Our Generation Leadership Camp
Camp starts Monday, last chance to register, sign up!
Click Here to Register! Here are some details:
What is it?
Missions trip to the World! It is an opportunity to be exposed to the different religions and people groups of the world. All of this will take place in Alpharetta, GA.Why Have It?
We believe our camp is unique, not only because it is one of the few directed toward high school and college students for the cause of missions, but also because the world is our campus. You will spend time on the street, in a mosque, in a Buddhist temple, and many other places that will expose you to the needs of the world!Who is it for?
High school and college students who are serious about serving the Lord, desirous to learn about missions, and seeking God’s will for their lives.What will the camp involve?
- Time with missionaries from around the world
- In depth Questions & Answer Sessions
- Travel to the Nations in Atlanta, GA (Islamic Mosque, Hindu Temple, Buddhist Temple, & more)
- Missionary Training Classes
- Cross Cultural OutreachVision Trips to the Nations
Our Generation has many years of experience training people “for the field, on the field.” During the camp you will see the false religions of the world.During this exciting week we will visit:
-Buddhist Temple
-Hindu Temple
-Islamic MosqueWe will learn some of the ceremonial customs of the Buddhist religion. Afterwards, we will take time to ask questions about what they believe.
It is hard to believe, but the city of Atlanta is home to hundreds of idols that people worship on a daily basis. This year we will be visiting the 5th largest HinduTemple outside of India.
One of the most exciting aspects of the conference is getting to spend time with college students of like faith and passion for missions.
Join us as we pray for the students who will be spending their summer overseas with our missionaries.
VBC | DH10 | PF
It has been a busy week! Here is a recap of three events that I was able to take place in (I will write about our meetings individually).
VBC – I was honored to preach the evening service this past Thursday (13th) at our home church, Vision Baptist Church, as our pastor was mentoring on the mission field. I preached “Pledge your Allegiance – A Lesson on Persecution.”
DH10 – Friday (14th) night, I was able to attend part of the Dodge Hunger 2010 hosted by the Student Ministry of VBC. A little after 11 PM I was able to take 30 minutes and clearly explain the Gospel! The seed was planted, pray for God to give the increase.
PF – Skipping to Monday (17th), I was able to attend a pastors’ fellowship at Henry Baptist Church in McDonough, GA and hear Tom Messer speak. It was an encouraging and challenging time.
05.7.10
Vision Baptist Missions Orientation
We had an incredible time at the Vision Baptist Missions Orientation this week in Tallulah Falls, GA. It started on Tuesday and ended today. We had a great time of encouragement, edification, fellowship, and fun.
Everyday we had helpful and needed classes/sessions, as well as, free time to spend with each other and/or explore the surrounding area.
I am so thankful to have a mission board who loves and cares for us so much. I am thankful for men of God who are willing to be transparent and open their lives to teach us. I am thankful for working with a team that we can consider family.
My heart is full and my brian is on overload…may the Lord continue to do great and mighty things through Vision Baptist Missions.
03.24.10
Three Great Events!
I was able to participate in three great events this month so far. I haven’t had a chance to write about then earlier, so here is a quick recap:
Goers & Senders Coalition
This is hosted at Vision Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA on the first Thursday of every month. It is during the Thursday night service starting at 7 PM and usually goes until 9PM. It is a great time of fellowship between those going to the mission field and those sending. Preachers are called from the floor all night, and I had the privilege of preaching as well as many others! Read more on the church blog.
World’s Cheapest Missions Trip
I was able to go with about 70 teenagers to visit the World from Atlanta. This event was lead by Trent Cornwell, as we visited a Mosque, Hindu Temple, and ate lunch at an Indian restaurant. Things like this break your heart for the world! Read more on Trent’s Blog.
Celebration Sunday
After our meeting on Sunday morning, I was able to drop into Vision for the afternoon service and help Celebrate our 4 year anniversary. It was encouraging to hear all the memories and testimonies of the things our Great God has done! Read more on Austin’s Blog.
03.18.10
Celebration Sunday, This Sunday!
Our sending church is celebrating their 4th year anniversary this coming Sunday! I have been a part of Vision ever since it started 4 years ago. It is exciting to see what the Lord is doing in and through our church. We will not be able to be there for the morning service, but might be able to make the early afternoon service since we are going to be in the area. If you are in the area, I am sure they would love for you to stop by and rejoice with them in all that God has done. The details are below!
Congrats Vision Baptist Church!
This Sunday, March 21, Vision Baptist Church is celebrating its fourth year as a church family.
We have several things planned for the day and would like for you to be a part of it.
After our morning service we will have dinner on the grounds featuring the chili that the men of Vision have prepared for the “Ultimate Chili Throwdown” competition. The women are also competing in the highly anticipated bakeoff extravaganza.
For the children, we have all sorts of games and prizes to win. David Velke and Robert Canfield have worked hard with the young people and they will be singing a few specials that they put together in the morning service.
A small photo studio will be set up at the church for you and your family to have your picture taken for free.
Our early afternoon service begins at 1:15 P.M. and will feature exciting music with personal testimonies of members’ favorite memories here at Vision Baptist Church.
Make plans to come out and celebrate with us.
Sunday School 9:30 A.M.
Morning Service 10:30 A.M.
Afternoon Service 1:15 P.M.
Ordained! What an honor!
What an honor it was to be ordained on Thursday, February 18, 2010 by Vision Baptist Church and the ordination council. What an honor to know that my local church, as well as several other men of God who have been serving in the ministry, recognize me as chosen and empowered by the Holy Spirit to exercise gifts for ministry within the church. Wow, that is humbling! It was an honor to have men testify of the Lord working in my life and ministry, to challenge, encourage, and teach me, and to lay their hands on me as they petition for God’s continued blessing.
