The week is drawing to a close and last minute plans and touches are being arranged for Friday, the last day of the outreach week here in Concord, CA. The trip over the last four days has involved 2 rallies, 2 lunch periods of handing out Bibles and tracks, 2 discussion groups on campus, and 4 days of witnessing after school. Students from a local Christian school, Berean Christian High School, joined Concord, Northgate, and Ygnacio in the witnessing outreaches everyday after school. As part of a school project, the Berean student were presented with different options and times of fulfilling a service project. CSP and Berean partnered together to encourage and come alongside the public schools and help witness. Many Berean students expressed excitement after witnessing for the first time, and the Gospel has been shared over 100 times in the last week all over the various campuses.

Please pray for Ygnacio Valley and Concord High as both schools have their final and main event of the week. The rallies will both be held during the lunch period on Friday, and both leadership teams anticipate a large turn out. Please pray for the youth pastor that will be sharing the Gospel and presenting an altar call at Concord High, and please pray for the 2 Christian Club leaders who will be sharing their testimony during the rally at Ygnacio Valley.

Christian Club leader Jessica sitting at Northgate’s steps with friend Erik, and CSP leader Michelle

CSP leaders Sean, Tyler, and Michelle, at a debrief session after witnessing at Northgate High

A team of students from Berean and Northgate witnessing after school

Team Concord

Elizabeth, Concord’s Christian Club President, with CSP staff member Beth

Anita, VP of the Christian Club, with Elizabeth

Yesterday, Monday the 9th, Team Concord had their first full day of outreach at Concord High School (CHS). The day commenced with prayer at CHS at 7:30 before school started, and Bible Club president Elizabeth joined the team to pray for the upcoming week of rallies and witnessing.

That afternoon, during lunch period, the Bible Club held their first rally of the week in gym. Students were invited to come and receive free pizza, and they were encouraged to stick around for a speaker to share his story. CSP members stood outside the gym, holding posters and yelling as loud as they could to encourage passer-byers to step inside the gym and join other students on the bleachers. A few minutes into the lunch period, a man picked up the mic and boldly proclaimed his testimony. The room became quiet as he quickly revealed his journey was not an easy one. He pointed to his scar on his cheek that ran a few inches across his face, and he described a broken life of fighting and unsatisfied feelings. 50 students sat quietly on the bleachers and listened to how he came to Christ and how it could change their lives, too.

The second portion of the day was spent in preparation for the witnessing that took place after school at CHS. 18 students from Berean High indicated they would be coming on this day to help witness with their peers. A total of 26 students and CSP members gathered together to share the Gospel after school and the group was able to talk to 80 people in total, 50 of which heard the full Gospel message.

Please pray for those that heard the Gospel yesterday at CHS : pray that the Lord continues to work in them, and that they would show up to another event this week on campus. Please pray for the student leader of Concord, Northgate, and Ygnacio Valley High as they lead their peers in outreach this week. Please pray for strength and energy for Team Concord. Thank you for your prayers!

Saturday night at six o’clock 100+ students gathered in a church gym to kick off the week in celebration, worship, training, and prayer. The first ten minutes were dedicated to running around and linking arms with a number of people that was previously called out. With 4 different schools represented around the room, efforts were made to mix up the students and try to connect with unfamiliar faces. After a short time of running around and linking arms, students were called to take a seat and face the stage. Ariel, the team leader and appointed M.C. for the evening, kicked things off with introductions. Students from Berean led filled the large low-lit gym with praises and songs. Alongside students worshipping there are families, teachers, and friends from the various school communities. The group is then introduced to California School Project and the team of 6 who make up the Concord Hometown Trip leaders. Proceeding CSP’s introduction, the crowd then listened to the 3 female leaders who represent the 3 public schools. The crowd quiets as they each take the mic and describe their excitement, plans, and fears. Last to take the mic is a Bible teacher from Berean High who explained to the students what it would be like to dialogue with a mormon during a witnessing time, and how best to handle the conversation. The evening concluded with a time of encouragement through prayer in small groups, and the room was filled with energy as students flooded out and folded chairs, looking ahead towards a full week of spreading the Good News.