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. 

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!

Jessie Vs. NZ Round 2!

It seems like just yesterday I was getting on the plane to leave for NZ for the first time. Here it is, almost a year later, and I am planning for my next missions trip. I have an array of mixed emotions from being excited to being overwhelmed knowing that I am taking yet another step towards the dream and call God has placed on my life, but also making plans to leave everything I have ever known. 

During my first trip to NZ we saw many youth come to know Christ, new youth ministries planted, and in depth discipleship take place. While that an incredible testimony I left with much more...I left with knowledge. Spending time in NZ allowed me to get a glimpse into their culture, mentalities, and views of God. It is easy to assume that God moves the same way and responds to the same things everywhere you go. It is easy to put Him some box in which you think you have all the answers and ways to "make God move." It is easy to think that the way you perceive Him is the only correct way. The more I travel, the more I prove myself wrong and learn that God cannot be put into any kind of box...no matter the shape or size!

NZ is a non-Christian nation where only about 5% of the population believes in Christ. So out of the 4 million people that inhabit NZ only 200,000 claim Christ as their savior. They hold an apathetic mentality towards Christ...they don't believe and they don't care that they don't believe. Unlike in the Bible belt where just about everyone is affiliated to a certain denomination, NZ have no problem giving their reasons as to why they have no desire to be apart of anything pertaining to Christ. 

My heart has continued to break as I have gotten to know more about this nation. The fact that it holds the highest suicide rate in the world is enough to bring me to my knees in prayer on their behalf. The thoughts, the pain and the brokenness so many must have endured for their to be so many self inflicted deaths is a thought that I am cannot escape from. My conclusion in my last trip was that there was no hope. That this was just the way life is and how it is going to be. And without hope in a broken situation it is no wander so many have taken their lives. 

I have spent nights crying out to God for the youth of NZ. Interceding on their behalf, and seeking wisdom on how to approach ministry as a return. God has placed a vision in my heart to start More To Life Ministries in which I plan to teach them who they are in Christ, what they can have, what they can become as they follow Him. This is a country where in depth teaching of the truths of God and what Christ death on the cross provides is absolutely crucial. They must know the truths of freedom, love, grace, healing, etc. By focusing ministry in this direction I know that God is going to not only save many from taking their own lives on this earth, but also save their lives eternally!

I will be returning to NZ at the end of this year for four months (unless God opens a door for me to stay longer!) to work with C3 once again. C3 is a large church movement that was begun by Phil Pringle in Oxford Falls, Australia and has grown to have over 200 churches all over the world. I will be working directly with South Primal. This is a youth ministry in South Auckland, NZ. The majority of kids in this area are from unchurched inner-city backgrounds. When I was told I would be working with this ministry I immediately became excited b/c I knew that these were the kind of youth I worked with the majority of my life. I will also be working with C3 Leadership College to help train young adults seeking to be a part of ministry. We will teach them theology, strategies in ministry, evangelistic approaches, and many other necessary tools to becoming a well rounded pastor. Through out this training we will be doing Primal tours around the country. During these tours we will be planting new youth ministries as well as strengthening existing Primals by street evangelism, speaking in high schools, and strategic outreaches. The vision is to have a Primal (youth ministry under C3) in every major city by the end of 2013. 

I am continually honored that God has trusted me with His children on the other side of the world. Only He knows why He has placed this call on my life. One thing I know with out a doubt is that this IS God's call on my life, and that He is going to use me to help lead this country into a true relationship with Him! Even though it means that I literally may have to leave everything I have ever known...family, friends, ministries...I am willing to follow Him where ever He leads me. When God called me to NZ I never dreamed that I would be entrusted with such a large ministry. There have been many nights of brokenness for this country and intense prayer for revival throughout the nation. I am humbled that God would choose me to do His work. I will need your prayers more than ever. God is expanding my territory and as we all know, with expansion comes opposition from the enemy. Just knowing that you will be praying for me brings assurance that God’s hand will be protecting and guiding me through this next journey of my life.

Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join me by financially supporting this mission, I would be grateful. In addition by contributing you will be directly responsible for spreading the gospel in New Zealand! I need to raise $6500 to cover the total cost of the trip. 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 trip. This is a journey that God has called me to, and I would greatly appreciate any level of support you are able to offer.

If you would like to know more about how God called me to New Zealand and keep up with my upcoming missions trip, please visit my previous blogs at http://jessie-vs-nz.blogspot.com/. I have also posted a video of my previous missions trip to the link provided: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7byiUJMVG80. 

Thank you ALL for your love and support! I could not do it without you! 

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

  

32 First Time Salvation Ain't Too Shabby!

It is currently 3:00am NZ time and I can't sleep so figured I would update my blog!

