Thinking about Ashley today, and those she loved so much, and celebrating the fact that our God is greater than seemingly random and tragic events like the accident that took her from this life three years ago today.

Thank you Christa [Fruitcake!] for being the light of the world at the University of Florida and for showing Ashley, and all of us, the rare and compelling grace of the One who rescues and restores.

Our lives [and this world] will never be the same!
LG

Many of you have been asking for updates from our friend Hannah Redd as she shares the story of grace among the Koso people of Mali, Africa.

[If you're new to the journey, we all met Hannah back in September during the Passion 2010 Live Link, an event she was supposed to be joining us for from Mali, where she was working among a people group called the Koso with no known Believers.  Our hearts were crushed that day at the news that Hannah's mom had suddenly died here in the Atlanta area, and though Hannah was already on a plane back to the States during the link, thousands prayed for her family and the Koso that night via the web stream.  While she was home for a few weeks following her mom's death, we at Passion City Church got to meet and pray for Hannah.  And, on the night before she returned to Africa in November, we were privileged to come around her as a church and send her out again.]

This came from Hannah and her team over the weekend:

“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”

This scripture was brought to life yesterday here in a small village in Mali as myself and Mr. Y, a Malian Christian, sat with 20 or so men and women who were eager to here the word of God. After some storying and explanation, they answered with “We are ready, tell us exactly what we need to do to follow this Jesus road!” Praise the Lord, not only did 6 Koso men and women receive Christ yesterday but 12 others from 5 different people groups received Christ too! Already these new believers are asking how to gather, how to pray, and so many other questions that can only be explained by the work of the Holy Spirit. Before we left the village yesterday, I challenged each of the new believers to tell at least 5 people each what happened in their lives today to which they replied, “That won’t be a problem, we’ll gather the whole village and tell them!”

I am so happy and amazed by God, I don’t think there are adequate human words to describe the feeling.  Honestly, over the past year there were few days when I truly believed I would ever be here to see a Koso man or woman come to know Christ as savior. But praise Him that He is the God and Father of all things and that He does more than we could ever fathom or expect.

Please join us in praying and rejoicing for these new believers who are so hungry for the Word. Pray that their faith is strong and endures and that it produces much fruit in the coming days and weeks!

Rejoicing with you

hannah

I agree with you, Hannah.  Human words seem to fail in this moment, but not shouts of praise!!  History is being made right before our eyes, the promise of God being fulfilled as we carry the message of Jesus to the nations.  Thousands around the wold are shouting with you, rejoicing in what God is doing…and we are all believing this little tribe among the Koso will become a mighty nation for His renown! Hannah, we love you and our hearts are with you and all those working throughout Mali.

Until the whole world hears…

LG

It’s hard to believe it’s here, but in just a few short weeks we will be off for the first leg of the Passion 2010 World Tour, returning to Kyiv, London, Tokyo, Manila and Hong Kong.  [Later this fall Sao Paulo and Vancouver!]

We are so excited to be back in these cities, building on what God allowed us to experience in 2008.  Our friendships with church partners and campus ministries have expanded since then, and there is a great energy in the conversations we are having with students and ministry leaders about the next generation God is raising up around the globe.

First up, Kyiv, Ukraine, and then on to a two-day gathering in London and one-night stops in the Pacific Rim cities of Tokyo, Manila and HK!

Obviously, if you’re anywhere near these stops we want to see you there.  But there is a place for everyone in the Passion Movement to be involved…and we need your support.  Will you consider taking at least one city and making it a strategic focus of prayer?

As well, these events are priced incredibly low so that there is no financial hurdle for those wanting to be a part.  Those of you at Passion 2010 were amazingly generous and gave over $200K to help get things started, but the expense for all seven cities is ten times that amount.  We are trusting we will see God provide in beautiful and miraculous ways, and hope you will be a part of that process.

We will be posting a specific prayer focus for each city in the coming weeks (and recording Podcasts in each place), but for now, all the info is on the Passion World Tour 2010 website.

Check it out and join the journey for His renown!

LG