In this letter...

Abandoned Devotion

1.      Devotional – “Reaching the Two Billion”

2.      Fall Abandoned Devotion Prayer Gathering Recap

3.      Prayer Corner

Global Proclamation

1.      How to get involved with SVM2

2.      New  November Message Bearers

3.      Resources

        Have you ever stopped to contemplate two billion people?  The sheer immensity of the concept boggles one’s mind.  It almost paralyzes me to think that there are still that many people who have not heard the gospel presented to them in a culturally relevant way in which they can then respond to.  What can I do to help reach the multitudes who have not heard? After all, it is just me and a couple of my friends who are praying for this to happen. 

        Well, as I was pondering this idea, I came across the story of Jesus and the disciples feeding of the five thousand.  Jesus noticed that the people had a need to be fed, and he asked the disciples about how they suggested feeding them.  Confused, the disciples thought that Jesus expected them to go get something else in order to meet the need that lay before them.  Jesus refocuses them on their own personal resources by asking them what they already have.  Once the resources are gathered, they give them to Jesus, and he infuses them with His power.  Because they were obedient and gave of all they had to Jesus, God used twelve people to meet the needs of five thousand.

        Usually when we think of this story, we think of the miraculous power of God to supernaturally meet the needs of His followers.  For a minute, let’s look at this a little differently.  It isn’t just about Jesus doing a miraculous work to feed the people around him though that is important, but this story is about God using willing and obedient people to accomplish His purpose.  Imagine – those disciples must have thought that Jesus was crazy to suppose that they feed all of those people.  The disciples automatically think of where in the world they are going to acquire the resources to meet the needs of the multitudes of people before them.  Yet, he doesn’t ask them to go out and get resources to meet the needs, but instead they are to give him the talents and abilities that they already have.  In this case, God used five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people. 

        Just like the story of the five thousand, Jesus is asking us what do we have that we will give him for use in his kingdom to reach the two billion people who have not heard the gospel message in a culturally relevant way in which they can respond.  Do you have a willing heart to go wherever he commands you?  God will use whatever you give him.  If you are willing, he will bring forth gifts and abilities that you have to use in his kingdom.  God’s economy doesn’t work on a simple one to one ratio, but rather by exponential growth.  Who will trust God with one ability that thousands might come to know him?  The gift or ability doesn’t have to be extravagant – loving children, serving people, sharing Jesus – God just wants a willing heart.  Are you willing to give God two years to see what he might want to do with you helping to reach those two billion people?  One person can’t do it, but if we all give whatever we have and encourage our friends to do the same we will see God’s glory spread to the ends of the earth.

        Scriptures for further study:

            1 Peter 4:10-11

            1 Corinthians 12

            Romans 12:3-6

            Example of Dorcas in Acts 9:36

Fall Abandoned Devotion Prayer Gathering Recap

This fall has been full of activity towards seeing the vision of SVM2 begin to spread and take root in both young adult’s hearts in various areas of the country. This has been done primarily through the Abandoned Devotion prayer gatherings in Atlanta, Denver, and Los Angeles. Each of these gatherings had distinctive characteristics, yet one thing remained the same: passionate young hearts beseeching Almighty God with fasting and prayer to open the heavens and rain down a missionary outpouring that would bring forth a unified movement to see the fulfillment of the Great Commission in our day.

These prayer gatherings lasted for 8 hours and consisted of...

1. worship fixated on the attributes of God and His glory in the nations  

2. pointed prayer for a multitude of topics all related to young adults and reaching the world in our generation 

3. various video clips related to sacrifice, the world of Islam, and stories of what God is doing throughout the world through His sent ones  

4. short exhortations regarding repentance, sacrifice and commitment, the vision of SVM2, and the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in Global Proclamation and 

5. young adults from a range of organizations, campuses, and denominations coming together in unity.

One of the highlights was the enthusiastic responses to the gathering. One young woman stated, “It was awesome to pray for eight hours about nothing related to me, my tests, homework, or anything else, but to focus prayer and intercession completely on what is on God’s heart.”

                          1. Becoming a Message Bearer

                          2. Initiating a Band of Message Bearers 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 on the SVM2.net website.

        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) A Band of Message Bearers is a small group of students or young adults getting together for prayer with 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 Bands of Message Bearers which details more about initiating one of these small groups, go to the website at  www.SVM2.net and look  under the "Resources" tab, then scroll down to the heading “Resources for Bands of Message Bearers” and download the file titled “Handbook for Bands of Message Bearers”.

3) The SVM2 Association is an association of like minded leaders 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".