Sitting here in Gonzales, Louisiana thinking about how amazing this past week has been :) It's as if God's hand reached into my heart and pressed the RECHARGE button. That's the best way I can describe it. God knew that I needed encouragement and I found that at ARC's All Access Conference in Baton Rouge. I've been to ARC (Association of Related Churches) conference before but God was really moving at it this year for sure! God knew everything I was feeling and made a way for me to hear the messages. And each message touched on everything I've been dealing with and feeling. I have to be honest with you, there are so many days that I feel inadequate, I wonder how in the world God could use someone like me- sending me all the way to Zimbabwe, Africa! I pray all the time that I won't mess up, that I can be the best leader I can for the children and Kids teams. And what I walked away feeling after ARC conference was that I don't have to have it all figured out, that people believe in me, that most of all God believes in me! :) And I'm eternally grateful for the ARC leaders and Celebration Church lead team. I'm so blessed to do life with these people! And now more than ever, I feel ready for Africa, for whatever God may throw at me. Because I yearn to be with the children, to help grow God's kingdom and bring love and hope to a hurting nation. At ARC, I was able to meet with other Kids Pastors, talk with Ps. Dixon Changara of Celebration Zimbabwe about my upcoming move to Zimbabwe as well as give him finances (thanks to my supporters) for a new kids project at our main campus in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (more news and pics to come on this soon).
I'll just touch on a few msgs that really spoke to me and inspired me from ARC. Key points that just really stuck out I'd like to share.
Mark Batterson- "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." AMEN! We need to take a "THIS IS CRAZY" step of faith (That's so what I feel when take the step to move full-time to Africa). God will honor that crazy step of faith!
Dino Rizzo- What I learned most from his msg is that we don't have to dance alone in isolation, there is power in WE, defeat in just me.
Joe Champion- A vision that is powerful can't fall into intimidation. (I know that God has spoken to me about Zimbabwe and I can't and won't be intimidated!!)
John Siebling- We need to stay in our lane for God wants us to do. Don't let comparison rule your heart.
Rick Bezet- Values have to be what drive us everyday. We must focus on the ONE (just one soul is worth it), We must focus on the CROWD, and I must take my focus off of me.
Greg Suratt- What are things that can rob us of our innocence and awe? The APPLAUSE (Spend time with people that love you but ARENT impressed with you), The GRIND, and Our SIN
Matthew Barnett- Pick up God's cause and lay down man's dream. Lose yourself and God will take you higher! God doesn't want us to be safe, but dangerous!
Chris Hodges- Don't let a relational wound keep you from your full potential!
Steven Furtick- Don't let people say Godly ambition is arrogance. Also, we need to make this valley full of ditches (2 Kings 3:16)- We need to dig ditches for what we aren't even prepared for, the unknown- then God will bring the rain!
Stovall Weems- We all have the X factor. There is the excellency of God in all of us. Distinguishing always happens in the difficult times. Excellence = Extraordinary (faithfulness in the ordinary will bring the extraordinary), Exceeding (Develop your annointing and God will bring you His exceeding), and Extreme (Be extreme in what you are FOR, and not what you are against)
I know my time in Africa is getting close, I can feel it. I believe God is moving things in regards to my work permit, that the remaining monthly finances I need will come in, that I will get hug all the African children soon.....and until then, I plan to embrace this preparation time, to be faithful in the ordinary. - Shannon
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