Justin's Adventures with IVCF: Mark West Pacific

Say Hello to Mark West Pacific Attendees!

What do you get when you put 50 students on an island with the gospel of Mark?

An amazing, enriching, and life-fulfilling experience with Jesus is what you get!

In the 5 years I have gone to Mark West, this would have to be the best. This year was really exciting for me to see because of the amount of international students and "not yet believers" that came. On top of that, we were starting to explore more the artistic side of worship through song, dance, poetry, drawing, painting, you name it! There were many workshops that allowed students (and staff) to exercise their artistic talents and gifts. Towards the end of the week, we all had an opportunity to share the art that we produced throughout the week.

This year, I had the privilege of co-leading the Mark 2/VUP (Mark 8-16) Track with Christa Smith. I tell you, it was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I learned a great deal about teaching and leading. However, the most rewarding thing though was to be able to witness and see Jesus transforming each and everyone of our students lives.

Mark II/VUP Track

Mark 2 is not an easy text. It starts right off into Jesus talking about his death, Peter rebuking Jesus, then Jesus calling Peter Satan. Talk about light stuff huh? As we dug deeper and deeper into Mark, our own worldviews of Jesus were being shifted and changed to who Jesus actually is. The themes of Shalom, Justice, and Believe and Unbelief came up time and time again. Throughout the week, the students could no longer ignore the truth and reality of what Jesus was trying to say. They were coming face to face with their own sin and making VERY difficult decision to repent and follow Jesus with their everyday lives. For some, their own career choices have been drastically affected and shaped through this experience, others made difficult decision to "cut off" sin, while others experienced significant healing in their own identities with Christ. Every single person in that room received a conviction and I believe that every single one of them chose to say "Yes" to Jesus despite the cost and risk.

In the end, our track decided to practically apply what it means to be good stewards of our finances. We will be fasting together on a bi-weekly basis and every month, we will pool together $20/person to give to the poor. We are also keeping each other accountable by writing up a contract of what we intend on doing once we leave Mark West Pacific.

It was such an blessing to be able to see God work and change the hearts of our students and to be used by Him to deliver what He wanted to say. Please pray that God will continue to stir up desire and passion in each of our students to live their lives fully for Jesus.