Using the tools of the creative arts - mime, drama, puppets and skits - to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Program Report

Sick! To a teen these days that means "wow, great, amazing, fantastic." That is how I would describe this past summer, though it had some moments where the traditional definition fo the word applies as well.

Our time in Cuba was one of seeing God move in the lives of children, learning to work with our Cuban friends, and battling a tummy bug. Through all of it we experienced God moving, creating a bond of fellowship through language barriers, touching the lives of children and enabling us to get out of bed for the next event. He is faithful!

Powerful! Our main theme for several weeks of VBS ministry was centered around prayer. We tried some creative prayer times in small groups and were so blessed by the children's excitement to really pray. They clapped and jumped in praise. They knelt and listened and they threw away distractions and prayed for each other.

One of my favorite moments was going with a group of 3 and 4 year olds to pray for different areas around church, and the people they represented. At each spot one of them would pray after I explained what we were praying for. At one spot a little boy was eager to pray but when we bowed our heads he stopped. Then he looked at me and said, "I need some words." So I gave him some and he took off praying.

How wise it would be of us to ask Jesus for words when we had a need and don't know how to pray!

Creative and Relational! Our staff was made up of 4 local teens who have also been our interns for several years. Therese and Mary put in long hours of prop making and booklet assembly. They are also responsible for our Facebook page. It was a joy having them around the office: laughing, praying, confiding and creating! Richard and Micah joined us every time we ministered. We introduced new characters, skits and dances, and grew together in the process.

Fierce! Our two weeks of teen camp were about being bold as a lion. We looked at the lives of some followers of Jesus as examples. In the process we discovered in a fresh way the fierce love of God and His passion for each of us. I'll never forget standing back and praying for one young man. I saw him, with determination, let go of a list of hurts, throw it down and rise to leave in freedom. He left behind a wet circle on the concrete as well as a heavy burden at the foot of the cross. He went out walking in the fierce love of Jesus.