Sunday, December 6, 2009

Vote for Christian Skaters

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

With just a few clicks you can help Christian Skaters win much needed funding for 2010. Vote for Christian Skaters on
the links below. Then ask your Facebook and social network friends
to join in. You can vote multiple times on most of these.

How? Here are a few ways:

1. Name Your Cause Vote Name Your Cause
is giving away a $2500 gift certificate from Ebay for the top votes in
by December 10th. We are in the running but need quite a few more votes
to be one of the top three. You can vote every four hours from each computer! And help us spread the word...it gives
you links to ask your twitter and Facebook friends to join in. PLEASE
JOIN IN THE VOTING we need your votes and the votes of everyone you know.

Vote Chase Community Giving2. Chase Community Giving - $25K: Chase
Community Giving is donating $25,000 to the top 100 charities that
receive the most votes by December 11th! You can help by clicking the
link below, becoming a fan of Chase Community Giving (you have to in
order to vote), and voting for Christian Skaters Inc.


3.GoodSearch: Instead of Google, try GoodSearch next time you search the
web. Add Christian Skaters (Pompano Beach, FL) as your charity then add
the search box toolbar and browse the web. Each time you search
GoodSearch donates money to Christian Skaters. Go to http://www.goodsearch.com

We appreciate each of you and the prayers for what the Lord's will in this
journey. We thank you for being part of the team and hope that you will
consider partnering with us in 2010. Together we can reach the world
with The Good News and impact skaters.

Visit us online at ChristianSkaters.com
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Friday, December 4, 2009

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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Next Destinations: Sweden & Uganda - Help us get there - Just Click!

Christian Skaters is already planning for 2010. We will be sending teams in May & June to Sweden & Uganda and you can help us just by clicking your mouse!

How? Here are a few ways:
1. Chase Community Giving - $25K: Chase Community Giving is donating $25,000 to the top 100 charities that receive the most votes by December 11th! You can help by clicking the link below, becoming a fan of Chase Community Giving (you have to in order to vote), and voting for Christian Skaters Inc: http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/901788?m=3e89654d

2. GoodSearch: Instead of Google, try GoodSearch next time you search the web. Add Christian Skaters (Pompano Beach, FL) as your charity then add the search box toolbar and browse the web. Each time you search GoodSearch donates money to Christian Skaters. Go to http://www.goodsearch.com

3. Join our cause on Facebook: Tell your friends what we are doing and consider adding us for your birthday cause or pledging to raise funds for our Skate Missions. http://apps.facebook.com/causes/causes/74822?m=3e89654d

4. Shop for a Cause: Causes has just added a new way to support Christian Skaters. "Shop for a Cause" allows your supporters to earn money for your organization when they shop online. The process is simple: your cause members add the Causes Toolbar to their browser, which allows them to track online purchases and automatically donate a percentage to Christian Skaters. Cause will also donate for every search you make with this toolbar. http://www.causes.com/shopping/welcome

5. Consider donating unused air miles: Many companies are currently offering an additional 50% when transferred this month.

We appreciate each of you and the prayers for what the Lord's will in this journey. We thank you for being part of the team and hope that you will consider partnering with us in 2010. Together we can reach the world with The Good News and impact skaters.

Visit us online at http://www.ChristianSkaters.com

START CLICKING!!!!!
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Saturday, November 7, 2009

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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Join Us in Jamaica December 17th - 23rd


Do you have a heart for missions? Then pray about joining s in Jamaica December 17th - 23rd.

We are looking 6 -10 QUALITY skaters. Skaters must be 18 or have a parent come with them. The ministry for the week would be an over-night skate camp located on our camp grounds. You would help counsel, lead, structure and execute the functioning of the camp with a Christian Skaters team leader. check out www.moorlandscamp.com for more information about the trip.

Interested? Email us at info@ChristianSkaters.com with your age, testimony, and some skate photos or footage. The cost will be approximately $650 from Fort Lauderdale and includes air, food, lodging, etc.

Requirements: You must skate well enough to instruct those attending the camp & you must love the Lord with all your heart!
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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Where have all the Christians gone?

From Fox News

AP

Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing.

A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings of a major realignment in Americans’ relationship with God. The American Religious Identification Survey (ARIS) reveals that Protestants now represent half of all Americans, down almost 20 percent in the last twenty years. In the coming months, America will become a minority Protestant nation for the first time since the pilgrims.

