“OVER THE LINE” – Monday July 31, 2017

REWIND… DIRECTORS CAMP, JUNE 1989

                             

MY MISSION IS CLEAR                                                

In 1989 we were singing a medley called, “Let the Whole World Sing” and another called, “A Story and a Song for the Nations”. We had big ideas, and big expectations, of reaching the whole world with the gospel wrapped up in musical productions.  I had all kinds of motivational phrases I used on the directors from the very beginning like, “You can do anything you want to if you want to bad enough”, "To whom much is given, much is required”, “If there’s no stage when you get there, build one” and “Attitude is everything”. And when a new rookie director came to me with the deflating word that there was too much equipment to fit under the bus, my response was always, “Do I have to go load your bus for you?”

We were probably in Palm Springs, 110°-115° in the day, but much nicer in the evening, sitting around the pool getting to know each other and listening to what everyone had been through that year. We prayed together and listened to each of their expectations for the summer.  It was in a setting like this that I read something I had just found called, “Declaration for the 21^st Century” by John Osteen.  Here it is for you to digest!

“I am part of the unashamed.  I have Holy Spirit power.  The dye has been cast.  I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.  I am a disciple of Jesus.  I will not look back, let up or slow down, back away or be still.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, chinsey giving, dwarf goals.  I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, prominence, plaudence or popularity.  I don’t have to be right.  I don’t have to be first.  I don’t have to be tops.  I don’t have to be recognized.  I don’t have to be praised.  I don’t have to be regarded nor rewarded.  I now live by presence, lean by faith, walk with patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.  My face is set.  My gate is fast.  My goal is heaven.  My road is narrow.  My way is rough. My companions few.  My guide is reliable.  MY MISSION IS CLEAR.  I cannot be bought.  I cannot be compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, diluted, or turned away.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I will not give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until he stops me.  And when He comes for his own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my colors are clear. (And I added)  Because…                                             

I  AM  A  CONTINENTAL  DIRECTOR

PROMISE KEEPERS – Friday July 28, 2017

REVERBERATIONS FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

Psalm 15:1 “…Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?"

                                  

SPEAK THE TRUTH                                             

In Psalm 15, David creates a list of things he has come to understand by his own experiences.  This list does two things: show honor to the Lord and keep David in good shape with his friends.

There are also two big items that stand out in David’s list of things that we can do in Psalm 15. We can keep our promises, which, he says, will honor the Lord.  David says it is one, “WHO KEEPS HIS OATH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS” (v.4). Jesus said, “Let your yes be yes and your no, no”!  Same thing.

And the other thing, is one “WHO SPEAKS THE TRUTH FROM HIS HEART” (v. 2).  For David, this was someone “who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man! (v. 3) Sometimes, the truth is evasive, and it’s just easier to agree with whatever someone else says.  Gossip and a seeming light slur come across easily on our smart phones as no one can see our expressions.  Passing on questionable stories about someone when we have no idea of the background to their actions or know nothing of what is really in their heart is a bigger deal than we normally accept.

James said, “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man” (Jas. 3:2). Jesus called it loving your neighbor as yourself.  David has the answer to his own opening question in the last verse.  He simply says, “He who does these things will never be shaken” (v.5).

In the book, “David’s 7 Secrets,” the 2^nd chapter deals with all 10 of David’s virtues.  We call it, “Sit at God’s Round Table.”  There you will find the concepts of Psalm 15 as well.

“PLEASE DON’T SEND ME TO AFRICA” – Wednesday July 26, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS ... OF A CONTINENTAL DIRECTOR

THE DUNG HUT AND THOUSANDS OF BUGS
By Jon Eric Woodward

(Jon Eric Woodward went on 12 Continental tours, directing 8 of them. He has been in worship arts ministry for 28 years and is currently Pastor of Worship Arts in High Point, North Carolina)  


                   

Jon Eric and Cindy Woodward

Jon Eric had been the first Director to volunteer with Campus Crusade for Christ, "The Jesus Film" Project, after Paul Eshelman, their leader, challenged us to join his venture at a summer rehearsal camp.  Jon took his Continental Singers tours to faraway places, performing and showing "The Jesus Film" to people who had never heard the name Jesus.  A couple years later, Jon Eric found himself in Africa, and able to recount this story:

In 1987, my tour was in Kenya to show The Jesus Film. A Christian artist, Scott Wesley Brown, had joined our tour. The Continental Singers had performed many of Scott’s songs over the years including, “He Will Carry You” from our musical, DREAMER.   I split our group up into smaller teams to go into different parts of Kenya. My group of seven, along with Scott Wesley, traveled deep into the bush, and showed the film six different times.

