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Jordan Tate

2019 Summer Missions Trips

October 9, 2019 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

We are so overwhelmed by God’s grace and blessings to us this year! This year we had 111 teenagers go with us to various churches to run our sports camp Bible schools. This was our largest group ever! We took three trips to Bradshaw, WV, Ringgold, GA, and Southport, NC/Olyphic, NC.

We began our summer with a trip to West Virginia. God blessed us richly on this trip. On top of the sports camp Bible school, we were able to participate in numerous work projects including: painting, electrical work, building, pouring concrete, etc. The people of Bradshaw were very appreciative, and this trip once again showed that God is rich in grace and mercy.

Our second trip of the year was to Ringgold, GA. We conducted out work at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Pastor Neil Grimes is the former pastor at Shoreline Baptist Church in Southport, and he invited us to

2019 Bradshaw Mission Team

come this year to have our program at his church. God did not disappoint. We had a fantastic camp with the kids, and we had several of our own mission team members come to know Christ on this trip. When God saves a soul we can do nothing but stand in awe of His grace. We were able to minister to many teenagers in the area as well, and we’ve made great contacts for future kingdom work in the area. We can’t wait to go back next year!

 

Our third and final trip of the summer was a 2-for-1. We conducted two sports camps in the same week at Shoreline Baptist Church in

Southport, NC and Olyphic Baptist Church in Olyphic, NC. We started our camps in the morning in Southport, and then we sent a team every night about an hour away to conduct another sports camp in the evenings. This time proved to be tiring, but God provided us with the strength to get through it, and we were blessed richly for it. While the Olyphic team was running the evening camp, we did a teen ministry in Southport led by Mark McKinney and Jonathan Lunceford. During this time we had another mission team member come to know Christ as his Savior. We were so blessed by God during this time!

 

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and financial support for us. Without the faithful support of all of you, we would not be able to do what we do. Keep us in prayer throughout this fall/winter as we conduct our school ministries and basketball coaching.

Filed Under: archives

Mark’s Message- August 2019

September 10, 2019 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

When I think about our incredible summer, two verses come to mind: Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know”, and Proverbs 16:9 – “A man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps”

 

We had an amazing summer. It was full of mission trips, camps, bible studies, worship, service, hard work, fun and laughter. We had a record  number of people join us this year for our trips. We had a total of 111 people that came from 23 different churches who served with us on our mission teams this summer. Those people shared the gospel in the   mountains of West Virginia, in Georgia, and along the coast of North Carolina in two different communities. Not to mention the 3 local camps we did in Alamance County as well. We were able to share God’s love, and the hope that He gives with nearly 1,000 people! We saw people receive Christ (children, teens, and adults) as their savior. Others were rededicating their life to serve Christ, to be a godly influence in their school, church, and families. Several expressed they felt like God was calling them into full-time Christian service. Here are just a few of many quotes from this past summer:

 

“I’ve been a Christian for a long time, but this trip has literally changed my life”.

 

“Please pray for me as I feel like God is calling me into ministry”.

 

“This year God is working in my heart, and I know God is telling me to be a leader at my school”.

 

“Hey everyone……I just got saved”

.

“Never have I felt so much love, and acceptance than from this team”.

 

“I am officially giving my heart to God”.

 

“Before coming on this trip, I had got off the wrong path, but I am rededicating my life to God”.

 

“Next year, I want to do all three trips”!

 

From a parent: “my child has come back a different person”.

 

From a local pastor who had students go on a trip: “those kids came back and have us all fired up”.

 

From former mission teamers who visited our camps: “Don’t take these trips for granted”. “Decide now to serve God and live for Him”. “God is always pursuing us”.

 

Wait! There’s more. Just heard from one of the pastors of a church where we did a camp. He said “two new families started coming to church since their children attended sports camp while we were there. One of them came forward during a recent service to receive Christ as Savior”! How exciting!

 

I shared the two verses at the beginning, because there was so much up in the air with planning our trips. We had new destinations, new schedules, more people than ever before, but God. We tried to plan accordingly, but it was truly God who directed our steps, and He did things we didn’t even know about. Far more than we could have ever imagined. All praise to God! He alone is worthy.

