Jose Zayas

When Football meets Jesus...

I mean the "real" football that the rest of the world enjoys.  We call it soccer...another few billion call it their favorite sport.

And that's why we partnered with Sports Outreach to hold and evangelistic football match in Uganda this September.

Check out what the Lord did, and how He rescued many by His power...even using football to draw their attention!

JZEI and Sports Outreach from Luminescent Images on Vimeo.

Constructing churches...building lives...

When the opportunity arises, we love to partner with local churches in Uganda to help finish church projects.

Experience has shown that a building will help local congregations grow...not just in numbers, but in deeper discipleship.

Because most "houses" are super small and simple, it's great for a community of believers in every village, town, and city have a place to pray, study, and build lives together.

Check out this video of what GOD did in the Soroti district of Uganda this summer.  And let's dream about what HE will do through us in 2010!

JZEI Construction Project from Luminescent Images on Vimeo.

jose

I was going to ask you to pray for me...BUT pray for Nick Hall instead...

I'm preaching at the Way tonight.

It's been a crazy busy few weeks.  I've been feeling sick all week.  Was going to ask you to pray for me.

BUT I just got an email from a dear friend and gifted evangelist, Nick Hall.

God's using him in big ways to reach out on college campuses.  Nick and his team are preparing for outreach in North Dakota in a few weeks.

Let's bombard heaven on behalf of Nick and team!!!!!

Here's Nick's email ... so you know how to pray:

Praying Friends-
I need your prayer.  I've been holding off sending out a message... but I now realize it's time to earnestly request your prayer + petitions before God.  I'd also ask you to consider sending this message on to others you know who take prayer seriously.

We are two weeks from our UND PULSE campaign, the largest undertaking we have attempted to date.  We've seen God move across North Dakota and have anticipation that this event will not only be an exclamation point to what has happened.. but also a launching pad to inspire students to pray, dream, and take the Gospel across the nation. 

In the midst of everything that is happening, this week I have begun to experience some kind of stress/anxiety that I've never had before.  Emotionally I feel fine... stressed, but not more than normal.  On the other hand, I feel a great physical tension in my body to the point that I actually went in to the ER two nights ago as I couldn't sleep due to chest pains.  The doctors said everything was fine and that I'm completely healthy.  In the end, they gave me some heart-burn medication... but I'm not convinced this is just physical.

I don't know exactly what is happening, but I know that God is powerful to heal any physical insufficiency or any spiritual attack.  It's possible that God has allowed this to happen simply so that I would remember how weak I am... and call for many to pray that God would move.  My sole desire in t his time is that I can finish this UND initiative strong... proclaiming the hope of Jesus to the thousands that need him in Grand Forks and beyond.

WOULD you please commit to praying for me between now and December 5?

Pray for God's healing and strength over my body.
Pray for God's protection over Tiffany and I.
Pray for each member of our PULSE team:  Cindy, Cody, Julie, Jenn, Steve.  Pray for unity, strength, and endurance.
Pray for the message preparation for December 5th... that I would know clearly what to say.  Pray that I would proclaim it boldly and without hesitation, as one sent from God.
Pray that lost souls would be found, that prodigals would return home, and that those who need healing would find it in Jesus.
Pray for our RESET discipleship efforts... that not one seed would fall on rocky soil... and not one student would fall through the cracks.
Pray that God might grant me a supernatural ability to get more done in the coming weeks... I have multiple things on the back-burner including 2 seminary papers.

On Mission,
Nick

Psalms 71:15-18

Friends...

This week has been so refreshing.

After preaching four times last Sunday, I jumped on a plane for Kansas City and Fargo to connect with ministry friends I haven't seen in a while.

It's been a great reminder of just how blessed I am.

I love to preach. I love to write.  I love to create.

I love people.  I love good conversation. I love dinner (breakfast and lunch too).

So I get to mix all of that this week.  I'm working on two messages for next week.  I'm spending time with friends...catching up on their families, listening to God at work in everyday life.

Much of my life is project driven.  Churches.  Conferences.  Festivals. Outreaches.  Calendar.  Dates.  Events.

