Home page for the Fusion Worship, Costa Rica 2003 Missions Trip
Saturday, June 28, 2003
Latest updates I don't have a new itinerary... so I'll post when I get down. Probably not updating the table (might be too much of a pain), but at least note difference.
One difference is that we will be doing the "Youth Revival Service" for 6 nights, not 3. Also, the villiage is somewhere to the south, close to the panama border. (Last time it was 3 hours north, I think this time it is 3 hours south). Very hot!
Pastor Rick gave us a link to the hotel (http://www.lacondesahotel.com), but that doesn't seem to be working for me. I googled "Hotel & Villas La Condesa" and found a link. It is the right hotel, I'm just not sure if it is the latest link!
Info that we were given:
Hote & Villas La Condesa
Monte de la Cruz, Heredia, Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 267-6000
Fax: (506) 267-6200
email: gerencia@lacondesahotel.com
Following is the trip itinerary. This was originally created last fall, and I know some of it has changed... I just don't know what. I assume we'll have an update before the trip, and at that time I'll update this page. Basically which "village" we'll be going to has not been decided. Some dates may change a little, but the things we want to accomplish will be the same.
Pastor Rick's original has cool graphics on it (because he IS a graphic designer), but I'll just use letters as the legend symbols. :-)
Travel Codes
FR - full rest or fun day
HR -1/2 day of rest or fun
FD - Full drama
H - "Hands On" ministry time. (No drama, but atime to deliver gifts and fellowship with others)
T - travel day in country
TA - tourist attraction day
P - traveling in or out of San Jose
Travel Code
Day/Date
Activity
P
Sat Jun-28
Depart Colorado Springs Airport, arrive in San Jose. Current plans have us leaving the airport at 6:30 AM - so we have to be there at 4:00 AM!
FR
Sun Jun-29
A rest-up day. We can see the sites around town and swim. Go to The Oasis for Sunday evening church.
FD
Mon Jun-30
Ministry in San Jose
FD
Tue Jul-1
Ministry in San Jose
T,HR
Wed Jul-2
Travel to village trip In the afternoon invite people to see our drama and come to church service. Perform drama
FD
Thu Jul-3
Ministry in village Start to promote "Youth Revival Service"
FD
Fri Jul-4
Promote "Youth Revival Service" Hold Youth Revival Service - youth worship and rally, etc. Special 4th of July thing...
HR
Sat Jul-5
Relax during the morning Perhaps a youth BBQ, game day, some outreach Youth Revival Service
HR, H
Sun Jul-6
Church in the morning Outreach and Small Group Discipleship with local youth Church picnic/outreach Youth Revial Service
FD
Mon Jul-7
Elementry schools
FR, T
Tue Jul-8
Travel to beach for full day and then back to San Jose
HR, H
Wed Jul-9
Rest in the morning. Ministry in San Jose in the afternoon with Hands On ministry
FD
Thu Jul-10
Ministry in San Jose
TA
Fri Jul-11
Rain Forest Tour. Leaders staying for 2 weeks need to pack to leave
FD
Sat Jul-12
Ministry in San Jose Leaders staying for 2 weeks depart San Jose, arrive Colorado Springs Youth Service at The Oasis
HR,H
Sun Jul-13
Rest in the morning. Hands On in the afternoon
FD
Mon Jul-14
Ministry in San Jose
H
Tue Jul-15
"Hands On" ministry in San Jose
FR
Wed Jul-16
Relax/swim
FD
Thu Jul-17
Ministry in San Jose
FR
Fri Jul-18
Half-day shopping in San Jose, swim, pack to go home. Special dinner with "San Jose Ministry Partners". Commissiong Service to go home
This web page, and the associated blog, is about the Fusion/Fuel Summer Missions 2003 trip to Costa Rica. In particular, the Worship Team aspect of that trip as seen through my eyes (James Wagner, aka the WorshipJunky). Fuel and Fusion are ministries of Impact Christian Center, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.
