14,396 Minutes.

14,396 minutes...

That's all the time I have left to change the world using youth who come on mission trips to Las Vegas, NV.

That's a lot of time, with a lot of preparation, a lot of opportunity, and a lot of action to be put into faith.

That's also a lot of time to freak out since once it's over, it's over for awhile.

I'm moving to Texas to pursue a degree (hopefully) in Practical Theology as a Youth Pastor at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas.

Granted, yes, I will still be able to reach out and change youth lives in Dallas, but not like I can at home.

Here in Vegas, I can go and preach to the nations with 139,000 tourists walking a two mile stretch known as the Strip everyday, seven days a week, for five weeks. (16% of that are people from the nations.)

I can preach to people using a small microphone, with an even smaller amp, about how much God loves them.

I can stand on Fremont Street with a giant sign that reads "FREE PRAYER" and lead people to the Lord daily through asking the simple question, "Hey, can I pray for you?"

I can walk freely carrying a homemade cross and smile saying "Jesus loves you!" to those who curse me as we pass, eyes locked, spirits engaged in battle for the soul.

I can't do this anywhere else, because home is "Sin City". It's known for the rough streets of prostitution, gambling, sex, drugs and rock n' roll. Home is known as the place where anyone can be a rockstar one night and homeless the next. Home is the place where people come to escape their own, to leave their troubles behind. Home is where it is stereotyped as "okay" to cheat on your wife/husband, parade the streets smashed and hammered, and engage in foolish activities without being called as one. My home is where the demons delight because their work is done, they just have to sit back, relax, and watch the show.

But my home is still the Kingdom of God, and Heaven is coming.

My home is not the throne room of Satan, or the ottoman for the Prince of Darkness to rest.

My home is why Jesus died on that cross.

My home is why God sent his only flesh and blood, his very own, to die.

My home is not a cestpool for lust, nor a burial ground for the Church.

My home is heaven invading earth, ever so slowly.

My home is where God delights in seeing his children share his love, move in compassion, and delight in Him.

My home is not lost. Nor forgotten.

It is simply mislabeled, misjudged, misused.

But I praise God, for He is a father who delights in Justice and brings light to the darkness.

My God is a God of peace and refuge.

And my God is the Creator, Satan is the deceiver.

My God gave this place the name "Las Vegas" which means "The Meadows".

And the meadows are known to be a place of refreshment, rest, and peace.

Satan has twisted my home to be a place of refreshment, rest, and peace for the flesh.

But Satan, be warned... For soon and very soon you are going to see the King.

And when the King withholds his mighty scepter from you, and points it to the gallows, you will not be safe.

For soon and very soon, this King will call forth the mighty army He is rising, He is awakening.

And soon and very soon, this army will take back that which is rightfully His.

For soon and very soon, I will be with them, marching, singing, charging, slaying.

For soon and very soon, my King is coming Home.

14, 384 minutes to change my home.

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.

-Saint