The Awakening Tour
Pastor Tim Earnhardt

The Depot and futureVision Ministries came together June 20 through 27 for one purpose: to change lives through The Awakening Tour. Our combined group was ready to take the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to two churches: East Lynne Assembly in East Lynne, Missouri, and Christ Outreach Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. We had 30 people including our bus driver, Carl. In preparation for the tour, the team learned skits and human videos to illustrate truths of the Word. The Depot worship team also came to lead the people into the presence of God. The vision of this mission trip was to serve the churches and impart the vision that God wants to pour out more of His Spirit upon His people.

As we rolled out of Sand Springs on Sunday, the 20th you could feel the energy in the air and see the excitement on everyone’s face. During the drive the team learned that this would not be just a normal mission trip, but also a time for the students to grow as well. Everyday a Depot leader led a devotional and we prayed for the cities and churches. After nearly four hours of driving we arrived at our hotel in East Lynn, Missouri. We checked in, assigned rooms, then headed to East Lynn Assembly to set up for the first night of The Awakening Tour. With the first strum of the guitar that night everyone knew that something special was going to happen. We began with a few opening songs, some give-aways, and the offering; then worship and the Holy Ghost saturated the sanctuary. After worship Pastor Tim brought the Word of God from Joshua 1 emphasizing verses 5-8. He taught that God will not leave you nor forsake you, you must be strong and very courageous, you must stay on the path and not fall to the left or the right to be prosperous wherever you go. Tim also emphasized the importance of meditating on the Word of God and charged the people to step out and take their city. Many students came down for the altar call and the Holy Ghost fell and changed many lives. The best part was that we left the church different from when we came in. Glory!

The second day was devoted to traveling to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. On the way, Carl the bus driver asked Pastor Tim, Depot leader Jesse, and futureVision intern Adam about the trip, church, and God. During our dinner stop in South Dakota, Brandon Mercado led our server to the Lord. Glory! A few more hours of driving we arrived. We made a quick stop at Christ Outreach Center to have a birthday party for Sabin Potter, and then checked into the hotel, our home for the next three days.

Three of the futureVision interns were from Fergus Falls and proved to be a big help in ministering in the town. During the day we went door-to-door promoting the tour and sharing the love of Christ. We also had day sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday after devotions. Tuesday Jesse taught “The Importance of the Word” and Wednesday Isaac taught “Being a Disciple.” Tuesday night Pastor Tim taught on “The Application of the Word”, Wednesday night Jesse taught “What is Freedom to You,” and Isaac taught “Where Are You At Son/Daughter” Each night was powerful and strengthened the people of the church. In addition, the team worked on the church building; painting, cleaning, and renovating. The last night as we were cleaning up and getting ready to leave, a young man was sitting on the steps that had run away. Pat and Isaac were able to minister to him and lead him in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Again, it was easy to see that the church was different from when we first came, physically and spiritually. Glory

Here are a few testimonies from the team members:

The best thing about The Awakening Tour to me was the excitement in the local churches. The people who came were the pastoral staff, congregation, and some guests, but what we saw them really fired up and excited to take their own towns for Christ. They were on fire to be used of God themselves for their own “awakening” in their towns. My wife and I are so glad that we went. We took our kids with us knowing that this trip would be laying foundations in their lives. Foundations of faith and expectancy in a great and mighty God, who can cross any boundary, and show Himself strong wherever He is invited. Jesse Lindley

Going into the trip I had expectations of what was going to happen, what the churches would be like and everything about the trip. I thought it would all go according to this master plan I had in my head. Of course, it didn't. Instead there was a great sense of awakening that followed our group around. Everywhere we went somebody was blessed by us in some way; people were being fired up more than ever for God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Even our bus driver was blessed because once we opened our eyes to see what our purpose was God was able to use us to be fishers of men and vessels for whatever He needed done. Once I finally opened my eyes to see this, I was blessed by how thirsty our country is for the things of God and how our group was able to bless them and lay a solid foundation for these ministries. The Awakening Tour was an amazing experience and blessing to me. Ian Gould

The Awakening Tour was a blast; not only were the people from both churches changed, but the people on both teams as well. We all left the bus in Sand Springs on the last day still hungry for more. Glory.