Command 34: Be a Servant | Day 238

I scanned an area on the south side of Chicago until I saw what I was looking for—a group of about 25 teenagers near the river! It was a high-crime area, so when I approached them, they all stared at me and wondered what I wanted. I told them I wanted to draw a scenic chalk picture for them that would explain answers to life’s three big questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? and Where am I going? They all expressed interest in this.

As I drew the picture and interacted with the group, I tried hard to learn and remember their names. At first, when I asked for a person’s name, I was usually told a fictitious one and the group laughed. However, I paid close attention when someone called another person by his real name and began using it as well. Soon the entire group wanted to tell me not only their first names, but also their nicknames, which were a real challenge to remember! When I returned the following week, many of them surprised me by asking, “What is my name?” If I correctly remembered a name, I would receive a big smile, but when I was incorrect, there was disappointment.

There are four simple but effective key ways I’ve found to show another person that you are genuinely interested in his life and to earn opportunities to serve him.

1. Show a person’s importance by learning and using his name. This is one of the keys I learned while working with teenagers. A person’s own name is one of the most important words to him in any language.
2. Ask precise questions. Questions should show interest without being “nosey.” We can encourage people to talk about things they are interested in, such as asking a businessman: “How did you get started in your present work?”
3. Listen with your heart, not just your mind. When we receive responses to our questions, we should ponder them and find in them the basis for asking additional questions. The religious teachers in the Temple marveled at the wisdom of 12-year-old Jesus because of the questions that He asked and His answers. (See Luke 2:46–47.)
4. Discern needs and attitudes. When God allows us to discern the root problems a person is struggling with, we should then be prepared to provide precise answers to help him. There are four major areas of need that most people will experience at some point in their lives: marriage conflicts, teenage rebellion, financial pressures, and health problems. If we are able to share practical, lasting solutions in these four areas, we will have an ever-widening ministry.

In our journals this week, let’s write down the names of the people whom God wants us to serve and then list the ways in which we are serving or will begin to serve them. As we choose to follow Christ’s example by placing the needs of others ahead of our own needs, we will fulfill the purposes God has for our lives and achieve true greatness!

Through Christ our Lord,

Bill Gothard

“… Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”

(Matthew 20:26–27).

Online Resources for Command 34 >>

If you wish to enroll in Daily Success, please e-mail us at dailysuccess@iblp.org

In the Gap’s Internship program is viewed and conducted as a short-term missions program. The purpose of our Internship Mission Program is to challenge youth and young adults to grow in their relationship with the Lord, to become grounded in a biblical worldview, and to live as pure salt and light to the world; while giving effective tools and hands-on experience in order to equip them to successfully communicate truth in both Christian and secular settings in Oklahoma City and around the world.

Are you ready for a life-changing challenge?

In The Gap Winter Session: January 6^th-March 6^th

In The Gap Spring Session: March 31^st- May 21st

In The Gap is looking for dedicated Christian young adults who are aged fifteen through mid-twenties, have a heart to know God, and desire to minister to children. We are not looking for your existing public speaking abilities, people skills, or teaching proficiencies, rather we are looking at where your heart is and whether or not you are willing to submit yourself to an environment designed to help you grow—spiritually, personally, and professionally.

Are you ready for a life-changing challenge? Are you willing to lay aside your personal interests? Do you want to become the best communicator possible in order to influence this next generation for good? Are you willing to put everything on the line? If you answered “yes” to all of the above, contact Chad Christiansen for an application and more information.

Email: cchristiansen@inthegap.org, Office: (405) 748-0712

Learn more about In The Gap: www.inthegap.org

Testimony by Jeriah Kiang

“I don’t think I’ve made a better, more life-changing choice than the decision to go to In The Gap, other than my salvation prayer.”

“Many thoughts went through my head on that flight, and I thought the whole thing was ridiculous. I mean, I was born in San Jose, California. I’m a city boy! Where in the world is Oklahoma? I calmed myself by going to the Lord in prayer and reminding myself that this was where God wanted me to be. I landed and was soon caught up in the busyness of traveling to Eagle Springs for training. I felt very emotionless at that point and was very unhappy about where I was and what I was doing. The first week of training was fun, in a way, but I made it gloomy for myself by criticizing and nitpicking everything that happened. I was trying to find reasons why I shouldn’t be there, and I was trying to make myself not “like” the place. Slowly the first week of teaching passed, with me dreading every single day that I had to get up in front of class after class to teach. I was, like most other men of my age, terribly afraid of any sort of public speaking and I wanted to leave as soon as I could. But through the personal quiet time we had at Eagle Springs, the encouragement from my teammates, and the strength I gained from God’s Word I slowly started to stand against the fear of speaking in front of people. The session passed by quickly from then on, and ten weeks later I was on the plane back to California. I had the choice to leave halfway through the session, yet I stayed because I knew that I loved that place, I loved the work that we did, and I loved the fellowship with other Christian believers. I’ve been back there 4 times altogether, and I haven’t regretted it at all. Actually, I don’t think I’ve made a better, more life-changing choice than the decision to go to In The Gap, other than my salvation prayer.

