TURN or BURN

I've heard of the POWER TEAM for years, but until we hosted the team this week have never seen them in action. These guys are huge and come from various athletic backgrounds. Their feats of strength are fun to watch and they're great at putting on a show.

The thing I've been most pleased with the positive message and influence these guys carry to students through school assemblies. This week around 15,000 students in our community have not only been entertained by the strength of these men in their school assemblies, but have also been challenged to make the best choices...to stay away from drugs, alcohol, junk food and cheating. To choose respect, abstinence, hard work and study. I've been amazed at how the team communicates and connects in different ways with elementary, middle and high school students. They really shine in these settings.

The same day the Power Team was at my daughter's High School a news story broke about one of that school's students who had been found dead outside her mother's apartment several weeks prior. The news confirmed that this high school junior was legally drunk when she died due to hypothermia. Can there be any doubt how desperately our kids need to hear the challenge the Power Team is giving?

Another thing that has blown me away has been Power Team President Todd Keene's message each evening. It's real, even raw at times, but right on when it comes choosing Jesus. It's sort of the "Turn or Burn" style of preaching. And, wow, has it been effective. Over 300 people have made professions of faith in just three nights.

I did a little study of the Gospel of Mark this morning and found that Mark only documents Jesus using the "Turn or Burn" style once - Mark 9:42-48. The Power Team has a unique way of gaining people's interest and opening hearts and minds to hear a message like this. They can say it in a way that wouldn't work for those of us preaching from week to week. And, I'm glad they're doing it. It's an important part of the overall effort of Christ's church to reach a culture that is increasingly turning it's back on God.

The Power Team is bringing more power to our community this week than what it takes to bust blocks, rip phone books, lift telephone poles, and break out of handcuffs...they are bringing the power of Jesus Christ to make an eternal difference in our lives!