More God Stories From Knoxville

Our Knoxille World Changers have been busy! We received an update today on what's been happening over the past few days. Here's Jackie Heberle's message:

"Tuesday night was a concert of prayer - a special, contemplative worship service with dim lighting and luminaries. The cross they'd nailed their sins upon the night before was emptied of the paper, but the nails remained. There was music, but the worship leader led from off stage. There was a guided time of adoration, confession and supplication, and then a very special time of prayer. Each adult was assigned a certain amount of youth to focus on. The adults went to each student and they were affirmed and prayed for. It was very powerful and emotional for the students as well as the adults.

Wednesday's schedule included a half day of work, and then free time at the river. Students went tubing or swimming, had a chance to relax, and that evening had dinner in Gatlinburg. We are grateful for your prayers, e-couragrams and support - it means a lot to us. We feel the prayers."

Another great story comes from adult leader Joe Sposa. Joe, his wife Angie and her son Tanner Iglio are all serving in Knoxville together this week. On Wednesday night, Joe brought his work boot to the church group devotion time to show the team. It was ratty and literally falling apart - the sole was coming off the upper part of the shoe.

At the work site on Wednesday, Joe was duct-taping his boot together so that he could continue working. One of the local church members who is providing food for the World Changers teams saw him wrapping his boot. Later that afternoon, that same local resident showed up at the work site with a brand new pair of work boots. For Joe.

Joe said, "I came knowing I'd be helping people but never knew I'd be blessed. Just when you think you're helping someone, somebody comes along and helps you."

He brought his ratty boot that had been exchanged for something new to show as a powerful symbol to the PCC World Changers team.

Matt Turner is one of the college-age leaders helping on this trip. Matt is one of our worship leaders at PCC; he called in tonight to report on his experience with the worship and teaching time they are experiencing each night.

"It has been tough for me this week in worship. I hadn't felt the spirit and I was really uncomfortable, and I didn't know why. We've got this hillbilly preacher from the middle of the woods and it's been different, but I've spent some time talking to him and I realized that he's got such a loving spirit. I've learned so much from him this week, and I finally realized that I've been uncomfortable because God wanted to tell me something. I think he wanted me to think about how we do music. You know we're really focused on music and excellence - that's what we do - but it's the Word that saves. Music is important, but it's just a vehicle for the Word. I've just been reminded how we need to be in a worship state of mind each Sunday.

I've really been surprised by all this; usually I hear God through worship - I'm usually such a worship freak! But this week I was uncomfortable - and I think it was God trying to really show me something. We've HAVE had awesome worship this week, with a lot of good people."

The theme for this week's mission is "Set Apart" - reminding the participants that they are set apart as people of God. Matt is one of three young men on this trip who will forever remember this week because they've chosen to imprint it permanently - not just on their hearts, but on their skin.

Don't worry - those who chose to step out in this way were all above the age of 18!

Thanks for your continued prayers for our team. They'll be home on Saturday!

Knoxville Team Makes The Evening News!

Check THIS out - the World Changers team made the local news in Knoxville! See how their investment of time and energy is really making a difference in the life of a Knoxville resident - and hear from two of our own PCC team members about the work they are doing!

Click here to watch the story.

Tanner Iglio: God Story

We had another great report from the Knoxville World Changers team after their first full day of work. The team is serving 26 homes across Knoxville - working on roofs (in the rain!) and other various projects.

Tanner Iglio called in to report that he'd been greatly impacted by the presence of a friend on this trip who just began attending church recently:

"My friend Holden and his faith walk so far has been awesome. I've pretty much been there through the whole thing. We've been good friends all throughout the year and he's been a huge inspiration to me to be a better Christian and to work to show it to him. Tonight we went up to the front to the altar to nail some things on a paper on the cross. Holden was actually starting to cry, which is unusual because he's a very masculine guy - he does not like to show weakness. It was amazing to me. I was crying. Everbody was crying. He's only been coming to church for a month now, and we have really grown together and he's just grown into a huge Christian. After only three weeks at PCC, he signed up for World Changers!!! It's so awesome to walk with him and get to know him even more! He's made a huge impact - he's made tons of friends, he's a great addition to our youth group. He's a very friendly guy, really funny, good with the younger kids and I would love to see him grow some more."

Remember, you can encourage Tanner, Holden and others by using an E-couragram. Just go to this link and follow the instructions for the Knoxville team!

Joseph Freeman: God Story

Here's the first God-story from the PCC World Changers Knoxville team; Joseph Freeman called in to give us this report. Beginning tomorrow, the team should be able to blog from Knoxville, but this first story is transcribed from Joseph's call:

"So...we were walking out today in the city to introduce ourselves, let them know that we'll be working in the neighborhood that week. We got to one of the last houses and walked on the porch and I was invited in for a second (which made the people with us flinch, because one of the World Changers' rules is that you NEVER go in a home-owners house! ) But I walked inside and talked to the home-owners. They weren't on the list for a project, but we were just introducing ourselves. They said, "Oh, yeah, you are from World Changers, we remember you from last year. Hey, can you fix OUR roof?" kind of like a joke, but not really. They said, "Oh, this our mom's house. She's really sick right now." She pointed to a bed in the room and there was her mom, lying in bed, really old and frail and sick. One of the family members started to cry. I said, "Okay, I'll tell the World Changers people about your roof - but can we pray for you guys?" They said yes, so we all walk in and see the mom in the bed, and we pray for her. I prayed, "God, please bless these people; put your healing hand on them and stop the pain." The family started to cry, I almost started to cry - it was really an amazing moment for us."

