Let me tell you about my awesome Acteens leader!

Sabrina Thompson

2012-2013 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

Sabrina

If I had to describe my Acteens leader in one word it would be compassionate. I remember the first day I walked into her Acteens class. I was scared to death because I didn't know anybody. I hadn’t been to church since I was in kindergarten. I came in clueless. I had no idea what a missionary was or why anybody would ever want to be one. The lesson she taught us that night was about Lottie Moon and why we take up an offering every year that's named after her. The things Kelley taught me that night and from then on have really opened my eyes to the world we live in today. My perspective of this world has completely changed and now I wonder how people aren't doing everything they can to be a missionary locally and globally.

Mrs Kelley and her family

      My first night in Acteens was the first time I had ever met Kelley and the love and compassion she poured out for me isn't measurable. She saw the potential in me that nobody else did and when she invited me to come back I couldn't say no. Now I have goals set to live on the mission field and this summer I am going to be a summer missionary with the North American Mission Board as a sojourner. My relationship continues to grow with Kelley just as my love for missions has.

How my Acteens group has impact my community.

by Lydia Huggins

2012-2013 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

Lydia on far left

Our Acteens group recently went to The River Ministry in Johnson City. This place ministers to women who are homeless and in dire situations. To help the women feel safe, they do not allow men. It was a great opportunity for our Acteens group to be able to minister to these women. The River provides them with basic needs such as washers and dryers, showers, classes that help them become independent, job referrals, and devotions. They give the women support with a Christ-like love and non-judgmental attitude. This gives the women a safe place to go and shows them the hope and love of God. We attended their daily devotion at 9:30 in the morning on Monday. After the Bible study, the women discussed prayer requests. The women asked for prayer for someone they knew, rather than for themselves. These women at The River have many needs, but they prayed for friends who have more needs. It humbled me because so often we pray for ourselves. We need to spend more time praying fervently for the people who need God. While at The River, we talked with the women and listened to them. We painted their nails to minister to them and show them that they are beautiful creations of God. As I visited with these women, I discovered that I can help needy people by praying for them and just listening to them. In Acteens, we have been studying about human exploitation in its many forms and how missionaries help people who have been exploited. Going to The River and ministering to the women was one way we could help the people in person.

What I have learned on a mission trip.

Sabrina on left

by Sabrina Thompson

2012-2013 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

This past summer my church went on a mission trip to Townsend, Montana. This trip taught me so many different things and some of the learning experience started before we even made it there. When I was asked to go of course I said yes. I knew it was going to be a lot of money and it was going to be hard to convince my mom to let me go but I knew it could be done. The next morning the lady in charge of the trip at church called me and told me they got a ticket for me and it was not refundable or exchangeable. Sounds great, except for the fact that I still hadn’t talked to my mom about it who I knew would not want me going and now I had this ticket that I was going to have to pay for even if I didn’t go. I instantly started sending prayers up. I asked God to soften her heart and to realize what a great opportunity that it was for me and how much it would help other people. When I finally asked her about going it was a dead set no. I continued to pray asking God for anything that could help change her mind. The next day when my mom came home from work she told me that she had decided I could go. She told me that while at work she met a preacher. She told him the story of me wanting to go and she expressed to him how she was afraid something would happen to me while I was gone and she wouldn’t be able to get to me. The preacher gave her his card and told my mom that if something happened he would get her to me. My lesson in this was faith. I learned that amazing things happen when we have faith in God and anything is possible. I was able to go on this trip because of the things He did!

All about my relationship with my Acteens leader.

by Susanna Clouse
2012-2013 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist  

   

My relationship with my Acteen leader, Mrs. Sandy, is very unique. I meet her first through school. She was my fifth grade teacher. She has been my Acteens leader for 2 years. She lets me and all the other girls know that she will always be there for us. She has helped me through some very hard and tough time the past years. She is a friend but at the same time she is so much more. Mrs. Sandy is a mentor, guide, prayer warrior, and a great Acteens leader. If you ask her to pray for something she will pray and pray until she hears how it turned out. Mrs. Sandy is also very missions oriented. She looks for ways for us to help out people around our area but also to help people all over. If we have an idea she is always open to hear it, she will help us plan what we are going to do and help us get it started. Mrs. Sandy helps us get more involved in our WMU group at my church. We go into their meeting on the first Wednesday of every month. We are in charge of doing the prayer calendar for that day. We hand out prayer reminders and read off the names of missionaries celebrating their birthdays. She is a great teacher. She makes sure that the things we do will help us grow in our faith. I appreciate Mrs. Sandy for not only being a friend and being there for me, but for being someone who will help us through our hard times and prepares us for the future! She means more to me then she will ever know.
 

