UNITED STATES 2011 - Iris Reunion and Conference

Pismo Beach, California

Monday, August 22, 2011

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Iris Reunion and Conference

After Jonas and I returned from Japan, we hit the ground running once we got back to the U.S. as we packed into our little Honda Civic and drove down to Pismo Beach, California to attend the "i61 Mandate" Iris reunion and the "Compelled By Love" conference.

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At the Iris reunion we were able to connect with alumni who have graduated from the Iris Harvest School for Missions in Pemba, Mozambique. We were in HS11 and were able to reunite with our fellow classmates, most of whom we haven't seen for almost two years, which was so much fun! I believe that there were alumni represented from every Holy Given or Harvest School, from HG1 to HS14. We all worshipped together, and heard from Heidi and Rolland Baker, Mel Tari, Supresa Sithole and from Juanita Vinson, who is Heidi's spiritual mom. It is truly amazing how God has honored us to be numbered with so many amazing world-shaking history-makers. One morning Heidi asked me to join a panel up front along with Steve and Cassandra Soars, Lyle Phillips, Cassandra Bassnet, Yonnie Cheng, Mark Perry, Juanita Vinson and Jake Hamilton. Heidi said that each of us had been given keys as world changers and proceeded to ask us questions based on Isaiah 61. I felt a bit unworthy to be counted among such greats, but honored at the same time. We also had a time where these same Iris missionaries shared about what god is doing in their midst around the world, from Pismo Beach, to Democratic Republic of Congo. Yonnie, Naomi and I, along with our other team mates who have been running with us shared on Iris Thailand and Iris Relief. One of the purposes of sharing was to let the Harvest School alumni know that there are opportunities for them worldwide to become engaged in. What a great time! I think there were at least 130 Iris alumni in attendance.

Iris alumni getting wrecked in God's presence at the i61 Mandate reunion

Heidi asks Christian to join a panel of other Iris missionaries

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The conference was amazing as well. there were always extended times of worship and ministry as we heard from Heidi Baker, Mel tari and the others. On the first evening of the conference, I fond myself laid out on the floor, a little distance away from the huge crowd up front during the worship time. God took me up into visions of the throne room in heaven and for the first time in my life I experienced what felt as rain drops from heaven upon my hands and my face as I laid on my back. i can't even begin to describe in words the sense of God's tangible presence that I experienced that evening. I was so recklessly abandoned before Him, confessing my struggles and weaknesses. It was as though His latter rain was bringing me a time of refreshing after running so hard lately, and in preparation for the running that will take place as our teams leave for Latin America. It was also at the conference that I prayed the daring prayer of the remaining unreached 6,916 unreached people groups would become reached with the gospel in my lifetime. Let it be so, Lord! Our little mission team is small, but growing, and I truly believe that this dream will become reality as we stand in faith!

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Christian Young

UNITED STATES 2011 - FacePlant Skate Church Montage 2 VIDEO

JAPAN 2011 - Successful Iris Relief 3rd Response

Sano City, Japan
Friday, August 5, 2011
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Successful Iris Relief Japan 3rd Response

Yonnie is leaving tomorrow morning which leaves only Jonas and I here in Japan as our Iris Relief 3rd Response team has all left on flights to their various home nations. We had a very international team this time from eight different nations; United States, Taiwan, England, Scotland, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

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Our team spent it's last day in the Sendai area on the coast in Takayama interceding for Japan. I was talking to Jeremy, who is the pastor of Arise Church in Sendai, and he mentioned that since the Iris Response 1st Response team until now, they have given away nearly 300 Bibles. That is cool enough in itself, but what is even more amazing is that we only give those Bibles away to people who receive Christ. So it is an amazing phenomenon that just from our Iris Relief efforts since the earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 so many people have come to Christ. Not only that, but we have seen many healings; physical, emotional and spiritual, as well as words of knowledge and prophetic words spoken. We sat with the people in the shelters, temporary houses and on the streets and listened to their heart-breaking stories, weeping with them and loving them. We've been able to throw parties, feed and clothe tsunami victims, and play games with their children. For our first official Iris Relief effort, I can't see how it could've been any more successful.

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At this very moment, Iris Relief is mobilizing a team from Mozambique to respond to the famine in the horn of Africa. As we continue to near Christ's return, it seems as though these types of natural disasters will continue to increase. What will our response be? Will our hearts break for the hurting and disenfranchised? And will this compassion move us to action? What does love look like after such natural disasters? As Iris Relief, we hope to be able to respond to such disasters. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to everyone, especially to the poor and hurting. Thank you for all of your support of us in our endeavors to be Jesus with skin on in the face of such devastation.

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Jonas and I are taking this few days here in Japan together to pray more and spend time with the beautiful Christ-followers in Sano City. We are now staying at Mrs. Nakamura's house, which is a traditional japanese-style house. It makes us feel like we are on the movie set of "The Last Samurai." The other day we went swimming at a huge pool and raced down giant water slides. Yesterday we had a BBQ at Mike and Rachel's house. Today I helped Issei construct a carport to protect their motorcycle and bibcycle from the weather. Tonight we will go see the fireworks with Naga, Sam, Issei and Mrs. Nakamura. Tomorrow Jonas and I will join the worship team at Sano Revival Center; Jonas on electric guitar and me on bass guitar. Then on Monday we leave for Tokyo to catch our flight back to the U.S. This has been an amazing journey.

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Yonnie and I have been talking with Mike and Rachel about what a permanent Iris presence in Japan will look like. There are thousands of completely unreached cities and villages in Japan. Please join us in praying for more Spirit-filled Christ-followers to be called to come to Japan and work as full-time missionaries. "The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few." And please continue to pray for the beautiful nation of Japan. Blessings on you all!

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Christian Young

JAPAN 2011 - Ministry on the Streets of Sendai VIDEO