Parent Testimony: STF traveling Teams Visit Iowa

Alan Jessen
September 6, 2005

On Sunday, September 4, the Iowa Family Church in Des Moines was blessed to be visited by two traveling STF teams -- a brother team of seven and a sister team of six. Eight Blessed Central Families were on hand, including 29 2nd generation youth, and one Japanese Missionary. In addition, Roland Platt, commander of STF/USA flew out from California to join the meeting. STF is charting a new course for the first year fundraising teams that will make Sundays a day of attending local services, introducing the STF program and spending time with local families and 2nd generation youth. Iowa -- in keeping with our "first in the nation" status for Presidential elections -- was pleased to be the first host for this new dispensation.

If the Iowa experience is any indication, this is going to be a wonderful new development for all parties involved. Rev. Bob Mason, our church pastor, led the musical portion of the program. Revved up by the STF spirit and energy his guitar was flying at a speed we haven't seen for awhile. We think our old church building was mighty happy at the sounds of our combined voices. The sermon was given my Mr. David Payer, regional director for AFC who spoke to the topic of becoming people who can transform our nation and world. He clearly was moved by the chance to address such an honorable group of young people sacrificing to build their life of faith. Following introductions, we turned the program over to Roland and STF. Each team came forward to offer a musical selection that had been prepared earlier -- one music and movement and one (can you guess which team) an STF rap. The families and kids were already won over. Next, Roland played an introductory video showing scenes from the many parts of STF -- fundraising, cleaning the vans, workshops, adventure activities, team games and sports, music and skits, 3rd year captain training, 2nd year witnessing, living in the witnessing centers, lecture practice, and best of all -- testimonies. Much of the video was narrated by STF voices with their first hand experience. The conclusion was very moving and one glance at the faces of our family church youth -- rapt with attention to everything -- told us how deep of an impression this meeting was making on each youth. The video was followed by a slide show of the just completed STF Kickoff workshop narrated by a 2^nd gen captain -- Amadea Jessen. We concluded with two outstanding testimonies -- one from a first year STF participant and one from a team assistant (a 2ndyear participant), telling of their motivations and decisions to join STF and what they have gained from the experience.

We concluded with prayer and adjourned to lunch. We soon learned that the brothers team really missed the taste of home cooking! We didn't waste much time, eating, though because STF wanted to spend the afternoon doing a service project and spending time with church youth. Our project was to work on our own church building and property. We quickly organized by teams -- sisters to clean up the church sanctuary and fellowship hall, brothers to trim and beautify the outdoor grounds and entrance. Mission Accomplished. A lot of work was done; the church looks better than it has for a long time; and best of all -- we all worked and sweated together! At 3:00 pm the sisters team -- going beyond the call of duty -- went with one of our youth, Lia Mason, to help her junior class clean out a stadium as a class fundraiser.

When her classmates asked her where she found all these wonderful people, she replied, "Oh, they're living in a van." A great silent witness and seeds were planted. Meanwhile the brothers team went out to the neighboring park to play soccer, basketball and kickball with the remaining older kids.

The day ended when the sisters team returned. We gathered outside in a circle. The STF sisters sang *The Impossible Dream*, a prayer was offered, followed by 3 cheers of Mansei. The spirit was beautiful and our hearts were filled with gladness. It was hard to say goodbye because these wonderful young people -- beginning a journey that is not going to be easy -- dropped by for a day and touched the hearts of us all. Hopefully, we touched back. To God be the glory.

Reported by Alan Jessen,
Family Church of Iowa

 Download entire page and pages related to it in ZIP format
Table of Contents
Information
Tparents Home