Yet life is about relationships.  Stories. Ups and downs.  Laughs.  Tears. 

I get to enjoy both sides.  It's just so good to spend uninterrupted time with people you've known for years and only get to see once or twice a year.

I'm reminded of how loved I am (sounds self serving to say...but how else do you describe it?)

Yes. God loves me.  My wife and kids love me.

And on top I've got people who really care about me and my family, really pray for us, and give of themselves generously to further dreams God's given me.

I thank God for friendship.  I hope everyone gets the rich joy in their soul of knowing that other people care in deep ways.

So it's going to be another day of good food (I just so happen to know people who share a love of eclectic cuisine).

More conversations.  More prayer.  More joy.

Yep...I pretty much have the best job in the universe...

jose

How God uses crazy 19 year olds (and anyone else) to bring Himself glory...

I love Austin Hamilton.  He's a gifted, humble worship leader from Portland, Oregon.  His mother, Becky, serves with our ministry as bookkeeper (and much, much more)!

Becky, by faith, joined the Uganda team last month.  She'd never been to Africa before, and by her own admission at times was scared about what would happen.

God's got a sense of humor.  Two weeks before we left an airline ticket opened up.  I'd been praying and looking for a worship leader to join us...but God hadn't confirmed anyone.  So I resolved the Lord didn't want someone on this trip.

When I told Becky that a ticket opened up, she said (not thinking about the implications) "I just wish Austin (her son) could go."

"Why not, Austin?," I quickly replied.

To make a long story short...with two weeks notice Austin bravely got his shots, ditched the first week of college, risked his job by taking off....AND JOINED US IN UGANDA.

Crazy move on his part.

But not so crazy.  God used this young man (as I make myself sound old by calling anyone 'young man') big time!!

He's a humble soul.  He's a flexible servant.  He never complained (at least to my face).  He had little to no prep. 

I think that's how God brings glory to Himself.  When he calls his children on mission (even at the last minute) and they say "yes"....God displays His power through them.

Keep an eye out for Austin Hamilton (ladies...he is single).  I see the Lord's anointing on this worship leader.  More than a great voice (which he has!), he's got a great heart.

I look forward to tracking what God does through Austin.  He's proof that you don't need to have all of the right circumstances in order to be used by God.  Just say "yes" when He calls!

Love ya, Austin!!  And it's fitting that our amazing photographer/videographer...David Uttley...asked Austin to record a raw version of "Fire Fall Down" for the audio on our overview video.

That song is a prayer.  A prayer that Austin (and the rest of us) pray daily.  That God would come on us and use feeble people to draw millions to faith in Jesus.

Enjoy the video...enjoy Austin's voice...and give glory to Jesus for what He does through His people.

Fire Fall Down — Jose Zayas Uganda Mission from Luminescent Images on Vimeo.

-jose

The GOSPEL can be seen...

The story of God is written.  That's the Scriptures.

And yet the same drama of God, His rescue plan to save people from sin and death...it can be seen.

One of the highlights of ministry in Uganda was watching the drama team illustrate the Gospel.  In just five minutes, they had people on the edge of their seats riveted by what God has done for us.

This simple tool opened minds and hearts for the team's testimonies, Scripture, and preaching.

Funny thing.  This wasn't the original drama the team was going to do.  At the last minute, they prayed and looked online for simple presentations without any speaking parts.

Once they saw this one, put on by a church, everyone knew that this was the one.

Oh...and most of the team had never done drama before.  Proof that when you make yourself available to God...He'll do amazing things through you!

Enjoy the video...

Jose Zayas Drama Team from Luminescent Images on Vimeo.

Give a Ugandan pastor a bicycle...and spread the love of Jesus for years to come...

Here's a look at how simple tools like bicycles are being used by God to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ across rural Uganda....

Jose Zayas Pastor’s Bicycle Donation from Luminescent Images on Vimeo.

A New Roof for Apuyo Community Church in Uganda...

Our outreaches rarely include construction.  It's just not our main focus as a ministry.  But when four contractors signed up for our mission trip, it didn't take long to realize God had something fresh in store.

