I've Gone Mobile

Well I have decided that since I will be doing some traveling in the next couple of weeks that it would be a good idea to go mobile so that I can keep you updated when I'm not near my computer.

Just a few more days until we are in Jamaica. Pray for us as we will be setting up a few things. Especially pray for Cyndi as I will be away from her for almost two weeks. Last quick request- my father-in-law, Big Dave is currently in Jamaica for business and my parents are in Vegas for pleasure. Pray for safe travels.

Weekend Highlights

What a weekend, here are some highlights from this past weekend...

• Had a great time cooking for a few of our friends Friday night!
• Cyndi and I finally got to meet Jenna, Miranda's sister...and yes, I think she looks a bit like Natalie Portman.
• Got Dave Matthews Tickets for my bride on Sat. She is obsessed with Dave and I was excited that he is coming to Charleston and would get to experience one of his concerts with her.
• Spent almost all day in Orangeburg, SC on Sat. -it SUCKED!
• We had to go to Orangeburg to get Cyndi's dress for a wedding she is in...the dress shop (which will remain unnamed) employee's had bad customer service!
  
• I hate poor customer service!
• Orangeburg has a mall...not a very big one, but it's a mall and it's call Prince of Orange Mall-what's up with that?
• Sunday ROCKED!
• The church we've been going to and have been getting involved at is amazing! The worship was INCREDIBLE and then the message blew my socks off!
  
• One thing I learned this weekend was this: Do what God has called you to do, no regrets, no if's and's or but's about it. Do what you know He has called you to do, and if it seems as though He closes a door, it may be because He just wants you to get up on the roof. See Luke 5: 17-26 to see what I mean.
• WHAT A WEEKEND, and this week will just be so much better!!
  

Preparing for a trip

As I sit here preparing for my trip to Jamaica, I feel like I have so much to do and it sucks!

I honestly hate preparing for a trip (at least the boring stuff). Like packing! I hate to pack because I tend to over-pack and I feel stupid because it would have been less of a hassle had I not brought so much. And packing for Jamaica every bit of space is needed!

However as much as I hate to pack it is a necessary part of preparation. Preparation is sometimes not fun, nor easy, but always necessary. As I have been packing I have been constantly reminded that as a Disciple of Jesus I have been told to prepare for a trip. I am reminded that we are to be constantly preparing ourselves for Heaven. I mean Jesus has been preparing for us (John 14:2), so shouldn't we prepare for Him?

What left do you have to do that would help in your preparation for that day we see Jesus?

My Bible Journey

Acts continues...

• Acts 5:1, Ananias...That's a cool name.
• Acts 5:3-4, Interesting that Ananias & Sapphira chose to make themselves look good and lie about their gift. Why lie? God loves a cheerful giver! And did they actually think Peter was stupid or something...here they are bringing 50g's for a piece of property that everyone knows is worth 200.
• Acts 5:5-11, WOW!! Both Ananias & Sapphira drop dead in their tracks! All because of their lies. They chose to make themselves look better instead of giving what they could & had.
• Acts 5:12-16, God was using His people to do some awesome things. All the Believers were meeting together regularly...they had a church service! When you are following God's will and doing what He has called you to do...when it's all about Jesus...your ministry will be blessed and lives will change!
• Acts 5:17-23, Tough times and opposition will always happen when God's work is being done. But God will always take care.
• Acts 5:26-42, You can't shut the Gospel up! ~Even when there is pain, persevere!
• Acts 6:1, When growth occurs people get very uncomfortable, and sometimes even disgruntle.
• Acts 6:2, Focus should be very clear!

Happy Birthday!

Today, was a good friend of Cyndi and mine, Cameron Sabin's birthday! He became a teenager today it was really cool to hang out with him.

Okay, so we are probably better friends with his parents, Ryan and Twila, but it was great getting to hang out with all of them tonight for Cameron's really special day! It was also awesome to sit and watch some basketball with someone who is very passionate about sports. I would say Cameron is almost as passionate as Cyndi is...close but not quite.

Cameron, know that Cyndi and I are praying for you and cannot wait to see the great things God has planned for you in the coming years! Happy Birthday!

