Story of the Week
God Moving in Chicago
Greetings!
"Today was an exciting and eventful day for our team! We had 3 separate schools hosting rallies for each of their 4 lunch periods - that's 12 rallies total!
The three schools included were Larkin, Elgin, and Streamwood high. Today was Larkin's only rally this week, but Streamwood and Elgin will continue to host rallies this Thursday and Friday as well.
The day started off with a few challenges. One of our team members got sick last night and had to stay in bed for most of the day to recover. This meant that we had 7 people to spread among 3 different schools with only 2 cars (and did I mention we had to pick up pizza and donuts for these events?) . We also had the unfortunate news that Larkin's scheduled rapper wouldn't be able to show up because he had gotten sick.
Once we got our bearings and managed to get food and men on the campuses, the Lord did His work, and we witnessed, yet again, several high students come to hear the Gospel.
Larkin High reached around 150 students total today, Streamwood had 228 students, and Elgin had over 300 students attend their rallies. All speakers made significant connections with the students and effectively shared the Gospel through their testimonies. From a former drug addict, to a man brought up in a broken home, to a women miraculously cured from her STD, students were captivated by the hardships of these people's lives and the power of God's love to bring salvation and restoration.
 |
|
Elgin Students at a rally
|
CSP team members and Uprising Bible Cub members had the opportunity to speak with a handful of students after these events and had great, honest conversations about the Lord with them.
Our team has been continually impressed by the passion and ambition of the high school Bible Club members hosting these events. It is evident that God has stirred up a common desire in their hearts to make a difference on their campuses and to see the lost of the generation be found. Their zeal and enthusiasm is infectious and we are all honored to have the privilege of witnessing and partaking of what God is doing in these schools."
To give you an idea of the kind of passion and ambition these students have, check out a fantastic interview with student leader Ari from the Chicago HomeTown trip Kick Off Event:
 |
|
Ari Interview | Chicago HomeTown Trip
|
As we look ahead to 2 more days of rallies and mentoring schools, please be praying for these keys things:
#1. Health: Pray that our team members, speakers, club members, and targeted high school students all remain healthy this week. Sickness is a great enemy and will keep anyone from coming to these rallies.
#2. Uprising Club Members: Pray that the high school students running these events will continue to step out in their faith this week. Pray for the boldness to invite their friends to these events and to even talk to their friends and peers about God after these events. We all go home this weekend, but these students will have to opportunity to follow-up and share with their classmates for weeks to come.
#3. Holy Spirit: Pray that the Holy Spirit will be at work in the hearts of students we are praying to see saved. Pray that students will come who have not intention on coming. Pray that students will listen. Pray that students will recognize their need for a Savior and surrender their lives to the Lord.
Praise God for the work He is orchestrating in Chicago! We look forward to sharing more exciting news next week from another HomeTown trip that is heading to Fresno, CA.
