-While we laid our hands on the map of Italy and prayed, I suddenly got this idea about extending our mission fields. Instead of sending missionaries only to one city like we had done earlier, why not send the youth into every region of the country, tells Giona Sproloquio, who has been a missionary in Jesus Revolution for six years. This was the start of the biggest mission project Jesus Revolution has ever done. The project, Impact Italy, seeks to gather hundreds of young missionaries from all over the world, give them intensive training and then send them out to different cities to tell people about Jesus.

“Our goal is to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ capture and save Italy. We also hope and pray that this project will inspire and encourage Italian youth to get more involved in missions and to be the salt and light in their nation”, says Sproloquio, who grew up in the city of Torino.

Many Italian leaders join in

After the idea was born in the winter of 2005, the pastor and founder of Jesus Revolution, Stephan Christiansen, travelled to Italy for a national conference. There he shared his mission plans and Italian leaders greeted his ideas with great enthusiasm. Since then the project has accelerated and reached new dimensions. – The project has grown a lot. “Many local churches in Italy have joined the project and want to get involved in the different outreaches in the various regions”, says Sproloquio. So far this is the largest mission project that has taken place in Italy, and Sproloquio has seen that Italian pastors are full of expectancy and gratefulness for the initiative. So far there has been little evangelistic work in these regions. One of the regions we are going into is actually the region with the least amount of missions work in all of Italy. “It will be exciting to see how people respond”, says Sproloquio who is partly responsible for the mission project. The greatest challenge so far has been to coordinate the mission trip and mobilize enough missionaries. So far the USA is the most involved nation with the most missionaries involved. Norway is yet a little behind, but we feel confident that they will also contribute greatly to the project.

Training and out reach

The 30th of June the young missionaries, ages 14 – 29, will gather in Bologna, Italy. They will be split into teams and will receive five days of intensive teaching and missions training. Afterwards they will be sent out into different regions to hold street meetings consisting of dance, drama, worship and preaching of the Gospel.

Finally they will all gather in Rome to celebrate Jesus!

By: Marit Dale Aarseth.

Program:

30^th of June Arrive Bologna, Italy.

1^st of July Start: Teams are made, intensive training in street missions.

5^th of July Teams sent into different Italian cities to preach the Gospel.

13^th of July Everybody gathers in Rome.

14^th of July Jesus celebration in Rome

15^th of July Departing Rome.

Practical information:

Those participating in Impact Italy can come alone or together with youth group. For those who have been to a Jesus Revolution summer team it’s possible to apply to participate as a team leader or a team leader assistant for one of the out reach teams.

Price: 799 Euro.

This price includes everything:

• 16 days in Italy! 5 days of mission training, 8 days outreach, two days in Rome.
• Visit up to three Italian cities.
• Opportunity to share Jesus with hundreds of Italians.
• Food and accommodation
• All transportation
• Full youth conference
• Team training in dance and drama
• Training in Gospel preaching
• Impact Italy T-shirt
• Sightseeing and shopping in Rome
• Sun and ice cream
• Fellowship with people from all over the world
• Guaranteed plenty of amazing stories to write back home
• See Jesus transform lives and be transformed yourself!
• An experience for life

For more information and application forms:

Call Jesus Revolution at + 47 2247 2047 or send us an e-mail: impact@jesusrevolution.org.

Also see our web site: www.jesusrevolution.com.

Struck by the contrast of feeding children in the slums of Cambodia and India and then returning to a five star hotel, Delirious began to break way from the norm. They were challenged to speak out about the very real issues of the world, such as poverty. The result is their new project “Kingdom of Comfort”, their 11^th studio album and their boldest one yet.

The music also had to be created to match the intensity of the message. For this project the boys in the band added an edgier element to their signature modern worship sound their fans have come to love. For a taste of the in-your-face message of the album, check out this sample of lyrics from different songs on the record: “There will come a day / when all this will fall away / I thought I believed but I just turned away / from the souls living in this hell today / see me falling down / save me from the kingdom of comfort where I am king / and my unhealthy lust for material things / Is there a place in your arms of love strong enough?”

Many are already saying that this is Delirious’ best album yet. Don’t take their word for it, though. Delirious is one of many bands that have ventured into the brave new world of internet technology. The entire album can be heard on their website, Delirious.Co.Uk. Check it out and judge for yourself.

