To America and Back Again!

I have not taken time to blog since I returned from my trip to America. It seems that trying to catch up on 6 weeks’ worth of work can be quite a daunting task. I feel I have not stopped since the moment I landed back in Auckland.

My trip home was beyond any expectation I could have ever had. To spend quality time with my family is exactly what I needed! There is nothing like the hug of a mother and siblings! This is something I have only come to know the true value of since moving to New Zealand. If there is anything I have learned in this calling the Kiwiland it is that my family is a precious gift. Not only did I get time with my family, but my best friend Nikki! Only God orchestrate my calling allowing me to see my best friend more in two years than the previous ten! I love that He takes care me to the very smallest of detail.

Upon my return I definitely had hesitations. In no way did I want to leave my family so soon especially knowing just how long a year is apart from them! The entire journey home (the unbelievably and ridiculously long journey) I was holding back the tears as I kept imagining those last few moments in the airport over and over in my mind. Never in a million years would I have thought this calling would be so hard.

However, the moment came when I arrived at the Auckland airport to friendly smiles and loving embraces of those God has placed in my life on the other side of the world. I immediately felt like I was in my second home and ready for the journey ahead of me. I was ready to pick up right where I left off!

South Primal (A.K.A Soufies)

 The following day I was overwhelmed with the love of my Soufies (the term for youth in South Primal) who excitedly awaited my return. I was reunited with my babies! Such beautiful, talented, and passionate youth that continually blow me away with their capacity for love and generosity.  Never, in all my years of ministry, have I seen youth come so far so quickly.

Just in the last 4 weeks South Primal (C3 South Centre’s youth ministry) has seen over 40 salvations! That’s just the tip of the iceberg! Every week my heart is moved as I watch our youth come expectant for God to move in their lives. From the moment our services start they are fully engaged! The room fills up with laughter and joy as we dance together, worship together, and seek the Lord together. Each week they enter into worship without having to be encouraged. As soon as we begin to walk up to the mic they begin to spread throughout the room to find a space that they can get focused on God and get lost in His presence. And to top it all off, they have servant hearts like no other! Always asking and longing to get involved and do an incredible job at making every week run smoothly and efficiently.

2014 C3 LEADERSHIP COLLEGE

Upon my return I was officially placed over C3 Leadership College. We currently have 14 incredible students being trained in youth and young adult ministries. Each one of them brings a different but incredible dynamic to ministry. Four of these are youth that have come out of South Primal. We have hopes to plant two new South Primal campuses in Papakura and Pukekohe. We have kids wanting to come that we do not have the ability to transport so we are going to them! My heart leaps with joy every time I think about the future of South Primal. There are many visions God has laid on my heart and we are slowly seeing them unfold.

2014 UNDEFEATED TOUR

We are in the middle of our UNDEFEATED Tour. We have been in six high schools over the last week, and going to the South Island next week to go into another four for our Christchurch tour. It has been incredible to watch the response of the schools as we bring a message of hope and purpose using creative arts to present a relevant message to the youth of NZ. After losing one of my South Primal youth to suicide 5 months ago I have become more passionate this tour than. The youth of NZ are desperate for a since of purpose and hope, but also a since that someone cares and someone wants them. We are allowed to promote Primal Youth (each C3 Church in NZ has a Primal that runs as its youth ministry), and do a large evangelistic service at the end of the tours to lead these youth to Christ! We are doing our best to make a stand against the astronomical rate of suicide that this country faces.

Our Boy George Maoate RIP

God has also blessed me with the honor and privilege of speaking in many different place including Everywomans Conference, Impact Youth Conference in Tauranga, and even being one of the presenters in the high schools for the Undefeated Tour. The more I do ministry the more I understand the honor that God is trusting me with His children. It is not something I take lightly. I, at times, still can't believe that He has chosen to use me to do His work.  

