Photos.

The Senior Staff:
Charissa,
Bethany,
Job and I.















Andrew and I in the ruins of Slane Castle.

















Phoebe and Nathan Love were the kids of our contact in Derry.















Anna and I hanging out.

















Jeff, Cody and I at Carrick-a-rede.


















The Ireland Team Staff: Meghan, Jenessa, Stephen, Me, Job, Merrin, Kelsey, Shannon, Charli, Garrett, Sarah, Charissa, Erin, Kellyn, Larisa, Bethany, Chelsea and Karyn.

London.

We debriefed in London at Queensbury Methodist Church. After 3 weeks of intense ministry in both Northern Ireland and the Republic we spent our final 5 days preparing to go home. It was a great time of fellowship filled with testimonies, worship, memorizing scripture, and communion. It was a good way to wrap up the summer and say goodbye to the family we had become over the course of the summer. Of course, we had our challenges as well. Bethany had to take one of the girl students to the hospital for an infected leg and spent the majority of Friday there taking care of her. Also, we had quite a bit of excitement and frustration that evening after our commissioning service when we realized the church had been broken into and several packs and items had been taken, including Job and Bethany's passports. Yet God is good and by his grace Job and Bethany were let on the plane with us 12 hours later as we prepared to leave Europe.

It was such a blessing to serve with this incredible team of 45 individuals, and I am so grateful to God that he called me this summer when I had been so convinced otherwise.

Skerries.

This was definitely a summer of firsts for our team. But perhaps the most notable, and certainly the most exciting, is that this was the first summer RS has had a team do ministry in the Republic of Ireland. All past teams have done ministry in Northern Ireland, and they've traveled through the Republic, but we finally broke ground in Ireland and it was awesome.

The Royal Servants were involved in a 3-day Holiday Bible Club here, Monday-Wednesday, and that was so much fun to watch our team interacting so well with the youngsters. I even formed a friendship with one of the young guys, Daniel. He was 7 and extremely rambunctious, but we got along quite well. His family was a member of the church we were working with, and according to his older sister, when they got home Daniel wouldn't stop talking about his new friend Shaggy (because I look like an animated hippie who solves mysteries).

On Friday night we went all out. In partnership with Skerries Cornerstone Church we had a BLOCK PARTY. About 50 students came out and we had games of both football and american football going, we had groups just hanging out and talking. That's what a lot of our ministry was: half getting involved with the youth in sports and half engaging them in conversations. After filling everyone's bellies with grilled burgers and hot dogs, we sent our performance teams up. This was by far the most challenging performance of their summer. Elsewhere whenever anyone watched our performance they were interested and respectful. However, on this night we had some very loud and obnoxious guys making fun of our dances and drama throughout. And that makes me HAPPY. because it reminded our team that ministry is not always easy. and then when we had some of those obnoxious people interested in conversations about Christ afterwards it was SO rewarding. That block party was a massive success.

Ireland has been fantastic. Now we go on to London for debriefing.

Derry / Londonderry.

Hello everyone! I'm sorry it has taken me so long to put up an update but it wasn't out of laziness. This is actually the first time I have used the internet in two weeks. It's funny because you wouldn't think of Ireland as a place where we would have trouble getting online, I mean it's Western Europe, but up in Northern Ireland only Job and a few students were able to get access. However, we are now in the Republic of Ireland, specifically Skerries, and hopefully internet access will not be a problem. But let me just fill you in a bit on our life in Derry.

We worked with a great team of Irish people at Ebrington Presbyterian Church who were so excited to have us come and help bring youth through the doors. Our first three nights there we had an evening event called Identity where we basically opened the doors and whoever came in could hang out. We had people playing pool, air hockey, football (soccer), they would be playing instruments or hanging out in the cafe with tea and biscuits (cookies). It was a great time for the students and staff to develop relationships with the Irish youth and begin to witness to them. The ministry reminded me a lot of what I did in China back in '04 and '08. We also had a five day Holiday Bible Club (VBS) we helped run for ages 6-9. We also sent several students to the park to hang out with the kids who were too old to go to the Holiday Club. We planted many seeds which will hopefully be harvested in the near future (maybe even by the next Royal Servants to go there!) In all we had 15 youth accept Jesus as their savior and we praise God for that number.

As I said before we are now in Skerries, which is a small Irish coastal town, and we already quite love it. We'll be doing another Holiday Bible Club the next three days and you could be praying that it goes well. We are also having a big event on Friday. We are having a Block Party here at the church and we are hoping the entire town of Skerries turns out for it. I ask that you be praying for Skerries this next week that we would have good conversations and that the HBC and Block Party are both successful.

Thank you to all of you for your prayer and support. I received a financial update today stating that I have received nearly $250 over what I needed to raise. That is a huge blessing and will make a big difference when I return home and have very little money before I get back to work. Thanks again for all of your encouragement, prayers, and financial blessings.

God Bless.
-- Jack

Final Days.