The first village had an 8’ tall pile of thick brush all around it.  We were told it was to keep lions and leopards from killing and eating their animals.  They also volunteered that, the week before, a Leopard had jumped their “fence” and taken a baby goat.  We were to sleep in the village that night!  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Our sleeping quarters were cow dung huts.  They had no light, and only a small hole in the top to let the smoke out.  Yes, they even cooked inside!  The entry ways were very tight and really curvy, so that if a wild animal did get into the fenced sleeping area at night, they would have a hard time getting inside the huts… (very consoling).

Scott Wesley and I stayed in the same hut and were having a quiet talk before hitting the sack, when we began to hear a very soft noise.  He asked me if I heard something.   I had!  It was pitch black inside.  The sound was growing in intensity, like in stereo. I took out my small flashlight.  There was nothing. I put the light on the ceiling. It was moving!  Thousands and thousands of bugs were crawling all over the ceiling of our dung hut!  We did not sleep well that night!                                 

Believe it or not, the very next day Scott wrote a song The Continental Singers would perform for years to come, “Please Don’t Send Me to Africa”.                  

We saw many people who had never even heard of Jesus believe in Him as their Savior during our time in Kenya.   It was always interesting to watch their reactions and hear their verbal responses when our Lord was beaten and hung on a cross.  They were not fans of the Romans!

I had the opportunity to go on three Jesus Film Project tours.  Of all the 12 tours I went on, those tours had the greatest impact on my life.

Cindy and Jon Eric with their 4 kids

Since his Continental days, Jon Eric graduated from LSU with a degree in music education. He then went on to graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary. He married the love of his life, Cindy, in 1989...a Continental "TC" (tour couple), Jon Eric and Cindy met at Rehearsal Camp in Arrowhead Springs for their 1984 Continental tour. Jon Eric has always had a passion for worship ministries, to lead people to worship God in spirit and truth, always Biblically and Christ centered. Jon Eric also has a masters in Bibical Studies and recently completed another masters in Worship Studies. Jon Eric and Cindy served in Louisiana for 14 years before moving to High Point, North Carolina where they currently live with their 4 children.   

“REACHIN’ OUT” – Monday July 24, 2017

REWIND… The Continentals Opening Night, June 1997

TELL THE GOOD NEWS  1997                                                      

It was our 30^th year and Dick and Mel Tunney had written our opening song to celebrate the anniversary…

“He’s given us a voice to tell His story.

He’s given us a reason to live.

Conquering the grave, He’s taken sin away.

Jesus gave us all he had to give.

Now that we’ve received His salvation,

Our mission is to pass the faith along.

Carrying the flame, lifting high His name,

The good news of the Gospel is our song.

TELL THE GOOD NEWS….”

As you all now know, our theme this summer is “REACHIN’ OUT”.  Mr. Webster must have been a Continental because he said reaching out means “to touch by extending,” or better yet, “to carry as far as you can go!”, “To arrive at by effort” (he had to be a Continental) or “to attain some GREAT GOAL,” “To have influence by reaching someone,” “to establish contact with,” and finally he said the one that really works for us, “this power reaches into other lands, to carry, to penetrate, as sight and sound do!”  Yes, that’s us… that is you this summer.  The sight and sounds of the Continentals REACHIN’ OUT and penetrating the world with the message of Jesus Christ through music and performance!  Fantastic!

One of our great goals is to empower you by preparing you, the Continental, to reach out to people all over the world this year.  We want you to experience the Lord in a new and wonderful way, to grow spiritually, to learn to trust Him more and give you a chance to share your testimony, what you really believe, and share it with someone who needs to find Christ themselves.  You are Ambassadors of Jesus Christ this summer.  You don’t represent me.  You stand strong for Him as a Continental and your music and message will reach people’s hearts for sure.

