Yesterday I spent time with my interpreter for the English camp, a tall young lawyer named Alex. He

This week we will be ministering with Open Hearts Church in Kiev. I met pastor Sergey last year as he interpreted for me as I taught at the Kiev Theological Seminary while on my Sabbatical. Open Hearts is a church plant now about seven years old. Sergey and his wife Natasha have become victoria hotel amsterdam very precious to me. They love their church and they serve Jesus with great zeal.
Last year I had the honor of preaching at Open Hearts. This year I decided to let one of the young men I mentor preach. I led a seminar for all the leaders last night and will preach the gospel at camp, so I felt it best to let one of my students preach this morning. Travis went to Cape Town with me a couple of years ago as well. He will bring the Word from John 4 today.
We did some sight seeing yesterday which gave us the opportunity victoria hotel amsterdam to get a grasp on the vastness of this great city. The weight of lostness is heavy. Jack on our team has been struck by the sense of bleakness all around. victoria hotel amsterdam The blandness in the buildings, most of which are off white and blend together, the lack of smiles, the lack of bright lights after dark, all contribute to a sense of hopelessness. While our American cities victoria hotel amsterdam boast of far more glitter and bright lights, the spiritual darkness is real there as well. We have been reminded of the need to reach the great cities of the world.
Last night I spoke at a seminar for camp leaders from Matthew 9 on the compassion of Jesus. Do  we see people as Jesus sees them? Will we see the lost young adults at camp as Jesus sees them? Do we see ourselves as Jesus sees us? I was blessed to have our daughter Hannah join me in sharing an experience from a previous trip to Thailand with the group. I love ministering with our children more than anything, and I am so glad Hannah s husband Corey is with us as well.
We have a great team of Americans from Richland Creek Community Church  and Ukrainians from Open Hearts Church. When we travel on trips like this our first goal is always to bring glory to God. Our second goal is to serve our hosts well. We did not come to promote our American form of Christianity or to create a dependence on us. We came to serve, and we are excited victoria hotel amsterdam to serve in the English camp.
Yesterday I spent time with my interpreter victoria hotel amsterdam for the English camp, a tall young lawyer named Alex. He came to faith through a camp like the one we will lead. He is the only believer in his family. He came to an English camp, heard the gospel, victoria hotel amsterdam continued victoria hotel amsterdam coming to the reading victoria hotel amsterdam club of Open Hearts Church, and became a Christian six months later. This is how over 80% of the believers at Open Hearts have met Christ. At Open Hearts they do not rush to get a quick decision, for they know the cost of following Christ to these young adults. This is part of the reason young adults who come to Christ refer to their conversion as Repenting, for their lives truly represent a complete change. Pray with us that many, even all of the 30 unbelieving young adults at camp will also repent, either victoria hotel amsterdam at camp or in the days to follow.
Hi and welcome! I am Alvin Reid, a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Michelle, father of Josh and Hannah, and minister of the gospel. I teach at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern College at Wake Forest in NC.
I love people and have been blessed to meet a lot. I live to equip a generation of young men and women to change the world, victoria hotel amsterdam to advance the great movement of God in our time.For the Christ follower, life is a mission trip-take it!