Jen: Lord, send me to the Nations
Donation protected
Friends, family, and others--
I'd like to share with you all officially that I've been accepted and will be starting a Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School (DTS) in two and a half short weeks (January 8th is registration)! I will be leaving my home in the SF Bay in two weeks from today (in case you’re wondering SF will still be my “home” for now).
Those who have known me for a long period you know that I have always had a heart for missions and I have always been involved in outreaches and evangelism. You also know I considered doing this just out of high school and those who have known me a shorter time know I have been prayerfully considering this and where the Lord would send me for the past year. This is an extension of that passion and calling God has placed on my life from a very young age. One mentor I have known for more than half my life has told me, "It's about time!" My number one calling will always be to share the good news of Jesus Christ and I pray I am obedient to do it in whatever way he leads.
YWAM’s slogan or motto, if you will, is “To know God and to make Him known.”
Friends, this is a very exciting time but it's not going to be easy either. Discipleship is good for us. but it is challenging. I think about Jesus' disciples and all the struggles they went through, the learning, the faith, the obedience when they didn't understand...so although not easy, it's worth it.
I will be learning from some of the best teachers for several months on missions and evangelism with a focus on ministering to refugees state side before I head oversea. This is also an extension of some of the work I have done reaching out to Muslim and Indian communities right here, in the bay…partnering with churches, para church organizations and YWAM Redding. I had intended on attending a DTS at YWAM Redding…but God had other plans all along and has been preparing the way, opening and shutting doors for me, for months. I have loved the missions work I have participated in, especially with “ending Bible poverty” and saturating an area where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is desperately needed! As you read the next part I am confident that Holy Spirit will lead you in how to respond.
I am asking for several things:
1. Pledges or donations for financial support. Will you partner with me financially to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth?
2. Pledges and commitment to prayer support. Will you partner with me and pledge to pray for me while I am discipled and actively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth?
3. Will you please send me your email and/or physical addresses and phone numbers so we can stay in contact and I can send you updates?
Here is the cost breakdown:
$3,200 for the Discipleship School (not only tuition but room and board included!)
$3,000 for overseas mission (this price includes airfare!)
$500 “Other expenses” i.e. car insurance, stamps, gas money, cell phone bill, replacing anexpired passport.
TOTAL = $6,700
-$1,200 = $5,500 (I have this much committed in two short days already!)
Logistically I need to pay $3,200 by January 8th 2017. I am confident the Lord will provide not only through others, like yourself partnering with this ministry, but through my work and paychecks, personal savings, and fundraisers. I can pay the second part several months later.
I have set a lower goal for this page because I don’t feel it is the “best” way to raise funds but I know it is most convenient for many people, including myself as I have donated to GoFundMe! drives many times. Please help me reach the goal or even exceed it of $750. If people end up wanting to use this platform I will increase the amount I am trying to raise. Together we will fulfill Jesus’ command and take His love to the darkest places of the earth.
Please know my desire is to be obedient to the Lord and to be a vessel to share Christ’s overwhelming love, mercy, and ultimately for others to know His saving power. He has been so good to me that I must share His love with others—this is the way He is calling me to do it for a season. Prayerfully, I will be in the 10/40 long term in the future. This is not a “one time activity” for me. It is my purpose and how I want to spend my life. I have a heart and calling for intercession and revival as well. Revival in our our amazing country and throught the world!
Be confident that any financial support is appreciated and needed as well as prayer! Please consider a one time gift or a pleadge of any amount you would like over the next few months. I can also send you my address to send support or letters to my while I am still in the states. It is not only important for me to know this is something that friends and family can “get behind”, catch the vision and support…but it is important because by making a financial or prayer pledge you know that you are just as vital of a part in this mission as I am. Your support is doing the work that Jesus commanded us to do just as much as my “going” is! I know the Lord will honor your faithfulness and bless you beyond measure. He has done so for me and in the lives of many I know. I also know that God will take and seed of faith you sow and do amazing things with it.
