The Book of Hope staff

We at Book of Hope International were thrilled to meet so many young adults from around the U.S and the world who are so focused on reaching the world for Jesus. In fact, a young man named Nathan stopped by our booth, then went to our session, then signed up. Three weeks later he was in S. Florida to meet his Nomad team for a time of training and bonding. Today, he's in Birmingham, England telling youth and kids about Jesus and giving them God's Word. We look forward to seeing who else will join him. Our entire missions staff loved the time, and we all look forward to the days ahead. Thanks for the opportunity to share at the conference, and we're excited to hear the stories that will result from obedience to God's call at the Summit. We're looking forward to next time.

Chantael Mattix

I am so excited with what God has done in me through the Summit! I went, honestly not expecting too much to happen! But God had other plans for me!! (Thankfully) I signed up to give a year and to be a MA to the Ukraine! I am already in the process of the application and hope to be going by this summer!! I am elated at the transformation God has done in me and honored at the task He has placed in front of me! He has brought me farther than I imagined and this is only the beginning! The fact that the Summit took place over New Years is amazing to me. Last year, and for the past 2 years, I have known that God has placed a hunger and a burden for missions in me, but I didn’t have any answers to go forth with! So I have been in the holding tank and the refining fire and just waiting for His perfect timing. He had to show me what He wanted! Anyway I was unhappy last year, feeling very unfulfilled and like there was more somewhere! So on Jan. 1, 2006 my life took a turn and I am following that road until He puts me on another one! I am just so excited to know that this is just the beginning!!! I pray that all of us who signed up and are willing to be used by God, will keep that fire alive and burning brighter than before! It is easy to fall back into the swing of things after being at such an emotionally charged event, (its not the same at home), but I hope that we can stay focused and hold onto that blessing that we received at the Summit!

Deborah Tucker

I am one of the missionaries who attended the Summit. It was an extraordinary weekend. The presence of the Lord, the enthusiasm and calibre of students left my missionary colleagues and I excited and encouraged about what God is going to do through these young people as they pursue God’s calling on their lives. The preparation for our “Africa booths” required many hours of hard work and was expensive but we have all said it was worth it. We are thankful for this wonderful group of young people we were privileged to interact with. What a blessing it was!

Sarah Wiseman

I’ve had a hunger for missions since I was a young child and when I was 18 I started my MA assignment in Vienna, Austria. I live and breathe missions and I am counting the days until the World Missions Summit to see what God is going to do in my life. I live in Springfield right now going to college and work at Assembly of God World Missions. I just know that God has unlimited possibilities of how He can use me around the world! I’m willing!

Paul York, Central Bible College Missions

I’ve got 40 or so college students coming with me from CBC in Missouri! We can’t wait to hear what God is saying to this generation about his mission to every ethnic group on the planet. To join with college age students from secular, private, and Christian colleges and universities across America, to all unite to fulfill the plan of God… what an event it’s going to be. Even better will be the three or four years following as people from this Summit fan out across the world, and the years after that as we begin to hear what God is doing and see generations of Christian youth following in this group’s footsteps. Don’t miss it, don’t get sidetracked, don’t forget Who it’s all about!

Isaac Mendoza

It has been on my heart to go since my Chi Alpha Pastor mentioned it! Immediately GOD told me, “I want you to go to that!”

I have a heart for two things: 1. College students 2. Children. Those are two completely different fields but that’s what I love! Well in December of 2004 my Chi Alpha group and I went to San Diego for the annual Chi Alpha Conference for the West Coast. At the conference there were missionaries there to speak about missions and they showed a video about Romania. For some reason I started to break for Romania, and I found out later Romania has a lot of abandoned children and a lot of orphanages!

Well prior to that in November 2004, I was given a prophetic word that I would be a Father to the Fatherless! That blew me away it didn’t make any sense. But I believed it because I new that it was GOD... See for me it is natural to see abandoned kids on the streets because my family comes from Honduras in Central America, but the things I have heard about Romania make me want to go there to give my life to it. Maybe not Full-time, but the LORD put it on my heart for a purpose. And I am going to fulfill it!

Bob and Becky Creel, Missionaries to Greece

I'm interested in The World Missions Summit because...Becky and I have served for 44 years in World Missions and U.S. Missions with the A/G. I feel this is one of the greatest things that could ever happen. When I think of 4,000 college and university students gathering to "hear from the Lord of the Harvest!" it is beyond my comprehension. Our niece, who is a university student at Auburn University, has been invited and we are thrilled. It will be such a joy sharing with these "cream of the crop" individuals. They bring so much to the "table!"

Terrell

I attended salt 2004 in Ohio and was disappointed. I felt like there was not enough of an effort to reach out to me as an African American student. there were no black worship leaders or speakers. I would hope that this is not what the world missions summit will also look like, because I know that heaven wont.

