Simply racing to fulfill the Great Commission... - Matt Peters

G42 - The Call to BECOME!

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT

I want to thank you whom have been walking alongside me! You've been such big support on the mission field as well as back "home". I've been deeply encouraged by the greetings, emails and letters you have been sending. It's always refreshing to come back to a foundation that is faithful and ready to strike up conversation full of testimony and encouragement. This past trip was a bit wonky in nature, yet as we look at what God did, we can't deny the kingdom work that He is doing through His glorious church here at home and abroad! Amen!

In the past 2 weeks I've struggle to find the words to describe the fast paced change in my life once again. When your heart bubbles over with joy and love it's sometimes hard to describe it. That's the beautiful work of the Holy Spirit; indescribable transformation. As I sit here trying to explain what's happened, I'm sure the Lord looks down and chuckles to himself lightheartedly. He's probably thinking to himself that this kid hasn't seen anything yet.

Well, my heart has been stretched to love more, serve more, give more, and most importantly to BE MORE! With such an epic year as the World Race was in 2008, it became so real to me that that trip was only a mere stepping stone in the understanding of my life's destiny. In short, the World Race took me on a spiritual wilderness experience through an identity crisis. I gave everything I had to open my heart as wide as I possible could so the Lord could work. I was a desperate young man on a search or a pilgrimage for purpose and significance. Every time I would open myself up I would instantly be at a new level of trust in people, level of faith in Christ, and a new level of humility in my own personality. What I mean is that the more I put myself out there, sincerely put myself out there, the more revelation I received that this world does not revolve around me! People were easier to love when I wasn't judging them. I was more confident when I started to let go of the lies that others are better than me. And lastly I let go of my expectation of what should be happening and tried so earnestly to follow and support the authority and leadership around me! Only at this point did I see miracles, go to amazing places geographically, and gain the wisdom we naturally desire to have of the mysteries of God!

What the Lord did on the World Race was evidently life changing and this was only because I have strived to walk that way every day afterward. I have chosen to let the victories in my life stand as testimony of God's work in me. I made a conscious effort to guard my mind and heart from the lies of "did that really happen?" and "it was just a season, you're always the same". I returned home as a changed man with a new heart of flesh and a renewed mind. I saw what the Lord was doing to advance His Kingdom and not just the depression and sadness of the world. I saw hope and a future...not the kind I twisted to believe was just for me as in the words of the prophet Jeremiah, rather the lost children of the one true God; the widow and the orphan, the drug addict and the prostitute! I felt that I was on top of the world. There was so much I could do and I was driven to encourage others to join me in this great divine purpose to reach the far reaches of this world. I was as deep in wisdom and understanding as I could possibly be. My past was the past and the future was the glorious unknown full of adventure and victory of the nations.

So, what the G42 experience was for me was the creator of the universe placing me in the perfect community for learning the language of true love for others and opportunity to give until I had nothing left. Everything I learned from the Race experience was put into practice once again, with a new understanding of myself, God, and the world. In my heart I was challenged to step into complete faith that His voice is within me and that I am His voice that this world needs to hear. And I was physically in a place where I had no hand in planning out or deciding on my own how it would benefit my ego whatsoever. The Lord took a hungry and humble heart and challenged it to become what it was destined to be. I have been called out to get over the childlike finger painting exercises' of this faith journey and start living as a man of god ought to. This has meant to get over my shifty, self serving ways and worries I face daily and to not let the call be interrupted by my insecurities. In Spain, the Lord placed a strong hedge of authority and accountability around my heart and life. I have seen the integrity and excellence firsthand that the kingdom requires. I have men who are models of the man I am to become as well as women around me whom have shown me what a true woman of God is like. This is the new standard I've been called out to become; the standard to be covenantal, committed, and loyal. To be the rock which others can not only trust but to rely on!

The more steps we take forward on the pilgrimage the more we are to become. The amazing news is that we don't have to change anything about who we are to go to amazing levels with God, we just have to refocus our mindset in trusting that it is who we are, our deep down DNA, that is exactly what god is looking for us to be! Is who we are the fruit of what we do or is the fruit of what we do from who we are?! My life was previously driven from the former and was dead, I was dormant and restless. I have found life and kingdom advancement from the later; a refocused and destiny driven passion to become more like the one who created me...Jesus Christ himself!!

To make sense of this, I've awoken to a new day on the pilgrimage of my life. The old self was left in the memory of days gone by swallowed in the dusk of yesterday. What steps have been taken will be remembered, but not relived. The dawn of a new day is upon me as the sun has begun to arise on this new life. I have been called to wake up from my slumber of naivety, confusion and silence to stand up with the rays of light reflecting off of me from His shining light to this world. I am His hands, feet, and most importantly His voice! I see the days ahead as bright and magnificent no matter how difficult the circumstance. I see the Kingdom advancing as I step forward in confidence with my head held high and not looking over my shoulder to see who's coming. I see orphans experiencing love for the first time as I strive to grasp the Father's love and give that love away to others around me. I see the broken and enslaved free from the tyranny of man and this world as I seek to live my life in chains for the Gospel of peace. I see the confused and complacent finding His voice and living a life of praise as I strive to live a life worthy of the calling through integrity, humility, and excellence! For this is a new day for me, but as most people in this world see life lived based on the day before, they need to hear the voice of Jesus and experience his touch. No-one will ever receive these things unless I, as part of the church, intercede for Him. I'm committing my life to do my bit, the question is ARE YOU?! Are you leading a life worthy of your calling?...for you HAVE been called by God!! (Eph. 4:1)

Thanks so much for all of you that have made the G42 experience what it was! You know who you are! I am a changed man with a softer heart and a bolder attitude; all because of you!

All those who have walked alongside me on the World Race, you have definitely been that foundation to bring me to that point of getting over myself' through your words of encouragement and revelation as I lived my life alongside yours. Thank you for opening your hearts to my brokenness!

And lastly to church family and friends whom I have accumulated over the past 26 years! You guys have showed me how to live, how to grow, and how to seek for the greater things. You have been my support and my drive to be the man I know deep down I'm called to be. I love you and you'll never know how much I appreciated your role in my life! His Kingdom come!!

The belated Last Update of 2009!!

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Greetings family and friends,
I pray this letter finds you rested and restored in this beautiful holiday season! Usually I'd be greeting you in person in MB, so I pray that even though I am across the Atlantic that you would feel the hope and love that I'm extending your way!

As you know I've been spending the past 3 months in southern Spain at the G42 leadership Academy. It has honestly been hard to put into words what my heart has been going through on this unexpected turn in the journey. Life here has been fun and energetic as everyday has seemed to bring about some new form of hope and truth to my life!
Many people go to college and then seminary for almost a decade of their lives to gain what they need for a life in the ministry. As a pioneer and an unsettled with the norm' kind of person, I've been on a bit of a different journey to get to the same point in understanding the call to my ministry. My search of greater things of God has led me to the call in a vision to come to G42 and I'm here now able to put into words why;
All my life I've walked aimlessly the path that everyone has walked before me. The voice I've listened to has always been those around me in their own walks as I've followed blindly behind them. I've been hurt, frustrated, and felt like I've been left behind so many times that I've found myself on the run so to speak. I've essentially been on a pilgrimage to find purpose, direction, and a point in this great divine world I find myself wrapped up in.

The Lord has called me here to G42 to sit at the feet of simple men of God who are down to earth, living with a purpose, and full of LIFE! People who are involved with the school are men of true integrity who have been beaten down by the church, been at the brink of giving it all up, and who have an understanding that this life is about people and nothing else! I've been hurt by "9-5 style leadership" all my life and G42 is a place that truly breaks that mould for me. On the flipside of it I've also been challenged to live out this life I'm called to and stop running; to make a plan and say AMEN! To see that God has actually gifted me with amazing things for a reason and to stop being uncommitted and flakey in my plans. So, the search has led me here...to a tribe that is willing to become less so that I can become more. One not letting my past direct my future anymore!

As I read my Bible time and time again, the words are making sense to my mind as the truth is starting to connect my mind with what my heart has been saying all along.
I see this life I've been blessed with as the one chance I have to bring His Kingdom here as it is in Heaven!

And so, this brings me to let you know that I'll be returning home this coming January! As the whirlwind goes, my financial support isn't nearly enough to stay over seas and the plan on my heart is simple; to live and be' for this next part of the journey. I'm not returning to become complacent but to bring LIFE! My heart has been souled out to the fact that I have a choice to stand at the Tree of Life or walk away, yet I know that the blood of Christ gives me no excuse to feel or think as though I can't or shouldn't!
I pray you see my heart as I prepare to return in this next month. I am still looking for financial support to fly home in as little debt as possible, so if you are willing to help out please feel free to mail cheques to:

c/o Matt Peters
Box 46
Arnaud, MB
R0A 0B0

Thank so much for your prayers and support this past year! His Kingdom is advancing! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love,

- Matt

G42 Revelations - God's Will de-mystified!

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"He knows my name, so I ought to!"- Andrew Shearman

How many of us struggle what God's will for our lives is?! How many of us battle everyday to wake up and find purpose? God has a plan, right?...but how come it seems so far removed from where I'm at in my journey?

I mean, look at people in the Bible and the great calls upon their lives; leading a nation through the desert, conquering an army twice the size of their own, sharing the gospel to the nations, and even being imprisoned and tortured for the sake of the Gospel. All my life I've gone through the motions of finding purpose and the direction of this call' that is apparently on my life.

I realize that I've been asking the wrong questions and praying the wrong prayers when it comes to the Lord's plan' for my life! Truth is that I've been telling God what he already knows for a very long time, he's an all-knowing God. I've discovered that all he wants is for me to simply ASK! He wants me to ask Him for the nations! He wants so earnestly to give me people! I'm always asking for jobs, where to go next, what steps I need to get where I'm supposed to go, and so on. But He simply wants me to ask for hearts, for lives, for opportunities to LOVE!

As a dreamer I've struggled what God's actual plan for me really is. Now, the days that I feel as though I can go anywhere and do anything are being challenged and other days where I feel as though I have nothing to offer this world; and I need to get over myself and stand up! In the past weeks it has clicked with me how our churches have mystified God's will so much, that it's not even desirable anymore. It's become obligation to perform and "step into faith" in things we aren't even comfortable with. People are being told they are sinners' and lost' if they aren't conformed to the norm'. But it's time to break that lie! God has clearly created each and every one of us for a specific reason and purpose. And with that he has gifted us with so much that He is wanting us to use for his kingdom.

I have discovered that I am the greatest detourant of my dreams. I have let lies take control of my life for long enough. My dreams and gifts have been given to me for a specific reason. For way too long I have worshiped my successes and resume. I have gone overboard and become comfortable in my own strength when the Lord has clearly blessed me with a heart that is committed and a mind that dreams. The next level is not faith in Him, but commitment to take this life to the next level! To live out that faith. To go where no-one goes. To lead others where they are unfamiliar. To set captives free!

