Reflections on Jon & Beccy’s God Adventure to Ohio

[3rd – 5^th April 2009]

We have an amazing Father who knows our hearts and hears our cry!

As we look back at our prayer requests for the ‘Youth Prayer Retreat’ at Beulah Beach on the shores of Lake Eerie, He answered all those prayers!

We had prayed specifically for connections between us and Irma and her family. (Irma had invited Jon in India at the International Consultation of Prayer, saying ’Turning the Tide was exactly what they were ready for!)

We discovered that we shared God’s heartbeat for children and youth but also incredibly had been married precisely the same day!! In the warmth of their home God brought completion to a picture. Previous experiences had led to Beccy feeling as though God had thrown her up and left her mid-air. Back in March at ‘The Roar’ she saw in her mind’s eye the Father’s hands about to catch her. As she woke one morning in Ohio she knew God’s arms holding her close again.

Jon felt that God wanted young people to rise to the challenge of leading and speaking. An initial meeting demonstrated that God had already been stirring their hearts – their enthusiasm was that tangible!

Then at the venue, after a mix up in communication, we decided to stack and put away 250 chairs ourselves! We felt God was saying: this is not a spectator-event. I want my youth to lead, not just listen!

At the Retreat Jon encouraged the 12 to 18 year olds that they could hear from God. God did not disappoint!  As the weekend progressed more and more young people came up to the front to share. Lives were changed in the awesome worship and deep, heartfelt prayer. Cardboard testimonies showed what God had done – we give Him the glory!

One young teen has been changed so much; having gained in confidence, she is accompanying Irma on the IPC Prayer Assignment to the headquarters of the UN in New York City in September!

To get a taste of the Beulah Beach Youth Prayer Retreat see the YouTube – link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3fZFB1oM8Q and read this email from a leader who brought her young people to the event:

How does one describe what happened at the youth prayer retreat?  The best way I can put it is to have you close your eyes and see the following images in your mind:

Try to picture 200 junior & senior high youth (plus about 50 adults (sponsors, staff, etc.) sitting on the floor in the basement of the lodge at Beulah Beach.  They are all sizes, shapes, and nationalities.  The band starts to play a worship song.  The bass booms, the drums keep a steady beat and the singers begin to sing well-known words.  250 people rise and start to join them.  Have you been elbow to elbow with 250 people singing “come, Holy Spirit”?

The speaker moves into place after the time of worship.  Suddenly we are transported to Great Britain through his accent.  The assembled group doesn’t care — they speak English, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese.  As the mike is opened for responses and comments, a line forms.  Everyone in the line wants to share what they have heard God say to them.  Again, those in the line exemplify the group’s makeup — adult, youth, child, black, hispanic, Korean — all with a story to tell.

On Saturday evening the room is transformed into a prayer room with seven distinct prayer stations — all relating to the seven last words of Christ on the cross.  After worship and some instruction those assembled are turned loose to listen to God and then move around the room as He says.  About 25% of the youth get started, but the rest are just sitting there, listening, crying, heads bowed, watching.  When was the last time you saw 150 youth sit still before God in silence? 

One of the boys from my youth group wanted to hear from God — he had never heard God speak to him before.  He didn’t know what to do, so he sat there and watched everyone else.  He waited and listened.  All of a sudden his head went down and he sat there for 20 minutes before I spoke to him.  All I said was, “did you hear God?”  His reply?  “YES!”  He reported later that not only did he hear God speak to him personally, but that he liked it.  Not only did he like it, but he wants more!

Gaze to the right.  One of the adults are washing feet.  There is a square on the floor made with green duct tape.  The youth are writing their sins on the tape before they enter the curtained room, where they expect to meet God.  Move around the room.  A teenage girl is sitting, face to the wall, and crying as she forgives people and herself.  Keep going around the back of the room.  On the left sits B.J.  Wheelchair bound, he is blessing anyone who will come close and kneel beside him.  In one corner youth are writing on cardboard — one side is the before and the other side is the after —  with God.  As you move to the front of the room the band is playing quietly.  Suddenly there is an intensity in their playing — not loudness, just three guys worshiping God by playing their guitars.   In the center of the room a Korean girl prays and cries.  Suddenly there is a ring of Koreans around her (4-5 deep) and they are all praying for her and with her.

