Beautiful LA!!
Though the weather outside was very not-like Southern California, that didn't stop us from having a beautiful weekend inside...a powerful journey with God that has just begun. Once again, from the look of things, I'd say for about 98% of the people here this was their first Passion gathering. But, as the hours passed, the idea of living for His fame (more of Him and less of me) became a more demanding and attractive proposition. There's so much to be said, but at the end of the day all that really matters is that Jesus was most beautiful in our midst, and His rescue is inspiring us to give our all.
It was so humbling for us to be in the room with students from over 200 colleges and universities up and down the west coast, and with friends from our World Tour city stops Seoul, Tokyo, Vancouver and our LA partner city Jakarta. He is the God of this city...and your city...and greater this are still to come!
Watch for more pics and the LA recap podcast (a serious and not-so-serious look at an amazing weekend) in the days ahead!
Louie and the Passion Team
32 Comments:
Dear Mr. Louie-
Recently, I listened to your series on Hope. After I heard your first message on Hope, I asked God why I couldn't have heard the message when I was in the middle of all the garbage I had gone through last year. You see, I switched schools, switched majors, moved twice, got in a car accident, my grandmother passed away, etc. Last year had been one thing after another and most of the time I felt as though I was barely holding my head above water.
Lately, though, things have eased up a little. Over the year, I have learned to take everything to the cross and what it means to trust Christ with everything. There were moments where I felt completely alone and, yet, in those moments, I began to realize that God is the only one that doesn't leave us.
However, I've been having some issues with my church. Some people have been really been saying some really inappropriate things to me and been entirely too rude. I've attended this church since I was 15. I'm 21 now and, when I wasn't going to school 700 miles away from home, I was at church everytime the doors were open. I've loved my youth group with everything in me. Always willing to help out with whatever.
Last night I found out that the leadership and a few others think I'm homosexual. Somehow, it had gotten back to my brother (who left the church about 6 months ago) and he told me.
I'm heartbroken. Mr. Louie, I've never dated, but that's because there aren't many guys where I'm from who are Christians and when I was at Bible school, my focus was learning about God, not finding a guy. I cried for hours last night after I found out. I feel like the bottom has fallen out again. I told someone recently, that though I was having problems with a few people at church, overall, I've been getting weird feeligns from people. Well, now I realize what it was.
It's especially difficult because church is supposed to be safe. People aren't supposed to talk like this. I promise you, with everything in me, I'm straight. This really sucks. I feel like everything, my reputation and personality, my relationship with Christ, everything is in question right now. I do my hardest to love Christ the best way I know how. I feel like I've been trying to "prove" myself to so many people in this church for so long and now I'm tired of it. I can't stay there.
God's taught me how to bring so much to the cross and leave it there for Him to fix...I don't know how to do it this time. I'm not bitter, but I am heartbroken. I don't know how anyone could think I'm like that.
I suppose I'll have to go back and listen to your message on Hope again today, because I know I need Jesus, but I don't understand how people whom you've trusted for so long can have rumors going around like this. I feel like the bottom has fallen out again. The church, the people whom I have grown to love and trust, is the one place I feel as though I can't show my face because of what they think of me. It's not supposed to be like this.
I know that God works everything out for the good (rom 8:28) and that he is near to the brokenhearted (somewhere in psalms) but it's hard to see it this time. I don't know what to do. How do I make this better?
-Courtney
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 2:22 PM
HHMMM...I don't know if you even read these comments, but I hope so. I went to your 08' passion conference in L.A. this weekend and was wondering if I could contact you. I'm agnostic and I had some questions about your God. I know this is a Christian forum so I feel weird about this. well I want to give you my email. If you can contact me, I would really appreciate that.Its Taurushottie04@yahoo.com. I only want Louie to contact me, I don't want random people contacting me please.
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 3:24 PM
I just want to thank you for your faithfulness and all your hardwork to bring Passion to LA! I'm a newly married guy and it was me and my wifes first time to coming to something like this. Man, we had an encounter with God and we did not leave the same! I knew I had a call to plant a church in philippines and I asked God to just confirm it in me and in my wife and thats what happened this weekend! Just as Francis said, college kids do go all out... so me and my wife are going to start the process of going out to the philippines and just making God famous in the universities!
