Reaching 'em at Beach Reach 2008

[Guest blogger Christy Thornton - Beach Reach March 2008 at Panama City, FL]

Greetings from Beach Reach!

We have been down here in Panama City Beach since Saturday, and this has been our first chance to get online, which is quite the shocker for a group of college kids.

The drive down was quite possibly one of the most bizarre rides we've had in quite sometime. It was snowing...then sunny...then snowing again...then sunny. Regardless of the strange weather, we made it safe and sound.

On Sunday, we first got our ol' PABC mini van decked out in its Beach Reach attire, and christened it 'Roscoe Jr.' Then, we did a little basic training and then walked the beach publicizing our free van rides and free pancakes. For many of our crew, it was their first taste of what these Spring Breakers are like. It was certainly a beneficial time of acquainting ourselves with the culture and starting to get warmed up on how to strike up conversations with people. That night we did our first van rides and street teams. It was a pretty difficult night on the vans. We just had a lot of a trouble turning conversation to the Gospel, but even so, we are confident the Lord is sovereign and are grateful to have provided some safe rides for those who may not have had it otherwise. On the other hand, our street team who was out near one of the big clubs actually had some really great conversations. They were able to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a few Catholic guys from the Midwest. They were able to tell them that the love of God is completely independent of human work and freely imparted to those who believe! Very encouraging!

Monday and Tuesday night went pretty much the same. It was still really tough in the van turning conversations toward spiritual issues, but we were able to make a few friends and praying that they will show up at the pancake breakfast before we leave. Street teams, though, continued to have some great conversations, praying over people battling alcoholism, and bringing the idea of hope to those who have none.

At the pancake breakfast this morning we were are all very encouraged because we shared with 3 or 4 different groups of people over some fabulous free pancakes. One Jewish girl seemed extremely engaged. She didn't make a decision for Christ, but we're praying that she'll take a free van ride tonight. Hopefully, she will come to eat pancakes again tomorrow, and talk some more with someone who God will use to lead her to faith in Jesus - be it us or not.

As for Beach Reach overall, it's been super awesome to hear of many other teams who have had the opportunity to lead people to Christ. We have heard some awesome stories! So far we're not sure how many, but last night in the midst of some pretty intense spiritual warfare we heard news of two Catholic guys coming to Jesus. Praise the Lord! On a side note, so far, we've given as a whole group around 2000 van rides and served thousands of pancakes. Jesus loves pancakes in Panama City! Gratis!

Thank y'all so much for praying for us! Please keep praying that we would be bold in taking conversations from chats about weather, sports and school to matters of eternity and life and death. We're heading out again tonight to give some free van rides and walk the strip to share the love of Jesus. May we bring His light to dark places, and His life to the dead.