Children of Abraham
This year at Vision Conference there were 106 students (90 seekers) in the Children of Abraham Track (students from the Middle East). This is the largest COA group we have ever had at Vision! You might remember last year that six students gave their life to Christ at Vision. Five of those six were back this year. Another previous attendee, “Kai,” became a believer after Vision last year. He has been baptized and wanted to come to back to Vision just to hear more about joining Bridges staff.
Pictured above: the COA Track discussion tables
Two COA students, “Kamuela” and “Kalani,” became believers right before Vision. “Kekoa” agrees with the beliefs of Christianity but is afraid to label himself a Christian and get baptized. Ten other students are very close to becoming Christians. They are currently counting the costs. Please pray that Kekoa and the other COA students would know and believe that Jesus is worth it! (Names changed for security.)
Ambassadors for Christ
Annalei and Miah were blessed to participate at Vision in the Ambassadors Track, which equips Christian students for ministry. They befriended Christians from around the world (pictured above in the header, left) and enjoyed multi-lingual worship. After one of the lessons, Miah said, “I was reminded of the life-changing fact that the joy and love you receive from Jesus outweigh the costs of following Him.” Annalei said this was the most impactful thing for her as well.
Pictured above: Annalei joins international students for worship
Prayer at Vision
Before Vision, I (Naomi) was able to train a handful of fellow Bridges staff to serve as Prayer Coordinators for their respective Tracks. As a result, there was more organized staff prayer at this Vision than ever before. One staff woman told us what a good and stretching experience this was for her. Through it, she realized how much the Lord wanted her to embrace the priority of prayer.
A New Sister in Christ
During Vision, I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t have the margin to hang out with Japanese students, but God reminded me that He is “the God who sees me” (Gen. 16:13). On the last morning before we left for the airport, He gave me the opportunity to lead a Japanese gal named Hana to Christ! (Pictured above in the header, right.) Her campus leader “Kawika” was in COA with me and connected us.
Kawika wanted to me to talk to Hana because she kept telling people she wasn’t ready to become a Christian but didn’t know why. We talked through her barriers to belief, and then she prayed to receive Christ as her Savior. The next day, Hana sent me this sweet text:
“Thanks Naomi! I’m happy to meet you in last couple of hours. That’s a gift. I’ve been thinking about what is [a] Christian for a long time but you told me that it’s a simple thing than I thought. I felt kinda relieved thanks to you. I really appreciate you. Thank you. ありがとう,Naomi😊”
PRAISE REPORTS
Largest COA Track ever
Kamuela and Kalani came to Christ
God used Vision in Annalei and Miah’s lives
More organized staff prayer at Vision than ever before
Hana came to Christ
Another Japanese student, Kohta, received Christ
PRAYER REQUESTS
God would open doors for Kai to join Bridges staff
Kekoa would not fear calling himself a Christian
Ten other COA students would come to Christ soon
Ambassadors students to become Christ-centered laborers
New believers would grow strong in their faith