Final Post for 2009

Dear Friends,
This is the final post for 2009. For those of you closely following this weekly blog I DID NOT make an entry last week...on purpose. It was intentional. I knew I would be writing today, December 21st. And I know I will NOT BE WRITING December 28th! So, this is it for 2009!

We began this new journey with STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT, (SI/JP) April the 6th of this year, 2009. It has been a great ride! Bottom line, we connected some churches with some GLOBAL JONATHANS who were connected with unreached people groups (UPG's). And now because of the "sowing of the message" we are ready to connect many more in 2010! Essentially this is what we do: Connect churches (1) with UPG's (2) and with JONATHANS (3) who are trained and ready to go. This triad is what enables us to do accomplish this task the Lord gave us, "To go into ALL the world...."

1. We identify UPG's of 100,000 or more people
2. We connect churches with a UPG from the list we have prepared
3. We train JONATHANS who are entering that UPG we have connected with a church(es) to plant multiplying churches within that particular UPG.

Now obviously it is a little more detailed than the three easy steps above...but you get the point. Right now we have churches praying about the UPG's they are going to adopt for five years. We want to be sure that there is a relationship with all three- Church/UPG/JONATHAN! This is not some black hole "out there" but rather these are real people with real needs and a real hunger to hear the story of Jesus as told by real modern day JONATHANS. I can get excited about that kind of relationship and I know you can also! And that, among other reasons, is why we are in this CONNECTING position! It is great to see God at work among people who have never heard the story of Jesus...ever! People are transformed. The story of Jesus becomes a burning passion for so many of the people. Whole villages are transformed. The Lord Jesus does HIS work and you and I have the privilege to be a part of this eternal "Jesus Movement" with UPG's around the world.

So we are on pins and needles looking with anticipation and eargerness at what the Lord is going to do through STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT in 2010. Let me make sure you have our contact information.

Graydon and Judy Jessup

714.488.7922

gjessup@stadia.cc graydonandjudy.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/graydon.jessup

Judy and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a New Year in 2010 that exceeds all of your expectations and anticipations!

With prayer,

Graydon and Judy Jessup

P.S. I give this next information with a certain amount of hesitation. But people have been asking and so I need to humbly respond. People have asked, "can we help you and Judy in the telling of this story by not only praying for you but also in helping you along financially as we know you are serving in this position by faith?" Our answer is "yes, and thank you so much for wanting to partner with us." If this is your heart desire, (and not taking anything away from what you are already doing financially) you can send contributions to:

STADIA

P.O. Box 19700

Irvine, CA 92623

Include this information on the check registry: Jessup 6-805

Once again thank you so much! Graydon and Judy Jessup

Moving the ball towards the goal line!

Dear Friends,

I know, I know! "Moving the ball towards the goal line," does not sound real spiritual. And the question could be honestly asked: "What does 'moving the ball towards the goal line' have to do with reaching unreached people groups?" Hey...I am glad you asked!

This past weekend (this could be used in a Trivia game) we learned what Universities were going to play important football games in a variety of Bowl Championship Series games. (That is "BCS" for those of you not interested in U.S. Football!) Many people were happy...and many others were angry...angry because their team was not selected for the most prestigious BCS game, or at least a high level BCS competition. The fans will be upset, sports writers will write many column inches of pros and cons, sports talk radio will debate forever about who should have been invited and who should not have been invited and the BCS "stuff" will continue to move forward no matter how angry or happy anybody happens to be! What a national diversion!

And so "we move the ball towards the goal line!" In the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT realm we use that expression of speech to help us understand that we are connecting unreached people groups (*UUPG's and/or UPG's)with church groups/small groups/families/individuals, through GLOBAL JONATHANS, who are prepared and ready to carry the Gospel into the hard places...or...who will actually be "moving the ball towards the goal line!" By making those "connections" the Gospel is being preached, Jesus is being exalted, lives are being transformed, and we are moving closer to the ultimate objective of Jesus Chrst- when all will have had the opportunity to have heard the Good News about HIM!

