by Sharon
Dangerous. Wanted. Transformed. Facing Giants. Courageous. These are just a few of the past themes from Donnie Moore’s Radical Reality camps held here on our base for more than 30 years. In the past five years since we moved here from overseas, I have heard exciting reports of young people coming to Christ and having life-changing, transformational encounters with God. But I had never personally attended even one of the meetings. I was so worn out from serving behind the scenes–chopping vats of lettuce, serving stacks of hamburgers, or washing mountains of dishes—that I convinced myself I was too tired to sit on a metal chair in Ebenezer meeting hall until late into the night. This year, however, I decided I had had enough of second hand testimonies! God put it on my heart to attend all the evening meetings with my husband, my own teens and my teenage YWAM staff students. So, armed with my seat cushion and earplugs (yes, I’m getting old), I headed down to Ebenezer each evening. I have been so blessed to see firsthand what God is doing and all I can say is THANK YOU! Thank you, Donnie Moore, thank you Radical Reality team, and most of all, thank you, God!
My heart has been forever changed by hearing the haunting, heart-breaking cries of a hurting generation with my own ears and witnessing the pain and then the joy as the Holy Spirit met so many of them.
It’s easy to be excited about the general testimonies of all the salvations, etc., but somehow when it is your own precious child (or someone whose story you know) receiving something you want more than anything else in the world for them, well, your gratitude takes on a whole new dimension.
I was blown away by the testimonies voluntarily pouring forth from the kids on the final morning…How one boy had tried to hang himself to escape the pain in his life, only to find an angel must have untied the knot as he blacked out (because he’s sure he tied a really good knot!). He believes God saved his life so he could come to camp and encounter God’s power and love. Another was set free from drug addiction when down at the altar Donnie called out her specific addiction in a word of knowledge. She felt something break free in her spirit as she was prayed over and was touched by God in a way she had never before experienced. All desire for the drugs was gone! Others were able to forgive their abusers for unimaginable hurts and received such freedom, comfort and joy from the Holy Spirit that they were bursting with passion for God. The testimonies continued for over an hour and a half, each story unique in the details but consistent in the transformational healing and joy that the Lord worked in their hearts.
I am so thankful for Donnie Moore and his team—for their many years of faithfulness, their passion for souls and their contagious heart for this generation. I am praying with them for passionate warriors who will impact their generation and the mission field! And I am so very thankful we can partner with them to make these transformational camps happen.