By Tonia Shroyer – Senior Pastor
Fall is upon us, which means our 27th YES! Youth Excelling Spiritually Camp has come and gone. We were at full capacity with 80 campers from 24 states, 21 new attendees and 35 crew.
Our time together was spent under the banner of Seek Ye First ~ Matthew 6:33. With 18 teachers throughout the week, we all had plenty of spiritual food to digest.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 KJV
It is difficult to convey the emotion that swept over us as we looked up on three different occasions to see three quarters of the young attendees out of their seats, as they were overcome by the love of the Father.
Each time, they were on their knees and faces in worship before Him, moved to joyful tears of freedom.
The teachers and crew were led by the Spirit for the atmosphere to be shifted for our Jesus to come touch their hearts. That is when a shift happens and fruit rains down for the glory of God.
We are so thankful for your prayers, financial support and encouragement throughout the year, as we anticipate and build to fulfill this kingdom assignment.
Plans for next year are already under way for July 29-August 3, 2025. Scholarships of any amount are received throughout the year at our Give page or mailed to the office.
Growing Through Technology
The CFFM Growth Initiative is off to a terrific start with your support. The new media communications with the youth campers (aged 12-25) launched in early July.
They are engaged daily with us via online technology and are now able to view teaching clips, verses, access a prayer room, music room and stay in ongoing contact with us.
The Pastoral Care Team beta tested The Circle app. It has proven to be less effective for new engagement and outreach, so we are redirecting our focus to other options that have been suggested by this group.
Those who financially supported the Growth Initiative have been invited into the weekly interactive Zoom fellowship hosted by Kevin and Sara Guigou and others. The feedback has been positive, and we are considering options of how to make this available to more of you.
The Encourager newsletter continues to be one of the ways people can see what is going on across the country and world and how to stay connected through what is scheduled on the ministry calendar.
Those who have contributed articles and testimonies for this publication have brought the Word of God from their heart, wisdom, and experiences to life on the written page. We thank them for their time and willingness to give in this way!
November 15-17, 2024, is fast approaching and will find us gathered together to host Pastors Brent Joseph and Jan Mageira for MIRACLE WEEKEND in the Word & the Spirit.
This will be an interactive conference full of powerful teachings, miracles, and healing. Register to join us in person or live stream!
A Timely Word
Finally, be encouraged by this Word of the Lord for us in this season:
Stand fast where I have placed you. Do not falter in your thinking with questions that weaken your heart against what I am building within you.
The Spirit I have given you is strong for the tasks ahead when you continue to seek direction and yield to the impossible.
You don’t need every question answered. You need to feel my reassurance in my touch and through my words.
I have given you all things to fulfill your life with me. My son was able to live with joy because he seceded from the noise and distraction around him to focus on single directions I gave him in the most stressful of times.
Life is not about all that you know; it is about who do you know, and you know me, your Father.
I am goodness. I am the one that created the wind and the whisper that carries My presence with the change that you seek.
Stop being hard on yourself long enough to allow me to reach you in ways that are above what you are expecting. I have sent you My word and My son so that you can overcome. Are you paying attention…to Me…are you paying attention… to him?
Nothing is on a whim; it is aligned and set. Has not My word revealed those that have come before? I sought them, I found them, I delivered them.
Your frailties are of no concern to me for I have equipped you to respond to my call. Ignore them all and look at the perfection of my son. Do not waiver.
I have put him in my creation and in my words. His voice carries the power of my Spirit to stoke the one I have given you. It will light fires that will burn into eternity, fires that keep darkness at bay so you can play.
Do not be confused with your endless inquiries and let me speak, let me direct, let me lead your heart. Stop resisting us.
Rest, rest, rest, and let My Spirit soothe and guide. It is not sharp, hard and pressing. It carries the keys you seek and is accessed in humility and surrender.
If you insist on leading, then I cannot. If you continue in speaking against your own self, you will not hear Me. You will not receive my revelation with clarity.
Stop babbling. Confusion is not your friend. Stop and realign within my lines. In times of wait, refresh. In times of uncertainty, hold, and prepare not to be unaware of His coming.
For He is coming–it is set and established. Look up and as surely as you see the stars, you will see Him. So, get busy completing the assignments that you have allowed to fall to the wayside.
Your time is in my hands. When you preside in what I decide then you will see…that you belong to Me. What else matters except you are with Me. So, rejoice in your mourning, rejoice in your place, and continue to turn and seek His face.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us and seek the Father and His Son always! Never forget, you are loved and you belong.