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Non-believers now represent the third-highest group of Americans, after Catholics and Baptists.

Other headlines:

1) The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990, and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

2) The growth of non-believers has come largely from men. Twenty percent of men express no religious affiliation; 12% of women.

3) Young people are fleeing faith. Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

4) But these non-believers are not particularly atheist. That number hasn’t budged and stands at less than 1 percent. (Agnostics are similarly less than 1 percent.) Instead, these individuals have a belief in God but no interest in organized religion, or they believe in a personal God but not in a formal faith tradition.

The implications for American society are profound. Americans’ relationship with God, which drove many of the country’s great transformations from the pilgrims to the founding fathers, the Civil War to the civil rights movement, is still intact. Eighty-two percent of Americans believe in God or a higher power.

But at the same time, the study offers yet another wake-up call for religious institutions.

First, catering to older believers is a recipe for failure; younger Americans are tuning out.

Second, Americans are interested in God, but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God.

Finally, Americans’ interest in religion has not always been stable. It dipped following the Revolution and again following Civil War. In both cases it rebounded because religious institutions adapted and found new ways of relating to everyday Americans.

Today, the rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations needs to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different-but-equal traditions.

Or risk becoming Europe, where religion is fast becoming an afterthought.

Bruce Feiler is bestselling author of eight books, including "Walking the Bible" and "Abraham," and the host of the PBS series on "Walking the Bible." A frequent commentator on National Public Radio, CNN and FOX News. His latest book "America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story" will be published in October.
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Guatemala Drought & Poverty Problems - Our partners making a difference

Check out this CNN feature showing how our partner, Compassion International, is making a difference in Guatemala

CLICK HERE
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Saturday, September 26, 2009

New Video Teaser

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

UK Video


Ally, from our UK Mission team, put together an awesome video of our mission trip. 15 of us traveled to Cornwall to serve at Creationfest UK. Creationfest is a week long festival that reaches out to the people in the area with music, skate, incredible teaching, etc. It was amazing to be part of this event and are thankful for a video of awesome memories. Click the image to the left to watch it.
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Austria Re-Cap


The team arrived home last night. They had a great trip and were able to minister to so many. The culture is vastly different. Kids can drink at age 16. Kids smoke while they are skating. They say, "it's just part of the culture". Much of the culture comes from a catholic background. To them, church is a waste of time. They don't understand a relationship with Christ. They see it as a religion. They live for themselves.
The Lord used our four guys in the team to be a consistent example not only to the unbelievers but to the believers as well. Many of the youth are lost. They need a consistent, stable, and sober environment that shows them a different idea of what a life in Christ can be like. Please join us in praying for the Lord to continue to open doors for a weekly skate's Bible study and discipleship program in the area.

Check out more photos of the trip here
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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Austria Update 4


The event just wrapped up. We thank you for your prayers as the guys said that today the barriers began to come down. It has been a culture shock to see young kids at the park drinking, smoking, etc. as this is a huge part of the culture. It was a true outreach, with all the worldly things....alcohol, cursing, secular music, etc. (American Christianity is so different sometimes.) It is an eye-opener to see how other cultures live. The team was able to skate for several days with the local, build relationships, share testimonies and pray with them. Even the local mayor approached the team about building a park and continuing what they started. We will pray to see how the Lord leads in this.
The team heads back on Monday and we will post picture as soon as we can. Internet connection has been difficult. Meanwhile enjoy the picture of Josh and the incredible view & this funny photo of Zion is the authentic Austrian outfit. They told me he skated this way for the whole event. He has the dance down and everything.

They have one more event tonight in Austria before heading to Italy. May the Lord open doors for them to share the Gospel.
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Friday, September 11, 2009

Guatemala Videos Now Up

Joe Co-Founder of Christian Skaters

SKATE OUTREACH GUATEMALA from Steven Rice, Jr. on Vimeo.



Joe sharing his testimony

SKATE OUTREACH GUATEMALA - Testimony & Challenge from Steven Rice, Jr. on Vimeo.



Josh Hudson, Christian Skaters Melbourne

SKATE OUTREACH GUATEMALA from Steven Rice, Jr. on Vimeo.



