In Washington - In Power

I love the opportunity I have to speak into lives. I just got done speaking at a conference of young people here in Washington State and it blows my mind how God is taking this generation of students and molding them into His image. The Northwest Latin Conference was a great chance to reach students in a new state that I have ever been to. Over 100 students gathered to praise God on the "mountain of God". It was great. Over a dozen students or so called into ministry to impact this world for Jesus. God + one obedient person is always the majority no matter who stands against you. This is God's idea of true impact.

Pour Out

I was reading yesterday as I was preparing to speak on the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts 10 and about how Cornelius was as the message translation calls it an "outsider Gentile" and I thought how cool is it when we as "outsiders" have been let inside by the cross of Jesus. Last night I got the chance to preach and more importantly watched as some of the most enthusiastic young people praised God will ALL THAT IS WITHIN THEM. To be quite honest, they put many to shame, including me. The reality is that the moment we are full of ourselves God has no room left to fill. Pour out and Fill us was our prayer last night as we watched a dozen people (including a leader) baptized in the Holy Spirit. I have thought long and hard, how do I see God move. Event after event the answer is clear. Preach the cross. Preach the word. Nothing else will do.

The Power of God

We are in the middle of a great week of camp in Virginia. Students have really been touched by God and we have only scratched the surface. There are over 90 students some of which have no relationship with God. Many of these students have blown me away with their worship toward God reminding me that young people KNOW how to worship. Already we have had several give their hearts and are ligitimately restructuring how they see God in life. John Wesley said "Give me 100 men who want nothing but God and hate nothing but sin and I will bring God back to my generation." This is the challenge and we are seeing it unfold right in front of us. This calling on me and my family is amazing.

Camp, camps and more camps

Well, I knew it. It's been a few weeks since my last blog. I guess I will get used to trying to be more consistant on this note. However, in my defense, I have just wrapped up my third camp in 4 weeks so I am on the road with an ailing laptop. Computers are often two faced. One minute they can be your greatest friend and supporter and the next kick you in the knees and leave you without the internet. Here is the summation of the last few weeks in brief form. It's really difficult to be comprehensive after several weeks but I will try.

Nebraska Senior High Camp was our first camp of the summer. We had a record approx 350 students attend and many testimonies were there. I flew and ministered in Omaha at Omaha Community Church where Pastor Petey was great to connect with Sunday before the camp. Students were very much attentive to the Word and we had phenominal altar times. We also heard reports of students being healed in the services! How cool is that? It was great being in that district in which we made some new friends in Pastor Toby and Pastor Cory. Next was New Jersey Senior High Camp. What a great response to the altar!! I preached a series of new messages that I felt were for the NOW church and the youth were responsive. Several touched, filled and called into ministry. Pastor Fabian is a great friend. Most recent was Southern New England Senior High that I just wrapped up today with Pastor Tim Moen here in Rhode Island at Zion Bible College. 225 Students were present and so many reports of the word of God penetrating their lives. If I can say this, this never, ever gets old. Seeing young people especially make commitments to God in the day we live in is crucial. These young people were great and I love being in this district as well. Each of the district camps I have been priveledged to be in have been great. I will look to post testimonies from these camps as soon as they arrive.

I love doing camps because of the atmosphere. Students are away from the WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION that plague youth ministries all across america (i.e., myspace, cell phones, etc.) and this is a great way to really get students to know God. Pray for us. We are tired but we must continue in this great and important calling. We will be heading to MA for Sunday morning to the A/G in Malden - North Shore A/G. I am tired, need sleepy.

That's all for now!

Tony

Something To Talk About

There are some things that I do not care for. MTV and veggies to name a few. However, I do care about people and helping those in need. I believe that God speaks to His people. So, I am giving this "blogging" a chance for friends and family to read what God is doing through this seemingly impactful ministry. I would like to believe that I have a hand in it but I have adopted a motto to "say what I gotta say and get out of the way" and thus far it has worked for us. Go figure. In this you will find testimonies, ministry reports, facts, life-happenings and an occasional ramble from the mind of a Latino who desires to leave the fingerprint of God everywhere he goes. Through this mode I can update and post from anywhere while it is fresh. If you want, come back from time to time hear what is happening with the Cruzez. I will do everything I can to keep this up-to-date. Thanks for your support and prayers.