Hey Guys!
I wanted to update you w/some info about what's been going on with One Love prior to last Friday (I'll be posting the report from Friday's event after this post). Also, you can check out the little video blog at the bottom of this page after you read about what's been going on.
2010 has been an exciting year for the skate ministry! This "Next Level" all started when at the end of last year Pastor Paul brought me a form to apply to receive money from the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. I got the application in right at the deadline (maybe even a day or two after), but they said they can support us financially w/$600 for the ministry in 2010!
- So, when those funds arrived in the first quarter of this year, I purchased a flip video camera, web-editing software, tried to get the ball rolling with printing more t-shirts (Gary Hamrick and MCBA is still helping work on that), and made an order for 10 more skateboard decks from my friend Josh Knipple in Pennsylvania http://www.crucifiedministries.com. Josh Knipple and I are planning a mission trip for him to bring a group of guys out here in mid-July for a week of skateboard ministry on the island. While his team is here, we plan to do lots of Gospel interviews, repair some ramps at the skatepark(s), build my friend Dan a mini-ramp, and BBQ w/kids. In addition to these tangible aspects of OLSO, we've also been talking with strangers and friends. It's been an awesome opportunity to share the Gospel by talking about why One Love Skate Outreach exists and what we do.
I've been staying busy this year at Pukalani Baptist Church (Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Teaching Preschoolers, Preaching Last Sunday of Each Month), and also doing seminary online from Liberty University. My ministry responsibilities have been pretty heavy, but now that school is out for the summer I'm stoked to continue pouring into the skate ministry.
Last week, I finally loaded the new website and started this blog; however, I already have a ministry log on my computer from earlier this year that had been just for me. To kick this new blog off, I want to share with you guys just a few of the exciting things that have already happened this year that are specific to OLSO:
A skateboarder from Kahului called me at 9:30 in the morning while I was in my office at Pukalani Baptist. He said he'd kept a card I gave him that says: "One Love Skate Outreach" in his wallet for a long time, and I was the only one he thought of to call. He was stressed out because he got in some trouble and was about to go to court. He said that his family has a history of alcohol abuse and some serious problems. He told me that he made some mistakes but wants to move forward for Christ. He was also bummed out because his truck got towed, and they didn't contact him. He was really going through a tough time and was definitely shook up on the phone.
His background is Catholic, but one day as he was skating around, one of his friend's led him to Christ. He told me that he loves skateboarding because he: "Uplifts his feelings and freedom on his board. With his skateboard he uplifts the glory to Christ." He said he has been carrying art and passion with him on his journey through life because of skateboarding. I shared 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 with him and challenged him to remember that no matter how much pain and sorrow we go through, Christ's love can comfort us, and the comfort we receive in difficult times we need to pass on to others. I shared how Jesus gives us purpose in our trials. This is a quote from the end of the call: "Of all his friends, you're the one that made me remember that no matter what I go through, Christ lives throughout my heart."
Praise God! He was excited to pray with me, and he said that this was his first prayer this year w/a friend.
Later on that day, we got to meet up at Taco Bell. We got lunch, and I gave him a 13 letters book and ESV New Testament. We went through the first three chapters of Romans. It was great to meet up with him, and we were both encouraged.
This call was extremely encouraging to me with the skate ministry, and I was praying that there would be more fruit from this ministry.
A few weeks later, I received a phone call from this same guy. (The skater from Kahului-I'm gonna change his name to Mike to write about him). When Mike called me, I had been praying about doing the Skate Ministry that day, and I decided that today was a great day to do One Love Skate Outreach. We met at 180, a local business that sells skateboards and talked to Chris, the owner, for a long time about some stuff 180 is gonna be doing. Chris is a believer who attends Calvary Chapel. I'm stoked how God is working. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE=) I shared with Chris my heart for the ministry and established some solid connections while hanging out at 180. One Love plans to be a part of the Go Skateboarding Day skatepark tour in June. He talked about bringing out Christian Hosoi one day and doing an event. Also, I learned more about a church plant that was started by a few skaters here on Maui for a while. While Chris and I were talking, Mike was hanging out as well.
- Then, this is the coolest part. Mike and I went to the skatepark and did One Love Skate Outreach interviews. The interviews went so well. Plus, it was a fun skate session=)
- Shared the Gospel w/3 kids really clearly. 2 high school guys, and then another age 20ish guy who one of Mike's old friends. Plus, the last two times I shared the Gospel there was a little audience. This whole process was a time to mentor Mike and talk with him while sharing the Gospel with people he knew and skated with. Such an awesome Divine Appointment.
As I was leaving we talked for a long time by my car, and he was asking me whether I thought he was “good.” I talked with him about Romans 3:23 and 6:23 how none of us are good, and we all fall short, but God has punished Jesus for our sins and we've received eternal life by confessing our sins and putting our faith and trust in Jesus. Then I shared with him 2 Corinthians 13:5. That it's important to "examine ourselves and see if we're in the faith." We talked for a while, and then I prayed with him in the parking lot. Praise God.
That day, we were also brainstorming and getting some cool ideas for the website. Some ideas we had:
- Blog the interviews we have and share how God worked
- With kids under 18, we can write about how questions were answered and what was said
- Set up a "Trick of the Month" and let them vote on the website. Best trick each month gets a free board.
- On the website include printable tracts for people to print out and take with them as they share the gospel.
After that day, I decided to start praying for 180 and for Chris that God will bless the business. I'm praying that God will use 180 mightily for His Glory. I’m stoked about Chris being down to be part of One Love Skate Outreach, too.
Since then...
I've just been stoked that this ministry is happening. I did Gospel interviews at a local concert with some students, and I've especially been trying to recruit some students to help with this ministry. Nicole and I have been brainstorming and working on the best way to get people thinking about the Gospel and to present the Gospel to people. One Love Skate Outreach is way more than just a ministry to skaters, surfers, and musicians at the skateparks and beaches. I pray that this ministry encourages people young and old to "Make Disciples, who make disciples-Disciple Cycles" (Lecrae, After the Music Stops).
We've been planting seeds for the Kingdom with this ministry (Mark 4:26-29), and I'm excited about how it's going to grow and be used mightily by God. I look forward to regularly updating this blog, and I pray that this blog and website is a great opportunity for the church (God's church all around the world) to be a HUGE part of this ministry by praying for specific needs, staying updated with how God is working, and also by being involved in One Love Skate Outreach however God leads you (Taking part in events, supporting the ministry financially or with your time!, encouraging others to share their faith alongside us, etc.)!!!
Here's what we need now:
1.) Local Youth Leaders and Pastors, I'm requesting for you guys to submit a tract to me to be reviewed by our One Love Skate Outreach board and then posted on the Resources Section of the website. Please include a clear Gospel presentation, the name of your ministry and service times, and even your contact information if you'd like. We want tracts from Bible Believing, Jesus worshiping churches all around the island that students and adults can go on our website and print out. Check out the example, How to Get to Heaven From Paradise, from the resources tab of our website.
2.) Prayer Warriors - Can you e-mail me if you're interested in being a committed prayer warrior for the ministry? I'm seeking to put a password-protect section of the website for us to include names of specific people we share the Gospel with and specific stories and prayer requests.
Note: Tracts and prayer request password people must be approved by the Board that I've put in charge of OLSO Spiritual Decisions.
Thanks for being a part of this ministry alongside us by staying in touch! Feel free to sign up with blogger.com and follow our blogs. Represent Jesus. If you're a Christian, you are called to be Christ's ambassador on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Enjoy the Ride (Philippians 4:4-7),
Josh
No comments:
Post a Comment