Dave Tinker, Tinker Surf & Skate, CS Partner in Orlando

SKATE OUTREACH GUATEMALA from Steven Rice, Jr. on Vimeo.



Shauna

SKATE OUTREACH GUATEMALA from Steven Rice, Jr. on Vimeo.

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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Austria Prayer Requests

Josh has been leading worship and Uli has been leading the daily Bible studies. They have had a chance to go to local parks to skate and hang with the local skaters. Tonight will be the kick off to their outreach this weekend. So, we are asking for your prayers:
  • The team is VERY tired. They have been going non-stop. Combine this with jet-lag and you have four sleepy guys. Pray that the Lord renews their strength!
  • The culture is very different in Austria. They are finding it more difficult to break the tough exteriors of the skaters there. Pray that the Lord may soften the heart of the local there and give our team favor so that the may preach the Gospel to open and willing ears.
  • Pray for the events throughout the weekend...that many may attend and come to know Jesus Christ as their savior.
  • Pray for the churches helping put on this event. May the Lord bless them abundantly.
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Austria Update 2


Hey guys keep up with us as I update everyone the happening in Austria we arrived safetly and Josh has been asked to lead worship for five days....God is good
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Monday, September 7, 2009

Skate Mission Team off to Austria, Italy & Germany


Well, it has been one packed summer. This morning a team left for Munich. Our co-founder Ulises, Pro Skater/Musician Josh Harmony (http://www.JoshHarmonyMusic.com), and two groms. They will arrive in Munich tomorrow morning and drive to a church. The next two days will consist of doing demos around the town in Austria and inviting peopl to an event that will be held Friday and Saturday. From there the team will head to Italy then back to Munich. Please pray for the team:
  • Safety & health
  • For the Lord to prepare the hearts of the skaters in the area
  • For opportunities for the team to share
  • For their families while they are away
  • For travels
  • For lives to be changed for Christ
We encourage you to post a comment and encourage these guys as they will be sending updates & photos throughout the week.

We will be adding photo throughout the week at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030162&id=1559496477&l=317caaca72
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Friday, September 4, 2009

Guatemala ReCap


Here is a little ReCap From Josh....
"Guatemala in a word, was AMAZING! God's blessing and favor were felt everywhere we went in Guatemala and Steven and Maribel were such a blessing to us! They opened up their home and made sure we were well fed and took us where we needed to be every step of the way. This was my first trip out of the country and it was a real eye opener to this culture. The skate scene was a little underdeveloped to say the least but we were able to fellowship with the kids leading by Christ's example of love and just being real with them. we showed them how to do tricks, played never ending games of "s.k.a.t.e" and overall made tons of new friends. I think we each got a little crash-course in speaking Spanish as well, it definitely made me appreciate the language in a whole different light.

All the skaters couldn't wait to ride the ramps we helped build, apparently it had been a long time coming and it was extremely gratifying to help provide decent ramps for the locals to skate on. We don't realize how good we have it here until we step out into a place less fortunate. I believe that we not only helped them advance on a skateboard but more importantly introduced them to a side of Christianity that they never knew existed. As Steven explained, they've never met Christian skateboarders before and didn't think it was possible to have fun and be a Christian at the same time. It was such a blessing to be used by God in this way, I look forward to going back to water the many seeds that were planted on this trip.
This scripture keeps resounding in my mind....

Mark 4:26-29 "He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces ...grain-first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

People literally came "out of the woodwork" that Steven barely even knew to help us. One guy by the name of Gustavo let us use part of his warehouse in which to build the ramps to keep them (and us) dry from the random downpours of rain. He not only provided us with this shelter, but he bent over backwards and let us use his huge work truck to help haul the ramps to and from the 5 demos we put on while there. We were originally going to use Steven's van (which would've been nowhere even close to fitting these massive ramps) but God provided better and better! Gustavo would go out before us and be waiting with his truck containing the ramps inside, and as soon as we would show up crowds of people would just be there to help us unload them. He even went to the extent of opening up his house to us and fed us dinner one night with these amazing Guatemala style tacos and plantains.
Also, while at the warehouse one of the top 3 radio stations in Coban came by to interview Steven on what we were doing, not to mention a couple of our group members being put in the major newspaper perfectly describing what we were doing there. Steven couldn't have been happier and I could see that he was so blessed by all of this, it was amazing to be a part of the vision that God has given him.

