Into All Nations

In about 13 days I will set off for a 2.5 month trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands with 6 of my fellow students/staff. I haven't written much about the trip there, so this is kind of an intro. So much has been going on here in the lecture phase that it has been hard to fully grasp Amsterdam. But it's coming up quick! Time to start thinking about it. Let's get this show on the road.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28

We take Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations and we say, "That means other people." But we look at Jesus' command in Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdered, and I will give you rest," and we say, "Now, that means me." We take Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8 that the Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth, and we say "That means some people." But we take Jesus' promise in John 10:10 that we will have abundant life, and we say, "That means me."

Now, we know that each of us has different gifts, different skills, different passions, and different callings from God. God has gifted you and me in different ways. This was undoubtedly the case with the disciples. Peter and Paul had different callings. James and John had different callings. However, each follower of Christ in the New Testament, regardless of his or her calling, was intended to take up the mantle of procaliming the gospel to the ends of the earth. That's the reason why he gave each of them his Spirit and why he gave them all the same plan: make disciples of all nations.
(Radical, David Platt)

That's what we are made to do. That's why we are here. That is what God wants to accomplish through us. Our great purpose; His ultimate plan. So we will go, make disciples, baptize, and teach among the nations.

Team Amsterdam (or FAMsterdam, as we like to call it). We are a group of 5 students and 2 leaders. Seven random people choosing to love each other no matter what because Christ first loved us. And dedicated to bringing that family atmosphere into a place where it has been destroyed by darkness. We are quieter and smaller of the other teams, but just as strong. We are people who like to build personal relationships in order to share the love of God with others. To truly take our time to talk to others. 

Our heart in Amsterdam is to see captives set free. As a world capital of drugs and prostitution, we have our work cut out for us. One thing that most of us share is a heart for sex trafficking and to see that brought to an end. This modern day slavery is rampant among prostitution rings and something that people choose to turn a blind eye to. Why is it that our society constantly speaks out about animal abuse when there are adults and children being starved, sold for sex, and violently abused all around us? Not only do we want to be a part of stopping this, but we want to bring the most perfect, unfailing love, Jesus, into their lives. The best thing we can do is share that eternal, overwhelming gift with them and give them a reason for the past, strength and change for the present, and hope for the future.

Since we are staying on the YWAM Amsterdam base, we will also be able to participate in their minitries such as with the homeless, local churches, and red light district evangelism. The YWAM base actually has a 24/7 prayer room in the red light district and I'm really excited to get to participate in that. We will also be able to travel to other parts of the Netherlands to help and encourage other ministries.

We are definitely leaving our plans open for God to walk us through these days. We wants to be fully led by the spirit and to just go where he wants us to go. Whether that means helping a homeless shelter or speaking life into a random person on the street, we want to be there. Some teams have specific ministries they will be working in (such as with children) but we are waiting on God to show us the way. We are expecting God to come in a big way into that city. He is going to rock the people there as well as us. And we are ready. Whatever God has for us, we are willing. It will be challenging at times but if we look to Jesus, he will bring us over any obstacle.

In a city known for darkness, we want to push in the light. With God as our strength, we will move in big ways. He will be known. He wants us to capture that city's heart for his glory and that is what we are there to do. So many people are broken...looking for satisfaction in things that are temporary. Hurting themselves and others as a form of numbing the pain. But there is LIFE in the Father! There is life to behold. And we want to show them that.

I am still in need of about $400 to make this trip reality! God will provide :) If you feel led to donate, please contact me or read the page about supporting! I would really appreciate it!

Anyways, here is a video of our friends from TEAM AFRICA! 

They are our dear friends and we love them! Take a look at their support video!