By faith, we agreed to help put a roof on a new village church and help another church with a cement floor.  The funds came in to complete the project just days prior to our departure (God is always on time!).

Check out what God did through the generosity of His people in Uganda this September...

A Roof for Apuyo Community Church in Uganda... from Jose Zayas on Vimeo.

The first of many Uganda videos...

Thanks for your patience concerning pictures and video of the Uganda mission!

The internet speed was just too slow to post things.  Here's the first (of many!) video posts.  This was taken on the final night after an evangelistic football match.  It's proof that can and will use anything and anyone to get His Message of Life....

Uganda 2009 Video Report... from Jose Zayas on Vimeo.

Numbers are only one part of the story...

We're in Amsterdam, on the way back home.

Saturday was an amazing close to a great two weeks of outreach in Uganda.  More than 6,000 people came to see a football match.  Our team challenged the Good News Club for an opening match. 

Wait until you see the video of our 20 Americans taking on their 11 players!  We called ourselves Muzungo United (which means "White Person") and eventually did score a goal verses these pro players.

Actually, we picked up the ball and threw it in the goal.  Against the rules.  But we scored!  It got the crowd laughing, though!!

The real match, between Good News FC and the local club, Teso Stars,  drew a great crowd and was one of the most effective tools for evangelism.

At half time, both team captains (Christians) gave their testimony.

After the match and award ceremony, I gave the Gospel and more than 800 responded to Jesus Christ!  The coolest part was the the Good News Football Club players spread out across the field, and after I shared the Gospel we had everyone move over towards them to get in small groups and be counseled.

Then the music kicked into full gear and I gave another evangelistic message two hours later.  More young people came to Christ.

OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, WE'VE SHARED CHRIST WITH 27,800 PEOPLE AND 4,306 PEOPLE RESPONDED TO JESUS CHRIST!!!

This just blows me away.  To think that God would use of 23 ordinary people to engage people in hospitals, prisons, schools, villages, on the streets, and in festivals is humbling.

Just 14 days in Uganda and we know of at least 4,306 people that are in closer relationship with Jesus.

There were many more that didn't talk to a counselor or fill out a card.  God knows the heart.  He knows those who are His.  And He is able to keep them and help them grow.  Our God is able!

Now we get to sort through thousands of pictures and hours of video.  In the next few days and weeks I'll be posting more so you can rejoice with us.

For now, here's one story of this trip's impact on our team and one photo.  I chose this picture because it summarizes to me what this is all about.  People.  People receiving the gift of eternal life in Jesus.

jose zayas

___________________________________________________________________________________

REDEMPTION.   RESTORATION.  PURPOSE.

Wow!  I knew coming to Uganda would be a life-changing experience, but
until I had begun to live out God's plan and purpose for me here, I
truly did not understand what I would be gaining.  Our team will come
home to the U.S. in a few days, and as much as I look forward to
"home," it will be hard to leave Uganda.  The transformation that has
taken place not only in Ugandan lives, but in the lives of my team
members, and in this nation is truly incredible.  To think that God
chose each of us, individually, out of seven billion people on this
planet (as Scott has so passionately pointed out) is an AWESOME
realization.  ME.  He chose ME to come to Uganda.  He had a perfect
plan and purpose for me on this mission.  NOW I GET IT.  As our
Ugandan friend Jonathan (aka the "Fire") puts it, "He has taken my
mess and has turned it into a message."

Words could not more perfectly describe His plan for me.  My pain; my
trials; my challenges; my "mess"; every single dirty detail of my life
He can (and has) used to bring glory to His kingdom.  He has not
wasted a single thing.  I cannot wait for the day when I am sitting at
the Lord's table in heaven, and an unfamiliar face approaches me
saying, "Amy...because of your message (your mess), I gave my life to
Jesus."  Brothers and sisters...I ask you...can you begin to imagine
what that will feel like?!?  And furthermore, as Tim pointed out to
me, behind that unfamiliar face will be a multitude more who were lead
to Christ as a result!  The ripple effect can have a profound impact
on this world, but we must participate.  It is time for me and for all
of us to begin LIVING ON PURPOSE.

I Peter 1:3-6

love ~ Amy