We got to be a part of Steven's cell group and they made us feel such a warm welcome, opening their home and allowing us to fellowship with them. it felt like we had all known each other for years. We also attended a church service with them and it was just so cool to see their style of worship to God! It was the kind of thing that just overly inspires you and brings tears to your eyes.

I'm sure as soon as I send this e-mail 20 more things will pop into my head to write about, but this pretty much covers the gist of what went down in Guatemala last week. The pictures that I took can be found on my Facebook page, but they will barely even scratch the surface of everything that went on, I look forward to seeing everyone else's pictures as soon as the become available!

Blessings!

Josh Hudson
Sales Rep.
Joshua 1:9
Ocean Avenue Distribution"

Here is what Dave Tinker had to say....
"There are so many things I could say but I think the key of the trip for me was to live like there is no tomorrow. God is so much bigger than anything we can imagine and if we'll just take Him out of the box that we try to keep Him in some really cool things would happen in our lives. God wants to use us, He wants to fellowship with us but it seems we push Him away and choose not to acknowledge His power. Steven is a living example of living by faith, a subject that I have been studying since 4 weeks prior to partaking in the mission. We witnessed God provide for us time and time again, from transportation, to building/storage location, to event locations, to helping and willing hands, to physical healing, to all out stoke of the kids we were there to serve. God did it all and completely blew me away. Our assistance in helping Steven unlock the vision by building ramps and skating demos was just the crust, I can't wait to see what God has inside for the people of Coban and any of those who are willing to serve these people."


Shauna and her new fan!


Josh Ripping it up..


and giving high fives.


Joe has style :) Awesome skater and pastor


He also loads vans



James with the groms


Josh signing autographs

Joe sharing with Steven translating

The local skating. Josh representing in the corner.




Alex from St.Augustine
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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Update 3 Guatemala


Yesterday, the demos and afternoon skate session went great. More girls came for skate lessons and we had a super special fellowship time at cell group. Today, will be a board maintenance activity and then street evangelism.

Here are some more updates sent by team member Dave Tinker:

"We did not get back to a computer last night so we were not able to send you an email... here are some details:

  • we have conducted 4 unbelievable demos, the kids went nuts and we were able to share some simple truths about Gods word

  • the team is doing awesome, everyone is sore but we have had no injuries, God has
  • we were given a warehouse where we were able to build the ramps, the host was very gracious and appreciated us being there. the even cleared space for us and when we started to practice skate the even made more space

  • we met last night with Steve´s cell group and had an awesome time of sharing with one another. We´ve been enjoying the Lord´s chips.

  • we have made a connection with a local man, Gustavo, who is close to coming to faith in Christ, he has been a huge help in making our events happen. he provided a truck and has been hauling all our ramps for us to every event.

  • we had lots of local help to move the ramps yesterday


  • We have to split, I will try to get other to respond later if possible. There is so much more."
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    Friday, August 28, 2009

    Guatemala Update 2


    Yesterday, the school demos and afternoon skate session was completely awesome! We were also interviewed by a national newspaper. Today, we have two more school demos & another afternoon skate session planned. Please continue to pray for strength for the team.
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    Thursday, August 27, 2009

    New Creationfest Photos

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    Guatemala Team Update


    Last Monday, a team of 6 guys and girls flew into Guatemala to build ramps for a new skate ministry in Coban. They will be doing ramp construction, 4 school demos, afternoon skate sessions, board maintenance seminar and a huge kickoff event to end the week. Please pray that God would use this team to change lives and save souls! Here's a recap of the last three days:

    Tuesday:
    We serve an amazing God! After one day of ramp construction, we now have two 4 ft. quarters built and two launch pads framed. The team also gave skate lessons to a few Guatemalans. We should finish construction before lunch today. Then after lunch, t...he team will practice for school demos on Thu & Fri. Please continue to keep us in your prayers...

    Wednesday:
    Gail spoke to Josh tonight and he said one of Guatemalas top 3 radio stations caught wind of what they are doing and came by the warehouse and interviewed them and asked them to skate for them. He said they are playing the interview 3 times tomorrow... on the radio station!!!! God is awesome and definitely getting His Word out there!!! Josh said they got everything loaded up in a truck that a guy at the warehouse said they could use instead of Stevens trailer and he said it fit by 2ft and will work better than the trailer!