Looking back, God has taught me so much through this program. Not just practical skills such as public speaking, planning effectively for classes, and tutoring children, but also in skills that I can use to further the kingdom of God such as, presenting the Wordless Book, being a leader, and having the awareness that God is always there for us. I have never relied on God SO MUCH in my whole life.

Up until then, my life was easy, and I had little to worry about, but being a part of In The Gap pushed and shoved me through the doorway of reliance on God. Each day I was there, I prayed, I asked God for strength, I recited verses in my mind as I stood outside classrooms, I threw myself into His arms and let Him carry me through. Being there has taught me things that I probably would never had learned otherwise. I learned to listen to the voice of God, I was taught to rely on God for joy, I was trained to encourage others, I developed the willpower to grit my teeth and press on. All of these things, though I am not close to mastering, yet I feel as if the In The Gap program has jump-started my spiritual walk with God. Before going to In The Gap, yes, I was saved, but it never crossed my mind that I would ever serve Him in such a way as I have.

Being a part of In The Gap has given me the privilege to see what it really meant to try to live a life all for Jesus. I’ve seen Him change children’s lives in a way I never thought could be possible. Witnessing to the children, and telling them about how Jesus came down to die for us was a truly remarkable experience. It was there that I realized that I could be a tool of God’s amazing plan in a child’s life. Being a channel of God’s love to a child, then watching their radiant faces rejoice after they receive Jesus Christ into their hearts is definitely the most joyful experience of my life. Adding even more to the joy of watching their lives being turned towards Jesus, is knowing about their physical lives. Knowing that they are saved is what gives me hope, because the situation that most of these children are in is honestly, very desperate. I’ve seen children who have watched their parents shoot each other, thinking that it was only a normal part of life. I’ve heard children tell me about how their parents hit and abuse them. I’ve looked into their eyes, and seen an emptiness, a hopelessness, a sadness, and a pain I never expected to see in such a young child. These are elementary age children, who in our world, are enjoying life. When I was their age, I didn’t have a single worry in my life; my life was perfect and privileged. But when I see these children, their eyes pierce deep into my heart, looking and waiting for that person who they can trust and rely on. We can’t always be there for them, encouraging them for the rest of their lives, but we can leave Jesus Christ living in their hearts forever.

That, I believe is what God has called us to do, to spread His message of love, joy, peace, and contentment to those living in hopelessness and despair. In this dire spiritual condition of our nation, this isn’t a time to think about what WE need to accomplish, but to think about how much we can do for the Lord. I would encourage anybody that has a heart for our Savior to take part in this program and experience the power of God first hand, not only in your life, but in all the lives around you.” -Jeriah Kiang

To learn more about In The Gap visit: www.inthegap.org

For more information about up-coming sessions, please write: Chad Christiansen at cchristiansen@inthegap.org

Upcoming Sessions

We are seeking young men and women, 16 years or older, to serve as Children Institute teachers in Taiwan and Hong Kong from January 17 to February 14, 2011. This is an opportunity for you to be part of a team whose goal is to be used by the Lord Jesus to reach children with the Gospel. In the process, you will also be able to gain excellent teaching experience as well.

Application Deadline: December 15, 2010

For more information and to fill out an application, visit Global Encounters at IBLP.org!

An army of three hundred soldiers rallied together in preparation to ambush an enemy encampment of insurmountable size. The ratio was over ten to one, and the only weapons that to be wielded against the enemy were jars and trumpets. To make matters worse, this raid was to be done at night with light from hand-held torches. Surely this plan must have seemed overwhelming and absurd! What were the chances of victory? Technically, zero.

If this army had chosen to proceed by relying solely on their human strength, the outcome would have been certain doom. However, Gideon’s army was orchestrated by God’s spirit and Gideon’s small entourage had miraculous victory! Our week-long visit to Peru paralleled the story of Gideon’s army. How could our team of 50 battle against corruption, poverty, and the powers of darkness? With your prayers and God’s spirit, anything is possible.! During our visit, Peru began a journey to freedom and prosperity that has already proven victorious!