To sum it all up, we are VERY busy building God’s kingdom here in NZ! I love being surrounded by people that have a heart to GO! While we may not do everything right we are certainly doing everything within our ability to make a difference throughout the nation of New Zealand.

Please to continue to keep me and the team in your prayers. We have many battles that we are up against. I am continually grateful all that support me through this journey of following the call of God on my life. You are responsible for helping to build God's kingdom on the other side of the world!  

Home Sweet Home!

Operation Help Get Jessie Home!!!

Hello family and friends! As always, I pray that you are doing well, and that you are enjoying the season of life God has you in. I am so blessed to be surrounded by such incredible people all over the world!

For the past year and a half I have been working with C3 Church in Auckland, NZ. Here is a quick update on what God has been doing on this side of the world:

            

             South Primal: I have been pastoring a group called South Primal in South Auckland. This is usually known as an underprivileged area in which the youth are raised in much more difficult environments. Many are from foster homes, involved in gangs, raising themselves as well as their siblings, and almost all have been abused or sexually abused in some way. Since I have been here we have seen one youth after another come to know Christ and start making steps to having More To Life. As a church we have grown out of our building and will be moving to a new building in only 6 weeks! So exciting to see His kingdom increasing! I could spend pages just writing about the many testimonies we have seen, but in attempts to keep this short I will encourage you to continue following my blog: http://jessie-vs-nz.blogspot.co.nz/. Not only do we help them spiritually, but also provide food packages, daily hygienic needs, help them to get the driver’s license, help with studies, provide training to develop their talents (musical instruments, dance, spoken word, song writing, etc) and any other area in their lives possible.

2.       

              C3 Leadership College: I also serve as the C3 Leadership College Program Director. This is dedicated to training up young adults for ministry. They are trained teaching as well as practical application. The students travel the country with our Undefeated Tour (see www.undefeated.co.nz  for more information) going to high schools as well as going to the streets to reach teenagers that face depression and to combat the high level of suicide seen throughout the entire country.  Many of these students step out to plant youth ministries, and over the years there have been many that have become pastors that are still maintaining ministries around NZ. Our goal is to empower them to fulfill the purpose and call God has placed on their lives and set them up for success in pursuing that call.

I remember the day I was called to NZ at the age of eight as if it were yesterday! Now that I am actually living that call it almost feels as if I am living in a dream land. While it is a gorgeous country full of incredible people it does not mean that the transition to another country has been easy. Every day I find myself missing my family and friends that played such a crucial role in my life for so many years. No one can ever take the place of family in your heart no matter where you are in the world. Some months are easier than others. The moments I see youth make a decision for Christ, get baptized and get set free make my heart overwhelmed with joy! However, there are times that I would love nothing more than just to spend one evening with loved ones, and being in a country with the things that are “normal” to me.

I miss my family and doing my best to raise money to get home and see them! I would like to extend an opportunity to help continue supporting the work God is doing in NZ, but also to help me come home! It costs $2500 every time I want to come home to see friends and family. It has now been a year and I desperately want and need to come home to the support and love of those surrounding me in America. My goal is to get home for June to help with our Giant VBS (nothing beats seeing thousands of kids come to know Jesus)! If you are led to join me by financially supporting this mission, it will allow helping ministries in the States as well as having time with all of you! To make it as easy as possible I have included information on how to give into this ministry. I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.

Ways to contribute financially:

All donations should be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip. You will be eligible to receive tax credit with any donation given.

To pay by check:

Checks must be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand mission’s trip.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

To pay by credit:

Contact the Knoxville Christian Center office and have credit card number available. Or fill out the form provided below.  Information can be taken over the phone @ 865-690-0855.

To pay cash:

Cash may be designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand mission’s trip and mailed or brought to the Knoxville Christian Center office.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

1 Year Down...At Least Two More To Go!

It has been some time since I have last written, and I pray that everything is going well for you. Just because I am on the other side of the world does not mean that I do not think of you often. I miss all my family and friends so much! I love NZ but there is nothing like the people that supported me through all the ups and downs, and you are a part of me being able to follow God’s plan and call on my life.

