A few years ago I had the privilege of speaking on a Sunday at West Orlando Baptist Church in Ocoee, FL. Recently Pastor Barnett asked our team to come and do a youth outreach there. It was their Missions month, so the emphasis for our week was on the mission field of young people. We were thrilled with the number of teens saved, and the support and encouragement of the WOBC. It was great to work with the staff and people of the church. God is working there!
One of the recruiting opportunities our team had was at a nearby charter school. Before school started on Wednesdays, there was a group called FCA that would get together to play sports, and one young man would give a challenge. This week, they let our team lead the time, and there was a good connect with those teens.
One of the senior guys from the charter school, who also had recently started going to the youth group, got very excited about the War. He went out recruiting with Titus, his Marine team captain. The young man even opened up to Titus about some hurts and needs in his life. It was a great connection. He came out to the War night on Saturday and was plugged in all night. God broke him during the invitation, and he responded. One of the other youth group guys was burdened for this young man, and when he responded in the invitation, the guy from the church went to his friend’s seat and prayed for him. That night, the young man from the charter school was gloriously saved! Since we’ve been there, he has been faithfully attending youth group and getting plugged into the church.
There was a girl in the youth group who invited two guys from her school. They came on Saturday and both responded in the invitation. Isaac, the Ranger team captain, counseled both of them together. That night, they both understood their need to trust Jesus alone. It was thrilling to see them get saved that night! The girl from the youth group was so excited to see God use her to reach her friends.
Titus, the Marine team captain, recruited a guy and his girlfriend on Wednesday. They both came Saturday. When it was time for the invitation, they both raised their hands, indicating their need to be saved, but they were slow to respond. Finally they ended up going to get counsel and it was evident that God was working. Abi, the Marine co-captain, talked to the girl and that night she got saved. One of the men in the church talked to the guy, and he also got saved!
Although the week was shorter than normal, we had many good connections with people in the church. On Sunday, several parents expressed concern for where their teens were at spiritually. Our team was able to give the parents some encouragement and materials to help them. We praise the Lord for working in Ocoee, Florida!
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