The Blog

It has been a crazy week. A very very crazy week. We got back from the trip and had an awesome service at Crossfire Family Worship center. They have also started painting the now non carpeted walls. We tested out a few colors and are going to let the church decide on what they want. So it was really exciting to see progress being made on the walls. As for us, we spent the week getting ready for BTI 2009 as well as working on the church floors. Speaking of the church floors, this mornig was an exciting one.

Yesterday we went up to the camp to set everything up and get stuff prepared. We came back at night for a drama practice with the youth team and got everything ready for camp. We went back to the camp to finish setting up so we were out of cell phone range. This morning pastor Jon Fargher came into the church only to find out that the floor of the sanctuary was covered with two inches of water. Since we were out of cell service, no one could get a hold of us to come help clean it up. So the church staff started to clean and they called someone to see if they had some equipment to use. In the process of that, one of their employees came out to help and told pastor Aaron that he had to stop cleaning because all the carpet needed to be replaced. Talk about an amazing answer to prayer. We have been praying for new carpet and about the floors for ever now. We had no idea how it was going to happen so God decided to take care of it and now our insurance is going to pay for the whole project. It is so amazing how God decided to move and answer our prayers. We are so excited for what God is doing in our church and how much is changing.

It is the last day of the trip and we had a lot going on. Team A was ministering in Bell Gardens CA, at praise chapel for their Friday Night Alive service. Team B is enjoying the last day of conference and is sad that it is over. To read about these tings in full, check out the unreserved blog on the home page.

Team A had an amazing day. We had the privilege to go and minister at Bell Gardens Praise chapel for their Friday night Alive service. It is the service where all the families come to church and the youth get to minister to them. So it was a special treat to be able to go and minister to their whole church but in a youth type setting. The youth led worship and they even did some of their own dramas that were really cool and it was nice to have a change of pace and see someone else do some dramas.

It was about 8:30 when we took over and had the opportunity to minister to them. We were able to do some dramas that really made an impact as well as deliver an amazing message that really challenged a lot of their congregation. We had such a good time that we were there until after 10 o'clock praying and worshiping. We also had some time just to fellowship with them and talk to all of our friends. We did have to leave before 11 though because we have to go home tomorrow and need to pack the truck and get ready for the long sad but happy ride home. It is always bitter sweet. We get to come home, but we leave behind the home that we ave made here with all these churches.

Well for team B, today was our last day at the Masters Commission Conference. Oh what an amazing day. We started off the morning with Ministry Breakouts. So we all went our ways to the different breakouts such as worship, drama, dance and starting a Masters Commission. You can just say that God challenged us, used us and planted seeds where we didn't think they'd be planted! Through these breakouts we also got to make some new friends from different MC's.

In afternoon breakouts Ariel got to experience the A B C's of evangelism, Mike had the opportunity to be in unity with others that feel called to a youth ministry, Casey and Pastor Chris learned how to support their pastors vision with their Masters Commission and Renae was educated in fundraising, businesses through ministry and New Ministry ideas with Pastor Mark and Pastor Shawn Marcell. What an outpouring of God in all these breakouts, also being in unity as body of Christ. Not only did these breakouts educate us and provide wisdom but also was a great way to encourage, pray and meet one another. Now getting down to where it all ended but truly wasn't the ending of what God is doing in out lives as a team and students.

Worship! Worship! Worship! Being real with God was something He dealt with all of us tonight through worship. The whole night was a combination of Pastor Lloyd preaching and Frontline worship team leading us into His presence. As God wanted us to be completely transparent and honest with Him we were broken, we embarrassed our flesh tonight and said God "Look at me inside are you pleased with what you see.."(Lyrics by Frontline Worship Team) Nothing mattered at this point God was moving in us and seeds were planted as things that are no longer apart of us left us. This night was truly a night that we need to share and impart to others that were not able to share the experience and also become accountable to the call and visions that God imparted in us tonight. In all we do God may we continue to stay focused and passionate about You and all that you have for us.

For team B, it was the first day of conference here in Fort Worth, Texas. We were all so excited. The first years who have never been to a conference had no idea what to expect and Casey and Chris were very excited to see how the conference was going to be now that it is not in Pheonix. Opening session was amazing and we got to worship God in such a cool way. Frontline live is nothing like Frontline on a Cd. Frontline in the Masters worship team incorparated with MC USA. We also got to go to some really cool workshops and had the most amazing night session. We cant wait to see what God is going to do tomorrow.