Thanks again!
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 3:28 PM
Dear Courtney,
I'm so sorry someone has said these things to your brother. When people say things in your abscence, it makes it hard to respond with the truth. what you said--in that you are not feeling bitter (that is very admirable) but brokenhearted (that is quite understandable). I just wanted to encourage you to continue seeking the Lord; as you mentioned, He promises to be near to the broken hearted. I do not know what the dynamics of your church are, but you are saying someone told your brother that the leadership is saying this about you. Well... as hurtful as that is... could it be possible that what this person told your brother... is not right? What if the leadership is not saying this? Perhaps its all something misquoted, misunderstood, misconstrued. It seems like the best way to clear things up - may be to go to your church leadership about it; let them know what's been said and let them know what your heart is. You sound like you have a very humble heart. Is it possible that they too could be victims in this? (if they havent said these things)- and that talking about it with them directly, could help set the record straight and bring healing? ...or... if someone actually has said these things... it would provide an opportunity to bring out the truth (and an opportunity for their repentance and reconciliation?) I don't know, these are just my thoughts and I'm no expert... before doing anything, I would encourage you to pray and seek how God would have you proceed. I'm praying for you, and just want to encourage you to keep seeking His face and remember that He loves your humble heart and is the Lifter of your head.
blessings~
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 4:04 PM
Dear Courtney,
I want to echo the comments of that last post. I am so sorry to hear what you are going through, and will be praying for you over what I know will be a difficult time. Please do consider going to your church leadership. Even if you end up deciding to leave that church, hearing what they have to say can be helpful to you. Also, Jesus tells us in Matthew to go to those who have offended/hurt us to clear up any disputes. If you feel better, bring your brother or someone else with you. But know that there is nothing wrong with you. People judge everyday, even people in the church. While its not right, and we should all strive to not live that way, it is the reality of living in a fallen world. Continue to draw near to Jesus and he will draw near to you, giving you comfort and strength through this very difficult time.
May God bless and keep you throughout this year.
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 4:57 PM
What happened at Passion LA makes me smile :)
praise God!
By DP, at 1/27/2008 5:17 PM
Praise The LORD!
Sing to The LORD a new song,
and His praise in the assembly of saints.
Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful ine their King.
Let them praise His Name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the tamberine and harp.
For The LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation.
- Psalm 149:1-4
Thanking our Awesome God for everything He has done this weekend and praying that His praise would only continue to swell into a mighty wave- for His beautiful name! May you all be protected and blessed as you head home!
By Aslan's Girl, at 1/27/2008 6:11 PM
Hi Taurushottie04:
The best way to get a hold of Louie is through info@268generation.com
You can direct your questions that way as well.
Thanks for coming and I hope you find the answers to your questions.
-Josh
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 6:20 PM
Courtney,
thanks for feeling free to share with us... I will be praying for you.
Last night I was having a bit of a rough time and I kept hearing these words echo in my heart: "GOD SAYS WHO YOU ARE"
So - Courtney, hold onto that! It is the truth and it can get you through so much... I can relate to having others (in the Church) talk behind my back and stuff as well... But, God is SO incredibly faithful. ONLY GOD says who you are and you can't find your identity in anything but him...
It's to bad that things like this happen in the church... of course not dating does NOT mean that anyone is gay... that's ridiculous!
SO, we love you Courtney... Hang on to Jesus and you'll get through this :)
"...this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1
Now about Passion LA! - I'm so glad it went well, I was praying! Next Up - Dallas! YEAH!
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 6:36 PM
My husband and I led a group of 16 to Passion LA and we all walked away changed (I think me most of all!). I was so blessed by God. We appriciate all you are doing to spread the word of our Savior Jesus to the next generation around the world! I pray that the students in every single city on your tour encounter Jesus in a powerful way.
My husband and I are going to pray that God will provide a way for us to come to Jakarta in August. If you need people to come serve please let us know. Our email address is: alexandkristinab@aol.com
Thank you again. God bless you guys.
