Universal workers responded openly to encouragement and welcomed prayer. These workers all a person they did not know to openly in public pray for them.
Youth groups who were there for the event who seemed more focus on their own attention instead of giving God the attention was prayed for and Scripture was read to them. There were some mixed reactions. Some people openly invited it, accepted the fellowship, while others seemed to go along with it because they were a youth group, and did not want to look bad. They seemed anxious for it to be over so they could go and do something else.
Then there were some who took up shop in different parts of the park just preaching to whoever passed by. Places like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter where they encountered some people who were very open to hearing God's word, while others were a little more than annoyed.
In all what we learned this weekend is that being a disciple of Jesus needs to transcend the label of Christian that it has been given. I saw so much "Christian-ese" stuff going on during the Christian event, i.e. kids screaming Jesus loves you, saying things like "high fives and hugs for Jesus", telling people Jesus loves you because you are so awesome and more stuff that over stimulated youth groups with too much sugar in there system would do. However, during the day when it was a mix of atheist, Muslims, Hindus, and other non-Christian type of people those youth groups just blended right in with the world. There was no talk of who Jesus is and how much He loves you. There were no slow claps leading to a scream of Jesus. It was a bunch of kids who only wanted to be seen and heard not to show Jesus so He could be heard.
Yet, a small group said, “We have been given new life. We will not accept that God has given us a weekend to interact with those who do not know Him and let them see what is wrong with today's church-going culture.” These groups went out to interact with love to show the grace and mercy that God has shown them.
This is why missions are not scheduled events. Yes, mission trips are important but we should not wait for a scheduled, organized environment to fulfill the Great Commission. It was a command by Jesus to go but also to heed to the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 is so much more than just a mere mission statement. It is an answer to a question, directions to an end, a way to live life, and a road map to build a kingdom for God and His Glory.
Opportunities should not be wasted!
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