    Thursday:
    The Lord is touching hearts so that we are finding incredible favor! Guatemalans that I hardly knew before are bending over backwards to help us out. The construction is complete and it turned out to be six amazing ramps! Today, we do two school demo...s in the morning and after lunch we skate with the locals. There will be a special session for "girls skate lessons" that has generated lots of excitement.

    Please continue to pray for the team. They have a few more days to go and return next Monday. We also have a team leaving Monday for Austria, Germany & Italy to do outreaches. Please pray for the people of Guatemala, Austria, Germany & Italy that the Lord might prepare their hearts. Pray for those on this skate missions that the Lord might open doors for opportunities to share, that He may keep His hand on each of them and that they may follow His lead as they serve.
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    Sunday, August 23, 2009

    UK Creationfest Recap



    Hello family and friends in Christ,

    I am writing to you to thank you for all the support and prayers for Kaya and I prior to and during our recent mission trip to England. We were blessed to be part of the skatepark at Creationfest.

    Creation Fest is an annual Christian Music Festival that was held in Wadebridge, Cornwall. Creation Fest is FREE to attend - visitors can simply turn up and enjoy. The vision of the festival is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through contemporary Christian music. Creation Fest offers something for all the family with a full programme of music, teaching seminars, workshops, sports activities, films, 'Creation Kids' and family fun (programme).

    There was tons of work to be done, some long days, some rain, and cold weather, but the amazing things far outweighed any of the negative. We were able to spend a week with families that returned each day. We built relationships and were able to minister to both Christians and non-Christians alike. Through our ministry, Christian Skaters, we were able to bring over a pro skater named Zac Archuleta. It was an amazing encouragement and answered pray for Zac as he had been praying for opportunities to grow in ministry. After sharing 3 times a day for 7 days, the Lord grew him and used him as a tool to reach so many of the youth in Cornwall. Kaya and I were able to teach many girls to skate and spend time getting to know them and pray with them. We meet several families who loved the Lord but did not know where they fit in the family of Christ. We were able to encourage them and show them that the Lord made us each to stand out for Him and to not simply fit into some cookie-cutter shape. We were able to encourage them as the unique person that God created them to be and help them to see that we can still be ourselves but shine for Him in the world. The last day of the festival, almost every kid that we had spoken to during the week walked up to accept the Lord. It was amazing!

    After the festival, the park was moved to a spot only 40 minutes away and will now be used as a full time ministry in the area. We are praying that the Lord opens doors this year for the 2010 home of the park. The immediate area has tons of skaters and the public transportation does not allow these youth to travel the 40 minutes needed. Please continue to pray for the Lord to open up a way to move next year's park to a building in Wadebridge.

    We also are asking for your help. We are still $1,800 short on the cost of our trip. We know that the Lord is our provider and have faith that He will help us repay this debt. We ask that you pray about how you might be able to partner with us on this trip and future skate missions so that we may continue to share the gospel to youth through skateboarding.

    Donations can be made three ways:

    1. online through a secure transaction at http://www.causes.com/ChristianSkaters
    2. mail a check to Christian Skaters, 5290 NE 14 Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33064 with Creationfest or Skate Missions in the memo
    3. directly to Calvary Chapel by mailing a check payable to them at 2401 W Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 (BE SURE TO PUT OUR NAMES AND UK MISSION TRIP IN THE MEMO)

    Again, we thank you each for being a tool that the Lord used to bring so many to the Lord during the trip. I was a blessing to be able to share this mission experience with such an amazing little girl who loves the Lord and 14 brothers and sisters in Christ.

    Check out the photos of the trip at http://www.creationfest.org.uk/p... and on Facebook

    God Bless,
    Toni Frallicciardi

    PS-Thanks to Lauren for the amazing photo!
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    Sunday, August 9, 2009

    UK Update


    The Lord has been faithful and the weather has been the best of the summer in Cornwall. We had a little bit of rain today but it came and passed. We actually ran out of seats for the service this morning.

