In 2003, our team found refuge at Valley Baptist Church in Edinburg, VA attempting to escape Hurricane Isobel. As a result of the storm, our next week was cancelled and Pastor Jim Bailey, who is now with the Lord, asked us to stay and do our program there. We not only had a great week, we have been coming back on a regular basis since that time. We love working with Pastor Chad Estep, who is now the pastor, but was the youth pastor back in 2003. This time we got to work with David Coltrane, the new youth pastor. We loved working with him, and we were thankful for all the Lord did in hearts.
There was a fall festival in the town the Saturday we arrived. The team was able to recruit several teens there. Alex, the Ranger captain, invited a young man and his friend there at the festival. On Wednesday evening, they both showed up. The young man tried to leave, but the Pastor’s wife was able to help him stay. That night, they both responded. Alex was able to lead the young man to the Lord, and Sydney, the Ranger co-captain, led the girl to the Lord. They commented how three years ago they had been recruited multiple times, but neither of them actually attended the war. The young man admitted that God had been pursuing Him since that point three years ago. God continued to work in his life, and he broke up with his girlfriend that night. On Saturday, Alex was able to met up with him over coffee and encourage him about baptism, church, and his relationship with God. Here is the young lady’s testimony on Friday:
“I was here Wednesday and I was going through a rough time… After all the games and stuff I decided that I needed to be saved. So, I went and I got saved and since then…a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and God has been on my side and I’m super happy!”
On Wednesday evening, a young man raised his hand for salvation, but didn’t respond. The next day during team meetings, he responded to the invitation. Jeremiah, the Marine captain, was able to lead him to the Lord and then counsel him through bitterness.
Carissa, the Marine co-captain, recruited a teen boy who was very excited on Monday. He was not able to come until Friday. He brought two friends that last night. In the invitation, he responded and was gloriously saved. Carissa approached his two friends and got into a gospel conversation with them. They also both received Christ that night.
It was a hard week to recruit due to rain. Jeremiah was on his way back from a recruiting session and was feeling a bit discouraged. He saw a teen and stopped to invite him. He didn’t seem interested and didn’t even give his number, but on Wednesday he showed up. He came back during the invitation, and Jeremiah was able to led him to the Lord. He later said that he was so thankful he came.
On Tuesday after chapel, a young girl came up to Annaleese, the Seal co-captain, and asked to talk. She was dealing with bitterness toward her dad who was in several girlfriend relationships. She came back again on Wednesday to talk further. On Thursday, she came running up to Annaleese in the lunchroom and said, “I forgave him! I forgave my dad!” She gave a testimony on Friday:
“Before now I thought that I’ve gotta fix things on my own. But on [Tuesday], I went to the back and I talked to God and my problems were answered.”
There was a young man on the Seal team who was all in throughout the week, but never responded to any of the messages. On Friday, when the opportunity for testimonies was opened up, he came back and talked to Nathan, the Seal captain. He mentioned that he had a lot of bitterness and saw his need to forgive. He gave a testimony and then afterwards, Nathan was able to talk with him and help him through to victory. He planned to talk to his parents on the way home that night.
“From a very young age, I’ve dealt with bitterness…I’d get into a fight with my parents…they’d be like go to your room. I’d go to my room and cry and be like it’s their fault…I thought about running away. I truly did. I was that bitter, but I never did it. Thank the Lord. But [this week]… I never raised my hand. I never went back when I said I was dealing with bitterness and I regret that…last night I could barely sleep…It was on my heart…I didn’t get to bed till like 1:30 at night and I just told God…ok I’m done… with my bitterness…I’ve not said anything to my parents, but I’m going to. And my sister if I get cold feet, I want you to remind me of it.”
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