the building of a tour

I have been in crazy brainstorm meetings for months now. Most of that has to do with video on the tour. For about 4 months I have had the general direction for the theme content. It has been a strugle however. I've not felt like we were coming close to telling the Messiah story even close to how interesting, compelling and exciting as it deserves. Much of our verbage seems trite to me. The meaning doesn't. Jesus is real and amazing. When I start to tell of the Messiah I feel myself going back to old metephors and analogies that even I am bored with.

Below is the roadmap for the theme as it currently sits. Jayson French, director of ciy events, and a great programer himself, made the comments in italics. Let me know what you are thinking. The tough thing to do in a quick weekend is trying to walk the line of giving enough information for kids to make educated decisions about thier believe system and mobilizing them at the same time! These things need to be happening concurrently with each single take home haveing a mobilizing vantage as well that all point in one single mobilizing point for the weekend. see what we have so far and comment! please!



Theme Content

It’s been called the greatest story ever told. It’s origins flow from the beginning of time. Elders traditionally spoke of one who was to come. When the prophecy was finally fulfilled many didn’t understand or believe until he was gone.
He is more- Main Session Take Home
Text The birth of the Messiah
They expected him to change everything. He did; but not their way or in their time. He came for more than one Kingdom of people who existed at one time. He came to establish an eternal Kingdom.

Somehow you’ve got to find a relevant way to show that they wanted a political Messiah. This won’t translate to a Jr. High kid at first…so you have to draw a comparison. I think your tie in can be that sometimes we want a certain kind of Messiah...one that fixes our parents marriage…one that heals our grandparents…one that makes us better athletes, etc. I can see a tie in that we look for a Messiah that we want…just like the early Christians…but we need to know that He is so much more. Make a turn that we should be thankful that He is more…because what we would ask for isn’t nearly enough. He doesn’t just fix marriages…he fixes the biggest problem of all…our separation. I could see this turning into a strong evangelistic appeal. What amazing news!
I wonder what a Jr. High Messiah would look like? What would they choose to be saved from? How do you exegete their culture and know what they want so bad? Popularity…acceptance…ability?

He Sees more- Main Session ‘Take Home’
John 4 The story of the woman at the well
When he met people he saw deep into their lives, the things they did and the people they were. He called every person he touched, to work in His Kingdom. Even though he can see the mistakes of our past, he invites us to join and work in His Kingdom.

I’m feeling that Jr. High is the time to start dealing with some more specific issues. I wonder if you can carefully deal with the sin. I’m watching Justin roll into Jr. High and hearing about some of the stuff going on…and it’s time to call them to stop sinning now. If not..it gets too far out of control by High School. You’ve still got a chance to get them to stop. He sees more than their sin and mistakes…and He still forgives and chooses them. How can you help them process that? I think it would help make the transition between sessions.

He wants more. Or Gives More – Main Session ‘Take Home
In defeating death he proves His promise is true. The Messiah’s Kingdom will never end. He was more than anyone ever expected. He still sees everything. What he wants to be in charge of your every part of your life. He wants jr high students to be workers in His Kingdom.
Okay…so true…but make it sound like the privilege of partnership. I agree with your point…but make it sound like they GET to have Him in charge…and they GET to be a part of something bigger than them. Granted…you can’t shy away from Lordship…but even submission can bring adventure. What about HE GIVES MORE…and talk about how he has given each one of them a Spirit with boldness. He has given them a purpose…etc.
SO…maybe…He IS more…a better Messiah than you could ever think of. You are underestimating what you get when You let Him be the Messiah He came to be…
…and because He IS more…He SEES more…He sees your sin…and won’t hold it against you. He provided a way… and the good news is that it doesn’t disqualify you from His love or His Service. He sees more than your awkward moments…more than your mistakes…more than your problems. He SEES you…and HE made you…and HE saves you…and HE cares about you…because He SEES you. He hasn’t forgotten you…
…and because He SEES more.
He GIVES more…He has a plan for you…that’s why He saves you…because your life being make right gives Him Glory. He wants more than you attendance at church, or your singing a few songs…He wants to give you the Holy Spirit who will help you on an amazing adventure that starts now.

