dialogues with some of the ministry leaders at Saddleback it was apparent God had been whispering Europe in the hearts of others as well. So after a few more meetings with some of our PEACE pastors we have decided to set up a 6 - 8 week endeavor for our Crave students to trek through Europe, one of the most spiritually dark continents in the world, to do some initial ground work in preparation for future trips from Saddleback. Crave has been given a great opportunity to be some of the first from Saddleback to go into the heart of Europe to share and do the PEACE Plan with the church there.

Europe is not only one of the most spiritually dark and empty continents in the world, it is also one of the most strategic for the Church to be in. The rise of Islam is swelling in Europe as immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa are pouring in looking for jobs; consequently (or strategically) their worldview and faith are brought along. These dominantly Muslim regions of the world are very difficult for the Church to penetrate. However, God is literally bringing these least reached right into Europe’s backdoors where the Church is given much more freedom to operate, minister and reach Muslims than in their native countries.

Europe is in great need of revival! I believe we are on the fringes of a movement that will sweep through Europe. I believe that the PEACE Plan will be at least a small part of that movement. Furthermore, I believe it will be a movement lead by those both within, and without Europe who are apart of Generation Y, my generation. How timely indeed for God to open up this window for Crave, a Generation Y ministry.

Much is in the development stages not only with Global PEACE in Crave but also in local PEACE. Located in Saddlebacks backyard is one of the most influential regions in the nation comprised of Orange County and L.A. County. This region is one the epicenters in our nation that fuel America’s pop culture. If L.A. County and Orange County were shaken up by the Spirit of God by people who were willing to go and radically love and promote change then I believe America would follow in its wake. Local PEACE is simply about going into the backyards of our communities to serve, love, and speak truth into lives, seeking that God would do the transformation needed to see these lives radically impact the Kingdom.

So all of this to say, I have been given some great opportunities to work with. God has timely brought me to Saddleback to be apart of something that He has evidently put His hand on. Thus, I praise God for each of you who have chosen to support me both from a financial standpoint as well as in prayer. I am so grateful for you! My prayer for you is that God would continue to, “Supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” I pray that you also, “Devote yourselves to prayer, staying alert in it with thanksgiving.” Blessings upon each of you and your families!