Cari (Hurley) Hurst

I remember picking up a copy of the "Student Volunteer Missions Movement" and reading it from front to back in what seemed like a matter of minutes. One theme echoed throughout the pages: your life is not your own. It is no coincidence the World Missions Summit has chosen the same phrase. Now is our time to live up to all of the songs we've been singing, the messages we've been preaching, and the prayers we've been praying. My husband Russ recently preached a message in Guam of which I am still processing. He asked, "What is the one thing that stops us (American Christians) from doing what God wants us to do and going where He wants us to go? It can be summed up in one word: convenience." It's just not convenient for me to go there or do that. I have found myself saying those exact words, and I live overseas! I am praying for you and what God has in store for you during the weekend of the Summit. I look forward to being with Chi Alphans again (I've missed you!) and being with a group of believers who are ready to do something for the Lord. It's time to be inconvenienced for His sake and time to start a new student missions movement-making history!

Stan Steward

Coming from a leadership position in the Nation’s sixth largest Police Department, I have seen a lot of things that should “keep me awake at night”. Mass murders, cop killings, gang violence, being “feet on the ground” at Ground Zero on 9-12…none of these things even register on my “insomniac scale” compared to the thousands of Muslims that die each day never once hearing the Gospel!

How can that be today? How is it that Coca Cola, Hollywood and Ford are recognized by virtually every people group, but the saving message of Jesus is still a total loss to over a billion people? I don’t get it, I don’t want to understand it and I don’t want someone to make me “feel good” about it. I want to do drastic things for God. I want to be the guy out on the edge reaching into the darkness snatching souls from Hell. What keeps me awake at night is the screams of thousands who are stepping into Hell wondering why they never had a chance to Hear about Jesus!

The destiny of billions of souls are in our hands. Other generations have tried to stir the World for Christ… I want this to be the generation that gets the job done. The most exciting thing on the horizon for me is Louisville in December 2005, 4000 kids ready to climb out on the edge and leap into the darkness to bring light.

Nicholette Lockwood

I have a huge heart for Missions! I heard Scott speak on the Friday night last June at Reach the U Institute and decided for sure that I would go, even though I graduated over a year ago. I currently work in the World Missions department and my passion for missions is getting even bigger! I am a part of SMSU Chi Alpha (the Foyer) and I am committed to paying for at least one person’s registration who can’t afford to go to the Summit from my group if need be! Be excited and pray up!

Nancy Hand

I am very excited about young adults connecting with God’s mission around the world-- especially today, when we can use whatever God has put in our hands to creatively and strategically reach people like never before! And these same young adults are all about relationship, the key to reaching others with the love of God. I am praying for the many students and missionaries who will make the decision to attend and connect. This will be “a God thing,” no doubt! Thank you for putting your passion into action, making this event a reality. I wouldn’t miss it!

Brian Smith

There are moments in time when God speaks to your heart clearly and a passion is ignited that will not be put out. Last summer at Reach the U Scott Martin cast the vision for the World Missions Summit and I walked out of the session saying “I would be willing to give time in my life to make sure this comes to pass.” 2 months later the desire to be involved with the Summit and the potential of mobilizing a generation for the cause of Christ burned in my heart as freshly as the day I heard about it for the first time.

I knew that God had called me to be a part of the Summit so I called Scott to see about joining his staff team in Springfield. 13 months later I am writing this blog from the National Chi Alpha office as Scott and Crystal’s Missionary Associate for the Summit.

So to me the Summit is a cause greater than myself, which goes perfectly with the theme of the Summit “It’s Not About Me.” When I think about the potential for World Evangelism that the Summit represents I am blown away. When I go to work each day I go with the realization that 1000’s of XA students across the nation are counting on me to do my job with excellence in order to give them an opportunity to have their lives and their ultimate destiny changed as they reach countless souls around the globe.

A generation of missions volunteers is ready to answer the call and give significant time in their lives for God’s Dream of Evangelism for the World. Students will be mobilized to become missional not only for a year but for a lifetime, souls on every continent will be saved, career missionaries will be encouraged and given new vision for their area of the world, and God will receive the Glory!

I cannot think of a cause more worthy of my life and your time! See you in Louisville on December 30th!

Kirk Priest

Crystal,

The World Missions Summit is a moment in time where God will intercept the hearts and minds of specific people for whom he has a specific calling. It was at a Chi Alpha conference where I first heard the voice of the Lord calling me into campus ministry at the age of 20. 8 years later at the first World SALT in LA, God called my wife Amy and I to go to Germany as campus missionaries. I'm excited about what individuals, couples, and families God will direct at this gathering to GO and accomplish His mission. I'm looking forward to TWMS because I know the destiny of many leads to Europe and God's plan is very exciting.

Jenipher Burt

On June 17th I was at RUI in Springfield, Missouri. During one of the morning sessions E. Scott Martin spoke to us about the World Missions Summit coming up in January. As I listened to what Scott was saying, I became challenged by the call he was putting forth.

