SVM2 is a cross-organizational, cross-denominational movement calling a new generation of 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  paul

3. What's happening

4. May Day of Prayer and Fasting

5. How to get involved

6. Resources

7. Recommended reading

During this Easter season, I (Kelly Shaw) have been reading through the gospel of Matthew, seeking to better understand and learn from the life of Jesus, His passion, death, and resurrection.  Near the end of my reading, I came to the account of Jesus’ resurrection. I was struck by the passage at the beginning of chapter 28 that talks about the women going to the tomb and the angel greeting them saying not to be afraid that Jesus has risen just as He said He would.  Then, we read the response of these women in verse 8, “So they (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary) went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” These women had just been commissioned to go and tell Jesus’ disciples the greatest news in world, and this filled them with great joy.  But at the same time, women were not considered a trustworthy source of information at this point in history.  The text says that they were fearful, probably because they didn’t think that anyone would believe them.  Yet, they were compelled, despite their fears, to go and speak the good news to Jesus’ disciples.  While still fearful, they step out in faith, and as they are going, Jesus meets them on the road.  He dispels their fears and confirms the message that they are supposed to bring to the disciples.

In my own life, I remember having to face my fear of moving to a new place by myself that was unlike anywhere that I had lived before, far away from my family.  I knew that God was calling me to move, and I had the choice to wallow in my fears or follow God.  I chose to follow God and that didn't mean I had overcome my fears, but I took the step of faith.  As I continued along the path God had laid before me, I found that Jesus met me there.

One of the major hindrances to young adults getting involved in global proclamation is the issue of fear – fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being laughed at and despised both by peers and those to whom one is ministering.  Fear is a reality and does not subside by denying or ignoring it.  We have to face our fears, call them for what they are, and then trust in Jesus to meet us after we have stepped out in faith. Just like the women who feared what others would say but stepped out in faith anyway, so too we must overcome our fears by stepping out in faith.  Most people struggle with fears of some sort: even great leaders like Joshua (Josh. 1.9) and Paul (Acts 18.9), but we can’t let our fears hold us back.  We must follow the call of God on our lives and surrender our fears to Jesus, the only One who can quiet them completely.

Do you struggle with fear? Do you sense God’s call on your life and fear is holding you back? You are not alone. We have to learn to step out despite our fear and trust Jesus to meet us there.

Scriptures for Study:

Paul – Acts 18.1-18                              Isaiah 41.10

Joshua – Joshua 1.1-18                         Luke 2.10

Isaiah 35.3-4  

Do you take personal ownership of reaching the world for Christ? Do you think that somebody else or some other group is concerned about that and so I really don’t need to be? Do you find yourself squeezing out the challenge of the Great Commission for the sake of other causes or purposes that are “closer to home”? When we really get serious about these questions and take a long, honest look at the church globally, we come to realize that there are a relatively small number of people who find themselves taking ownership of the task.

I (Ryan Shaw) firmly believe that the Scripture paints a picture that every person in the body of Christ has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb to take part in some aspect of the Great Commission. Some will find themselves praying and interceding for the forgotten for whole chunks of time daily, others will have great gifts and abilities to make money in the marketplace and to give large portions of their income to world evangelism, and then others will “GO” as His hands and feet to proclaim the gospel in word and deed.

The church is a sleeping giant when it comes to this perspective. As I look at the forgotten around the world, I cannot reconcile in my heart that somehow God wills for these to have no witness presently. It grieves and breaks His fatherly heart to see so many resources given to the body of Christ and so little work being accomplished. If she could be awakened to her scriptural mandate, we would see the Great Commission fulfilled in no time at all. But this will take everyone fulfilling his or her part in such an endeavor. What is your role? Will you take personal ownership of helping to give to Jesus the precious reward of His sufferings?

