All Things Texas Acteens

When I look at today’s teens I think, “Wow, they live in a completely different world than I did at their age.” Researchers have labeled this next generation as Generation Z. These are people born in the mid-90’s to right about 2012. These are the pre-teens, teens, and some young adults in your church. They number about 23 million. They are tech savvy and noted as a generation that is “always on”. Online that is. While this is a large generation, it is also the least religious generation with only one out of five kids saying they enjoy participating in faith-based activities. So, where does this leave the future of our churches?

There is a lot to learn about the next generation but for the sake of time, we will focus on one element that has enormous potential for missional living. This generation wants to make a difference in their life. They seek out relatable influencers and look for causes to rally around. When they find that “something” they are passionate about, they use their social media skills and act to bring awareness to reach the masses.

Just think, what if they fell so passionately in love with Jesus that they took on every opportunity to share His hope to a lost and dying world?

When I think of the possibilities of a generation rising to spread the Gospel, I am reminded of the lyrics in the chorus of the song, Fierce by Jesus Culture (listen to song below) 

Like a tidal wave crashing over me Rushing in to meet me here Your love is fierce Like a hurricane that I can’t escape Tearing through the atmosphere His love is fierce

Leaders, we must model a relationship with God that is real and authentic. It is crucial to show this generation the good, bad, and the ugly of our spiritual journey. If this next generation was to capture what it means to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God, they would be the fiercest generation to reckon with. I would risk putting my life on the table for them to draw closer to the Father.

written by Liz Encinia, WMU of Texas

Before you go, follow these readings as a prayer guide. Plan to share these thoughts with your group in addition to the specifics you learn about your mission project.

Help Others See Christ: Read Acts 9:3-22.The Lord gave Ananias a vision to place hands on a blinded Saul, who was God’s chosen instrument to carry on His name. Ananias was obedient, and the scales fell from Saul’s eyes. Ask the Lord for opportunities to help others see Him through you. Ask God to use you as an instrument to proclaim Jesus to others.

Go Where God Leads: Read Acts 16:6-15. The Lord gave Paul a vision of a Macedonian man calling for help. Paul responded to God’s calling and went to Macedonia. When they arrived they met Lydia, a God-fearing woman who was eager to listen with an open heart. Ask the Lord to direct your path to take the gospel to people who are eager to know Christ and whose hearts are open to following Him.

Boldly Speak About Christ: Read Acts 18:9-10. The Lord gave Paul a vision and encouraged him to speak without fear because God has people in that city. Ask for the Lord to help you speak boldly about Christ. Praise the Lord for the people who He is calling to know Him in the place you will be serving on your trip.

Our hope, as WMU of Texas, is that every person will be well equipped to answer God’s mission call and to know why they pray, give and go. Take your church family deeper in their discipleship!

Help them practice living out their faith daily, recognizing needs in their community, demonstrating the Love of Christ and sharing the Gospel ......this is developing a missional lifestyle.

HOW? Incorporate Missions in what you are already doing. Got a small group? Turn it into a Missions Small Group. Here’s how you do it...

WEEK 1 > STUDY GOD’S WORD

Focus on Scripture that coincides with the missions focus for the month.

WEEK 2 > LIVE IT OUT

Focus on a missions concept. Learn from missionaries who have gone before you. Apply the missions tool to your own life. Learn about a culture group, refugees, social issues, etc. Make a plan to serve.

WEEK 3 > GO SERVE!

Create an opportunity to serve locally. Partner with a missions sending organizations like IMB, NAMB, or Buckner to complete a missions project.

WEEK 4 > DEBRIEF AND CELEBRATE

Let church members share their experiences. Show a slide show of pictures taken from previous weeks. Invite friends or those served. Eat and fellowship!

It's spring! Time to switch out the clothes in our closest and get those toes sandal-ready. I'm sure you've already had the "that's too short" conversation with your mom, but keep in mind it comes from a good place. No, she is not trying to squash your fashionista stylings. She's just trying to encourage you to honor the Lord with everything you do and wear. What you wear reveals what lives in your heart. This is what the Bible says about modesty: "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God" 1 Timothy 2:9-10. When the Lord talks about modesty He is not only talking about clothes but a fruit of faith. He is talking about modesty in our character. In many ways, modesty comes from your heart. Think about that before strutting that deep-v with no undershirt.

written by Liz Encinia, WMU of Texas

Have you ever thought, "My testimony isn't enough... My testimony isn't as good as _____'s... My testimony doesn't reflect Jesus' redeeming powers...?" Comparison steals joy, a clear mind, and the ability to be used as the body of Christ. "[God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" - 2 Corinthians 1:4

The transformation doesn't have to be dramatic to be worth sharing. Each one of us is in need of a Savior, trudging through the messes in our life, which need the hand of Jesus instructing and guiding us through each step.

We must remind ourselves to live by Luke 22:42 - "Not my will, but yours be done." There is no story involving Jesus that can be deemed useless or unimportant. The glory is still His regardless of personal experiences. Hallelujah if you are someone who has grown up under the protection and leadership of Godly parents. Hallelujah if you are not battling addiction issues. Hallelujah if you do not have friends who tempt you to do unholy things. Not only does God pull us out of the muck, He also chooses to protect some from getting filthy. From the moment you decide to walk the narrow path with Jesus, your testimony is one of FREEDOM.

written by Janie Page, Noonday Collection

We are excited to announce our first-ever Acteens video contest, sponsored by national WMU and the WMU Foundation!