Why do we reject prophets who He sends? Because we're scared of change?! Why are we afraid to share our hearts in church on a Sunday morning? Is everyone else doing well and I'm the only one struggling?! Why do we hold on so tightly to money and titles? Are we afraid we'll become less than everyone else?! Bottom line is that God's will is for you to be YOU!! Not just me as in Matt Peters with all my titles and accomplishments, but Matt Peters with a red-hot heart of passion for His children and an ice-cold brain to say AMEN and go after them no matter what the cost!!

We are created to put "Christ" on! That means as sons of God we are ONE with Jesus in his victory and we need to start grabbing it and living it! Not just accepting the salvation part half-heartedly and saying life's good, but claiming ALL of it!

We ARE called, not waiting for the call. Matthew 10 says we are to GO...shrug your shoulders if the house rejects you, move on to another! Sleep well, eat well, live simply. Cast out demons, stop being afraid of those little rodents, HA!, heal the sick...lay hands on them, who cares if they smell or if they're people you know and feel awkward! BE ME is what Jesus is saying!

Paul says, "It is no longer I' who live, but Christ who lives in me!" If we first seek to fulfill His dream, I'm pretty sure that our dream will also be fulfilled. The author and perfector of our faith should know something about a big dream if he's the one who has given YOU you're skills, gifts and ideas. Think about it!!

I suggest we stop being experiential Christians basing our lives on emotions, circumstances and an "it's not fair" attitude and start living a BELIEF oriented Christian walk with faith in God's character and Word. We need to gain a "what does God have in this for me?" attitude in the whirlwind we find ourselves in. I'm pretty sure he's got something for you to learn as you're getting by so to speak!

God's will is to "put Christ on"; not about a specific action or time or place. You'll be in a place at a time doing amazing Kingdom things once you become you with Jesus as your core!

Paul was stopped twice by the Holy Spirit in His plan to go to Asia. Was he wrong?! NO, of course not. God isn't about right and wrong, he needed Paul somewhere else. Paul never disobeyed God, he just didn't know which boat to get on. He was going for it. All God did was re-direct Paul and he never looked back...he went forward.

We need to start to make a plan, but we have to be open for a turn of a surprise in the road. Chances are that God's change will be even better than we could have ever planned. Waiting on the Lord isn't necessarily inactivity, it's an expectant yet still heart whether moving or sitting. How do ya think I ended up here in Spain?!

As the potter shaped the clay, Jesus broke me into pieces because I was marred. Then He rebuilt ME with the same pieces more perfect!!

So obviously He knows my name and who I am. He has called me friend. I am a co-heir with Christ in Heavenly places. I live for the sole reason that he has given me that chance to live. I have taken hold of it, and now it's time to run into destiny. Me being who I am is all that is required to live this life. To just show up! But in this is a mandate, a responsibility...that is to be like Christ and let that flow out of every inch of who I am!!

G42 Revelations - Bringin' the Kingdom!!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"You worship me, you preach my word, I'll do the wonders" - God

When I first heard this quote, something in my mind of how I viewed God changed. This is what finally connected the God of the Bible to the God of today in my mind! Sure I know God never changes, but this simple sentence struck something within me as I reflect back on the footprints I've left behind and see when and where God showed up...when I was in souled out worship of HIM, not what I was doing (and giving him credit) and when I just opened my mouth and spoke truth out! That's when the wonders came! That's when the sick were healed and the broken hearted putting that long awaited smile on!!

When we look at the Kingdom' that Jesus is telling us about, why do we have such a hard time grasping it? I always thought it was good works and being humble'. Being less so everyone can be more, yet being at the top of the chain in leadership so I could demonstrate that humility...well that was quite the contradictory life I found myself in. I dubbed it my season of being pridefully humble'. I went to the extreme of works and expecting God to show up! So often people would be blessed, but I was still disappointed when the miracles' just weren't there. I was wrapped up in the lies that I had something wrong with me. I felt that I was lacking something. But, in the last few weeks it has dawned on me that the only thing in the way of me and the fullness of power that God wanted to use through me was...well, me!

So what does this have to do with the Kingdom'? Well, Jesus says that the kingdom isn't something you are looking for or waiting for. It's WITHIN you! (Luke 17:20-21) This idea I had of try to bring the Kingdom with my works and service was challenged. This vast, expansive, and divine Kingdom isn't something I need to strive for or to do anything special for. It's part of me, part my DNA. So, as revelation goes, I have a responsibility to search out the scriptures and match it to what my spirit is saying. Is there a connection?!

God's Kingdom is everlasting, it has always existed (Daniel 4:3), it rules over all other kingdoms; the world has never existed without a savior!

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven are the same thing. Jesus speaks of both in different accounts. They both are scripturally the exact same thing with different names' so to speak.

And so, this Kingdom' that is apparently within me and what Jesus says is at hand (within reach) looks like what then here on earth?! Well, Jesus prays a prayer our churches pray every Sunday in Matthew 6:9-13. In verse 10 He prays boldly that the Kingdom COME and God's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. There is no doubt that his purpose and plan is for the earth to be exactly what he created it for in the first place. Not a place of peace and harmony so everyone gets along, but rather for His children (us) to share that beautiful inheritance with us! His plan has never altered; we are still in Plan A.

God wants Israel' to be that instrument here on earth to bring in His Kingdom. Israel isn't this little plot of land in the Middle East, it's the people of the nations, His beloved his children...Jews and Gentiles alike, we are all His beloved Israel! God used the natural Israel to show us the way as He is looking to spiritual Israel to take hold of this thing. The Church is who we are. And the Church is God is looking to for ushering in the Kingdom here on earth JUST as it is in Heaven. Bottom line!

So my question is; am I bringing in His glorious Kingdom in my own life? Truth is that I have absolutely no-one else to blame or to compare anything to! If Jesus' words are true that the Kingdom is within me, then I have some work to do if there is death in my life. If people around me aren't coming ALIVE in who they are, then I'm missing something. If I'm having a bad day and feel as though I need a day off to deal' with stuff, then I'm missing the point. If I'm holding on to things of the past and living in my own little party, then I'm missing the whole point!

All I have to do is SHOW UP for my own life! I have to be willing to choose the Kingdom before anything else when my head leaves my pillow in the morning. I have the responsibility to put others before myself in any circumstance. This world is much different than what we think once we start to look a little bit deeper into it all. If we only see our faults, fears, failures, and ultimately ourselves, then we've lost the plot. Might as well pray for God to take you up now! We are here for a much greater purpose than to survive! We are here to BRING the KINGDOM...come on Church! Let's be that instrument that we are created to be. We're the best plan God ever had! So let's get over ourselves and LIVE THIS LIFE!!

The Kingdom work we are called to do is using what He's given us for His glory!

Let's start getting on our faces and stand in awe of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Let's start allowing Him to guide us instead of striving for control in our own lives all the time. Let's start sharing in that sweet victory that Jesus is asking us to share in with Him! Let's start becoming the men and women of God that we are by speaking LIFE as Jesus taught us to.

And finally, let's get over our own crap and step into FAITH as God is more than willing to show His wonders and miracles as soon as we get out of the way!!

G42 Revelations - What is God's point?!

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In our humanity, we are wired with many questions of who we are and what this life is all about. And even so when we come to faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we still are hard pressed to find the answers to the same questions. We read the pages of the Bible and read of all the wonders and amazing stories of faith and great triumphs, yet we compare it to our current lives and we seem to notice a big difference. I was one who had a hard time understanding how a pre-existant, self-existant, all knowing, all powerful, omni-present, and loving God would have me on this earth to just pass the time! I never quite understood how such an amazing God could create me with so much intimacy and just place me here on earth to do some good work just to rescue me in the end from the very thing that he is sending me to do!! Seriously, have you thought about that?! Why would the Lord fill the Bible up to drip such amazing hope and love just to take all the Christians away? What does that prove?! How can something with so much freedom be limited as we tend to believe we are?

The Bible says that we are the apex of His genius. What makes us so different than all other creation is that God created us with something to live for. Adam was given a mandate...a responsibility...and that responsibility means there is something to do...and that "something to do" is a purpose filled life. You see angels were created to worship in the Heavenly places, animals were created to roam the earth, and Adam (man) was created to subdue all creation and have dominion over it all. Unlike angels, man had a choice...free will! That choice was simple; walk with God or walk away from God.

In Eden, it was perfect, every single thing. Adam walked with God in all His goodness. Everything that was there was FOR Adam! God wanted to share it...with Adam! He never created it for any other reason than to share it. If we were created with no choice, no free will, nothing would be rewarding for God. Nothing would choose Him. His loving heart for relationship would be very unsatisfied! So that "everything" was the greatest gift Adam could possibly receive. There was never anything he could do to earn it. It wasn't a reward fro his hard work...it was an inheritance! Be fruitful and multiply is what the Lord said for Adam to do. Have it all!

But then the greatest tragedy happened...at least that's what I've been told all these years! Eve ate of the fruit of the tree, the only thing that was forbidden in all creation. Adam just stood by and watched, silently, being deceived by the one who would steal the inheritance that was clearly Adam's.

We often look at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil as this thing that God was selfishly holding back for himself. But hold on, let's take a closer look at it...

God created everything in the earth and called it GOOD, right? If everything He had made was good, then there was nothing bad, or evil'. And if there was nothing evil in the earth, then there would be nothing to separate Adam from God and ultimately nothing to prove the FREE WILL! The Tree was placed in the garden as the SIGN of the FREE WILL! If there was no option to choose, Adam would be nothing greater than the animals that roamed the earth.

And so, back to the fall'...Adam's in quite the predicament now. The intimacy of Eden gone, the Inheritance lost and a life to live still as the apex and pinnacle point of God's beautiful creation. Is the plot lost?! Is there a point to life now?! Satan (who rebelled against God and was able to convince 1/3 of the angels to join him) thought he had thwarted God's plan. We so often mis-interpret this part of the story because we think this grand battle is between good and evil, between God and Satan. Well, that doesn't make any sense when you look at the fact that God CREATED satan. Satan was an angel, God can smite Satan anytime he wants to. Why do we think Satan has all of this power when he clearly doesn't?! The battle is between man and Satan...Satan was able to deceive Eve and Adam out of their inheritance. He had control of this earth. Genesis 3:14-15 says that Satan is cursed and that there will be enmity between him and the man (woman in context). God put that enmity there, not satan, HA!!

And so, with the plot lost and Satan laughing at his victory, God says to hold on a minute..."look down the line of history a bit...I have a second Adam"...and His name is CHRIST!! That's right, God had a plan. Not a back-up plan, but THE PLAN still in motion! Incredible stuff, eh? Now how do we know this? Because God prophesies it in verse 15 (Genesis) when he says that the serpant (satan) will bruise his head, and the woman (Christ) will bruise his heel. Now, that's victory! The lost restored!