 

Mark

 

Filed Under: archives

Dare To Dream

September 10, 2019 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

I have to confess, I am a dreamer! I believe God when He says that “All Things Are Possible”. I really get fired up when I hear people say negative things like, You can’t do that, that will never happen, or you will never raise enough money for  that.  I have been the Director of Christian Adventurers for almost 39 years. During that time, I have seen God work in ways that you wouldn’t believe even if you were told! Dream Big! Expect Big Things! Pray For Big Things! Believe in God’s Provision! Receive Big Things! Some people get stuck in their circumstances but I believe with all my heart that God can change your circumstances!  Matthew 9:23 says, “All things are  possible to him that believes.”

 

So far, 2019 has been has been a whirlwind of activity and ministry and the new school year is just beginning! We have big plans this Fall and want to reach as many kids possible. Coaching is an effective tool we use in sharing the Gospel. It’s Christ first and basketball second. We will be coaching 4 teams this season that includes over 40 boys. Our mission teams this summer included over 100 teenagers that went with us to Bradshaw West Virginia, Ringgold Georgia, Southport NC and Olyphic NC. We want to keep this group together for local mission opportunities during the school year.  Senior adult ministry has been a real blessing as we do programs at the Graham Senior Center and Alamance Health Care in Burlington, NC. There is still our focus on “At Risk” kids in our weekly Monday Night ministry. It takes a lot to effectively share Christ and develop relationships in all these areas. This is where I am asking God to provide friends to help us financially. I can’t do this alone. I believe God is using us to make a difference in the lives in hundreds of children and teens  everywhere we go.

 

A pastor told me to be bold in asking for support. The Gospel is free but running a ministry is not. I need people that believe in our ministry to come along side of us and offer their prayer support and trust in God’s provision and support us financially as well. Partner with us by making a donation by sending it to PO Box 292, Graham, NC 27253 or I can meet with you in person to share more details about the ministry and how your donation can and will make a big difference.

 

 

Always Looking For The Miracle,

 

Terry

 

Filed Under: Chief's Corner, News

Christmas in the Park

December 12, 2018 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

This past week we had the opportunity to minister at “Christmas in the Park” in Elon. We have been a part of this program for years, and it is always such a blessing to do puppets and songs for the kids.

We put on a Christmas puppet show, played games, and even held a Christmas karaoke contest for the children. The setting was beautiful, and we participated in age old Christmas traditions. The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree was beautiful, and of course the coming of Santa on the fire truck was in the highlight of the night for the children. But, the reason we come to this event is to share the true reason we celebrate Christmas. There is nothing more important than taking time to think about the coming of our Savior Jesus, which is truly the greatest gift that has ever been given. We hope and pray that God used us during this time to further his gospel and kingdom!

Filed Under: archives

Hurricane Florence Relief

October 4, 2018 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

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On September 22nd, we had the opportunity to be involved in relief efforts for Hurricane Florence victims. We headed down to New Bern, NC to help the family of a friend of ours, and it was such an eye-opening experience for us. We were blessed with the opportunity to go and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

As we pulled into New Bern we noticed trees down every where. The water levels (which were no longer covering the roadways) were still extremely high, even right up to the road. The neighborhood we went to was a very nice neighborhood. It was on a marina, hence all of the flood devastation. We drove around the neighborhood in search of our destination and saw boats from the marina sideways, on the grass (one of which had almost hit a building), and piles and piles of debris along the road of people’s belongings which are now ruined. All of the houses were fine structurally as God, by His grace, decreased the storm’s wind speeds significantly before it made landfall. These residents’ belongings, however, are a different story.

