Our team has had the privilege of being at Tabernacle Baptist Church and Heritage Prep many times. We appreciate Pastor Ware and his son in law, Markus Secrist. Each time we go there, we not only enjoy the Florida sunshine, but the fellowship with these men and their families. This year was no different. We thank the Lord for all He did in young people’s lives this time.

Esther, the Seal co-captain, was burdened for one girl on her team from the time she met her on Sunday. God led Esther a few specific times throughout the week to have conversations with her, and the girl began to open up to Esther. On Friday, the girl responded and cried out to God in a corporate prayer meeting. Esther later counseled her and walked her through forgiveness. She started taking steps of faith and started believing God to work things together for good. 

Just a few weeks before our team arrived in Orlando, a young man from the Christian school went into the hospital with a critical illness from a disease. He passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. The entire student body was very shaken by this. One of the young man’s best friends was really struggling with the loss. The friend talked to his Marine team captain, Titus. Titus encouraged him that although he could not understand God’s ways, he can trust God. Titus gave the young man some time alone to pray. He got down on his knees, and through tears cried out to God, declaring that he was going to trust Him and believe that He was good no matter what. 

Isaac, the Ranger team captain, counseled one of the upperclassmen on his team on Thursday. The young man had some hidden sin that he needed to get right with his mom. The young man took the step of obedience and talked to his mom, sharing everything he had been hiding behind her back. 

After team meetings on Thursday, one of the girls on the Marine team wanted to talk to Abi, her co-captain, about how to have a better walk with God. As they talked, Abi realized the girl was not even saved. As Abi shared the gospel with her, the girl understood her need to get saved. That day, she trusted Jesus alone to save her. 

Abigail, the Ranger co-captain, talked to a young man on Wednesday. He was standing in a crowd of teens, but he was open to talking to Abigail about spiritual things. God was working in his heart. That night, with people moving all around him, he bowed his head in a prayer and got saved.