As for team A, it was another awesome day here in LA. It was a day of spending time with all our friends down here. We spent the early part of the day with some of the people from Orange. At night Pastor Angel and Dez came over with some of the guys from Paramount and we just got to hang out with them for a while. We went to dinner with them and just had fun telling stories and laughing with each other. Tomorrow we have a service in Bell Gardens CA, where we will be ministering at their family service, Friday Night Alive. We are really excited to go and minister as well as see.

This has been one of the most amazing trips of all time. God has done some awesome and amazing things thus far. We are very thankful to all of the people who have opened their homes and churches to us. We are so blessed to be able to go and minister at all these different places. If you want to read more in detail about the trip and where we have been and whate have done, click on the unreserved link on the home age to check it out.

Team A is here in LA still and excited for what God has been doing and we have the awesome opportunity to go to Orange tonight and attend the service at Youth A Flame which is the main praise chapel church down here in LA. It was really cool to be able to go to thier service and just have a good time. Listening to an amazing sermon and spending time with all our friends from Orange.

For Team B the mid-day started by embracing the 85 degree weather and at the Texas stadium. Rel was practically jumping out of her seat as we pulled into the driveway of the stadium. Taking pictures of everything in her sight. After catching a quick lunch at McDonalds, we got lost in Dallas, Texas (Maggie was not cooperating) looking for the Sixth Floor museum. Being able to walk on history and ride on the trolley as we viewed downtown Dallas was a bunch of fun.

In search of a Starbucks we finally find one, get changed and head to Praise Chapel Dallas. As we arrive people remember Pastor Chris from back in July so that was awesome. Worship was so powerful. It was a great time to receive something from God. Pastor Ernest preached on perseverance and as Christians we need to get rid of those obstacles that are stopping us from persevering and getting deeper with God. It was awesome to just receive from God, sometimes we just need time to meet with God and allow him to move in our lives individually, a little momentum to keep us going and that was exactly what it was tonight. As we closed out the night we would like to thank Pastor Ernest and Mrs. Bunny for a great time of fellowship and for a delicious dinner. And also getting to talk to missionary Melinda Menchaca from Estonia.

So, day 2 of the split and team B is headed to Dallas, while team A came back from Mexico today and went to eat lunch with Danny's mom Denise and his two sisters Abby and Ruby who flue into LA today. It was really nice to see them and spend some time with them. We had the rest of the day to relax and prepare for what is to come.

Most of Team B's day today was spent sitting down going from one place to another. We left Bellflower early this morning (Thank you so much Shelly for letting us stay with you again!) to catch our flight from Long Beach Airport into Austin, Texas.

Once we got to Austin we found our rental car, a Chevy HHR, and hit the road for Desoto, Texas, which is where we'll be staying during the MCIN conference. The drive was uneventful but we endured sustained by Starbucks, Frontline worship, and our excitement for the conference. We are very excited to see what God is going to do at the MCIN conference 2009.

Today was the first big day of the team split. Yesterday was only a little portion. Team A left early in the morning and drove straight to Mexico. Team B stayed behind and rested for the conference in Dallas Texas. Team A is made up of Danny, Audrey, David, and Brittany. Team B is made up of Chris, Casey, Mike, Ariel, and Ranae.

So, Team A went to Mexico where we met up with Hosea, a friend from Church back home, at the American embassy in Tijuana, Costco. After we met up with him, he took us to pastor Hectors house up in the hills of Tijuana. They had scheduled for us to go and minister in the same house we did last time with the big group. So we made our way over to Alissa's house where a lot of kids had gathered and we were able to share with them just about love and talked to them about putting on the armor of God every day. We also were able to have some fun with them by doing some dramas and giving them all candy after we were done. It was very cool.

The weather was not on our side while we were there and it was getting bad at this point so we had to drive out of there because the road would have been to bad to drive out. So, we went back to pastor Hectors house where we were able to enjoy the meal that Alissa had prepared for us. They were the most amazing tacos. We were then able to go to the church and see all the progress that they had made on the reconstruction. It was also very interesting to see what happens to the church when it rains because they do not have a roof yet. We were able to take some video footage and just talk with pastor Hector. We then had to head for the boarder due to the weather again. There is nothing like driving through feet of water in the middle of the road. Driving past cars that are in water up to the engine. It was definitely an amazing experience.