It is pretty hard to believe that I have been in NZ for over a year. My time here has flown by, and honestly it feels as if I just got here a couple months ago. As I look back I am in awe of all that God has done. It is as if He has carefully directed every step of my journey putting me in the right place at the right time.

I am slowly becoming more comfortable living in a new country. I don’t know how to explain the feeling of being in a place that is different from everything I have ever known, and miles away from all friends and family. However, God has allowed me to develop relationships with truly incredible people that have encouraged and challenged me in my walk with the Lord. I believe in just a years’ time I have made lifelong friendships, and partners of ministry. And I am excited to report that I received my religious work visa and will be allowed to continue to do ministry over the next couple of years!

When I first walked into South Primal at the beginning of January 2013 I remember asking myself, “What have I gotten myself into?” Going from around 200 youth to around 20 was quite an adjustment. The youth would walk in and out of the service, there was a lack passion, and an overwhelming need to be “cool.” I knew that I had a lot of work ahead of me in order to see this become a thriving ministry. In one of the first meetings God gave me a vision of the youth running out of the building saying, “I’m free! I’m free!” They all had smiles on their face and were full of joy and hope. At that time it seemed like an impossible dream. Countless hours of prayer, discipleship, and hard work were to come.

Here it is over a year later and I can say that the vision He put in my heart has already begun to happen. Just last week one of the youth said, “I love South Primal because it is the one place that I can go and smile and be happy. I love seeing everyone else happy and jumping around having fun.” Another said, “I just loving begin around happy people! Primal is my favorite part of the week!”  Each week 50-60 youth come in smiling, laughing, dancing, playing, and simply having a few hours to be the kid that they are. They engage in our silly activities designed to get them out of their comfort zone as well as out of their “I am too cool for this” mentality. I can only imagine the joy it brings Jesus to see His kids enjoying the life He has given them! They are finally catching onto our theme, “More To Life!”

There is a hunger and passion to grow closer in God every week. They are always ready to worship, and listen with attentiveness to the message spoken at each service. We are currently on a series call Identity in which we are teaching them who they are in Christ! It has been incredible! On average we see around 5-7 kids make commitments for Christ every service! Several never having known who this “Jesus” was at all!

Recently I have been working with a group of girls from a part of town called Otara. The first time I met them I knew it was going to be a journey. I found out quickly that these 15 year olds had already spent a lot of time on the streets involved in prostitution, and that their favorite activity was to smoke pot.  Involved in gangs they were very cautious as to who picked them up, and the places we hung out together.  We are still very much on a journey with these girls, but they have given their lives to the Lord and come to services almost twice a week! Instead of giving me an untrusting glare they quickly come to have a loving embrace with a smile on their face.

We have also been doing work with kids from Dingwall foster home. These kids obviously come in with a lot of hurt and brokenness. Recently two young boys started attending that are honestly some of the most talent kids I have ever seen! I was driving them home one night and I asked them how things with their parents were going since they were only supposed to be at Dingwall for a short amount of time. Looking down at the floor they began to tell me how their father told them he did not want them to come home because they were old enough to be men that take care of themselves. These kid are only 15. My heart broke and I had to hold back the tears that began to well up in my eyes.  One Thursday night one of the boys ran up to me with excitement saying, “Ps Jessie! Ps Jessie! I felt Him! I had an encounter with God!” With a huge smile on his face he began to talk to me about his excitement for the things God has in store for him, and how much he loves his South Primal family!

That is exactly what we have become…a family. We laugh together, pray together, worship together, support each other…we are doing life together! The more we become a family the more we are able to impact and disciple those that come from broken homes and those that are literally fatherless. The more we become a family the less they desire to be in gangs that give them a sense of family. There are people they can rely on, lean on, and it is a place they can be loved on.  Recently a pastor that visited said, “I have never seen kids so passionate and on fire for God. They are so expectant for God to move in their lives!”