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 9:16 PM
LA was simply amazing!
By Anonymous, at 1/27/2008 9:32 PM
courtney, hold onto Jesus with all you've got. i'm praying for you in your situation. btw, way to focus on Christ at bible college and holding out for a boy that loves Jesus. your worth comes from Christ alone and don't let anyone make you think otherwise.
By Anonymous, at 1/28/2008 12:12 AM
Lord, be in these words as I attempt to clearly and whole-heartedly convey your message. Above all else, shine light in the brothels and give hope to the women in children who so desperately need help.
My name is Jenna and I am a student from a small Christian School (Vanguard University) in Orange County, California. I just got back from the Passion Conference in LA and I was shocked with the astounding results from giving. God has really blessed the Passion Ministries and the organizations that have been placed to join together in this movement. I am a fundraiser myself, apart of a 501c3 non-profit called Kids With Destiny.
At the conference, true stories were told of real people doing radical things to help others. Kids With Destiny is one of them. We are only eight, female, college Seniors who have established a group in order to raise money and awareness in order to help the women and children of Calcutta, India. We too are also urging the masses of college peers to understand under the biblical context to ‘give with a generous heart’.
This group has seriously been prophetic, originating over 2 years ago, before there was even a plateau of awareness for sex trafficking. I could tell you a million miracles of God’s work through this ministry but I will sum it all up in a familiar lyric, “Greater things have yet to come; Greater things are still to be done.” So much has been done; so much is left to do and now becoming college graduates, we are at a threshold to be used for God as He conquers the sex industry.
We have a huge “Fruitcake” heart for India, brothels, college students, each other, and mostly everything that Passion stands for. Though I say all this, I’ve been wrestling with disagreement from bits of the last talk. I feel that the unrest of what I heard frightens me for the future of your ministry, but moreover for the safety of sex trafficked victims globally.
If you fully hear out my heart on this discerning conflict please listen to a youth representative of whom your ministry reaches to and who might even share wisdom beyond the boundaries of “life experience”. Our group has become knowledgeable experts on the injustice of sex trafficking. We have been preaching to the masses such as at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa, through college campuses like Vanguard, Biola, Azusa, and Whitworth (to name a few), high school campuses across the country (in CA, MT, OR, CO and WA). We want to give insight to join and take part in a movement so beyond our capacity of understanding. Let’s align knowledge and spread truth to help this injustice.
We are young, 20-21 year-olds and we know how crucial those numbers really are each year we grow away from our connections with college students. God is using Kids With Destiny on what seems to be a big scale to us but after I returned from the Passion Conference in LA, I caught the vision of what we are actually taking part of at our age. It already IS incredible but we know there is more to be done. We are such dreamers, that it wouldn’t be surprising if there were homes and long-term care programs established for each sex-trafficked victim before we die. God will exterminate this industry; we know we have been blessed to help STOP the cycle for this time of our lives.
I believe that change and hope is in me, us, my group called Kids With Destiny. God has spoken to me through your ministry- please hear this voice shouting back through the crowds.
With peace and understanding,
Jenna.Kristen
Human Resources Director
KidsWithDestiny@gmail.com
By Unknown, at 1/28/2008 6:27 AM
oh my goodness...i can't express how much passion L.A touched my heart. this was a great weekend and to be able to worship my savior with so many other believers in ONE ROOM...was simply the best! thank you for coming and blessing us all with this conference.
God Bless you All
By Anonymous, at 1/28/2008 1:08 PM
hey Louie & the Passion Staff,
I'm one of the 2% that has been to a bunch of stuff ya guys have been doing for years (In fact, I was proudly wearing my old, well worn and loved "One Day" shirt from many years ago). Thank you guys so much for bringing the Passion experience to LA. This year, I was finally able to travel out with 9 students from our college ministry. As we were in line to get registered, I had so much joy for them to be here, and experience God through our short weekend at Passion. I remembered back to the years when I was a college student and had the opportunity to worship with you guys at various events. I was more excited for them to be experience this in college, than for me to be experiencing it now, because I know of the change that can happen in a college student's life when they encounter God. I'm praying that through the messages that you and Francis spoke that there will be a lot more "Fruitcakes" out there that will be making a difference in the college campuses in America, and the world.