My Bible Journey

My Journey through the Book of Acts

• Acts 1:9-11, Stop staring into space and reach people who don't know Jesus
• Acts 2, Some pretty freaky stuffed was going on. I like freaky stuff!
• Acts 2:15, 9am is way too early to be drinking...how's 10? People sometimes mistake passion for drunkenness.
• Acts 2:37-38, Some huge heart changes were taken place. Peter laid out loud and clear the way to be saved. REPENT of our sins and TURN to God! Then show the world through your actions.
• Acts 2:40, Peter was a Baptist Preacher.
• Acts 2:41, One day I would love for God to use me like He did with Peter and see at least 3,000 people come to know Him. If not me, I would love to be in a room where at least 3,000 people come to know Jesus...WHAT A PARTY!!
• Acts 3, I love that Peter made the most of every opportunity to talk about Jesus.
• Acts 4:1-2, It makes me laugh that the religious leaders and the "pastors" of that time were ticked off about what Peter and John were preaching, although it was previously prophecied. Many times pastors forget that its about Jesus and not their agenda.
• Acts 4:4, Church growth-want your church to grow like it did in this passage? Make it about Jesus not about you!
• Acts 4:8-12, I love that Peter & John were in troubel and yet they stayed strong and even witnessed to the officials.
• Acts 4:13, It is awesome that God used people like Peter & John, plain ordinary people who were willing to give up everything and follow Jesus! It is awesome to see that they were recognized by the crowd they hung out with...Jesus. They were known as people who hung out with Jesus. How cool is that? Could they actually say, "Jesus is my homeboy?"
• Acts 4:32, Unity! They shared everything they had (probably didn't have siblings -joking)! Really makes me think, "Can't we all just get along?"
  

Welcome to the World!

Introducing:

Ainsley Marie Eden Gill
born at 3:42pm
6lbs~19inches long

Miranda and Ainsley are both doing great and are resting at the moment.

Little Andy is with me and cannot wait to meet his little sister!

Keep the Gill family (Andy, Miranday, Little Andy & Ainsley) in your prayers!

Do I Really Look Like Him?

Cyndi and I have been on Little Andy duty last night and today, since Miranda has gone into the hospital for inducement for their soon coming baby Ainsley!

Well, this morning has been filled with the Disney Channel. One of the shows that we watched was called Handy Manny. While this show was on, Little Andy proceeded to say, "Manny, you're on TV." He was talking to me! You see, since Andy has been able to talk, I've been known as "Manny." Where this name came from I had no idea. I've been called many things close to Jeremiah, such as Miah, Jer, etc. never Manny.

Now I think I have an idea where Andy got the name Manny for me from. But do I really look like him? I guess I need to learn some Spanish!

The Jamaican Skatepark Update

One of the ministries that I am excited about in Jamaica is a good friend of ours...Steve has a passion for skating and has truly began a great ministry at Boston Bay. He is a member of our Jamaican church.
Here is his update:

An Update

Wow, what a week!

This week has definitely been one of excitement and much progress for 'til ZION missions!

As many of you may not know my ministry partner, John Engler, and I are in the works of an organization called 'til ZION missions that will be providing customized mission trips for individuals/youth groups/churches/families/schools, etc. Man are we pumped!

One of my desires in ministry has always to get people to see the importance of stepping out of their comfort zone and deepening their walk with Christ! I also have experienced that one of the best ways to do this is through a short term mission trip. I also think short term trips especially to countries like Jamaica helps students see needs outside of their own bubbles. And thus 'til Zion.

We know there are tons of missions organizations out there that provides trips but one thing that we believe that will set us apart from every other organization is that we are working hand in hand with missionaries already placed in Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, and others that will soon follow. We aren't going down to change the countries, we are providing opportunities for spiritual growth, in the process encouraging, training, and assisting missionaries already in place in these countries. We also will be working with trip leaders from churches/groups/etc. to provide customized trips. Who better would know the needs of their group than the leaders? We will be assisting in planning from start to finish...from fundraising all the way to the end of the trip and even having a follow up service.

So needless to say the beginning stages are on the roll, and John and I will actually be going to Jamaica in April to get a few things worked out and set up.

