Chapel at MCDS ~ by Alicia Kanode

We were asked to return to Manheim Christian Day School to lead morning chapel for the intermediate students.  Sean started by leading some fun kids’ worship songs.  Joanie then asked for volunteers and allowed the kids to participate as she shared the parable of the sower.  The student volunteers got to act out the parts of the farmer, the seeds and the birds.  The “seeds” had a lot of fun, dancing through the fields, finding a place to land, and then “growing” in their different soils!  Afterwards, Joanie shared more about what the story actually means.  Sean led in singing the song, “Open the Eyes of my Heart” and in a time of prayer, inviting the kids to respond to the lesson and to listen to what God might be speaking to each one.

Worship Night at RAIVE ~ by Alicia Kanode

We were blessed to be able to participate in a worship night led and attended by students from various colleges around the Philadelphia area.  These young people have started monthly meetings, called RAIVE, with a focus of “doing church together” as believers from different campuses, denominations and backgrounds.  

The evening started with an open-mic night, during which a few of the students shared songs that the Lord had laid on their heart.  The Firestarters worship team then led worship for the remainder of the night, while still allowing freedom for anyone to share what God was speaking to them.  During this time, Jason received a very integral word about being “a new creation in Christ.”  Another young lady shared a poem she had written, which was all about stepping out of old patterns and into freedom in Christ.  Both words seemed to hit home with the students and provided a good shift into a time of ministry.

While Sean and Joanie continued to lead worship, the rest of us had the privilege of praying with a variety of young people.  We saw God speak life and encouragement, break off guilt and condemnation, draw people away from worldly patterns, romance their hearts and bring freedom!  Thank You, Jesus!

Ministry at Lancaster County Prison ~ by Alicia Kanode

A group of us went to the prison in Lancaster to lead their Sunday night church services. When the men came into the room, one young man really caught my attention. He just looked so lost…I’m not sure I can even describe it. During the men’s service, Steve taught about the difference between temptation and sin. He used a really neat illustration by putting a line down on the floor and talking about how we often ask, “Where’s the line? How far can I go before it becomes sin?” He shared that if we’re even looking for the line, then we’re looking in the wrong direction. Instead, we need to look in the opposite direction – to Jesus. Instead of wondering how close we can get to “the line,” may we wonder how close we can get to Jesus!

Afterward, Jason invited people to raise their hands if they wanted a new heart, if instead of trying to change their external actions against their own desires, they wanted to have Godly desires on the INSIDE that would lead them into positive decisions and actions. I was so glad to see the young man I had noticed at the beginning raising his hand, as well as many others. Jason led the group in prayer and I definitely saw a change in that young man’s face by the time it was over. Many of the men responded very positively and it was so awesome to see God working in their hearts!

For the women’s service, I had felt led to share a story that I had written, which was a retelling of the Easter story. It told the story of a young woman who was on trial when Jesus came in and literally took her place. It ended with an invitation for the women to come to Jesus. After I read the story, Kim spoke to the women about their own courtroom experiences. The women seemed to really connect.

Kim then offered to pray for any individuals who wanted. Kim shared afterwards, “One in particular had started to tear up while we were talking, so I went right to her to pray and she shared that she realized she has been running for a long time and it's hard. She had some difficult stuff happen when she was young and she couldn't understand it, so she pushed God away. She felt Him drawing her back” that night. It was really a blessing to get to pray with some of the women. I tried to ask each one I prayed for if they had given their lives to Jesus and they all said, “Yes.” I was able to pray that the Holy Spirit would fill them and meet the different needs they had shared...strength, freedom from drugs, etc. I am so glad God gave me the opportunity to be part of that time, as He pursued the hearts of these precious men and women!

Chapel at Manheim Christian Day School ~ by Alicia Kanode

A group of us from Firestarters returned to Manheim Christian Day this morning to lead a chapel for the middle school students. Jen spoke to the kids from Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it?...” (HCSB). She talked about how we get into routines and shared that routines are often good, but that there also comes a time when they need to change. She encouraged the kids to look for the “new things” that God is doing in their lives and to be open to what He wants to teach them at church, as they read their Bible, etc.

After she shared, Jen led the students who wanted to participate in a prayer, asking God to show them what new things He was doing in their lives. She then invited them to share some of the things that God was doing. Although they were hesitant to speak up at first, a few of them did share and it was really neat to hear the things God is teaching each of them!

Firestarters at HDC ~ by Alicia Kanode

Firestarters had the privilege of returning to Harrisburg Discipleship Center to share about prophetic ministry. Different FS staff members shared personal stories of how God has used us to minister prophetically. We so often think of “prophetic ministry” as just words, but it can be so much bigger than that! Examples ranged from prophetic worship to dreams and even art! Diane also shared briefly from 1 Corinthians 14.

Austin and Lauren then led in a time of prophetic worship, after which, we broke up into groups with the staff and participants from HDC. Each group got to “practice” prophesying over each other, as we took time to listen to what God was saying to us for each person and then shared it with the individual. It was so encouraging to see God giving scriptures, pictures and words to each student! I especially enjoyed the times when two different people would receive the same word or picture for a friend, as it confirmed to them that God was actually speaking to them! We had a lot of fun and look forward to going back!

Firestarters at HDC ~ by Alicia Kanode

We enjoyed another amazing night ministering at the Harrisburg Discipleship Center (HDC)! We had the privilege to meet with the YES (Youth Evangelism Service) teams on their last night of training before they left for their outreach locations.

We started with a time of worship led by Austin and Lauren. During worship, Jen invited anyone to share Scripture, pictures or words that they felt the Lord was speaking to them. This was a very powerful time as students and staff members alike shared pictures and concepts that God was putting on their hearts. One girl spoke and sang in tongues and invited others to share if God gave them an interpretation. Through that time, God brought a message about coming to Him on multiple levels – for forgiveness, in worship, etc.

The group then split into their outreach teams – the Kenya team, Honduras team and HDC staff team. The EMM (Eastern Mennonite Missions) Discipleship Ministries staff joined with Firestarters staff to pray and prophesy over each team. It was so neat to see the flow of unity in this partnership as we ministered to and with the YES team members and HDC staff. God spoke to and encouraged each team as He poured His love and truth into their hearts. We can’t wait to hear the stories and testimonies from their outreaches!