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
