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Abandoned Times - September 2004

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Abandoned Times

SVM2 (Student Volunteer Movement 2)

www.svm2.net

September 2004

SVM2 is a Global Mission Initiative among the younger generation calling new message bearers to a life of abandoned devotion to Christ and the urgent global proclamation of His gospel.

IN BRIEF

1. Abandoned Devotion Reflection

2. Global Proclamation Reflection

3. What's Happening

4. SVM2 Roundtable Update

5. September Day of Prayer & Fasting

6. Going to the Next Level

7. Resources

8. Recommended Reading

Abandoned Devotion Reflection

By Kelly Shaw

If we are going to reach the nations and call them into relationship with Jesus Christ, we need to be people who are committed to holiness. Holy living is the key to being a light in a dark world. It is easy to become comfortable with doing some “Christian” activities while allowing some of our behaviors not to line up with the gospel. We have let the standard of following Jesus become a vague “Christian” image that is indistinguishable from the world’s image rather than confessing that Christ calls us to holiness and not worldliness.

It is easy to make excuses to live unholy lives. Our culture helps us to sweep our sin under carpets. I used to be afraid that I wouldn’t be able to reach my friends if I didn’t do the things they did. However, by saying I have to involve myself in sin, I deny God’s desire to display His power through holiness. Do we believe that God can call our friends into relationship with Him through our witness of holy living? The more we lower the standard of holiness the less impact Jesus can have through us to touch those around us. During my life, I have also felt that God’s call to holiness is too high for anyone to reach including me and therefore, I made excuses when I didn’t want to measure up. I knew what the right thing to do was, but my choice was to satisfy me.

God’s standard of holiness can seem overwhelming at times, but God would never give us something to do without equipping us to accomplish His command. (Matthew 5.48) This is not to say that we will not fail at times in our walk with God and God’s grace is there for us. But we don’t want to cheapen God’s grace by relying on it rather than pressing on to move toward the standard of holiness that God has set for us. We need to ask God for the strength and endurance to stand for holiness in the midst of the hardest circumstances, knowing that it is only His power that will enable us to live holy lives.

Holiness cannot be lived out of a legalistic list of do’s and don’ts, rights and wrongs. We must understand that sin is what keeps us from going deeper and having greater intimacy with God. Out of our love for God and our desire to have an intimate relationship with Him, we will freely give up our rights to do things our ways; we will choose obedience rather than disobedience; we will choose holiness.

I want to challenge us as a generation to raise the standard of holiness. As the Psalmist writes, “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, and who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” (Psalm 24.3-4, NIV) Let us look at our hands and our hearts and see what issues we need to deal with. If you live with guilt from sin in your past or present, I encourage you to find a friend or accountability partner to talk to and find God’s forgiveness and healing.

Global Proclamation Reflection

By Ryan Shaw

Where are all the men? This is a common question that arises when leaders discuss the younger generation and their involvement in global mission. Women who are being sent out as global message bearers are much more prevalent than the numbers surrounding men. Some would say, “Praise the Lord” regarding this fact and leave it at this, but I know that there are significant implications for ministry around the world when men do not step up to the plate to answer the call of God to the nations.

Single women working alone or with other single women in many places around the world can be subject to various forms of harassment/ mistreatment. At the very least they can be viewed as loose sexually. Islamic culture, in particular, places a very strong value upon the preservation of family and community. This is achieved by its members adhering to prescribed regulations for male/female interaction. Within this framework there is no place for a single woman living outside the protection of her father or close relatives. A Muslim will have serious doubts about the morality of an unaccompanied single female message bearer and may view her as a threat to the stability of the Islamic community. This loss of reputation will make it difficult for some Muslims to consider associating with the message bearer, let alone listening to the message they have come to share.

In order to preserve the reputation of the individual message bearer and to prevent the gospel of Jesus Christ from falling into ill-repute, we need to send teams which can be perceived by the Islamic Uma (community) as upright and moral. This includes married couples who have single women on their teams and men who will rise to the occasion and “GO”.

It is time for more young men to consider God’s call upon our lives related to going into all nations with the gospel. We’ve made countless excuses for why God isn’t calling me, when in fact He has already called us, we just haven’t been willing or open to hear and respond. Involvement in Global Proclamation really isn’t a choice for the committed follower of Jesus, the only question is what form my involvement will take.

What's Happening

The following dates and locations for the Fall 2004 Abandoned Devotion Prayer Gatherings have been set:

? Syracuse, NY at Syracuse University – September 17

? Ithaca, NY at Cornell University – October 15

? Atlanta, GA at Georgia Tech University– October 22

? Duluth, MN at the Encounter Center – October 30

? San Francisco, CA (Location TBA) – November 6

? Holland, MI at Hope College – November 13

? Los Angeles, CA at UCLA – November 20

If you are interested in coordinating an Abandoned Devotion prayer gathering in your area, please contact Kelly Shaw at kshaw@svm2.net.