So then, what does this have to do with me today?! Well, as Christ went to the grave (after Satan thought he had a second victory), he resurrected and conquered death! That prophesy fulfilled, Christ defeated Satan. Christ brought LIFE to this world. He created a way for us to be restored. Christ took all the sin of each and every person in the world upon himself and was that sacrifice to atone for all that has separated us from God. The LIFE that was won is all that is needed to walk a free life from death. In Christ (belief in him as that sacrifice for us) we share in that victory! The inheritance is restored through Jesus Christ. There is nothing we could possibly have done then or do now. That original charge of dominion over the earth is up to us now to grab it. Christ did what no human could do! In this kingdom, the Kingdom of God, we have the responsibility back to take this inheritance. We have no excuses now. There is NOTHING separating you from God and grabbing his blessed inheritance except for you not taking it!! Just to give you an idea of this inheritance...it's 7 BILLION!! That's right, 7 billion hearts and lives for you to gain, the nations!

So, what is God's point in all of this?! He's looking for a partner! He's looking for someone to love, and bless! His greatest expression of that is to share His inheritance with us! He wants us to live in Eden, without having to do anything to deserve it. He wants His bride (the church) to partner with Him (Christ)! So let's go claim our inheritance, shall we!!

Always remember, if there was no need for salvation, there would be no need for a savior! What a blessed LOVE story we find ourselves wrapped up in! All we have to do is show up!!

G42 Revelations - Catching up with my heart!

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the past 11 weeks, I feel as though I have grown up another 5 years. A reflection of my life would show a gradual pattern of maturing and growth in year-long increments ever since I stepped out those high school doors 7 years ago. The past 7 years have been the wild and incredible journey it was only because I was on a search. I was searching for something that my heart was craving. When I graduated I had "the job". I had a life figured out for what a 19 year-old would see as a stable life. But then again as most 19 year olds, I had no idea what I really wanted. I had the door so wide open that I ran into it, soon realizing the trap that it really was.

At age 19 I saw what a life of complacency was. It only took me 6 months to realize that even though I didn't know what there is to know about life, I could easily get by and live a great life. The only thing that would be attractive in that scenario for me would be that I had control! As I looked at my life: just graduated from high school, had a plan for life, and was in a controlled and comfortable lifestyle....I saw something missing! That missing link was that I still wasn't satisfied. The deep and intimate yearnings in my heart and soul were crying out, saying that there is something more. And so, for the next 5 years I would be battling those feelings and longings.

Once I set out from my job on my first personal pilgrimage through a local discipleship/missions program, I realized my yearning was to find my purpose in this life! I knew that God had a purpose for me. He had a plan for me. I took his word in Jeremiah to heart! It made sense why complacency was not a question for me. To be honest I still don't understand the whole change that happened that one day at work when I realized I needed an adventure! I was just ready for something new, exciting, and personal. All my life I have felt that pressure to settle down and live life. Maybe it was some sort of unconsiousrebellion or something, I don't know.

I've been alot of places, met alot of people, and experienced alot of amazing things. I have seemed to go to the other end of the spectrum since that day. I've been living out of a backpack. Have very little financial freedom. And seem to be a guy doing great things that a God that the North American Church would be proud of. Being a man on a pursuit, my life has looked quite different from most people I've met in my life's journey. "Stable" and "solid Christians" get their training and settle in wherever it is that their "call" happens to be. They then live their life. They're content and living happily. And so, the past 5 years have been a wrecking to my heart as that's the message I've been told over and over again..."why don't you settle down?" "Haven't you found your calling yet?!"

These questions have taken such a toll on me. Many lies have rooted from them....Why am I so uncommited? Why don't I 'get it' like everyone else? Why am I so unsettled when everyone else is so content where they are?

In the past 3 months here at the G42 Leadership Academy, I have finally found what I've been looking for! I have found the peace that my heart has been desiring. My life is all starting to make sense now! I've continually gone through the stages of being "a new man", but this is something much deeper as my mind has finally caught up to my heart now!! God has revealed to me the grand scale, big picture!

As I look at the picture I see how simple it actually is. Yet, in it's simplicity there is something so grand in it. There is a big part of the story that is just for ME! I get it now. The exciting thing is that you may have a slice of it as well if you choose to!

In the next while, I'll be posting some blogs on the things that this picture is. I believe that if you search hard enough, you will see what the Lord has in store for YOU! This is my story and walk. Please take it for what it's worth. You will be blessed! That is because I'm blessed your story of searching...that's all God wants; His children searching out His heart. In that journey maybe your mind will catch up with your heart as well!!

Support Update

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Greetings friends,

I pray this letter finds you living out your life to your greatest potential! It's a wonderful season out here physically and spiritually here at G42. The weather has been un-naturally warm for this time of year. Apparently it has broken all kinds of records as the warmest fall in history for this area. So with 24 + Celsius weather, it has been quite enjoyable. And more importantly, it's been a great season of freedom and character building for us interns. Everything we're going through in class we have the privilege to spend time in the surrounding communities doing. Personally I've been involved with a local food program for the homeless. I've made a few relationships that are slowly being cultivated into something more than just a hug once a week. This past weekend, a few of us interns headed out to the nation of Gibraltar on our own account to help out our dear friend and local Andrew as he's involved with being a resource for ministries coming into the 2 countries here (Spain & Gibraltar).

One of the classes that I've been encouraged in is "Failure". Now that may sound quite the taboo class for a life of ministry, but the truth is that this is the first time I've been confronted with teaching that my past failures and shortcomings are part of something great in the walk ahead of me as I live out my purpose. It's opened such huge doors in my life for the concepts of grace and ultimately love. The Apostle Paul writes, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love." This means that no matter who I am or who you are, the only thing that matters in this life is faith in Christ through the expression of love. Life is about people and loving one another! We have to submit our shortcomings and failures of this world's standards and hand them over to the Lord and move forward. It's the only way to freedom in our lives. To break that cycle of bondage and imprisonment of fear of failing when we know we are called to do great things (Jer. 29:11). We are each created for an undeniable purpose.

So, I encourage all of you wherever you are at in your own journey. If you are curious about whom Jesus is I encourage you to read deep into the Gospel of John! If you have already committed to following Christ, I pray for you to look at your relationship today with God and ask him if there is anything you need to hand over to him once again to step into that new deeper level of freedom in Him...releasing the hold of fear once and for all!

I thank you all for taking a minute to allow me to share what's going on here in Spain. It means a lot to me. I hope you in turn are encouraged. Please know that I am in need of finances to keep going through my term and practicum's. One of them is this next week in Barcelona. The total I need is approx. $2,200 by December 1^st. This will sustain me through the end of the first term (December 18^th).

If you are able to help out, please send checks to:

c/o Matt Peters

Box 46

Arnaud, MB, Canada

R0A 0B0

Or you can donate at the G42 website by clicking HERE.

Cheers on the journey!

- Matt

stand up, SPEAK UP, and shut up - Part 2

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One of the important things in our daily life here at G42 is our prayer life. Every morning before classes begin we proclaim Kingdom in this place. We prophesy LIFE into our community, our day, and our journeys. We are all here for a reason and we seek that out each morning before anything else can steal our attention. It's a beautiful thing to walk in as a community as well as an individual.

You see, life is all about WORDS. Now, I'm not talking about words as man's wisdom can comprehend, but rather, a simple WORD is how life comes about and it is how life came about. It's the simplest, greatest mystery that I'm now finding my world wrapped up in. In our human minds we are constantly looking for logical sense of this world. The mere thought of God creating everything we see, touch, taste, hear, and smell out of nothing is difficult for our finite mind to grasp! Matter has to come from somewhere, doesn't it?! The world we find ourselves in was set into motion by a mere WORD. And that word, birthed LIFE. (John1:1-4)

Paul encourages to "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and build up one another with all wisdom, and as you sing songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." (Col. 3:16) When Christ walked the earth, he set the example that we are to follow. As he ministered he spoke LIFE into things that were dead. Demons left at his command (Mark 1), the mute and deaf were healed (Mark 7:31-35), and the dead were raised (John 11) to name just a few. Sure he laid hands and such as well, my guess is that was to demonstrate that it didn't matter how "unclean" all were acceptable to receive his love.

As followers, we too can speak things into existence. I'm not talking about money to appear in your bank account (which God can do, and most likely would do if you truly needed it); rather to speak LIFE to invade where a dead place exists. Furthermore, we are called to bring order to the chaos.

We have recently moved to a new villa. This place is our new home, classroom, and community center. It's beautiful! This morning, before our first class we spent 30 minutes wandering around the whole property claiming it as God's Kingdom, his dwelling place. What that means is that we prayed life, blessing, and love into this place. We dedicated it to the Lord for his Kingdom to come. Here at G42, we believe we are the manifestation of Christ. (1 John 4:1-6) We are filled with the Holy Spirit and have authority over any entity not of God!! We don't know what has gone on in this villa before we got here. We have no idea of the pain, joy, LIFE or death here. So we prayed!

Once we finally stand up for what we believe, next, we must learn to SPEAK UP! We can't stay silent anymore. We all know what happens when we stay silent and don't proclaim...we go right back to the Garden where Adam stood back and watched. We have to speak words of love, encouragement, peace, truth, and joy into one another's lives. We are the ones to bring change to this world. It's about asking God for the inheritance (Matt 9) for his Glory. With all our being, we must ask for the nations; There's no doubt that when we pray and boldly ask for them he'll begin preparing us for the nations. It FIRST starts with US... that is, with YOU. From there it's contagious. It goes right outside your front door and spreads further and further into your city, province, country eventually consuming the world.

STAND UP, speak up, and shut up!! - Part 1

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How often do we go to church because "that's what we do"? How often do we go to church to "get filled" or to "gain something"? Set aside 2 hours every Sunday morning, head to church and sit back in the pew and say "feed me"?

In our culture we tend to spend a lot our lives doing that, and sometimes not even realizing it. Of course life is tough and we get weathered by the storms and pounded by the circumstances. But out of all the times we've gone to church, how many more times have we gone to offer something versus seeking to take something?

In the "early church" we never saw people going to a nice multi-million dollar building to get something. First off, church wasn't about the building whatsoever and second of all the people believed and gave their lives to follow Christ Jesus, not just say a prayer to feel good and move on in life. Those who believed lived in a community of love. They shared everything they possessed and gave to whomever was in need. They lived selfless lives of giving, never taking. There was no preaching to compete for congregation numbers. They shared the good news of Christ so that others may walk in the spiritual freedom that they found themselves in. Their lives reflected the deep down, no holds barred faith they had in Jesus.

And so in turn they were persecuted!! It was dangerous to be a Christian, there was nothing peer pressure about it! There was absolutely nothing to gain from a worldly sense at all. So why did the church flourish and move forward in advancing the Kingdom of God? Simply because those who believed STOOD UP!!

The religious leaders of the day brought the scriptures to the table to dispute this new "way" as Jesus had taught and claimed. Those who walked with Jesus knew who he was as the Son of God, as well as those who never met Jesus but believed the message of salvation through him.

The city of Antioch was claimed to have been one of the largest cities in the entire world (possibly Roman?) at the time. And 1/3 of the population believed! The number I've understood is roughly 100,000 (take that for what it's worth). People were getting it. People were believing! They didn't need miracles, even though they without a shadow of a doubt were common. They didn't have programs or nice glorious "people pleasing" friendly sermons to believe in Christ. The result of a group of souled out faithful shared what was on their hearts brought life to the city of Antioch amidst the Roman occupation and resistance of the message of Christ!