Over the past few months we have launched 5 new connect groups, baptized over 13 kids for the first time, and took around  40 of them to camp Getaway! We have only scratched the surface in this first year, and I am thrilled to see what God has in store for 2014! I know there are many challenges ahead of us, but after having a year like this I know God only has greater things than ever.

I would love to have you partner with me in seeing more of these kids come to know Christ! Our goal is not to only lead to them Christ, but also begin of journey of discipleship that teachings them the things of God as well as the practical things of life. We are helping them find jobs, finish school, get counseling, provide food and other life necessities and even get their driver’s license. We are spiritual parents to say the least! You can help this ministry to continue by offering your spiritually and financial support.

Prayer support is absolutely vital in any ministry, but especially with the youth I am working with in South Auckland. Their culture is highly spiritual and practice worshipping many gods. Many have been involved in witch craft, and other spiritual rituals. It is very common for them to have encounters with demonic spirits which makes it crucial for us to not only pray for the youth but ourselves as we enter into these areas of ministry.

 Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join me by financially supporting this mission, I will allow me to continue the work has called me to do. In addition by contributing you will be directly responsible for spreading the gospel in New Zealand! I need to raise money to be able to remain in the country over the next year.  I will have to be creative to raise this money, and I want to extend an invitation to you to participate. To make it as easy as possible, I have included information below that explains the process for giving for this ministry. This is a journey that God has called me to, and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.

Your support has already affected a few hundred lives in NZ, and would not have been able to do it without you! I am truly grateful to have you in my life. I would love to hear what God is going in your life as well and know that I am praying for you on this side of the world. If you would like to know about how God called me to New Zealand and keep up with my upcoming missions trip, please visit my blog at http://jessie-vs-nz.blogspot.com/.

Ways to contribute financially:

All donations should be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip. You will be eligible to receive tax credit with any donation given.

To pay by check:

Checks must be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

To pay by credit:

Contact the Knoxville Christian Center office and have credit card number available. Or fill out the form provided below.  Information can be taken over the phone @ 865-690-0855.

To pay cash:

Cash may be designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip and mailed or brought to the Knoxville Christian Center office.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

Undefeated

It has been a while since I last updated my blog so I thought I would try to give a quick overview of all the areas God has allowed me to be apart of here in NZ.

South Primal:

Every week I am blown away at what God is doing in the lives of the youth at South Primal. It has been almost 10 months since I took over, and the spiritual growth of these kids is mind blowing. I came into a group that was scattered, "too cool" for just about everything, and with walls up not easily ready to be trusting. However, over the past months God has given me favor. It has taken many hours of "doing life" with them, but little by little their hearts have begun to soften. Once a group of youth that would just look at me and stare during the services are now actively involved in anything asked of them.

A few weeks ago I opened my eyes during a time of worship to see every single kid engaged. Hands lifted, eyes closed, and hearts open to God moving in their lives. I couldn't remember a time where every person in a service was involved in such a deep place of worship. The moment moved me to tears as I remembered that these were the same kids I had met only months before.

We have seen weekly salvations, growth and discipleship. I can honestly say that I am a PROUD pastor of these remarkable youth. Every week their hearts become more loving, and their passion for God and to learn more about Him moves me.

C3 Leadership College:

I have also had the privilege to work with C3 Leadership College. Here young adults have given a year to seek God and have further discipleship to pursue the call of God on their lives for ministry. With only three months left in the year I can say that these interns are going to be an outstanding group of leaders in this movement. All of them have come such a long way since entering in January.

We have just finished our Undefeated Tour through out NZ. This tour is designed to speak hope and purpose into the lives of the youth of this country. As I have stated before, NZ holds the highest suicide rates in the world. This tour is C3's way of taking a stand against this catastrophic issue.