I promise to be a good steward of any donations, to have financial transparency, and keep you updated on the work that the Lord does over this next year.
YWAM is a 501c3 but legally cannot issue tax deductible receipts.
However, please know that I can provide you a tax-deductible receipt from another supporting 501c3.
Lastly, here are a couple scriptures that are important to me as I have considered this mission that I would like to share:
Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Matthew 28-16-20 (NIV)
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
+++++++++++++
Simply put, this is my response to the Word of God, it is my response of thankfulness for spiritually and physically saving me, it is my response for all the ways I have been love and am so blessed. Will you also respond? Will you also be a part of this?
The fact is that people need Jesus.
Please email me with questions, thoughts, ideas, more information on where I am going, etc at [email redacted]
I would like to thank my church in San Mateo for providing opportunities for missions and evangelism over the past season of my life. The Gate is still very much my "home church" and family. I have had wonderful mentors and family including but certianly not limited to: Dave and Amy, Dan and Fia, Matt, Corienne....and many others. I would not even be alive without the love that David and Bonnie have shown me and the many ways that some will never know or imagine that they have and continue to support me! Pastor Najat has been consistant in her prayer and teaching me new ways to connect with the Lord. Pastor Mark and Nancy loved me and helped me survive and navigate my first months in the bay. They accepted me with open arms. There are so many others and my time here is not coming to an end but simply taking a pause and I think this is a good time to thank those people publicly. And like I said SO many others....I would be writing a list for days, Katy, Fata and Majic, Danny, the other Matt, France, Ann, Kirsten, Nadia, Randy, Russ and Chris, Paul....on and on (last names and "titles" omitted for privacy).
YWAM Website
Be sure to keep an eye out in the next few days for updates and more comprehensive information, a video, pictures, and fundraiser I am very excited about! Please share this page with others as you feel lead and appropriate!
Much love and with a very thankful heart,
Jen Graves
I'd like to share with you all officially that I've been accepted and will be starting a Youth with a Mission (YWAM) Discipleship Training School (DTS) in two and a half short weeks (January 8th is registration)! I will be leaving my home in the SF Bay in two weeks from today (in case you’re wondering SF will still be my “home” for now).
Those who have known me for a long period you know that I have always had a heart for missions and I have always been involved in outreaches and evangelism. You also know I considered doing this just out of high school and those who have known me a shorter time know I have been prayerfully considering this and where the Lord would send me for the past year. This is an extension of that passion and calling God has placed on my life from a very young age. One mentor I have known for more than half my life has told me, "It's about time!" My number one calling will always be to share the good news of Jesus Christ and I pray I am obedient to do it in whatever way he leads.
YWAM’s slogan or motto, if you will, is “To know God and to make Him known.”
Friends, this is a very exciting time but it's not going to be easy either. Discipleship is good for us. but it is challenging. I think about Jesus' disciples and all the struggles they went through, the learning, the faith, the obedience when they didn't understand...so although not easy, it's worth it.
I will be learning from some of the best teachers for several months on missions and evangelism with a focus on ministering to refugees state side before I head oversea. This is also an extension of some of the work I have done reaching out to Muslim and Indian communities right here, in the bay…partnering with churches, para church organizations and YWAM Redding. I had intended on attending a DTS at YWAM Redding…but God had other plans all along and has been preparing the way, opening and shutting doors for me, for months. I have loved the missions work I have participated in, especially with “ending Bible poverty” and saturating an area where the Gospel of Jesus Christ is desperately needed! As you read the next part I am confident that Holy Spirit will lead you in how to respond.
I am asking for several things:
1. Pledges or donations for financial support. Will you partner with me financially to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth?
2. Pledges and commitment to prayer support. Will you partner with me and pledge to pray for me while I am discipled and actively sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth?
3. Will you please send me your email and/or physical addresses and phone numbers so we can stay in contact and I can send you updates?
Here is the cost breakdown:
$3,200 for the Discipleship School (not only tuition but room and board included!)