Training Camp is wrapping up once again. Today is Parent Day when many parents, siblings, and friends will arrive and be able to watch the skills groups our students have been working on all week. Tomorrow is tear down day at the end of which the hayfield will once again look like a hayfield. And on Monday the Ireland team will drive away from this place and board a plane heading for London, and then Dublin. So exciting.

Our students have bonded very quickly and it's clear that we are a family. We win together, we lose together. In the words of Jack Shephard (LOST) "Either we live together, or we die alone." The Ireland Team is most definitely living together, and I am excited to see how God is going to use them to impact the communities in Londonderry, Skerries, Dublin, and London.

On a sad note I still cannot believe that Monday will be my last day on this field ever. I have spent time on this field every summer for the past 7 years and God has broken me here many times. I know in reality it is just a hayfield. But God has used it as more than that. It has been a jumping off point for my faith and for the rest of my life.

Thank you again everyone for all of your support, through prayer, finances, and care packages, I know that I have a solid support team behind me. Please be praying for our team especially on Monday as we head to O'Hare.

Ireland, here we come!
-- Jack

D-Groups / Itinerary.

Well there are many nice perks to being senior staff however excess sleep is not one of them. Last night we were up until 1.30 AM praying about d-groups and placing students with staff disciplers. It was a long, arduous process which was at times frustrating (most notably when we realized we had one less girl than we previously thought). However, it was all worth it as we were able to give the disciplers their students today and have them begin calling and making contact with them.

We've also finally got adresses for our locations this summer!

Londonderry
Delivered between 7/7 - 16

(STUDENTS NAME)
C/O PATRICIA THOMPSON
EBRINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
LIMAVADY ROAD
WATERSIDE,
LONDONDERRY BT47 6JU

Skerries
Delivered between 7/18 - 25

(STUDENTS NAME)
C/O CORY PETERS
(pending)

London
Delivered between 7/26 - 30

(STUDENTS NAME)
C/O ROYAL SERVANTS
QUEENSBURY METHODIST CHURCH
BEVERLY DRIVE
EDGWARE, MIDDX HA8 5ND
ENGLAND

Rain, Rain, Rain.

I'm sorry to not have written an update sooner but ever since the summer staff have arrived we have just been GOING. Saturday was the day the all of the Reign staff and us assistants had been waiting for. Job, Bethany, Charissa and I were excited to welcome 14 D-Group leaders to the field (12 ladies, 2 guys). Since that point we have been doing everything from team building exercises to looking over student applications, and growing closer to God. Weve also been getting a wee bit wet.

Oh how God is AWESOME. As I'm sure many of you know there have been STORMS GALORE here on the hayfield. Good ol' midwest. Yesterday we set a Royal Servant record, it was the first time we have ever evacuated 4 times in one day. (NOTE: the radio just went off to notify us of a FLASH FLOOD warning. I'm getting used to that warning.) But in all the rain God has been showing himself. While evacuated to the rec center Job Hammond gave a talk about Forgiveness followed by Jeff Bell discussing Restitution. This is usually a big night for all of us, as we come before the Lord and those in our life we have wronged and ask for their forgiveness.

Please continue in prayer for us. 1) That the rain would not affect the health of any of us. 2) That we would continue to be flexible in adjusting for the rain. 3) That the staff would continue to open their hearts to God and allow him to mold them in a way that will shape how their students will also be molded this summer.

-- Jack

Farewell!

Alright everyone. This is it. I'm less that 24 hours from arriving at Training Camp. Very excited. Thank you to everyone has been supporting me whether financially or in prayer, or both. Thank you SO much! Here is the itinerary for the summer. No addresses yet, but soon.

Training Camp
Jun 12 - 18 Senior Staff preparation at Training Camp
Jun 19 - 25 Staff Discipler training at Training Camp
Jun 26 - Jul 5 Student training at Training Camp
Jul 3 Open House .... at Training Camp

Ireland
Jul 5 Fly to London
Depart Chicago/O'Hare 5:00 PM
United Airlines #958

Jul 6 Arrive London/Heathros 7:10AM
Depart London/Heathrow 8:55AM
British Midland #123
Arrive Dublin 10:20AM
Bus to Londonderry, Ireland

Jul 7-16 Ministry in Londonderry
Jul 17 Bus to Skerries
Jul 18-25 Ministry in Skerries
Jul 26 Fly to London
Depart Dublin 9:05AM
British Midland #122
Arrive London/Heathrow 10:30AM

Jul 26 -Jul 30 Debrief in London
Jul 31 Return to USA
Depart London/Heathrow 12:20PM
United Airlines #949
Arrive Chicago/O'Hare 3:21PM

I'll be back home in August and look forward to sharing with all of you! I'm still shy of my support goal of $3,500 and if anyone would like to support me it's quick, easy, and painless! Donate here.

Pre-Summer Update 2.

Good Morning.