For four weeks we have been touring the country going into high schools, spending time doing street evangelism and putting on large events to speak the message of hope and purpose. The dance crew Identity, silver medalist of the world hip hop championship, have partnered with our team to speak their own message of hope. All students are encouraged to speak out in their times of depression and seek out help. Already we have seen 88 salvations and many responses to this particular topic. You are can visit www.undefeated.co.nz to learn more about this tour. We will be making this a yearly campaign to help make a difference in the lives of the youth of NZ.

As a church we have set a goal to see at least 30 people saved a week. This goal has been hit every week since we put it in place! I love the passion C3 has to see the lost saved. This is something the church in NZ needs considering that only 5% of it's population would say that it is Christian. Each week we are taking steps to advance His kingdom!

Once again, I would like to thank all those who have supported me spiritually and financially! I would not be able to be here carrying out God's call on my life without you!

If you feel led, here are ways that you can financially support these ministries:

All donations should be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip. You will be eligible to receive tax credit with any donation given.

Monthly donations can be made to the Knoxville Christian Center.

To pay by check:

Checks must be made payable to the Knoxville Christian Center designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

To pay by credit:

Contact the Knoxville Christian Center office and have credit card number available. Or fill out the form provided below.  Information can be taken over the phone @ 865-690-0855.

To pay cash:

Cash may be designated to Jessie Jenkins’ New Zealand missions trip and mailed or brought to the Knoxville Christian Center office.

Mail to:

Knoxville Christian Center

P.O. Box 50490

Knoxville, TN 37950

Walk It Out

It is amazing how the older I get the quicker time seems to fly by.  There are times that it still does not feel real that I am living in NZ pursuing the call God laid on my heart so many years ago.  We want and cry out to God to get us to our dreams and when they come it feels as if it is actually a dream we are living in!

Ministry in NZ has continued to go well. South Primal had one of it's best nights yet as we ventured into our series Walk It Out. We have been teaching the kids both sides of the game. Jesus as well as satan. We feel it is important to give them a balanced understanding of who they are in Jesus, but also know who is trying to keep them from becoming who they were created to be. Last week we based our sermon off of 1 Peter 5:7-10. I have found that in this culture they take on the spirit of guilt quite quickly. If they have one weekend of mistakes they feel as if they cannot even step into the church for weeks. I will see kids coming hard out for weeks and then all the sudden they disappear. The next time I see them their heads are hung down low, they will barely look me in the eyes, and hardly say two words to me. They assume that me being the pastor I will shun then and disapprove of their attendance to the service. They could not be more wrong!!

If anything those are the moments they need to "walk it out" and refuse to let satan keep them in that low place. 1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you." We cannot think it strange or abnormal when crap comes into our lives! As if Jesus is only targeting one or two people! v5:8 reads, "Be sober, be vigilant; b/c your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." Satan is constantly looking for a kid in a vulnerable place that he can pounce on and devour. That is such strong terminology. I think we tend to forget just how much he wants to steal, kill and destroy our lives (John 10:10)! Our enemy is brutal and he is brutally coming after my kids at South Primal!

The hope lies in 1 Peter 5:7, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. I love this verse cause is has no condition attached to it. It does not say cast your cares if you are of a certain race, have a particular background, or if you have prayed the "perfect" amount of hours each day. No it simply says cast your cares upon Him cause He cares for YOU. You are His love, your are His concern, You are what He gave His life for. This too is very strong terminology. But more than just words....He gave His life for these kids.

Our battle currently is breaking the religious strongholds that have been gripping them by their necks and tossing them in every direction. If they can just understand that any progress is good progress. Even if it is only a half step as long as it is forward then it's great!

