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!