We’ve had a busy first weekend here at NY: Next Level. We arrived on Friday around lunch time and have been going, going, going… ever since! After first arriving, we had meetings for orientation for the CitiVision ministry and the ministry of the ‘Soul Saving Station’ church where we are staying for the week. That night the kids had the opportunity to experience the “Top of the Rock” … praying for the city from the top of the Rockefeller Center, and Times Square where they asked people why they were in NYC and if they had any spiritual beliefs. Saturday involved several training meetings, one which was led by Tom Mahairas, founder and visionary of CitiVision. Tom challenged to students to seek the Lost in this large city and reminded them they are led with authority by Christ! Both Saturday and Sunday provided us with opportunities to go places for personal evangelism, where the students have been challenged to start intentional and meaningful conversations with strangers in the hopes of discussing or directing them to Christ… which is much easier said than done! We have also had opportunities for several of the students so far to lead the entire group in a Bible study of James. So far we have heard from Dallas Modderman, Jenna Zigrang and Kaylina Brown, Andrew Roper, Jesse Filgrove, David Wolgemuth, Cindy Rau, and Dan Joseph. It has been more than encouraging to be challenged by these individuals in their understanding of Scripture!
Please continue to pray for boldness, clarity, patience, and wisdom for these students! And pray for sunshine!
:: Jen Siegrist
Abbie Brubaker
Heheh. . .Well, keep praying. I’ve still got a week to overcome my paralyzing fear of speaking to people I don’t know.
Julie Schultz
So far it has been such a growing experience and it’s only been three days. Keep praying for our team!
Dallas Modderman
It’s my first time in New York and the experience is great.
Jenna Zigrang
It has been so amazing to be able to go out and spread the good news! It is my first time in NY and I am having such a good time! Even though it is going great please keep praying for hearts of the people we talk with to be softened and for lives to be changed through Christ!
Jen Bechtel
This is my second time on New York and it has been a really great growing experience for me! I have really been challenged to strengthen my faith. Please keep praying for our team and for boldness and wisdom to talk to people!
Ken Norman
This is my first mission’s experience in NY. I am so blown away by the moving of the Lord. What a wonderful experience in church (Pentecostal) yesterday, and as we went to the train station, bus depot, and ferry, it was clear that the Lord had prepared the way and gave us many divine appointments. The Harvest is ripe!!! Pray that many will come into the Kingdom through our working in God’s fields!!!
Be sure to ask you students about the experience of the church in the city.
Today was another day of conversational evangelism. One of our groups had the opportunity to share the gospel with someone and lead someone to Christ.
All of our students had opportunities to share with people in the subways, train stations and bus stops. Continue to pray for them as they step out of their comfort zone and talk to people from New York City and around the world.
Today we split up into three different groups and headed out to various points in the city. Some of us went to Grand Central Station, Port Authority and The Ferry. The purpose of our groups going out was to strike up conversations with people and if the time was right share the gospel, pray or share a testimony with them.
In the afternoon we got back together as a group and shared some of the experiences that we had. A few students had negative reactions to presenting the gospel to someone and go a little discouraged. Others shared of long conversations with people and being able to share the gospel with them or pray with them.
Our night was capped off with time of worship, bible studies and prayer in our group time upstairs in the Soul Saving Station. Several students had opportunities to lead the bible studies and share with the group the things that they gleaned from their study.
We arrived at the New York Next Level - Soul Saving Station around 11am. We quickly were unloaded and in orientation awaiting the rules and important information about the place we would soon call home. We met Walter and Maurice and others that will be helping our team throughout the week in our various activities.
After some acclimation to the building and setting up our rooms we were on our way to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center that is). Our team made their way around the city through the subway, which is an adventure in of itself.
We spent a short time in Time Square where the students were asked to engage in conversation with the local New Yorkers and tourist and ask them a series of questions to get an idea of "the multitudes".
We finished the night on the town with dinner at Schnipper's which was burgers, salads and lots of fries. A walk and a subway ride home capped off our first night.
I hope to be able to update this journal each day...stay tuned.