There will be 54 groups like you doing this program literally all over the world this year.  And for the first time, some Continentals will be Slovakian, Italian and Argentinian who will be reaching out with other Continentals in their own language who will start out in their own countries in Asia, Europe and South America.  You are part of a big family.  But our message is the same everywhere.  Jesus is alive and He changes the lives He touches through people like you.  What we are telling people is best told in a simple story…

Johnny had a terminal disease and not long to live.  His disease made it difficult for him to understand classroom assignments.  During Easter the children were supposed to take an empty plastic egg and put something in it that reminded them of Easter. 

The day the eggs were to be turned in, the teacher opened each one and made a positive comment.  One egg was empty.

Johnny raised his hand. “Teacher, you didn’t share mine.”

“I’m sorry, Johnny,” she said, “you were to bring something that means Easter to you and, and put it in the egg.”

“But teacher,” Johnny said, “Jesus tomb was empty—and that’s what Easter is all about.”

Johnny died a few weeks later, and in his casket his classmates placed twenty-seven empty eggs.  They understood.

That’s our bottom line message too.  Jesus is not in the grave, he arose, he lives.  He said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.”

So - let’s tell everyone this good news.  Let’s REACH OUT and give people life!

GOD IS PRESENT - Friday July 21, 2017

REVERBERATIONS  FROM DAVID’S PSALMS

GOD IS PRESENT

Psalm 14:1 “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’”

LORD, YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS                         

Most evenings, I sit on the cliffs nearby to see the sun sink into the sea, or drop into the hills and trees out west, over the curve of the island, depending on the time of the year.  The clouds will be full of color with all kinds of imaginative shapes, and the waves just below me often crash so high the spray blocks the brightness of the descending sun.

Every time, words fill my mind and I have to blurt out, “Lord, You make such beautiful things”.

CLICK HERE for a special video message from Cam

In Psalm 14, David declares that the person of moral perversity, the fool, says there is no God.  That’s amazing to me.  No way that the intricacies of creation just happened.  Many of our greatest scientists agree that there has to be a Creator.  David goes on to say that men, God’s created beings, have abandoned Him, turning aside, becoming corrupt and don’t even understand who He is and what He has done for mankind.

Much of this Psalm was quoted by Paul in Romans 3 as well, which declares the same things, that we naturally, do not really understand the Lord who created everything.  And, that we all have turned away. Doing good, all we can, is not in man’s normal nature.  “There is none righteous, not even one.” (v. 10)

After declaring us guilty, David has something good to say. “GOD IS PRESENT in the company of the righteous”, (v5) and ends with, “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion.” (v.7)   And it did! Praise God!  Paul does the same thing after declaring us guilty he says, “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified, freely, by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (v.21-24)

How great is that.  His righteousness cleanses us by His grace.  It’s free, just like breathing in and out, and taking in the beauty of His creation all around us.

“‘GOD KNOWS WE NEED NICE WEATHER,’ SAID MRS. HYINK” – Wednesday July 19, 2017

RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONTINENTAL LEADER

By Sir Leen LaRiviere, The Continental Singers, Europe

SPLENDID WEATHER                                           

Ria and Sir Leen la Riviere

Driebergen, Holland, 1970-1990

Since 1970 The Continentals have been to the village Driebergen in Holland.  An ongoing invitation from the female Pastress Hyink, pastor of the local Pentecostal church.  They could not do a concert, but The Continental Singers could perform in the Sunday morning service.  She would often invite, and care for, English speakers, celebrities like Brother Andrew, Corrie ten Boom, etc.

After the church service, The Continental Singers were not allowed to leave unless they “had tea” at Mrs. Hyink’s house.  Of course, the house was too small, so chairs had to be put in the garden.  But, that is very risky business in the rapid changing weather of Holland.  The chance is 80% that it will start raining. There are even voices who say that the moment Dutch people go enjoy nice weather and sit in the garden, it starts raining as a revenge of the weather-gods, because the Dutch reclaimed so much land from lakes and sea.  So, that first time in 1970, the neighbors of Mrs. Hyink saw the bus and the 40 Conti’s appear at 13.00 hrs. When they saw all those kids in the yard, they were eager to offer shelter, just when it would start to rain (quite normal expectations when you live in Holland).  Mrs. (Rev) Hyink smiled and said, “Thanks, but God knows we need nice weather.  He will help.”  So, what happened that afternoon?  Splendid weather!