The message was simple: TRUTH. Raw truth! Peter, Paul, Stephen, James, etc all spoke up and not only defended (without being offended remember) but proclaimed the Way to the Kingdom through the resurrected Christ. As the religious leaders were in pursuit of stoning Stephen, he scrambles to speak up and proclaims what God has/is doing. Paul stands in front of the Sanhedrin in a similar fashion and speaks his story, the testimony of Christ.

So my question is why do we shy away from our friends and strangers alike when we claim to have all of this faith? Maybe deeper, why do we demand so many signs and wonders before we give ourselves up to follow Christ? HA! There are zero recordings of anyone ever demanding a "sign". It is by faith and faith alone that those will find the Way! So stop demanding signs for God to prove himself. Step out in faith and give him a chance. You don't have any control over the matter, He does....he created you remember!!

Ok, back on topic...

To conclude part 1, we have to look to the examples left by those who first got this thing going! They never went to church to feel good; they were persecuted! They never went to church to sit back and take anything; they gave every possession they had to those who needed it. And they never shrunk back in fear when things got tough; they stood up straighter, spoke louder, and shone brighter in their moments of greatest opposition.

Why are we too scared to share our testimonies? There is no-one like you, only you have your story, your gifts, your life. Your life is meant to be shared. People need your victories and foundations to be encouraged in their own walks. It is only up to YOU to get over yourself and let your life shine bright! Stop worrying about what others say or view of you! Stop letting them control you when it really has nothing to do with you. Be yourself! Speak up! Meet that friend for coffee that you know you need to share something with! Step up to the pulpit and encourage the body of believers you worship alongside with a revelation or blessing you have experienced this past week!

We have His word in our hearts and on our lips. Especially men! I speak this out of experience as well as what I see all around me. We are way too passive too much of the time! We are not present when we need to be! We are not found when we are needed the most! Let's start picking up our swords and use them. Let's stand up for something...how about the core of who we are as sons of God?! The Lord is using US, the church, individuals working as ONE to advance the Kingdom of God!! I firmly believe we are failing God if we're not standing up! If we walk in timidity and cower in the time of need, we bring death; that's because we sure ain't bringing life!!

Next blog is about SPEAKING UP is and looks like!!

RECLAIMING MY INHERITANCE!!

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

When I accepted Christ as my savior, I literally became a child of God. This happened through the process of adoption into His glory! Romans 8:17 says that because I have been adopted as a son of the Lord himself, I have become a co-heir with Christ. Basically that means I have an inheritance from God himself!!

Inheritance in an earthly sense is when parents who plan and save will set aside an inheritance for their children. This inheritance is then typically gained when the parents pass on from this life here on earth. Now, my thought is if our parents pass on to us a blessed inheritance, how incredible could the inheritance of God himself possibly be?!

A big mistake I have made in my life was believing that I will claim God's inheritance for me after I die and walk through the pearly gates shaking St. Peter's hand. How many of us think the reason Jesus Christ came and died was so that we could get to Heaven? We spend so much time focusing on the end of the story in all its glory for a "safe" place in Heaven from this chaotic world that we miss the true nature of God's inheritance for us! Heaven has become this primary destination in our lives, not the benefit of becoming God's sons and daughters! I believe that our generation needs desperately to understand that our inheritance is NOT waiting for us in the distant future for after we survive this hell on earth experience (seriously look around you; poverty, corruption, tyranny, discomfort, etc, etc). Why wouldn't God want us to have the inheritance NOW!! Why would a loving God want to "test" if his sons and daughters are "worthy" of the inheritance?

Jesus told the story of the Lost son in Luke chapter 15 illustrating that no matter how much you abuse the inheritance you have been given, he holds compassion in his heart towards you! You are his son (or daughter) and nothing can change that. He loves you! God's inheritance is something He intends for us to claim NOW, today, this moment! Living with God's inheritance in our hands means that we need to start living now!

When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the garden, He gave them extra commands that the rest of creation did not receive. God said that what he made was "good" and when He created man (in his own image by the way!) he called is "VERY good". God told them to multiply, fill and refill, subdue and take dominion over the earth. They were created and set there with the mandate to rule NOW. They had the chance to live and indulgent life in the literal presence of God then and there. They understood their inheritance. It was all the earth and all that was in it. God gave it all to them, in their free will!

So, what happened to that inheritance?! Well they gave it away the very moment they disobeyed what the Lord had said. It took one small episode for them to lose the inheritance as the serpent came and in a grand moment of human weakness, they handed over their inheritance to him.

When Jesus came (the Lord's plan all along), the serpent (satan) went straight after him to tempt him like everyone else. This made the point clear that satan had the rule of the earth. Matt 4:8-10 tells how satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world (this world, the one we currently live in) if Jesus would simply bow and worship him. Jesus NEVER disputes satan's claim of the world. Jesus knew that the fall of man in Genesis resulted in this transaction. The slimy serpent thinks he has the right to put his nasty hands on what God has clearly told us that belongs to us!! Of course we know that Christ died a natural, earthly, human death. Satan thought he got him. He thought he had killed off the ONE God had sent to save his children. But Jesus resurrected for the grave! CONQUERING DEATH!! Taking back the title deed to this world, the inheritance that was entrusted to us! Doesn't that get you pumped up?! I'm excited writing this! What a revelation!!

Jesus came to this earth and died among us not so we could just get the blessing of Heaven but so that the inheritance we lost in the garden would become obtainable. So we can claim it NOW!

Okay, you may wondering what I mean by inheritance. Well, as previously mentioned all that's in the world. Psalm 2:8 says that God "will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." This is a prophetic word about Christ of course, but if we are co-heirs, then our inheritance is the same! Our inheritance is THE NATIONS!!

When Jesus breathed his last breath, he exhorted, "IT IS FINISHED!!" He wasn't talking about His life. He was speaking about the victory He had claimed on our behalf; the fact that He had reclaimed the inheritance for you and me. He died so that we could once again re-inherit the nations....the people! Jesus says himself in Matthew 6 that we should pray like this: "YOUR KINGDOM COME, your will be dne on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN." We are not dying to get to heaven. We are here to bring Heaven down to earth, to bring God's kingdom here, NOW! The nations are our inheritance; bringing God's kingdom here is how we claim that inheritance. The nations are people....HEARTS!! We are reclaiming them so that they too might become adopted by God in order that we can ALL share in this inheritance.

So the question is do you LOVE enough to get off your butt and step into your purpose and destiny of what truly belongs to you?! Are you willing to STOP waiting around in a life of monotony trying to live "safely" and without any "bad" sin (which I'm sorry you're failing at because all sin is the same) for a rescue rapture mission by Jesus to save you?

Yes this world is chaotic and is hurting. YOU ARE THE ANSWER TO THAT CRY!! Jesus came and showed us how to live this life...let's start living it! Do you have ANY compassion for those suffering under the cloud of tyranny in Burma? Or under the yoke of prostitution in Thailand? Or the hurting, desperate and inward dying person sitting on the pew right beside you?

Doesn't it make you're heart long to bring God's kingdom here NOW?! It's not about sending out missionaries, it's about YOU making the call and stepping into YOUR INHERITANCE!

I've made the decision to grab MY inheritance and make a change in this generation! It's pretty obvious that this life isn't about me! I've stopped thinking about what others can do for me, but what I can do for others!! My name is Matt Peters and I am a son of God through the adoption of being born again. As a co-heir with Christ I claim my inheritance. I stand in the void for the orphan and the widow. I want to see dead things come ALIVE! I'm done with the norm. Life's a blessing, enough moping around in my own self-pity. It's time to stand up and take back what's been ours all along. THANK YOU JESUS!!

The heart of the matter!!

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Alright, I apologize for the bombardment of blogs and such on this "next step" and "new season" of my life that I have been plastering my blog with. But the truth is that my heart is bubbling over more intensely than it has ever before. To really explain what this place is here in Spain has been tough for me. First of all G42 is not a traditional scheme of a "school" nor is it a place for people to escape to for another 3-6 months to put notches on their belts.

The heart of the matter is that G42 is a training center! It is a place for true, solid ministry foundations. If you are extremely theologically minded or traditional this may be stretch to understand. We're not here to learn the 5 things about biblical history, or the 3 steps to evangelize, etc. This is a place of character building, community living, and purposeful plan making. The Lord has me here to fine tune a godly character within me. I'm here to redefine what a life of integrity and honesty is all about. I'm here to LIVE AMONG and sit at the feet and listen to men and women of God who know Jesus and his message of LOVE and VICTORY! I've done the bible school thing. I've got the notches on my belt from ministry experience. (heck, I traveled around the world) I have everything I need to die happy now, or do I?? NO, of course not! There's something more! There's a stirring in my spirit that is restless and overflowing right now! I have a crazy message on my heart that once offended me because it wasn't found coming from the pulpit I listened to....and I can't hold it in anymore. I'm done quenching my god-given purpose here on earth.

At the school here we budget our food and supplies, we cook for ourselves and guests (pretty much every night), clean the house, have classroom discussions, go to the pub to watch sports, and love on the community. Andrew Shearman, Dave Hearn, and Dave Friedricks make up our core staff along with many pastors and missionaries who come in to pour themselves out to us for days at a time. Andrew, Dave, and Dave along with their families live here in the community and have dedicated their lives to us as interns. There is an "open door" policy which means we are always welcome to live life alongside them.

In the coming months outside of "class" us interns will be seeking out personal ministries in the local community. A couple of times we'll also be heading internationally to follow around a pastor or missionary in their life for a few weeks. This is all practical, hands on, no holds barred training. No do's and don'ts. Either we're here to squeeze as much out of this as we can or we'll miss out. This is life for us now! We are called by name to go and serve the nations. Here we go....Spain and beyond!

I pray this gives you a better understanding of the heart of me being here. I'm an exceptional different case than most heading into this kind of thing. Obviously I love to plan and organize, however this time it's not the case. I'm here because I was called. I had no idea this place was so intentional until yesterday during our orientation session. If you know me fairly well you may say, "what the heck Matt, just go for it....jump into ministry". But in all my heart's honesty my friends I've been a scared little boy deep down and the Lord has finally had enough of me and called me out!!

This stirring has started to become intense. I can't control it anymore. Here I go....MY HEART'S ALL IN!!

Where we've come from to where we're going...

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is day 7 for me here in southern Spain. This term here at G42 has already begun, yet our classes only start tomorrow. Out of the 7 interns that will make up the "class", 6 are former World Racers. I see the beauty in this community that we will be living as for the next 3 months. (for the January to March term there is a potentially much larger community size) When I speak of us being former WR's I say that out of love. Even though we span 3 WR squads, we all have so much in common. Right now, you may be thinking: they've done the 11 countries in 11 months trip, they are all know everything there is to know about traveling, they all have seen crazy miracles, and they are these crazy adventurers who are looking for the next big thing. Ok, maybe it's an exageration, but you get my point.

