Hope for the Island Youth Ministry – Transformed by the renewing of mind! (Rom 12:2)
In this update I will only feature our youth ministry. What we are witnessing here, I pray will be experienced by churches that are praying for and serving this struggling generation. In the last few weeks we have seen the fruitful result of months of prayer and diligent effort to lovingly serve and preach to the youth over the summer. We had floods of youth coming through Hope for the Island attending our gatherings, summer camps, sports clinics and our growing tutorial program.
The youth found a safe place at HOPE to process their internal struggles and find refuge from the barrage of tempting influences. In the name of the Lord we sincerely loved them in word and deed. We opened God’s word with them at every opportunity. We were expectant and believed God to fulfill His good purposes according to His word in their lives. Now into October we praise God because those seeds of truth found place in many hearts ready to receive it. The Spirit convicted youth of their sin.
They repented and courageously responded in faith and obedience!! It was a reminder just how critical it is to declare God’s goodness and the good news of His salvation day by day (Romans 2:4; Ps 96:2). God drew to faith those who were not seeking Him. Faith came by hearing the life giving word of God regularly. (Rom 10:17,20; John 6:44; Ps 65:4). Baptisms were held last Sunday on the beach in front of Hope for the Island. Those baptized have committed themselves to God and to godly leaders to be discipled. These and many more we pray will rise out of the darkness that permeates society. We pray they are equipped with every good thing to do His will. God is working in them what is well pleasing in His sight, through and for the glory of Christ (Heb 13:20-21).
It is for freedom that Christ sets people free. It is in that true freedom we can stand firm (Gal 5:1). Truth is found alone in Jesus Christ. Truth alone breaks through the confusion and lies that prevails in the world. It was especially rewarding to see some young men from this new batch of disciples break free of the lies and pressures they had succumb to in relation to gender transitioning. These young men are now secure in who God designed them to be as men and eager to learn and walk in His ways for them!
Seven youth disciples have committed themselves to learn alongside our leaders. They will help assist our Kids Ministry leaders each Saturday. When visiting the disciples parents, each of them were thrilled with changes they have witnessed in their child and supportive of their commitment in the Lord. Praise God because most of the parents are not in faith yet.
We are one month into High school classes resuming. With that has come the restart of our Campus Ministry. It is great being back inside the school opening God’s word with the senior high students. The faculty are thankful for the positive impact we have had in the short time working with their struggling students.
Although they may not be aware of the spiritual fruit we have experienced with many students, they see and testify to changes in behaviour and in academic performance. Our tutorial program ran through summer months and takes place inside and outside the classroom.
Additional Praise Reports:
-Brison is healing quicker than what Doc’s expected. He is even back to some work. Thanks for prayer.
-Hope staff Jerbie and Irene are pregnant!
- LoveJoy has joined our HOPE team!
-Donations allowed us to buy an initial batch of much needed bibles. We don’t want anyone to be without a bible who needs one.
Prayer:
-Jenn and I are in some pain and healing from rib injuries after a motorbike accident a couple weeks ago.
-Provision for Jenn and I to make a trip back to Canada Dec 10-Jan 10 to spend much needed time with our kids and to share about growing ministry needs and updates on typhoon restoration plans.
- Christ’s name always be magnified in all we do @Hope for the Island.
Thanks and God bless guys!
Derek and Jenn
