Sean
Silverii
That His Power Might Rest Upon Us
As we wrap up 2024, my heart is full of gratitude for everything God has done in and through our Network this year. Reflecting on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “…so that the power of Christ may rest upon me,” I am reminded once again that everything we do and that has been accomplished, points to Jesus and His powerful work in, through, and around us. Our focus remains on His purposes, and we are in awe of the transformation that has taken place in the lives of so many this year.
Looking back, it is amazing to see how the Holy Spirit has been working. We saw an incredible increase in church participation across our GenNow events, which inevitably stirs up unity and encouragement across the state. What Now Getaway, which is our Called Camp, doubled in attendance this year. The fact that so many kids continue to feel God’s call on their lives is incredible, and the energy in our summer camps continues to be electric, with powerful moments of spiritual growth and worship. God’s presence is undeniable, and I am so thankful to witness it.
The generosity of our younger generations continue to excite me. When we put projects in front of them and offer opportunities to step up and be generous, they continue to be more than up for the challenge. These kids are not just being transformed—they’re transforming the world through their giving, supporting missions, and advancing the gospel in incredible ways.
We also saw hundreds of teenagers/kids stepping out in bold faith on their school campuses, leading Bible studies, starting prayer groups, organizing worship nights, and launching clubs, to name a few. There is an explosion happening and I cannot thank youth and children’s pastors enough for cultivating this environment where kids feel empowered to live out their faith in such impactful ways.
One of the biggest highlights for me this year was our missions trip to Ecuador with Joe and Emily Knapp. Five churches were represented, and the impact was incredible. It’s always amazing to see teenagers doing ministry on foreign soil, and the way they came back fired up for local ministry was something special. In general, watching students serve and minister in various venues, deploying their gifts and talents in unique ways, has been a true blessing. With Matt and Carlee Novak focusing on this growing area of deployment, we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg in Oregon.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead to 2025, we are filled with hope and anticipation. We have big goals that are totally within reach because of the incredible foundation we have built over the years. Our aim is to engage over 1,500 kids in summer camps, creating even more life-changing experiences and opportunities for human development and growth. We are praying that 75 youth feel called into vocational ministry and that many of them commit to a year-long discipleship journey to grow and serve.
We are also expecting even greater generosity in 2025. Our goal is to raise a total of $300,000 across BGMC and Speed the Light, surpassing the generosity we saw last year. We are believing that over 100 churches will participate, allowing us to fund the dreams of missionaries before they even have them.
Most importantly, we are praying for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit in 2025, with more salvations, healings, and baptisms. We’re trusting God to move in unprecedented ways across our youth and children’s ministries, and we know He is not done yet.
As we step into the new year, I am filled with hope for all that is ahead. The foundation we are building upon is just the beginning, and I am excited to see lives transformed, communities reached, and God’s kingdom expanded in even greater ways. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to this mission. Together, let’s continue to lift high the name of Jesus and expect even greater things in the year ahead.