Wow, what to say about a day with so much packed into it. We really were all over the place today. The day started off with a split team. Chris, Audrey, David, Mike, and Ranae, went to Redondo beach for a service at Redondo Praise Chapel, formally known as Torrance Praise Chapel. They just recently moved to Redondo and we had the privilege of being with them for their 3rd year anniversary which has become a tradition for us. The other half of the team, Danny, Casey, Brittany, and Ariel went to a church that we have not been to yet. They were more then exited to go and minister at Long Beach Praise Chapel. Both services went really well and God did some very powerful things.

Now, if you think that is crazy, later the whole team met up and drove to Corona Praise Chapel were we had the privilege of ministering at our first bilingual service. It was very different but very exciting at the same time. God completely changed the service when we got there and decided that we were going to go with a different message, but, it appeared to be exactly what they needed, because there was a huge response at the end of the service and they all seemed very receptive of what God was saying. It is very cool to see that God uses us to minister despite languages.

As most of you know, we do celebrate singles awareness day here in Masters Commission. We found all sorts of things to go and do to have a fun filled day. We went to the Cerritos Mall and we went to the 3rd street promenade in Santa Monica to watch all the street performers and just have a good time. It was a lot of fun, especially when two of our students, Casey and Brittany, were pulled into the dance act of one of the performers. Overall, it was a great day.

It always feel like home when we come to praise chapel Paramount. It may be because it is the home church of Ariel and Ranae, two of our first years. It might also be that they are just so amazing that they make us feel at home. Pastor Angel and Desiree are always very excited to have us come, almost as much as we are to come there.

We love ministering at Fresh Fire, the name of their youth group, because they are always so respective to what we say and do. They also create an atmosphere for us that allows us just to be us and also give us the freedom to do whatever God wants to do in that service.

It was really fun to be able to share some dramas with them and it was amazing to see God move through the word. There was a lot of people that responded to the alter call and made a choice to grow closer to God.

We were able to hang out after service and just kick it with them for a while. After we were done at the church we had some people come over the Ariels house and hang out. Fun times and great food, that is really hard to beat. Tomorrow we will be enjoying singles awareness day as a group and just finding some cool stuff to do. Power to all the singles out there who are celebrating this holiday with us.

It was a sad morning. We had to leave the amazing hospitality of Maria and Vince. We always have a hard time leaving places. The only thing that gets is bye is knowing that we are headed to another amazing place with amazing people. We drove straight to Bellflower CA, the home of one of our first year students, Ariel. Only to find that her mom Shelly had opened her home and prepared an awesome lunch for us. We took some time to eat and unpack then it was time to head south for Chula Vista CA.

It was really cool in Chula Vista because we ran into some old faces that we had met a long time ago and also some new faces which we were really excited to meet. Pastor Danny brought a powerful word to this church that you could tell they were just needing to hear to be encouraged and lifted up. God was at work in that place and was changing lives. It was an incredible service and it is always cool to go to a church that we have not been to before and meet all the new faces. We hope that this church will become one that we frequent often.

We were incredibly blessed during this morning's devotion. Pastor Doug Mckennis from Epicenter came to our prayer time and brought a word for us about finding beauty from ashes. It was something that really spoke to us and where we are at in our own walk right now. It is crazy how God will do things like that, but he is God. It was such a blessing and we thank him for everything he did for us.

This wasn't actually our first adult service, but it was the first adult service we had the privilege to minister at. We were at Fresno Praise Chapel, which is the same church that Epicenter is at. Tonight was their mid week service and we they asked to come minister. It was really cool to be able to go and just stir up their congregation and shake them into seeing God in a new and exciting way.

In this service. He moved through a lot of the dramas and he moved incredibly through the word that pastor Chris delivered. It was really cool to see God brake off the cement that had been holding back the people of this congregation and start to pull them into ministry.

After service, we all came back to Vince's house with a bunch of people from the church and were blessed with another amazing dinner. We also got to just hang out with a lot of people and get to know them and just build relationships with them. It was a lot of fun, oh and of course we watched lost. Tomorrow we are leaving, which is always sad like we said, but we are going to go down to Chula Vista for a service that we will do at the praise chapel there.

Today was incredible, God decided to show up and tear us all up. Before the service started, while pastor Danny was praying, God pressed on him to have the whole team pray and to press through everything that has been going on. God wanted us to experience something and we were able to press in and really get into it. We prayed for the service and all the people that were going to be there. It was amazing.

God didn't stop during worship either. The epicenter praise and worship team lead worship and it was just awesome. You could feel that God was there in the midst of everything. After worship, pstor Danny brought a message straight from God and challenged each and every person there to make a pledge that they would no longer be the same. They definitely know how to tear it up at epicenter. We will be back there tomorrow for thier adult midweek service and are very excited to see the new and exciting things that God is going to do.

