Greetings, friends in Christ!

At times it may seem the Church is losing ground in its work to evangelize our country. Rather than get discouraged by appearances, we should get excited about the opportunities to impact our nation for Christ.

The United States is the third largest mission field in the world. Though our country was founded on Christian principles, it is increasingly apparent that many people are rejecting those principles in favor of self-defined, not God-defined, behavior. Notably, only 12 percent of children reared in evangelical churches stay in the church after age 18, expanding the mission field that much more. This is the time to impress upon them the fulfillment God provides.

We live in a uniquely influential country that continues to inspire citizens of other countries to travel to our shores. The U.S. State Department estimates that 25 percent of the world’s future political leaders are studying in the U.S. right now. Through an active presence on college campuses, we are reaching our future leaders and ensuring that they will set a godly example and prayerfully seek God’s will in all that they do.

U.S. Missions partners with all manners of ministry to reach the lost in the far corners of our nation. We strive to equip, empower, evangelize and encourage those who dare to follow God’s call on their lives. We have placed over 1500 missionaries and chaplains called by God to full-time Christian ministry in one of six departments: Chaplaincy Ministries, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, Church Planting and Development, Intercultural Ministries, U.S. MAPS and Teen Challenge.

The hope of the world is the local church. Teaming this powerful resource with U.S. Missions, we persevere in our effort to reach America’s lost as we await the blessed hope. I urge you to join this partnership and allow God to bless you through ministry opportunity.

Let’s reach America!

Zollie L. Smith, Jr.
Executive Director
Assemblies of God U.S. Missions

What's Happening in U.S. Missions

RECORD-BREAKING CROWD CELEBRATES TEEN CHALLENGE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Nearly 1,600 people from approximately 30 countries convened in New York City for Teen Challenge's 50th anniversary celebration. The June 25-27 event was a time to praise God for the countless miracles he's already done and the miracles yet to come.

"All of the services, from the worship time to the talks and the testimonies, just celebrated what God has done in the ministry as a whole and in individual lives," says George Thomas, Teen Challenge USA business manager.

Thomas reports that one of the most powerful moments of the celebration was seeing so many people who were significantly involved in the ministry's early years, together again in one place. Among those in attendance were Teen Challenge founder David Wilkerson, Nicky Cruz, Israel Narvaez and Sonny Arguinzoni.

"The 50th Teen Challenge celebration lived up to its slogan, 'Celebrating 50 Years of Miracles,'" says Mike Hodges, president of Teen Challenge USA. "To experience the opening rally was awesome, there will never be another time in the history of Teen Challenge when three of the first converts and David Wilkerson will share the same stage."

The celebration services were held at Times Square Church, which Wilkerson established in 1987. To accommodate a greater number of attendees, the final service was located at Brooklyn Tabernacle. Those who weren't able to come to New York could still participate in the celebration, as the services were streamed live on the Teen Challenge USA Web site.

In the months leading up to the celebration, registration quickly exceeded expectations, making it necessary to provide overflow seating. Thomas reports that prior to this event, the largest attendance at a conference hosted by Teen Challenge USA was just over 400. The celebration's large turnout is indicative of just how many lives have been powerfully transformed through the ministry.

"Every time we met together we heard testimonies of those who had been strung out on drugs, alcoholics — at the end of their rope but when they cried out to God, He heard them, delivered them and turned their lives around," said Kevin Tyler, Global Teen Challenge Eurasia Representative. "We had constant cause to rejoice! We also heard testimonies of what God is doing in 82 countries around the world and were challenged upon hearing that 46 other nations are
requesting help in establishing Teen Challenge programs."

Although Teen Challenge founder David Wilkerson was unable to speak as scheduled at Friday night's service, he delivered the message he had prepared Sunday morning at Times Square Church. Wilkerson's sermon, entitled "The High Cost of Mercy," is available at http://www.tscnyc.org/sermons.php/.

All of the celebration services were recorded and are available for sale in an eight DVD set. In addition, the 50th Anniversary coffee table book and historical DVD are also available on the Teen Challenge Web site, http://www.teenchallengeusa.com/.

-- Kara Chase