News & Views
Urban Saints' ReAct event - HOPE 08
written by marion jay
published on 21st August 2008
published on 21st August 2008
RE:ACT Summer 2008
It was with some trepidation that I set out to join the East Re:Act team at the end of July. Re:Act is part of Urban Saints and its mission is to take the love of Jesus to communities by running family fun days in different towns followed by a “Church outdoors” event in each location.
With seven teams each with 40 or more young people, (some as young as 14), heading out to over 40 towns, it was a daunting operation. Before hitting the road, we had four days of intensive training covering everything from spiritual warfare to how to hair braid. By the end of the weekend, we all knew how to put up and take down a marquee at speed, make a balloon dog and deal with crowd control in the face painting queues.
As DNAers, our role was that of small group leaders, being responsible for the welfare and discipling of around half a dozen teenagers. I found it a great privilege to meet with my group and pray for them on a daily basis and watch them grow and develop. It was exciting to see their faith levels rise and watch them step out into new giftings. By the end of our 11 days together, they had all changed remarkably - the young people who began the initial training with us were not the same youngsters that finished the tour.
For me personally it was also a time of growth and development, hearing God speak and having the confidence to step out with prophetic words and words of knowledge in ways I had not done before, seeing people instantly healed and watching others impacted by God in a variety of other ways. I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the team and although it was hard work - lots of late nights, early mornings and full on days, I was blessed by the whole experience. Every day was different and each location had its own particular challenges and surprises.
What did I learn? Lots of things. Firstly, I learnt to worship with my eyes open (not easy) so that I could keep a watch over my group of youngsters. In feeling so responsible for the young people in my care for just 11 days, it made me understand just a little how much the DNA Team have been caring for me over the last 11 months. I also learnt to listen more to God, to trust Him more and to trust myself and above all to rely on Him in situations outside of my control.