Stay tuned for more God stories. Often, it's the little things that make the biggest difference.

Set Apart

The theme for World Changers this year is Set Apart and is based on the scriptures and commentary below.

Please be in prayer for the youth of PCC as they learn what it means to be set apart for God.

HOLINESS: SET APART FOR GOD’S GLORY (Isaiah 6:1-8)

When Isaiah went to the temple on this particular day, something happened that changed his life forever. That is exactly what we can expect when we get a glimpse of God’s glory and begin to understand the concept of His holiness. The Biblical word holiness (Hagios) always speaks of character. In the case of God, it refers to absolute
perfection and purity. He is in every way holy. He is perfect and pure in His character and conduct. He is unstained, unblemished, and untainted by sin.

In the case of the followers of Jesus, the concept of being holy refers to our position and the process of becoming like Him. Holiness is not so much about what we do, but rather, who we are. Once a believer understands their status and standing before God, it gives renewed energy and freedom to live one’s life and give one’s life
totally unhindered for God’s glory.

Using I Peter 2:9-12 and Isaiah 6:1-8 as the primary biblical focus, this study introduces the twin concepts of our identity inChrist and our responsibility to Christ.

Each session connects key concepts together and should be approached as integrated lessons that build upon one another. Therefore, a brief general review is necessary each night to ensure that the students are connecting the dots.

A healthy concept of God is mandatory if we are ever going to respond to Him appropriately. The Bible says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…” (Proverbs 1:7).

This study presents the Lord as the “high and lifted up” King of the universe in all His splendor. At the same time, it presents the servants of the King as ordinary sinful people who are cleansed, called, and commissioned for His work in this world.

This process of being setapart is the heartbeat of our study. We are the recipients of God’s extravagant and extraordinary grace. He provides us with a position of honor and invites us into a partnership with Him.

This theme is designed to give a clear, biblical perspective to every student and leader concerning their place in God’s eternal plan. The purpose of God is for every believer to experience the joy of being fully engaged in a lifetime pursuit of His glory.

E-couragrams

One very important element at World Changers is the Encouragram! This is a note of encouragement and affirmation that students receive from their crewmates, their fellow youth group members, their adult leaders and World Changers staff.

YOU can play an important role by sending your own "e-couragrams" through the World Changers website. Last year, PCC blessed the socks off our youth by receiving TONS of notes from you! Even the WC staff commented "you come from a really encouraging church! We have received more from your church alone than the others combined!"

Let's do it again this year!!

Here's how:

http://www.world-changers.net/
click on the "students" tab
click on the "e-couragrams" link in the left margin
go to the "TN" location
click on "Knoxville"
on this page, follow the link to send your note of encouragement to whichever particpant you would like.

Participants going:
Erik Edwards
Becky Edwards
Andy Heberle
Jackie Heberle
Angie Frame
Angie Sposa
Joe Sposa
Lance Broughman
Craig Pace
Sarah Wingo
Tanner Iglio
Katie Rusch
John Rusch
Marshall Broughman
Jen Hall
Kelsey Hall
Amber Scott
Andrew Basic
Joseph Freeman
Nikkie Oliver
Paul Meyers
Hayley Engles
Travis Wagner
Elijah Schiarelli
Jared Schiarelli
Kayla Riser
Joe LaChance
Morgan Salyer
Kasey Ogle
Matt Turner
Matt Jones
Marc Chewning
Will Kottman
Zaida Kitammi
Sydni Brawley
Shannon Brawley
Ben Wolf
Myra Filliben
Jarrett Henderson
Holden Ramsey
Rachel Revels

World Changers Knoxville!!

Here we go again!!!


FORTY-ONE (yes, I said FORTY-ONE!!) PCC Youth and Adult leaders

will be leaving for a World Changers project June 20th -27th In Knoxville, TN. I have been told that this is the largest group PCC has ever sent out on mission at once. Way to go, PCC YOUTH!!

You rock BIIIIGGGGG time!

This is the second summer that PCC students will have an opportunity to go on a Senior High/College only trip. World Changers projects are full of hard work, long hours and minimal comforts. We will start our work days at 7:00 am and do not finish until 4:oo pm. We will sleep on the floor of South Doyle High School. Our days begin with breakfast and a morning send-off celebration.

Our days end with worship and church group devotions. During church group devotion time is the only time we will actually be together as a church group. During the day, PCC students will be divided onto teams (with cool names like the "Hammerheads" and the "Mortar Slingers") with other students from other churches.
This blogsite is where you can go to "watch and see" what we are doing in Knoxville. I will try and post everynight....so stay tuned, log on your computer...grab a cup of coffee and watch God's plan unfold in Knoxville, TN!

Prior to leaving on their mission project, the adults and students are required by World Changers to do a pre-project study together and a pre-project mission. Erik Edwards and Andy Heberle have taken on lead roles to get our team ready and they have done a great job!

Our pre-project mission involved the students putting siding on the church house. I have included some pics here for your enjoyment!

Please be in prayer for this group as they deomonstrate God's love to the people of Knoxville!