Wow, what to say about a trip that has started off so amazing. Well i guess that all there is to say is, WOW! Really it is hard to describe the things that God is doing any other way. We are updating the blog on a daily bases, all you need to do is click on the unreserved banner on the home page to read more.

Today was our last day in Sacramento. That is always a sad day. Before we left, we had a really good prayer time at the church. We also had the privilege of hearing pastor Mike give the devotion. It was so funny because he talked about how intimidated he was to speak to us. We don't know why because he God decided to speak straight through him. He spoke about what God was breathing in him and as he spoke we could all feel God breath the same in us. He spoke about being selfless and surrendering our life in order to follow God. It was so good. We did have to then say our goodbyes but we know that it is only for a season as this church will always and forever be apart of who we are.

It was a relativly short drive to Fresno, well short for us. But, we arrived and went to the home of Vince, Maria, and Andy Garza. We are so blessed with them letting us come and invade their home. They also are providng food while we are here. We are so thankful that they have welcomed us with opened arms. It has also been a lot of fun just hanging out with them here.

It is day two of our tour and it started out very early. We had to get up early to go to a church in Fairfield CA, which is the church of Daniel Dotte, an alumni of our program. We had to be at the church at 8 o'clock and was unaware of how long it would take to get there from Sac. So, we left "The Meeting Place" at 6 o'clock. We did however find out that that was too early when we arrived at the church at 7 o'clock.

After all that happened we had the opportunity to go and minister in thier junior high service during thier regular sunday morning service. It was so cool to see all of the junior high kids come in just hungry for God. Danny delievered a very powerful message that God has been so building up inside of him. You can tell by listening to him because it just bursts out of him. During the second service, we were blessed by being able to enjoy being in thier service.

After the service, we comtinued to be blessed as they fed us an amazing lunch. After lunch, Pastor Issac Dailey opened his home to us and just let us come and fellowship with him. We want to give a big thank you to you Pastor Issac and your wife Liz. It was so amazing to see how God opens doors and how he helps us to meet the most amazing people. We really loved going to that church and can not wait to return.

The day started out great with 6 people cramed into Chris' pickup truck. It was a nice and cozy ride on the way down to Sac. We had the opportunity to stop in Redding CA, and spend some time with David's family in Redding. Some big things are happening there and we are really hoping to be able to go and do a church service with them.

Continuing with day one of the “Unreserved Tour 2009,” which means that we are in sac town at “The Meeting Place,” with Pastor Mike Matheson. We can already tell that this is going to be an amazing trip. The power of what God was doing during this service was so incredible. Danny was barely able to get through his message in a good way. God took complete control of the service and decided to rock the house.

Once again we got to see all the amazing and wonderful people that we have met at this church. There was also a lot of new faces this time which is always exciting. This was only the begging and we can not wait to see what God is going to do on this trip.

The day started out great with 6 people cramed into Chris' pickup truck. It was a nice and cozy ride on the way down to Sac. We had the opportunity to stop in Redding CA, and spend some time with David's family in Redding. Some big things are happening there and we are really hoping to be able to go and do a church service with them.

Continuing with day one of the “Unreserved Tour 2009,” which means that we are in sac town at “The Meeting Place,” with Pastor Mike Matheson. We can already tell that this is going to be an amazing trip. The power of what God was doing during this service was so incredible. Danny was barely able to get through his message in a good way. God took complete control of the service and decided to rock the house.

Once again we got to see all the amazing and wonderful people that we have met at this church. There was also a lot of new faces this time which is always exciting. This was only the begging and we can not wait to see what God is going to do on this trip.

We are in the office today trying to tie all the loose ends before we head on the road.

A lot of things have to happen in order to be prepared for something. You have to know what it is, what you will be doing, what you will need to do that, and how to do it. These are all things that we go through before we head out on the road to go to many different churches. It takes a lot of work, but, we do it for a purpose and that is what drives us.

We looking forward to going and seeing all of the familiar faces and new ones. We have prepared some very powerful messages and dramas to take with us on the road. We cant wait to see what God is going to do on our unreserved tour 2009. Please pray for us as we leave this Friday, Feb. We know that God goes with us and are ready to see what God will do.

Our first stop will be in Sacramento CA, home of "The Meeting Place" with pastor Mike. This is definitely one of our favorite stops on any tour and it is a great way to kick the whole thing off. We will be keeping you up to date so be looking for the upcoming blogs for more info.