          

Quick Tip for Sharing the Good News

I’m a big fan of evangelism! I’m a big fan of evangelism trainings and workshops, but I’m also a big fan of simplicity.  So much of our lives are complicated, but the saving power of Jesus’ name is not complicated at all, and there are some very simple ways to share the Good News of salvation!  Here is one:

…What if we simply told our story! What if the next time we are at the mall or at Starbucks, we find a new friend and share the story of how we came to know Christ and the difference it has made in our lives! What if we encouraged our girls to do the same! It’s simple, here is my story.

My life before Christ was empty.  Although I was a child I knew I was missing and important piece! I had committed sin that I knew as wrong.  That sin had made things in my life difficult. One morning during a church service, I heard the pastor talking about how sin separated us from God. In the car on the way home I asked my parents what that meant.  They explained that because I sinned I could not have a relationship with Jesus without forgiveness of that sin.  I wanted that forgiveness and relationship with Jesus so I prayed asking God to forgive my sins and lead my life.  From that moment on I felt that emptiness filled.  I knew the love and acceptance of Christ as my Savior!  I knew my sins had been forgiven and that my life would now be lived for Christ.  This relationship has led and directed my life, decisions about college, career, and relationships!  No matter what the world throws my way I don’t have to face it alone! I have a heavenly Father to go to with my hurts, pains, and questions.  Now my life is filled with joy each day that nothing can separate me from.

Your story may look similar or completely different but regardless it’s worth sharing!  The beauty of the Gospel is that the Holy Spirit is at work, seeking and saving the lost (John 6:44; John 16:8).  Our story may be one of many touches or it may be the touch that the Holy Spirit uses to lead a person to accept a personal relationship with Christ.  We aren’t responsible for that part, we just need to share! 

Use these simple steps to write your story, as well as encourage girls to write out their story.

1.    Make it short (2 to 5 minutes should be enough)

2.    Start with what life was like without a relationship with Christ

3.    Next tell about when you made the decision to follow Christ

4.    Follow it up with what your life is like now

5.    Practice with a friend, then go out and share!

6.    Have some of your favorite scriptures ready to share—if a person wants more information (I keep a spiral index card book in my purse with lots of verses to reference)

Who can you share your story with?  

SERVING TOGETHER

            On Tuesday, April 24, your TN WMU staff spent the morning at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee packaging food.  In an effort to involve ourselves in local and community ministries, we set out on a mission to be a part of feeding the hungry! 

We were greeted by Second Harvest Volunteer Associate, Ryan Havice.  Ryan welcomed us and led us to the manufacturing department where we worked.  Four of us worked together boxing prepackaged soups while the other three prepared microwave dinner meals.  When we were finished we had boxed up 7,000 entrees that according to Ryan Stanton, Manufacturing Manager would later be shipped to a brand new food bank in Savannah, GA and  made around 500 full meals that would be distributed here in Middle Tennessee.   Ryan S. explained the food processing and packing we had just taken part in was a part of their Project Preserve program, a program that according to their website, works with food vendors and manufacturers to provide quality meals for distribution at food banks all over the United States.  (To learn more about Project Preserve visit http://secondharvestmidtn.org/project-preserve/) 

         We accomplished our tasks at great speeds and ran out of work before our allotted time was up so as a bonus we took a quick tour of the facility.  This was a great addition to our project, helping us to see the overall work of Second Harvest.  All food that enters the warehouse has an eleven day turn around!  We looked around at the massive amounts of food and were astounded at the thought of it being used so quickly! 

All this is possible when people like you and I play a part! Their ministry is dependent on volunteers.  We saw several other volunteers doing everything from food sorting to quality control.  Ryan mentioned they have volunteers of all ages work with them throughout the week and on two shifts a week they can take volunteers as young as seven years old.  That means if you want to bring your RA, GA, Acteens, or Women’s group there is a way for all of you to volunteer! 

We had a great time and would love for you to have the same experience.  If you are in the Middle Tennessee area and would like to be a part of what Second Harvest is doing, checkout the volunteer page of their website at http://secondharvestmidtn.org/act/volunteer/ or call 615.627.1570.  If you aren’t in the local area, check out food banks, or ministries like this in your area. I am sure they are in great need of volunteers just like you.

Where have you volunteered recently? Tell us about your experience!

