We were excited for Paul Rapley to come again, this time breaking down what he does in street ministry to all the small, purposeful ways he chooses to minister to people all around the world.

Pastor Nicole exhorted us on how to finish our race well! She pointed out that even though our salvation is not at risk, HOW we run makes all the difference in our race experience and whether or not we can finish strong.

Do we run with doubts, constantly question, or want to quit? Or do we have endurance and the ability to face whatever comes our way head on in the strength and truth of God?

Using Galatians 1:1-9 Pastor Nicole showed us some of the truths we need to take and run with...

• Our Calling and authority (through Jesus Christ) MUST work hand in hand.

• Partner with the spread of God's glory.

• Daily walk out the Gospel, making space for others to do the same.

How we run the race doesn't determine if we cross the finish line...but we can miss out on so much of what God has for us along the way. We are all called to finish strong!

It's always so encouraging and inspiring to hear from Teen Challenge!

Troy started by sharing a word from Luke 15:4-7 about the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to go look for the one who was lost. Pointing out that no one is ever too far gone for God to reach, and that the Kingdom of God is accessible to all, he reminded us that our responsibility is to disciple and serve God by serving others.

The men going through the program then shared their testimonies. Here are some of the excerpts:

• God showed me the difference between living life my way vs. His way.

• The truth is Prayer Works!

• The truth is God is showing me what true love is!

• The truth is God turned my pain into purpose!

• The truth is though my earthly father wasn't there, my Heavenly Father was always there!

• The Truth is God was patient and saved me from myself!

• John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

• I'm not alone! God softened my heart and gave me love and joy!

• Colossians 1:13 For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son!

Pastor Bonnie talked about how we carry the fullness of Jesus but that He's meant to be shared. ("He only comes in sharing size!") So, we don't just carry Him but carry AND release Him to others.

She spoke out of 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. that says, God has given us the ministry of reconciliation, and the message of reconciliation so that we are Christ's Ambassadors to the world. Pastor Bonnie showed how the Biblical use of the word reconcile means...to return to favor with, a picture of resetting a broken bone. Someone out of "alignment" with God is restored into right relationship with Him. We are commissioned to reconcile others to Him bringing the restoration of God's favor. This has been entrusted to us to do as caring for God's interests.

Pastor Bonnie encouraged us to find tangible ways to bring reconciliation to those around us and to seek God and investigate what might be blocking us from sharing Him.

This word was a beautiful exhortation to show those in our community how much God loves them!

Lee shared how even though the world looks chaotic, and we sometimes don't understand what God is up to, He is still moving in amazing ways, and He still calls us to go make disciples of all ethnic groups.

He said that our attitude can affect how we view what God is doing.

We are to have God's heart for the world so maybe we need some attitude adjustments.

1. Avoid being simply a consumer and be an over-the-top giver.

2. Pray for compassion for the lost and avoid group think.

3. Jesus' return is timed with the proclamation of the Gospel to all cultures.

4. Are we multiplying ourselves/taking responsibility for spiritual growth.

   Lee reminded us that our Goal should be to sow seeds through our actions and word s and followed with strategies for the Church.

   Lee shared from the scriptures, his personal experiences, and exciting testimonies that were very compelling.

Pastor Nicole exhorted us with a message on Isaiah 61:1.

-The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, and to proclaim that captives will be released, and prisoners will be set free. -

She showed how not only does this verse refer to Jesus' ministry, but that it is also our ministry as we follow and obey God.

• God has anointed us to fulfill every God given assignment.

• We are to speak words that help others encounter Jesus.

• We are sent by God to bring Jesus to that one broken heart.

• Proclaim freedom for the one in front of us.

Every message is a call to action. We are called to be doers of the word and not hearers only. The anointing in the Old Testament was to set kings and priests apart for a specific assignment. Jesus was anointed - consecrated and given power and authority - for the administration of His office as He established the New Covenant. Now, when we receive Jesus, we are also anointed and empowered with gifts of the Holy Spirit to live as Isaiah 61:1 people!

Brian spoke on taking offense, what offense really is, and how offense affects our brains.

He said that the number one thing that distracts and takes Christians out is offense. We think of it as something done to us not as something we choose, but it is an active concept, as in "taking" or "choosing" to be offended. Brian pointed out that the definition of offense is "the breach of law or rule", in other words sin. But most offenses are actually disagreements not offenses. We can disagree and still live in community with one another. We take offense because of insecurities and assumptions. There is a threat to our sense of self. It's like the enemy sets a trap and we take the bait. Proverbs 19:11 A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.

Pastor Nicole presented us with a fresh perspective of God's mercy using the example of Jesus healing Blind Bartimaeus from Mark chapter 10 and Luke chapter 18.

She pointed out that most of us only think of mercy in terms of "getting off the hook." and only try to access it when we mess up or are in a bind. But she showed how the word mercy has many different uses biblically, and that when Blind Bartimaeus called out, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!" that word mercy actually means - to show kindness by assistance. So, literally, he was crying out for help. "Jesus, help!"

Pastor Nicole said that God has desires, transformations, healings, and restorations that He wants to do in our lives by us understanding His true nature and accessing His mercy in a new way and she challenged us to shift to relying on His mercy from the moment we wake up each day!