Steve Gambill

Recently, our team here at Rocknations had some time with Reinhardt Bonnkes UK Director Mark Oakes. On Mark's car drive from the Bonnke HQ in Birmingham to sunny Bradford God began to speak to him from the analogy of driving his car about our work at Rocknations. That is just like God to use what is currently in our hand to communicate to us. I asked Mark to write some of his thoughts down after that initial meeting which I wanted to share with you.

Mark writes, "As I look from the window of the car, I admire scenery. Amazingly for me, this slows me down as I am caused to concentrate on two things at once. I will no doubt reach the destination a little later if I am constantly taking in the picturesque countryside. The same applies when talking with people in the car or when on a hands-free telephone conversation! (Every female reading this is saying that's maybe just because you are a man!)"

"Sometimes the journey is dull and boring. I have travelled this path so many times before and just want the end to come, but how refreshing it is when you take someone who hasn't gone that way before. You feel their excitement and anticipation. Often we can take the journey alone. The best is when we travel with others."

1. Take people with you... without them the journey might be faster but not half as fun.

To every youth leader, to every Christian who has the ability to transport others. When Mark spoke this word I thought of the amazing youth leaders and fellow travellers who will be transporting people to youth on Friday in their home town... to their church on Sunday and later in the year to Rocknations.

The excitement and anticipation of bringing new people is the cure for boredom. I remember once taking a fully loaded but hungry coach full of young people to McDonalds drive through at 10:55pm after a meeting. The McDonalds shut at 11:00pm. You should have seen the look on the poor McD's staff when over 50 young people tried to place an order all through a drive through window. Amazingly everyone was eventually fed. But it was whole lot more adventuresome than ordering on your own. SG

2. Refuel and recharge... You will need it for the road ahead

Mark said, "There are service stations that frequently appear. We must use them for sustenance. In kingdom terms, these are prayer, worship - in fact our whole relationship with God. Communication with Him is so important."

The time to refuel is now! Not once a year at a big festival or even once a week at a church meeting. Whenever the gauge of your life begins to run low... its time to refuel. Whenever tiredness rears its head, it's a sign more petrol is needed. Thankfully the Holy Spirit fills empty vessels. He is ready to refuel you today! SG

3. Keep your vehicle in good condition.

Mark states, "Our vehicle must be in good condition. The engine must work. It must be well oiled. We have to be ready with the brakes and to defend ourselves from rain with the wipers. A poorly maintained vehicle will cause us to maybe have to go right back to the start, ending in our journey at that time being cancelled and re-scheduled. Can we afford to take the risk of this happening?"

I want to say, "don't take the risk, get in shape!" God needs you, your family needs you, and your church needs you. Eat right, and exercise more. I love donuts just as much as the next person but there must be a balance in our diets. If I want to be around a long time and to see an empowered generation doing incredible things, I had better look after my health as best as I can. SG

Finally in closing Mark writes:

"We know the distance, the cost and the time it will take to a degree and can use these as a measurement of ultimately hitting our destination. The distance between the hands of Jesus Christ seen outstretched on the cross should remind us that whatever journey we take in our Christian lives that he is with us and that he has made possible the greatest journey of all - salvation and eternal life for each one of us.

Let's pray that Rocknations 2008 will be the start of an incredible journey for those who do not know God - and maybe for some of us that do!"
Mark Oakes - Dec 2007

Unbeknown to Mark our theme at Rocknations 08 is about all about ACCELERATION. Some time ago God spoke to me through a car as well. My heart and the desire of all the RN TEAM is to see you accelerate and shift into higher gears in 2008 and to experience the thrill of increase. Our prayer is that you enjoy the journey and take more people with you than ever before. Keep going strong the best is yet ahead!
Steve Gambill