The service was not about me, but about the great GOD of heaven who chooses to work and use an unworthy servant as myself. It was a time to ask God to continue to work and fill me with His Holy Spirit and to empower me as I am set apart and ordained for the work of the Gospel ministry.
I was also honored to have four men specifically preach during the service.
- Mike Gray – my pastor as a child from Ohio, whose ministry I was raised up in.
- Doug Kraus – my youth pastor from 7th-12th grade who had a tremendous impact on my life.
- Tony Howeth – a mentor and friend who has challenge my life and taught me through out the years.
- Austin Gardner – my pastor, mentor and friend who has impacted my life and trained me for the ministry.
- (Tom Hatley wasn’t able to make it due to health problems, but He was Natasha’s previous pastor from TN and is a friend to our family and ministry.)
The service was just one of those services where God moved and that you can’t plan. It was powerful! Also, with our recent news about our child, the service was very emotional. Towards the beginning of the service God’s people started praying around us as Philip sings “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord” which is our hearts desire through out this trying time!
The whole experience was awesome! Here is an quick outline of what happened: from 2-5 we met with many ordained men of God who shared words of encouragement and asked questions, then we ate dinner at 5 and had about an 2 hour service starting at 7 PM. The service was full of preaching, music, worship, and prayer. At the end of the service the ordaining council laid hands on me and prayed over me. Then I was presented with a certificate of ordination and a Chinese Bible both signed by the ordinating council.
Thank you to my friends and family whom came out to be supportive on this special day in my life. Also, thank you Vision Baptist Church and those on the ordination council. Finally, I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. It is all about Him!
Related Post by Pastor Gardner
02.2.10
Businessmen Seminar: Priorities, Decisions and Balance?
Our church, Vision Baptist Church, is hosting a seminar for businessmen. Here are the details:
Businessmen Seminar: Priorities, Decisions and Balance?
Do you desire to serve the Lord but find that many distractions in your life shift your focus away from Him? Do you have a difficult time wanting to know God better but find that there’s not much time to do so? When you’re with family and friends who don’t know Christ, do you find yourself distracted by their priorities?
Join us at Vision Baptist Church on Saturday, March 6th from 9AM to 1PM as we discuss the answers to some of the following questions:
- How can pastors believe that my life should revolve around God when I do not have the luxury of time that a pastor has?
- How do you keep focused on God when your life is consumed with business and worldly distractions?
- How do I keep from focusing on my needs, concerns, ambitions, and allow God to use me?
- How do I balance my time between family, friends, God, and business?
- How can I increase my ability to draw close to God and remain close to Him when I am consumed by business and work?
- How do you love God when your life is filled with unsaved family, friends, coworkers, etc?
Come hear from the personal experience of John Pearson, a businessman from our church, on how he has focused on Christ and avoided distractions. Hear what God’s word says about balance from Austin Gardner our pastor. Come with questions.
Who: Businessmen, Professionals, Career People and all others who are interested.
What: Businessmen Seminar: Priorities, Decisions & Balance Seminar with John Pearson and Austin Gardner
When: Saturday, March 6th, 2010, 9 AM to 1 PM (Lunch to be served at noon.)
Where: Vision Baptist Church, 1125 Alpha Drive, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004 | P: 770-456-5881 | E: info@visionbaptist.com | W: www.visionbaptist.com
Why: To learn what would be a biblical answer to your questions!
We look forward to spending some time together discussing how we can keep our focus on Christ and avoid distractions in our lives. Please RSVP by Monday, March 2nd to help us adequately prepare for lunch
02.2.10
P.C.C. | Missions Prayer Band – Pensacola, FL
Last night The Our Generation Mobilization Team (which we were a part of again) was able to speak during missions prayer band at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, FL.
- Several students showed up and we were able to present our burden for missions as well as opportunities that we have for missions trips this coming year.
- After M.P.B. and before/after chapel this morning we had our displays set up in the display room where we were able to talk with the students one-on-one. Many seemed interested in our missions opportunities!
- Pray the Lord would “send forth” many who are preparing in this Christian college to use their talents, abilities, and lives to take the Gospel to the world.
Thank you Pensacola Christian College and those involved with Missions Prayer Band.
Here are a few pics of chapel, the students and facilities.
06.19.09
2009 Camp Report
We just finished a great week at the Our Generation Student Leadership Camp. I was privilege to direct and serve at the camp this year.
We had an exciting week where students were challenge to be willing to give their lives to take the Gospel to the world. Several singed the Princeton Pledge with says “We, the undersigned, declare ourselves willing and desirous, God permitting, to go to the unevangelized portions of the world.”
The week was convicting and heart-breaking as we saw the world from Atlanta, GA. We went to a Greek Orthodox Church, Mormon Temple, Buddhist Temple, 2 Hindu Temples, and a Muslim Mosque. On Wednesday, we had an outreach activity in an apartment complex that was filled with Refugees from many different nations around the world. We met people this week from China, Taiwan, India, Burma, Iraq, Somalia, and many other countries!
Also, the most exciting news of the week is that we had 2 saved! Praise the Lord! Natasha led one of them to the Lord after giving her testimony in one of the sessions!
The preaching was great, the videos had a strong impact, the decorations were awesome, the food was amazing, & the mission trips were heart-breaking. Our team work hard and put on a successful camp once again! (Thanks Team!)
We had an awesome week and hopefully you can plan to attend next year. You can stay up-to-date by visiting www.ogcamp.info
To God be the Glory and may there be many laborers raised up and sent around the world to preach the Gospel!
Here are some pics from the camp:
