May 18, 2006
Xn/FSM 421 — May 2006
AM
By the Japan regional JT board
This was our first time to participate in a global joint effort to bring yet more souls to the Kingdom of God—how could we resist being a part of this royal commission? Japan is ripe and ready to harvest, open, sheepy, needy, friendly, and searching.
Only moments after reading about the mission that would take place internationally by each JETT/teen board, the discussion began amongst our board members:
"That's a tall order. Can it be done?" was our initial response.
"Of course it can!" Jesus replied.
"In Japan?" questioned the board members. "It takes a long time to harvest in Japan."
"Check out the number of Japanese disciples in the Family," Jesus said.
So we thumbed through a year-end GN, "A Look at 2000," (ML #3321:120, GN 926) and were thrilled, encouraged, and convicted to see that five years ago, there were 90 live-out Japanese disciples—the third highest Family live-out nationality as of that year. What a field!
We cleared our throats, and looked at each other for our next course of action. It came with the following resolution: "Enough sitting around thinking up reasons of why it can't be done. The Lord says it can be done, Queen Maria says it can be done, so we know that it can be done! Besides, we have got the coolest, most on-fire bunch of young disciples here in Japan!—True Samurais (even some Ninjas), and there are thousands of reasons why the Lord can do it!"
We set out on our journey to get down with the Lord and ask Him the details: When? How? Who? What? He answered specifically and perfectly with encouragement, ensuring us that He would do it through the young people if we took the first two steps. Our beginning steps were: starting an all-out WIP (Witnessing Incentive Program) in the summer, followed by the AIP in the winter.
Why the WIP?
Right around the time we had planned to launch the AIP in Japan, media persecution broke out. So the Lord directed us to hold on launching the AIP, and to first launch a WIP in the summer. He said: "The WIP will be a stepping stone to the AIP and will help to ignite the fires of witnessing in the hearts and lives of the young people in Japan. It will also help the FGAs and SGAs get on fire about going out and reaching the lost once again."
The WIP was a summer project. All those who won souls and were able to get an address of someone that they could later follow up on and possibly activate would be eligible to attend a summer camp full of Word, music, fellowship, exciting skits, fun talk times, and the AIP presentation.
So everyone hit the road, went out witnessing, passed out tracts and won souls everywhere. Many souls were won and all the young people were able to attend the summer camps of 2005, where they received the AIP vision and the commission to go "subs wild"! Praise God!
It has been an adventurous journey indeed. As board members we were floored when the young people caught the fire with 100 times more fervor and passion than we had displayed—and we are hard to beat. Ha!
The regional AIP launch meetings were held in September and October for the JETTs, teens, and YAs, as well as the FGAs and SGAs. As we shared the challenge from Mama to the young people, an electrifying ripple of excitement ran through their ranks, and they lit up with determination to do exactly what Mama and the Lord had challenged them to do.
We were swept up with questions by the young people, who eagerly wanted to know every detail about their mission, and counted the hours till it would begin. Each young person received a copy of the AIP material we had prepared for them, and they studied their mission manuals until their black-and-white copies were a glowing yellow from highlighting every detail they possibly could. On a screen projector we flashed up "all the things we stand to gain" from participating in this witnessing venture. (At the end of the program, when we read the testimonies that the young people had written after the AIP, we found that they had gained all these things and more.)
The meetings for the FGAs and SGAs for both west and east Japan were equally inspiring as we discussed practical ways to assist, support, and ensure that the young people had all the backing they needed to focus on the AIP. The JT board and Home members were to become the support staff for this project.
"It doesn't matter if you don't win, all that matters is that you try!" was our motto. "Try to get out the Word through Activated. Put in the hours, win souls, then everyone is a winner."
The AIP lasted for two months in our area. Prizes were announced, and the Homes started setting aside funds toward additional prizes for the contestants. The donations that came in were most certainly from the pockets of sacrifice, but everybody gave willingly. Others also looked into ways to host parties, lunch gatherings, and witnessing adventures for the young people. Praise God!
So that everyone could stay in the loop on how everyone was doing, the JT board put up a "Battle Log of Ongoing Greatness" (a.k.a. BLOG). This was updated daily, so that everyone could share their own "what's up with the AIP" testimonies and keep that godly competition brewing. In those updates were testimonies of inspiration, activation, and even miracles!
The Activation Angels and San-bahd-mahl were undoubtedly having a blast, along with our specific spirit helpers for Japan—Lan-ti, Methodius, John Wycliffe, Jeremiah, and others.
The 1st prize winners in each age group won a ticket to a new-bottle country, Taiwan, to visit a FD witnessing Home and to experience witnessing in a different field! The 2nd and 3rd prize winners won MP3 players. Additional token prizes went to everyone who excelled in any of the contest categories, along with the international AIP pendant and an AIP certificate.
These physical prizes are nothing compared to what the Lord has in store for everyone who gave it their all, and who continue to give it their all in winning souls for Him.
Praise God for a moving and changing God, for Mama and Peter, and a Family that is full of life, fire, vision, obedience, and the determination to stay dropped out till the very end.
The contest:
* 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place win the grand prize for subscriptions distributed
* winners for souls
* winners for witnessing hours
* winners for tracts out
* winners for other tools out
Hitomi (18): The AIP helped me become outgoing and have more faith to depend on the Lord, prayer, the keys, and our spirit helpers.
My biggest obstacle at the beginning was that I couldn't say things as smoothly as I would have liked to and would often get stuck between sentences, but I just had to go out and do it anyway. Once you ring someone's doorbell, you can't very well run away out of shyness or fear. Just buckling down and doing it helped me immensely.
Isamu (18): The AIP made our Home get all of our friends subscribed to Activated. I've also learned a lot of practical things that aid in follow-up, like handling addresses, organizing contacts, etc.
Aiki (17): During our Home's GP Christmas party, I was asked to give an Activated presentation to 80+ people who attended. At first it was difficult to do, but thankfully, when I got on stage the Lord came through for me and I managed to say a few lines about the Activated mags. At the end of the night, I got three subscriptions!
Paula (YA): It was fun thinking of different ways to present Activated. My Japanese is far from perfect, so it was exciting to be able to get subscriptions in people's hands, knowing that it would have lasting effect in the subscribers' lives.
Mia (YA): I was not enthusiastic about the AIP when I first heard about it, but after studying up on it and learning presentation methods, I gradually gained the vision for it. It's satisfying to know that each subscription will change someone's life. It also helped me to get the vision to improve my Japanese so that I can be a better witness and reach the rich.
Hikaru (YA): It was exciting to see all the teens on fire about the AIP. I was inspired to see that it was possible to get subscriptions in Japan, which can be a difficult field. I was encouraged by the amount of subscriptions we got out, and I'm thankful for Mama who challenged us to push Activated.
Florence (ST): I like to have a goal to shoot for, and the AIP was something that the Lord used to motivate me to get busy doing something worthwhile. There's so much instruction in the Word, and I knew I'd be happy if I could find that inner strength to get out there and do what the Word says. The AIP provided that inner strength and motivation for me.
The Lord told me: "The AIP is not about winning, it's about giving it your all. It's about proving to yourself that it can be done and that you can do it. So let the AIP fade into the background and realize that the point is to give your all, every minute, until the last. The AIP made you start, but don't let it stop [there], or you cancel out its purpose. I want you to go out by faith that I am in control. Even if, in the end, you don't win first or second place, you're witnessing, and if you witness you always win."
Japan Top Listings
Junior teens:
1st prize: David (15) — 22 subs
2nd prize: Yoshiya (15) — 20 subs
3rd prize: Sean (14) — 7 subs
Senior teens:
1st prize: Aiki (17) — 52 subs
2nd prize: Kazue (16) — 46 subs
3rd prize: Florence (16) — 45 subs
YAs:
1st prize: Jewel (18) and Isamu (18) — 30 subs (each)
2nd prize: Hitomi (18) — 28 subs
3rd prize: Hiki (20) — 20 subs
The prize:
First place winner in each age bracket (junior teen/senior teen/ YA) was awarded a two week trip to Taiwan. To be eligible for this prize, each participant wrote in with a confirmation of their AIP stats, along with verification from their JT counselor and one member of their Home's Steering Council.
Japan AIP Statistics
Junior teen participation: 15
Senior teen participation: 28
YA participation*: 21
Activated subscriptions: 423
Souls won: 4,370
Activated mags: 2,320
Witnessing hours: 3,814.2
Tracts: 37,422
CDs/CD cards: 555
CD books: 63
Other tools: 226
(*Although the AIP was mainly geared to the JETTs and teens, some areas included YAs in their program.)
Ivan (regional JT board member), Japan: I'm proud of the JETTs, teens, and YAs who put their all behind this program and made it a reality. It was thrilling to share this vision with them last year, and then to watch the stats roll in. As the Lord promised, though it started slowly, it gradually built up, and the end results were spectacular, especially when compared to what little was happening with Activated in our area before then.
God bless you, Mama, for having the faith and drive to push this through. It was definitely because of your faith that this took off. You gave the call, and it has been life changing to answer the call and see miracles happen.
By Haven, for the North America JT board
The AIP for the U.S. and Canada lasted from October 1st until December 31st, 2005. We had originally planned for it to last only two months, but as it was going so well, we decided to extend it for an additional month. The main focus for our AIP was … subscriptions! In order to be a winner, and be eligible to attend Wordstock III 2006, each of the JETTs and teens needed to get out a minimum of two subscriptions for JETTs, four subscriptions for junior teens, and five subscriptions for senior teens.
The North American AIP was for all JETTs and teens (12-17). The only difference in the program was that there were different prizes for each age group.
We wanted the minimum goal to be low enough so that everyone could reach it, and thereby attend Wordstock III 2006, but it also needed to be a challenge so that they would need to put some effort into it if they wanted to win the prizes. We figured that if nearly all the 220 JETTs and teens at least reached their minimum, then that would be about 700 subscriptions for our region.
For each of the age groups (JETTs, junior, and senior teens) we offered a grand prize for the individual who got the most subscriptions, as well as a prize for the runner-up. The grand prize winner for the JETT category got 42 subscriptions out and the runner-up got 37. In the junior teen category the grand prize winner got 86 subscriptions out and the runner-up got 57. In the senior teen category the grand prize winner got 19 and the runner-up got 17. Wow!
We added an AIP section to our website (www.wordstockrocks.com) which had updates on the AIP with tips, testimonies, subscription totals, etc. Having this site helped to consolidate this information in one place. We also sent out a brief e-mail news update every so often, just to keep in touch with the JETTs and teens. The JT board members were given lists of all the JETTs and teens in their areas, along with their telephone numbers, so that they could call them periodically to see how they were doing with the AIP.
The North American AIP focused only on Activated subscriptions because subscriptions have been low in our region. A very popular and fruitful method of getting out the Activated magazines here is through the "Home-Grown Method," where a Home gives Activated mags to their friends and contacts personally, usually on a monthly basis. However, subscriptions were often thought of as being too difficult to get. The JETTs and teens have now helped to change this mindset!
The testimonies from around the region about the JETTs and teens getting subscriptions were amazing. They had flyers and special subscription forms to present to their contacts, friends, and relatives, as well as through DTD, STS, and parking lot witnessing. It was exciting to see what the young people were able to do.
The majority of the JETTs and teens who participated in the AIP had never even gotten out a subscription before. For many of them, it took faith to step out and do it. The U.S. and Canada are glutted with thousands of worldly magazines on just about every topic you can imagine. It seemed to many that it would be a hard sell to get an Activated subscription. However, when the JETTs and teens presented the magazine, along with the explanation that it was to help them attend a summer camp, many people quickly signed up for a yearly subscription.
Grand Prize:
Free entrance to Wordstock III (usual entrance fee waived)
Free set of Wordstock '05 music DVDs
VIP pass at Wordstock III, which includes:
* immediate registration upon arrival
* front of the line at mealtimes
* allowed backstage during some concert nights
* riding in the management golf cart at times
* fellowshipping with the staff at one of their late-night activities
(Since Wordstock is an event for over 300 people, not having to wait in line at registration and mealtimes is quite a privilege, ha!)
Jesse Youngblood (of Susanna), USA: Susanna and I took Kevin to see one of our friends whom we had been ministering to, so that he could talk to him about the AIP. After Kevin explained the program to this man and his wife, he immediately agreed to sign up for a subscription. We asked if he'd like to refer us to someone else whom he thought might be interested. He replied that his business associate would arrive at any moment and that we could offer it to him.
When his associate, Ray, arrived, Kevin presented the program to him as well, explaining all about Wordstock and how the "prize" of the AIP program was to attend this music festival. Ray asked about the entrance fee to Wordstock, and Kevin replied that the attendees would have to raise those funds themselves.
Ray said, "Well, we will have to do something about that." Then he wrote Kevin a check for $100 toward his Wordstock entrance fee. Then to top it off, the other business associate offered to help also, and wrote Kevin a $50 check for his Wordstock entrance fee. Wow!
In a few minutes, Kevin was able to get two subscriptions and $150 toward the cost of attending Wordstock! It pays to "sell" the whole vision and not just the magazine.
Tracy (of Joan, East U.S. JT board member), USA: It has been great to see our teens' faith growing through this program. Many of them have been changing from depending largely on the team leader to show them what to do, to becoming team leaders themselves and taking the younger and less-experienced ones out to get Activated subscriptions.
It proves what Dad has taught, that if you give our young people the responsibility, they are fully capable of carrying it out.—All they need is a little faith from us.
North America AIP Statistics
JETTs participation: 95
Junior/senior teen participation: 125
Activated subscriptions: 1,000
By the SSA JT board
The AIP program for the SSA area spanned five months, and was launched May 25th, 2005, and concluded on October 25th, 2005. Though divided into two national areas, ABPC (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile) and VEC (Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia), our programs were equivalent and incorporated 119 participants ages 12-17.
Our program structure was simple: The JETTs and teens were scored monthly on the following three fields of performance—Activated subscriptions, Activated magazine distribution, and active involvement in their Home's follow-up activities and/or 12 Foundation Stones classes. Within these fields, points were allotted equitably, with subscriptions taking the lion's share, so as to give them extra promotion.
In both national areas of SSA, a camp was held as the final prize for each of the AIP participants, who in our books and in our hearts, are champions!
Thank You, Jesus, for the AIP! And thank You for our JETTs' and teens' determination, faith, obedience, and freedom of the spirit! We are fascinated by the miracles of witnessing, guidance, provision, and protection we have witnessed throughout the AIP.
"The keys are more powerful than your mind can fathom and will work miracles that will astound you."
SSA AIP Statistics
JETT participation: 43
Junior/senior teen participation: 76
Activated subscriptions: 692
Activated mags: 26,894
Souls won: 7,273
Classes given: 619
By Lali (SGA), Chile
In the Santiago, Chile, area, an AIP activity was held each month to keep the motivation soaring. Among these activities was a two-day persecution prep seminar hosted by the PR and JT boards. Other activities included a rock'm sock'm Holy Ghost sample at a local university, and simple afternoon get-togethers with a snack, movie, and testimonies, a hike, and outdoor inspiration.
A chart was created for JETT/teen counselors in every Home to complete and send in to the board on a monthly basis. The boards, JETT/teen monitors, and board representatives of each of the other countries of our national area (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and Chile) also held AIP motivational activities and meetings. A beautiful color bulletin designed by Cedro (board member), was circulated by e-mail each month as a way to share stats, testimonies, and motivational messages from the Lord and spirit helpers.
Although the camp was meant to be the most significant prize of all, in addition, three grand prizes were promised to the leading finalists. These prizes were made possible by our area's YAs and SGAs, who contributed a small sum monthly for this purpose. (We couldn't have made it without you guys! You're tops!)
The camp was funded by the JETTs and teens primarily through their witnessing. After devising a proposed camp budget at the onset of the program, the Homes were encouraged to set aside a specific amount toward it each month. We hoped this would both help the Homes avoid having to pay a large sum right before the camp, as well as give the board a pulse on our income throughout the program.
Miracles right and left, and the JETTs' and teens' determination and faith were the defining features of our AIP. Our limited faith was often put to shame by the simple obedience and conviction of our young people. Beautiful demonstrations of camaraderie, enthusiasm, and working tirelessly for a goal were witnessed by every Home we communicated with. As a board, we feel honored to have served the young people in this role!
We want to highlight intercessory prayer as the driving force behind our program, and thank all you parents, counselors, JETTs and teens and individuals who made the AIP a reality through your prayers. We regularly relied on the help and intervention of the White Angel, DeCynder, Anya, ELMO, San-bahd-mahl, Tor, Tola, Dad, and the Activation Angels.
Our camp was held from October 31st to November 4th, 2005, beating our best expectations at a 90+ gathering of on-fire youth that left us wanting more!
By Carmen (of Juan, SSA JT RBC), Chile
The rousing AIP culminated in a five-day outdoor camp held in Mendoza, Argentina, with attendees from Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. We were 97 people in total: 5 board members, 5 staff members, 9 monitors, and 78 JETTs and teens (12-17).
The Lord wanted this camp to be fun for the JETTs and teens as a token of His love and appreciation for their effort and witnessing during the AIP. We had a wide range of activities which included Word classes, outdoor sports, games, inspiration, band night, rafting, trekking, rappelling, swimming, dancing, bonfire with Gypsy dancing, and some witnessing. The camp location is a popular spot for other school camps with young people, and they were continually attracted to our lively music and get-togethers. One night a school group joined our campfire inspiration and dancing and ended up getting saved.
We also had a meeting to read Mama's message and the spectacular messages from the Lord for this specific occasion, and to pass out prizes to our top soul winner, our top subscription shiner, and our top three-point shiners. We then passed out the beautiful silver pendants (which we had kept as a surprise until the close of our meeting). We emphasized the point that everyone who participated was a winner, because each one had to overcome something in order to "shine" in their witness. We knew the Lord wanted to reward not only the most points, but more importantly the effort put forth by each one in order to be a witness.
Each JETT and teen came up to the front to receive their pendants, and I personally felt proud of each one of these guys. This camp was one of my first interactions with the JETTS and teens in this area, and it was a privilege for me to meet these amazing people!
There were as many varied reactions to the pendants as there were people. We also gave pendants to the board members, staff, and monitors, without which we would never have been able to pull off the camp.
We had managed to get a group photo (97 people!), which we printed and gave to each attendee at the closing meeting, along with a bookmark that held a message from Jesus (in rhyme) received for this particular occasion. Each one again made their way to the front to receive their diploma.
When the fifth day rolled around, we headed home. I was becoming fast attached to these beautiful people, and if I didn't get home soon, I would have never been able to leave! My life has changed through seeing the changes in our young people manifested in such a short time—and to think that this is only the beginning!
By Panchi (16), Chile
The day has just begun and the excitement is apparent. It's the third day of our AIP camp, but what makes today so special? All we know is what the monitors and staff have told us—that we're going to have a blast. People can be heard talking excitedly outside our cabins, and our monitors are waking us up so we don't miss breakfast.
In the hotel restaurant, there are six occupied tables with about 95 Family members all singing, "Thank You, Jesus, for this food. …" We're thankful it's packed with the Lord's Spirit! The waiters soon realize that we're not as odd as we sound, and they venture to bring us the delicious food. (And they eventually warmed up to us enough to learn the "Revolution—for Jesus!" slogan, motions and all!)
After devotions we load into two buses that will take us to our destination, which is where we'll go hiking, rafting, trekking, rappelling, and more. The bus ride is filled with excited conversation and singing. Everyone occasionally joins in to loud renditions of "Quacky Was a Duck," "Let's Get Back to the Garden," and other such songs from our childhood.
The first activity of the day is rafting. Our adventure begins as we have the time of our life getting soaked to our bones (and socks). Some fall out of the boats, but in an act of true friendship, some of the adventure-seeking boat-mates rescue those who had fallen overboard.
The fun is far from over once we touch land again. After lunch, we enjoy more swimming and relaxing at the rafting resort, and then learn that we're scheduled to hike up a high mountain—a journey that will take us approximately 20 hours (all right, less than two, in fact, but the hill was huge). It was rumored that there would be some sort of fun at the end of the hike. Our bravery is challenged as we climb in the hot sun, wondering if it will be worth it at all, or if it is, in fact, a plan of the monitors to make sure we're too tired to misbehave.
Although some of us thought it would never end, we finally arrived—in one piece—at the "promised land," which turned out to be a precipice equipped for rappelling. Cool! It was great!
Before we know it, a band of exhausted trekkers is back on the bus making their way to the hotel where dinner and a movie await us. This will be a day to remember, because there's nothing like fellowship with fellow brothers and sisters who sincerely love and appreciate each other. And all this, of course, thanks to our beautiful Lord and Lover!
*
By Isabel (21), Colombia
After five months of intense witnessing and distributing 12,787 Activated mags, getting 425 Activated subscriptions, participating in 319 12 Foundation Stones classes, and winning 4,456 souls, someone might think that the teens would need some rest and recuperation. Well, not our teens! They were as energetic as ever and were ready for the long trip to the final event of the AIP—the camp!
The camp officially started on a Monday at 7:30 pm, and was held at a beautiful five star tourist resort by the Caribbean. But once more their dedication surpassed the call of duty. Faithful to Family teaching ("Don't just be on time, be early!"), they started showing up at the paradisiacal tourist resort at 7:30 am! Amazing!
The 50 attendees from our region spent a marvelous four-day stay at the resort. Accommodations included two buffet-style meals a day, so abundant that the teens never did finish all the food available!
We also enjoyed the beach, swimming pools, sports facilities, and more; but most importantly, our young people had a chance to get to know one another better and fellowship.
Although the AIP contest included prizes for the three winners for top sales in Activated, the camp was the best prize of all, and each JETT and teen in the area deserved this prize. We also had a nice ceremony to distribute AIP medals, gifts, diplomas, and prizes.
This camp was a gift from the Lord for their obedience to answer the call, their faithfulness throughout the AIP, their sacrifices to step out by faith to do something different, and for rising above their timidity and/or lack of experience in this form of witnessing. They were rightful winners of this special prize. We are so proud of them; they've made a difference!
This year our JETTs and teens haven't only been the hope of the future, but have been our heroes and heroines of today.
By the VEC JT board
Because the teens arrived earlier in the day and left later than planned, we had an extra day and a half to enjoy the place, thus making our vacations/camp longer. But all this wasn't free, and the Devil never seems to be on vacation. But that helped us to militantly intercede in prayer and that's when miracles happened.
Two Homes, with a total of 16 teens, raised the final amount of funds needed for the camp the very day before their departure. Praise God! But the Lord had more challenges—and thus more miracles—lined up for them. When they arrived at the border with their two vehicles, they weren't allowed to cross. The authorities explained that there was a new and unexpected required document for vehicles, without which they couldn't let them pass. The team spent most of the day at the border until finally they drove back to a nearby city to get that paper.
Meanwhile, everyone at the camp prayed desperately for them, exercising the new weapons on their behalf. The Devil is so shortsighted—he tried to stop the teens from attending the camp, but instead got over 20 teens desperately praying for their peers, claiming the keys on their behalf and calling our heavenly host of teamworkers to give us a needed hand!
The next day everyone made it to the camp. The administrator of the resort allowed the latecomers to stay an extra day to make up for the missed day. By the time all the attendees made it to the resort, the hotel staff and employees had been saved. You should have seen the big, spontaneous party that went on when the team arrived after the heavy but victorious spiritual battle just fought.
Another attack was the weather. It was nice for the most part, but after the first two days we realized that every day from 3 pm to 6 pm we had to expect heavy rain. Our plan wasn't working anymore, so the Lord led us to change the schedule. We moved the main restaurant meal from dinner to lunch and changed the united devotions from the morning to the afternoon, thus held our indoor activities while it was raining. This way, the next three days went very smoothly, and we weren't affected by the weather. It taught us that our success wasn't dependent on our organizational skills and plans, but on hearing from the Lord step by step. This way, we were able to host all the activities on the agenda, which included a bonfire at the beach with marshmallows, a dance night, AIP stats and highlights meetings, games, a beach hike, sports, etc.
The Lord blessed the camp greatly, and even the difficulties became blessings in disguise, helping us all stay tuned in to the spirit, thus including the Lord more in everything.
By the Africa JT board
The sky was gray and menacing, as the pitter-patter of raindrops sounded on our window pane. Despite the clime, we woke up that morning still terrifically drunk on New Wine, bathed in Activated enthusiasm, our breath smelling like fresh Moses-David wine, and our minds reeling with the excitement of partaking in another AIP escapade as on-fire Jesus freaks.
We set off on our journey to another Home in the area, where we enjoyed a power-packed devotions. There we were armed with new personalized spirit help from beyond to aid us in our witnessing!
Raining or not, we were going to hit the streets with the white-hot message of Activated. "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel!" one of our very own Jesus freaks called out. Next, a zealous JETT leapt to his feet shouting, "God is love!" We neared our target location, undeterred by the rain. After a stirring inspiration in the car, with hoarse voices and sore fingers, we were ready for a great day of activating!
Unbeknownst to the masses, sirens went off in the netherworld, alerting the demons of our presence and our plan of attack—to rescue the masses from the clutches of darkness. In an attempt to stop our efforts to reach the lost, a stern policeman came over to question our presence and the purpose for our singing. We weren't going to let that stop us; we'd come with a mission that we intended to complete. After a brief explanation, the guard allowed us to resume.
We knew it would have to be our love for the sheep (and not the prizes) that would motivate us to hit the streets and win souls. We wanted to activate the world! As one participant put it, "We were going out to feed the sheep and tell them about the Lord's love. It didn't matter about the competition or the amount of subscriptions we got out; what mattered most was that we were letting people know about God's love for them!"
Looking at the surrounding masses, fear and panic attempted to grip us, but … NO! We would allow them no place. We were on a mission to rescue the poor flatlanders and show them that there was more beyond their 2D vision. Claiming the power of the keys, we went forth.
Sporting our "Say Yes to Jesus" paraphernalia (a.k.a. shirts) we began our blitz, though feeling somewhat out of place. How could we possibly relate to these beings? But then our Supreme Being reminded us that it was not of ourselves or in our singing that we would reach them; only He could break them out of their flatlander surroundings. What He needed from us was yieldedness—putty, play dough, moldable, fifth-dimension vessels to do His bidding and spread the Activated message.
Armed for combat with Activated, we divided into teams to conquer and forged our way into the System! We spread out into the surrounding buildings, claiming our spirit helpers as we went, so that nothing could hold us back or stop our rain! Our witnessing encounters were awesome! We were so high on Jesus when we saw what He did with Activated.—The miracles, the fun, and the transformed flatlanders … you just can't beat it!
No longer afraid of being odd, we didn't care what anyone thought of us, we just sat right down next to them, and gave them our message. Even those hiding behind their well-constructed defenses were not safe from our message. We bravely stormed every building, looking for a likely candidate to receive the Activated message. Plus we had a decisive plan of action. …
Wherever we went, we would put our arms around the people we met and give them a hug and tell them that Jesus loved them. It seemed that after a hug, all we had to do was ask them to subscribe, and they would. This may seem simple to you—too simple, perhaps—but it worked.
Our methods were unorthodox, but they worked, as this activating account shows: "We headed toward a shop where another team had already been, but we decided to try again. At first the man said that he had lots of material like this already, and wasn't interested. We explained to him about the need to invest in feeding his soul, and how this magazine was different, better than anything that he had ever seen. He was still reluctant, however, but instead of leaving, we told him to ask the Lord if He wanted him to get this magazine.
"We shut our eyes and bowed our heads before he had a chance to think, praying desperately that the Lord would get through. We saw the Lord working in his life just like that! In less than a minute, he was filling in his details on the subscription form. It was such a transformation."
Our tactics and testimonies are so numerous. We would not have enough time to go over the many far-out things that the AIP (*Alien Invaders Preoccupation) has done for us!
This program has changed the lives of not only our JETTs and teens, but it's changed ours too! It's like some great intergalactic treasure, which once you have acquired you cannot do without. Thank you, our space commander queen! You're awesome!
The only way we can describe what we feel and how we feel about this "thing" is…
(Sings:) We're going forth to conquer, conquer. We're going forth to conquer the galaxies. We're going forth with the Words of Activated. We're going forth with the words of love. …
Trisha (17): The AIP was very exciting because we saw lives changed as we got out there with Activated.
AIP participant: While out one day I started explaining Activated in my rehearsed lines, but the man I was presenting it to didn't seem too convinced. Then I got a sudden urge in my heart that the Lord didn't want me to use the "normal lines" I usually use, but He wanted me to say what He had to say to this man. So I opened my mouth, and the words came forth.
AIP participant: Through the AIP, I learned a very big lesson. I used to have a great fear of being caught somewhere without food—a fear that haunted me ever since childhood. But thanks to Activated I have since been "released." I no longer spend my days in fear, collecting and storing food in my pockets as if I was Joseph in Egypt. Activated is it, man! Every time we went out with Activated, the food "came" to us!—We never went hungry. We could have fed Africa with all the food the Lord kept supplying. Now I just carry Activated with me everywhere I go; it's the charm.
David (17): I hadn't been activating before the AIP, so this was a bit of a new experience for me. It put a whole new perspective on witnessing, and helped me to see firsthand that Activated is the future for all of us.
AIP participant: Going out activating has been a real challenge for me and has taught me to stretch my faith.
Daniel (13): This program was inspiring; every time we went out we met so many sheep.
Pearl (national JT board member), South Africa: To see the Revolution burn wildly in the hearts of the JETTs and teens has been an experience for me. To see their fire grow hotter and hotter the more they go out is beautiful, and I love being there to catch some of that fire!
When the AIP was first launched, the JETTs and teens set out with more faith that it could be done than some of us had. God bless their faith!
On the first evening, they set out with their guitars, and by the end of the evening they had three subscriptions out. Within the following days, 11 people had eagerly signed up for the life-changing magazine. What inspired me the most was to see these young people forget about the prize and just put the Lord and His sheep first.
In the past, our Home had found it difficult to get results from the subscriptions, but our wonderful teens and JETTs found the key to people's hearts. I'm so proud of them for their step of faith, and their belief that it can be done. They've proven it as they went out with the keys in hand.
At the start of the AIP, we encouraged each of the participants to ask the Lord for spirit help as they set out with Activated. Below are some excerpts from the messages they received from Jesus about known and new spirit helpers, and how they will aid them in activating our part of the globe.
(Jesus:) I will send mighty legions of warriors with you, to defend the weak and to bring My sheep to you. Don't be afraid because you have all the power of Heaven at your command!
Boheme
(Jesus:) Call on him against the pride that would hold you down.
Chimbebwe
(Jesus:) He will protect and keep you during your times of witnessing. He will also help you to praise Me and thank Me for everything.
David Livingstone
(Jesus:) He will help you to see the hearts of men, and give you courage to speak the truth of My words. He will help you go places that you've never been before, to do things you've never done with Activated. He will help you pioneer the way, for he knows the potential of Africa better than any man.
Dawn
(Jesus:) She will help you shine for Me in all that you do. She belongs to San-bahd-mahl's team, and has been waiting for you to call on her. So do so, and you will see miracles like never before.
Flame
(Jesus:) I am going to use her to inspire the young to burn like an inferno for Me; to burn out of control and set this world on fire with My revolutionary spirit. She is best able to help you when you step out by faith, forsake your pride, and humble yourself for Me.
Haffad
(Jesus:) He will help you to make the right choices throughout the day. He is full of wisdom. I have appointed him with this wisdom in order to help you, My child.
Maryinvae and Shalgeni
(Jesus:) I give you a new helper, Maryinvae. She will work closely with Shalgeni to help you witness. They will both stand beside you to open the different aspects that you need during your witnessing.
San-bahd-mahl
(Jesus:) He will assist you. Go forth, claim his power, and you shall see miracles! Call on him to touch people's hearts.
Shakespeare
(Jesus:) You can know what words to say if you call on him.
Sibile (pronounced: Si-bee-lé)
(Jesus:) He is at your command. Call on him, and he will be there to aid you in your quest. He will help you to be My shining light unto this world. Are you ready?'
Stella
(Jesus:) She will come and help you in your plight, as you win people to My Kingdom.
Tananik
(Jesus:) She will rally your spirit. She is a fighter, and will help you to fight and to win.
William Wallace
(Jesus:) He was one of My real revolutionaries; he hated the System of his time and wanted to be free and live free and burn free. Use the anointing that I have blessed him with, and you will be victorious today.
Cover: Yoshimi (YA), Japan
Recommended reading for ages 12 and up. May be read to younger ages at parents' discretion.
Copyright © 2006 by The Family International