Teaching them that they are not the only ones that have suffered abuse, loss, confusion, and depression is a vital step as well. The fact that God sent me from the other side of the world, I am white and from America are three very big things that play in my favour. Maybe not immediate favour, but will help teach them a few things: 1) Being from somewhere else having gone through the same issues lets them know that is not just "South Auckland" going through tough times; 2) Not being Maori and knowing I have faced some of the same issues lets them know God loves and favours them just as much as the white man; and 3) Coming from the country that is idolised in their music, on their tv's, and in their brains as the land of dreams and yet STILL I have undergone some of the same hardships they face daily allows them to know it is not based on their location as to whether or not God wants to use them. Being from South Auckland, they are just as important, just as beautiful, just as capable to be amazing men and women of God that help led this world to Christ and can have prosperous families and lives. But...they have to learn to "walk it out" through everything satan throws at them. Each little step at a time.

On a whole note, we launched a new Primal in New Plymouth just a couple weeks ago. I am pleased to say that now there is a thriving youth ministry in New Plymouth and 14 kids got saved on the first night!! Whoo hoo!!! Please keep Yvette in your prayers as she steps up to take on this new ministry. I know that God is going to do amazing things through her!

I will be returning to the States at the end of May to visit and so excited to see my family and friends! Love you all!!!

The Demons We Face

When I first arrived in NZ back in December I immediately began to pray for a body guard of angels to walk with me as I took on a ministry in South Auckland. I knew that if I were to make a difference I would have to go face to face certain adversaries that have dwelt among Manukau City for years. It was not until after I got here that people told me South was an area that just seemed to be a place that no one could crack. I just thought to myself, "good to know..." Ha! Never did those statements intimidate me, but instead put even more of a passion in my heart to rise up and take this city for Christ!

I went up for prayer one night we with the South Centre team, and a dear friend, Matt Buchan, came up to pray for me. He began to tell me how he saw four angels standing with their backs to me and their swords facing out as if they were guarding me. I got so excited!! I got my body guards!!! Whoo! From that point I knew that this was going to be a good fight.

A few weeks back we were praying before we went to the streets to witness to young girls that have been selling themselves for as low as $20. South Centre has responded to the need and has begun to reach out in love and do what they can to help make an impact in the lives of these sweet children whose childhood has been stripped away from them. While we were praying God showed me the demon that dwells over South Auckland. His face had a smug, perverse smile on it, as if he delighting in being the cause of destroying the hearts and shredding the innocence from each of these girls.

At that moment I was not afraid, I did not stop in my tracks, but instead I felt this supernatural faith begin to dwell up inside of me. I immediately remembered my body guard of angels and pressed into prayer in a way that could have only been the Holy Spirit. I had a supernatural confidence in my Father.

We went out to the streets and I had a chance to talk to a few of the girls that were out and just treat them as if they are as beautiful as the girls walking into church in there new Easter Sunday dress. With time we will build more and more relationships that will lead to a life change for these young girls.

South Primal has continued to do well. Last week we had South Patrick's Day and it was such a wonderful night. We had 4 first time salvations, and there was an atmosphere of joy and peace through out the entire night. I remember praying one day and God giving me a vision of the kids at South running out of the building with smiles on their faces and yelling, "I'm Free!" This is the vision that we are striving to reach...not just seeing them saved but leading them to the abundant life God has promised them and that Jesus died to give them.

I have had the privilege of bonding with several incredile youth and have already seen them being set free from bondages that have run generations deep. The task before me is not one that can be done in a few months...maybe not even in a few years. I am fighting against generations of bondage and addiction. Youth that have been taught from birth that this is "just how life is."

While it breaks my heart, I continue each day knowing that God has sent me here for a particular reason in a particular season! The time is now and I need your support as I face some of the largest spiritual wars I have ever gone up against. It's time that we stand in the gap and intercede for the lives of these precious children. If my heart breaks for them this much I can't even imagine what it does to the heart of God that loved His little children so much.

