Comments on: 100 miles, 12 teenagers and $8 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/ The online connection to Clayton King Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:24:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Jason http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1801 Jason Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:14:12 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1801 Crossroads played a big part of instilling memories in my that I can hold on to... memories of the Spirit of God working so actively in my life and in the lives of my friends, and of us bringing that fire back from camp to our churches and communities. Part of what fought against that fire was my dependence on humans to "keep me on fire" instead of on God. Some of my friends that were fired up at crossroads with me ended up walking away from the faith, to a certain extent. The girl I met through crossroads ended up building a relationship with another guy while we were dating... which hurt incredibly. I realized the church I was attending had some hypocrisy in the leadership. I also began to notice that the pastors were teaching things that were wrong... like saying the Bible *requires* total abstinence from alcohol, that dancing is a sin, etc... things that make you wonder what else "they" were wrong about after you start reading the Bible for yourself. I had thought the "Church" was like heaven on earth. When reality set in it was painful to face. The problem was that my relationship with God was not personal enough to hold me together and keep the fire going even if it was just me and God. Now when I remember the great moments of faith in my life, I try to focus simply on God and me. Neither you nor I nor the Church is perfect. He alone is. God alone will never let us down. Your blog has reminded me of that truth. It was you and God driving to preach the gospel that evening. Those are the types of memories that inspire us again... the memories of God personally working with us. Finding joy in community is a great thing, but depending on community for that joy is a disappointment waiting to happen. Crossroads played a big part of instilling memories in my that I can hold on to… memories of the Spirit of God working so actively in my life and in the lives of my friends, and of us bringing that fire back from camp to our churches and communities. Part of what fought against that fire was my dependence on humans to “keep me on fire” instead of on God.

Some of my friends that were fired up at crossroads with me ended up walking away from the faith, to a certain extent. The girl I met through crossroads ended up building a relationship with another guy while we were dating… which hurt incredibly. I realized the church I was attending had some hypocrisy in the leadership. I also began to notice that the pastors were teaching things that were wrong… like saying the Bible *requires* total abstinence from alcohol, that dancing is a sin, etc… things that make you wonder what else “they” were wrong about after you start reading the Bible for yourself. I had thought the “Church” was like heaven on earth. When reality set in it was painful to face.

The problem was that my relationship with God was not personal enough to hold me together and keep the fire going even if it was just me and God. Now when I remember the great moments of faith in my life, I try to focus simply on God and me. Neither you nor I nor the Church is perfect. He alone is. God alone will never let us down. Your blog has reminded me of that truth. It was you and God driving to preach the gospel that evening. Those are the types of memories that inspire us again… the memories of God personally working with us. Finding joy in community is a great thing, but depending on community for that joy is a disappointment waiting to happen.

]]> By: Sean http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1793 Sean Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:47:32 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1793 Hey Clayton!! God bless you and all you've done for Him and His kingdom! I went to Week 1 of Crossroads this past week and was blessed over and over again. From the scripture that you read and explained, to Carl Cartee's music, I loved every last second! However, I meant to speak to you before I left and never got a chance. But I just had something on my heart I wanted to share with you, and how God has used you to bring Him into my life. I went to the Ignite '08 conference you spoke at Mars Hill college. And you spoke about the word "believe" and what it means to believe in God. You made the point that we've completely changed the meaning of what it means to "believe" and trust in Him. As soon as you began to speak I was overcome with a tremendous blessing from God. Because on August 26th, 2001 on a warm sunday night, you spoke the same message and I was saved. I surrendered everything to Him that night, and I'll never forget it. Thank you Clayton for following Christ for the sake of the call. -Your brother in Christ, Sean Hey Clayton!!
God bless you and all you’ve done for Him and His kingdom! I went to Week 1 of Crossroads this past week and was blessed over and over again. From the scripture that you read and explained, to Carl Cartee’s music, I loved every last second! However, I meant to speak to you before I left and never got a chance. But I just had something on my heart I wanted to share with you, and how God has used you to bring Him into my life. I went to the Ignite ‘08 conference you spoke at Mars Hill college. And you spoke about the word “believe” and what it means to believe in God. You made the point that we’ve completely changed the meaning of what it means to “believe” and trust in Him. As soon as you began to speak I was overcome with a tremendous blessing from God. Because on August 26th, 2001 on a warm sunday night, you spoke the same message and I was saved. I surrendered everything to Him that night, and I’ll never forget it. Thank you Clayton for following Christ for the sake of the call.

-Your brother in Christ,
Sean

]]> By: Mike Madaris http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1786 Mike Madaris Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:49:34 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1786 Clayton, One of those memories for me was in Joplin, Missouri. My family was traveling in evangelism, and we spent a week at a conference out there and you were there. It was with the Cox's I believe. You spoke to the youth on "Youth Night" during the meeting, but we just got to hang out the rest of the time. Good times! Clayton,
One of those memories for me was in Joplin, Missouri. My family was traveling in evangelism, and we spent a week at a conference out there and you were there. It was with the Cox’s I believe. You spoke to the youth on “Youth Night” during the meeting, but we just got to hang out the rest of the time. Good times!