The things we have in common are much deeper than the pages on our passports or what our photo collection shows. It goes right down to the roots of each and everyone of us. Our hearts! the World Race journey did something inside us. Something so huge and undeniable. We enter each new with a whole new perspective of life as we know it. We have a sense of purpose. A deep knowing of who we are. We are able to do things most only dream of and don't know where to start. We walk to a new tune of understanding of the world around us.

The World Race journey has taken us ordinary, comfortable, young church goers to place of wonder and adventure as we realize we have entered the kingdom that Jesus talks about once we look beyond ourselves. Our prayers of finding purpose have been answered as people are encouraged when we walk into remote African villages. Our cries to be known have been answered as we see the sick healed in S.E. Asia. Our hunger to know more has been been satisfied as we learn from the selfless national evangelists in the Delhi slums. We have come to this point because we realize this life isn't about us! This life isn't about giving up and just making it through life unscathed. We have realized that we are meant to be free from sin and death. We are created to live purposefully. We are called to stand up and hold firm in the Lord's ways. This can only happen through risking everything we are and have so that the one beside us who is hurting can feel the love of Jesus.

We look at our world in a whole new way. We don't see injustice and chaos....we see opportunity to bring God's Kingdom! The world is a dangerous and crazy place, we realize that and accept that.....so now what?! We understand that WE must be the world changers. We see a reason to live and share Christ with the nations. We see that there IS hope! We don't just feel sorry for the widow and the orphan anymore...we reach out our hands to them. We don't ignore the beggar or the lame as we walk by, we smile and say hello! We don't think through all the pros and cons to decisions anymore.....we listen to the spirit with us and learn to walk in obedience to what it's saying. We detest these injustices more than before, but we use that as a motive to seek justice out!

We've all had an awakening in our lives. Whether we go back to where we've come from or follow that call to new places, we still walk in confidence that we're making an eternal difference wherever we go. We know it is US that the Lord is using to bring his Kingdom here on earth. Proactively we live in the moment. Jesus said "go and make disciples" so that's what we are doing. It's not about legalisms and 3 point programs of "how to" anymore. It's grassroots LOVE as Jesus demonstrated time and time again! Jesus didn't seek out the sick and weary...they sought him out. When we walk places, people seek us out. They know there is something different about us. That's the Kingdom...setting the captives FREE!

The only way anyone of us will ever be able to set the captives free is to be set free ourselves. We have to know that Jesus Christ has paid the price for our us. He has set us free from the holds of death in our lives. We just have to step out and believe that for once and trust him. And then move on...it's done, over with. Get over the past! Get over ourselves. And yes it's challenging, but all Jesus is saying is "get up and go!" The Race has shown us that we need to keep moving forward. We need to stop comparing to others and especially worrying how to get to the destination. We learn to live in the moment, take leaps of faith, and don't be afraid to fail.

So this is my community these next 3 months. People that have gone through this transformational process who understand what it means to put others first. I'm so excited to be called here by the Father to have these wonderful friends to walk alongside me. We've come from all sorts of backgrounds, yet now we are all moving forward together....as ONE! We are here to minister to each other as well as with each other. We are here to see Mijas, Spain changed. We are here to see other parts of Europe changed when we've walked through them. This is Church! This is community! This is LOVE! This is the KINGDOM!

Here's another video that you need to check out about what it means to walk through the initiation process. What you see is the hearts of individuals who have also gone through this WR journey. It isn't about the World Race necessarily, but it is about the process of letting the Lord empty you out of yourself so that he may come into you fully! I found this to be a beautiful portrayal of what this Kingdom thing is about! Bottom line, this is a beautiful expression not necessarily where we've come from....but where we're going!

AWAKENING!

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey folks, I've shared mostly what the journey was already in my previous few blogs, but here's a video posted my my dear friend and former teammate Andi Wendel to give you a glimpse of what the first ever World Race Awakening Conference was all about!

So, you're over the age of 21 and comfortable....NOW WHAT?!

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hey friends, here's another message from the Director of the World Race.....Michael Hindes!

I Need You're Help!!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Dear friends and strangers alike,

I want to thank all of you for your never ending love and support. I would not be here where I am today in my walk with Jesus if it wasn't for you! So thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have given to see the Lord's Kingdom come here to earth as we live this life out. I'm always encouraged and sharpened by others' giving ALL of who they are to bring light to this dark world. Praise the Lord!

Well friends, I'm back to the place where I'm following Jesus in the unknown with alot of obstacles ahead! I don't mess around anymore of where I know I need to be. When I hear His voice, I follow, not figure it all out first.

As most of you know already, I am here in Spain ready to step into a term with the G42 leadership school. I have abandoned MY plans for backpacking through eastern Europe and the southern USA and have taken the leap of faith to move to Mijas, Spain for the next 6 months. That's the simple and to the point plan.

I am here with a few changes of clothes, $350 to my name, an open heart!

Surrendering to God and following the path He is leading me down, I have complete faith that He will provide. This school begins on October 6^th. I need your support both prayerfully and financially. I am asking for your daily prayers that my heart would be completely open to what the Spirit is saying. The academy program costs are roughly $1,200 CDN/month. Additional expenses include health insurance and transportation. So, if 100 supporters pledge $15/month my goal would be met! Will you please prayerfully consider partnering with and supporting me for whatever amount you can, monthly or one-time?

You can support me financially by clicking HERE or....if you are a Canadian, you can send a cheque to:

c/o Matt Peters

Box 46

Arnaud, MB, Canada

R0A 0B0

For my American friends, you can send a cheque to:

G42, Inc.

P.O. Box 17419

Fountain Hills, AZ 85269

Make checks payable to: G42

In the MEMO section of the Check simply write Matt Peters - G42 Intern'

Please feel free to CONTACT ME if you have any questions!!

Here's one last video to give you an idea of what former students have said about their G42 Leadership School experience. I know a few of them personally from my time on the World Race and have seen them transformed into solid, bold sons and daughters of God!

G42 - What is it?!

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well friends, here is a little bit more about what this G42 leadership school is all about which I'm attending these next few months...

What is G42?

What Do You Mean by the "42nd Generation?"

Numbers in the Bible do have some significance. And the number 42 has generally been considered to represent the coming of Christ. Take a look at Matthew, chapter one. It tells the genealogy of Jesus. Verse 17 says "Thus there were 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the exile to Babylon, and 14 from the exile to Christ."

The problem is if you count up all the generations, they only add up to 41. We know that the Bible does not lie, so what's up? Either the Holy Spirit made a mistake, or there's a mystery we need to try to understand. There are only 13 generations from the exile to Jesus. But the text says "to the Christ." Matthew 1:16 says, "Mary of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ." The 42nd generation is between Jesus and Christ.

Jesus came to earth, undressing all the way to enter his humanity. Jesus was the man part of God and Christ is the God-part. Yes, they are one and the same, but they are also different. The 42nd generation that this text is talking about not only was Christ himself, but also is us, the body of Christ. And to that extent, the 42nd generation will come about when Christ is formed in us as the body of Christ.

Mathew 16:13 says, "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi; he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

"But what about you?" He asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Answered, "You are the Christ, the son of the Living God."

"Who is the Son of Man?" Jesus asks, narrowing it down. Jesus always narrows it down, "What about you, Peter, rock (church)?"

And the Church has locked itself down very often in a sinful simplistic acceptance of the wonderful Jesus as savior. It has refused to grow up into Christ. That's why Paul said, "I labor until Christ is found in you." The whole point of the Church is to get Christ formed in us. We must get past elementary things. We must move beyond the need for more inner healing and deliverance. If you have that need, get it and let's go. Get healed. Get over it. Let's get out of the bed. We need the bed. We have got plenty of beds, but churches are more than hospitals. You can stay in the hospital while you get healed, but you need to walk in health.

And we are going to labor, and we are going to preach it and we are going to try to live it until Christ is found in it and then we get the prize. We might just be the 42nd generation.

When we say YES!!

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ever since embarking on the World Race journey I have been preaching what it means to step out and live by FAITH! If you've spent any time with me in the past 8 months you will have heard me share about it! What does Christ really mean when he says, "Take up your cross and follow me!" Are we actually willing to say YES and go?!

This past summer in my camp community, I challenged 30 plus young men and women to truly seek out Christ and pray dangerous prayers...prayers that we know if the Lord would answer it a certain way, it would freak us out. I've been learning to pray such prayers in hope that I may better understand my purpose, call, and direction in this journey we call LIFE! Most of my life I have found it easy to navigate through the waves of challenges as I stepped out of my comfort zone. This is because I always had a back up plan or I knew the answer I wanted to hear and went for that. The logical way usually was right in front of me. I had no doubt that I was in good shape, no matter how "easy" or "dangerous" these prayers seemed. So, on September 7th I left MB for eastern Europe with a plan. A plan to see, travel, and experience what life out of a backpack traveling by myself was like. Life on the road with Jesus as my only constant companion.

My main purpose to be in Europe was to attend the first ever World Race Awakening conference held in Brasov, Romania. And so, I did just that....made my through Germany and the Czech Rep. to Romania. During the conferences' 4 days of worship, fellowship, and teaching I knew deep down in my spirit that I would find out what my next move was going to be. Not what country I would travel to next, rather what the next season of life would hold. Well friends, I found that out!

During one of the community worship times, I found myself sitting on the floor with everyone else (220 plus people) standing around me. I was in a time of intimate prayer and reflection. I knew that I had to open my heart up and be bold and courageous to sit before the throne and ask the Lord some of the questions that were burning deep within me. And so, as I cleared my agenda in my heart, I prayed....

My prayer was for the Lord to speak to me a direction in which I was to walk, not just a loose prayer, but a straight up, get to the point prayer. A scary thing to do for me as this time I had no agendas or back-up plans in the back of my mind....just an open heart for whatever answer HE would give. And so, His voice spoke, "Spain.....g42!"

And now, 4 days later I'm sitting in a house in Mijas, Spain. I have decided with ALL of my heart and soul to dive into this next season. I honestly have no expectations. This "school" has the tag lines reading:

Ignite Passion!

Unleash Freedom!

Go to the Nations!

The Lord is asking me to GO...and I have made my choice, I have said YES! and I'm taking that leap of faith! Please continue to join me on this crazy ride...

Please check out this video to get a perspective of what G42 leadership academy is:

The Journey!!

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Here's another masterpiece by my dear friend Kimbee....enjoy another look at what the World Race is all about!!

Back Online....and some exciting things to share!!

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Okay, so I have finally made it back on to the web! Once again I extend my thanks for your patience. The amazing news is that I have a plethora of blogs coming your way to update you on what's been going on, to encourage you as I have been encouraged, and lastly to share the wonders of what my heart has been experiencing as of late. But before I begin with all of that, this specific blog post is dedicated to a friend I have only recently met since coming back home from my World Race journey back in December.

After I returned home from the race, I was blessed with many opportunities to share about my experience overseas. One of these amazing occasions was back in a small Baptist church in which I had served as the youth pastor for a year or so. Well, the Sunday afternoon that I spoke I met a young woman by the name of Dez who was interested in this crazy idea of a journey that I had just returned from. She was a bright eyed, energetic, excited girl. And so for the following months she emailed me with questions and thoughts about possibly stepping out into a journey like mine on her own. So, here we stand 6 and a half months later and Dez is counting down the days till she embarks on the World Race herself.