By: Robyn Durstine

The first edition of JesusAvisa was distributed in November, 1998 and there were 30,000 copies printed. Up until 2007 it was released 10-12 times a year - almost every month. In 2007 we released four editions and now we will publish it on internet. The desire to go on the web has been there for a long time. The capacity to do both has not been there before now. There is not much more to say about it, other than we will now go hundred percent for the web solution! And to that we cry out a loud “hurray!” We also hope that you will say the same, even though you might also say: “Finally, welcome to the world wide web!” To that answer we say: “Thank you!”

What is the worst case scenario – the worst imaginable situation for a human being?
I have a relative who had to remove one of her breasts due to cancer. Is that one of the worst things that could happen? I know a young preacher who lost his dear daughter in a tragic drowning accident. Could anything be worse than that? We have all read and heard about catastrophes, accidents, conflicts, problems, wars, illness and disasters. One worse than the other. But what is the bottom line for a human being? Perhaps is it drawn by death?

I don’t believe the worst thing a person can experience is something that is “put on us” from our external surroundings and situations, instead, I believe the worst thing that can happen is when that fire within us just goes out. When our HOPE is no more. When the HOPE dies, everything is dark. Death can steal our beloved ones, but if we still have hope, the situation is not totally dark. The flames of hope within us can even shine past the shadows of death! As long as the hope burns within us, it’s not hopeless!

Let me explain to you this fantastic phenomena called hope! This little, seemingly meaningless word called hope will sooner or later mean everything to you! It will make you or brake you. And if your life is ever shaken dramatically, you will benefit richly from knowing what hope means!

The 4 “W’s” of hope (What-Who-Where-Why?)
1. What is hope?
The Bible teaches us that hope is an anchor for our soul. (Hebrews 6:19) Your hope becomes useful and efficient when you have storms in your life. Then it’s your hope that carries you. It becomes your anchor in the situation. Our hope can also be like a light house which gives you direction. As long as you see a glimpse of light from a light house, it’s possible to point out the course of direction. Then you are not hopelessly caught in the stormy waves. Thus, hope prevents us from drifting here and there, without knowing we are even in motion. There are many Christians who after 50 years realize that most of their lives, they have drifted with waves and wind in all kinds of directions without any solid anchoring point. Their focus has changed after fashions, trends or the devil’s seductions. But hope is a stable anchor that keeps us from undesirable side tracks. First when our faith and life is anchored we can expect stability both when life runs smoothly and when it definitively doesn’t.

Let’s clarify with a short comparison of faith and hope. Faith and hope is like a couple of Siamese twins born in our hearts when the word of God is preached and received. Faith and hope have so much in common they can’t live without each other. Yet, if we want to separate them, we can characterize faith contra hope in the following way:

Hope is light in the dark. Faith is a sword in your hand!
Hope is something that lies ahead of us. Faith is something we have right now!
Hope is future. Faith is present!
Hope says: I will receive it! Faith says: I have it!
Hope is desiring and longing after. Faith is conviction and knowing.
Hebrew 11:1 says: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. Necklaces carrying a cross, an anchor or a heart are well known. They symbolize the way of faith, hope and love. Therefore the Bible crowns the Christian HOPE as one of the great ones. Hope is important, yes more than that: It’s necessary! Without hope you are a living dead life.

What is then the Christian hope expressed in one word?
It is Christ! 1 Timothy 1:1 has this beautiful way of expressing it: Christ, our hope!

2. Who is our hope?
In the 80’s my uncle bought a boat. The proud owner took his boat out on water and planned to sleep over night in it. He threw anchor in a cove by a Norwegian city called Kristiansen and fell asleep to the calming waves. In the morning he woke up to a strange noise. The boat was hitting something (or something was hitting against the boat).
My uncle jumped to his feet, climbed out of the cabin and looked out. There one of his biggest surprises met him. As high as my uncle could see there were two grey painted metal walls on both sides of his little boat! He was squeezed between two warships! My uncle had not been careful enough about how he anchored his boat. Thus, during the night his boat had drifted away and ended up between two warships which were in training in the area! My question is: What is your anchor tied to?

You can’t throw the anchor on an ocean ground of sand. It has to be attached to a rock! And the only rock that will endure in both life and death is The Rock – Christ!