Please keep me as well as the youth of South Auckland in your prayers. We have several outreaches and events coming up with the intention of seeing more and more kids saved. Jesus literally wants to save their lives and needs us to be His hands so He can do so.

You are all missed and love greatly! Thank you for always being my support!

New Zealand Warriors

If there is anything I have come to learn about myself it is that I am horrible with blogging on a regular basis. So many days go by in which I intend to sit down and write out all the adventures God has been taking me through, but before I know it the day has gone by and yet again I have failed to make any updates in my life. 

It is so exciting to be sitting in New Zealand writing to all my family, friends and supporters that have all contributed to me being able to do ministry here. Since arriving here in December I have had numerous doors open and have watched God direct me to the right place at the right time. 

I have officially taken over as pastor of South Primal in South Auckland. In the past few weeks we have been establishing a good foundation with our leaders. Early on I felt God tell me that He doesn't need anymore leaders, but needs people that are willing to rise up as warriors and fight for the lives of these kids in prayer, time, and love. My heart has continued to break for the youth of New Zealand and I have an increasing passion to fight to rescue souls for His kingdom. Being passive is not a character quality that God can use. With the utmost aggression satan steals the lives of our youth everyday and yet we complain cause we don't want to pray, fast, give or even read the word. We don't want to discipline our flesh to do whatever it takes to see someone's life changed and set free. 

I recently got lost in a part of town called Otara. As I drove around the area of town that many would deem as "the hood" my heart began to break for those who grow up every day believing "this is it!" This is the life I have been given to live. A life that fights just to make it through each week instead of walking in the abundance of life that Jesus came to give us. And for whatever reason, God has compelled me to go. He has moved me with compassion to go after His children that are lost, blind, hurting, and scared. He has called me to be the one to bridge the gap!  

This Thursday at South Primal we will be concluding our series on "More To Life." We have challenged the kids to "dare to dream" and trust that God will bring a life of abundance and success. Success of course being defined by God's standards: love, joy, peace, having a good family and being good parents, freedom, etc. I have rallied together some of the most genuine people I have met at C3 church thus far and asked them to partner with me this week to lead these kids to freedom. One cannot have more in life without being set from the old ways of life! Being empowered with the Holy Spirit is crucial for any of us have to live a life of abundance and Godly success. 

In the next month we will be doing several outreaches and events to see more souls won for Christ. Also, we will be working with another young leader that has received a called to start another Primal in New Plymouth. Together we will launch this youth ministry and hit the streets to seek out and bring in the lost. This is only one of six new youth ministries that will be launched in NZ through C3 this year! By the end of 2013 Primal will be back into every major city in NZ. What a dynamic and strategic plan to take back what satan has stolen! Seeing the Kingdom of God grow is the passion and burden in all our hearts and we are taking it with force this year. 

We just finished our C3 Conference last week. The power of God was on the move and I know every leader and pastor was challenged in their walk and vision for 2013. Canon J John, Phil Pringle, Dean Rush, Dean Sweatman, and Sam Monk brought the word to all of us in a powerful and enlightening way. I am still laughing at J John's jokes, but more importantly I am still pondering and meditating on the way he presented the truths of God's word. This conference marked a year since I first came out to NZ, and it was a fulfilling moment to see how many doors God has opened for me! When He is ready to move and you are willing to follow then He will get you there quick! 

This next year is going to have its challenges. Already we have lost a couple leaders and had some changes, but having learned what it means to trust God over the past few years I am at peace knowing He has it planned out much better than I could ever dream! We are in a season of pruning and training as God is preparing us to rise up as the warriors He needs to fight for the lives of EVERY SINGLE child in this city. I don't want one or two...I want them all and going to do whatever it takes or whatever He asks to see lives saved for His name. 

I ask that you be in prayer with our C3 teams here in NZ. It is never easy to take new territories for Christ. The opposition always rises, but as we agree together in prayer we always see the victory!

I love and miss you all! I am so grateful to have your support and love even on the other side of the world.