I could go on and on, but this should give you an mental picture of 200 youth meeting God in different ways — in personal ways.  Why do I invite youth to drive 7 hours with me for a weekend?  Because I know they will meet God at the prayer retreat.  What better use of my time and energy?!  Do you know youth or children who should meet God?  Send them to the children’s or youth prayer retreat — you won’t regret it!”

Youtube video of Youth Prayer Retreat in Ohio April 2009

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3fZFB1oM8Q

“A video showing Jon & Beccy at work in April ‘09, leading young people in prayer in Ohio”

‘Youth Prayer Retreat’ – Beulah Beach,

• Beccy and I had the most wonderful time, with God blessing the trip in so many different ways!
• In particular our host and co-leader, Irma, with her husband Joseph and children Ruth, Rachel and Katie!
• We prayed for connections before we went and wow! Just one example: Joseph and Irma were married on the same day as us (yes, the same day in the same year!).
• We met and were blessed by some truly amazing young people.
• We had the privilege of ministering to and praying with Ruth and her fiancé Corey (they were married on 18^th July).
• We were blown away (and humbled) by some of the youth at the prayer retreat.
• They truly rose to the challenge we gave them of getting involved.
• We had effective and significant teams of youth: helping to lead the event, interceding for it and on the creative team.
• MANY of them came to front during the weekend, to testify, to share, to pray and even to preach!
• Don’t foget to check out the video ‘souvenir’ of the weekend – see above.

Jon & Beccy’s Prayer Requests and Itinerary for Youth Prayer Retreat – Beulah Beach, Ohio    3rd – 5th April 2009

Prayer Requests

• For relationships to be built quickly between us and both the young people and the other leaders;
• For God’s anointing on the whole event and specifically on Jon and Beccy as they minister;
• For some of the young people to participate in leading the event in its various aspects;
• For God’s presence to be evident, especially in the meetings;
• For young people to be touched by God and challenged by Him;
• For safety in all the travelling, for good health and high energy levels!

Itinerary

Tuesday, 31st March 2009

Fly out to Cincinnati – 9 hour flight
Connect Cincinnati, Ohio – 1½ hour flight
We will then be picked up by Irma Chon, the organiser of the event.  We are staying at her house near Cincinnati prior to the Retreat

Wednesday, 1st April 2009

Resting and recuperating from flight

Thursday, 2nd April 2009

Preparing for Retreat

Friday, 3rd April 2009

Drive from Cincinnati to Beulah Beach Retreat Center (about 2½ hours)

7:30 PM    Check In (Lodge)
9:00 PM    Welcome to Retreat/ Ground Rules/Guidelines
9:30 PM    Opening Session (chapel) Jon Bebb
Worship Team
10:00 PM    Message/Prayer Jon Bebb
11:00 PM    Campfire (Snack)
11:30 PM    Individual Youth Groups meet with leader/counselor for reflection
12:00 PM    Go to Bed/Lights Out!

Saturday, 4th April 2009

7:30  AM    Wake-Up
8:00  AM    Breakfast (Cafeteria)
8:45  AM    General Session in Chapel
Opening Worship Time
Explanation of Time with Abba (TWA)
9:00   AM    TWA
9:30   AM    What did God say?
9:45   AM    Worship
10:15 AM    Message/Prayer Jon Bebb
11:15 AM    Hearing from God Activity
12:00 PM    Lunch (Cafeteria)
12:45 PM    Afternoon large group activities
5:00 PM    Prepare for Dinner
5:30 PM    Dinner
6:00 PM    Worship Team
6:45 PM    Message Jon Bebb
7:45 PM    Boiler Room (release to pray)
10:00 PM    Snack (Cafeteria)
11:30 PM    Individual Youth Groups meet with leader/counselor for reflection
12:00 PM    Go to Bed/Lights Out!