The Christian hope is founded in God Himself – because God is the God of hope! (Romans 15:13.)

3. Why put our hope in God?
The answer is simple. Only GOD can give true and lasting hope. Hope without God doesn’t work, but with God it will! Ephesians 2:11 says it clearly: ”You were once.. without hope and without God in the world.” Jeremiah 29:11 says that “God will give us future and hope!” Could it be better? Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3 ”that we are born again to a LIVING HOPE!”

4. How far does hope reach?
One of the taboos in our society is death. We seldom talk about death, at least not seriously. We watch (or are being numbed by) gruesome kinds of deaths displayed on TV and in movies. Terrible accidents and murders are exposed to us almost daily. But a calm and sincere conversation about death is a rarity. Most young people today have never touched or seen a dead body. The dead are picked up by professionals only minutes after the time of death. Therefore death is often surrounded by myths and mystical scary imaginations.

But for us who believe, we have a hope that stretches far beyond death! For us death is only a door into LIFE. First Thessalonians 4:13 encourages us and tells us not “to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope”, when some of our beloved ones die.

The Christian hope can be divided in two: Either heaven or the return of Christ. Let both hope about heaven and hope about the soon coming return of Christ fill your heart. If you keep this hope alive in your heart during your life on earth, the same hope will keep you alive on the day of death.

Be RICH in the hope (Romans 15:13)!
Be JOYFUL in the hope (Romans 12:12)!
Be PATIENT in the hope (1. Thessalonians 1:3)!

Written by: Kåre Skuland
Translated by: Marit Dale Aarseth.

By: Kristy Karpaty

Here is their statement:

Solveig is in the middle of her happy twenties and loves life and teens. I am hooked on Jesus, coffee and Facebook. Apart from that I prefer to meet people face to face! New Generation is the hit of a work place. I have the privilege of helping teenagers making Jesus known in their schools. First I worked two years in NG Nordland, Norway, as a school evangelist. The last three years I have worked in the head office as an administrating leader. Sweet! I am also the youth leader in Sentrumkirken Sandnes, Norway and studying theology.

How did it feel that God called you to work in New Generation and how did you feel about it?

It all started when I was challenged to start a NG- group in my high school. This resulted in me doing a whole lot at my school. It was really scary the first time I was going to tell people I was a Christian, yet at the same time I really wanted to stand up for Jesus. During high school I was active in NG in the two different schools I attended. At Sortland High School I lead the department. After high school I was offered to work with NG in Nordland and assist the different school activities. Since then everything has been rolling with full speed, and it has been – and still is – a blast!

Were there things you had to sacrifice when you responded to God’s calling of working for New Generation?

Yes, I found it challenging to remain in Sortland while everyone I had gone to school with, left town to study elsewhere. At the same time I was convinced I did the right thing. Yet, it was a bit tiresome to always answer questions like: “When are you going to start studying?” Not everyone thought my job in NG was a wise use of time and opportunity… people still ask me when I am going to have a “real job”. I then answer, “I have a real job!”

What inspires your work in New Generation?

Teenagers who love Jesus and show with their lives that they are really proud to believe in Him! The Gospel is nothing to be ashamed of, and all youth deserves to receive the opportunity to get to know Jesus.

How has it been to lay down your life for Jesus?

To lay down your life for Jesus only reaps benefits! One of my favourite scriptures is Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” I can really say from experience that this works in practical terms! When you let Jesus and the Kingdom of God be number one in your life, everything works out the best way, and it will show in all areas of your life!

How will you encourage youth to lay down their lives for Jesus?

God created life, and He also knows the best way of living it. To give your life to Him is not a scary thing, but means to simply let Him help you to live the life He has planned for you. The fact that God can reach the world through our lives, is truly fascinating and a huge privilege!

Jesus Christ came to earth for one purpose only, to lay His life down for us so we may be free and blameless in front of God. We are on this earth to serve the one true God. Whether that is to work at our jobs, to travel the world and do missions, to tell others about our Savior, to help in our communities, churches, shelters, etc. We can be living, breathing examples of the word of God.

