TOUR
REPORT EDITION
Open
Hands
Our deepest
appreciation to the following whose financial support made the
“Elevate” tour possible. You will
never know this side of heaven what an eternal impact you have
made in the lives of so many kids. Thank you!
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Ashford Community
Church
Lee Brantley
Keith & Ellen Brewer
Brent Buckner
Johnny & Judi Butler
Steve & Marsha Cash
Chick-fila, Inc.
Chris & Cynthia Corley
Richard & Bonnie Darroh
Kyle & Carol Dudley
Monteen Elliott
Keith & Jan Exum
Ronnie & Cheryl Farr
Dennis & Wanda Fulton
Frank Gill
Helen Greer
Scott & Lindy Gregory
Evan & Suzette Harrel
Helen Realty Co.
Leila House
Richard & Jean Hursey
Carole & Dwight Jarvis
Mike & Carol Johnson
Jeff Jones |
Ralph
& Valerie Koehrer
Chip & Maryanne Layton
McDonough Christian Church
Joel & Vicki Mott
Bev
Moye
Ralph & Sheena Myers
Oraco Global LLC
Perry & Evelyn Parker
Tom & Joni Parker
Domini Re-Darling
Nancy Romans
Dr. & Mrs. David Satcher
Melanie Scarborough
Mike & Sloan Segala
Bruce & Harriett Sims
Willard & Anne Snow
Mark & Emily Stump
Patricia Sung
Leigh Thompson
Laurie Tyson
Tim & Becky Warner
Don & Barbara Whitman
Charles & Charlotte Wilkes
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Open
Doors
Without the
hospitality of the following churches and friends throughout our
tour cities, the “Elevate”
tour would not have been possible. Thank you all for places to
rest, food to eat, and sweet fellowship to encourage and refresh
us for the journey!
Hermette Ward,
Houston, Texas
John & Sharon Harrison & friends, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Karen Stotts, Olathe, Kansas
Bill & Becky Clark & friends, Lincoln, Nebraska
New Hope Christian Church, Marshalltown, Iowa
Don & Kelly Ram, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Crossroads Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky
David & Bonnie Walker & friends, Tuscumbia, Alabama
New Heights Christian Church, Trussville, Alabama
Berea Christian Church, Hampton, Georgia
Gerald Moore, McDonough, Georgia
Open
Hearts
We are still
receiving letters almost every day from kids whose hearts were
drawn to God’s message of hope through our concert at their
facility. Many of them have told us their heart-breaking stories
of abuse, abandonment, and hopelessness, but without exception
the thread that ties all of them together is their gratitude for
our bringing the Light of heaven into the darkness of their world.
Here are a few excerpts from their letters:
I
just thought I should let you know that it means a lot to
me that you would take time out to come perform for us.
Little do you know, but today you gave me hope for my future.
I don’t think I have ever really had hope for my life….There’s
a lot in my life that I wish I could go back and change,
but I can’t. I’ve always thought nobody has
ever cared about me. I don’t even think God can love
me….I hope to hear from you guys soon.
Bartholomew,
Kewanee, IL |
I
am writing this letter before you guys even start the second concert
at IYC Kewanee. I feel like since I came to God, I don’t
have to have all the answers like I once thought. I have been
struggling with problems for a long time, and I am still trying
to understand myself better. Is there any advice you can give
me?
Dan,
Kewanee, IL
| Your
skits helped me understand more about God and what he does
for everyone. I’m one of those people that only want
him whenever, not all the time. I realize now that it is
not good to just pretty much use God for my own selfish
reasons. You all helped me realize that. I’d like
to say THANK YOU ALL!
Robert,
Lawson, MO |
All
you guys did an amazing job. It was actually the first time someone
really grabbed my attention. The reason I’m writing is I
never had a real letter. My mom sends me money every once in a
while, but I never had a real letter.
Darrius,
Kewanee, IL
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All
I know is today, July 2, 2011, you set me free for the whole
time you were here. I wish you could stay and play for us
every weekend. I’ve been to so many concerts, but
this one here today was really meaningful.
Tyler,
Kewanee, IL
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I want to tell all
of you thank you so much for helping me out when I was struggling…..I’ve
tried to commit suicide 8 times, but it seems that when I feel
depressed and self-harming thoughts, Crosswalk Ministries seems
to lift me up. You all are truly blessed people, and I will never
forget that I am worth fighting for.
Peter, Amarillo,
TX
(Peter was at our WAR ZONE concert at this
facility last year when we did a song called “Worth Fighting
For.” He requested it again this year at the end of our
concert. The lyrics for that song were written by a young lady
in a facility where Bill does a lyric-writing class in Houston.)
| In
the skits you played, I could really see how much that was
almost just like my life in so many ways. To me, I am the
Deceiver. I corrupt people’s minds and choices and
get mad at them for not doing what I want……I
do not know whether to follow God or not. Yes, I believe
in Him, but how do I follow someone I cannot see?
Xavier,
Kewanee, IL
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IN
THIS EDITION
Open
Hands
Open
Doors
Open
Hearts
Dear
Crosswalk Family,
“We
never intended to be a juvenile justice ministry.”
I cannot tell you how many times I have made that statement
in telling the Crosswalk story. Now 17 years, 47 states,
2 countries, 85,878 miles, 171 facilities, 432 concerts,
and over 30,000 kids later, God is still at work accomplishing
what He had purposed for this ministry from its inception.
While we have morphed considerably since 1991 when we
started as Bill Ward Ministries, the paramount focus
is and has always been to show the love of Jesus to
at-risk youth.
In
the coming months, you will hear of new programs and
partnerships that we believe God is leading us into
in order to afford us more opportunities to build relationships
with kids and connect them with Jesus. For these expansions
to happen, we will need your prayers and your support
like never before. Some of you will invest your time,
some your talents, and still others your treasures.
The important thing is that you invest
something of yourself to be the hands and feet
of Jesus.
Whether
you volunteer to serve cake and punch at a facility
birthday party, pass out flyers for a fund-raising event,
bring Crosswalk before the throne of God every day,
or donate a building for a new teen center, you are
our partners in this effort. No investment is too small
for God to honor it and multiply it for His kingdom
business.
WITHOUT
YOUR PARTNERSHIP, THIS WORK WILL NOT GET DONE!
Together we can make a difference in the future and
in eternity.
Thank
you!
Gina
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