For all of you volunteers and the dedicated Passion Staff (and even former staff that I got to see around ;). Thanks for all that you guys did that weekend. To live lives that are dedicated to making HIS fame known through the lives of college students is amazing. Praise God for each of you.
To you students in towns and cities near the gatherings to come, Go! Don't even debate about not going. Save a couple bucks each day, plan to go with some others from your ministry, and just soak in God's presence.
-Randall from California ;)
By Papa Snuggles, at 1/28/2008 3:01 PM
haha, I forgot to mention to ya Louie. If I saw ya over the weekend, I was going to tell ya this in person, but with the whole LA weather part and being rained in... "It just wouldn't be a Passion gathering without the rain. PULA!"
-Randall
By Papa Snuggles, at 1/28/2008 3:17 PM
Aloha! From the City of Honolulu!
HEY Friends! I just arrived back home in Honolulu Hawaii from Passion L.A. Volunteering there was a lovely and astonishing Holy Spririt filled adventure for me and a few others from Hawaii. All the students that Came Rushing in to WORSHIP Jesus as our first love were so amazing ( Big Hearted 4 sure). Thank you so much for being there ..its was an honor to be able to serve you all. Be sure to share your messages with others...and give people grace! I also want to encourge all you fashionable girls to Go to Paris and use the money you make to learn a few things there as well as encourage people to GO!With Him!
The Lord dropped a new job in designer hand bags(Unexpected) after I heard about PARIS..I know he wants to enable us all to be were He calls us...He opens the Doors so we can run in and pray+ give +serve with our best! Be serving out of the over flow wherever you Are . Mahalo!!! and Keep Dancing LOves!
By B aloha, at 1/28/2008 4:29 PM
How can I get a hold of Francis Chans message from saturday night...
By Anonymous, at 1/28/2008 4:44 PM
thanks for a life-changing weekend!!
By Anonymous, at 1/28/2008 6:28 PM
To Whom this may conern-
WOW LA was amazing!
God is awesome, and I am Mike
I am getting the chills just writing this. So anyway I was at the event and I can say my life was changed. I am 21 and engaged to be married on Jun 7 2008 (06-07-08)and we have been together for 4 yrs, now and that in itself is a work of God. She is a great christian girl and I was (past tense) a very non christian boy but God has worked wonders in my life. So we have been arguing lately becuase she wants to give and help children in Africa a lot and I do but, I want to also make a lot of money first. She has been very stressed the last couple of months and I have too because I was presented and oppurtunity to make A LOt of money this summer which she was scared about because I starting talking about the sick cars I wanted after this summer and I have to move to Austin, TX from Utah in May a day after she graduates college and miss her birthday on may 18 then come back for our wedding and honey moon a week before JUn 7 then she moves out to Austin with me until the end of September. Well she started praying for me asking God to help me understand what she felt for those kids in Africa, which I didnt know about. So we are at Passion and I am there worshiping God and next thing I know I start weeping and then the speaker ask for anyone with sins or hard time to stand up, well if you knew me a "cool guy" I would never stand up in a crowd crying especially with my group of guys around. Well I do and then the speaker ask for everyone around to pray for that person while touching them or holding them, next thing I know this weight is lifted of my shoulders dont know what it was at first but the next little while I do. So we are jamming out and then Francis comes on stage all bugged just really pived by something he starts to speak and something inside me kicks on. He talks about taking risk and we are at the age we can change the world. About giving everything we have to do something that Jesus would want us to do. I get this great idea I start smiling then my fiance and her cousin who both know me well look at me and think I am up to no good. I tell them I have a plan that is going to change our life and ask if they are willing to take a risk for the kids in Africa. Of course both say yes, then they ask me what it is I reassure them I will tell them after the the session. Then I pray because I still want to make lots of money and help, then Louie comes on stage and speaks right to me he says there are some of you who are suppose to make lots of money and have great business