We’re back from Elim…

Just writing as promised to give you more details on our amazing time at the Youth Leaders Summit at Elim in Lima, NY.

Adma McCain, president of Christ for The Nations (link on left under Global Youth Net), was our guest speaker, along with Pastor Mike Cavanaugh, senior pastor of Elim Gospel Church; Isaiah 6 and Michael Kim lead worship for the event.

We brought 30 leaders with us, all of which I believe were touched in a powerful way, myself included. Messages focused on “being” with Jesus rather than “doing” for Jesus; learning how to recieve, cultivate, cast, and carry out VISION; and the prophetic need to reach TEENS NOW!

I know that the Lord used the time to bring the leaders together, build relationships, and knit our hearts together in a special way. The weekend was not without everyone acting up, too! Here Ben Gilchrist, tony Hayner, and Aaron Clark can be seen doing the “crab walk” at lighting fast speeds, while Jay is holding the prized tissue!

I suspect that we are all returning to 33 Live inspired afresh and anew; the Lord also used the messages to confirm much of what we are already doing, which was very encouraging to say the least. I look forward to the new ideas that our leaders will bring, along with the new ministries that are going to be birthed through our church.

Thank you for your prayers!

Pastor Christopher

Hey everyone…

Christopher, Jim & Candy here writing from the incredible Super 8 in Henrietta, NY in Rochester. We just had an amazing time at the Youth Leaders Summit meeting last night at Elim in Lima. We’ll post pics on the ministry times later. But for now, you can see us in action waking up this morning. 30 of your youth leaders are acting more like teens than leaders…but that’s what they pay us the big bucks for.

Here’s candy in the hallway just after she woke up; then here’s Candy trying to make Jim look beautiful.

And remember…we’re doing this for you all! (Right). No, seriously.

~The Gang

Just before leaving the Lyric, Eva, Christopher, and Tyler were caught trying to escape with fresh coffee grounds stuffed in their pockets (Eva can be seen in this pic still stuffing them in her mouth, acting like she’s innocent. Whatever!). Good thing we caught them or else they may have gotten in trouble if pulled over on the ride home!

Don’t let this threesome out of your sight!

Pastor Christopher, Phil Thomas, Nate Clement, and Tyler Fisk are all sitting here around a table at our favorite coffee house house here in Clayton, The Lyric. Just finished up a great night at 33 Live. Now we’re chilling with all our friend. I just sent da’ boys out to take pictures with their phones and send them to our blog. Hope you like ‘em!

I (Pastor C.) preached on Killing Your Flesh tonight, and what exactly that means.

Jason Rodgers lead worship with the rest of the team and Manassah played a mean electric guitar! (“He’s pretty good,” says Nate).

We’re gonna’ get our coffee now, so see you next week!

L8r,

Da’ Boys

Here’s just some of what happened in 2006:

- As we move ever closer to the new building in Watertown our building fund has reached a staggering $95,855.00!

- Christopher’s debut book, “Rise of the Dibor”, was released in June 2006 which was a huge success! Not just in upstate New York but also as far as Baghdad, Iraq where soldiers read, and were ministered to by this God inspired novel.

- Through many days and nights full of prayer and fasting by Christians all over the world Amber Nesbitt, Jennifer Hoppers sister, began breathing January 8th, 2006 and was fully conscious by January 12th. She was declared a miracle this year by the 700 Club as she recovered from a devastating car accident in 2005.

This past year has been a year of transition and growth in every individual who has stepped foot inside the building. We have not just grown in numbers as a youth group but we have equipped this little town of Depauville with young hearts ready to fight, war against, and tear down the spiritual strongholds of this county. And that’s only the beginning!

Pastor Christopher Hopper and Pastor Jim Shaw along with people like Brad and Robin Ringer have been challenging us every step of the way; from purity of mind, to entering into worship, to things as simple as getting better grades in school for the Glory of Jesus, we are growing. And all with one goal in mind: that we would now, more than ever, begin taking Jesus with us everywhere!

There is exitement in the air as we are all anxious for the move of God like never before. As Pastor Christopher has reminded us so many times, God is looking and waiting for us to dedicate everything we are to him so He can use us in ways we never thought possible.

As we believe in God for the impossible this year let us remember this one thing: God Promises that if we seek him with all of out hearts that we will find him. 2007 brings new trials, new tribulations, but for those willing to abandon everything to him this year, the end result is complete fulfillment in our Daddy Jesus. For in him, we are more than overcomers.

God Bless!

Tony Hayner

“No eye has seen, nor ear heard, no mind has fathomed what God has prepared for those who love Him!”