The Moment

For me, the entire theme of Believe can usually be summed up in one picture from the event. These are always my favorite moments. No matter how many times I see it I am always touched in a new way. After programing faith based events for over 10 years I have never been involved with a moment so powerful every single time it happened. I have explained the whole story dramatically to people before and if any moment in time was one of those, 'you just had to be there' type of things- then this was definitely it!!! I've never been more excited or proud to be apart of such an awesome picture of God's love, and grace. This one moment will never leave the minds of those who experienced it together. 40 years from now I am confident that students will still have image on their hearts of Eric holding Brent the stunt Guy. Hopefully they will live in such a way that 'the moment' will describe the feel of their walk with Christ. Brent, Eric, Believe Staff . . . thanks for the great Speak Tour!

For me,

Brent the Stunt Guy X-Ray and Injury update!

Every time Brent does a stunt I can barely watch. It's a dangerous job for sure. Just to keep you all in the loop I wanted to post an xray and email from Brent's wife from this past week. Make sure you read the part about how Brent kept going through his routine and finished his talk before going to the hospital. Our prayers are with them for a quick recovery.

Letter From Amanda:
7/1/09

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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." Phil. 4:4-7

This is the quote from Paul that Brent read to me when he woke up Monday morning. The events from the day before were still heavily on our minds. Sunday morning we were at First Baptist Church in Vincennes, Indiana. Brent was performing in both services to get the congregation excited about the youth outreach that was happening that night. Brent was almost finished with his second performance when he fell from his ladder. The impact from the fall broke his arm, yet he proceeded to share with the church the reason why he performs. When he was finished we made our way out and went to the ER. After some xrays, they called an orthopaedic surgeon in, and he recommended surgery.

After much debate, we decided to return home for medical care. There's an orthopaedic surgeon that goes to our church, and we were able to get an appointment with him yesterday afternoon. Again surgery was recommended. So Brent is scheduled for outpatient surgery Saturday, July 4th, at 7:30 a.m. central time. They are just going to insert a nail (or rod) down the middle of his bone to bring everything into alignment. He will only be in a sling for a few weeks and then he can start regaining movement. After about three months he can start training again. Many of you may be wondering, "Do they have insurance?" Yes, we do!

We would much appreciate your prayers for the surgery Saturday and the upcoming rehab. We have already started cancelling shows that we had booked, and everyone has been very gracious to us. We are continuing to keep our eyes and hearts focused on God's agenda and not ours. Thank you all so much for the wonderful support that you provide for us in prayer.

The xray was too cool not to share so I have it attached.


7/6/09

Thank you all so much for all the prayers this week and this morning. Brent went into the surgery holding area right around 7 a.m. He was given a nerve block in his neck to really help numb the shoulder area. They say it's a pretty painful area for surgery. (I'm thinking any area is a painful place for surgery!) Then around 7:45 he was off to the OR. The doctor came out to the waiting area around 9:30 and said that everything went great. He showed us the pictures of the nail and screws in his arm. As soon as we get them on a disc, I'll be sure to share those, too! Around 10:45 Brent was on his way back to his room. He took a nap and then got to eat a little bit. After that he was pretty alert. The first thing he wanted to do was to check the status on the Tour de France! So we put the laptop right in front of him, because he couldn't put his contacts in just yet.

We should be able to go home tomorrow afternoon. Brent is really strong and healthy and he's doing really good today. He's starting to move his fingers, so the nerve block will be wearing off within the next few hours. Once that wears off, he'll be taking more medication. Just pray that the meds take care of the pain. Can't thank you enough for all the prayers. We both have peace and know that Brent is in good hands.

Amanda Longenecker