This was the first time The War has been to Rebecca Creek Baptist Church in Spring Branch, TX. Their Youth Pastor, Efren Collier, heard about our ministry from one of our Evangelists at Southland Christian Camp last summer and scheduled us last Fall. Pastor Leinneweber, Efren, and the church were not entirely sure what to expect, but the whole church approached the week with optimism, faith, and prayer.

Recruiting was challenging and we had many setbacks. One school let us in the lunchroom only to kick us out after the first period because the office hadn’t followed protocol. We spent time recruiting car lines at local middles schools, which didn’t appear successful, but were actually key. When we finished the first day of recruiting, we were far behind our goal—we only had 64 recruits. We found ourselves in a crisis yet again and cried out to God for deliverance.

On Friday, God gave us several breaks in direct answer to prayer. The other high school gave us a JROTC classroom and two lunch periods—and they didn’t kick us out either! Between those opportunities, another lunch room at a local private school, and several hot tips in the evening, we ended our recruiting with 309 recruits! What a miracle! What an answer to prayer!

On the first night, I wasn’t sure what to expect. We had a lot of recruits and a good number who said they were going to come, but people don’t always do what they say they’re going to do. Forty five minutes before the event began, cars began rolling into the parking lot. A steady stream rolled in for the next hour and a half, filling the parking lot and crowding the field. By the time we counted attendance inside, we had 51 teens!

Not only did we have a decent crowd, we had a ripe crowd. Though they had been quite rowdy during the competition and the comedy sketch, when we turned to the preaching, the whole room quieted down and listened intently. It was evident that God was working in hearts when, at the invitation, half the crowd stood up and went back to the counseling room! By the time everyone left, 19 precious young people had trusted Christ!

From the middle school car lines, we had recruited several parents who rounded up a crew of middle schools who came on Saturday night. We affectionately called them “The Midget Brigade” and they embraced the title with pride. In the first invitation, just about all of them responded and trusted Christ! They came back each night and brought more friends.

One of the team captains talked to a young man at the high school lunch room. His mom both brought him and his sister on Saturday night. During the invitation that night, he responded and trusted Christ. They came back all three nights and brought several more with them. On Monday night, his sister responded in the invitation and placed her trust in Christ alone. She was beaming ear to ear afterwards with joy over sins forgiven. Their mom was so impressed with what God was doing in her children’s lives, she said they were definitely coming back to church. In fact, she told us that she wanted her son to be a pastor since he was a child, and this week he told her that God was drawing him further in that direction. Wow!

Another young man came up to the team captain in the lunch room at the high school and signed up immediately. On Saturday night, he brought an SUV full of friends. They had a blast and during the invitation, he and several of his friends got saved. Each night, he brought more of his friends and more trusted Christ.

On Sunday night, one of his friends was under deep conviction and came back. Though he had a lot of hard things he was going through, he realized that his salvation was the most pressing matter and trusted Christ to save him.

Another one of his friends trusted Christ on Saturday night, but came back in the invitation on Monday. God was working in his heart about lifestyle issues and he wasn’t sure what to do with it but to respond and talk to someone. It was exciting to see God molding lives and talking to their hearts as new believers!

Another one of his friends was recruited by the Army captain in the lunch room, but went on Navy because all of his friends were on the Navy team. He raised his hand Saturday and Sunday, but didn’t go back either night. The team captains had been praying for him specifically and heard that he might not be able to come back on the final night, so one captain made sure to catch him in the parking lot afterwards. He had understood most of the message, but had some confusion about a few things. The team captain was able to answer his questions, to clarify the decision, and to lead him to Christ!

On Sunday night, there was a young man who had raised his hand to show that he wasn’t saved and knew he needed to be, but didn’t respond. He shook his head and hardened. On the final night, he came back again and God had softened his heart. He responded in the invitation, spoke with a counselor, but lacked confidence that he was truly saved now. The counselor asked me to speak with him. I walked him through several verses highlighting God’s promise to those who believe. He began to weep openly with joy as the realization hit him—God had promised; God had done it! It was a precious sight to behold.

By the time the final rally was finished, God had given us 78 teens with a high night of 58 on the final night. There were 26 teens who trusted Christ as their Savior and 42 who responded to the call to total surrender on the final night. We were blown away by God’s goodness and blessing again this week. Even though we found great obstacles, we found that our God was able and willing to deliver us as we cried out to Him.