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!