Just when I thought it couldn't get better than launching a Primal in Hamilton, NZ God comes and shows it up! We left late afternoon Tues of last week and headed towards Taupo, NZ. It is amazing how every where I go in NZ has a completely different terrain and totally different vibe. The lake in Taupo is a crater from one of the world's five largest volcanos and the mountains reflect off the clear blue water making it a breath taking site. Wed. morning we visited a nearby high school to do a pancake breakfast as the kids came into school and invited them to Primal later that week. I was amazed at how we were allowed onto the school campus to invite kids to church! This is a goal of mine when I get back to the States! Yes, I do believe in miracles! Ha! We then packed up and headed to Palmerston North where we were launching a new youth ministry to run with the recently planted C3 church for that area.

I have to admit that it was not my favorite of cities, but as I began to see God move it grew on me. We set up at different areas Wed and Thurs doing BBQs and learning where the local hang outs were. I had the privilege of connecting with a girl named Samantha who was more than welcome to give me all the info on the area. I ran into a group of kids who seemed to fit the "emo" category. As I talked with them I realized that they had just left a funeral of a friend who had committed suicide earlier that week. I have since learned that NZ has the highest suicide rate in the world and that this city was one of the highest in NZ.

That night we had 85 kids show up and 20 first time Salvations. Several kids walked out as worship began so I ran out after them. We talked for a while and they said, "Jesus just isn't our thing." I talked with them for about thirty minutes and learned that they felt Jesus was the ultimate illusionist and just tricked everyone into believing He did miracles...haven't heard that one before. Their names were Jake and Kam. I was not able to lead them to the Lord but I know that seeds were planted in that conversation and have continued to pray for them ever since. I would love for you to be in agreement with me that they will come to know Christ and not end up like their friend who committed suicide. I know God is going to do big things through the C3 crew in Palmerston North!

Friday morning we left for Wellington where we did more youth out reaches and on Sat. morning made it a goal to do street evangelism in downtown Wellington. I had the privilege of talking with several of the interns and giving them tips on how to reach people on the streets. I was so proud of our team for going out solely to find people on the streets they felt God was calling them to witness to. There were some stories of rejection, awkwardness, but also words of encourgpagement and prayers with complete strangers! God is just too cool!

Sunday evening we return to Taupo to run another Primal service where we saw 3 young ladies give their life to the Lord! Yay God!

I have posted videos of some of the things we have been doing (sorry for the lack of quality...it is all I could do from an iPad). Follow this link and you should be able to view them all: http://vimeo.com/38846472

Once again thank you for the prayers and support! Thanks to you youth in NZ are being saved weekly!

Doesn't Get Any Better....NZ Outreah!

The more I am in NZ the more my heart grows for the people and the culture. The welcoming personalities, yummy candies and bakery pies, extravagant nature, and the relaxed atmosphere has made NZ a place that I would be more than willing to live.

This past week I had the honor of working with C3 Auckland on their Primal tour and out reaches at Auckland University for their young adult program Change. Monday and Tuesday afternoon were spent walking the campus reaching out to students and inviting them to church. I met students from every kind of background. Being able to share my story with atheists was just so much fun! I developed relationships that have continued onto Facebook and planted seeds in lives that I know God will develope in time. Wednesday morning we headed to Hamilton, NZ to launch a new youth ministry to run along side a newly developed C3 congregation. Not sure what to expect my heart was over joyed when I began to engage in conversation with the youth outside of Fairfield college and in a local skate/community center.

I noticed a group of about ten girls by a tree that just moved my spirit. Not knowing a single one of them I sat down and began to just see what they were all about. I quickly noticed the one in the middle rolling up joints for the rest of the group and she very nicely offered me one as well....I told you people from NZ were friendly! Hahaha! I politely turned it down and continued to learn about their background. Being from the urban area of Hamilton they were very involved and aware of gang life. They wanted to know all about America's gang life, if I fought people, how we did things different, and why on earth I would not want to smoke weed with them. Slowly I began to gain their trust and instead of getting "who in the world is this chick" looks they were asking about why I was there and the event we would be doing the next day. As the conversation came to an end they all wanted a flyer and wanted to come to Primal the following night.

Thurs. started out to be a frustrating day. Plans with schools fell through due to gang threats, other locations we had gotten together just were not working out so we decided to step back and pray and figure out what it was God was planning. We went back to the community center where we connected with the director and they gave us a place to set up a BBQ with open arms. Soon the youth were getting out a school but were not really interested in what we had to offer. I saw one of my girls from the previous day and immediately realized that they were there to see a fight between the local gangs. To make a long story short God had put us in the perfect place at the perfect time! If we had been at any other location the kids would have gone right past us because the fight was way more interesting than a BBQ! God had placed us right were everyone wanted to be! As soon as the fight was resolved we had over an hour to reach out to them before the program that night. The end results...112 attended and 9 first time savlations! All glory is to be given to God! Isn't it just like Him to let the situation seem frustrating when the whole time He is placing us right where we need to be! This is a small clip of the Primal Launch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRhLJi4uTJc&sns=em

We will head out to Palmerston and Wellington this week to launch yet another brand new youth ministry where we are expecting to see God move even greater than He did this past week.

