I made my first trip from the United States across the Pacific to Asia in 1995. I was part of a Global Expeditions short term missions trip with Teen Mania Ministries. We spent two months doing dramas in public parks, sharing the gospel to college students, and smuggling Bibles to China.
It was classic Orient, beauty mysterious.
It was fantastical, a dream surreal.
I turned 17 years old in Hong Kong/China—my first birthday of many more to be celebrated in Asia. The ministry I have come to love, Teen Mania Ministries, helped propel me and prepare me for the years ahead: travels to unreached people groups, partnerships with the underground Chinese Church, and eventually the establishment of Within Reach Global, a ministry God led my wife and I to pioneer.
20 years after my first introduction to Southeast Asia, I am here in Yangon, Myanmar, partnering with Ron Luce, the president of Teen Mania International, to bring the gospel to those who have yet to hear.
It feels like I have come full circle, like all of this was meant to be.
It has been an joy and honor to partner with Ron Luce and Teen Mania Ministries for Mission Myanmar and the Acquire The…
Posted by David Joannes on Friday, July 24, 2015
I am honored to be linking hands and hearts in Southeast Asia with the man and the ministry that opened my eyes to the desperate needs of the 10/40 Window. From the brightly lit cityscape of Hong Kong to the crowded urban jungles of China, we now find ourselves in Myanmar (formerly called Burma) where the first ever international Acquire the Fire youth convention just took place. With nearly 10,000 people in attendance, the local Church is being inspired to reach their own nation’s unreached people groups.
Nearly 10,000 Burmese in attendance at the Teen Mania Ministries Mission Myanmar Acquire The Fire in Yangon, Myanmar this evening. Hundreds of young people from all over the country came forward as Ron Luce led them in a prayer of salvation while Austin Adamec led worship. It was a powerful time of seeing God moving in the nations, leading hearts to himself, bringing the fresh sparks of revival to Myanmar!
Posted by David Joannes on Friday, July 24, 2015
“You are good at starting culture fires,” I told Ron Luce the other day. “And in the wake of these big events, others will join to fan the flame.”
In my heart of hearts, I will always be a maniac. I have acquired the fire. I am still on a global expedition. And I am honored to be standing alongside those who helped lead me into the depth of my calling.
Yes, God’s calling on my life is what some might call “unique”. The storyline is quite magical, or more aptly told, providential. A scripture I am continually reminded of is Psalm 139:16: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
What is more exciting is that, after two decades, God is still penning this epic redemptive narrative of which I am honored to be a part, and I believe there are many more stories of victory soon to emerge.