Lessons from Elijah, Part 3
"Rebuilding the Altar"   

By Jerry Nance PhD, President, Global Teen Challenge    

Jerry Nance

I want to begin this month by reminding you about the reality that Elijah had been living. Elijah was coming out of approximately two years in the Kerith Ravine where ravens fed him. He had been alone, watching the brook that supplied his water gradually dry up. What patience! Once I saw that brook beginning to dry up, I would have been motivated to seek out another water supply before the Lord wanted me to. Elijah was dependent on the voice of the Lord for his guidance. 

The next year Elijah depended on a poor widow for his daily provisions. Unlikely places for one to be fed and cared for, as we saw in last month's Leadership Link. (See Part 2)  Now God was telling him to confront Ahab the evil king of Israel and take on the prophets of Baal. 

As I read 1 Kings 18, I see how Elijah had the faith to risk his life to stand before the king and challenge the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who ate at Jezebel's table. What boldness and faith in His God as he met these prophets on Mt. Carmel!

You will find the details of this event in 1 Kings 18:16-40 where we see the mighty hand of God revealed and the power of His answer to Elijah's prayer. I want to point out one very important principle that the Lord showed me as I was studying these passages. Look with me to verse 30, Elijah had just challenged the prophets of Baal. He gave them directives on how to build a proper sacrifice and challenged them to call on their god to show up and burn up the sacrifice.  He had waited patiently, then he began to mock them and encourage them to shout louder and to taunt them about their god being out for a walk or in the toilet.

After Baal failed the test, and after Asherah failed to show up, we see an amazing principle unfold that I believe is critical for us to see. In verse 30 it says that Elijah "repaired the Altar in the name of the Lord." (NIV) He set the proper sacrifice in place and then he poured water on it until water was running out of the ditches around the sacrifice. This removed any doubt about Elijah using any tricks to start this fire. The timing for God to show up was now, and God showed up in miraculous power. God's fire burned up the sacrifice--the flames also licked up all the water on the altar. Elijah's prayer was answered and the power of God was manifested. God met Elijah at the point of his need.

Notice the part of the verse where it said Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord. When I was reading this the Holy Spirit said to me, "Jerry, you need to rebuild the altar in your life." I felt so convicted, so bare and guilty before the Lord. I do pray, I do spend time in God's Word almost daily. That's just it, I said "almost". The Lord began to say to me that I needed to make prayer more of a priority if I expected to see the power of the Lord show up in my circumstances.   If I wanted to see God provide for Teen Challenge and for my family from unexpected places I needed to make prayer a priority. I needed to rebuild the altar in my life. I must say to you as you read this article, perhaps the Lord is saying to you right now, you need to rebuild the altar in your life as Elijah did. It may be that we will not see the mighty power and provision from unlikely places until we rebuild the altar of our life.

I am making prayer and time in God's Word a priority and I am making an intentional effort to listen to the Lord as I pray and read His Word. In these last days we truly need to stay focused on what really matters in life. Building larger ministries, building bigger buildings, adding new programs may all be needed, but let's be sure we are first at the altar of the Lord and that we commune with Him as to His will for us and for our ministries.

May God speak to your heart as he did Elijah and may he give you the clarity you need to serve Him and lead in your place of ministry. Let me admonish you one more time, rebuild the altar and watch God's power be revealed in you and your ministry.

Jerry Nance

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   By Rick Souza, Director of the Sustainable Solutions Department

Rick Souza

We are in the process of developing a department within Global Teen Challenge called Sustainable Solutions. One definition of sustainability is, "the ability of an organization to fulfill its mission effectively and consistently over time by developing, procuring and managing sufficient resources (human capacities, giftings, finances, etc.) without creating dependency on external resources." The idea of sustainability is completely biblical. Jesus instructed us "to go forth and bear fruit, much fruit that will last" (John 15:16).

The Mission of the Global Teen Challenge Sustainable Solutions Department is to assist local Teen Challenge centers worldwide to identify and coordinate funding sources that will empower them in the development of sustainable solutions, micro-enterprises, and skills development.

