“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”

Romans 1:8

Annie Beanblossom has gone BEYOND in incredible ways. In July, Annie went BEYOND the comforts of the United States to Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. She also brought her family along with her for the trip. She said while there she saw “God do some amazing things.”

Perhaps the most amazing thing for Annie was the fact that her family is now adopting two little boys from Haiti as a result of their mission trip. Furthermore, Annie and her mother are going back to Haiti in March.

Because of Annie’s obedience to God’s will the lives of two boys are forever changed.

Because of her love for Christ more people have heard his message and because of her willingness to go BEYOND she is forever changed.

God had a plan for Annie that I’m sure went BEYOND anything she had ever expected and he has the same plans for you. I encourage you to seek out your heart. Are you being obedient to God’s will and his plan for you? Are you earnestly searching for the ways you can go BEYOND? Annie felt the call and went. Now it is your turn.

                                          1 Passion         Sports

                                       + 1 Burden      +Disabled Children and Adults

                                      = Beyond         Opening a gym for the disabled

This is the Beyond equation. It is as simple but yet complex as this. In other words, find the special abilities that God has given you. Then search your heart for what pains it the most. Ask God how you can mingle the two and the result can be life altering for you and others.

This innovative Beyond idea was created by Nix. He said his burden or his “big deal” was anything that had to do with sports. His burden took him back to younger days when he could remember a soccer league in his hometown hosting a camp to teach children how to play soccer. Nix said he recalls feeling amazed “by the light I saw in those kids eyes when someone took the time of day to teach a sport that they love.” Therefore, he came up with the idea to open up a gym for disabled children and adults who love to play sports and workout but have no other place to go besides their physical therapist.

Nix said this idea has been on his heart for sometime but he is still praying about it. He said he hopes one day it will go into effect.

And this is how a Beyond is born! Nix has his idea now he is surrounding it with prayer. I encourage all of you Beyonders to follow Nix’s example and pray earnestly everyday for your Beyond. Then ask him what steps need to be taken in order to turn your idea into reality.

Go Beyonders Go!

Some of you may be thinking that your Beyond just won’t work. The idea is too big and you’re just to young. Let me tell you this is simply not true. Jimmy Stevens, of Illinois, will give you a different answer. He has who has come up with a clever way to mix his passion, playing basketball, with a burden, kids in need of Bibles.

In Jimmy’s post about his Beyond he asks us to remember Matthew 19:26,“But Jesus looked at them and said ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Jimmy has found this scripture to be more than just empty thoughts but words of truth and meaning as he continues in his endeavor to go Beyond. He said after camp he felt challenged to do something Beyond the normal. Therefore, he decided he would like to host a three on three basketball tournament. However, he still wasn’t quite sure what burdened his heart. Until one day God revealed to him that there are tons of kids who desire to hear the Word but have no Bibles. And just like that it clicked. Jimmy decided he would give the money raised from the tournament to missions for Bibles and he even came up with an intriguing name, “Ballin for Bibles.”

Since then God has taken Jimmy’s idea and made it possible. He has been in the process of recruiting a staff to help with the event and organizing teams for the tournament. He has also found a gym where he can host the tournament. But God hasn’t stopped there. He has given Jimmy the opportunity to teach his Sunday School class which he believes could lead to his calling.

It is evident the work that God is doing in the life of Jimmy. And he yearns to do the same thing in your life and your calling to go Beyond. So keep on working hard and don’t give up. Our God is a big God and there is simply no telling what he has in store for you!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Isaiah 61:1

 When Temple Baptist church returned from camp they decided to preach the good news, to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim freedom. They did this by hosting a 40 night youth revival showered with prayer, scripture and outreach. This youth group stretched Beyond camp and into a revival which made everlasting impacts in lives of many youths.

Over the 40 days of revival Temple Baptist’s youth group invited many people to hear the Gospel of Christ. One night they received several players from a local football team and that night 15 of those players decided to hand thier lives over to Jesus Christ.

On Aug. 23 there was a large baptismal service held for the players resulting in a large number of high school students hearing the good news of the Gospel. The youth group asks for continuous prayer that the Lord will work and more will be saved by this example of trust and obedience to the Lord.

The work of Temple Baptist church is so encouraging to all of us who are still working and seeking ways to go Beyond. Allow this youth’s groups passion to restore your desire to go Beyond. I encourage you to keep trusting in Him, keep walking in faith, allow God to work through you and see what Christ can do in your life and the lives of others!