I am excited and overjoyed in her leap of faith that she will be taking in a few short weeks! So, with that all said, I want to formally invite everyone and anyone who is in the Manitoba area to support HER this coming Tuesday (August 4^th) by making your way to the Southland Church in Steinbach. This is an opportunity to hear her heart and passion for such a leap into the unknown as well as to hear her perform some of her music which she is selling to help fund her trip.

Dez has also asked me to take a few minutes to share about my journey as well as explain (if I can) what the World Race experience exactly is!

So, if you are able, please drop in or if you can't and are wanting to support her financially or prayerfully this next 11 months, please take a look at her blog - dezloeppky.theworldrace.org

Hope to see ya out there!!

Fundraiser details:

Where: Southland Church, Steinbach MB

When: Tuesday, August 4^th @ 7 pm

The River of LIFE - part 2

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Since staff training camp at camp, it has been undeniable so see the River of LIFE flow. I am getting what it means to see goodness and not the hardships. I am seeing the Lord's hand, and not the disappointment of how things "are supposed to go?". And I am seeing people come ALIVE and not just live for the title or the "heaven points". It's brilliant walking with a staff that is getting what it means to BE community, what it means to LOVE, and what it means to serve. Jesus did it, and so can I!!

The greatest feeling for a guy like me is to see others come ALIVE. So often we don't see it, but there are times when we see it happening right in front of our very own eyes. Time and time again I have young men and women come up to me with questions and ideas about almost everything....life, faith, trust, love, and the list goes on. But this summer I have been blessed to see people take their own steps into freedom and accepting that grace from Christ.

So many young men and women are caught up in the culture, peer pressure, and even the religion of their lives. They are bound by things they can't control and they don't realize that they have been accepting their lit in life all this time. They have not been told that they are FREE from sin! They have not been told that they are not responsible for the abuse they have received. They have not been told that they are pure and righteous in God's sight when they follow Him with all of their heart. So many wounded youth that feel helpless and worthless.

Well friends, I have seen that drastically change this summer. The truth is that I used to be that wounded youngin'. I was finally told that I was FREE!...and I believed it! Now look at the FREEDOOM that follows. That's the River of LIFE that is flowing from someone who understands that things change when we have Christ in our lives. Our lives transform and change. We ARE new creations, not revamped old ones!

Everyday as I wake up from my bunk, I step outside alongside a community of new creations! I am encouraged by them and I am pushed and stretched by them! It's truly exciting to see everyone come ALIVE!

So, for those of us who BELIEVE in this FREEDOM we are called to walk in....let's start extending our hand to those who are caught. Let's allow them to hang on to us and in time release them into that freedom. Let's stop walking in fear and start living in confidence! Our Saviour conquered the grave, he brought LIFE....so let's take that offering of LIFE and share it with others!

The River of LIFE

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the past 6 weeks it has been quite the roller coaster! Now, I'm not talking about the ups and downs of life through good times and bad, but rather through the places, people, and happenings. In this new walk as a reborn son of God, I have stepped into old roles as a new man. The Lord has brought me back to the place I ran from 18 months ago. I didn't run out of fear or confrontation, but with the deep down yearning for something more. I found out what that something more is and that is exactly what has brought me back!

Coming back into camp ministry had it's expectations and pre-suppositions again this summer. Not in a negative way. Just a new optimism and drive. I was walking into this mission field with a new poise and confidence that I had yet to see in myself. **Just a disclaimer ** I'm not talking about pride!** The new confidence in the words in my mouth and the passion in my heart!

My role would be simple, take on the same old position as the Outdoor Ed Director like I had in previous years. But this time around something was about to change. I had no campers signing up for my programs. Leaving for a year had seemed to wipe out all of the work I had poured into the program the 5 previous ones. This wasn't a time of disappointment and complaining, rather a whole new outlook on the call at hand for the next 6 weeks! I have learned from the Race to walk in complete FAITH, optimism that the Lord DOES in fact have a mightier plan than "my ministry", and of course a heart to walk in the moment each and every day....not living for the weekend.

So here I sit writing the account of the first half of my summer adventure with a greater excitement, a greater knowledge, and a greater appreciation for stepping into FAITH when all things seem bleak and going wrong!

Please take a minute and follow me in a little series of blogs that will tell the tale of the journey that has captured a new part of me.....and is far from finished!

THE RIVER OF LIFE!

The theme verse for our summer ministry comes from the Gospel of John 7:37 which says , "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them."

QUENCH YOUR THIRST is written all over the place at camp. It is an invitation for all who step through the front gates to take a look into their lives and see where they are thirsty. For many it will be their life of personal gain, some it will be the financial worries, and yet others will be answering the heart's cry of "what is my purpose?".

So, the beginning.............Since I was out of "wilderness trip leading" to a degree, I was put in a personal place of asking greater questions of my call and purpose this summer. Many things came very clear right from the beginning as the Lord spoke clearly and some things were pretty vague that I see now in hindsight.

The first and probably the biggest thing was to speak at our camp's Staff Training week. I knew pretty well what the Lord wanted me to share and I stepped into a new confidence with that knowledge. To sum up training camp in a nutshell, I spent 5 intense days speaking about the utmost importance of COMMUNITY, LOVE, and SERVANTHOOD. The whole week was showered with alot of new teaching on understanding WHO we are, and of course WHOSE we are. The kickstart of a identity journey, which of course usually begins with an identity crisis!

All in all, the truth of this RIVER OF LIFE that will flow out of us is only true when we walk in the Name of Jesus Christ. So, my message has been....let's look at Jesus the Christ and let's dive headlong into who this guy really is. Even if we don't fully understand everything about him, are we willing to take a leap of FAITH to find out?! And if we believe in him, are we really willing to follow him in EVRYTHING that he has left us as to how to do that?!

I've been encouraged by the 40 or so staff that have walked this journey already with me this summer. I see Jesus everywhere I go! I see little kids and young adults changing their lives as they see how attractive following Jesus Christ really is. I'm encouraged and all I did was open my mouth and let the Lord speak in those 5 days. It has nothing to do with me and my "role". God has a much mightier plan than I ever will and it's just that crazy brilliant to see Him use such a messed up sinful human like me to do so much of His work! Bottom line is that in stepping into as much FAITH as I possibly can, I'm seeing that RIVER of LIFE that Jesus is talking about flow out of me! And I didn't even ask for it....just living in the moment!

Tune into The River of LIFE - Part 2 for more of the story........

The River of LIFE - part 3

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Well friends, I want to take the opportunity to share about the last week I just experienced! Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just feel so ALIVE that you feel that there is no outlet?! Or maybe so overjoyed that you can't put it into words?! Well, I'm going to attempt to share my such week with you.....

For the past 7 days I embarked on a memorable journey with 11 others. The mission was to paddle 50 miles of whitewater in the great Canadian Shield. Our highway was the majestic history filled Manigotogan River. Our crew was made up of a veteran trip leader Rob (16 years on the river and 25+ years with the camp), a young buck named Spencer, a beautiful young woman of God Meaghan who is starting to find that passion for the wilderness, myself a 6 year veteran, and our 8 campers. With alot of ambition, zeal and excitement we headed out on our 3 1/2 hour ride through the northen wild till we arrived at the river. And that's where it all begins.....

Right when we began our trip, we had our first devotions time as a group. The message I shared was the challenge to step into true community. The community where you actually step out and hold from grumbling. Where you carry more than just your own share of gear accross the many portages. And where you encourage even the least likeable member on the trip. We ALL have a choice, that's how God created us and we can bring LIFE to our own lives as well as other's lives through OUR choices. So, it was a challenge that many had never faced before and everyone seemed pretty keen on pushing themselves.

The first day was an amazing and semi-sunny day with alot of ground to make up before nightfall. You see, if you've ever expereinced the Manitoban outdoors you'll know exactly what I'm talking about......MOSQUITOS!! And so, after 4 portages, and a long lunch break we arrived to find ourselves constantly dancing to the deafening humm of Manitoba's provincial bird!

The following few days were ones to remember even for me. Of course Rob, our 16 year veteran of the river had expereinced worse. However it still was a challenge to spur on 8 campers and 2 staff through the constant rain, thunderstorms, wet tents, muddy portages, and of course the whitewater rapids in between it all. I can't remember a time when I've seen mosquitos to this degree either. Our devo's had to be stragetically placed in our day to be out of the downpour and before the mosquitos escalated from constantly annoying to unbearable.

My biggest stretch was getting the "business" done. How do I share this Love of God and this gift of salvation of Jesus with these kids if it's almost impossible?! Well it's when the Lord's mighty plan comes forward, especially when we start to pray intently into it. I felt so lost in our devotions because of messages being jumbled and inconsistant. Yet I pressed into continually praying for each of the campers to grasp what God was saying to theTHEM. I tried to be obedient and yet take ME out of the picture so the Lord could actually work. And in 5 more rough days I would see that prayer answered!

As the week continued, we started to walk in great optimism everyday for a break in the clouds and the rain. Seriously, how much worse could it get?! And then it happened, the sun broke through the cloudy barrier that was covering us for the first 5 days. It was beautiful, and it was perfectly timed. A break from the bugs (who love the humidity) and the soggy feeling in our cores! Jumping into the river was fun, and exciting. The biggest wave trains and most intense rapids were that day and the Lord knew what we needed to spur on. That little voice of knowing that He was with us and had not forgotten us. That utmost appreciation for His mercy and love poured out on us. It was pretty EPIC if i might say so myself!

As thursday evening rolled around, we had another break in the rain (not the bugs though). So, if you can imagine this....we had our final devotions time. 12 people dancing around a fire so the mosquitos don't have a chance to land. In those long 20 minutes we talked about what it meant to follow Jesus. What was stopping us from giving ourselves fully to the Lord. How do we accept that gift of salvation and walk into that rebirth as sons of God?! How do we have that RIver of LIFE flow out of us?!

I took the boys through the week that was.....the servanthood of each day. The Love of each person that week. And finally the attitude in which each one walked the whole trip through thick and thin. I shared what I saw in people that most didn't recognize in others or even themselves. I shared how proud I was and how much I saw growth happen. I saw true community....in 14-15 year olds on a canoe trip. I saw more unity here than I did at times with adults with alot less "bugs and rain" on my own World Race journey. I knew we could walk in this thing together if we all actually chose into it. And freinds, 12 of us did last week and it gives me much hope for our global church!

So, to end the trip I baptised 2 young men in the river the last morning. It was still raining. The bugs were still biting. And the rapids were still running. That didn't stop us from having on of the most memorable trips in my 6 years in outdoor ministry. Thanks be to God for HIs provision. His plans for us. And His loving hand to let us go. I know angels in Heaven are dancing as 2 new brothers have entered the Kingdom! And whether it was the mosquitos or my own joy, either way I was dancing that friday as well!

Here is a brief slideshow of the week's adventure.....enjoy!

Do ya know him?! THAT'S MY KING!!

