Ramping Up
A few weeks ago, I was approached by my friend Jamie if I would be interested in speaking to the Youth Group about my personal testimony. I was very excited about the prospect of doing something like that and determined this would be the launching pad for the direction I am moving in my spiritual life. With my acceptance, Jamie checked with the Youth Pastor – Kris to set up our very first meeting leading up to 11/05/2006.
Luckily for me, the timing for this couldn’t be any better. The Youth Group was starting a new series called “Mind, Body, and Spirit”, and Jamie thought that my personal testimony on “Mind” would fit perfectly into this. So I began typing up some ideas one evening and thought how I could tie all of this into my personal testimony. When I had finished typing, I discovered that I had 6 pages of material with thoughts, experiences, examples, and scripture to back the message for that evening. The question was – “Is this enough or is it overkill?”
Initial Meeting
On that Tuesday 10/31/2006, we worked out an arrangement for all of us to meet together for lunch. It would be a good opportunity for us to talk about that evening and get a feel for what would be discussed. I gave them both assurance that I was going to stay relevant with the message and not get weird with it. I didn’t want to get into areas that would be too deep or take the message off track.
It was also during this time that I had them to review the materials and to question if any of the language was too strong or if there is anything they would like for me to discuss or omit. Please keep in mind that when you are a guest speaker, you need to be accommodating (within reason) of meeting any standards and avoid failing to meet expectations. Afterall, this was my first speaking opportunity and I didn’t want to ruin it. Thankfully, these guys were open and placed no restrictions on what I wanted to discuss – they made it easy.
Leading up to the Big Day
I spent most of the remaining week refining my thoughts and began preparation for my materials. I needed to make sure that I had everything in order and ready leading up to the event. My checklist was as follows:
- Video recorder – to document my very first speaking and testimony event in front of a group.
- Video camera – to take a picture or two for this article.
- Power Point Presentation – 30 slide presentation.
- Summary Handout – In the event that I could not discuss all of the material in the time, I could hand out a two page document containing all the information I had in the presentation.
- Books – Obtained 4 books for the young women and men as part of a give-away.
- Give-away-tickets – For the free drawing of the books.
- Music CD – Christian music for playing at the end.
- Business Cards – Advertise for the Witness For The Master.
Front of the Business Card
Back of the Business Card
As the time approached, I felt a little nervous, but I knew the jitters were to be expected going into this. I know the more I do this, the more comfortable I will become. It is just a matter of time and practice.
Get Spiritual Backup
To ensure some level of success for the upcoming event, I sent out an email to personally ask for prayer from some of my Christian Brothers that evening. I knew that I was going to need backup spiritually because I had awareness that the enemy had their eye on me, and would love to make this a total disaster. Why did I think that? Leading up to the event, I had experienced increased spiritual warfare – so it was in my mind that a plan from the enemy was set against me to have complete failure. Never underestimate the power of having others pray and intercede on your behalf. My focus was in so many directions, and worrying about so many other things, I knew that I couldn’t effectively look after my own spiritual protection during this event. If you ever think the situation may become fragile, always call in some backups.
The Big Day!
Finally, after a long sleepless night, the day had arrived. I went to church that morning, received some words of encouragement, and then set back home to prepare for the event. I wanted to make sure I was rested and ready to go. I had asked my wife Carla to go with me, and I am so glad she did. I couldn’t have done it all without her being able to pick up the loose ends that I was missing. Never try to go and do things alone – bring a spouse, bring a friend – they help so much.
Before leaving at 5:00 pm, I had received a phone call from my friend Jamie. When I heard his voice, I started thinking, “I hope this is not going to be canceled”. Thankfully, it wasn’t, but Jamie was sick running a fever, and he was unsure if he would be able to make it that night. I felt pretty bad for him, but he left the prospect open that he will try to rest and if he is feeling better, he will be there because he really didn’t want to miss it.
After that phone call, we set out for Richmond, KY to the First United Methodist Church. I had Carla drive me because I wanted to make sure I was calm and had more time to commit more information to my mind. After a 35 minute drive, we arrived at the church and was greeted by Kris and his wife Courtney. Kris took us up to the Youth Group room and we began the process of getting things set up. After working through some of the technical difficulties, we were ready – and with only running 10 minutes behind … that added some extra pressure.
After hearing a few songs of praise and worship, Kris came up to say a few words and I came up forward.
Showtime
As I went up to speak to the group, I thanked everyone for having me. Initially, I didn’t know how many of the Youth were going to show up that evening, but Kris and Jamie got the word out in which there were over 20+Youth Members ranging from Freshman to Seniors. They were a nice looking bunch!
When I began talking, I immediately noticed I was feeling a little warm (probably because Kris told me it was 72 degrees already in there) … to me it felt like it was 80. Just a few minutes of being up front of everyone made me feel as if the heat was turning up – I knew I was going to sweat through this one. As I continued, I couldn’t seem to get a rhythm down when speaking or reading, but eventually I became more comfortable with the message and what I was talking about.
One of the emails that I had received the next day was “bring a bottle of water”. Well, I didn’t do that and from being nervous … my mouth already felt dry. I considered that a lesson learned for the next speaking engagement. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that sooner.
Personal Testimony
Eventually, I made it into my personal testimony and how I was delivered and healed. Both Kris and Jamie (he made it out to hear me – though still sick) could tell that the message was getting through to them. Jamie said to me afterwards, “You could hear a needle drop it was so quite”. I could also tell I was getting through with the message on various issues because I watched as some would hang their head or couldn’t look me in the eye when I looked at them.
Through the entire message, while everyone was relatively attentitive, I had a great group (2 young ladies) and (1 young man) to my right who were consistently focused and showing attention towards me. If I ever felt like no one was listening, I would go back to focus on those 3 because they built my confidence up as I continued to speak. I am not saying that the rest of the group wasn’t paying attention, but I knew that they were very interested in hearing the message which I appreciated very much.
Here is a scripture that I shared with them that night:
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Wrapping it up
As we approached the end, I had issued a 30 day challenge to fast from sensual imagery and/or other addictions. During this time, I had “Breathing the Breath” by Matt Redman playing over the sound system.
I drove the point that addictions are a poison which will choke the Living Breath of God out of our lives …
Then I moved into the “Call” to have everyone close their eyes and enter into prayer. I asked if anyone had this or other addictions they were struggling with that they want us to pray for. I had 1 raise their hand and prayed for that person there. I knew that it would be tough for a lot of the young women and men to acknowledge something like this in front of their friends, but I pray that the seed was placed in their heart for the Holy Spirit to work with.
After prayer, I had a drawing to give 4 free books away – 2 for the guys (Every Young Man’s Battle) and 2 for the ladies (Ever Young Woman’s Battle) to sow a seed further into their hearts and ask them to work together as accountability partners as they read the book.
At the end, I asked for a group picture with Jamie (on the left), myself (in the middle), and Kris (on the right)
I loved every minute of it, and hope to find more speaking opportunities in the near future.
Witness For The Master
April 11, 2008 at 8:36 pm |
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