SVM2 Roundtable Update

The SVM2 Roundtable was held in Atlanta August 13-14. In attendance were 22 leaders from around the US and Canada representing ministries including Urbana, Caleb Project, International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, campus ministries such as Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and InterVarsity, Global Ambition, Hope for the Nations, mission organizations such as Pioneers Canada, Operation Mobilization, and Adventures in Mission, church networks such as Antioch Network, local church mission pastors, as well as various other ministries. A sweet spirit of unity permeated the group as we discussed the common desire for a longer term call to the younger generation and strategies for helping more young adults reach the nations. Recognizing that there is currently no united effort with an end in global mission among the younger generation, these leaders sensed the SVM2 initiative can fill the gap by partnering with local churches, campus ministries, and Christian schools to see mission vision increased in this generation. By the end of the discussions, strategies to implement the SVM2 vision in various communities had been crystallized. If you are interested in receiving the information gleaned at the Roundtable, please email Kelly Shaw at kshaw@svm2.net.

September Day of Prayer & Fasting

One of the ways God has been leading SVM2 is to call for a renewed spirit of prayer related to young adult involvement in God’s global purpose. His heart is passionate for this generation, and His plans and purposes are great as they respond in radical obedience to Him. Toward this end, a call is going out to a monthly day of prayer and fasting focused entirely on this generation and their involvement in reaching the world for Christ. These days are held on the 2^nd of every month. We invite you to spend the day fasting from food in whatever capacity you feel led, and to gather together with others on your campus or in your church and spend time during the day praying through the items on the attached document. Join with us as we cry out to God together using the attached September Prayer Guide.

Going to the Next Level:

Ways to implement the strategies of the SVM2 Initiative in your community:

1. Commit to the Message Bearer Creed and challenge your peers to make this longer term mission commitment as well (See below)

2. Initiate Global Prayer Teams in your community (See below)

3. Consider the role of a Student Coordinator for the Initiative in your community. Contact Paul at paul@svm2.net to receive a Student Coordinator Handbook full of information regarding the SVM2 initiative, its strategies, and resources to help you see the initiative take root in your community.

4. Gather others from the younger generation together on the 2^nd day of every month for the Monthly Day of Prayer and Fasting. Attached to this newsletter is a prayer guide that can be used for focused prayer and intercession on this day.

5. If you are a leader of the younger generation and want to learn more about the SVM2 Initiative and how to implement the various strategies in your ministry, contact Paul at paul@svm2.net to receive a Networking Partners Notebook.

Message Bearer Creed

By God's grace, as a Message Bearer, I covenant to:

Abandoned Devotion

Wholeheartedly devote myself to the person of Jesus Christ and be committed to the marks of a true disciple.

Global Proclamation

Sacrificially pursue revival and the spread of the gospel in the midst of the forgotten, through disciplined prayer and the commitment to go for two years or more.

Spread the Vision

Intentionally influence others to develop an awareness of the global purpose of God toward the aim of their personal involvement.

1. You can become a Message Bearer by committing to the Message Bearer Creed above. Please go online and fill out the Message Bearer Creed form declaring your commitment at http://www.svm2.net/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=224 We want you to receive various encouragements and resources by way of e-mail, so let us know your contact info at the above site.

2. A Global Prayer Team is a small gathering of students or young adults getting together for prayer with a focus on reaching the world for Christ in our generation, local and global revival, and for an increase of missions vision on their campus or in their church.

Go to the website http://www.svm2.net/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=44 and scroll down to find and download the Global Prayer Team Handbook to get you started, or to connect an existing prayer group to the SVM2 network.

3. A Student Coordinator is one who commits to being a voice and an organizer to see the SVM2 Initiative implemented on his/her campus, in his/her campus fellowship, or in his/her local church.

4. The Monthly day of Prayer and Fasting has already been explained in an above section. Attached is a prayer guide to help with prayer items during your time of prayer.

5. The Networking Partners Notebook clarifies the vision of the SVM2 Initiative and details ways that each of its strategies can be implemented within a specific ministry among the younger generation.

Resources

Visit the SVM2 website at www.SVM2.net to get your hands on various resources that will prove helpful to you as you seek to influence others with a passion for Abandoned Devotion to Jesus Christ and the urgent Global Proclamation of His gospel. Go on-line to http://www.svm2.net/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=44 to download any of the following resources.

1. The research booklet called This Generation for the Nations. This is a compilation of a nationwide research project that took place in 2002 which sought out the various trends taking place in the student world with regards to missions vision and involvement. This research was the precursor to the launching of SVM2 as many of the findings were implemented into the various strategies looking toward a movement in our generation.

2. The Fellowship of The Unashamed. A powerful quote made by a young African pastor who was martyred for his faith. Read it! Pray it! Live it!

3. Prayer for My Generation. Use this as a launching point to pray for various areas relating to this generation of young adults and their Abandoned Devotion for Christ and their role in Global Proclamation.