As I see it we are involved in the biggest, most eternal BCS of all! Ours is not just a temporary win at the end of a long football season. The BCS we are playing in is for keeps! We are not limited to a parade and a moment of fame on the TV (High Def...of course!) on the first weekend of the New Year. The parade we'll be in is eternal...it never ends! The band will play forever! The Marshall of the parade will always be the Marshall...the Grand Marshall...the Ultimate Marshall...none other than Jesus Christ. HE is the star. In the middle of the parade the TV announcer will not announce the NEXT BIG THING coming up on Channel so and so in such and such a city! There will be NO "next big thing!" The BIG THING will be taking place in front of our eternal eyes- we'll be there simply because we accepted the terms for getting to the parade as set out by the Grand Marshall...Jesus Christ! We want the WHOLE world to know that story, those terms, and have the opportunity to make that choice to choose to attend this Game of all Games- eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ.

And so we happily say, "we are moving the ball closer to the goal line" when another unreached people group (*UUPG and/or UPG) is adopted by a church, or a small group, or a family, or an individual! I invite you to consider being a part of this team. I visited with two churches this past week- one in Arizona and the other in Nevada. Both are jumping into the mission with us. Among the many wonderful things they both are doing they have determined, "we want to be involved in moving the ball closer to the goal line." They will be adopting either *UUPG's and/or UPG's and in partnership and in teamwork we will together, purposefully work at "moving the ball closer to the goal line!"

Please be in contact with me if you would want to know more about joining this growing team!

Merry Christmas,

Graydon and Judy Jessup

714.488.7922

gjessup@stadia.cc

graydonandjudy.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/graydon.jessup

*UUPG "Unengaged, unreached people group." To the best understanding of those who study and track these situations, people living within a UUPG have NEVER heard the Name of Jesus Christ and they have NEVER heard any word from the Bible. We believe that there are over 500,000,000+ people currently on the globe who fall into the UUPG category.

Christmas is in the air!

Dear Friends,

You can feel it can't you? Christmas is really in the air- you can just sort of sense it, see it, feel it. And it is a good thing. Jesus Christ was born! What an amazing story! I just never get tired of living out the story of Christmas. In story, in song, in drama, the greatest story ever told is repeated and repeated! And it is a good one, a true one, a life changing story!

In fact as I was pondering the story once again I thought to myself, "the story is why I am in STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT!" I want people who have never heard the story to hear. SI/JP gives me a method, a platform, a detailed opportunity to make sure that people who have not heard...hear! Even though I live 2,000 years this side of the point of origin of the story I still get to tell it, to describe it, to paint word pictures for people so that they also see it and get it! And that is exactly what happens when unreached people groups (UPG's) hear the story for the very first time. They catch it all through word pictures.

Did you realize that over half a billion people on the planet have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. They have no idea that the only Son of God was born in a lowly manger in a stable in Bethlehem. They don't even know that there is a Bethlehem. This is not to demean anyone. This is just simply a reality in our world. The half billion plus people who have never heard essentially live in "oral cultures." That is, they do not have a written language. They therefore do not read nor do they write. What they know they have learned "orally!" Somebody tells them a story. They hear the story and then they repeat that story. The stories are handed down from generation to generation. Then one day one of their own people, or at least somebody who can communicate in their language or in a common language such as a trade language comes and tells them this amazing story. "There is a God who loves you. And He sent His one and only Son to live on this earth...." And the story goes from there. People hear the story. They believe the story. The Person they hear about becomes real in their lives. Transformation takes place. An unreached people group has been reached...for the purposes and the plans of Jesus Christ.

As I think about all of this this Christmas I get very excited. We are involved in a huge undertaking. The objective is to tell "the story," to those who have never heard! Thanks to all of you for your prayers, your thoughts, your emails, your support. And I pray that for you and your family and your friends, that this Christmas is the very best ever! I imagine "you can feel it also!"

With prayers,

Graydon Jessup

Back Home...Again!

Dear Friends,

It was a fast and furious trip to the National Missionary Convention, held this year in Peoria, IL. You know the drill: You work like crazy to get ready to go somewhere, you go, and then when you return you work like crazy to get all caught up! I can tell...you have been there too!