Learning teams

We started the week in Peru with an exciting visit to an exclusive school in Lima. This particular school is composed of only top students from around the nation! We were given half of the day to teach character qualities and personally interact with the students. Simultaneously, the ALERT team trained the young men in character developing drills and emergency response skills. The students responded with attentiveness and open hearts resulting in several individuals accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior! The director of the school was so blessed that she begged our team to return and conduct more training the following day.

The classroom re-structure plan that has been proposed to school authorities involves transforming the classroom into age-integrated learning teams of ten students so that the older ones can mentor the younger students. This strategy would remove the peer pressure that is causing teen delinquency problems in Peru.

ALERT program

On August 15, 2007, a large-scale earthquake devastated Pisco and the surrounding cities, killing hundreds and leaving many more injured in unforeseen poverty. In the near future, a massive earthquake is expected to shock the capital of Peru, Lima, which would create havoc on the city and the rest of the nation. If ALERT could train thousands of young people in emergency response, Peru would be prepared and equipped to save thousands of lives in the event of an earthquake. It is our vision to see one million trained young people marching in unison singing praises to God.

Ministry of Health

We were honored to have as a part of our team, Dr. Roger Bilica, who was the medical programs director at NASA for ten years. At a Ministry of Health medical conference, Dr. Bilica and Mr. Gothard had the privilege of sharing groundbreaking insights on the 7 deadly stresses that are a big factor in causing a variety of diseases. About 50 top doctors and medical officials listened with excitement as they saw the potential of implementing stress resolution materials into the patient admission process. It is our hope that as we develop resources for stress resolution, it will be used in hospitals around the nation to promote true health care—not sick care.

Gang leaders

Gangs have an incredible amount of influence on a city and even a nation, therefore, Mr. Gothard wanted to meet with several street gang leaders. The mayor of Callao was able to gather a group of ten gang leaders to talk with Mr. Gothard, and their response was so enthusiastic! All ten and prayed to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and dedicated their bodies to God! They are looking forward to receiving more training in becoming character coaches to help hurting and troubled young people. God truly performed a miracle as rival gang leaders were united and share the love of Christ.

Embassy University

Government officials are excited at the prospect of Embassy University being established in Peru. Plans are under way to offer courses in Spanish to the Peruvians. As they learn practical skills and the commands of Christ, the nation will be united and strengthened as a whole, which will ultimately equip them to become a model nation of wisdom to the world.

A Testimony of Power

Toward the end of the week in Peru, God granted a very special request. Mr. Gothard met with a mayor who was very distraught. His daughter had facial paralysis and was not able to participate with others or even attend school due to her condition. In tears, he begged that she might be healed and restored. Mr. Gothard prayed for her that night and as a group we cried out for her healing. The next morning she awoke completely healed! This healing will be a powerful testimony of God’s power to the Peruvian people.

The power of God demonstrated on the trip was a result of a very important factor: your prayers! We know that prayer works and it works mightily. We had hundreds of individuals praying before and during the Peru trip. This mighty prayer army included a Journey to the Heart team, families from all over the world, and prayer warriors who committed to praying for individual Peru team members. This ongoing project to help make Peru a model nation for the world is not over, so we still ask for your fervent prayers!

Dear ATI families,

We want to share our excitement with you!

On October 24th, more than 50 young people will go to Peru to continue the work that was started this past July, on a one week expedition. The team going to Peru will meet with some of the same government officials and doctors, and will have the opportunity to return to several schools and hospitals the first team initially visited. But now with more than double the number, they will also meet new people and reach more Peruvians.

We want YOU to be part of what the Lord is doing in South America, for more information on the past trip or how to participate and pray for us in general or a specific young person, visit our IBLP web site.

The Culinary Arts program encourages students to develop a servant’s heart and Godly character, as well as practical skills in food service management. Whether for the home, bakery, or catering service, the Culinary Arts program provides foundational training that prepares students to pursue expanded areas of interest.

Culinary Studies:

• Basic Cutlery
• Baking Fundamentals
• Nutritional Cuisine
• Cooking Principles
• Banquets
• Garnishes
• Purchasing
• Staff Scheduling
• Efficiency Management

For more information on this program, please click here. To view the brochure for Verity’s School of Culinary Arts, click here.