Overview / Background
Summer 2001 Fuel took a missions trip to Costa Rica. At that time there was no Fusion. Fuel was the junior high youth ministry and the trip was made up of ~35 teens, ranging from 11 - 16 years of age, with most of them being between13-14. There were about 12 adult leaders who also went. They spent two weeks in Costa Rica, doing volunteer work and evangelism, with the emphasis being on evangelism, mostly conducted via a drama called "King of the Streets." Although hot, exhausting, and challenging; it was an incredible experience for all, both the youth and the leaders. Everyone who went did not want to come home, as it was pretty much a 24x7 youth meeting and serving the Lord, type of experience. Due to the logistics involved in the trip, time, money, effort, it was decided to do these kind of trips every 2 years, thus the next one is in the summer of 2003.
In the Fall of 2001, the two ICC youth ministries (Fuel and FireHouse) were joined together under Pastor Rick, with a new name of Fuel/Fusion. Fuel remaining the junior high group (grades 6 - 8) and Fusion being the senior high group (grades 9 - 12). Fusion today contains a large number of those youth that went to Costa Rica in 2001.
During the late Fall of 2001 the youth started a worship team, totally comprised of youth, and started practicing on their own. They ministered a few times at youth services, and in January of 2002 I came on as the Fusion Worship Coordinator. By spring the team was practicing at least twice a month, sometimes every week, and were ministering about once a month. By summer we were ministering once or twice a month and meeting almost every week.
Though rough at first, the team quickly jelled and started playing as a whole. The strongest part of the team has always been their heart. From day one you could tell they seek after God and their primary mission is to minister to Him and bring others into a place of worship. It was this excitement, fire, and dedication that caused me to step down from the adult worship team and spend my time working with these youth. At this point in time this team has become an on-fire, God seeking, youth worship team. Ministries times are always anointed. You can always feel God's presence. The team really knows how to flow with the Holy Spirit and minister to everyone present, not only their peers, but adults as well.
In the summer of 2002, when planning for the 2003 trip, Pastor Rick said, "I'd like to take the worship team to Costa Rica on the next trip." At that time we began discussing it, and God really started showing me some of the ways in which we could minister.
Purpose
We believe that all people are created to worship God. Worship, through music, can serve many purposes. It ministers to the Father. It encourages us and brings us closer to God. It ministers to the people who experience it. It encourages the believer. It presents the presence of God to the lost so strong, that many times they will meet Him in worship, leading to their salvation.
The main thrust of the Summer Missions 2003 trip is evangilsm via skits and our drama, "The King of the Streets." This year, in addition to that, the Fusion Worship team is going, for the following reasons:
As an evangelistic tool - To reach the lost, draw them in, where the Gospel can then be presented to them
As an encouragement to the believer - Our worship times are anointed, and being able to bring other believers into a strong anointed worship service will encourage them, and help them as they continue in their walk
As an encouragement to the team - Our teams gain strength from worship. As missions work can be exhaustive and numbing at times, our times of worship will strength everyone involved and refresh/renew them for the coming days.
As an outreach - Last trip the youth went into orphanages, girl's homes, etc. and ministered to children. Music is a universal language, and will minister to the children.
To learn - Our worship teams are gaining great experience through the various areas in which they minister. This is another great opportunity for them to minister in their calling, and experience how God can move when you flow with Him and do what He has called you to do.
Venues
Things are not nailed down yet, but we believe we will be ministering in the following ways:
Youth Revival Services - Evangelistic in nature. Perhaps some secular music, followed by worship. This would involve the entire band and be "full blown" all out sessions. Lights, perhaps smoke, the entire thing.This is currently planned as a 3 night event, happening the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday that we are there.
Youth Service - It is possible that Pastor Rick will speak at the local church on Saturday evening, and that the Fusion worship band will do the service. This would also be a "full blown" session - with a congregation of about 2000 people
Small "band" outreaches - in some instances it may not be practical/possible to perform "full blow" with all the required electrical, sound support, etc. that is necessary. It would be nice to be able to do some acoustic sessions with close to the entire team.
Small "team" outreaches. Last year the youth went into a number of children's facilities to minister. I'd like to take small teams, where maybe we have a guitar and a little percussion, along with two to four singers, and do some worship. Ideally we'll learn some worship songs in Spanish that would minister to the kids.
Ministry/Preperation times - I've been involved in numerous camps, retreats, etc. where worship is a great way to prepare for upcoming ministry. Times of worship and prayer always bring you into the presence of God and help you here His voice and get ready for what lies ahead. I'd like to see us use a small team format where we can "lead" the rest of the team into worship. Just some intimate times with God where we can get ready to start the day, finish the day, whatever.