We pulled up to the house that we were there to help with, and already there were piles upon piles of ruined belongings by the road. Our crew of about 15 people started to head in and see how we can jump in there and help. We equipped ourselves with work gloves and face masks, as the flood water had contained sewage. For hours we pulled out appliances, keepsakes, tools, pictures, etc. that were no longer any good. It truly was a heartbreaking experience. We headed over to help a neighbor who was working by himself, and we did the same thing at his house. We pulled out everything he owned and put it by the side of the road. We ripped up carpet, and prepared for the drywall to be taken out. This man that we helped had lost his car and his truck to the flood water. This was a great experience for us to help us learn to count our blessings!

Overall, we were blessed to be a part of this experience. I encourage you, if you are able, to head down to the coast and go help someone who is in dire need. Not only is it satisfying to help others, but it will help you put your own life into perspective, and help you remember how blessed you are. It sure helped us! Please continue to keep everyone who was affected by this storm in your prayers, and again, if you are able, go down there and volunteer to help.

 

 

 

Filed Under: archives, Featured

Reaching Out

June 14, 2018 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

This week was full of fun! We had the opportunity to conduct a three-day camp at the Graham Recreation Center for a group of senior adults. We had around 10 of our mission team members come to spend time with these senior adults, and it was a very fun time full of blessing.

Josh Stewart praying with one of the senior adults

The camp consisted of a lot of the activities that we do with children on our annual mission trips. We sang and danced around to our fun children’s songs, we did a daily puppet show, and we played games. The senior adults really enjoyed the time that we were able to spend with them, but I know that our team was blessed equally as much just having the opportunity to be a part of it. At the end of each day, we did short Bible lessons that were conducted by Jordan (our new full-time staff member), and Jonathan and Josh (our summer interns.)

On Monday, Jordan spoke about the hope that we have in Jesus. In recent weeks there have been some high-profile people that have taken their own lives. Despite whatever is going on in your life it is important to remember that we have hope in Jesus, and, as the song goes, “life is worth the living just because HE lives.” We will experience trials, but we are promised in Romans 8:28 that “…in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

On Tuesday, Josh talked about how God hears us. He cited the Old Testament story of Leah and how she cried out to God in pain because of her situation. God heard her every time she called out and blessed her richly with many children. Leah named all of her children special names that had deep meanings of God’s faithfulness to her. No matter what you’re going through, God hears you!

Mission team singing

On Wednesday, Jonathan spoke about the story of Job. Job’s story is a very popular example to cite when we talk about trusting God, and for good reason. God allowed Job to experience immense trials in his life. Satan took everything from Job except for his life, and it would have been very easy for Job to just give up. But, rather than take the advice of his wife and “curse God and die,” Job remained faithful to God and was blessed far more than he ever lost because of it.

All of these lessons are encouraging to us, and we were so delighted to be able to share them with the senior adults that we worked with this week. Please pray for us as we prepare for our busy summer of ministry. We have three mission trips coming up, and we pray that God will use us as he sees fit.

 

 

Filed Under: archives

Looking Forward

May 31, 2018 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

As we prepare to head into the summer, we are overwhelmed and overjoyed at all of the ministry opportunities that God has given us. On top of the two annual missions trips to War, WV and Southport, NC, we have added a third trip to Olyphic, NC. On these trips, we will be conducting our sports camp Bible schools, as well as service projects and programs for senior citizens. The opportunity to be a part of the staff on these trips is very exciting because, in middle school and high school, I was part of these trips as a mission team member. As I grew up in Christian Adventurers I learned the importance of serving others and serving God.

My second CA trip in 2007

I went on my first trip with Christian Adventurers when I was 13. The trip was to Southport, NC and it was the 2nd year Christian Adventurers had gone there. Every year since then, we have been going to Southport to serve at Shoreline Baptist Church and conduct our sports camp Bible schools. A couple years after that I decided to go on my first trip to War, WV.

These trips turned out to be very eye-opening for me. Due to the economic status of that area, I was exposed to an amount of poverty that I had never yet experienced. After I got back from my first trip to War, I was reminded of all of the blessings that I had at home and charged myself to never take what God had blessed me with for granted. Thankfully, God allowed me to go on several trips with Christian Adventurers in middle school and high school, and those trips allowed me to learn how to serve God and serve others.