Tell us about a project your Acteens group has done and what impact it made on you and your community.

by Alyssa Hargrove
2011-2012 Acteens State Panelists

 The most meaningful thing I’ve done in Acteens is going to the Christian Women’s Job Corp and babysitting the women’s children. It blesses my heart to be able to love on these kids while the moms are furthering their education to have a brighter future for them.

CWJC is an organization where women can go, work to get their GED, further their education, learn basic skills to get a job, and seek Godly counsel and encouragement. Basically to help these women get back on their feet and show them Jesus’ sweet love for them.

My Acteen’s group had the opportunity to go a few times. Our job was to babysit the women’s children as they attended their classes and Bible studies. We provided them with free child-care! The women were so thankful for young girls taking time out of our lives to love on their kids. At the same time we had the chance to show them God’s love and witness to them.

Going to CWJC opened my eyes in many ways. I have two parents in my life, food to eat, shelter over my head, clothing. Not all of these women and their kids do. I’m blessed to have had the chance to love on these kids and let them know there is hope in this life, to never give up, and that Jesus loves them. I hope that with my example and love for Christ these kids saw something different.  

What makes Acteens different from other things in your life?

By Sabrina Thompson
2011-2012 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

Saying that I live on an extremely busy schedule is no understatement. Between school, work, FFA, church, and family I don't have much time for anything else. Acteens is different from all that. One of the main reasons why I love Acteens is because with just us girls we can discuss some of the problems we face daily as a Christian. Being a teenage girl is hard and to know you aren't the only one going through a certain situation takes a load off. Also through Acteens, God has truly developed my leadership skills. Before I became a Christian I wasn't using those skills to glorify God. Acteens has given me the perfect place to use those skills the right way. Not only do I use them in my Acteens group but as a panelist I can use them across the state.

Acteens is different because it gives me great opportunities to talk to people about God and all His glory. I recently had a lady contact me to come as their guest speaker to talk about missions on a Sunday morning and without Acteens I would have never received that amazing opportunity. I can honestly say that Acteens is one of the major things that stand out in my life.

How has Acteens changed your life?

By Lydia Huggins
2011-2012 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist
      Acteens has changed my life in many ways. It has helped me to grow in my relationship with God by encouraging me to spend more time with Him outside of the church. The Lord has given me a desire to pray for the missionaries and their people groups that I learn about in Acteens. It has given me the knowledge of how to pray for them and their specific requests that they might have. The Bible stories, lessons, testimonies, and the missionaries’ stories have also opened my eyes to the lost people and mission opportunities everywhere around me. My Acteens group does not just see the need; we work to see the need fulfilled. My Acteens leader, the missionaries I read about in class, and the missionaries I hear at Connection have greatly influenced my life. They have been good role models and mentors for me. I heard my second greatest call (the first was to be a child of God) when God used Connection to call me to be a missionary. I also saw at Connection, the work of the Tennessee State Acteens Panelists and now I am a Tennessee State Acteens Panelist. As a panelist, I have worked with and met some wonderful people who have encouraged and blessed me.


     Acteens has not only changed me, it has given me many opportunities to change my community and my world. It has made a huge impact on my life. But it has been God who has truly changed me. He just used Acteens to help.

Why is Acteens Important?

By Lydia Huggins
2011-2012 TN WMU State Acteens Panelist

      Acteens is important because it teaches teenage girls how to live out a missions’ lifestyle. In Acteens, we learn about missionaries and how we can support and pray for them. We read stories about courageous and bold missionaries, who are ordinary people but with God they can do anything. The missionaries’ stories encourage us to live boldly for Christ. Acteens makes us aware of the issues going on in the world and causes us to pray fervently for the people in difficult situations and the believers in Christ who could impact them. We learn about what is going on in the world and how we can make a difference. First Timothy tells us that as young believers we are important members of the body of Christ. Acteens helps us to put these words into action.


     In Acteens, we don’t just learn about missions, we do missions. We are given opportunities to serve in our community. I love being able to go to our local Baptist Center and play with the children there, tell Bible stories to them, and show the love of Christ. Our eyes are opened to the need in our area for Christ and how we can reach out to the people. Acteens teaches us that we are all, as believers in Christ, called to be missionaries in our own lives. Acteens teaches us that missions is an important part of our walk with God.


     In Missions Quest, an optional individual achievement plan for Acteens, we are given Bible studies that we can do at home so that we will be in the Word daily. It helps us to continue learning about God even when we are not at church. Acteens is an important missions education and missions opportunity for teenage girls.