    There have been tons of God Stories and we are excited for the next few days. Please continue to pray for the weather. Also, pray for Zac. He is sharing 3 times a day and skating a ton. Pray for the Lord to give him the words to share and keep him safe.
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    Wednesday, August 5, 2009

    UK Creationfest


    The team has arrived in Cornwall. Though we had a few passport glitches, He was faithful. We have a team of 15 from Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. 13 girls and 2 brave guys. Zac Archuleta from King of Kings/Reliance also has joined us along with a team from Costa Mesa. The park is done and ready to skate on Friday. They expect 40,000 people to come through the festival doors this week. The Lord's timing is perfect as He released a feature on Christian Skaters on BBC just this past Monday. Check it out here

    This piece was shown all around the globe. Although it was not produced by a believer, we know the Lord will use it.

    Today we will travel around Cronwall. Our prayer for today is 1 Kings 18:37, Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the LORD God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you.

    I read an older study that said "In a large 2006 August poll of year 9 and 10 teenagers in Cornwall, only 19% said that they 'have a religious faith'6. It seems certain that if these teenagers reflect the future (only 22% said they believe in God), religious affiliation is going to continue to drop. A wider mori poll commissioned by the British Library found that nearly half of teenagers in Britain are atheists (2007)7." This has been only the decline since. Churches have been changed into mosques, night clubs, etc. A country that once sent out more missionaries than any place in the world is spiritually dead.

    The evidence can be seen through the emails we recieved in response to the BBC segment. Once said, "It is a shame that you people have to brain wash children the way that you do. Teaching people living in a real world about an imaginary friend is not a good thing to do. It does them more harm than good." So I asked you Lord, Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the LORD God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you. Use us in mighty ways at the festival and our travels. Keep our team unified so that our love for one another might be so apparent that they see the love of Christ. May our actions be in such a way that we might be a bright lights so that they may see your goodness and love for them in a way they have never seen it before.

    Please join us in praying!
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    Wednesday, July 29, 2009

    Team get ready to head to the UK....Be Praying, plus pictures of the Rwanda Team

    Next Tuesday a team will be heading to the UK to help with Creationfest. Please be in pray for this team and the event.

    * Pray for good weather
    * Pray for guidance as decisions are made on the schedule for the event
    * Pray for God to guide Phil to the right speakers and musicians.
    * Pray for the needed volunteers.
    * Pray for accommodation for the speakers, musicians, and support staff.
    * Pray for the Cornish churches who are showing great enthusiasm.
    * Pray for God's provision for all the expenses of the festival.
    * Pray for Megan as she plans for the ministry to children.
    * Pray for the pre-festival Roadshow that will take place throughout Devon & Cornwall
    * Pray that more churches would get involved with Creation Fest
    * Pray that all those involved would be protected from spiritual attack
    * Finally, and most importantly, please pray for God to even now be
    preparing the hearts of those who will be attending the festival, for them
    to be open to all God has for them.


    Prayer Requests for CCFL England Missions Team:

    * Pray for US dollar vs. UK pound to stay stable- no increase in prices
    * Pray that God would bond our team in Unity of spirit, mind, and purpose-- that they would know us by our love as we let our love cover a multitude of sins
    * Pray for finances to come in for team members and success of fundraisers
    * Pray for safe & easy travels w/o delays and arrival of luggage
    * Pray for a burden for England's people and revival in the churches
    * A special prayer for Warren and Dave as they travel with us all :) We may have a couple more guys stay with us once we are there....
    * Pray that the Lord would make our spiritual gifts come alive as we seek to minster...that we would answer God's call to divine appts.
    * Pray that our team members would lead many to salvation through Christ
    * Pray that we would come back forever changed...in a way that is glorifying to God and spurs each one of us onto God's call in our lives

    Plus, we just got some pics of the Rwanda team. More videos will come soon and photos of the new park in Rwanda. It is now moved, set-up and in use. Praise God!!!!!




    Please be in prayer for Pastor Nukuda & his church. They will be running the newest partner ministry of Christian Skaters in Rwanda





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    Wednesday, July 22, 2009

    Wow!