The Convention was everything I expected it to be. I met many, many friends and made many, many new friends. Our objective: Get the story of STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT out so that others know about this incredible opportunity, to impact for eternity, an Unreached People Group (UPG) somewhere in the world!

A very fascinating piece of this kind of "get together" is that you also learn what others have been called to do in terms of ministry within the Kingdom of our Lord! God's plans and purposes are HUGE! Many, many different people have been called into a kaleidoscope of ministries...all over the globe! As you listen, ask questions and talk with people in their "booths," you immediately discover that you are not in this Matthew 28:18-20 project alone! What a team! And we all get to be an active part of this team. A fun aspect is that no one gets to sit on the bench...we are all players. That was driven home to me once again as I was in Peoria last week!

Remember the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT objective: Connect churches, individuals, small groups, etc., with GLOBAL JONATHANS who are prepared and ready to plant multiplying churches in very difficult Unreached People Groups. So that was my goal and purpose while in Peoria.

We are discovering it takes about three visits before a church or individual commits to adopting a UPG. Spending time at the Convention was one of those "first" visits. We will be following up with those first contacts and those interested in global outreach especially as it relates to the UPG's of the world! We have our hands full but that is really what ministry is all about...right?

Many years ago some people came to these shores looking for the opportunity to worship God the way they believed they needed to be worshiping Him. They had fled the oppressions of Europe to come to this "new land." Upon arrival it was not easy...but were they ever THANKFUL! And so the tradition of THANKSGIVING began as an expression of thanks to a Heavenly Father who had given them this time and place where they could worship freely. My word to you this Thanksgiving is be thankful for everything you have. But above all, be thankful to your Heavenly Father for His gracious gift to each one of us...Jesus Christ, and that we can worship Him freely!

Have a great Thanksgiving!
Graydon and Judy Jessup
P.S. Here are some speaking dates:

• November 29th, Mission Viejo Christian Church, Mission Viejo, CA
• December 27th, Mission Viejo Christian Church, Mission Viejo, CA
• (For your info: www.mvcchome.org will give you times and location of the church)

Our contact info:

714.488.7922

gjessup@stadia.cc

graydonandjudy.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/graydon.jessup

National Missionary Convention

Dear Friends,
This week, November 19-22, the National Missionary Convention (NMC) of the Christian Churches, is being held in Peoria, IL! (Bradley University is located in Peoria! Just thought you would want to know!!!)
The NMC draws people from all over...the world! This is an opportunity for those from within the States to connect and reconnect with those who are serving in a variety of Mission efforts from all over the globe. The speakers and workshops are the best. The convention hall is filled with booths representing world wide ministries. People who attend the convention walk away with their arms filled with brochures...DVD's...flyers...ministry/mission opportunities in every kind of possibility- preaching, teaching, language translation, medical work, educational work, justice efforts, ministry to children and women, ministry to the poorest of the poor, construction opportunities- you name it, there is a global ministry for it! (May not be the best sentence but you get the idea!)
I will be "working the crowd" who will be passing by the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT booth! We have new publication pieces explaining what this ministry is all about! And I am very excited about the opportunities to meet college students, young adults, those who are retired and anyone else for that matter who are looking for that possibility, that open door, that answer to prayer, that challenge to step out of a comfort zone and step into the Lord's comfort zone!
Remember what JONATHAN is all about! Some are Jonathans and take the impossible hill; others are the Armor Bearers who are supporting the Jonathans "...heart and soul" as they (the Jonathans) go after the hill! (I Samuel 14:7)
What is our entire objective? STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT exists to train and release global Jonathans to plant multiplying churches in very difficult unreached people groups within the context of what they have and who they are without the long term support of U.S. dollars. That is it in a nutshell.
Sent with prayer,
Graydon Jessup
P.S. You may not be attending the NMC, but perhaps you know someone who is! Give them a call or send them and email and make sure they visit us at the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT booth!

Flying home!!!

Dear Friends,

It has been a good "run" but a long "run!" Judy and I left for Thailand September 24th. That was a great trip. I landed home for a couple of days then headed out for Alaska. I am returning today, November 9th. Essentially from the 24th of September to the 9th of November I have been living out of my suitcase...and it all has been good!