With the academic year winding down for most students, the SVM2 leadership team is preparing for various summer overseas trips as well as looking forward in planning to a busy fall season. We are currently planning for at least 10 Abandoned Devotion prayer gatherings across North America. These will be in the following locations:

¨      Syracuse, NY

¨      Ithaca, NY

¨      Atlanta, GA

¨      Los Angeles, CA

¨      Duluth, MN

¨      San Francisco, CA

¨      Chicago, IL

¨      Indianapolis, IN

¨      Denver, CO

¨      Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Members of the SVM2 team are also planning speaking engagements to cast the vision of SVM2 in many fellowships with the design to spread the vision and call forth multitudes of Message Bearers who would commit to the Message Bearer Creed and join the expanding network of those who have been gripped with a vision of reaching the world in our day. 

One of the ways God has been leading SVM2 (Student Volunteer Movement 2) is to call for a renewed spirit of prayer related to young adult involvement in God’s global purpose.  As we pray and seek the face of God with all our hearts toward this end, we know that He will hear us and respond (Jeremiah 29:12-13).   Why?  We know from scripture that He desires to answer because what we are praying is at the center of His heartbeat (Matthew 9:37; Mark 11:17; 1Tim. 2:1-4).  His heart is passionate for today's college generation, and His plans and purposes are great as they respond in radical obedience to Him.

On February 2^nd a series of monthly days of prayer and fasting was launched focused entirely on this generation and their involvement in reaching the world for Christ by going to the hardest areas around the world with the gospel. These days of prayer and fasting will be held on the 2^nd of every month.  The purpose of the day is to pray and intercede, wherever you are, for the vision that is behind SVM2, knowing that there are many others across North America that are praying for the very same thing on the very same day. There is a synergy and a momentum that begins to take place as we recognize that we are not alone as we seek God for this outpouring.

The fourth such day of prayer and fasting will be held on Sunday, May 2^nd. .  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. Let us know that you are praying by sending us an email.

The 3 primary ways to get involved with this united movement are by:

    1. Becoming a Message Bearer 

    2. Initiating an SVM2 Prayer Group in your community or campus

    3. Joining the SVM2 Association if you’re a leader

1) You become a Message Bearer by committing to the Message Bearer Creed.  We'd love to hear about your commitment!  You can record your decision and share it with us at www.svm2.net

Message Bearer Creed

As SVM2 Message Bearers, we 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

Persistently 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. 

2) An SVM2 Prayer Group 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. To receive a Handbook for SVM2 Prayer Groups which details more about initiating one of these small groups, or to connect an existing prayer group to the SVM2 network, go to the website at www.SVM2.net and look under the "Resources" tab, then scroll down to the heading “Resources for SVM2 Prayer”

3) The SVM2 Association is an association of like minded leaders & students from national ministries, denominations, apostolic networks, and local churches committed to, in unity, calling a new generation of cross cultural message bearers to Abandoned Devotion to Jesus Christ and the urgent Global Proclamation of his gospel.  To find out more info and receive materials to cast the vision of SVM2 in your sphere, ministry, or organization, see the website at www.SVM2.net and look under the SVM2 tab and click on "SVM2 Association". 

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. Click on the Resources tab, then the Documents tab and scroll down to find the following:

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 quote. A powerful quote made by a young African pastor who was martyred for his faith.

3.  A 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 document to find organizations and ministries to tell your friends about that cater to a two year term among the forgotten peoples of the earth.

5.  Next steps...  Steps to Abandoned Devotion, Steps to Global Proclamation, and Steps to Spread the Vision.  See www.SVM2.net and follow the link for Message Bearers and then grow in abandoned devotion, global proclamation.

Abandoned Devotion - Books for personal discipleship

The Attributes of God  by A.W. Tozer

Intimate Friendship with God  by Joy Dawson

No Compromise  by Melody Green

Passion for Jesus  by Mike Bickle

Scaling the Wall  by Kathy Hicks

Revolution!  by Michael Brown

Global Proclamation - Books concerning reaching the world

The Great Omission  by Robertson McQuilkin

Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret  by Dr.& Mrs. Howard Taylor

Let the Nations be Glad  by John Piper

The Missions Addiction  by David Shibley

The Move of the Holy Spirit in the 10/40 Window  by Luis Bush

Operation World  by Patrick Johnstone

 

Most of these titles are available at www.amazon.com

  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