]]> By: Charlene Campbell http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1776 Charlene Campbell Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:04:24 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1776 Clayton, I just want to say that the time in my faith that you're describing falls during and after my first year at camp--as a staff member--in 1998. My life was completely changed that summer, much more than I knew it needed to be. It's good to be reminded today of that electric time of chasing after God . . . Grant and I are incredibly thankful for Crossroads and for you. We can't describe our spiritual lives, our courtship and marriage, or our reasons for being here in Manali without mentioning CR and you. We love you a lot, and our hearts are forever tied to this ministry. We're thinking of you every day as you're preaching and living camp life, and praying for you as well. Thank you for the blog post. It means so much to us to know we're being thought of there at home. Joyfully, Charlene and Grant Clayton,
I just want to say that the time in my faith that you’re describing falls during and after my first year at camp–as a staff member–in 1998. My life was completely changed that summer, much more than I knew it needed to be. It’s good to be reminded today of that electric time of chasing after God . . .

Grant and I are incredibly thankful for Crossroads and for you. We can’t describe our spiritual lives, our courtship and marriage, or our reasons for being here in Manali without mentioning CR and you. We love you a lot, and our hearts are forever tied to this ministry. We’re thinking of you every day as you’re preaching and living camp life, and praying for you as well.

Thank you for the blog post. It means so much to us to know we’re being thought of there at home.

Joyfully,
Charlene and Grant

]]> By: Jennifer Adams http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1765 Jennifer Adams Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:50:24 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1765 Hey Clayton, My name is Jennifer Adams. I'm the summer youth intern at First Baptist Chula. This was my first year at Crossroads, even though this was year six for the group. Everyone told me how great Crossroads was going to be and how it was going to change my life. So my expectations were pretty high. However, Crossroads far exceeded my expectations! The staff was amazing. You, Matt Orth, and all the other speakers were amazing. The workshops blew me away. I loved everything! When I go back to school at Brewton-Parker College in Ga, I will be working with the youth part time at the church I attend there. I want to make an effort to bring those youth to Winter Crossroads. This past week made that much of an impact on me. Keep up the good work! I will be praying for your ministry, as I know God will continue to work in youth these next few weeks. Agian well done!! In His Love, Jennifer Adams Hey Clayton,

My name is Jennifer Adams. I’m the summer youth intern at First Baptist Chula. This was my first year at Crossroads, even though this was year six for the group. Everyone told me how great Crossroads was going to be and how it was going to change my life. So my expectations were pretty high. However, Crossroads far exceeded my expectations! The staff was amazing. You, Matt Orth, and all the other speakers were amazing. The workshops blew me away. I loved everything! When I go back to school at Brewton-Parker College in Ga, I will be working with the youth part time at the church I attend there. I want to make an effort to bring those youth to Winter Crossroads. This past week made that much of an impact on me. Keep up the good work! I will be praying for your ministry, as I know God will continue to work in youth these next few weeks. Agian well done!!

In His Love,
Jennifer Adams

]]> By: Frank Shelton http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1755 Frank Shelton Sat, 05 Jul 2008 17:34:16 +0000 http://claytonking.com/100-miles-12-teenagers-and-8/#comment-1755 Clayton, this was AWESOME! God bless you brother and I share a similar story starting out. What a JOY it is to serve the Lord and be used by Him. It is still the greatest HIGH in life. I love how you noted you prayed for so long started out in ministry that when you finally got the invite the answer was already a resounding YES! To often and sadly, too many in ministry forgot why we got in it to begin with. God has had His Hands on your life for a long, long time. Even while students together at Gardner Webb your schedule was slammed solid. Yes, I am honored to be a friend and to have seen ALL the HUGE doors of ministry that God has opened for you since your commitment at 15, but I am convinced the "larger" events for ministry have opened to you because you were faithful in small and you realized that regardless if speaking to a couple teens or preaching to several thousands at a massive meeting it was all BIG when our heart is right and as pure as possible. Thanks for your burning heart for evangelism and I truly believe when we promote Jesus that Jesus promotes us. God bless you brother and hope to see you next month in NC. Congrats on a great week at CROSSROADS and I am praying on my knees for the rest of your camps this summer that many more will come to Christ, surrender to the Savior and live for our Lord like never before. Go with God! Love in Christ- Frank Clayton, this was AWESOME! God bless you brother and I share a similar story starting out. What a JOY it is to serve the Lord and be used by Him. It is still the greatest HIGH in life.

I love how you noted you prayed for so long started out in ministry that when you finally got the invite the answer was already a resounding YES! To often and sadly, too many in ministry forgot why we got in it to begin with. God has had His Hands on your life for a long, long time. Even while students together at Gardner Webb your schedule was slammed solid. Yes, I am honored to be a friend and to have seen ALL the HUGE doors of ministry that God has opened for you since your commitment at 15, but I am convinced the “larger” events for ministry have opened to you because you were faithful in small and you realized that regardless if speaking to a couple teens or preaching to several thousands at a massive meeting it was all BIG when our heart is right and as pure as possible.

Thanks for your burning heart for evangelism and I truly believe when we promote Jesus that Jesus promotes us. God bless you brother and hope to see you next month in NC. Congrats on a great week at CROSSROADS and I am praying on my knees for the rest of your camps this summer that many more will come to Christ, surrender to the Savior and live for our Lord like never before. Go with God!

Love in Christ-
Frank

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