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Speaker: Brian Fetzner [Written by Beth Walrath]

You are like the apostles in Mark 3:13 that were appointed to be with Jesus. Jesus is already your friend, so why not be His. The more time you spend with Him and read His word, the easier it is to share the truth. The word of God is the known Will of God. If you are faithful with the known Will of God, then He will reveal the unknown.

Mark 16:15 reads: "And he said unto them ‘Go into the world and preach the Good News to everyone every where.’” He told us to share His word, so what is stopping us from doing it? How hard can it be to share the unconditional love of Jesus Christ? He left us with the tools to share the truth with those around us. He left us His word and His spirit. When you preach the word of God, the Holy Spirit will show up. He is just waiting for an in. You are His way in!! He left His power for you to use. You have the same healing, delivering power as Jesus!! You can’t rely on others to share Jesus’ love with those around you, it has to be you. Tell others that God loves them and that He has a wonderful plan for their life. Do you want your friends, family, neighbors to miss out on the revival that is going on right now throughout the whole world? Don’t wait until you can get your friends to come to church, meet them right where they are. Show them the grace that comes with Christianity, you can show them the way to the cross.

The Gospel is really simple. Read it, live it, and breathe it. Lives will be changed by the promises God has in showed in his Word. He chose us to go into the world and share. Seek first His Kingdom and God will meet all your needs. The best way to seek his kingdom is getting your eyes off yourself and your needs. Have faith that everything in your life will be taken care of as you start caring for those around you. You start winning souls for the Kingdom your life will change fabulously. Seeing the lives of people change around you will be aspiring. Let’s go into the shaking nations and share the truth with everyone everywhere.

2 Corinthians 5:18: "The new life they receive is from God, who brought us back to himself through what Christ did." And God has given us the task of reconciling people to him.

Christ in you the Hope of Glory!

By Mandee Widrick

On April 5th, rock band legend Third Day came to upstate NY for an amazing night of fun. The house was packed nearly to the doors with devoted fans of all ages, each and every one anticipating the on-stage arrival of Third Day.
The night opened up with the Revive band from Australia, followed by December Radio. Both bands started the audience out with some rock music to put us in the mood. However, we all were awaiting the one band we’d really came to see: Third Day.
Intermission time came, and Third Day had yet to grace the stage. While we took a 15 minute break, the entrance way of the theatre filled up with people as they swarmed the tables, buying CDs, T-Shirts, and much more. It was at this point that an announcement was made: the first 25 people to sign up for Third Day’s fan club would receive Meet & Greet passes to hang out with the band after the show. I had originally planned to stay in my seat during this short intermission, but with this news I leapt up and practically ran to find the sign-up table. I made it in time with 7 passes left available, and 3 of those were quickly sold to myself and two of my brothers.
The show continued on shortly after our addition to the club, and the band we’d all been waiting for came running out. There wasn’t a soul sitting still in the place as they burst into their first song of the night. Third Day sang many of their old favorites, as well as introducing a new song or two that had never yet been performed for an audience, while I ran around the theatre taking pictures that I knew I’d be showing off later on.
But this is not the end! We had our Meet & Greets when the show was finished. We were led around the theatre to a small room where about 35 other people anxiously awaited the band (some of them being previous members of the fan club with passes). A round of applause was given as the four men entered through the door. Third Day! The band I’d wanted to see in concert for so many years was standing there before me, and now I actually got to meet them in person. What a privilege!
My brothers and I were approached by each band member as they circled around the room. The first to greet us was bassist Tai Anderson. He was very friendly, signing our memorabilia and offering to get a picture with us. Next, we met guitarist Mark Lee and drummer David Carr. Once again, we received autographs and pictures while making small talk about random things. I finally made my way to lead man Mac Powell who, of course, was surrounded by multiple fans. After introducing myself, I popped him a random question. “Do you have a guitar pick in your pocket?” (Random, I know. ☺ ) He shook his head and began to apologize. However, upon digging into his pocket, lo and behold, one final guitar pick of the night. After congratulating me on his lucky discovery, he explained that when the lights went out upon the finish of the show, he must have forgotten to throw the pick into the audience and shoved it into his jeans instead. I was thrilled.
So the night ended with a ton of autographs, great memories and even a guitar pick from Mac Powell. I went expecting a fabulous rock concert, and received more than I ever would have anticipated. The time with the band is unforgettable and not something that just happens every day. Third Day will continue to rank high in my opinion, and given the opportunity, I’d do this all over again in a heartbeat. ☺

