"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens

This summer's theme for the 24Seven (our yearly high-school student discipleship and leadership development program in June & July) was ROYALTY, from Romans 8:19 "The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed."

In early June, 16 teens arrived on our campus ready for a summer that would change their lives forever.  In early August, the 16 teens who we were privileged to know and serve with headed home across the USA and internationally.  Rather than tell their story for them, I'd like to share some of their responses as they transitioned back home and prepared for school/what's next for them.....
  

"This summer has been AMAZING!  I'm so glad that I came and met you all.  We've all grown so much in the Lord and I can't wait to see what he does in our communities when we go back home.  However, I will miss you all terribly... This summer has been the most radically life changing experience of my life. I saw the love of God during this experience and got to meet incredible people along the way and do some crazy things! Everyone should get an opportunity to do something like this! Come!!"
- Shaela / California
  

 

"Well, I gotta say... I will NEVER regret going and I never regret meeting you guys!!  That summer was well worth giving to God and seeing how much He has changed me...  this summer is going to be remembered.  I have one more thing to say............... 24Seven 2012, here I come!!!!"
- Caleb P / California

 
"Thank you 24Seven for the best summer of my life!"
- Johanna / Washington

"24Seven helped outline a path for my life, showed me who I was in my identity and in Christ. Jesus has done miracles, healings, gotten me through "fun" hikes; I've made some of the best relationships with other people I would never exchange, who I would give my life for. It has been an experience of a lifetime!"
- Connor / California

"I am so happy I got to be part of the 24Seven program, and I'm also thankful to have experienced the change God has placed in me.  I pray God will bring me back next year... I want to thank the 24Seven program for deepening my relationship with God and I also want to say thank you to God for bringing me here for this training; it has helped me a lot and I'm going to apply it at home, school, church and everywhere I go.  THANK YOU!"
- Grace / Fiji

"24Seven was definitely a life changing experience. God totally transformed my heart and opened my eyes to the depths of His love. I no longer look at myself based on what I think I am or what others say I am, but what God calls me...royalty!"
- Trinity / California 

"24/Seven was an amazing experience for me. I grew so much through the different challenges and ministries we stepped out in--and best of all I grew closer to God and my fellow students and staff/interns through it. It's an amazing opportunity for any teenager who wants to give his/her life to God!" 
- Caleb A / California

YWAM Chico 24Seven 2011

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"ROYALTY" Theme for Summer Teens, II

Our heart for the youth we disciple at YWAM Chico is that each one will grow in relationship and intimacy with God, gain a solid foundation of their identity in HIM - and take that reality out into their everyday lives for years and years to come...

In light of that, we invite you to ponder the following truths, as shared by one of the 2nd-year 24Seven-ers at the end-of-summer celebration we had for the students: 


MY IDENTITY IS ANCHORED IN CHRIST AND SECURE IN HIS LOVE.

I AM AS BOLD AS A LION.

I AM NOT AFRAID OF BEING AROUND PEOPLE WHO ARE GREATER THAN ME.

I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE GOLD GOD HAS PLACED IN ME.

I TELL MYSELF WHAT I CAN DO AND THEN I DO IT

I LOOK FOR CREATIVE WAYS TO IMPACT THE WORLD AROUND ME

I LOOK FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS SO I CAN SEE THEM STEP INTO THEIR GREATNESS.

I BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT " I AM" WHO LIVES INSIDE ME PRODUCES GREAT WORKS THROUGH ME (John 14:12).

I DON'T HAVE TO WORK FOR LOVE ; I WORK FROM LOVE.

I KNOW THAT WHEN I WALK INTO A ROOM, I CHANGE THE ATMOSPHERE BECAUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN ME.

I HAVE THE UNLIMITED RESOURCES OF HEAVEN TO GIVE AWAY TO ANYONE, IN ANY PLACE, AT ANY TIME.

I WILL NOT COMPARE MYSELF WITH OTHERS BECAUSE I AM UNIQUE AND SIGNIFICANT.

I WILL NOT BE JEALOUS OF OTHERS WHO ARE GREATER THAN MYSELF, BUT I WILL REJOICE WITH THEM IN THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I AM A WALKING ENCOUNTER.

I HAVE THE FAVOR OF GOD IN MY LIFE.

I AM WHO HE SAYS I AM, AND I WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS I CAN DO.

MIRACLES, SIGNS, AND WONDERS ARE A NORMAL PART OF MY LIFE, AND THEY FOLLOW ME AS I FOLLOW CHRIST.

