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!