Last Friday, twenty-two of the leaders packed into the church van like sardines and headed out for Lima, NY to attend the Youth Leaders Summit at Elim Gospel Church. Our day actually began with a dangerous crash in Depauville, a foreboding sign of the weather’s power. No, non of us were involved. But the heavy snow caused bad road conditions and sent a pick-up truck and trailer careening across the opposite lane, slamming into the corner of an old 1820’s stone house. No one was injured, accept the Dodge Ram, proving that just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s better. (Although the old lady that lives inside thought her new surround sound system was quite life-like).

Once we passed south of Tug Hill, the sun came out and it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. No more accidents were seen the whole trip. We pulled into our Days Inn in Henrietta and got everyone settled. Our check-in lady, Judy (pictured right), was once stationed at Ft. Drum. And although she wasn’t more than 5-feet tall, there’s no way I’d ever mess with that little Italian momma!

From there we arrived at Elim for the opening session. Michael Kim led us in worship, one of the highlights of the weekend for me. His simple manner and genuine heart for the presence of the Lord blessed each one of us. He also gives lots of room for people to sing their own song to the Lord, which I really appreciate.

Pastor Eric Peoples, a former graduate of Elim, shared an encouraging and prophetic message on just that–encouragement! It seemed more than a divine coincidence as Pastor Kirk just finished a message last Sunday on encouraging one another!

Saturday, after a short night’s rest (some far shorter than others–you’d be amazed at what youth leaders do when they’re together!), we journeyed back down to Elim for more worship with Michael Kim and a session with Pastor Rick Sinclair on balancing family and ministry. Obviously most of our leaders don’t have kids (in fact, most of them aren’t even married!), but the truths and principles are valuable no matter what stage of life you’re in.

After another session with Pastor Sinclair, Pastor Peoples gave a final message and then we broke up into groups, according to our churches, and were prayed over on group at a time. Since we were by far the biggest, we went last. Pastor Peoples spoke into us as a group, repeating almost word-for-word what we’ve been discussing as a group. More than a few eyebrows were raised as he repeated specific words we’ve already been hearing from the Lord.

But it shouldn’t surprise us, should it? As Paul said, it’s the same Spirit at work in all of the believers. What we say one-to-another should bare witness to all those around. That, and 99% of the time what a Prophet speaks is already something God is trying to get across to an individual or a group. So it was very encouraging to hear so much confirmation: that God is calling us in 2008 to a “committed lifestyle,” that we are to constantly “encourage one another,” and to feed our generation, not from a water fountain, but from a “fire hydrant.”

Afterwards, Pastor Jim led the team home as Jennifer and I proceeded to her parent’s home in Lyndonville, NY. Everything seemed OK until we got a text about the bad weather. “Ben just missed a deer and a ditch by inches.” Our hearts stopped, but everyone got in safe and sound despite the horrendous amount of snow fall.

Thanks for all your prayers! And when you see any of the youth leaders, please make sure to thank them for all they do for you.

Blessings!

Pastor Christopher

Hey gang!

Just a new video posted on YouTube filmed by the tech crew at the American Baptist Youth Conference this past weekend. I guess when I wasn’t looking, they snagged Spoon and filmed this amazing little clip of his masterful drumming. Check it out and let us know what you think! For those that don’t know, this is David Hulett, my drummer on tour for the Christopher Hopper Band.

Enjoy!

Pastor C.

Hey y’all!

We’re just writing from Saturate 2007 here in Lima, NY at Elim Gospel Church to give you a brief update for the annual international youth conference. So far everything’s been amazing! Pastor Adam McCain shared Thursday night about falling asleep in the midst of persecution and Pastor Christopher Hopper (yey!) shared Friday morning about our birthright of success. Isaiah 6 and hopeLight (pictured) have been leading worship, as well as a little by our very own Christopher & Jennifer. With well over 600 teens and over 100 leaders present, the excitement is very high and the presence of the Lord has been very strong, moving deeply in everyones’ lives.

We’ll be posting more pics, video and audio messages later.

~33 Live Web Staff~
On The Road: Lima, NY

Pastor Christopher & Jennifer Hopper take a small band of leaders and teens to Youth Fest 2007 in Elkton, MD hosted by Pleasant Hill Worship Center.