Support in my call to the Nations
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Two years and three months ago I encountered the love of Jesus at a camp in Kentucky. It was mid June, I was 16 years old, and leading kids from the ages of 5-15 who came from broken and loveless homes. I asked myself: “How have I been placed in a position to lead kids who are a year younger than myself? I’m not even confident to say that Jesus really exists.”
The third night in Kentucky the sky was clear and the stars were brighter than ever. I have grown relationships with younger and older kids as we are enjoying worship and fellowship together. The past three days have been perplexing as I am still trying my best to wrap my hands around why these leaders from this small church called The Foundry in Nashville are so kind, passionate for life, and where their obsession for Jesus comes from; how are they so confident, where does their fire come from?
As they invite the campers to accept Jesus into their hearts, I began to pray for myself, for I am in the same position as these campers. Humbling myself before the likeness of seemingly present God, I have never been more honest in prayer. Laying my life down to Jesus, I open my eyes and see little kids crying and grown men genuinely worshipping a God I desperately need to know. Roughly one minute goes by before a man comes up to me, telling, “I think God has something He wants me to tell you, is it okay if I pray for you?” I responded with a very naive Yes. Two words into this prayer I realize every word being spoken lined up - word for word - with my prayer. I encountered Jesus that night and was transformed through a man who made the decision to obey a cry in his heart.
Two years and three months later I have seen the presence of Jesus manifest in ways I would have thought impossible - healings, signs, transformations, and genuine intimacy with a God who is most present in the everyday. The symphony of life has become more real through these eyes. I have learned that life can be an adventure - similar to an epic poem full of heroic acts of faith and boldness. I’ve learned that God does indeed have a plan for me - and for you. He, however, only gives us one page at a time; a small foreshadow of the things He is taking us into. He is writing our very own spiritually heroic epic poem, but for the story to unfold, acts of boldness in faith are required. He never said it would be an easy adventure, that the mountains aren’t steap, that the water isn't cold or the sun uncomfortably hot; however, He did say to trust His voice - not to worry about what may be on the next page of the story He is personally writing by His hand.
Similar to a long trek through the wilderness we come across beautiful pastures full of wildflowers, meet people on the trail and see life in vivid colors only the back country can offer. To find these sacred places we cross creeks and rivers, jumping from one stone to the next; these are decisions in life - potential obstacles in our path. It takes a courageous and willing heart to make the leap, but once the leap is made, the most beautiful view may be around the bend.
As you may know, this summer I made the decision to defer college from the cry of my own heart - in the pursuit of equipping myself to become a pastor and missionary. With prayer, this fall of 2018, an opportunity to go to Kona, Hawaii and attend Youth With A Mission has surfaced. YWAM is a missions school with bases around the world, helping equip people to share the gospel in a relational and loving way. The training program I will be attending is called Fire and Fragrance Discipleship Training School. It is a six month long school, split up into two parts - one being an intensive lecture/training phase where I will:
Learn to become a confident and influential communicator in a variety of settings
Learn how to effectively share the gospel in a variety of ways
Learn how to disciple a new believer in the ways of Jesus
Learn to walk a believer into freedom through the power of repentance
Learn to walk in a life of deep personal devotion and discipline
The second phase is a three month long outreach to the nations of the world where I will have the great opportunity not to only put my training to use, but to serve and love others in an impacting and lasting way.
The starting date of this school is September 27th, and the requirement date for the full tuition cost is due the beginning of November. The total cost for myself to attend this school, which covers tuition, housing, and meals, is approximately $10,000 not including airfare.
Mid-summer, when I came to the concluding decision to defer college, I acted on faith and belief that The Lord was leading me to make this step, and that He would provide further direction. Since then He has been faithful and surprising in return, leading me to new positions of leadership throughout Nashville. Now, with prayer, I cannot escape the direction and call of equipping myself to better serve in love. With this being said, through hard work this summer I have been able to save $6,000 of my own, and pay for my airfare to and from Hawaii, which is roughly $1,000.