Sun, 2 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Do ya know him?! THAT'S MY KING!!

Wilderness Church?!

Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This is a Wilderness Church!!

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? - Psalm 42:1-3

When I first mentioned this idea and vision to people, I received many different reactions and responses. What is it? How does it work? What is the theology behind it? How do people join? I want to do something different like that...I want to experience the Lord in a new way, can anyone come?

A week ago I saw this idea and vision come true; as we had our first wilderness church. I'll attempt to share the journey with you through this blog of what the weekend looked like and what wilderness church is!

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"

- Matt 11:28

As we live out these precious lives that the Lord created us to live, we walk through our daily lives weary and burdened. Not that we're weak and always pawn-like beings, but that in humility we recognize that we often find ourselves relying on our own strength as we constantly fight this cosmic battle. We need to be filled. We need to come to the cross and be encouraged. We meet in community to bring our struggles to the table and lift each other up. We need to meet Jesus at the cross!

In order for us to relate with God, we have to GO and meet with Him! We have to make the effort and and have the desire to meet Him where he's at. It's getting over ourselves and our "convenient Christianity" and realizing that it has nothing to do with us, nothing to do with the "feelings". The relationship we strive for takes EFFORT on our part and a desire to climb the mountains necessary to find Him. We have to take the steps, not Jesus. For he's already there and calling us in, encouraging us on!

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." - 1 Cor. 12:12

When we come together in community, we recognize that each of us has a part. Each member is just as important and as valuable is the next. We ALL have a job to do. We are all living out our own individual lives yet we need each other to fulfill our destiny's in front of us. We are only as strong and united as the collective body is. If one of us is down, we are all down. If we are all working together, we will be at our fullest potential.

And as a group out in the wild, we are nothing unless we work together! That means we sometimes cook the food, and other times we gather the firewood. Whatever the case, we all have a purpose and a part in each others lives!

When we are at the meeting place, we come to be filled. We meet to be encouraged and to be sharpened. Our thirst for more drives us to move towards the Lord and when we call on His name, he answers us. The weary and the burdened come weighed down. None of us are perfect, so each of us knows that we are in a fight together. This fight for FREEDOM in our individual lives. So, as we speak LIFE over one another and speak TRUTH over one another, we find our stride again. We get back on the track we are called to walk, this time however strengthened and more determined than ever.

And so, this is church! The sanctuary we walk into is vast and never ending. It has nothing to do with walls or roofs, you can't box in the wilderness. We meet our creator, father, freind, and saviour with our hearts. The Wilderness Church takes us on a physical journey into the unknown and majesty of God's creative heart. We start off walking into the unknown after that "something different" and end up realizing that this is exactly where we were created to meet God in the first place. This IS the Garden! The cool, calm, and silent air that immerses us carries His small whisper. We escape all distractions and hear him so clearly. Our agenda, schedule, and worries don't esist in this place. We are FREE and we have nothing to fear. He provides and He is with us. From the warm morning sun on our faces to the fading light of a day sitting in His sanctuary we feel Him. We can see Him. We can hear Him. That is the beauty of this church. It doesn't matter if you are in a free place as Manitoba or in the war-torn jungles of B/urma, it's all the same.

I challenge you to take a trip into the wild sometime. Find that place of silence and solitude. A place where everything of this world is at the wayside. Time, agendas, and daily duties are non existent. This place is FREEDOM! This place is where we become the child that we hate to admit. We meet with God in ALL His power and wonder. An environement where we have come from; the natural, primitive roots that we so desperately try to escape. We enter a place where we originate yet have forgotten.

So, the doors are always open. I encourage you to try church in the boondocks, the sticks, the wild. Church in it's truest, simplest, and original form. God's precious children together, no distractions, and a true desire to WANT to be there! Our hearts drive our minds, and that is what it takes to meet with God fully! Our hearts beating to the same beat as His!

A huge thank you for those who embarked on our first weekend "out". I had a great time, I was encourage and definitely sharpened. To me it wasn't just a trip on the weekend. I have realized that when we surround ourselves with the body and allow the Lord to guide us, even if it seems like our own idea, we get challenged! And so, I have returned with a new understanding of His grace, mercy, and sacrifice! God Bless you all!

Cheers!

- Matt

People of DESTINY!!

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

God has a purpose for your life!

"When David had served God's purposes in his own generation, he fell asleep." - Acts 13:36

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

We will never know our purpose unless we know what God's number one goal for us is.God wants to glorify himself, make his name, His grace and His glory known. He created the Heavens and the earth to worship Him. So he created Adam, Eve, us. He created us in His image. And he gave us choice, free will. We can choose him or reject him. He wants us to make a choice to worship him. If he created us just to robotically worship him, it wouldn't be satisfying. Think about it; if everyone around had to pick your team as a last resort or an only option it wouldn't be very fulfilling would it? But if people chose your team because of you, you would feel pretty good. That's exactly how God sees it. He wants us to choose Him and him alone.

And so, what happened as a result of our choice? We failed God and His plan for us. We sinned, and still continue to sin. But God is full of grace. He wants us to reach him so desperately that he had a plan. He would send his son to be that conduit to himself. He would give us a tangible way we could understand.

And so what is God's greatest display of the glory of his grace? He sent his son Jesus to the earth. Through Jesus he has been reaching out. That's how much he loves us, he came in the flesh that we may see, touch, and feel him. Jesus was the fullest manifestation of His mercy and love. It was the cross when His son suffered and died at the hands of men for the purpose of men because he loved us.

And so God's number one goal is His own glory, and if the greatest display of the glory of that grace is the cross, then the Cross must not be an accident, the cross must not be the back-up plan. Our purpose is to follow Christ in order to come to the Father in worship and awe. It's the only way. Jesus speaks about the narrow road, and that's exactly what it is. Many don't fully grasp it, but it's there. It's our purpose so that we may walk into our destiny, why we were originally created.

So the question is:

...how do we fulfill our purpose?

...how do we become People of Destiny?

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age - and Sarah herself was barren-was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." - Hebrews 11:8-12

"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God...if they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one." - Hebrews 11:10,15,16a

Like Abraham's example, people of destiny:

a) though far from perfect, when God calls they say "YES!"

b) They don't have to know every last detail before they obey

c) they don't allow discomfort to rob them of their destiny

d) they don't allow doubts to rob them of their destiny

e) they allow their destiny to be shaped by their destination, not their past

...Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, - Hebrews 11:16b

Destiny begins today!

Are you ready to become a Person of Destiny? Are you ready to step out of the normal highs and lows that are in your life right now and willing to admit your not perfect and say "YES!" to God's call? Are you willing to not know every last detail before you obey the Lord? Are you willing to not let discomfort and doubts rob you of your destiny? Are you ready to allow your destiny to be shaped by your destination and not your past?? If so, then let's go!!

Month of May Update from MB, Canada!

Wed, 6 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Greetings family and friends,

So here we are again, spring has sprung! I've often thought of spring as a welcome sign to change and new beginnings. The animals arise from their winter slumbers and the trees start to turn green, a new season is upon us. The snow that covered what was bleak and somewhat lifeless is now melted and cleared away for the new life to spring up!

And so as is with my walk in life, the next season is about to begin. On May 3rd I joined 4 others and moved out to Camp Nutimik to begin the camp season. This group will make up the leadership staff that will work alongside and lead the larger body of camp staff over the spring and summer months.

To give you more of an idea of my specific season ahead, I'm stepping back into a role in which I had left over a year ago to do the World Race. I'm resuming my position as the Outdoor Ed Director. That means for the next 4 months I will be working with school groups in providing outdoor skill instruction and programming. My summer will be filled up with weeklong canoe trips and multi-sport challenge camps. I'm honestly in constant awe and wonder of the blessing to be called back to camp ministry. I wasn't planning on returning, but the Lord has another plan much greater than my own.

Over the last few years , the Lord has constantly been showing me more of his heart for teenagers. This in turn has captured me. I believe that is why I'm being called back to camp, to serve with my new understanding of love, service, and humility that I did not have a year ago. I'm encouraged and excited to jump right back in and give all of myself for another summer.

So, in my next step serving at camp I am now asking to join me in this ministry. I encourage you to continually pray for the campers to be drawn to the camp as well for the staff that will be ministering to God's children when they come.

As most of you know, camp ministry is not a place for making money. In my plans of heading back onto the mission field this fall, I'm asking you to also consider joining me financially as I strive to meet me fund-raising goals. The great news is that if your Canadian, you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for your gifts if you support me through Camp Nutimik's Share-A-Wage program. Please hit click HERE or the "Contact Me" link on the upper left side of this blog if you wish to receive a tax-deductible form.

After the camp season, I will be spending 6 weeks in eastern Europe and Atlanta, Georgia for more involvement with the WR. In order to do so, I am in need of $2,200 for this 6 week trip.

The plan is to meet up with WR squads and Alumni in Europe for a time of teaching, encouragement, and fellowship. I'll then stay there for 2 weeks listening to the Lord's voice and going where He leads me.

I'll then travel to Atlanta, GA to help out with the January 2010 Squad Training Camp. I'm heading down there to encourage them as they prepare for there own journey around the world!

So, I pray that you are encouraged and finding yourself in the Lord's presence in this new season. Many of you are in the midst of seeding out on the farm and others are enjoying the warmer weather outside. Wherever you find yourself, I pray that you feel the Lord's love and grace all around you! Until next time...

Wanna try the WR Challenge?!

Tue, 5 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

:: The World Race :: 11 countries, 11 months ::

This month is your opportunity to become a part of something big, something revolutionary, and something that cannot be stopped. All across the world there is a movement of radicals changing the world. And this is your chance to step in and become a part of it.

How do you join the movement? It's easy. You invite others to become a part of it.

:: Week 1 :: May 4 - 9 ::

Distribute! Distribute! Distribute!

That's the easiest thing to think of this week. Print this FLYER and plaster it all over the place. Dorm rooms, your college campus, coffee shops, community boards, news stations, bathroom stalls, or your car window. Just get in front of peoples' faces. Invite them to get their hands dirty and become a part of the movement that you're a part of.

:: Week 2 :: May 10 - 16 ::

Grab coffee.

Everybody likes to hang out in coffee shops, so why don't you? Gather a group of your friends, take them to Starbucks, tell them about the World Race, and invite them to join the movement. You can even give them one of these. The best part? On this week, the first 30 people to send an email here get a free $10 Starbucks gift card to buy their coffee with. (And your email address will NOT be used for anything else... promise).

:: Week 3 :: May 17 - 23 ::

Don't change.

One of the most humorous things about being a part of the World Race is that you wear the same thing all of the time. So this week don't' change. Make a World Race t-shirt, wear one that you already have, pin this to a t-shirt, or if you want a free World Race shirt, send an email here (available to first 25 who respond May 17-23). C'mon, everybody's doing it...

:: Week 4 :: May 24 - 30 ::

Network the movement.

We're all a part of some online community, and if you aren't, then you surely have your own network of friends. This week, use whatever method imaginable to invite people to join the movement of radicals going to 11 countries in 11 months. Have a house party. Write about it on sidewalks with chalk. Plaster it on your Facebook status. Do whatever it takes.