Here is the deal. When you are doing what you believe God has called you to do the days and the miles all run together and you really do not notice! You don't notice that you are living out of a suitcase- until maybe the day you head home...like today! And then you notice. But then that is only for a day and then you are home!

This Alaskan trip has been over the top. The only way it could have improved was if Judy had been able to make the trip with me. I was so warmly greeted everywhere I stopped. It hardly seems like seventeen years have passed since we lived in this "Great Land!" The Body of Christ- that is, the part I visited, is doing amazingly and wonderfully well! Churches are growing. Peoples lives are being changed. A view for the world is evident in the lifestyles and the choices of the people. And folks are being impacted all the way from local cities and towns here in Alaska to around the world. I was truly blessed.

As I shared the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT story, people were moved. Planting multiplying churches in very difficult unreached people groups truly resonates with the Alaskan mindset. I anticipate much fruit from the efforts of these past three weeks as people begin to pray and adopt unreached people groups around the world.

Last post I spoke of 100,000 house churches started over these next five years. I am even more energized by this very real objective as people join the team in prayer and support. Once again if you would like further information please be in contact.

That is all for this post as I head in to Anchorage to catch a plane and return to Southern California.

Blessings,
Graydon Jessup
714.488.7922
gjessup@stadia.cc
graydonandjudy.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/graydon.jessup

100,000

Dear Friends,

Greetings. Here is what you will read in this blog:

• 100,000!
• The breakdown of how to establish 100,000 multiplying churches among unreached people groups in the next five years. (UPG's)
• 100,000 by God's grace and within His purposes and power
• P.S. An additional note!

That is right, 100,000!
When I wrote that number last week I gulped! 100,000! "So what's that all about?" "100,000 what?" That is, 100,000 multiplying churches planted in the midst of currently, unreached people groups (UPG's) over these next five years. These churches (all house churches) would be planted in the context of who they are and what they have without the long term support of U.S. dollars. Allow me to break that down just a little more:

• That is 100,000 house churches in a variety of currently unreached people groups.
• The House Churches are planted within the context of what they (the local people) have and within the context of who they are. (The local people once again.)
• These House Churches would be "jump started" with American funds or financial support from other nations. But then there are some specific things the financial support would not do:

1. There would be no purchase of property
2. No church buildings would be built
3. Now if the local people wanted to purchase some property and build a building they could do that within what they have and who they are. That is their decision, not STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT!
4. Our observation is that the governments where we are planting these churches would be forcefully opposed to any and all church building construction and would probably "torch" them if they were built. Thus, the House Churches!

• There would always be an exit strategy in place within a five year mark for American Churches and/or individuals who were financially supporting these church plants. In other words, the Gospel would be preached, House Churches would be planted, and the ministry would continue with the funds from within the unreached people group after the five year mark for each group. Churches and/or individuals who were supporting these ministries for a maximum of five years would be able to step aside knowing that the churches had been planted, that people were being saved and that the Gospel would continue to march forward, all without the financial aid of the American Churches.
• These House Churches would be planted to be multiplying House Churches.
• Within these Churches there would always be a prayerful watchfulness for other potential JONATHANS who would be assessed and trained then released to take the Gospel to other UPG's.

With all of this in mind you can see why 100,000 multiplying House Churches in UPG's over these next five years is a possibility...with God in it! We all know, none of this is possible, even remotely possible, without the Lord in it!

This is a simple prayer and a simple request...with eternal consequences. Would you join us in prayer and pray that over the next five years 100,000 multiplying House Churches would be planted and that they would explode into a global movement that could only be ordained by God?!

Thanks ahead of time for joining the Team with your prayer support!

Prayers for 100,000!

Graydon Jessup
P.S. To get more information you can email me at gjessup@stadia.cc or give me a call at 714.488.7922.
P.P.S. This weekend, November 7/8, I will be speaking at Faith Christian Community Church, formerly Parkside Church, the Church Judy and I led for 22 years while in Anchorage, Alaska. What a great opportunity and privilege to tell the STADIA INTERNATIONAL-JONATHAN PROJECT story to FCC! We'll be reconnecting with many friends. If you are in the area I hope you are able to come to one of the three services. http://www.faithak.com/