    For us, it is never about numbers but for me this photo is inspiring (double click on the photo to see it in full scale) and has me in awe of all the seeds that where planted in Rwanda. Look at this sea of people who heard His word last weekend in Kigali. We'll be posting more videos and photos in the next few weeks. Next stop....Coban, Guatemala. Please be in pray for those the team will encounter during their stay and that the Lord will use each of the team members in incredible ways.
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    Monday, July 20, 2009

    Uli looks back on Rwanda


    On the airplane......My mind is spinning out of control...tears are flowing with thoughts of dads, moms, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, killed because of an evil plan to control what I believe God had put together. Over one million people slaughtered in a hundred days, enough said.

    How did this happen? Did it really go on?

    All I know I visited with people who are still dealing with this nightmare. The problem is, it wasn't a dream but an event that left most people in Rwanda orphans. People don't chose to be orphans it's something that happens to them and they must deal with it. In some places, babies are adopted and will never know that they were adopted or they come to realize it later in life. What do you do when you've seen your mother and father murdered by the very people you lived with for so many years and have known you've become an orphan?

    I was eating breakfast at our hotel and I noticed a women who never seemed to smile at all. I thought at first well she's probably having a bad day, but, this went on for five days. I finally got the courage to ask her, "Why don't you smile?" She told me that she lost her smile years ago. I kind of laughed and said well, "Were did it go?" She sat down next to me and looked into my eyes. "I witnessed both my parents killed violently." I asked her how she survived. "By the grace of God I was not found," she said, "but at times I wish they would have taken me too." She started to cry. I gave her a hug and started to cry with her. Jesus wept.......

    I can't stop thinking about this. See, I was not ready for Rwanda at all...I just got back from Liberia with Chet Lowe from Calvary Chapel. I thought the whole time, Liberia was going to be the hard trip mentally for me. Physically, Liberia was hard because Liberia's infrastructure is completely destroyed. However, I felt a sense of hope with people of Liberia that I didn't seem to catch in Rwanda. I saw many traces of death in Rwanda. In Liberia there is a lot more destruction from the war. In Rwanda it is no longer visible. The crazy thing to me about Rwanda too is that in some communities you can swear your in Beverly Hills 90210....

    If you want to learn more about the genocide in Rwanda you can watch the movie "Hotel Rwanda". I was told by many it was a good try to show the pain that these people went through. People are still trying to pick up the pieces that were ripped apart from their once stable lives.

    Anyway, the most important thing I learned from this trip is people all over the world need love. The bible says it perfectly..above all things have fervent love for one another because love covers a multitude of sin...Even when people have suffered something as evil as a genocide.

    I got to witness the power of love. Vic Murphy visited a reconcile camp that is home to thousands of people who live with the same people who are at first hand responsible for slaughtering there families. Vic spoke to a man who introduced Vic to the man who murdered six members of his family. That very guy reached over and gave the murderer a hug. He told Vic that without the love of Jesus Christ this forgiveness could not be possible. This was no show, this was the real deal! holy field man and a testimony to my world in a bubble that with the love of Jesus alone, anything is possible........

    Uli

    P.S.
    That woman I spoke to at the hotel restaurant was named Hope, ironic isn't it.....
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    Sunday, July 19, 2009

    More updates coming in from Liberia



    This is just one of the many incredible posts from Mike Miller's blog. Read it here
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    Heading home


    So, the team is now on the first leg of the flight to Brussels. Uli is on the plane. Pray that Brussels & Atlanta give him little problems as well. Later today we will have more photos of the festival yesterday. But, word on the street was that the turn-out and responses where incredible. Andrew has a plan to invest 10 years in Kigali. We look forward to this on-going relationship, our newest Christian Skaters family and the mighty things the Lord had done and will continue to do in this area.
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    Saturday, July 18, 2009

    Prayer Request



    Prayer Request

    As you know from our posts, we have a team is in Kigali, Rwanda with Andrew Palau. Today was the last day of the festival and many came forward when Uli shared the gospel. He said it was an incredible day of ministry.












    Zac Sharing the Gospel








    Pre-Festival the guys were able to visit the prisons and orphanges






    Later in a crowd, Uli was pick-pocketed and lost his I-90 (He is a legal resident of the US for over 30 years, originally form Argentine). Pray that immigration would show grace and that they might allow him to only come in with a copy of the Green Card. He has been gone since mid June (Liberia, then Rwanda) and we'd really like to have him home. Also, pray for the young man who pick pocketed him, that the Lord may use this an an opportunity to change his heart and that he may be convicted to return the wallet.

    Thank you,
    Toni
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