Growing up I knew this concept all too well being raised by Christian parents, however I did not live by it in any way. I always thought I knew what was best for me and I could do everything on my own, however whenever I tried to do things on my own, they would just go downhill. That’s when I had to run to God and just give Him everything. My whole life was very up and down and I had gone through many things, that I came to this one point last summer where I just decided to completely give my life to God. He is the one who created this earth and has all power over everything and still desires to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us, so why not give Him control over my life?

Once I gave Him control over my life, I came to Jesus Revolution and He has helped me get through every situation I’ve come across since. I’m not saying things were super easy, but He helped through each step, like parents teaching their child how to walk. They may fall from time to time, but their parents are with them always. God loves each one of us so much, so much so we will never comprehend and He wants to help us, but only if we allow Him to. Hebrews 13:5 “…He will never leave nor forsake us…”

By: Kristy Karpaty

The festival will take place from the August 6th to August 10th at Ekebergsletta and Ekeberghallen just outside of Oslo. This is a three-part festival that runs parallel to each other: one for children, one for youth and one for adults. “This will be a summer celebration, a real Jesus-party; a strong closure of the summer which will give an injection of Jesus-passion for the autumn to come”, says pastor in Jesus Church, Stephan Christiansen.

Five wonderful summer days close to Jesus

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).

We all love the summer, all its beauty and charm. A downside can yet be that many churches are closing and the body of Christ is being spread out and some are being left to themselves. This means that the focus on the Lord can be reduced, and we can draw away from Him, instead of near to Him.

But in the middle of swimming, sun baking and ice cream eating, we want to lift up Jesus who is the light of the world and who shines brighter than any sun. We want to seek His face, drink from His Spirit, learn and grow in His truth and praise Him for everything He is and all that He has done for us! “It will be five days full of wonderful worship, equipping meetings, up-building fellowship, concerts, barbeque, soccer and life in amazing surroundings”, says Christiansen.

And everything is happening only a few kilometres from the city centre in Oslo! The children’s festival and youth festival goes from August 7th – 10th and the adult festival from the 6th to the 10th.

The children will be visited by, just to mention a few, Lisa Børud, Janne and Kåre Skuland, Elisabeth Tobiassen and Hilde Sværen. There will also be many exciting and up-building activities for the children. Other visitors for the youth and adult festivals will be Ulf Ekman, Peter Halldorf, Øystein Gjerme and Dennis Rouse. “The festival will be a festival for the whole family. The focus will be on following Jesus, build strong local churches and having a heart that beats for the nations”, says Christiansen.

Important choices in a new time

The festival came as a surprise to the arrangers. (But then we also believe we serve a God full of surprises!) “From a simple human perspective, this was actually not a festival we intended to arrange. But everything changed when God spoke to us that this was exactly what He wanted us to do this summer”, says Christiansen who is now thrilled to offer this special Jesus festival. He points out that we are living in a special time in our country, where a gathering of the body of Christ is necessary in order for the Kingdom of God to expand and become stronger. “We live in a time where there are a lot of important choices to make, both as individuals, families, churches and as a society”, he says. “The Lord has to have His way in and through us so that His will be done and His Kingdom can come.”
The vision

The vision behind the Jesus Festival is to follow Jesus and what He has on His heart for us as individuals as well as a nation, to build the church, to reach out to our cities and the nations, as well as fellowshipping with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The Lord calls us closer to His heart. We experience how He is longing to draw us closer to Himself, share His love and Divine secrets with us, and to build us up to the men and women He created us to be. He has great and wonderful plans for our lives, and it is up to us to let Him have His way in and through us. So if you desire to draw closer to Jesus and be led into all the wonderful things He has for you, we know that He will be there this summer to meet with you personally, speak to you and bless you mightily in these beautiful summer days!

By: Marit Dale Aarseth.

Practical information

Location: Ekeberghallen and Ekebergsletta in Oslo

Time: 6th – 10th of August 2008.

Program: See www.jesuschurch.no.

Prices

Children’s festival: 150 NOKS per day or 500 NOKS for the week.

Discounts for siblings; 100 NOKS discount after the first child.

This includes concerts and activities.

We divide the children into two big groups with individual programs: 4-8 years old and 9-12 years old.

Registration: Starts at 09:45 am every day.

Contact information

Festival manager: Arvid Løvbukten:

Email: arnvid@jesuschurch.no.

You can also read more at www.jesuschurch.no.