Soar Team Montreal wrap up post

“I can’t believe two weeks flew by so fast”  “I don’t wanna go home…I love it here!”  “I’m totally changed and can’t wait till Soar 2010” “I’m so in love with God now it’s not even funny!” “I broke through!”

These were just some of the comments from our team as we wrapped up Soar ’09 last night with a powerful time of worship, praise, prayer, testimony and commitment.  We began the day with another 2 sessions of team debrief, which mostly focused on the Re-entry phrase after a missions experience.  On Monday afternoon, Randy Friesen helped our team unpack some of the experience here at Soar, and got us to open up on our victories, breakthroughs, and frustrations.  Tuesday afternoon our team went for a celebration lunch together at the Montreal Poutine Restaurant in old Montreal.  We also took time to check out the St. Denis and Mont Royal areas for their unique shopping and store themes. 

Tuesday evening we again worshipped with passion and abandon for God.  I wish you could have seen the intensity and energy our students, and the majority of those at Soar, were engaging in the presence of God these past 2 weeks…every session was definitely a time of celebration, petition and running after God.  Randy Friesen again challenged us with stories of God loving His people with an aggressive love…he shared stories of how prayer and obedience has changed the hearts of some of the most hardened people his experience with MBMS has ever encountered.  He shared testimonies of transformation and salvation, and closed our time with a metaphor challenge for us to “break through” in our walk with God by letting Him break forth before us.  He had us pass through a make-shift gate (symbolism of Psalm 24), but only for those that wanted to see genuine breakthrough in our lives as we humble ourselves before God.  The challenge was not to pass through on our feet, but on our knees.  We ended with some very emotional and authentic prayer with each other on our team, as well as others we’ve connected with throughout.  I was completely blessed by praying with…and then stepping back to watch our teens encourage one another in prayer, tears, laughter, devotion, opening their bibles together…I was so STINKING proud of them, and honoured to be their pastor.

So as our mission assignment here is complete…everyone is now on-board Westjet flight 251 heading to Edmonton, and then back to Abbotsford…although we almost missed our flights due to intense airport traffic and the Westjet computers being down…but God paved the way for us…yet again!  So as I sit next to a new friend I’ve made from Parksville Church in Victoria, on my way to meet up with Amy and the kids in Toronto…I’m asking myself…what have we learned through all this experience?

Well we learned that, although community is awesome, community showers will not be missed!  We learned that we really can go two weeks without media and Facebook!  We learned that our fears of going outside our comfort zone was a realistic fear, but that our God is so much bigger.  Here are some other things we’ve learned as a team;

- We love Montreal…and Quebec…and her culture and history

- That there is a real hunger for God here…as well as hurt, pain and disdain towards God.  But the church here is reviving and unleashing a new generation of God-worshippers

- You really can have a two week mission trip with minimal team conflict!

- Prayer matters…and it does change things…and God does hear every prayer…and that it doesn’t have to seem boring, trivial or irrelevant

- Missions is a lifestyle, and not a “trip” or merely an “experience”

- God is crazy about His children…even those who don’t yet see themselves as His

- Abbotsford is much more of a mission field than most would think…both inside, and outside of the “church”

- Worship is also a lifestyle…not a scheduled event or program

- That Tessa is a passionate worshipper in Spirit and Truth…Isabella is developing a warrior spirit and passion…Amelia has unveiled a new-found faith and hunger for God…Dominique is being unleashed with a boldness and courage not seen before…Jessica is seeing God as Daddy and growing immensely in her discipleship walk…Kris is a gifted encourager and displays a very disarming spirit with people…Ryan is showing much maturity and trust in God as he grows deeper with Him…Daniel, whom we already knew was the life of a party, is also seeing life transformation into a mighty man of God and devoted follower of Christ…Meg is now seeing her relationship with God come alive, and the value of community…Alex has gone from a shy and unassuming teenager, to a creative and social young woman that is beginning to see God really work and move in her life…Brandie is loving Montreal all over again and has the ability to keep pace…and even go ahead of hyperactive teenage boys!

What have I learned?  Well I’d love for you to ask me yourself, but I really did learn more about who I am…and who I’m not…that the Kingdom of God will not be shaken…that authentic and intimate community can still exist in a large youth ministry…and that I have a burden and passion for the spirit of God to revive, awaken and restore the church of Quebec!

So there you have it…our unique perspective throughout the week on Soar ’09…and if you’re interested in hear more, then stay tuned for our Soar reunion and celebration night coming up in August.  It will be a chance for our team to share pictures, videos, stories, testimonies…for you to ask questions…and for our partners in prayer, financial and encouragement support to get a glimpse, along with parents and friends, of two weeks that has changed our lives, and hopefully made us that much more dangerous for the Kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness!

All 4 His Call;

P.Shawn