Next year, 1971, same procedure.  And surprise!  Nice Weather! The third year, according to the mathematic laws of chance, it had to rain now, but again, great weather.  The fourth year, the neighbors gave up.  They prepared that day their yard for their own family barbeque as well, and yes, great weather.  (In some parts of Holland a barbeque can only last one hour or so because the weather changes.)

In the next years it became the sign for the whole neighborhood, that the day The Continental Singers would come to town, it would be nice weather.  People would start calling Mrs. Hyink to find out the date of their visit.  First, she thought that they wanted to come to church.  Later on, she found out, that almost the whole village would plan all sorts of outdoor activities, because The Continental Singers had arrived, and that meant nice weather. 

There have been a few occasions that it did rain during the morning service (panic in town), but the moment they stepped out of the bus into the yard, the rain stopped! This incredible smile of God happened in an annual sequence from 1970 to 1990, when Mrs. Hyink became too old to care for The Continental Singers after church.  The village could not count anymore on this beautiful divine intervention.

(This is a true “Continental Tale” as he calls it, by Sir Leen LaRiviere who was knighted by the Queen for his contribution to the arts in his country of Holland.  Leen, along with his wife Ria, has been European Director of The Continental Singers ministry since 1969, now in his 49^th year!)

"REALITY CHECK" - Monday July 17, 2017

REWIND ... THE CONTINENTAL SINGERS OPENING NIGHT, JUNE 2007

REALITY CHECK 2007                                                                

(An important check-up before tour begins)

I have spent months getting your music and production ready, and now, I have just 15 minutes to talk to you about the reality of what we expect from you and expect from your Continental music outreach ministry this summer.

Here is your THREE POINT REALITY CHECK:

First, a few personal questions.  Do you really know Jesus?  Do you totally believe that He is the Son of God, who came to earth, and gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for you? If so, is He, then, the Lord of your life?  Does He reign in the center of your heart?

These are the biggest questions a person who calls him or her self a Christian can ever ask.  Jesus Christ rose from that grave, way back then, and He lives in your heart today, right now, if you believe in Him and have asked Him into your life.  If you have made that confession, then there is no question, you are one of His!!  That is your first reality check. But, believe it or not, lots of people fake it.  Some have even been Continentals, pretending to appear like a Christian by saying and doing the right things.  Deep in your heart, you know what I’m saying.   If you are going to be effective as a Continental this summer, sharing your testimony with people and audiences, then Jesus will have to be your Lord, living in your heart.

The second reality check is also a question.  One that has to do with your time with us on this tour.  Assuming you have made a commitment to the Lord, DO YOU REALLY, SERIOUSLY DESIRE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD?  This tour is an outreach to share the gospel with everyone we come in contact with.  You have been called to do just that and we have been called together to expand the Kingdom of God.  It is one of the primary reasons we exist as a music ministry.

I hope it is the desire of your heart to follow God’s calling on your life.  We are told to Love the Lord with all our heart and with all our strength.  This summer tour is really the “strength” part of that ask.  You will be tested, tempted, tried and maybe even tuckered out sometimes.  But this experience is about giving your all to the Lord.  The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  That means you are not performing, or loading, or unloading for me or some church or even for your director. We  may give you a directive word now and then, but YOU ARE DOING IT FOR THE LORD.

Your third reality is that you are part of a team.  You are not alone in this, and it’s a fact, there is strength in numbers.  In order to be an effective Continental group, you are going to have to love and respect each other.  The Bible says they will know we are Christians by our love for each other.  On the bus, it will take humility, and sometimes, a little sacrifice, if we are going to be ok together.  Sure, someone’s stuff will end up in your bin or on your seat.  Get a grip, it is not the end of the world!  No complaining!  Instead we are asking you to be forgiving and loving.

So, your Reality Check is simple:  You need Christ in your heart, you are to follow His call on your life, and you are to do as you’re told!  NO, I’M KIDDING!!! You are to love your Continental neighbor as yourself. 

You are here as part of a group of fantastically talented Christians.  Love and partner with them and together we will help change our world for Christ.