Dave Bryant--Testimony

Watch Dave Bryant share an abbreviated version of his testimony. Dave is a senior this year at Newman Smith High School, where I am an intern with Student Venture. He has a passionate heart for God and for leading others to Him. I tell you, folks, God is raising a generation for Himself that will bring revival not only to this nation, but to the world.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=s1i4nz_cALw

Crossing Boundaries

Each time I read about Jesus' ministry on earth, I marvel at the way He was able to reach people at every level: poor, rich, outcast, high-ranking, young, old. It was not His worldly status that opened doors for Him to build relationships with people. And He was not exactly an orator -- in fact, it was the very simplicity of His profound words that caused (and still causes) people to pause and listen. I conclude (and I think you might agree) that it was pure love that enabled Christ to make the difference that He did in the lives of those He touched.

I am always thinking about the idea of crossing boundaries. How do I best break through the walls of pain, or insecurity, or worldliness to reach that teenager for Christ? How can I demonstrate God's love to this person or that person when I don't know what their needs are? God is constantly reminding me that it is His work to make a difference; it is my work to simply love. And for that matter, I don't have to muster this love on my own. The Holy Spirit is with me to empower me to love as God has commanded.

Last Monday, I had the opportunity to enjoy watching God work through a teenager to overstep a boundary in love and share words of hope with a bitter, young African-American man. I took seven Student Venture students to a local mall to share the gospel with people there. One fifteen-year-old student, Josh, felt a nudge to approach a young man whom he described as looking "all tough . . . like a gangster." With God's boldness, Josh initiated conversation with the man: "Looking at you, people will probably assume that you're a thug." The man, surprised, explained that he had just had the same conversation with his friend. Apparently, throughout the time they had been in the mall, he and his friend had been trailed by a caucasian policeman, and this young man was experiencing feelings of bitterness and remorse because he felt that in spite of his "good standing" and his college degrees, he was being judged for his appearances. Josh was able to talk to the man about a relationship with God, assuring him of his value in God's sight.

As each student shared his or her experience after our outreach at the mall -- explaining who Jesus is to an Iranian soap kiosk-salesman, taking a 10-year-old girl through the plan of salvation, receiving encouragement from a fellow Christian, and so on -- I could not help but smile as I realized that we had done what Jesus did during His ministry on earth. We had made ourselves available, and as one student, Courtney said, "deeply felt God's love" for these people; and God had taken care of the results!

Friends, thank you for your partnership in making these opportunities possible. Whether you give financially or spend time in prayer for me and Student Venture Carrollton, "your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). Someday soon, we will stand before our Righteous Judge and rejoice that we played a part in restoring the lost to Him.

I love you all, and you are in my prayers always!

Freedom Month!!!

Hi friends!!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July.

I returned from Colorado last Friday, volunteered at the Celebrate Freedom Christian concert in Dallas on Saturday, and hopped into Laura's Kentucky-bound vehicle on Sunday.

Yes, it's been a busy past couple of weeks, but I've had the blessing of visiting with many of my ministry supporters in a few different states, and reuniting with friends.

As I promised, I've got pictures from the Colorado Rocky Mountain Getaway Conference!!! Three students from Carrollton accepted Christ at the conference; one other student, raised a Muslim, also received Christ, but is having a difficult time with the idea that he can only serve one God. Please pray that God will continue to work on his heart. Several other students from other regions also received Christ at the conference.

The students at the conference all had the opportunity to share their faith with the community on the last full day at Estes Park, and through these students, God brought salvation to many of the inhabitants of Estes Park and surrounding towns/cities.

I have now raised up to one-third of my financial support--praise God!!! God is reminding me everyday of His ability to do over and beyond all that I could ever ask or think. I pray that you all experience the joy of resting in the assurance of His presence.

Prayer Requests . . .

I will be working together with a couple of other volunteers to oversee the summer Student Venture ministry in Carrollton. Please ask that God would use us to nurture the students and lead others to Him.

Please pray that God would grant the SV Carrollton staff the wisdom and discernment necessary to select and train student leaders for next year.

PLEASE let me know how I can be praying for you. Love you all!!

Sunrise!!