I LIVE BY FAITH AND TODAY IS GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE SO FAR.

(---note: the above truths were shared by Jarrett, as heard from Chris Overstreet during the 24Seven ---)

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August 2011 Staff Spotlight

Jim & Judy Tholen

WOW, I’ve been married 43 years! That sure makes me sound old. Judy and I have two beautiful daughters and four grand-daughters. We had a Christian Book Store (C.B.S.) for 26 years in the San Francisco bay area. It was a great blessing to us.  

In March 2005, we retired from our C.B.S. and in July of that year, we did a DTS in Kona.  Our outreach was 5 months in South-East Asia. It ruined me for "ordinary" life. Judy and I went on staff in Kona for a year, and have been staff in Chico for four and a half years.  

The thing God has been impressing to me for the past few weeks is to focus on my foundation. First Corinthians 3:11-13 says, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work." I have been asking myself the question, “What am I building on? Am I doing my work for the Lord or for Jim?” My desire is to enter the Kingdom with His rewards, not man's. I want to pan and dig for the Gold while I labor here in the California foothills. So I ask myself the question each day: “How can I be a builder of Your Kingdom, Lord? A Kingdom that will last forever.” 

My encouragement to all who read this is “GO FOR THE GOLD”  

- Jim Tholen

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the MIRACLE of life

Baby Joshua (see Jennifer's story)

Jennifer Combs completed her DTS here at YWAM Chico a few years ago. She has recently completed the Birth Attendant School at YWAM Perth, Australia.  As you read the story below, let it encourage you that God is not only using us to touch the lives of our students, but He is at work to reach countless others through them as well!  Let’s continue to pray to see His kingdom come and His will be done – both locally and worldwide!!!

“We were in Tanzania, Africa working in a government run hospital.  I was assigned to the delivery room on this day.  I saw that two nursing students were standing at the end of a bed and whispering.  As I began to care for the mother, I noticed the students were very afraid.  They told me that the mother was HIV positive and they did not want to touch her.  The mom’s vitals began to show signs of danger as did the baby’s. When I started to ask her questions I found that she had been to the witch doctor and had taken a local herb that is thought to help speed up labor; this often causes risk to both mother and baby.  The nurses both declared that the baby would die and walked away.  My partner and I began praying life over baby and mother, breaking off the curses.  The baby came and had no heartbeat and no breath: dead.  We kept praying and resuscitating, refusing to give up on life and knowing that God had plans for this little baby boy!  After five minutes he gasped and began crying.  It was a beautiful scream of life!  The mother was so grateful that she asked me to name him.  After praying, I felt the Lord’s name for him was Joshua, which means “Jehovah is salvation!”  I left that day with mom and baby both doing great!”

- Jennifer Combs

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July 2011 Staff Spotlight

 

 

Rachel, Jenna, & Robin

Well it’s been almost a year since Dan and I sold our house, packed up the boys and moved across the country. After CDTS we were looking into language school to learn Spanish before moving to a YWAM base in Creel, Chihuahua, Mexico. Then we thought maybe we’d just be here in Chico for a year first. It’s interesting how God shows us just one step at a time and gently guides us to where He wants us. He’s closed the door on Creel for now so we feel free to let our roots here in Chico go deeper. We’ve painted the kitchen...we’re committed!

I tend to be a task oriented person and always look forward to the next chapter of life: like graduating, getting married and having babies. Now we are in a place where God directs the timing of our next chapter. As I reflect on what God’s been teaching me this past year about identity and relationships, I’d like to share a challenge. Be in the moment. Sure planning ahead is required for programs to run smoothly but...get to know each other...build up your spouses...savor your children...pour into each student...bless each conference...share your story...slow down and soak in His presence. I love living here in community and wait with eager anticipation to see what this chapter will bring!

- Robin Oosterhouse

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Words of Life from ICS, part 1

During the last months of school, as the students were looking ahead toward the freedom of summer, our Jr-high and Sr-high-school class sought the Lord for words about our base and the ministry that takes place here.  They typed out, printed, and hung these words in a common area for all our staff to be encouraged over the last few months.  Now, as we put up some new media in that spot, we are posting it on our blog for the continued encouragement of our staff and our friends worldwide.