$3,000 for overseas mission (this price includes airfare!)
$500 “Other expenses” i.e. car insurance, stamps, gas money, cell phone bill, replacing anexpired passport.
TOTAL = $6,700
-$1,200 = $5,500 (I have this much committed in two short days already!)
Logistically I need to pay $3,200 by January 8th 2017. I am confident the Lord will provide not only through others, like yourself partnering with this ministry, but through my work and paychecks, personal savings, and fundraisers. I can pay the second part several months later.
I have set a lower goal for this page because I don’t feel it is the “best” way to raise funds but I know it is most convenient for many people, including myself as I have donated to GoFundMe! drives many times. Please help me reach the goal or even exceed it of $750. If people end up wanting to use this platform I will increase the amount I am trying to raise. Together we will fulfill Jesus’ command and take His love to the darkest places of the earth.
Please know my desire is to be obedient to the Lord and to be a vessel to share Christ’s overwhelming love, mercy, and ultimately for others to know His saving power. He has been so good to me that I must share His love with others—this is the way He is calling me to do it for a season. Prayerfully, I will be in the 10/40 long term in the future. This is not a “one time activity” for me. It is my purpose and how I want to spend my life. I have a heart and calling for intercession and revival as well. Revival in our our amazing country and throught the world!
Be confident that any financial support is appreciated and needed as well as prayer! Please consider a one time gift or a pleadge of any amount you would like over the next few months. I can also send you my address to send support or letters to my while I am still in the states. It is not only important for me to know this is something that friends and family can “get behind”, catch the vision and support…but it is important because by making a financial or prayer pledge you know that you are just as vital of a part in this mission as I am. Your support is doing the work that Jesus commanded us to do just as much as my “going” is! I know the Lord will honor your faithfulness and bless you beyond measure. He has done so for me and in the lives of many I know. I also know that God will take and seed of faith you sow and do amazing things with it.
I promise to be a good steward of any donations, to have financial transparency, and keep you updated on the work that the Lord does over this next year.
YWAM is a 501c3 but legally cannot issue tax deductible receipts.
However, please know that I can provide you a tax-deductible receipt from another supporting 501c3.
Lastly, here are a couple scriptures that are important to me as I have considered this mission that I would like to share:
Joel 2:28-29 (NIV)
“And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Matthew 28-16-20 (NIV)
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
James 1:27 (NIV)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
+++++++++++++
Simply put, this is my response to the Word of God, it is my response of thankfulness for spiritually and physically saving me, it is my response for all the ways I have been love and am so blessed. Will you also respond? Will you also be a part of this?
The fact is that people need Jesus.
Please email me with questions, thoughts, ideas, more information on where I am going, etc at [email redacted]
I would like to thank my church in San Mateo for providing opportunities for missions and evangelism over the past season of my life. The Gate is still very much my "home church" and family. I have had wonderful mentors and family including but certianly not limited to: Dave and Amy, Dan and Fia, Matt, Corienne....and many others. I would not even be alive without the love that David and Bonnie have shown me and the many ways that some will never know or imagine that they have and continue to support me! Pastor Najat has been consistant in her prayer and teaching me new ways to connect with the Lord. Pastor Mark and Nancy loved me and helped me survive and navigate my first months in the bay. They accepted me with open arms. There are so many others and my time here is not coming to an end but simply taking a pause and I think this is a good time to thank those people publicly. And like I said SO many others....I would be writing a list for days, Katy, Fata and Majic, Danny, the other Matt, France, Ann, Kirsten, Nadia, Randy, Russ and Chris, Paul....on and on (last names and "titles" omitted for privacy).
YWAM Website
Be sure to keep an eye out in the next few days for updates and more comprehensive information, a video, pictures, and fundraiser I am very excited about! Please share this page with others as you feel lead and appropriate!
Much love and with a very thankful heart,
Jen Graves
Organizer
Jenny Graves
Organizer
San Carlos, CA