 Our Vision is to identify strategies and assist Teen Challenge centers worldwide to become totally self-sufficient and empower individuals with skills that enable them to become productive individuals and break the poverty cycle.

And these are our Core Values:

1. We are a Christ-centered discipleship outreach that believes in practicing biblical principles of  stewardship.

2. We believe that sustainable solutions should arise from the grassroots--from your local area.

3. We believe that a helping hand is more effective than a handout.

4. We believe in individuals and organizations becoming self-reliant and financially independent.

5. We believe that every individual should be trained or educated with skills that empower them to be productive citizens.

Every idea has a price tag. In the following article on Strategic Planning (What is your Target?), we talk about the importance of the Action Plan. A key component of the Action Plan is, "What will it cost?" How will the idea or need or strategy be funded? Not only in dollars, but in resources, talent and manpower.

Every region of the world has a need for an economically viable plan to sustain its Teen Challenge ministries. By doing this, business plans are developed, micro-loans are obtained, marketable skills are developed, and generational changes are put into place. We want to encourage you to include this thinking in the Strategic Planning process and break out of the poverty cycle that affects so many ministries.

Click image to enlarge

All too often in Teen Challenge, we do not take the time to develop a strategic plan-define the target. Without it, we will never be as successful as we can be with it. There are some basic steps that can help you tremendously. Those steps are identified in the simple illustration to the right.  

There are several purposes for strategic planning.

• It helps to identify the ministry's strengths, limitations and weaknesses.
• Trust and communication can be established and built upon during the process.
• It helps to get leadership, staff and donors all on the same page--working together.
• It helps to define the real needs of the organization versus the perceived needs.

Who are we?

The first question that should be asked is, "Who are we?" Answering this question requires that you identify personal and organizational core values. Core values are timeless and seldom change, while practices and strategies are changing all the time.

(Read more) 

What does Teen Challenge have in common with Everest Base Camp in Nepal?  Before I answer that let me tell you that Everest Base Camp is at an altitude of 17,600 ft.   It is a place of serene beauty as you gaze on some of the tallest peaks in the world.  It is a part of the world that very few get to see.  A part of the world where the culture and landscape challenge you. 

Your trek starts when you step off your plane at Lukla, Nepal and you get a firsthand look at Sherpa village life.  As you begin to follow in the footsteps of many explorers, you find the beauty of majestic lakes and valleys as you wind up the trail towards Everest.  You cannot deny the awesomeness of God's creation as you look out from the top of the world.  Here is where it gets exciting if you have a heart for Teen Challenge! 

In April of 2012 a group of 15 adventurers will have that opportunity to trek to Everest Base Camp with a goal of raising funds to assist MAPS (GTC volunteer construction ministry).  This adventure will be hosted by Global Teen Challenge and executed by professional guides, professional climbers, support staff, Sherpas, and A/G personnel as we make our way to Base Camp.  The end result will be an adventure of a lifetime while at the same time impacting lives for Christ.   

The challenge for each team member is to raise $10,000 which covers all your lodging, food, hotel, transfers and guide fees.  Your $10,000 also provides a major donation for GTC MAPS department. If a team member raises $12,000, your airline fees to Nepal are covered also. 

The trip is 14 days long with sights and sounds that will be unforgettable.  Experiences like lodging in the highest village in the world at 14,000 plus feet, staying in Tea houses along the trail, and hearing the songs of the wind as you trek along the same trail Sir Edmund Hillary traversed. 

This trek will certainly give opportunity to bless others as it challenges you!  Your $10,000 will provide funds that assist in material purchases, team assistance, and support from the GTC MAPS office.  MAPS volunteer teams have made a difference for more than 45 years with more than 15,000 volunteers working on projects in 2010!

This will be a trip of a lifetime to travel with those who have a heart for missions and Teen Challenge.  For more details, See Brochure or  contact Jon Connally directly, email address: jconnally@globaltc.org  Phone: 706-315-7076. 

Now is the time to join something bigger than yourself and make a difference in someone's life!

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