Do I feel called? No, not in the same way I am called to teach and be a wife and mother. But I do feel challenged, and stirred deep in my soul. I am ready to serve, wherever. I have been curious to see where God would lead me after I graduate. Now I know. He is leading me to missions, for the time being. Is this simply preparation for the next stage of my life? I don't know, although I am sure that everything He does has a purpose. As I sit here and write this, I am once again reminded of my favorite verse. Psalms 139:9-10 "If I rise on wings of the dawn and settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me and your right hand will hold me fast." (NIV)

For me the time has come to stop questioning or rather spurning Gods will because I don't feel "called." I feel challenged it is my turn, and I will step up.

Mark Hausfeld

I believe that Chi Alpha students provide one of the world’s greatest resources of laborers for restricted, unreached places. Following our family’s evacuation from a very conservative Muslim country in September of 2001, E. Scott Martin invited me to Chi Alpha campuses to share what God was doing in the heart of the 10/40 Window. From my first missions summit at Arizona State University I was hooked on Chi Alpha! Chi Alpha students have been discipled for the cause of missions and they are prepared for the task of missions. They are passionate about fulfilling the great commission! The World Mission’s Summit in Louisville will provide essential opportunities for students and missionaries to interface in real time and build lasting relationships that will travel to the far corners of the earth.

Shawn Galyen

Scott,

We just had our leadership visioning meeting for the coming year. Our student leadership team says that we are going to bring 25 students from our campus. Mark us down...hold our spots. The Hoyas are coming.

Ryan L. Brooks

Thanks, Crystal. Great talking with you as well. I’m so excited about the Missions Summit and you just made me more so. We’re setting a goal of bringing 100 students, and I think we might even beat it! Thanks again and see you there!

This is Ryan L. Brooks signing off ...

Mike Godzwa

Hey Scott,

How’s it going? I wanted to make sure we had 30 spots available for AU students @ the TWMS. Can you hold those for us? Thanks!

Crystal Martin

I feel like I am pregnant. I have dreamed about this conference for a long time much like a young women would dream about her future child. I wonder what potential it has. I think of how it might change the world. I reflect on how I need to get my life and heart in order in preparation so I will be ready. Over the next nine months I am going to plan and strategize. I already have experienced some hormonal surges as I am overemotional at times bursting into tears at the slightest amount of rejection. I am a people pleaser and I want this baby to make everyone happy. In the end I know the baby is only the beginning. I have the feeling deep within that this baby is going to change us in ways we can only imagine.

Here are some great quotes from missionaries who have gone before. The question is, “What will be said of our life 100 years from now?”

Must you go to China? How much nicer it would be to stay here and serve the Lord at home!" She made it plain at last that she would not go to China." — J. Hudson Taylor's new ex-girlfriend

"You can do something other than working with God in His purpose, but it will always be something lesser, and you couldn't come up with something better." — Steve Hawthorne

"The command has been to "go," but we have stayed - in body, gifts, prayer and influence. He has asked us to be witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth... but 99% of Christians have kept puttering around in the homeland." — Robert Savage

"While vast continents are shrouded in darkness... the burden of proof lies upon you to show that the circumstances in which God has placed you were meant by God to keep you out of the foreign mission field." — Ion Keith-Falconer

"I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done for China... I don't know who it was... It must have been a man... a well-educated man. I don't know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing... and God looked down... and saw Gladys Aylward... And God said - "Well, she's willing." — Gladys Aylward

"Brother, if you would enter that Province, you must go forward on your knees." — J. Hudson Taylor

Katie Hajenius

I remember years ago hearing and then studying about the Student Volunteer Missions Movement — Tens of thousands of young college-age people dedicating their lives to either go overseas or to sacrificially fund individuals to see the evangelization of the world in their generation. I’ve often thought about what such an amazing movement would have been like to be a part of. And now, in the 21 century, this opportunity is upon us again. I believe that we are on the cusp of another student missions movement. There is such anticipation in my heart and spirit. I can’t believe that I’m alive right now and able to participate in something so monumental. I believe that this summit is a significant piece of God’s plan, in this hour, to impact the globe. This is only the beginning…

Scott Martin

I rarely lose sleep over anything. Well, I do now and then when the Arizona Wildcats lose a game (in any sport), but I am relatively stress free. Man, this World Missions Summit has had me shaking in my bed at night. When I sit down and realize the immensity of this moment; what it means for the Assemblies of God, Chi Alpha, and all the young adults who will attend it, I shudder.

The real global impact that it will have is yet to be seen, but the global impact potential is unparalleled. We have the potential to unleash an army on the hoards of darkness that can greatly advance the Kingdom of God around the world and do great damage to the kingdom of darkness.

I see it all in my mind. I know how it should work. I have all the components figured out; in my mind. Oh, the details to pull it all off!!! I think that is a major reason why I’ve been...

The consolation has been that we havehad so many people pumped and inquiring about The World Missions Summit I am now wondering whether 4000 is enough open spaces. You better register soon! You know what, I better register soon!!!