Dates
Following are important dates for all of Costa Rica 2003 or for the Fusion Worship - Costa Rica 2003
Saturday, 12-Oct-2002: Initial Costa Rica 2003 meeting
Friday/Saturday, 7/8-Mar-2003: Prayer Retreat
Friday, 11-Apr-2003: Drama practice - 18:00 - 20:00
Saturday, 12-Apr-2003: Drama practice - 09:30 - 18:00
Friday, 25-Apr-2003: Drama practice - 18:00 - 20:00
Saturday, 26-Apr-2003: Drama practice 12:00 - 17:00
Friday, 02-May-2003: Drama practice 18:00 - 21:00
Saturday, 10-May-2003: Missions Training Day
Friday/Saturday, 16/17-May-2003: overnight trip to Denver to perform the drama
Friday, 30-May-2003: Drama practice 18:00 - 20:00
Friday, 20-Jun-2003: Missions Training 18:00 - 21:00
Saturday, 22-Jun-2003: Commissioning Service @ ICC
Saturday, 28-Jun-2003: Leave for Costa Rica
Saturday, 19-Jul-2003: Arrive back in Colorado Springs
Sunday, 27-Jul-2003: "Share Your Story" service @ ICC
Cost of the trip is $1585 per person, plus we may need extra for the worship team to transport our equipment, etc. We haven't figured that out yet.Based on the $1585, the money is due the following dates:
03-May-2003: $391 (all moneys due for the entire trip)
Purpose of these pages
This web page is set up to give some background on the trip and my feelings on what it is all about. In addition, I'll be setting up a corresponding "normal" type blog to journal entries from now until we get back from the trip. The main reason for doing this is to let people know what is going on: progress up until the trip, and then how things are going on the trip. I am told that there is internet access in the hotel we are staying in (3 computers in an "internet" room?). If so, I should be able to get access to Blogger and add blog entries every day. I think this is a great way to keep: pray teams, financial supporters, parents, friends, etc.; up-to-date on what is going on. Not only on the trip itself, but in preparations for the trip. I know missions can be exhausting, but hopefully I'll have the time/energy to keep the blog up-to-date.
Summary/Closing
I think this is going to be an awesome trip, time of serving God, ministeringto Him and His people, and overall experience. I've never really felt called to foreign missions, but when I heard the worship team was going, the vision that God started speaking to me for it was just awesome. I think He has great things in store for the entire team. I also think that it is going to be a great way for the band to branch out and experience their ministry/calling in a new way. I just love these kids and desire to help them in any way I can!
We deeply appreciate the prayers and support of all those who support us.
God bless you.
James Wagner
P.S. If you are interested in financially supporting the worship team, or myself as the coordinator for that team, you can find my support letter as the next entry on this page. Thanks again!
posted by James
at 8:23 AM
My Support Letter for Fusion Worship in Costa Rica - 2003
Greetings!
I am writing to you about a missions trip I'm going on next summer,
the summer of 2003. Not only is this letter being sent out via mail, but
I'm also posting it on the web. So, some of you that read this will know
me very well, and some of you may not know me at all! (Pretty weird).
I'll try to keep this letter short, if you want more information you can
find it on my blog site or on the blog site for the trip.
Most of you know my heart for worship and how involved I have been with
worship since I was saved in 1992. I believe that worship can be a powerful
and amazing experience with God. In the beginning of this year I stepped
down from the adult worship team and started working with Fusion (the senior
high youth ministry of Impact Christian Center) as the Worship Team Coordinator.
The youth had started a worship team in October of 2001, made up entirely
of youth musicians and singers. For accountability, insurance, etc., an
adult has to help with all youth ministries, and some people from the adult
worship team started attending youth practice. Teresa, the music director,
was mainly serving as the adult mentor until someone came forward who could
take it on full time. Occasionally she couldn't make it and I'd go. After
attending several times, Pastor Rick came to me in January and asked if
I would consider being the "Worship Team Coordinator." I prayed about it
and new this was something that God was calling me to. Because of the time
commitment involved, I couldn't do both this and stay on the adult
worship team.
God is so awesome! I have missed worshipping as part of a band, but
God had prepared me and had told me that he was putting me back in serving
with the youth. I just LOVE working with the youth, they are so incredible.