I need your prayerfully considered support to help equip me and send me to the nations. If you feel led to support me in my call you can donate here!
The third night in Kentucky the sky was clear and the stars were brighter than ever. I have grown relationships with younger and older kids as we are enjoying worship and fellowship together. The past three days have been perplexing as I am still trying my best to wrap my hands around why these leaders from this small church called The Foundry in Nashville are so kind, passionate for life, and where their obsession for Jesus comes from; how are they so confident, where does their fire come from?
As they invite the campers to accept Jesus into their hearts, I began to pray for myself, for I am in the same position as these campers. Humbling myself before the likeness of seemingly present God, I have never been more honest in prayer. Laying my life down to Jesus, I open my eyes and see little kids crying and grown men genuinely worshipping a God I desperately need to know. Roughly one minute goes by before a man comes up to me, telling, “I think God has something He wants me to tell you, is it okay if I pray for you?” I responded with a very naive Yes. Two words into this prayer I realize every word being spoken lined up - word for word - with my prayer. I encountered Jesus that night and was transformed through a man who made the decision to obey a cry in his heart.
Two years and three months later I have seen the presence of Jesus manifest in ways I would have thought impossible - healings, signs, transformations, and genuine intimacy with a God who is most present in the everyday. The symphony of life has become more real through these eyes. I have learned that life can be an adventure - similar to an epic poem full of heroic acts of faith and boldness. I’ve learned that God does indeed have a plan for me - and for you. He, however, only gives us one page at a time; a small foreshadow of the things He is taking us into. He is writing our very own spiritually heroic epic poem, but for the story to unfold, acts of boldness in faith are required. He never said it would be an easy adventure, that the mountains aren’t steap, that the water isn't cold or the sun uncomfortably hot; however, He did say to trust His voice - not to worry about what may be on the next page of the story He is personally writing by His hand.
Similar to a long trek through the wilderness we come across beautiful pastures full of wildflowers, meet people on the trail and see life in vivid colors only the back country can offer. To find these sacred places we cross creeks and rivers, jumping from one stone to the next; these are decisions in life - potential obstacles in our path. It takes a courageous and willing heart to make the leap, but once the leap is made, the most beautiful view may be around the bend.
As you may know, this summer I made the decision to defer college from the cry of my own heart - in the pursuit of equipping myself to become a pastor and missionary. With prayer, this fall of 2018, an opportunity to go to Kona, Hawaii and attend Youth With A Mission has surfaced. YWAM is a missions school with bases around the world, helping equip people to share the gospel in a relational and loving way. The training program I will be attending is called Fire and Fragrance Discipleship Training School. It is a six month long school, split up into two parts - one being an intensive lecture/training phase where I will:
Learn to become a confident and influential communicator in a variety of settings
Learn how to effectively share the gospel in a variety of ways
Learn how to disciple a new believer in the ways of Jesus
Learn to walk a believer into freedom through the power of repentance
Learn to walk in a life of deep personal devotion and discipline
The second phase is a three month long outreach to the nations of the world where I will have the great opportunity not to only put my training to use, but to serve and love others in an impacting and lasting way.
The starting date of this school is September 27th, and the requirement date for the full tuition cost is due the beginning of November. The total cost for myself to attend this school, which covers tuition, housing, and meals, is approximately $10,000 not including airfare.
Mid-summer, when I came to the concluding decision to defer college, I acted on faith and belief that The Lord was leading me to make this step, and that He would provide further direction. Since then He has been faithful and surprising in return, leading me to new positions of leadership throughout Nashville. Now, with prayer, I cannot escape the direction and call of equipping myself to better serve in love. With this being said, through hard work this summer I have been able to save $6,000 of my own, and pay for my airfare to and from Hawaii, which is roughly $1,000.
I need your prayerfully considered support to help equip me and send me to the nations. If you feel led to support me in my call you can donate here!
Give $100 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Matthew Keegan
Organizer
Franklin, TN
