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To the Youth of Elkhart and Lagrange Counties

1/22/2015

5 Comments

 
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I was moved last night as I saw hundreds of you gather on the stage at Revive Indiana.  I was moved, not because of your numbers, but because of the palpable movement of the Holy Spirit in your midst. All day, as I was praying alone and with others, I had a strong sense that Day 10 of our 52 day adventure was Freedom Day, especially for young people. And now, for those of you who weren't there, I want to invite you into something new. Some of you are in bondage. And Jesus has declared that in Him we can find life and freedom and joy.

You are the first generation to carry in your hands access to unlimited pornography which has crippled and trapped many of you. I invite you live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom.

Some of you are struggling with addictions to drugs and alcohol, seeking out the next thrill without caring about the cost it may have in wrecking your life and your body. I invite you to live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom. 

Some of you, like the Biblical Hebrews living in slavery in the land of Goshen, have carried heavy weights and expectations that are too high and too burdensome. You are asked to make more and more "bricks" by us adults in your studies and in extracurricular activities. We repent of the immensity of that burden, and shed tears for the emotional and physical damage it has done to you. We invite you to live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom. 

Some of you are living a religious life that is without life. You have dutifully tried to be good and to do the right things but are mystified by what it means to truly live in the power of the Holy Spirit speaking into your life. We invite you to live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom.

Some of you embraced a way of life that is that is presented as the path of peace and justice but is emptied of the living and real presence of God.  We repent that we as a church have remained quiet and avoided these justice concerns and have failed to demonstrate in our own lives the living and real presence of the Holy Spirit. We invite you to live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom.

Some of you have lived in a roller coaster of emotions with intense worship but have not known the fruits of a transformed life. We repent that we as a church have not helped empower you to live into the favor of Jesus for your generation in this community and find freedom. 

This movement of God is much larger than one church or even an organization like Revive Indiana. It is a favor of God that only He has brought to this time and place.  Freedom is only found for the captives when we truly hear the direct voice of God through the Holy Spirit and then respond in obedience to the promptings He brings. As a host pastor, I invite you to take the opportunity to participate and be trained for that kind of life by joining Revive Indiana on Friday night at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church.  It is a night to strengthen all the churches in the community. This is a special night with not just worship, but clear Biblical teaching on how to press forward in the life of faith and freedom that only God can give. We will eat supper together at 5:30 and then begin at 7.  Bring a friend and come see what God will do.
-John M Troyer
5 Comments
Karen Bomtrager
1/21/2015 09:30:38 pm

Great encouraging words for every age!!!

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Karen watts
1/21/2015 10:50:42 pm

So grateful for these life giving words! So well said, Kyle. Obviously The Lord has helped you!

Reply
RJ Etter
1/22/2015 02:48:39 am

Karen, this was actually written by John Troyer, an Indiana native. But I agree that it was well written and led by God. Blessings to you in Dallas.

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Marcia Heindl
1/22/2015 12:12:40 am

This very thing is being covered in the youth group right now @DBC - even last night. I am so grateful for Believing adults in authority that will stand & speak truth into our young people. You have so much right at your fingertips - evil is too easily accessible & too ready to grab at your hearts. Stand strong & find adults that will stand strong with you!! It was said last night, "Forgiveness happens at the cross. Healing happens in community."

Reply
Jeanne Stutzman
1/22/2015 02:40:03 am

It is so encouraging to know how much God cares for our youth in today's hard world. We pray for wisdom to those who minister to them in His Name ... and courage for the youth to hear, trust and obey. Glory to His Powerful Name!!

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