We had quite an amazing day yesterday. God refocused us and our staff and we also saw a turning point in the youth group here this week.
For those of you who don’t know…one of AIM’s objectives is listening prayer – praying and waiting in expectation for God to answer. Basically, we want to teach kids how to pray, be still and listen for God, and then obey. At the beginning of each trip we teach the group about how God speaks to us. We have them look through Scripture for examples of how God speaks to us, we explain the 3 voices that war over our attention (God, self, and world/Satan), and we give them ways to test it – Is it scriptural? Do other Christians confirm it? Does it bear good fruit? Does God bring it to pass? We have them do this throughout the week as they do ministry. We encourage them to listen to Ask, Listen, Obey, and Evaluate (ALOE) each day and see how God uses them.
For those of you who don’t know…one of AIM’s objectives is listening prayer – praying and waiting in expectation for God to answer. Basically, we want to teach kids how to pray, be still and listen for God, and then obey. At the beginning of each trip we teach the group about how God speaks to us. We have them look through Scripture for examples of how God speaks to us, we explain the 3 voices that war over our attention (God, self, and world/Satan), and we give them ways to test it – Is it scriptural? Do other Christians confirm it? Does it bear good fruit? Does God bring it to pass? We have them do this throughout the week as they do ministry. We encourage them to listen to Ask, Listen, Obey, and Evaluate (ALOE) each day and see how God uses them.
On each Thursday (the final day of their trip), we do not plan a set ministry. Thursday’s are called ATL days – Ask The Lord. Everyone prays individually and then we all meet together and see what God has spoken to us as a group to do for ministry that day. It may be one thing or there may be a couple of different ministries. Then we obey and see what God brings to pass!
Well, God did not have us wait until Thursday to do have an ATL. Yesterday, the group went to Tent City to feed the homeless people there. It has been rumored that all the homeless were going to be kicked out of tent city this week. There were police canvassing the area and many of the homeless had already left the area. It was very chaotic and our group was advised to leave because a riot was expected. They fed the homeless and even gave away their own lunches after running out of food. Then, our staff loaded up the kids and had an impromptu ATL. The kids prayed and then shared what God had told them. Putting together what many had felt God telling them, the group ended up going to a local park. They were given many confirmations on the way to the park and when they arrived. The peace of God and His presence could be felt there – so opposite to the situation they had just left. The group worshipped God yesterday at the park.
One girl said this had made her summer. She had heard God and seen it confirmed when they obeyed. God also used this to touch the heart of a high school boy – he came face-to-face with the homeless and God produced in him a heart and passion for the poor.
Today is our “official” ATL day – please pray for this group and for our staff as we follow God’s voice. Please pray that every day is an ATL day.