Fearless

by Cindy Johnson

“ I will stand here unashamed and sing my declaration.  I will let my life display Your power and salvation-fearless-make me fearless.” 

When God gave my husband and me the task of writing the theme song for the 2011 BLUME conference, we had no idea what a journey He had in store for us.  Steve and I had been co-writing songs for years, but this particular song stretched us musically, lyrically, and artistically. Though “Fearless” was written and recorded over 9 months ago, God is continuing to reveal Himself to us each time we share this song in worship.  Just last month, at the “Connection” conference in Gatlinburg TN, we were overwhelmed to listen as 500 teenage girls lifted their voices and prayed that God would make them fearless!

2 Timothy 1:1-12 was the inspiration for “Fearless” and as we were writing the song, we literally lived in that scripture passage.  We studied Paul’s words to Timothy and several themes kept jumping off the page.  Paul wanted to remind Timothy that God had not given him a spirit of fear.  Instead, God supplied him with power, love, and a sound mind or self-discipline.  Having no fear, or being fearless, was what Paul wanted to encourage Timothy to embrace.  The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear and since the love of God is perfect, then we do not ever need to surrender to fear.  When it does well up inside, we need to immediately take it right back to the Lord in prayer.  We need to search scripture and claim the promises that God gives to us.  The promise that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), the promise that He will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), the promise that all things will work together for our good (Romans 8:28), the promise that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19)-and the list goes on.  Knowing that God’s promises are true and that we can claim them 24 hours a day is what makes us fearless. 

Paul also challenged Timothy not to be ashamed to share the gospel.  Once again, as we search scripture and we begin to understand the depth of God’s love for humanity, how could we not tell everyone we meet?  Why would we want to keep this beautiful truth to ourselves?  When I find a new store that I love, or an app that I can’t live without, or I find a great bargain, I tell everyone that will listen to me.  I could ramble about these things for hours.  Then I have to ask myself, how much time do I spend telling others about the ultimate Truth-the great news of the gospel.  I pray that I am never ashamed to tell what God has done for me. 

As Steve and I prayed through the writing of “Fearless”, God taught us a lot.  I will summarize it this way-when God calls you, listen to Him, take the step He calls you to take, listen again, then take the next step.  He will give you everything you need to accomplish whatever task He has set before you.  Cling to Him every moment and let His love make you fearless.

What is God calling you to do and what can you do today to live Fearlessly?

Connection Follow Up!

Hey friends!  Check out this great challenge, via video blog from Leigh Gray! 

Giving upyour donkey 

Lets keep living Not Ashamed and telling the whole world about the love of Christ!

Not Ashamed Connection 2012!

Not Ashamed!


Whew! All I can say is wow! This weekend was such a blessing! I know many of you felt the same way! I was blown away by what the Lord said to us through Leigh Gray and our time of worship with Cindy Johnson was so refreshing. I peeked my head into conferences and heard wonderful things from conference leaders, Kent and Shawnah, Jessica, Sarah, Jen and Jeff and Rachel! I am blessed to call each of these leaders friend!

I hope many of you took advantage of the Human Trafficking experience. It was eye opening to many and a reminder to others of the injustice in the world. Listen to a few excerpts from prayers lifted up this weekend for those involved in modern day slavery: "Dear Lord, I just come to you right now to end this human trafficking in our corrupt world"; thank you for looking after me, but can you help out the slaves, im okay for now...just help them"; I pray that you protect their hearts from emotional damage and put people in their lives that will show your love to them.

I am so excited about what God has in store for our partnership with Sweet Sleep! I know many of your hearts were opened to being a part of this ministry and I look forward to seeing many of you on the 2013 trip! For more information on the trip click here: Sweet Sleep and TN Acteens

Many of you have already shared how God spoke to you during the weekend. If you have not already shared your story with me, I would love to hear from you.

Mark your calendar now for March 15-17, 2013 where we will gather once again in Gatlinburg. Be sure to bring a friend!

This morning Leigh recorded a special message to her new friends! Leigh's Blog Check it out! 

Thank you for being at Connection, remember to live NOT Ashamed! To God Be the Glory!

What was your favorite part?

Connection 2012!

We are just days away from the start of Connection 2012!  I am so excited about what God will be doing in the lives of the teens, leaders, and other adult ladies that are attending our event this weekend!  As I have been praying I have been asking God to reveal to all of us ways we can live out our faith boldly, confidently, and not ashamed!  Leigh Gray has been working hard on the messages God has laid on her heart, she will challenge the girls in many ways!  Cindy Johnson and her band have such a heart to see others worship and grow in their love for the Father!  She will no doubt be a highlight of our event this weekend! 