sense well make as much money as you can. and at this point I know I have a God moment. but I cant wait to tell Jessica I say to my girl Jessica hey come out side I have to tell you. "So this is my idea babe, what if for our wedding instead of gifts we ask for money and set up a account, and all the money we were going to spend on a nice honeymoon we put that into the account and then move to TX and instead of making 60K which was our goal lets not settle for anything under 100k, and come back and get people and go to Africa for a month and set up an organiztion or something I dont know we dont need stuff or all those bimmers I want." I am just freaking out I felt like Francis and Louie were talking directly too me. Then she says she had a some what same idea! so we tell her cousin who is so excited she is in. Then I say to my group I have to tell them something once we get into the hotel. They all are like man you are on fire they all are in. So in the van the next morning I start talking to other people they are getting excited and we starting making plans on the way back to Ut so we are planning a mission trip to africa in Dec over our Christmas and asking everyone we know not to give gifts but money or something to help us for this cause. We are all so excited that God is awesome and glourious. O and something else we stop at in and out somewhere in Cali or Nevada but my buddy Ben text his buddy what up he replies dude I have been thinking about moving to Afica! no joke so we might go and set something up and he could stay crazy things happen when you truly open yourself to GOD. This is way more things that happened all ready in two days WOW I am so excited! I will keep you up to date! Thank you GOD
Let everything you do give glory to God
Mike
By BMWkindaguy, at 1/28/2008 7:31 PM
LA = amazing!!
By Anonymous, at 1/28/2008 7:53 PM
thanks Passion team for shareing what God has done so far In LA. again I so wish I could take part in a physical way. But just being able as I have said so many time to be connected in this way is fine with me right now. In the future if it is Gods will I know He will break the doors wide open for me to enter thru with out a doubt it is the right timing.
Courtney I am praying for you sister in the Lord. For I too have for the last year have gone thru alot. But God is so faithful and His eyes are always on us.
I do pray that who ever was involved with those words will be convicted and will repent. I do pray for reconciliation for you and your church home. I pray God will give you wisdom and peace as you make maybe some hard decsions regarding the furture.
Know you are greatly Loved!
By Liz, at 1/28/2008 10:38 PM
WOW! Where to even begin ... I definitely had an encounter with God. Can't wait to hear the LA podcast!! :D
By Anonymous, at 1/29/2008 2:30 AM
Thank you for coming to LA! What an amazing time to gather together, to step into all God has for us as young people. We have an amazing window of availability to be used in whatever way God wants as people in our 20s. Let's step in to receive all He has for us and to be used by Him to futher His Kingdom. I was really challenged that my own thinking is way too small - and by letting go and listening to Him He can move me in big ways. He doesn't have to use me but what a blessing that He wants to. Thank you Louie, Francis, and the Passion team for all you do!
By Tina Mather, at 1/29/2008 2:58 AM
I am a member of Kids With Destiny, a young 20-something group made up of 8 women, who meet each week to discuss and work against the issues of sex slavery. We have been blessed through the support of existing non-profits to be mentored and raised up as a new, healthy, and working organization.
The goal: to raise $60, 000 in order to build health care clinics in Calcutta, India. These clinics will help get women and children out of the red light and into the already existing home that was built for them to live in.
There are big dreams out there for what Kids With Destiny could be…
-What if we were able to build 20, 30, 40+ homes for the women and children in India?
-What if our organization were to go on tour to spread awareness for their situation and to raise money for them?
-What if this is the way we were to live out the rest of our lives?!
We are passionate.
We are young.
Pray for us, for the direction of this organization, and for the lives of these women and children in Calcutta and across the globe.
-Jenna.Kristen
Human Resources Director
www.kidswithdestiny.org
By Unknown, at 1/29/2008 11:14 AM
Praise God for what He did in my heart in LA!
