The Countdown Begins!

Dear Friends,

We were able to watch the blastoff of the most recent Space Shuttle. What an incredibly awesome manifestation of power. I have never gotten tired of watching those blastoffs! And what do you hear as you watch those last few seconds before the earth rumbles as the jets fire up and the craft is launched into space? You hear the countdown: "Twenty seconds and counting!"

Judy and I are in "countdown" mode before we take off to Thailand, October 24th. I have been to Thailand before. But this is a new venture for Judy. We are both excited that we will be able to take this trip together and experience the JONATHAN TRAINING as a couple. This Training is a critically important piece of the puzzle. In fact it is the cornerstone for JONATHAN. Here is the progression:

1. Find and identify "Global Jonathans!" Remember that a "Jonathan" is an individual who has the character temperment of the Biblical Jonathan- I Samuel 14. The Biblical Jonathan moved forward when all odds were against him. But he moved forward in the power and strength of his trust in the God of the universe! So first and foremost, we are looking for modern day Jonathans.
2. Once identified and challenged we train those Jonathans in a two week intensive.
3. Once trained the Jonathans then move into the unreached people group they have identified and prayed over. Remember that these "Global Jonathans" do not consider what cannot be done...rather they prayerfully prepare to take the "difficult hill" through their faith in God. In partnership with the Lord, they believe that as they do their part, God will do His part in "taking the hill."
4. With that faith they move forward to "take the hill," or that would be, to preach and teach the Good News of Jesus Christ to a difficult people group previously untouched by the Gospel.
5. As soon as people come to faith, they then begin to tell the story of Jesus and as they tell the story they are also "trained" to take the Gospel to their circle of friends and family. Bottom line- people who had never heard about Jesus, hear about Him. Lives are changed! Eternity comes into view! The Gospel moves forward per the instructions of Jesus Christ!

So, the countdown is on as we ready ourselves for these two weeks of training, Sep 28-Oct 10. We believe that this "power-surge" can be effectively realized and actualized as men and women from around the world are trained and released to tell the story of forgiveness and love through God's Son, Jesus Christ!

Prayers,

Graydon and Judy Jessup

P.S. We had a great time dedicating the new worship facility for LifeSpring Christian Church, in Beaumont, CA. We were able to reconnect with many Eastside Christian Church folk. LifeSpring is a church plant out of Eastside! It was a glorious day! Dwight and Carol Addelman lead LifeSpring and they are doing a fantastic job!