Main building on YMCA Camp, Estes Park




Rock Climbing :)

2nd Day in Colorado

Colorado is BEAUTIFUL!!!

I don't have lot of time to write right now, but I'd like to give a summary of the Colorado trip so far.

I left Dallas at 8pm on Friday in a bus carrying 50 high school students; the bus arrived at Estes Park, Colorado at 3:30pm on Saturday. Suffice it to say that by the time we arrived in Colorado, I was well-versed in every random topic the teenage mind could conjure :)

Did I mention that Colorado is beautiful? As the bus climbed up the mountains to Estes Park, my head swung back and forth to take in the view on my left, then my right. I didn't want to miss a bit of it. By the way, for those of you who care to know, Estes Park reminds me a lot of Julian, California.

Last evening, Sean McDowell shared with us about "Engaging God with your Mind." He blessed our lives with the testimony of his father, Josh McDowell, and encouraged the students to seek the truth about Christ for themselves, rather than live off words passed down to them by others--"because if you genuinely seek truth, you could find no possible conclusion other than that Jesus is truly the Christ, Savior of the world."

What a blessed truth!

Sorry I have no pictures yet. They will come in time, I'm sure. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Rocky Mountains, Here We Come!!!

Hi Friends!

Can you believe it's the middle of the month already?! I just want to send out a quick reminder that in approximately one week, Student Venture, Carrollton will be off to the Colorado Rocky Mountains where we will join hundreds of other students in the region for a week (June 22-29) of drawing closer to God. Please, continue to be in prayer for the students who are trying to raise funds to attend the Conference. We had a successful car wash fundraiser last Tuesday, and another one coming up on June 19th. This picture is actually of last year's car wash . . .but many of the same students were present this year :) Also pray that the Lord will guide the students as they recruit their friends to attend this Conference that will impact their lives for eternity. Finally, ask that the Lord would meet with us as we devote the week to seeking His face, that we would all come back changed.

If I have access to the internet (and time), I will try to keep you posted on the day-to-day goings on throughout the conference.

God bless you as you continue to fulfill the Great Commission!

June Newsletter: Few Things Beat Seeing My Dad :)

Dear Friends and Ministry Partners,

What an exciting end to the month of May! Here are some highlights:

Visit with my Dad!
Yes, yes, my dad visited from Nigeria, and during the last week of May, I went to hang out with him in New York where he was a guest minister at a local church. It had been exactly a year since I last saw him (or my mom), and it was certainly a joyful reunion :) As exciting the visit was, I bet there was not as much rejoicing in heaven over it as there was over this next point . . .

Pool Party
Our end-of-year pool party outreach was a success--as are all things God has a hand in! Quoting a report on the event: "The leadership students encouraged those in attendance . . . shared their testimony and the Gospel message, and two students indicated a decision to trust Christ! One of those students, Illya, was born in Russia, is now a US citizen, ranked in the top 2% of his class, and who decided . . .to make that most important decision!! . . . Two of Illya’s good friends who are SV leadership students (Dave and Danny), took him out to Starbucks three months ago and shared the Gospel with him, but Illya told them that he was not a Christian and that he could never be passionate for Christ like his friends Dave and Danny …. I guess you should never say never!!" Praise God!

Graduation
Several of our Student Venture members graduated from Newman Smith High School. We held a "send-off" ceremony to celebrate them. Three of the leadership students spoke at their baccalaureate service (one shared the gospel) and they were an encouragement to all who attended the service.

Prayer Requests . . .

Please pray for the upcoming SV Conference in Colorado, called "Getaway" (http://www.svconferences.com/). From June 23rd to June 28th, several hundred high school students (including the Carrollton SV students) will gather at the conference site in Estes Park, Colorado, for a time of worship, adventure and growth. They will return home empowered and fired up to reach their friends for Christ. Ask that God will make it financially possible for the students to attend, and that we would be able to enlist a large number of lowerclassmen who can return home carrying the baton for witnessing.

Praise God! I have raised a quarter of my support, and I'm still counting. God has been showing me that He is more than able to foot the bill for the work He's called me to. Please pray that I would continue to trust God and not be discouraged.

God bless you all, and thank you so much for your support. I pray that God will continually reveal is power to you.