Serving A Mighty King... Reaching the World for Jesus

What does the word Burn mean to you? And what does the word Shine mean to you? Do they affect your daily life?

I have to say that no much has had more of an effect on my life like Burn and Shine have in the last year. Burn and Shine respectivly are the Mens and Women's Ministry here at SEBC. I've been a part of them from the beginning of my time here, and they have become a deep part of who I was. We, as a ministry team, do a lot of dramas (Human Videos) and just spend time seeking the Lord together. We've been all over Alabama doing dramas, and spend countless hours together getting them ready.

What a blessing Burn and Shine has been to me over the last year. The people involved have influenced my life more than they will know, and our time together always a joyus occasion. We've spent more hours together than most drama teams get to, because we live "together". We can meet late at night or early in the day, and know that we will be there. It is rare that I am without a part of that group of people. I mean, very rare.

It was a former member of Burn that introduced me to something that is very much a part of my life right now. I don't know who I would be without that ministry, and I cannot tell you that I know who I would be without WhoSoEver Ministries. It is these people that opened doors in my life to see that God has a bigger plan for me than I ever had for myself.

Burn people were praying for me when I was in Africa. They were the ones that called when I got back into America. They were the ones that never tire of hearing the stories. They are the ones that I owe a whole lot more to than anyone I know. They are people that I would call family more than anyone I know. They are people that love. They are people that I would take a bullet for. They are people that when you hurt them you hurt me. They are people that I know for a fact would love you too.

Burn is something that is amazing. Burn is part of the revelution. I can see us staying together after graduation. Even if we don't, I can tell you that these people are going to do something great for the kingdom. I know these people well enough to say that this is real for them.

Our faith isn't a joke. We will love you. We will teach you. We will let you live with us. We will let you fail together. We will let you succeed together. We burn and shine. Do you want to burn and shine?

This is something Ike gave me a while ago. I like it and am trying to live it out.

I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slowdown, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sightwalking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at thepool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,preach until all know, and work until He comes.And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear for "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.." (Romans 1:16)

A Young Pastor in Africa