Hi, everybody! It has been an awesome year for me, and I want to share some of the highlights with you. It all started as I joined a short term project with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). I then returned to YWAM of Oregon to work on The Freedom Project and finished up the year by serving as the Assistant Director of Laurel Pines Christian Camp. I was deeply humbled to witness God work in so many miraculous ways to change people's lives.
Last August, I realized that God was calling me to learn more about service by joining a short term project with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). My Discipleship Training School (DTS) was successful and I was able to minister in Thailand, Cambodia and Burma. While there, my team participated in street evangelism, Christian dramas, prayer walks and discipleship programs for the nationals. Thanks to your prayers and support, we were able to reach over three thousand with the gospel!
After returning to YWAM of Oregon, I worked on The Freedom Project. This project is a joint effort of YWAM and other ministries to fight against human trafficking all over the world. God used my experience in Asia to give me a heart for those who suffer in this way. I participated in many types of awareness programs and helped the ministries prepare to battle our enemy on behalf of those enslaved by this evil.
In April, God called me to come back to Southern California to serve as the Assistant Director of Laurel Pines Christian Camp, close to Big Bear, California. Busy scheduling camps, interviewing staff and preparing the grounds for our children and youth campers consumed my days in April and May. Early June was spent fine tuning camp activities and securing speakers for each of the camps. When our first campers arrived in late June, we all anticipated God's movement in their hearts. God's spirit was upon us, and the lives of the staff and campers were challenged and changed by the Gospel message. It was totally awesome – I wish you could have been there with me!
As the summer and my position at Laurel Pines was coming to a close, I began praying for God's direction in the next phase of my service. God confirmed that he was calling me into missions, and I was anxious for him to direct my steps. YWAM has a School of Biblical Studies (SBS) that trains young men and women to serve in missions. The program uses an inductive approach to study the sixty-six books of the Bible and then leads the students to allow God to shape them and fulfill the calling God has on their lives. The SBS is located in Arkansas and lasts for 9 months. When I have completed my training, I will be able to answer the call of God on my life to serve him on the mission field.
By faith, I will leave California on September 9, 2007 and start SBS on September 10th.
The cost per semester is $2, 390. To complete the program, I have to attend three semesters, with a total cost of $7, 170. My total monthly support need is $797. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me in my adventure with God? Gifts of all sizes are appreciated, and you can choose to make a one time or monthly donation. Please see the attached response card to aid you in partnering further with me in my walk of faith.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter and prayerfully considering this need. God bless you! I can't wait to let you know how he moves in my life throughout the year!
Your brother in Christ,
Mike Gervasi
bigmikegervasi@gmail.com 951-858-2675 mikeywam.blogspot.com
