Greg Stier Testimonies
"I just got back from YS this morning and had to weigh in with a comment. I've taken my group to 5 D2S weekends so I have heard Greg speak a lot! I've always respected Greg as a gifted speaker but at YS he totally knocked my socks off! His message met me where I was, pierced my heart and inspired me to dream again! Thank you thank you thank you Greg for your heart not only for students but for youth pastors as well! You can bet this message will grow in me and cause my feet to move in new directions even when I don't feel like going on. Every year at Christmas I give all my volunteers a copy of the best message I heard all year (with permission of course). After this weekend I'm not even looking any more! It's the only DVD I bought all week! Thanks Greg for who you are!"
Rod Felton Sabetha, youth leader, KS.
I am a full time youth worker in Albuquerque New Mexico. Recently, I had the privilege to attend YS conference in Austin, Texas last month. I went into the conference with an end-of-the-rope attitude. The conference was going to be a make it or break it deal for me. I was looking for answers and direction in my life and in my ministry. I was a mess and tore up inside. I had expectations going into ministry, into the church. Those expectations failed as many do.
At YS, each night I would prayerfully look through the workshop pamphlet and circle the one I would attend the following day. My sixth room welcomed me with warmth that was overwhelming. The greeter, with a smile of Jesus, handed me an outline. I knew this was where God had wanted me and I found a seat. I looked at the title of the workshop "Ministry Mutiny" and let out a constrained laughed. The week prior to attending YS I had made a joke with other youth workers that the youth and parents had formed a mutiny against me and I was ready to start my own. As I turned the page I read "The Letter". I came undone. I was embarrassed, scared and completely floored. I wanted to know how they had gotten a hold of my email letter, changing the names. I felt exposed. God had something to tell me. Little did I know what I was in for.
As Greg Stier took front stage, I could see an amazing anointing on him and felt blessed from the beginning. He opened up with the story of Elijah. The same story and revelation that God had placed on my heart the week prior. It was like I was in the twilight zone, the room got small and the light shone right on me, faces faded and I was there alone. I softened my heart and received all that God had to reveal through Greg. My blood pumped faster and faster, my excitement rose with each new revelation principle.
Greg spoke of the Gospel Journey and how it had impacted lives of those teens. How God's word can and will pierce straight through a heart. I knew this, but I didn't know where to start or how to apply it to the youth. I was flooding them and they were drowning. I was pushing them to be on my level of knowledge, in a hurry to save them. I was missing the point. The Gospel Journey answered a question for me.....one month prior I had one youth turn to wiccan, another declare atheism and another attempted suicide asking where was God. I had been asking God for a clear solution as to how to help His hurting, questioning children and there was the Gospel Journey curriculum.
One after the next revelation, God was transforming me. I sat with concentrated focus, my eyes wide and my heart ready. At the end of the workshop I was messed up!! I was full of unexplainable joy and fire. I ran to get the book. I canceled all my plans for the rest of the day and read. I couldn't read fast enough and had a hard time sitting still. I couldn't contain my new fiery excitement. I tired to explain my joy to others in my group but they only stared in disbelief. So I invited them to join me in hearing Greg speak later that day to the whole conference. As Greg spoke once more, again my spirit stirred. I felt favored and blessed, returning to my King and His ways. I am not the same youth worker. I thank God for this mountaintop so that I may gain strength once again to endure the valley.
I want to praise God for the servant's heart instilled in Greg - an example of a true disciple of Jesus Christ, an amazing vessel for the Holy Spirit. Your words, your teaching, your testimony and above all your passionate heart have blessed many people. I have since read the book and passed them out to everyone I know in youth ministry! Changes are coming. As for me.....I'm still trusting.
Thank you for your ministry! Greg, thank you for yielding. May God continue His blessings on you and yours!
In His grip, Tamie Sanchez
