The War College Chicago

Dear Friends:

I know that you have not heard much from me regarding the war college in Chicago.  This has been in the making for 5 years. Finally, with little time remaining it has been approved by our Territorial Headquarters to begin this fall.  September 15 (by faith we will begin.)  For those of you who know our ministry and have witnessed our commitment to the Army and to the youth in our division, this is the next step to continue to raise Soldiers committeed to the fight. 

In many ways Band of Survivors http://bandofsurvivors.com/ was the first step to the revolution taking place in our corps.  A one month community living, fellowship type of experience with other believers has impacted our division  in ways we never thought possible. Please take sometime to pray for BOS this summer. God is good. 

If one month can do amazing things in the life of these teens, imagine the outcomes that 12 months could have!

By the way...even though we target college students it is not limited to college students.  We have older believers applying as well as some who are interested in part time classes.  The cost is $50 per class for a 12 week session. Class options will be posted soon on our website soon.

On a side note...

If you are reading this, you are someone I consider a friend.  I need your help in some practical ways:

1. Help promote it.  The web is www.thewarcollegechicago.com

2. Identify students from your corps who would be great candidates for this life changing experience.  If you don't know who, ask the Holy Spirit to point them out to you.

3. Pray for us everyday for 30 seconds that all 10 spots would be filled and that we can start strong!

4. Believe in it because you believe in us.

We are in search of 10 specific students.  God knows who they are and He is going to use you to identify them.

Blessings,

Envoy Josh Polanco

Lessons from Proverbs 22 for 2008

Learn them now so you don't have to suffer the consequences later.

verse 1 A good name is more desirable that great riches; to be esteem is better than silver or gold.

verse 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

verse 9 The generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the poor.

verse 16 those who oppress the poor to increase their wealth and those who give gifts to the rich-both come to poverty.

verse 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court

verse 23 For the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.

verse 26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Testimony

My wife and I celebrated 6 years of marriage this last December 16th.  For our entired married life we have dealt with our past sin of credit cards and debts, 90,000 dollars in debt to be exact.  Both us felt we were entitled to certain things in college.  We felt that we needed to dress a certain way, and buy certain things in order to be up to date and be accepted.  The enemy is a liar! 

I wonder what our marriage would have been like the past 6 years without having to deal with the stress of bills.  To the glory of God and by his provisions we have eliminated most of our debts.  In 3 months we will be down to $22,000 which are my school loans.  Learn from us, its not worth it.

I heard onTV that the US (even though its in a kind of recession period) people are still spending.  How you may ask?  you got it...Credit Cards, and credit lines.

The last verse of proverbs really describes what's happening right now with people loosing their homes due to high interest rates and bad deals.

verse 26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Friends, be good stewards of God's money in 2008.  Begin to face the hard reality and confess it as sin, and do something about it now.  It may take you 6-10 years to fix, but at least you will know that you will eventually be free.

verse 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender.

Don't be a slave! Be Free in Jesus Name!

Israel (July 7-July 22,2007)

I will be on special assignment in Israel from July 7-July 22, 2007.  The goal of this trip is to help train young adults, and pastors in the area of youth ministry.  Israel is a special for me.  I've been there many times for ministry, and over the years it has become a second home for me.  Last time I was there was two years ago.  It will be great to reconnect with leaders from the land and also youth who now are young adults and together learn how to best keep the youth ministries in Israel alive and thriving.  Special thanks to my DC for allowing this trip to take place.  God blesses those that bless Israel! Please keep me in your prayers during this important time.

Blessings,

Josh

Follow Me

Come follow me.  He immediately left everything behind and obeyed.  Peter traded his fishing job to become a full time follower of Jesus.  Peter had to shift his priorities and change his life direction in order to follow Jesus.  Jesus said if anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, carry his cross and follow me.  Peter had a choice to make to either continue living the way he had for years or take a leap of faith.  Peter obeyed.  Peter's new career was to fish men, and Jesus job was to lead him to waters stocked with people ready for the gospel.  This last week I heard a statement that messed with my head a bit...Some people live for a moment that will never come.   For a while I found myself relying on my strength instead of God's and leading myself to places he never intended for me to go, and doing things that really didn't matter and waiting for a moment that would never come.  As the old chorus says, I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.  Where He will lead I will follow and if he doesn't lead, I aint moving.

Seder Meal At Mt. Greenwood Corps

My friend Noam led us in a messianic seder meal this last Thursday at the corps.  The seder meal reminds us of the bitterness of slavery in Egypt and the sweetness of God's redemption.  Most of the people in attendance had never done one, and they loved it.  We hope we can make this a yearly tradition. 

For me, its been almost a full week without bread or leaven goodies.  I didn't realize how dependant we are on the stuff.  Every where you turn, there is something I couldn't have.  At first I thought, this would be a piece of cake.  No leaven for a week...no problem, but I have to tell you that after a week without the stuff, matza began to taste amazing!

Happy Passover!