In 1990 I met Dave Nichols in Alabama. I have had the privilege to be with Dave many times over the years. He is the principal at Land O’ Lakes Christian School. We were blessed to have another week there and are grateful for all the Lord did in hearts!
Annaleese, the Ranger co-captain, was able to get connected with a young lady on her team. On Wednesday, she responded in the invitation. She had been raised by her grandparents, but then recently abandoned by them. She was struggling with hurt and bitterness towards the situation. That day, she prayed and gave it all to God, deciding to trust God in the trial and forgive those who had hurt her. On Friday, she eagerly stood up to share her testimony:
“There are a lot of things that God showed me throughout the week and one of them…was when…he was talking about forgiving others and don’t let hatred overcome you…I was living with my grandparents for quite some time because of family struggles…I was left by myself … when they [Grandparents] kick us out…I was frustrated about that for awhile, but then… I heard that God can use struggles in life to help you…thankfully the Lord got me through that.”
Julianna, the Seal co-captain, gave her testimony of assurance during Monday chapel. Her testimony hit home for several of the students listening. One girl wanted to go talk with Julianna all week, but just didn’t have the courage. On Friday, in the chapel invitation, she responded and talked with Julianna. She got her salvation nailed down that day.
Matthew, the Ranger team captain, had a young man on his team who had just joined the school that year. He did not respond at all during the week, but Matthew had a special burden for him. The team prayed for him throughout the week, and Matthew specifically prayed that he would come Friday night. The competition began, but he was not there. Then we transitioned to the inside events, and the young man was still not there. However, after the rally night had finished, a car drove up and this young man got out. Matthew engaged him in a conversation and asked him some questions. He responded that he did not know for sure that he would spend eternity in heaven. Matthew took his Bible and began answering each of his questions from God’s Word. After a couple hours around 11:45pm, this young man trusted Jesus as his personal Savior!
During the invitation on Thursday, a young man responded. He was convicted about his hidden sin. Levi, the Seal team captain, talked with him and guided him in making a game plan to get right with his parents. That evening, this young man got clean.
On Thursday, a young lady responded and began talking with Annaleese. She had transferred from a public school and had participated in some things behind her parents back while at her old school. She was convicted of her hidden sin and knew she needed to talk to her parents. That evening, she sat down and told her parents everything. She was so free and excitedly told her peers of her decision on Friday:
“I got saved when I was younger…throughout the years I didn’t really remember when I got saved so…I didn’t have that relationship with Him…I got into the wrong crowd and I hung out with the wrong people. I made some really bad decisions that I should not have done and this revival really spoke to my heart…it really stuck out to me that I have to confess my sins to the people that really need to hear it…yesterday I finally told my parents about what happened in 7th grade and it really brought relief to me…I now have a stronger bond with just Jesus.’
Simeon, the Marine team captain, noticed a young man on his team that was a leader in the school. He seemed to be involved in the competition but didn’t have a light in his countenance. God gave Simeon a burden for this young man and he began to pray specifically for him. On Wednesday, Simeon asked him if God was doing anything in his heart. He responded, “I don’t think I need to change.” We continued to pray for him. The next day, Simeon approached him again, but the young man clearly said he didn’t care about the things of God. Simeon encouraged him to read a few chapters in John. On Friday evening after the rally, this young man was waiting to talk to Simeon. He said he was willing to pursue Jesus and then remarked, “Thanks for not giving up on me!” It was neat to see God answer persistent prayer.
Two girls came back together during the Wednesday invitation. One of the girls did not want to talk or share anything. Polly, the Marine co-captain, challenged her that she’d only get help if she was willing to be open and humble. A few days later, during the Friday invitation, this girl responded. She sobbed her way through sharing her struggles. After talking with Polly, she was able to leave in victory. She testified on Friday:
“I try to be like the other people who I’m with, that are my friends and it doesn’t work because that’s not who you are and I try to find…myself in them…but you can’t really do that…you have to find yourself in your relationship with God.”
Below is another testimony from the week:
“I never felt like I had a deep relationship with Him [Jesus], like it was just I knew who He was and I believed He saved me but I never really did anything about it. Until I was 11 years old, I went to a Christian summer camp and I got baptized and I really felt revival in my life…the next year it was…great and then I just let the fear of man into my life and stuff and then I did something I should not have done…I was like broken for 6 months or so, after that… I told my parents about it and it was great. I felt so free from bondage…If you have something you’re hiding or something you’ve done, just tell them…you will feel so free.”
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