I am now on the other end of these trips. I am a staff member and a leader. God has now allowed me the opportunity to invest in young people like so many others invested in me when I was young. The impact that Chief and Mark had on me as a young person was huge. I am now able to try and make an impact on others’ lives as a staff member. I pray that God will use me to be a light and leader to the young people that we are going to minister to, as well as the teenagers on our mission team this summer.

Southport 2017

As we look ahead to this summer, we have a lot to prepare for. This coming week (June 4-7) we are holding a soccer, basketball and volleyball camp for kids grades 3-8 at Bethel Baptist Church. The following week we will be holding a morning camp for a group of senior adults at Graham Recreation Center. After that, we begin to gear up for our 3 week-long mission trips that we will be doing this summer. Please pray with us that God will lead and guide us this summer as we minister to children here at home and in other states. Pray that God will prepare our hearts to be servants for him so that we can forget all other distractions and spread his gospel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: archives

Reach. Redeem. Restore.

May 21, 2018 by Jordan Tate Leave a Comment

The goal of Christian Adventurers is simple: to REACH the youth of Alamance County and guide them to changed lives through the love of Christ. As we work with children and teens in the area, we are given many opportunities to shine a light in this dark world. One thing that I find amazing is how God uses things to bring honor and glory to himself. God uses unqualified people all the time to reach others for him. He also uses events to bring himself glory. No matter how big or small the event is, God’s power shows when people are brought to him. Many times God will use big, extravagant ways to bring a lost person to himself. In this instance, however, he used a bracelet.

Every Monday night Christian Adventurers has our “club” night. We meet at the Graham Middle School gym at 6 pm and host a group of middle and high school boys for a 2-hour basketball and Bible study time. When I was in middle school I went to these same meetings that I am now privileged to be a part of working. Since I grew up being involved in Christian Adventurers, I am able to testify on the impact that our various ministries can have on the lives of young people.  These times are a great opportunity for us to share the light of Jesus Christ to some young people that most likely do not have much light in their lives right now. Yes, most of them probably come to play basketball and be with their friends. However, in the process, they are hearing the truth of the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. These Monday night meetings are always a huge blessing for us at Christian Adventurers, but one Monday recently proved to be particularly special for me.

A few weeks ago I showed up at the Graham Middle School gym just like any other Monday night. I was wearing a bracelet, just like I had every day for the past month or so. I received the bracelet about a month prior at a Sidewalk Prophets concert that I attended. The bracelet simply stated, “Reach. Redeem. Restore.” I liked that! I wasn’t sure why I just liked it. It was simple, catchy, and who doesn’t like alliteration? Besides all that, it contains a great message! This particular Monday night that message was noticed. It was toward the end of the night and one of the middle school guys called me over to talk to him. His name is Jalil. Jalil is a very nice kid and a great basketball player. He is always very respectful and kind, and he is a joy to work with. When he called me over, I really had no expectation as to what the conversation was going to be about. He immediately asked me if he could have my bracelet.

Jalil and I after I gave him the bracelet

“Why,” I asked?

“Because I like it,” he responded.

I obliged, but not before asking him more questions.

“Did you read the bracelet,” I asked him.

“Yes, it has to do with Jesus,” he quickly replied.

He was on the right track. So I used that as an opportunity to explain to him what I thought it meant, and why I wore it. I explained to him that Christian Adventurers’ goal is to REACH the youth of Alamance County and beyond, so that God may REDEEM them from their sins and RESTORE their once God-hating lives into lives that exist solely to bring Him honor and praise. He listened intently as I spoke to him, and nodded along in understanding as I explained to him the gospel and reiterated why we do what we do. I’m so glad that God used a measly little bracelet as a means to share his gospel. I don’t know if God will save Jalil, but I do know that I will try to water that seed that was planted as much as I can and allow God to do the rest!

Jalil has promised to wear that bracelet every Monday night when I see him. Please pray with me that we will continue to do the work that God wants us to do, and that we will make positive impacts on the kids and teenagers of Alamance County.

Filed Under: Blog, News

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