Being able to combine working with the youth and worship is just awesome.
I can't express in words how incredible these kids are, and the fire and
passion they bring to worship. (You can read more about that at http://fusion-worship.blogspot.com).
I have never felt called to foreign missions. However, this summer Pastor
Rick casually made a statement during a conversation, "I'd like to take
the worship team to Costa Rick this trip." That changed everything for
me! Immediately I wanted to go. If "my" worship kids were going, I needed
to be there to help support them. Then God just started laying on my heart
all the great things we could do via worship. The feeling has continued
to grow since then. My daughter Jaime went on the trip in 2001 and it was
such an awesome experience and time of ministry for her. Being able to
share this with her in 2003, serve the youth/team, and minister to people
is going to be just awesome!
The trip will last three weeks for the youth, but there is an option
for youth leaders to just go two of those weeks. I'm still praying about
it, but given the worship schedule and the amount of time I can get off
work, I'll probably be going for the first two weeks. In order to go on
this trip I'm going to have to raise both financial and prayer support.
The cost of the trip is $1585 (regardless of the amount of time I go),
and having people pray for you is so important when undertaking this kind
of outreach.
We all know how important prayer is, but I'd like to take a minute to
discuss my view of financial support. In my experience, financial support
is not just me helping to support a missionary, but it is me being involved
in God's plan. The principle of sowing and reaping says that when we give
to God, we'll receive more than we ever gave (Luke
6:38). God wants us to bless his children, so that he can in-turn bless
us, via this principle. It helps me partner with the missionary and be
a part of the work they are doing for God.
I believe that this missions trip is going to be a great work for God,
in the lives of people in Costa Rica and in the lives of our youth that
are going. Your support helps you be involved in this experience. I truly
believe that by your giving, you will partner in this experience and you
will sow into God's work. In return, you will reap blessings: financially,
in your ministry, in your walk and spiritually.
For those of you who I've personally sent this letter to, I truly felt
lead by God to send it to you. I believe I'm sending it to you for one
or more of the following reasons: you'll be interested in what I'm doing,
you want to partner with me in prayer, and/or you'll want to support me
financially.
So, this means that I'm NOT asking everyone who I send this to for financial
support. I believe that you need to pray about how/if you are to partner
with me in this. If you feel that God is asking you to give financially,
if you can do so with a CHEERFUL heart (2nd
Corinthians 9:6-8, Romans
12:7-8), and if you feel you want to sow into this, because God wants
you to reap something from it; then Great! But please don't feel pressured!
I know I will have the money to make this trip. I know God will provide
it via support and via personal finances. I guess I'm mainly saying this
because I used to feel pressured when I would get some support letters.
Over the last few years God has given me a new revelation of what support
means, how it can bless me, and he lets me know when/what I'm supposed
to do when receiving such letters. So, I just want you all to feel the
same thing. Give if you are lead, but don't let it bother you if you are
not!
Thank you all so much for reading this letter and being a part of my
life!
James
P.S. If you'd like to read more about my vision of the trip, important
dates, how things are going, etc. you can check it out at the Fusion Worship
- Costa Rica 2003 blog: http://fusion-worship-cr2003-home.blogspot.com.
I'll be keeping this blog up-to-date while I'm here, and I hope to add
journal entries to it from Costa Rica. They say there is an "internet room"
in the hotel, so hopefully that will work out!
If you have received the mailed letter, please fill out the "support
coupon" where you can select if you'd like to contribute financially, via
prayer, if you'd like email updates, etc. If you want to contact me via
email, my address is James.Wagner@wcom.com.
If you are reading this electronically and want to provide prayer support,
please drop me a note at my email address so that I know you are praying.
If you want to provide financial support, you can mail a check to the following
address. Make the check out to "Impact Christian Center" (or ICC) and please
DO NOT put my name in the memo. The address is enough information for the
church to know it is for me, and there are tax reasons not to put anything
in the memo. If my name is in the memo the church will reject it.
Include your email address in the envelope or send me an email so I'll
know how to get it touch with you, send you updates, etc.!
Thanks again, James.
Impact Christian Center
ATTN: James Wagner - Costa Rica 2003
4460 Barnes Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80917
Saturday, June 28, 2003