Things to pray for:

• Pray for us as we meet and begin the process of setting up a nonprofit incorporation.
• Please pray for safe travels and for the relationships that are built upon, and the people we encounter in the coming days.
• Please pray for 'til ZION, that people will join with us...both in prayer support and financial support.

Much more coming soon...

Still in School

One of the greatest things that one of my professor's at Taylor University taught me was to never be afraid to always be a student. Meaning that we should always be learning something.

One of the things that I have really been learning the last couple of weeks is how to trust and rely on God fully. It is very easy to say yes, I believe and trust God but to actually put into practice is a lot more difficult.

Cyndi and I have been trying out a few churches the last couple of weeks and its funny what we keep coming away with. God keeps telling us, "Just trust me." Seriously, we went to two different services this past weekend on the opposite ends of town and I'm guessing the pastors don't even know each other, but what they had to say was very impacting and very similiar in nature...through their messages God kept saying, "Hey, it's going to be alright, I'll provide. I'll handle that. I'll take care of you."

Man, it has been awesome these last few weeks as we are in the beginning stages of Generations Ministries/'til Zion missions. We are pumped and know that God is going to take care of us. Please pray and if you would like to be on our email list/newsletter/updates or would like to know how specifically you can pray please email me or leave me a message.

Guest Blogger: Dwyndl Nelms

Dwyndl Nelms and his family are great friends to Cyndi and I. In their monthly newsletter, Dwyndl wrote the following thoughts...

I felt led to share a lesson that God taught me recently. It came when I was studying through the Gospel of John.

In Chapter 21 Jesus restored Peter after he had denied Jesus 3 times. He then told Peterthat he would die a terrible death. Peter looked around, saw John and asked, “What about this man?” To which Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return,
what is that to you? You must follow me.”

What a lesson for a Christian’s life. I have to follow God where He leads me. I can’t worry about where He is leading someone else. It is easy to look at other people and other ministries and think, “Why don’t they see what I see?” But maybe they are seeing what God has for them and it could be totally different than what He is showing me.

I have friends serving as Missionaries around the world and each of them consider their part of the world and their Ministry to be the most important work in the world. And I feel the
same about Nicaragua, but honestly, all of God’s Ministries are just as important. God has
placed Nicaragua on my heart in a big way and that makes it more important to me, but not
everyone feels the same excitement or desire to be a part of it. Others have a calling that
is just as important to them, because it’s from God.

Don’t look at me and say, “What about him, Lord?” You follow God! And I can’t look at you and say, “What about them?” I must follow God. Regardless if others see this need or not, I must be faithful to go where He is leading me. Thank you to everyone who sees the importance of reaching Lost People in Nicaragua. Please pray for others doing what God has asked them to do here at home and around the world. Glory to God!

Today

Today has been a pretty difficult day for Cyndi and I. After much prayer and a lot of seeking wisdom from God's Word, as well as wisdom from those Christians who are influential in our lives, Cyndi and I have resigned from Coastal Community Church. Here is the resignation letter I presented to Chris Rollins-the Sr. Pastor.

February 26, 2008

Dear Pastor Chris Rollins,

Serving at Coastal Community Church has been a wonderful experience. I could not ask for a better group of believers to be joined with. As a result I have grown in many ways here and will always treasure the opportunities provided for me by Coastal.

I am writing you to officially inform you of my intent to resign as Youth Pastor from Coastal Community Church effective Sunday, March 9, 2008.

I will be pursuing my passion for missions and desires to reach students in the process on a global setting. While I will miss my friends and partners in ministry here at Coastal, I feel that it is time for a new challenge and experience.

Once again thank you for the opportunity

Best Wishes,

Jeremiah J. Brown

-So where do Cyndi and I go from here? Well, we are staying in Charleston as of right now. I have a few opportunities to serve with missions specifically in Jamaica as well as the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua. And so we are in the beginning stages of that-which also means we will begin raising a team of financial and prayer supporters. One thing that I will also be doing is traveling and speaking at churches, camps, retreats, etc. to share the Gospel and mission of Jesus ,to help with this endeavor. If you or your church would like to have me come and speak, or would like to join our team, please let me know!

More exciting news and updates coming soon.