Sunday, 5th April 2009

7:30  AM    Wake-up
8:00  AM    Breakfast
8:45  AM    General Session in Chapel Jon Bebb
Worship
9:00   AM    TWA (Time with Abba)
9:30   AM    What did God say?
9:45   AM    Worship Team
10:15 AM    Message/Prayer Jon Bebb
11:15 AM    Hearing from God Activity
11:45 AM    Room-Clean Up/pack-up/load vehicles
12:00 PM    Lunch
1:00   PM    Depart
Monday, 6th April 2009

Fly out to Cincinnati – 1hr 14 minutes
Connect Cincinnati – London 8 hours flight

Return home Tuesday, 7th April

Notes

About 240 youth 12 – 18 year olds are expected to attend the youth retreat;

Ohio is five hours Behind British Summer Time;

This is an extract from the invitation to attend the initiative:
This will be our 5th year for the retreat.  The past two years we have been running around 210 -240 youth (6th – 12th grade) (12 -18 yrs old).  God has been meeting us in awesome ways each year.  Two years ago Atnne Peik from South Africa was with us.  He gave the youth a big picture of what God is doing through the prayers of youth.  They left with the excitement that they were not in this alone.  Last year Brad Jursak from Fresh Wind Ministry in Canada led the youth in knowing that they can hear God’s voice.  They left with such a joy knowing that God will answer them when the call.  They were also reassured of His great love for them.

This year (2009) I have been sensing that the Lord has been speaking the word repentance to me.  I believe this next gathering the Lord wants to lead the youth into genuine repentance for themselves and for their generation, etc.

When we were together in India I felt confident that the Lord was directing me your way.  I have continued to pray and still sense strongly to ask if you are available.  “Turning the Tide” is exactly what we are ready for!

April 2009

With Jon and Beccy travelling to Ohio on the 31^st March, we have brought the publication of our April E-prayer forward.

Youth Prayer Retreat in the USA

Beulah Beach Retreat Center, Vermillion, Ohio, Friday 3^rd – Sunday 5^th April 2009

With this event fast approaching Jon and Beccy are making their final preparations for the trip. Please find their prayer requests below:

Specific Prayer Points

† For relationships to be built quickly between us and both the young people and the other leaders;

† For God’s anointing on the whole event and specifically on Jon and Beccy as they minister;

† For some of the young people to participate in leading the event in its various aspects;

† For God’s presence to be evident, especially in the meetings;

† For young people to be touched by God and challenged by Him;

† For safety in all the travelling, for good health and high energy levels!

Jon and Beccy’s Itinerary for the trip is available on the TTT website.

If you would like to find out more about the event, trying searching on the internet under ‘Youth Prayer Retreat’.

‘The Roar’ Weekend at Ashburnham

The Roar

UK Prayer

Movement

www.the-roar.org

Thank you so much for all your prayer for our weekend at Ashburnham and for agreeing to stand with us. We had such a wonderful time and our God was awesome throughout. His presence was tangibly felt during ALL of the sessions; all of the young people present were touched and in many, many cases visibly affected. Most made contributions either from the front or during ministry times and it was such a blessing to see our prayers answered in so many ways.

It has taken us this long for it all to truly sink in, that something was birthed in the Nation at the Ashburnham weekend at THE ROAR. Words don’t really do it because everyone who was there has a story! What follows is but a fraction of what Father, Son and Holy Spirit did together amongst us all.

We saw many answers to prayer including one little one committing her life to Jesus on the first evening, her sister asking to be baptised in the Holy Spirit in the middle of the night (and her first experience of speaking in tongues actually waking up her mother!) and at least one healing (of an adult who’d had no relief from a bad back for over two years). We were also able to pray many times in the Prayer Centre at Ashburnham and to pray with some of their staff. These were such powerful times, truly awesome to witness and be a part of.

Very significantly some of the young people started to pick up the mantel which is to lead this movement!

Godfrey and Gill Birtill were such a blessing as worship leaders as they obeyed the Holy Spirit and helped with the birthing. On the Sunday morning Godfrey challenged the youth, especially the songwriters amongst them. “We’ve got enough ‘nice’ songwriters in the nation,” he declared, “but what we need is a few more NASTY ones!” Its time! TO RISE UP!

What an amazing time. We are SO THANKFUL to God and give HIM all the glory. We want to give the first fruits of praise to Father God and we are gathering feedback to learn the ongoing stories of how the children are hearing God and walking with Him, as well as what He showed them over the weekend.

We are also starting to work out the next steps for THE ROAR.

With heartfelt thanks once again and with excitement in our hearts, with our love and prayers for each one of you.

Chrissie, John and Jon.

And last but not least…

Thank you so much for your support; we are more aware than ever how important prayer is. Without prayer, we could do nothing!