This contest is open to any Acteens group and gives Acteens the opportunity to highlight a favorite missions project. The WMU Foundation is offering fantastic prizes for winning groups—monetary prizes for winning Acteens groups to use towards a future missions project or leadership development opportunity.

I have attached an informational flyer to this email with more information. But we have LOTS of tools for you to use to promote the contest in your state available on the WMU extranet. There’s a promotional video, the flyer attached to this email, an assortment of social media promotional graphics, and additional details and a place for groups to upload their videos at: http://wmu.com/?q=article/students-acteens/acteens-video-contest

You will find promotions about the contest on wmu.com; wmu.com/students, and on the Acteens Facebook page. The video contest will also be featured in this week’s Friday Letter.

Please share the promo video and flyer with folks in your state. Use the promotional graphics as well. (Be sure to check these out on the WMU extranet, they’re so great!) If you don’t have access to the extranet, let me know and I will send you everything you need. The deadline for video entries is May 12, 2017. If you have state Acteens panelists in your state encourage them to promote the contest, as well. In addition to being promoted on our website, we are planning to use winning videos as part of annual meeting this summer in Phoenix.

If you have questions about the video contest, please let me know. We are excited about this opportunity, and look forward to receiving many videos over the next few weeks!

As always, if there is anything we can do to help you from our office, please let us know. Looking forward to seeing missions videos soon from across the country!

Blessings,

Do you remember the Bible story of the Good Samaritan? To recap, a lawyer approaches Jesus and asks what is required by God's law and Jesus replies, 

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and to love your neighbor as yourself." 

And like any well-trained lawyer, he immediately looks for a loophole in Jesus' command by asking who is his neighbor. Can't you see him with his fingers crossed hoping Jesus says his neighbor is someone he already likes? Because we all want our neighbor to be someone who dresses like us, loves Taylor Swift as much as we do, has the coolest Snapchat stories, and comes from the same place as we do. Jesus responds to his question with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable focuses on four people. The first is the man who was robbed, beaten and left alone on a lonely road. Two, were religious leaders on their way to worship. They were in such a hurry they didn't stop and help. The fourth person was a Samaritan who acted like the neighbor Jesus was describing. He cared for the man. Interesting fact about Samaritans, they were the outcasts of their day.Samaritans were viewed the way many people view immigrants and refugees today.

What can we learn from this parable about loving our neighbor? First, our neighbor is anyone God places in our path who is in need of mercy.  Second, Jesus used the Samaritan as the example of doing the right thing in this parable because He wants us to recognize that even those we call outcasts have the capacity to teach us more about God. 

The debate around immigration laws in this country is very heated, with both sides making good arguments. But Jesus' command "to love your neighbor as yourself" has no requirement that your neighbor be a citizen, or like Taylor Swift, or even know what Snapchat is. So if we are to love our neighbors like the Samaritan man, we must "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37 For more resources and to take the "I Was a Stranger" Challenge, visit the Evangelical Immigration Table at evangelicalimmigrationtable.com.

written by Kathryn Freeman, Christian Life Commission

When I committed my life to Christ, this time around, I thought life would be a little bit simpler since I was no longer running away from God. Colossians 3:3-7 keeps it real by saying that yes you are made new but you have a past but now you are being made new. When school began, I started a relationship with someone who was not a Christian and was not faithful. The enemy knew that this person was something that I had desired in my old way of life. Whenever we get serious about living all-out for Christ the enemy will try everything he can to keep us from having a strong relationship with Jesus. The struggle is real when it comes to temptation, especially when we give God our hearts. Sometimes when we let go of our sin it can be painful, but Jesus is worth it!

written by Nayely Vallejo, 2014 National Acteens Panelist

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

                                        --Revelation 21:5 (NRSV)

Sylvia was 17 years old when she was kidnapped and assaulted by three armed militiamen on her way to collect water for her family.

Born and raised in the war-torn country of the Congo, she was no stranger to hardship and loss.

“Left unconscious, she was found a few hours later by neighbors and taken to a clinic.” Rosa Kabira, who works with the Dorcas Project in eastern Congo said. “Luckily she survived but was left with an unwanted pregnancy.”

Although her pain was unfathomable, the love of God proved greater.

Pastor Seth Seth of Afrika Community Church in Dallas partnered with Congolese pastors to start the Dorcas Project, a ministry that empowers women who have experienced trauma from war and sexual violence.

The Dorcas Project teaches women practical skills to own and operate their own businesses. The Texas Baptist Hunger Offering supports this ministry.

"Through the Dorcas Women Project, I have been able to acquire skills and a sewing kit which have started helping me provide food for my baby and myself,” Sylvia said. “I hope my baby grows to become a strong boy and go to finish school."

By the grace of God, 40 women completed their vocational training in sewing, knitting, literacy and computer skills through services offered by the Dorcas Project last year and more will graduate this spring.

The Dorcas Project is an example of an avenue of God’s redemption. Even though Sylvia experienced unfathomable pain, God redeemed her life with His love and church.

As daughters of the King, we know we are called to mission. We are called to spread the gospel and hope of Christ.

We are called to  make a difference.

Four ways YOU can make a difference:

Pray for our sisters who have experienced trauma around the world.

Make fun crafts or cards for women at your local women’s shelter or trauma center (you may not be able to meet the women, but you will still brighten their day).

Volunteer at a local shelter or job program (Christian Women’s Job Corp is a great place to start).

Give to the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering and support women like Sylvia and thousands of others.

Remember, Jesus Christ is making all things new. Gather your girls and join Him today in loving those He loves.