Thanks to all who have been supporting me financially and prayerfully! Good has been saving lives and it could not happen without your help!

Am I Really In NZ?

Well I finally figured out how to post another blog! Ha! For some reason my mind decided to forget how I had started a blog in the first place.

I am sitting at my host home, Mark and Christie Fountain, after a day of working with C3 Auckland. Today we came together to discuss how to get into the local high schools to reach the youth for their weekly youth ministry called Primal. It was so great to bounce ideas off fellow ministers and learn from each other the best ways to advance the Kingdom in NZ. Then, we went to West Auckland where we out reached to teenagers from Avondale Highschool. I was in Heaven. Getting to connect with the youth of NZ is truly a dream come true! They have provided free bus transportation for kids to come from all over the city. Thurs., March 1 we will launched the first City Primal event with special speaker Dave Hall, rap artist Loui The Zu and one of the worlds best grAffiti artists Phat1. Many students gave their life to the Lord! I got to connect with a whole jeep of teenagers before and after the services.

Over the next two weeks we will be launching several new Primals (basically youth ministry planting) in Palmerston, Wellington, and Hamilton, NZ. We will be helpinge to organize new youth ministries and reach out to the local youth and get them established in these ministries. Through out this time I will have opportunities to preach at different Primals through out New Zealand. Then, I head to a camp in Rotorua to work for the remainder of my stay here.

I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that I am in New Zealand. For twenty years I have dreamed of this and now here I am quite literally fulfilling part of a huge call on my life. The fact that I am witnessing and being used to be apart of teenagers across the world is incredible. There have been savlations at every event I have been too, and to be with a ministry that is making such an impact on a nation where only 5% of the nation believes in Jesus is not only educational but and honor.

I have had some time to really seek the Lord and I am still not sure of everything He wants but He teaching me things daily. To come to place and know absolutely no one requires complete trust and faith. I have only been here eleven days and the reward and advancement of His kingdom has been truly great!

The Beginning of a Long Journey

First Time Called

For almost 20 yrs I have felt the pulling to go to New Zealand. I remember being a little kid sitting at the kitchen table looking at the stamps my dad and I collected. They were full of color and had the words New Zealand printed across top. As I looked at these stamps I felt God say, "you are going to go there one day." I tucked the stamps aside in a special place, and went on doing what kids do not knowing that this moment would be the beginning of a dream. 

It seemed that NZ was every where I went in life. From NZ Cafes and Kiwi Gelato shops, to even just being served NZ cuisines while traveling in Israel...I couldn't have gotten away from it if I wanted! While serving in Cleveland, TN I happen to have a NZ minister sitting in my section that was in town for 3 months doing ministry, and was more than willing to help teach me about their culture. 

I began trying to get to NZ my senior year in high school. However, this started a very frustrating journey of one door after another being shut. I would get accepted on mission trips and then some incident would occur that caused them to be canceled for the first time in years. I got my credentials with the Assemblies of God hoping that would clear to path, but yet again doors were slammed in my face. 

After having a couple very difficult years, I entered the year 2010 I just threw my hands up and thought maybe I have been making all this up...maybe I missed my chance. I was settled into a wonderful ministry as a youth/worship pastor at the Knoxville Christian Center, and I refocused myself on my students rather than "my calling."

However, God never ceases to be God and never ceases to have perfect timing! In August 2011, God used a very distinct situation to get my attention. After He had my attention the only thing He said, "Get to NZ asap!" It was just the kick in my tail I needed to get this thing rolling. Basically, I had to decided whether I was going do this or not. 

While there were many other doors that closed in my face, I had wonderful friends and family to remind me that God will make a way if He has called you. One said, "The harder it is the more glory God will receive when He gets you there." I sat in my room and came to the conclusion that I was going to NZ even if it meant me going on my own and traveling from church to church handing out my resume! 

I sent out my resume every where I could possibly find, and then one Sunday afternoon the area code 649 appeared on my phone. Just hear "hello Jessica" over the phone in a NZ accent was enough to make my heart leap for joy. After the phone conversation I fell to the floor crying in excitement knowing that the 20 yr dream was finally coming true. Not only did I receive that phone call, but received over 10 other e-mails from churches all over NZ. Here is it January 2012 and I am officially going to NZ February 19-April 23! The work, the tears, the confusion, the frustration, the determination and the obedience has finally paid off! Not only am I going to NZ but I am going to work for a Christian camp. My dream for year has been to be an inner-city Christian camp director in NZ! After talking with many...there are not many Christian camps in NZ, but somehow God got me connected with one of them! Coincidence? I think not! Almighty, powerful, awesome, all knowing God? Heck Yes!

I have started this blog to keep all of you who have been the support system I have needed through this journey informed and I cannot wait to tell you of all the things God is doing while I am on the other side of the world advancing God's kingdom!

Thank you ALL for your love! I could not do it without you!