"Seeking God's Heart for Our Community":


- Malina, 7th grade:
"We are all God's chosen people.  We are all here for a reason.  God has brought us together, as a base, as a community, as a family, to touch the hearts of all the people that set foot on this base.  We are here to know God and make Him known.  It all starts with our hearts.  If our hearts are on fire then that will spread to our hands, our mouths, our feet, and soon we will be completely on FIRE for God.  And anything that we touch or anyone that we speak to will get that contagious fire and love and soon we will have touched the world!  And it have started with our hearts.  It all started with that spark inside of each of us.  So I want to encourage each of you to light that fire, start that spark.  DON'T LET THE FLAME BURN OUT!!  Whatever you have on your heart to do, do it!  I want to see a world that is ON FIRE for God!  But it all starts in our heart.  There is a world of darkness out there that needs the light!  We have that light and we need to give it to them so that they have that love and grace of the Father that is so overwhelming!  They need someone that will listen to their needs and hear their cries.  THAT IS JESUS!!  They need Jesus!!  Do not let the fear of the world stop you!  They can't tell you what to do or who to be!  They can't tell you what is right or wrong! You have the Creator OF THE UNIVERSE on your side!  That means we should have NO fear!  So what are you waiting for??  SPREAD THE LIGHT!!"  (Psalm 22:22, "I will DECLARE Your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise You.  You who fear the Lord, PRAISE HIM!  All you descendants of Jacob, HONOR HIM!  Revere Him, all you descendants of Israel!  For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him but has listened to his cry.") 

- Mattias, 7th grade:

"Youth With A Mission... What does this name mean to us?  What should it mean to us?  Isn't it just another name?  No.  It is our calling.  It is who we are.

Youth

we are called to be young at heart

we are to have a child's faith

we are to reach the youth

With

we are with a God who loves us

we are with His blessing

we are with His protection

A

we are a help to the helpless

we are a guide to the lost

we are a extension of God's power

Mission

we have a mission

our mission is to bring the gospel to every nation, every tribe, every person"

- Jesse, 10th grade:

"YWAM Chico~

"Ahhh........... the beauty, love, and comfort of this base.  It's perfect!!  God dwells here, and He is so happy to call this His home.

--From the YWAM Bible - page 590 (blue print), 'The Good Life/Rights of Ownership':

'How little most of us know about the wonderful garden that God created for us to live in!  God knows every bird, even these in the farthest and most deserted mountains!  Psalm 50 reminds us that He still owns the earth and holds the whole of creation together.  God is not possessive about the things He owns, for He has graciously given us authority over His creation.  This position of stewardship is more about receiving than giving: it involves first receiving the authority and responsibility from God, and then faithfully using it.  Just as God requires government officials to look to Him for wisdom to rule for the good of the people, so humanity needs God's wisdom to rule over such a wonderful and complex creation as the earth for its welfare as well as ours.  As we do so, we will be able to work with him to restore some o the beauty in what is both our world and God's world.

--Nehemiah 9:6 = You alone are Lord.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and their entire starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship You.'

"This place fills people with God's love.  People are not the same when they leave.  Even if they just come here for a day, their lives are changed.  We are a family  here and share that family with tons of other people.  God loves to see us working together, having a wonderful time bonding; we have the ability to change the world and that is POWERFUL!!"

- JP, 8th grade:

"Just as the Jews were set apart for God's kingdom; YWAM Chico has been set apart for God's glory and mighty works!  We are a family set apart to do God's work for us.  And just like a family business, anyone 'adopted' into YWAM Chico is trained and works in the family business of reaching to the ends of the earth.  Do not lose heart, Oh children of God!  The lord is with us!  Keep your eyes fixed on Him and Him alone!  for God will bless you in your valiant mission."

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Words of Life from ICS, part 2

(continued from Words of Life from ICS, part 1)

...When our ICS students in the Jr-high and High-school classes listened for God's heart for YWAM Chico, these are some of words they shared as encouragement for us:


-Caleb, 10th grade:
Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world - a city on a hill that cannot be hidden."

God is going to use you in a powerful way.  He has blessed you greatly, but the spiritual battle is about to begin.  He has brought each and every one of you here "for such a time as this."  Each of you are here for a reason.  God has poured out His Light and His Presence here in amazing ways.  You are God's Church, called to show the face of Jesus to the lost and despairing.  You've been given the true light - let it shine!

 1 John 2:8, "For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining."

 God wants to use you in spectacular ways.  He has an amazing plan for your life and the Base as a whole.






- Rachel, 10th grade:
1 Peter 1:22, "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful  light."

1 Peter 4:8-11, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."

2 Chronicles 7:14, "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."






-Caleb, 9th grade:
Matthew 6:32-34, "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."


Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."




-Mrs. Anderson (Jr-high and High-school Teacher):
Acts 2:17-21, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.  And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."


Psalm 16:8-11, "I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.  For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.  You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

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