First and foremost, THANK YOU, to all of you who have been praying for the Ireland Team. Prayer is such a huge part of what we are going to be doing this summer and I am so grateful to have such a strong prayer team. Please be in prayer the next few weeks, that our team would be arriving at Training Camp with an open heart and willingness to serve. Also, please be in prayer for one of our students, Jason, who was recently hit by a car while riding his bike. Pray that God would heal him physically and give him a quick recovery as Student Week is less than a month away! Thank you.

You know, if there was ever any doubt in my mind back in March that God wanted me on this team, that doubt is gone now. Financially God has provided for me like only He can. Finances currently in my account + 3 expected future donations = I recently broke the $3,000 mark and I am less than $500 away from having everything I need this summer. I feel hugely blessed.

15 Days until I arrive at Training Camp!

Pre-Summer Update 1.

Hello.

Things are starting to get rolling! Job and Bethany Hammond (who will be leading our trip this summer) had been specifically praying for God to reveal two individuals who would, along with them, form Ireland's leadership team. I have the privilege of being one of these individuals and just recently we discovered the other. Job, Bethany, myself, and Charissa Pedro all served together in China in 2008 and we all have a great relationship with each other which I think will serve us well as we lead a team to Ireland. It is such a blessing to know exactly who I will be working with this summer. Thank you God.

Financially, God has provided as well. In the three weeks since I sent out my letters I have received 16 donations totaling $1,000 and I have 8 more expected donations coming in! I am 2/7 of the way to my goal of $3,500. Thank you to all of you who have chosen to support this mission financially. If you would like to make a contribution you can do so right here. Just type the amount you would like to give and select my name from the drop down menu - Becker, Jack (P005689).

I would also to thank those of you who have been praying for this team as it comes together. I encourage you to continue interceding on our behalf, asking the Father to soften the hearts in Ireland. Thank you.

Top Photo: Job and Bethany Hammond.
Bottom Photo: Charissa Pedro and I.

Support Letter.

Dear ...

I would like to take a moment to tell you about how God has been working in my life. You see, I have this bad habit of making plans well in advance. Like months and years down the road. I like to know what is coming so that I can prepare myself for it. Well, for the past several months God has been focusing my heart on a specific portion of Scripture (Jeremiah 29.11) that states, ‘“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’ I like to think of it this way: I plan, God laughs. I had been planning for awhile to spend the summer at home, working and saving up money. God laughed.

At the beginning of December of last year I was asked by a dear friend, Job Hammond, to be his assistant team leader on a mission trip to Ireland this coming summer. After much prayer and thought I declined his offer believing that I should use the summer to focus on what I thought were more pressing issues. God kept laughing. In February, Job once again pushed me to join his leadership team and after about a month of prayer I stopped running from God’s plan and chose to trust Him instead of myself.

I have had the privilege of spending my past 7 summers with Royal Servants, an incredible missions organization whose primary focus is taking high school students overseas and equiping them for evangelism. This summer my job is to love those students. Of course I will have other logistical responsibilities, but when it comes down to it, my job is to help our students gain momentum in their relationship with God.

I will be leaving for Training Camp (which is located in Lewistown, IL) on June 12th where I will be spending three weeks planning and preparing for our ministry overseas. The staff disciplers will be arriving on the 19th and the students on the 26th at which point we will be getting into the full swing of things. On July 5th we fly to Ireland. We will be spending most of our time in two different cities: Londonderry, Northern Ireland and Skerries, Ireland. Our students will perform a variety of puppet shows, dances and dramas on the street to attract attention so that we can then infiltrate the Irish citizens and tell them of the incredible love of their Father in Heaven.

I am sending you this letter because for me to be involved in this incredible ministry I need to first establish a solid support team. I would like to ask you to keep me in your prayers. Specifically…
• Pray that God would prepare me for the challenge of co-leading a team, something both new and foreign ro me.
• Pray that I would be continually seeking and pursuing Him for wisdom.
• Pray for our students, that they would come before God this summer vulnerable and ready to be completely transformed.
If you would commit to partnering with me in prayer for the next several months you would be a vital part of the ministry taking place overseas.

Would you also consider supporting me financially? The cost of the trip will be about $3,500 and that will go to cover transportation, food, spending money, etc. I will personally be contributing a good portion of my own money toward this trip however I cannot do it alone. Right now I am specifically looking for a group of 60 individuals who would prayerfully consider joining my financial support team. I would appreciate donations of any sum however I’d ask that you consider being one of…
• 20 individuals who would commit $100 each,
• 20 individuals who would commit $50 each or
• 20 individuals who would commit $25 each.

I am very excited to see what God is going to do in Ireland this summer through our team and I want to thank you for taking time to read about this profound opportunity. I will be calling you within the next couple of weeks so that I can follow up with you and answer any questions you may have. Once again I would ask you to join my prayer team, because without prayer our ministry would not be possible. Thank you!

-- Jack Becker

For more information about Royal Servants, you can check out the website at www.reignministries.org

Hello.

My name is Jack Becker and this summer God is sending me to Ireland to minister. This is my journal.