By Anna, at 1/29/2008 12:38 PM
Dear Mr. Louie and the Passion Team,
I am so thankful that Passion LA went good. I was not there, however, I will see you guys in a matter of days in Dallas. I hope and pray that it is among some of the best Passions so far. I pray for you guys everyday, I know life on the road can be tiresome and sometimes, you just wish you could go home and rest. But we are so thankful that we serve a God that can do anything. It's so hard to wrap my mind around the fact that this is going global. I mean, this is no longer an event, for it is the very essence of a new generation that is rising up and taking control of this earth. For it is a God generation. A new style of worshiping and praising our God is emerging and has emerged and you guys are at the front-lines of it. Sometimes, I just wish I could see you guys face to face, and as a coach to a team tell you, "go get 'em boys, go get 'em," and yet...that's exactly what God is telling us, and you are telling our generation. That word comes up so much: Generation. What does it really mean? To me, it means now. A time and place where the world is at a hurt, a time where the earth is falling fast. And at that very moment...time stands still and with one voice, we stop and look to our coming King! Thank You Jesus.
Sometimes I view you, Louie, as Steve Jobs addressing Macworld, or an audience of some people, "And now introducing...'God, our Savior and King,'" but no really, it's sweet! I enjoy this journey and I look forward to Dallas, the world tour, and maybe some day...being apart of the revolution.
In Christ,
Robby M
By Robby Myers, at 1/29/2008 1:34 PM
Wow!! that is all i can say!! wow wow wow wow! i just got back from passion la two nights ago, and i am fired up. and i can not stop thinking about it. Thank you guys so much!!!!! PRAISE JESUS!! i am so thankful for everything his done and what his doing! Passion was so amazing i can not explain it in words right now, cause i am still excited! but..wow! Ill be praying for you guys for the World Tour! you guys are very special people..Praise jesus! -your sister
By Anonymous, at 1/29/2008 7:56 PM
Passion Team-
The phrase “God, Family, and Country” aren’t just words to me. I take them to heart. I have a bit of an unusual lifestyle. One the one side I am a campus missionary, I try my hardest to devote everything I have into bringing the Word of God to college students. And on the other side I am a Staff Sergeant in the Pennsylvania Air Force National Guard, where I have been deployed numerous times to fight the war on terrorism. The two lifestyles are so completely different that I sometimes have a hard time connecting the two. I want to thank you for your upcoming world tour, and I wanted to tell you about mine. My dream in life is to travel the world as a missionary but my duty is to serve my country as well as my God. I have traveled to seven different countries last year with the military with not one mission, but two. To serve my country, and to serve my God. When I’m deployed God has given me countless opportunities to bring His Word to remote areas and to people who don’t know Him. This year as you get ready to gear up for your tour, I will be getting ready for mine. I leave next month for Ecuador and will be deployed to numerous countries in the middle east later this year like Turkey and Iraq. I thank you for your service and will be praying for you throughout the tour! The encouragement your faithfulness has brought me has taken away any fears that I had. I’m looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks at Passion DC. Many Blessings!
-Alyssa
By Anonymous, at 2/02/2008 6:39 PM
Coming from Minnesota we were OK with the rain as long as temps were well above zero. It was a wonderful and blessed time in Los Angeles. The Spirit of the Lord was certainly evident in the Nokia and I pray His presence is felt long afterwards. I also pray for all of you students who were present. I pray that your were filled to overflowing with the Spirit and will move up and out to the corners of the world and make His Word known... for His renown. May God continue to bless you richly and deeply as He did in LA.
May God bless the team of Passion with health, resources, the wisdom to use them wisely, ears open to His call and hearts open to receive.
To those who were there and those who wish they had been I have posted shots that I took there. I hope they serve as a reminder of what we all shared.
http://www.flickr.com/photos
/collidedwithgod/collections/72157603811746208/
By Anonymous, at 2/02/2008 10:27 PM
Thank you so much for bringing Passion to L.A. I was blessed in so many ways. It was such an amazing event. I started off the year 2008 horribly but this is something that will be memorable. Praise God!
By Anonymous, at 2/11/2008 7:17 PM
hi, i was wondering as well how i can get ahold of francis' talk from saturday night. i was told that it was going to be posted online somewhere and that's why they did not make a CD. please let me know! my email is yeh.d.ann@gmail.com. thanks!
By ann, at 2/23/2008 3:37 PM
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