We are very grateful for all who pray for us regularly and who share our vision for the rising generation. May many, many of them find their purpose and destiny in the Lord Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us in the Gospel and we all pray for you.

Jon and the rest of the TTT team

For those of you who use Facebook, TTT has a Facebook group; just search Groups for ‘Turning the Tide’.

 3rd March 2009

Mothering Sunday 22^nd March 2009

With Mothers Day fast approaching, Mothers brace yourself for your home- made Mothers Day cards made with such love and care, the egg shells in your breakfast and the messy kitchen YOU have to put straight when you get up! But hopefully not for having to give an explanation to your neighbour why they have flowers missing from their garden.

They say a Mother’s work is never done and many of us throughout our lives encounter a Mother’s love – It may not be a birth Mother but a special lady who has been there for you at the right moment at the right time, a lady who has stood in the gap on your behalf and has religiously prayed for a breakthrough in your life.

So today we would like to honour these women our Mothers, Grandmothers and Sisters: Happy Mothers Day…………………….

My Miracle Mother by Joanna Fuchs

Mum, I look at you
and see a walking miracle.
Your unfailing love without limit,
your ability to soothe my every hurt,
the way you are on duty, unselfishly,
every hour, every day,
makes me so grateful
that I am yours, and you are mine.
With open arms and open heart,
with enduring patience and inner strength,
you gave so much for me,
sometimes at your expense.
You are my teacher,
my comforter, my encourager,
appreciating all, forgiving all.
Sometimes I took you for granted, Mum,
but I don’t now, and I never will again.
I know that everything I am today
relates to you and your loving care.
I gaze in wonder
as I watch you being you—
my miracle, my Mother.

‘The Roar’ Weekend at Ashburnham

The Roar

UK Prayer

Movement

www.the-roar.org

Making space for children to pray and engage with God

This is now just round the corner and we are full to capacity save for 1 or 2 spaces.  We are so excited that we will be gathering at Ashburnham to adventure together with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We have sent out some brief prayer notes to a few folk who have offered to pray for the event; please contact us if you would like us to send these to you. However our main request is that you simply stand with us in prayer especially over the weekend.

The families of some of the children who are coming have not been able to afford the full cost and so we are anticipating making a small deficit on this event. Please do let us know if you would like to help us to cover this loss.

Youth Prayer Retreat in the USA

Beulah Beach Retreat Center, Vermillion, Ohio, Friday 3^rd – Sunday 5^th April 2009

As you may remember the end of this month sees Jon and Beccy off to America to take part in the Youth Prayer Retreat where they have been invited to be Leaders. The final programme is yet to be confirmed but the theme for the retreat is ‘repentance’.   Flights (for which the cost is going to be reimbursed) have been paid for and they leave on Tuesday, 31st March and fly back on Tuesday, 7^th April.

Specific Prayer Points

       For a mighty revival and a turning of the tide amongst young people!

       For “The Roar” and the event taking place at Ashburnham next weekend – for the final preparations, for the finances and for the right children to come;

       For the safe travel of all the participants;

       For the presence of the Lord throughout the whole weekend;

       For Jon and Beccy’s trip to the USA in April, that God will prepare us in every way and give us His message for the Youth Prayer Retreat;

       For the Lord’s confirmation and provision for Jon’s possible trip to Thailand and Cambodia in August. He is keen to go, if possible with a small group of young people but as the trip is self-funded, finance would be an issue for us;

       Jon has been invited to return to New York in September for the second international prayer initiative at the headquarters of the United Nations, if possible with a few young people. He is currently praying about this opportunity;

       For the global ‘Children in Prayer’ movement as a whole and for its funding (as mentioned previously). This is such a key prayer weapon for worldwide revival!

And last but not least…

Thank you so much for your support; we are more aware than ever how important prayer is. Without prayer, we could do nothing!

We are very grateful for all who pray for us regularly and who share our vision for the rising generation. May many, many of them find their purpose and destiny in the Lord Jesus.

Thank you for partnering with us in the Gospel and we all pray for you.

Jon and the rest of the TTT team

A fuller, illustrated version of this prayer letter is available on our website – www.turning-the-tide.com. Please do check it for latest news and resources.

For those of you who use Facebook, TTT has a Facebook group; just search Groups for ‘Turning the Tide’.