The time is now.

Join the movement.

11 countries, 11 months.

Change the World.

Cooties, Prom Dates, and Bridal College!!

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the past 2 weeks I've been doing alot of investigating. Not in that creepy, tell me everything about your life kind of way; but learning about the hearts and desires of people I have met lately. I find it extremely intriqueing that almost every time I have a conversation with someone I haven't seen awhile, or even with people I know very well and meet with on a regular basis, we end up talking about relationships. "So....is there any special someone these days?" or "How's the husband hunt going?"

I went to a private residential school for my last 2 years of highschool. It's no different walking those halls or living in those dorms as it is in a public school or frat house. It seems like everyone has someone that their interested in. You're the odd one out if you don't. There's always relationships starting, ending, breaks, and even the long haul (making it through the semester of course). Hey, I was one of those guys. If I wasn't playing sports (which was pretty much everything a small school had to offer), I was with her.

Yes, even in Christian circles there is the ongoing drama of relationships. Our lives revolve around the opposite sex. Guys base their MANsculinity around girls. Women base their identity and image by the acceptance of guys. People's days and months are good or bad in result of their relationships status. And we tend to stray so far away from our true selves because our attention on presentation is all we think about. Obviously the Lord created us and named us individually and intimately. It's written all over scripture. God loves us. He love us alot actually! And it's no mistake he created us to love as well. We are in fact made in HIS image. We are designed to be in relationship. To experience true intimacy and affection. We are created to love and be loved! We are the fruit of the Lord's eye. We are that one sheep that He will leave all the rest for to retrieve when we are lost. He takes care of us, he provides absolutely everything we need. He even sent His one and only son Jesus to carry our burdens of sin and divorce from God. To reconcile us to himself, free from all evil. Our lives revolve around relationships, yet we are so far away from the mark.

We worry about finding that someone that we sometimes miss out on our purpose and destiny. We have our hopes and dreams around "the one". We forget about who we are. The Lord is calling us MEN OF GOD to pursue Himself, not women. He knows that women will fail us, and not be fully what we need. Yet we still chase after them. The Lord is also calling WOMEN OF GOD to be pursued by Him. Not some man who will fail and not be what she had first thought.

When I look at missionaries and other folks in ministry and hear stories of "fast" relationships, I can see why they happen. When someone doesn't have a relationship in their focus and they are in a place of service to the Lord with all of their heart. Genuinely ALL of their heart, that "special someone" sees him for exactly who he is! That goes vice-versa as well. there is no fluff, no macho thing going on, and chances are the Lord has that person in a place where he or she wouldn't have chosen to be anyways. A place of dependence and love for the purpose and the call. True love comes out of devotion and direction from the Father first and foremost.

Now maybe I'm wrong and got it all backwards, but I challenge you guys to pursue the Lord with ALL of your heart and watch what happens. Give it a lifetime and look back on it, God isn't about a few year term or contract; give it every inch of your life and look where he'll take you. Imagine spending the same amount of time you would spend talking to a girlfriend with the Lord in prayer instead? imagine giving that date money to God and take a homeless man out for breakfast? Give flowers to your mom! And women, allow yourself to be fully pursued by the Lord. When you need someone to listen, speak to Jesus. When you want to be held, allow the lord be with you; not just on a Sunday morning. Want words of love and encouragement? Look to scripture, God is constantly in love with you and the unfathomable thing is that he never waivers from that!

I do believe that the Lord has us men and women in unity, don't get me wrong. But I don't think he in mind for us to go to the guy/girl first! We get so caught up in this world, even each other because we can see, touch, and taste one another. But we need to step out and trust this faith we claim to have. If we can't step out and have Christ as the fruit of our eyes, we've missed the point and have started to worship false idols.

It's about time we focused on the academics and heart of God, not the godly men gauged by their first full beard or the women gauged by the desire to travel and have MK's in the final months of Bridal College!!

Destination Disease

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it's own." - Matthew 6:33-34

All Jesus asks of us to do is NOT worry! Think hard about it; is it really necessary to have the next 5 years planned out? Is it really necessary to have an ideal life map? Do you think you might be limiting God if life worked out to your plan?

If the Lord gave you those passions and gifts in your life, can you imagine what greater things you can do and experience outside of that minute imagination you have? Even though it's tough, I'm learning to lean NOT on my own understanding. To NOT trust my own ways. To NOT let my limitations of my own strength deter my from the amazing things the Lord has in store for me!

We live this life snared and poisoned with Destination Disease! We want to go further and do greater things all the time. We want our lives to look a certain way and our experiences to be specific things. More often than not once we get there, it's unfulfilling. We want more. We want the next step. We aren't satisfied with the place we're in! We look ahead to the next dream or vision of ourselves in a better place than where we are treading. We forget to see that right in front of our faces is this thing the Lord gave us; the PRESENT! A true gift that is just that, a gift!

I've been at that place where I wasn't be challenged enough in life. However in humility I will also admit I have been at the place where I didn't know which direction to turn I was so lost. And this was all in the same large season of my life. I was at that place of no control and no understanding. Out of my own strength spiritually, mentally, as well as physically. I looked forward to the next big thing. I had the choice to give in and ride the season out to engage it and live in the moment. I often chose to ride it out kicking and screaming.

My race in 2008 was that pinnacle point for me in all these areas of too much or too little challenge. I saw the poison of my expectations not being met through all areas my life. From how I viewed teammates right to the defense mechanism of the verge of giving up. I must say I limped through that season of learning what living in the moment was all about. Deep down I was at the breaking point in two very specific occasions. I was so discontent that I chose not to engage in a bungee jumping adventure as well as throwing myself off a cliff tied to a small rope. I was bitter at things I didn't know what. I wasn't necessarily mad at God, but so lost I was in dispair. I didn't enjoy my team, my time in urban Africa, nor the adventures that were right in front of me. I was hardened by my wants, needs, and expectations.

I was clearly NOT seeking his kingdom or his righteousness. I was self-seeking. trying to figure out why things were so astray from why I thought I was on the World Race or why I was in Africa even. In my mind at the time I blamed my teammates, and my naivety in how I didn't see it coming. And then....JESUS JUST SHOWED UP!!

I have never felt as humbled in my entire life as I did that day in Malawi! I finally understood the season I was entraped in. I saw how my eyes were blind from what Jesus had for me. I was so self-absorbed in my own agenda and plan, I missed the boat. By this time I had missed nearly 2 months of ministry right around me that I had neglected and not bothered to realize. I was guilty of disobedience and selfishness. The scales from my eyes had finally fallen. I FINALLY GOT IT!! My ministry was my TEAMMATES, not this crazy adventure into the African backcountry! I was blaming those I should be serving. My mission was to support those whom I thought were holding us back!

I'm a dreamer and always have "big ideas". I like to seek out the adventure and feel failure when that doesn't pan out. I'm constantly needing to guard my heart and mind in my dream and visions. I need to fully embrace the moment and not worry about planning it to a tee. I'm learning to go with the flow. I'm a missionary through and through. Manitoba, Canada to Chaing Mai Thailand; doesn't matter to me anymore. I trust what I need to and that's Christ. I believe and I follow. I walk at a new pace, and it's changed my life. There's fruit where the old dead tree of self-deception once was.

I am revived.

I am ALIVE.

I AM FREE

And so, the TRUTH is we have absolutely NO control over the days to come. We worry about the end times, and look for the signs. Frankly they're irrelevant to the here and now. the end will come when it comes. It has absolutely nothing to do with us! Sure it scares us, but we can't change it. So let's learn to live in the here and now. To make every moment count. To RISE UP and become the generation that we truly are. Let's bring KINGDOM to where there is no kingdom. Let's share with those who have not heard. Let's love those who have never felt love. Let's not worry about tomorrow; rather let's worry about what we're missing right NOW!

your heavenly Father knows...

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

" Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body not more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet you your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lillies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." - Matthew 6:25-32

Why is it so hard to trust these words? Hard to say, "Yes! I actually understand what Jesus is saying here?" To live a life in the moment. To go into each day as we should....not worrying about it! Clearly Jesus speaks of our tendency to worry about things. I will admit I worry about money, how I'm going to get from point A to B, etc. I worry about other peoples driving for goodness sakes! (I often tense up when driving with other people) Why is that? Is my life that valuable I need to protect it at all costs? Will the world forever be doomed if I perish? Why am I so selfish?!

Look at us, it's illegal to drive without insurance! We invest in life insurance so our nice stockpile of earthly possessions don't go to waste! We choose the safest, and most secure models of vehicles (even if it costs an extra few year's pay)! We work hard so we can have bigger things, just because we can! And we keep buying the latest clothes because they look "cute" or "in"! Look at us! We worry about things because the world worries! The world should worry as this old way will perish. Through Christ we enter into relationship with God, the Kingdom of God. Our currency changes, our purpose becomes clear, and who we are determines what we do! We are above this world. We are seated in heavenly places. We are a royal priesthood. A holy nation. We shouldn't worry as this world does! If we believe that there is greater things than this world, we shouldn't be getting caught up in this world.

I know I definitely worry too much! I complain when I shouldn't. It's not because I have it "better" than those in other areas around the globe; that would be a prison of comparison. I shouldn't complain because I have every thing I need right in front of me. Sure the world evolves, but that doesn't give us the right to have to have bigger and better. I know I can do without a laptop; maybe that's why mine's on a last leg. I can do without a car; God took that away in a hurry and I've been doing just fine. And I can do without a house or apartment of my own; for I have had a roof over my head or a space in a tent ever since I've been back in Manitoba! I'm starting to get this more than ever. The crazy thing it doesn't take a special or unique or even wierd individual like me to live this life! I know people who have far less and have alot less grasp on the newest "gear" than I do.

When I was on the race in 2008, I worried about my expectations not being met; even though I was an extremely flexible and ready for change kind of guy. I worried when my team ran out of money and I had to dip into personal savings. I worried when I didn't agree with decisions and wouldn't get a chance to serve and expereince various things that I had wanted to. I was being selfish and self-preserving. Why? maybe it was this image that I needed to hold up. Maybe a reckless abandon into this passion for exploration and adventure that I didn't fully understand. Maybe I was just plain old immature at the time and was plain old prideful.

So the question now is, "Since I've built my empire, how can I let it go?" I don't think it's as literal in all cases as the rich young ruler in the sense of just sell it all. But try opening it up to others! Share it. Don't bottle it up, release it. Obviously what we've accumulated can be used for God's kingdom. Extend a hand to others who need what you have! Let others enjoy things alongside you, not trying to outdo you!

Once we let go of all our expectations of having the best, doing the greatest, or not being the worst; we can finally be free. We stop worshiping the "stuff" and turn our eyes off of ourselves. Our worries of this world will disappear. Live in the moment and you'll have nothing to worry about! Let the lord clothe you, let him feed you, let him provide for you! Give to others, because I gaurantee you that you'll recieve even more in return! When we actually trust and listen to Jesus' words, we'll trust that our heavenly Father knows just what we need!