Our 2011-2012 State Panelist have been working on several elements that I know everyone will enjoy!  Watch for boxes of chocolate, the Blues Brothers, pink shirts, crazy excitement, and a surprise video on Sunday morning!  If you see them around the building this weekend, give them a pat on the back and thank them for the hard work they have put into this year!  They have been a fabulous group of girls to work with! We are now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 Panel so if you are an active Acteen we encourage you to apply!  Leaders if you have an outstanding girl you think would be a great addition to our panel encourage them to apply as well!

This year we are again taking up an offering to support our TN WMU Missionary House that will be built in Mt Juliet, TN.  Over the last couple of years girls and leaders attending Connection have contributed $1,895 to the house, put that with other gifts and we are around the $100,000 mark!  This year we are trying to push the envelop and raise some major dough!  I will be challenging the girls on Saturday to give together $2,000! Its a big task but I know they can do it! :)

A cant miss experience this year will be the human exploitation simulation, Trafficked!  This is seriously a like changing event, as you walk through the shoes of others, experiencing what has lead to entrapment and slavery for some and experience how some have found freedom through the actions of others and see how we can play a role in helping others find freedom!

Well if you are at Connection come by and say hello!  Check our fantastic exhibitors and ministry partners in the MEGAfair and run up and down the streets of Gatlinburg with GLEE! Thats the first thing Im going to do when I get there!!

To learn more about the weekend visit: Missions Get-Together/Connection
To learn more about Cindy Johnson visit: http://www.cindyjohnson.org
To learn more about Leigh Gray visit: http://www.speakingthrume.com/

Sometimes We Forget

Sometimes we forget: special dates, important facts, and even where we are going from time to time!  I was listening to the radio a few days ago and the DJs were talking about a recent study of the mind.  In the study the researchers found the part of the brain that holds short term memory is very small, so small that we can only hold 7 short term facts at a time!  This explains a lot!  I am sure for you as well!  It amazes me the things that can slip from my mind each day!  They went on to talk about how important it is to take those important “we must not forget” things and store them in our long term memory!  I got to thinking about all that is stored in my long term memory, the song lyrics, the memories, the Biblical truths I have learned throughout the years, the people I cherish!  So much I hope to hold on to for the rest of my life, and some well, that probably should have slipped out long ago! Who really needs to know the lyrics to Achy Breaky Heart!

It’s hard to believe but sometimes we even forget the purpose God has given each of us as Christians!  As we are reminded in Matthew 28: 19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”   Ingrained in every aspect of our lives should flow our desire to glorify the Lord through serving others! This is what we call missions!  This is what we should call life!  Each day we should wake up and think how I can share the love of Christ with the lost world today.  It’s a challenge.  Life happens every day, we don’t live in a place or time where we have the luxury to sit for hours and contemplate how we can change the world!  We must get up and at it and change the world in the process!  What we do have is the blessing of the Holy Spirit working among us, preparing the way for His children to be the mouth piece for the gospel.  Let’s train and encourage ourselves to look for places the Holy Spirit is working and jump right in!  It doesn’t have to be moving to Africa, it doesn’t have to be an outreach event that reaches 15,000; it just has to be following the commands of God to share our lives with others in a way that points to Him! 

Congratulations to Alyssa Hargrove from Culleoka, TN for being selected as a 2012 National Acteens Panelist!

5 Reasons Not to Miss Connection 2012!

Looking for a great opportunity for your teen girls, check out Connection this spring! Connection is a missions conference for girls in grades 7th through 12th held in Gatlinburg each year. Girls will experience a weekend of worship, fellowship, conferences and much more! The theme this year is Not Ashamed and girls will learn how to live their faith boldly, sharing the love of Christ with others! Still not convinced, here are 5 reasons your girls shouldn’t miss Connection 2012:

1. Fellowship! Not only will girls bond with the group they come with but will have many opportunities to meet girls from around the state. There is something amazing about fellowshipping and worshipping with hundreds of other girls that blossoms friendships!

2. Missions! This is the heartbeat of Connection. Ingrained in every aspect flows our desire to glorify the Lord through serving others!

3. Conferences! Girls have 7 opportunities to hear from missionaries as well as other missions leaders who will teach the girls how they can be more missional.