4. The 2-Year-Go Opportunities list. Look over this list to find organizations and ministries that cater to a two year term among the forgotten peoples of the earth. Use it to contact these organizations for info for yourself and encourage others to use it as well.

5. Next steps... Steps to Abandoned Devotion, Steps to Global Proclamation, and Steps to Spread the Vision. See http://www.svm2.net/index.cfm?PAGE_ID=185&EXPAND=185 to download these lists of Next Steps to take.

Recommended Reading

Abandoned Devotion - Books for personal discipleship:

The Attributes of God by A.W. Tozer – This writing from a man called “A 20^th Century Prophet” in his own lifetime shines amazing light on 10 of God’s multitudes of attributes. Some of them include His Justice, His Holiness, and His Grace. For those seeking to grow in a full understanding of who the person of God is, this book is indispensable.

Intimate Friendship with God by Joy Dawson – The author uses personal and practical experiences of everyday living to emphasize and explain from the scriptures, the holiness of God. As we rightly understand the Fear of the Lord, she conveys, we can attain Intimate Friendship with Him.

No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green by Melody Green - Now you can experience the impact of Keith Green's life, courage, and commitment to holiness. Keith was a man who lived on the edge of eternity. And he was ready to step into it. Even if you've never heard his songs, it's time to hear his powerful message of life.

Passion for Jesus by Mike Bickle - Author-pastor Mike Bickle is convinced that seeing the passion and splendor of God's personality will help bring you to personal wholeness and spiritual maturity and awaken a fervent devotion to God and a passion for Jesus.

Revolution! by Michael Brown – This book is a call to live out the gospel with all its radical claims, a call for the people of God to impact this generation with the prophetic message of repentance, a call to spark the most sweeping counterculture movement in our nation's history, a call to take back the moral ground that has been stolen from under our feet, a call to follow Jesus by life or by death.

The Calvary Road by Roy Hession - This is an updated edition of a book written by Missionary and evangelist Roy Hession in 1950 in which he profiles the nature of religious revival and lays out the prerequisites and consequences of the activity of God in the heart of the hungry seeker.

Global Proclamation - Books concerning reaching the world

The Great Omission by Robertson McQuilkin – A thorough investigation of why so few Christians attempt to carry the Gospel to the unreached. Outlines the Bible’s basis for evangelism in practical ways. The challenge of world evangelism presented in an understandable and unforgettable way.

Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Dr.& Mrs. Howard Taylor - J. Hudson Taylor was truly God's chosen servant. From his early life in England, through the founding of the China Inland Mission, to reaching millions of Chinese, his life of faith gives glorious testimony to God. His spiritual secret could change your life.

Let the Nations be Glad! by John Piper - Since its publication a decade ago, Let the Nations Be Glad! has provided thousands of seminary students, missionaries, pastors and others with a sound theological foundation for missions. Piper now offers a revised and expanded edition of this theological and biblical defense of God's supremacy in all things.

The Missions Addiction by David Shibley - In these action-packed pages, you will discover a Global Jesus Generation that is creating discomfort in the church and change in missions worldwide. God is injecting a missions serum into spiritual bloodstreams. David Shibley draws from a rich wealth of missions history, calling a new generation to become anchored radicals with the missions addiction!

The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window by Luis Bush - This is an absolutely thrilling and faith building book on how God is supernaturally revealing himself and shining his light in the vast darkness of the 10/40 window...This is a must read for those already with a heart for missions, and a should read for all Christians, to help create the heart.

Operation World by Patrick Johnstone - Based on the supposition that "When we pray God works," Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk have put together a prayer guide covering the entire populated world. Whether you are an intercessor praying behind the scenes for world change, or a missionary reaping the benefits of intercession, Operation World will give you the information necessary to bring the good news to those who have not heard it. It offers demographic and geographical information for every country in the world, as well as answers to prayer (for applicable countries), and prayer requests.

Scaling the Wall by Kathy Hicks – "What is keeping more people from becoming involved in the great commission?” At the Urbana 2001 Missions conference hundreds of college students were posed this question. Their fears were written on a large wall and later collected, compiled and categorized into this book. Fears such as loss of friends, loss of money, disapproval of parents, inadequate experience surfaced as common obstacles to be overcome.

Imprisoned in Iran by Dan Bauman - While on a short trip to Iran, Dan Baumann was imprisoned in the infamous prison in Tehran, “Evin Prison.” Accused of being a CIA spy and for being a Christian witness, he was unofficially given two death sentences. The miraculous story of his release from prison demonstrates God’s power to sustain His children and spread the gospel even in the most difficult places and circumstances.

Most of these titles are available at www.amazon.com, www.cbd.com or www.usa.om.org/books. If you seek out used books it is possible to get each of these very reasonably, sometimes even under $1.

SVM2 Abandoned Times
Phone: 519.268.8778 / Fax: 626.398.0784
Email: info@svm2.net / Website: www.SVM2.net

If you have further questions, or if you would like to be removed from this mailing, please feel free to hit reply or contact us at info@svm2.net

SVM2 Team