Winter Retreat

It has been a long time, but I am finally writing about my experience speaking at a youth retreat in Big Bear Mountain at the end of December. A classmate from Fuller, now a youth pastor at a Methodist church in San Diego, invited me to speak to his group specifically because I was at Bethel. Although he didn’t know much about our school, he was familiar with Jesus Culture and heard there were good things happening in Redding.

The first night I told the approximately 140 students and counselors that God was better than we thought so we needed to change the way we think. I shared my story of coming to know the supernatural nature of our Heavenly Father and testimonies of how He is still moving today in mighty ways through healing, miracles, and prophecy. This led to a time of demonstrating these ideas in giving prophetic words and words of knowledge for healing. I released the students to be the ministry team and had them pray for others with physical ailments. Several of them experienced breakthrough and complete healing! I remember one of the counselors who had pain in his knee get totally healed and he was in awe. He said "I don't know what happened but I'm freaking out because there is no more pain!"

On the second night I led the students on an encounter. I asked Father God to come and lead us into heaven, speak to us, show us around, give us a gift, embrace us, etc… The encounter probably lasted about 20-30 minutes. Afterwards we had a time of sharing and many of them experienced dramatic encounters. One of the more exciting testimonies was from a senior high boy. He came up to the microphone and told us how he had two siblings (a brother and sister) both die of cancer when he was younger. He confessed that he has always felt guilt and shame about their deaths, believing that he was somehow responsible for their illness and passing. During his encounter, he saw Jesus come to him and bring him his brother and sister! He said he looked into their eyes and saw there was no guilt or condemnation, only joy. He was able to embrace them with Jesus. He said that for the first time in 9 years, he didn’t feel sadness about their deaths but gladness because they were with Jesus!

There were so many other testimonies of powerful encounters, healings, repentance, and baptisms of the Holy Spirit. We were all humbled and overjoyed at the way God moved in power and love throughout our time together. If you are interested in hearing more about it just let me know. It's wonderful to know that Jesus is alive and still ministers in supernatural ways! May the church be transformed by this revelation in order to expand the kingdom throughout the entire world!

"As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." Matthew 10:7-8