BARNABAS TEAM

In June, I (Matt) led the Barnabas Team at our missions training camp. What is the Barnabas Team? It is a team of Royal Servants alumni who serve all of Training Camp. Barnabas team members take out the trash, clean bathrooms, dig, rake, mow, put up tents, blaze trails through the woods, and so much more! Students also get to know some extraordinary people who became like brothers and sisters, take part in the amazing worship and quiet times, and serve the mission teams behind the scenes! I was so blessed to be able to work with these remarkable  students! God is so good!  

MACEDONIA REFUGEE RELIEF!

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. – Psalm 9:9

Since my return home people ask me, “How was your trip Matt?” I typically respond with, “It was amazing!” or “It was awesome!” And while that description of our trip is true, it certainly doesn’t explain just everything that our team felt and experienced. As the trip leader, I can honestly say that EVERYONE on the team was blessed beyond anything they had hoped for or imagined. We ALL fell in love with the refugees we got to know and also with our ministry partners (SEND Int’l), who work tirelessly in Macedonia. Here are some highlights from our ministry at the refugee camp:

· Served food to 1300 hungry refugees for a week

· Provided 6500 additional meals through “Feed My Starving Children”

· Funded 3 additional days of food distribution for the refugees

· Interacted with refugees through conversations, sports, and visits to shelters

· Helped with individual needs – provided medicine, repaired broken glasses, etc.

· Humbled by the hospitality of the refugees who offered what little they had

· Shared countless cups of tea with the refugees and blessed by their friendship

· Listened to tragic, courageous stories fleeing war-torn countries pursuing freedom

· Loved children by playing games, and providing toys & school supplies

· Offered New Testaments and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with open hearts

Wow! We were so blessed to experience God’s compassionate heart for the refugees. He LOVES the oppressed and He IS a strong shelter in times of trouble. Thank you for showing His love through your prayers and gifts to make it ALL happen!

“I AM FREE”

A refugee named Kabil,  told me in Afghanistan he used to read a bible by flashlight under his covers at night for fear of persecution. I asked him if he’d accept a new testament in his language and read it. He said, “Of course… I am free.” I sat there stunned by his response. Even though Kabil was “stuck” in a fenced-in refugee camp and had no certainty of his future, he now viewed himself as “free.”  While Kabir has not yet committed himself to Christ, he is now free to seek Him like never before. Please pray that Kabil would find Christ and truly be “free!”

PRAY THAT REFUGEES FIND CHRIST

What would compel you to get up in the middle of the night, grab your money and your family and head out of the country?  There would have to be some force of evil that is causing you to leave everything you’ve worked for.  This is exactly what has happened for thousands of refugees. But God redeems!  Acts 17:26&27 says that God has “determined the  boundaries of everyone’s dwelling place, that they should seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.”  Reaching out to refugees or immigrants may perhaps be the greatest open door to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ! Pray that the refugee or immigrant would look to God and find him!

HONDURAS!

You will go out in JOY and be led forth in peace; the MOUNTAINS and hills will burst into song before you... Isaiah 55:12

I love students. I love serving in missions. And I love hiking in the mountains! So when I was asked to join our Kairos students on a mission trip to the remote mountains of Honduras (only accessible by foot & pack mule), it didn’t take me long to say “YES!”

There are few things that bring me as much joy as serving with students on the mission field. Joy was certainly a reoccurring theme through out my trip to Honduras. In fact, the scriptures are filled with verses on “joy” (over 300 times!) At one point during our trip I reflected on specific moments in time where I sensed the joy of the Lord. This list served as a reminder of God’s goodness, which in turn, led to an increase in joy:

· Reaching remote mountain villages (after a grueling but exhilarating 7 hour hike)

· Observing a group of Honduran believers laughing and joking together

· Hearing passionate worship with rhythmic clapping and singing in Spanish

· Watching a student testify of God’s redemptive power at work in their life

· Seeing pastors (some who walked for 4 hours) to join our leaders conference 

· Witnessing faith, despite persecution (one girl had been beaten for her faith)

· Experiencing the love and laughter with a close knit mission team of students

· Enjoying God’s creation: misty mountains, refreshing waterfalls, colorful songbirds

God is so good! I am so thankful for the numerous opportunities our team had to go out in JOY and share God’s word, His love, and His truth throughout our mission trip. Thank you for your partnership. It’s a JOY to serve Him in this ministry with you!

WHAT IS KAIROS?

Kairos Discipleship School is a 8-month intensive, experiential training school for students 18-26, focused on igniting faith and impacting the world. Students gain a foundation in Christ-like character, leadership development, and evangelism. Our desire at Reign Ministries is to equip relevant leaders to be ready to serve in local churches, communities, and on the mission field.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Many of our former Kairos students are serving in ministry or missions around the world. Rachel was a Kairos student 5 years ago. She is currently serving in a orphanage in Honduras as a Transition House Mom and is taking care of four children under the age of 2! While we were in Honduras she made a 4 hour bus ride to spend the day with our team. It was a blessing to hear her share with our current students about what she learned during her Kairos season. Please pray for Rachel and for more students like her to answer the call to missions.