Wrap-up From Momentum West

Momentum West took place in California from June 23-27. This conference was only for 2008.

“This has changed my life. I have a new look on the world and my heart breaks for the needy and the lost. I now want to be a missionary or work in the missions area.”

“It has tremendously affected me to share my faith with those who are lost.”

“… my friend who I brought became a Christian finally!!! I’ve been trying to get her to accept Christ for about a year now, so I am very grateful for your help!”

These are just a few of the many comments received from Momentum West 2008.

The theme of the conference was iCARE taken from Micah 6:8. Students experienced two days of solid teaching and great worship. Todd Proctor and his band led worship. Todd is Lead Pastor of Rock Harbor Church and is one of the best worship leaders in the country. Francis Chan, Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church, spoke on two days of the conference and challenged attendees to live lives as lights so people can see our good works and glorify GOD--not us. He also spoke on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Mike Yankowski, author of the book “Under the Overpass” spoke about his book. Mike’s impactful stories about being homeless for five months to see how believers treat people who are often overlooked were unforgettable.

Don Shoemaker, pastor of Seal Beach Grace Community Church spoke on the theme from the perspective of being both a pastor and the leader of the Grace Brethren Social Concerns Committee.

Dr. Cheryl Fawcett passionately challenged the students with her life and testimony. She told students why she is devoting her life to the cause of others by serving God.

Students were interviewed and Operation Barnabas brought life to the sessions with music, skits, and more. But the real life-changing experiences came during the second half of the week when students had the chance to put into practice what they’d learned.

“The opportunity to do the WowJam was humbling, encouraging, and, overall, a soul-stretching opportunity.”

The first experience was WowJam—a huge outreach carnival for the homeless. WowJam does events in urban centers all across the US and around the world. The WowJam event on Skid Row included. The program included many activities students could participate in such as handing out flyers, free food, free haircuts, rocking of babies, face painting, family photos and more. There were free activities, and opportunities for giveaways such as dishes, fans and bicycles. Literally thousands of homeless people assembled there by late afternoon when Stephan, the WowJam event organizer, shared the gospel.

Momentum West students were able to do one-on-one counseling with the people who received Christ. It was without a doubt one of the most impactful days that anybody could have experienced. Read more about WowJam…

“If you want to talk to people you have to be friendly for them to listen to what you’re saying.”

On Thursday, students visited Cal State University in Long Beach. Cecil O'Dell, missionary with Grace Brethren International Missions who works with Japanese students, guided the group. He had an orientation to prepare students for how they would interact with Japanese students who are learning English.

A fun lunch was provided for the 60 Momentum West students and 70 Japanese students. This 90 minute picnic gave both sets of students the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the different cultures. Students also played soccer and exchanged email addresses.

“I hate seeing a Buddhist born into their family and practice Buddhism and think it is the right thing to do. I want to reach those people (mainly Buddhist) by becoming a missionary in mostly Asia. Softened my heart A TON!”

The next ministry experience was visiting the largest Buddhist Temple in the Western Hemisphere. Christopher O'Dell, a missionary kid and student at LeTourneau College, shared with the students in preparation for what they were about to see and experience. At the temple, students saw the idol worship, and heard the explanations of their religious systems by guides and nuns. The students asked many questions about why the Buddhist’s believe in reincarnation. Overwhelmed by the total futility of their religion and the hopelessness of their system of thinking, students returned sadden by a system built totally on "good works"

Christopher followed up the experience by showing students passages of Scripture about how their world is full of deception and we should not fear the lies of people.

The conference came to a close with 3-fold Communion on Seal Beach.

iCARE was the theme for the week

Chris Ogden interview students during sessions

Francis spoke on two days of the conference and challenged us to live our lives as lights so that people can see our good works and glorify GOD--not us. He also spoke on the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Mike Yankowski spoke about his book and the five months he went homeless to see how believers treat people who are often the overlooked. His story was impactful.

Dana Kurtaneck gave so much time to the week in registration and logistics. Dave Rank is the senior coordinator for the week. They were eating with Cheryl Fawcett and others that evening.

The crowd begins to gather at Skid Row in downtown LA for WowJam.

Face painting at WowJam

Giving free haircuts

Rocking babies

Stephen and his wife Linda were loved by the crowd. Linda is better known as Peaches from her album "Undivided" with Peaches and Herb from a number of years ago.

Kids were brought on stage to participate

This man accepted Christ while Stephan talked with him in front of the crowd

On Thursday Cecil O'Dell, missionary with Grace Brethren International Missions working with Japanese students, took us to Cal State, Long Beach. Cecil had an orientation time, teaching students how to interact with someone who doesn't know much English.

The Fun Lunch was where we bought lunches for all the students and had opportunities to eat with them, ask questions and interact with our different cultures.

There were about 60 of their students there and about 70 of the Momentum West students at this experience.

Christopher O'Dell, a missionary kid and student at LeTourneau College, shared with the students in preparation for the Buddhist Temple they werer going to visit. Christopher also led a debriefing time afterward, showing from Scripture how the world is full of deception and we shouldn't fear the lies of people.

Students entering the temple

The conference ended with Communion on the beach