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. 

Be Strong and of Good Courage

Everyday it is so easy to coast through the day with out really facing the thoughts we have stored neatly in the back of our minds. How easy it is to file them away and allow them to collect dust as we constantly create more and more files. These files continue to accumulate and the information inside holds the identity and purpose of our lives. And yet, there they sit day after day.

What if, instead, each morning we decided to wake up and pull out each file one by one and meditate on them? What if we began to sort through files and make sure the content has been dealt with in the proper manner. Sort out the trash, fix the mistakes, study and learn how to make it a part of everyday life, or simply REMEMBER the greatness, and make sure every necessary step has been taken to write it off as complete. What if we made time every day to purposefully face each file, each situation, each thought?!

The key always seems to revert back to discipline...is it worth putting in the time to see the outcome you desire? Are you willing to spend the time in prayer, fasting or studying the word to see every area of your life become healthy and balanced? Are you willing to give the immediate gratifications in order to become long lasting, rooted and grounded in Him? Are you willing to do what He asks in order to have what He has promised? Of course our immediate response is yes, but the actions that follow generally say that we are only willing to do just enough to be satisfied in the present instead sticking it out in order to receive the abundant over flowing life God promised (John 10:10).

All these thoughts lead me to one question I have never taken the time to ask myself, "Why does thinking/meditating about something difficult, hurtful, or confusing in our lives have to be a bad thing that we avoid at all costs?" Some avoid it with a substance, some with the business of the day, and others by constant empty relationships. Why can't we look at those files presumed "bad" and say "challenge accepted!" Let it be something we analyze, think about, and figure out with Christ, and do whatever it takes to make sure it gets fixed? We waste so much time (hours, weeks, years) trying hide and run from those thoughts instead of purposefully selecting the file and deciding the time is NOW!

We could climb the mountain that stands before us so much faster if we would quit acting as if it does not exist and quit trying to find another pathway. We have simply been asked to "Go This Way,"...not to the right nor to the left but up (Josh. 1:8). Not just asked, but commanded and yet we continuously seek another alternative. Imagine how far you would be if you continued to go up further instead of making an excuse as to why you should come back down! You don't come down because a friend has not followed behind. You don't come down because you don't know where the path will end. You don't come down because you are scared of what me be just around the corner. No! You press forward regardless of what the narrow path (Matt 7:14) looks like. You push towards the top regardless of what that path way may make you face (forgiveness, humility, family issues, brokenness, etc.) instead of pretending that it was never there.

Why is it so bad to do this? God reminded Joshua three times to "Be strong and of good courage." (Josh 1:5-9) Reminded would not be the proper term. God commanded Joshua! "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (v9) God has commanded us to quit being afraid of the mountains and face them with HIS strength and HIS courage every day, every hour, every minute! It is time we fight for the abundant life God promised us and make the decision that we want a life of more than enough and to "Go This Way." Every movement and decision is based on following Him even if it takes persistence (Luke 11:8).

I challenge you to face ever thought you have ever hidden from. Yes, it may be hard and it will most likely hurt, but do not let the fear of "what might" happen in facing the thought keep you from ever overcoming the mountain that thought has become. Be strong and of good courage and to fully trust the partnership you have with Him. Remember Joshua 1:5, "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will NOT leave you nor forsake you."

A New Chapter In Life

It is day 6 of my return to NZ and it has already been field with amazing stories to tell. Just a week or so ago I was in Knoxville, TN closing up chapters in one portion of my life so that I might be able to open up others on the other side of the world. Those last few weeks were filled with excitement, nervousness and simply not having a clue what would come for the next year of  my life! I got through my sister's wedding, moving from one house to another, Christmas and then off to NZ I went the next day. While there were moments of thinking, "what in the world am I doing?!" there was no hesitation of doing what I knew God was calling me to do. I got on the plane, strapped myself in and sat back to hear God says, "Are you as excited as I am?!" All nervousness and lack of peace immediately fled as a smile came across my face and pure joy filled my heart. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing you are exactly where God wants you to be at the exact time!

The moment I got of the plane it was time to get started. We packed for Getaway Camp, picked up some kids, and then were off to Cooks Beach. I immediately began to have a heart for the kids at South and knew that this year was looking to be a good one. The services were wonderful. Great worship and dynamic preaching from the C3 crew pushed the kids to a new place in their walk with Christ. Every night there were new kids in the altar longing to surrender their lives to Christ and just as many being filled with the Holy Spirit and called into ministry. I have admit it was quite amazing to have a camp at a beach. It was amazing weather and literally one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen!


Not only did God allow me to get to know the wonderful group from C3 South and South Primal, but I was also able to reconnect with those I had gotten to know from my previous trip. Many of the young adults that were in the C3 Leadership College had moved on to run their own Primal. I got to hear the many stories of what God was doing all over NZ and know what was happening in the Primals we had launch earlier in 2012.

The next little bit I will be taking time to settle in the the NZ way of life. I am excited to be in a place that will stretch me and force me out of my comfort zones. As we all know, you can never expect to run a youth ministry the same every where you go. It cannot be placed in this box that you expect to be the magic key....especially in different cultures on the other side of the world! I have a lot of learning to do. Different country means different issues and different demonic strongholds. The good thing is God never expects us to do it on our own nor expects us to make Him move. He simply wants us to jump on board and move with Him! Where He goes I go has never been more true. I have been stripped away from everyone I know, everything I have known, and place in a brand new place with a brand new start!

We anticipate launching 6 new Primals all over NZ which will put us in every major city in NZ by the end of 2013. There is a lot of training and preparation to make this happen, but I believe that is why God has placed me here at this time. Years of doing outreach all over Knoxville has given me much knowledge and passion for street evangelism. The weeks of walking the streets and going door to door to invite kids to church has trained me for these very moments in NZ!

We will all be hitting the ground running this year and all for the glory of God. No more sitting back and waiting for people to come to us! There are to many youth taking their lives and too many broken lives to not be aggressive with the things of God. I look forward to sharing these moments with in the future as God opens new doors and leads me in this new chapter of my life. Many of you have been the support that has helped get me here today, and I can never thank you enough!