4. Other teens recommend it!

            “I always enjoy Connection and learning something new each time! It helps me to listen to what God is saying to me.”  Lydia Huggins, Junior, Erwin, TN


            “I always am encouraged by the older girls and women who lead the conferences. They're all so on fire for the Lord and that just makes me wanna be on fire too!” Alyssa Hargrove, Senior, Culleoka, TN


            “I loved Connection because of the worship, conferences, and learning about ministries like Sweet Sleep! Alison Ferguson, 8th grader, Bon Aqua, TN  

5. Fun, fun, fun! Although the missional worship, fellowship, and learning are the coolest part of Connection, the truth is it’s a lot of fun! Don’t believe us, check it out yourselves!!

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord…” 2 Timothy 1:8

Tell us what you have learned by participating in a mission trip?

by Brooke Cole
2011-2012 Acteens State Panelist

           Over the summer, I chose to serve as a summer missionary with the North American Mission Board. I was chosen to serve on the Maryland/Delaware State Traveling Team. Maryland was not my first choice for several reasons. I wanted to serve at a church near my home so that I could visit my parents and friends on the weekends. When I first found out that I was going to Maryland, I was a bit disappointed (in fact, I think I cried). Two months was a really long time to be gone, and I wasn’t even sure where Maryland was! I seriously considered not going on the trip. I was scared. After a lot of thought and prayer, I decided that God chose me for this trip for a reason and that I was going to trust Him every step of the way.

            When the morning came for me to leave, we packed up the car with my two duffel bags that I would be surviving with for two months. Saying good-bye to my parents was no easy task, but I managed. Then I waited all alone for my flight. I was going into uncharted territory, trusting people I had never even met and going places I had never been. I’m a country girl and I was about to enter a very big city. I was the first of my teammates to land in Baltimore. When we had all met one another, I kept thinking that it was going to be a very long summer. Imagine four young women who had never even met spending every moment of their lives together for the next two months. It was a daunting thought. But we survived. We became a family. God has a reason for everything, even if you don’t see the big picture. It is not always easy to put your trust in Him, but I promise, it’s worth it!

Tell us what makes Acteens different from other things in your life church?

by Miko Bloom
  2011-2012 Acteens State Panelists

Acteens is one of the few Youth activites at my church.  Acteens is a place where girls work on projects and take lead of other mission projects.  Acteens is so different because how many places do you know of where teenage girls are put in charge of putting projects together?  Not very many.  When most people see a group of girls working together they usually think they are causing trouble, but at Acteens they are just trying to make the place we live a better place.  Acteens is so differnt in so many ways. Girls working with other girls to build friendships, worship, and service for others. These things can really make a change in our souroundings and the people we encounter everyday.

Tell us what you have learned on Acteens Activator’s Trip

by Alyssa Hargrove

2011-2012 Acteens State Panelists

Last summer I had the opportunity to go to Naples, Italy on a mission trip, along with 59 other people from Tennessee, to share the gospel to the people there. That mission trip really opened my eyes to many different things and changed my heart forever.

Naples is a very large and packed city with four million people in the city. Only a small percentage is Christians, while most people are Catholic. Most of the people are Catholic because of their ancestors, not necessarily because they want to be. It’s just as if that’s the common thing to be there. The families there are so close that when one becomes a Christian they almost get disowned from their families. Unlike us, where most people would be excited for us. This really opened my eyes because I’m very close to my family. I would be sad to think my own family would disown me for making the best decision of my life.

When in Italy my only fear was the language barrier. I knew very little Italian. I almost felt weak. How can God use me to witness to these people? God really did prove me wrong! Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we understood one another in some way! And even if we never understood each other, I know the Italians saw Jesus’ love through us.

I learned that God can use me! I just have to be willing to let Him use me.

Connection 2012

We are well on our way planning for Connection 2012!  I look forward to what God will do in each girls life that attends!  If you have never been before this is the year to start!  Leigh Gray will share with us from her heart during Bible Study and Cindy Johnson will lead us in song!  They are both fantastic women of God that will have tranformational things to say! 

Conferences this year are coming together and back by popular demand are leaders like Sarah Valley, who will be taking on a new role as a conference leader, and Jeff and Rachel Henry, and the fabulous Shingletons!  We are expecting great missionary speakers to share with us their experiences from around the world!

Again this year we have the great opportunity to be a part of offering at Connection for the TN WMU to build a missionary house.  Missionary houses are used by career missionaries that are state side in the US! 

Now that you are convinced you have to be there, here is a link to register!!  (or you can just read more information that will help convince you)

Connection Registration and Information

Pictures from last year: