Set Up week starts!

Greetings from Offenburg! The Bible verse from today is a great encouragement for us at TeenSteet: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NIV).

SET UP
On Saturday, TeenStreet 2011 Set Up started. After the trucks were unloaded, the material distributed and the kitchen set up, the logistics team looks back with grateful hearts to a good time without any accidents. In the next days, several areas like TeenStreet café, bookshop or sports area are also being set up. Praise God for the Set Up so far and pray for strength and protection for the next days.

PROTECTION
“The issue of security and protection is on my heart,” shares TeenStreet Director Ger van Veen. “Our TeenStreet security is working on providing the outside security on site. We need God’s protection during all of TeenStreet, not just during Set Up week and when people arrive. Please pray that people here at TeenStreet are safe.”

SET UP MAINHALL
Another key part of Set Up is the construction of the stage and the technology in the main hall. At the moment scaffolding is being build, which will be the background of the main stage. From tomorrow, Tuesday, 26 July, the sound, lighting and video equipment will be installed. Please pray for this as well. Visit www.teenstreet.de to see live pictures from the main hall.

Helping Children in Moldova

Every day, 180 children in Moldova receive a hot meal, thanks to help from TeenStreet.  During TeenStreet 2010 we raised 39,500 Euro (in donations and pledges) for OM Moldova’s Day Centres through RAG (Raise and Give).

Teens collected sponsors from friends and family back home.  During the TeenStreet week they earned points by memorising Bible verses and taking part in sports, workshops, seminars and much more.  The ArtZone raised over 1,000 Euro through an art auction while the Faroese group collected 1,800 Euro at their country group meeting

Thanking TeenStreet, Stefanie Davidse from OM Moldova said, “With the help of every donation given by the TeenStreet teenagers lots of children were blessed.  Working together with 10 different churches, OM Moldova is helping 180 children by providing a hot meal and help with homework.  Through different activities the children hear about God’s love for them.

“For lots of the children the Day Centre is their second home.  Many have been praying to God that He will keep providing in the finances to keep their centre running. The donations given by the teenagers are a response to the prayers of the children in need in Moldova!”

MC Immanuel

During the Germany country group meetings at TeenStreet 2010 in Oldenburg MC Immanuel brought a spontaneous contribution. As he rapped his song “Parents” for the Germany group, adults and teens were reduced to tears.

Immanuel lives alone. He has a painful past, particularly in connection to his parents.

Here he writes to us about his motivation for writing this song.

"I started to write this song at TeenStreet 2010 in Oldenburg. I wanted to show people that parents are so important in life.  I've never really had parents. For me, parents are people who love their child and are always there.

"One evening at TeenStreet I was thinking about my life. Two girls sat next to me and we were talking together. Suddenly one of the girls’ phones rang but she did not answer. I asked why. She answered, 'Oh, that’s my mother. She gets on my nerves a bit. She constantly calls and asks what I do.'

"It hurt me so much that they did not appreciate their mother so I began to share about how valuable parents are.  When I thought about it, that night, I had to put it on paper. It was so much on my heart that I had to make a rap.

"The next day, I decided to write a rap on the theme of parents and that you should appreciate your parents. I was allowed to perform the rap that evening to over 800 people at the country group meeting with all the Germans."

We think this is a cool song! MC Immanuel has done such a great job.  We hope that this song is also an encouragement for you as well.

If you would like to write to MC Immanuel, send an email to teenstreet( at )d.om.org and we will forward it for you.

A closer look at the Outbreakband

What is it like being the new TS band?
It’s very cool because we’re very impressed by TeenStreet. But it’s a little bit strange knowing there was an official band before us for 17 years.

What’s your current favourite song to play?
“How He Loves Us” is our current favorite song. We only practiced it once and last night (Thursday) was really our first time performing it.

Who are your influences?
Jesus Culture, Bethel Church, Parachute Band, Delirious?

What is a funny story from this week?
We were in the hallway waiting, and teenagers came up to us and one gave Mia kisses on both cheeks. She was totally confused because no one had ever done that before. He was French.
Mia: I didn’t know he was French! He didn’t say anything!

What do you like to do when you’re not playing?
We play a cardgame called Baptist Skat and we love to play Playstation together, watch movies, and go out to our favourite restaurant, McDonald's!

Who is the funniest person in the band?
I think it is Stefan... He is never embarrassed by anything! If anyone gets him to be embarrassed we are like Yeah!! It happens like once a year or something. And then we celebrate; we go to McDonald's.

If you could perform anywhere, where would that be?
We had an offer to perform as a pre-band for Hillsong London in October in Düsseldorf but we declined because we were booked out, but what would be cool for example is playing for Reinhard Bonke in Africa, in a stadium maybe... And we had an invitation to play at Freakstock. The first time in another country would be maybe ...
Mia: Australia, or Japan!
Juri: Or Mexico; the song 'Glory Glory' is actually originally Spanish and we had a good response from Mexico, but there might only be about 20 people. We also had an invitation to come to Nigeria, but we sad no because it was too early and we were not ready yet.

What is your favourite food to eat at TeenStreet?
Juri: Schnitzel!
Stefen: No ... Pasta! No ... Schnitzel!
Benny: No ... Schnitzel for me - my favourite was Schnitzel.

Do you have a band refrigerator in your room?
Stefan: Yeah, I put some ice cream in it and now it's totally gone. Nooooo! Actually I played "Mensch ärgere dich nicht" [the board game “Sorry!” or “Ludo”] against their son [Juri and Mia's] and I said if you don't cry then I will give you ice cream. And he didn't cry and I won. Juri: You won the game...but he won the ice cream...

When you travel, is there something special that you request as a band?
No. Umm...water on stage. Right now we're not high maintenance. But we want water... We hate extra sausages [German phrase for people who always want special treatment]! But no, not special, we hate special, we're ordinary people.

Painfully Waiting

During this morning's session Josh Walker told about how David had to wait almost 23 years before receiving the promise that God gave him: the throne of Israel. It was a dangerous time for David because he was hunted and persecuted for the majority of that time, but he continued to wait. What made David a man after God's own heart, was his faith that God was enough. Josh pointed out, "His only hope is the verse [Psalm 23:4] that says God is with us."

Debs Walker went on to say that 'what God promises is so much more than what we need." If we're willing to wait for what he has in store for us, even if it is 23 years, and we continue to say that we are satisfied with only God, then we have a heart like God's.

Right after the session, attendee Pall Brim from Faroe Islands admitted that "sometimes we are too fast in making decisions on our own." He went on to explain that more often than not he had not waited on God, but that he had learned from those decisions. Pall says he can hear God more now and that he "wants to preach more when he goes home."

The decision to wait on God is not an easy one. It is not merely waiting for a set amount of time, but rather it is saying that we want God more than anything else. If we do that, then despite circumstance, we can trust in God and wait until he fulfils those promises.

Interview with Lilly Among Thorns

We interviewed Lilly, a German singer and songwriter who performed with her band here at TeenStreet Thursday evening.

Lilly, when did you become interested in music?
"I started quite early, learning how to play the piano and later - I think I was 14 - I taught myself how to play guitar. 1 1/2 years ago I began performing for an audience because I wondered what people would think of my music. At the beginning I mostly played alone, but I also had other musicians help me sometimes."

What motivates you?
"Through music I can contribute something that is good. I also have thought a lot about what worship is. I guess I try to write a 'Soundtrack' to play along to my life, which surely can be a form of worship. Sometimes I sing about topics that are deeper and maybe more emotional. When people listen to those songs and are touched, then that might help them with problems. Other than that I obviously enjoy to make music and it excites me that I can help shape the world a little with what I do."

How do you personally live your faith?
"Recently I left home and questioned some values that always had seemed totally acceptable to me. I didn't find a church in the beginning, which led me to merge two different worlds: my "Christian bubble," and being a ordinary person living among ordinary people. This made me think about what I really believe. I think that if I didn't put some thought into what my faith means to me then I wouldn't be able to live it authentically.

What are you doing besides making music?
"I study Politics and Sociology in Würzburg in Germany and I'm also into Ballet. There is not much time for that however as I spend much time with writing songs and rehearsing."

Powerful Prayers

What happens when you get thousands of people praying together, in many languages and ways of worship? God was working last night during the Throne Room where some familiar and some new songs guided the time of praise. Individuals were encouraged to come forward for a special time of prayer if they wanted to know more about Jesus or if they needed to bring something before their God and Father.

It was a time of raw honesty with our extraordinary God of David, who accepts us just as we are. Asvør Joensen, Rosa Rasmussen, and Ansy Seudal from the Faroe Islands all felt like it was a good time of relief. They felt hugged - not only physically, but spiritually as well - by the community worshipping. With everyone around them singing their hearts out to the same God, it gave them a strong sense of not being alone.

Asvør, who has attended TeenStreet four times already, said that she realized "certainly God is with me and He will fight my battles." The girls, who were friends back at home too, felt the worship brought them closer together as they opened up to each other.

Last year Ansy was challenged to listen to God and when she went home she learned to apply that lesson in her life. This year she said God has been telling her to "stand up for what I believe."

Even as the teens filed out at the end, small groups of two's or three's huddled together petitioning passionately before the Lord. Everyone who prayed last night was involved in God powerfully moving in thousands of lives to bring about His glory.

Behind-the-scenes with OMNIvision

Thursday night, TeenStreet kicked off with lights, cameras, and caged-football action. And behind all the impressive sights and sounds was OMNIvision, the conference audio/visual effects team.

OMNIvision received many requests last year to host a series of workshops for teens interested in media. In response, they developed three sessions: "Video Shoot Basics," for camerawork, "Video Editing Basics," for story-telling and editing software, and "Behind-the-Scenes," which covers how media is operated in a large-scale event like TeenStreet.

Henrik Weber, an OMNIvision cameraman and video editor, will teach at the sessions.

"I would have liked to attend a session like this when I was a teen," he said. "I remember going to conferences and wanting to know how it all worked. I knew God had given me talents but I didn't know how to use them."

Henrik compares video cameras to pens or pencils: tools that can be used to tell stories. The sessions aim to teach how to "get the most out of them."

"When we look at video, it's so often used in a bad way," Henrik said. "God created everything, He is in charge of everything, and that includes video. I want to give it back to Him and say, 'I want to tell Your stories, so please help me do it."

The sessions will work to accommodate both curious beginners and tech-savvy teens who want to delve deeper into media technique. But space is limited, and only six people can attend the "Video Shoot" and "Video Editing" sessions at a time. Twelve can attend "Behind-the-Scenes."

Henrik encourages interested teens to email or call the OMNIvision team if they have questions, even if they can't attend the sessions. He remembers being intimidated by the "people in black" who operated media equipment at events like TeenStreet, and insists that they enjoy questions from teens who want to learn more.

"We're just people who want to serve God, and this is how we're doing it," he said.

A fresh look at Psalm 23

It's probably the most well known Psalm, but that doesn't mean it's not gonna change lives. The theme this year at TeenStreet XXIII is looking more in depth at why David was a man after God's own heart.

Speakers Josh and Debs Walker introduced the theme at last nights opening event, where amidst the 23 nationalities represented 1% of the Faroese population was sitting. The rowdy teens quieted after cheering for their countries, to listen to a bit of the background story on David. An ordinary man, not even valued very highly by his family, but who served an extraordinary God. The fact that God identified with David's heart is an honour most of us might crave.

The idea for this theme started a year ago and has evolved through the months as the Programme Team has planned for TeenStreet. More than 20 people have been involved in the process, and their goal has been to help the teens here understand the opportunity they have to know God. Most people feel they have to get their lives in order before they can approach the Creator of the Universe. Our relationship with God doesn't have to be surface level though. This week is intended to allow teens to develop that relationship, not just experience an emotional high. Through looking at what Psalm 23 reveals about David's heart, the Programme Team is hoping that people realize they can approach God just as they are.

Reasons for coming

It doesn’t matter whether people expect international exposure or just plain fun, everyone here has some reasons for choosing to be here. Lounging against walls or enjoying the late afternoon sun most teens when asked for their reason, gave the instant response “because it’s fun.” Second-time attendees Celine and Marloes from the Netherlands have looked forward to returning to TeenStreet an entire year. Now that they’re here they can’t wait to enter the Throne Room every night where “you see videos of teens like us and part of that life in different countries.”

Justin Teague and Timothee Simon from France returned after last year as well and want to “have fun while deepening our relationship with God.” In fact, they loved last year’s event so much, that this year they invited three more friends to join them.

Many people have only attended Teenstreet once before, but there are numbers of those who have been coming for years. Filip Isacsson, for one, has come the past seven years and is still not tired of it.  He and his entire family have come together but he chooses to come because he can meet new people.

Regardless of whether they’ve come in large groups or with another friend, of whether they’ve traveled 2 days to get here like Kukka Maacia from Finnland or an hour from Bremen, these teens are excited to be here and have high expectations of what God will do during their time here.

Art Zone's new artist in residence

Freelance artist Ria Van Oosten is here to sculpt, teach, and inspire. Ria, from Holland, is Art Zone’s newest feature: an artist in residence. Until she became a Christian 14 years ago, Ria specialized in painting and sculpting models. Now she focuses on sculpting as an act of worship. “When something happens with God and I feel inspired by Him, I express it through sculpture.”

“Art doesn’t have to be just something to do when you’re a kid,” said Andrew, Art Zone leader. “We wanted to show the teenagers how a real artist works.” Not only will the teens get to observe Ria, but she will also be helping with Art Zone workshops.

Travel and Arrival

With people arriving from practically all over the world, it’s no wonder that there’s more to their travel stories than just packed bags and boring trips. For instance, Service team member Cecile Amelie from Switzerland was visiting a friend in Berlin when she realized she didn’t have quite enough cash to make it to the TeenStreet venue. After deciding to try and hitch her way across the country, she asked a local waitress for a good place to start. The waitress not only gave her an answer, but organized a ride with an online driving site, that enabled Cecile to arrive yesterday on location. Others have experienced God’s provision by visas coming in on time. Despite a few hang ups with lost luggage, the majority, whether traveling by car, train, bus or plane, are rolling in –thankful to be brought safely by God.

Last minute decorations and prop items were being set up this morning by staff while swarms of teens with rolling suitcase navigate their way through the halls. While the temperatures are fairly low, energy levels are high as more and more people arrive. There’s still an air of anticipation since programs and events haven’t started yet. The various chairs and seats placed around the venue are filled with groups of people talking excitedly, the coffee bar is running efficiently and everywhere people are greeting each other with enthusiasm.

Interview with chef Max

TeenStreet is celebrating its 18th year, so we interviewed someone who has been with TeenStreet since the beginning: Kitchen Chef Max Merk.

How did you come to work at TeenStreet as a chef?
"I actually started in the kitchen of the German home office in Mosbach. After that I was responsible for the kitchen at 'Love Europe,' (a conference preceding TeenStreet) in 1991, 20 years ago. In the beginning, a catering service supplied the meals, and we only made breakfast and other, smaller courses ourselves. But later we did all of the cooking because we thought, 'We can do it too!'"

You have been a part of TeenStreet since its first year - what inspires your work?
"It really is all about the Teens, not so much about my job. What inspires me is when the Teens are motivated and changed by what they hear and experience."

What kind of challenges do you face in your job?
"At the beginning, nobody usually knows how many people are actually going to come to TeenStreet (laughs), so the food has to be ordered at least one month in advance! And it can be challenging to have everything ready on time."

Why is catering an important job at TeenStreet?
"I sometimes hear about other conferences where the food isn't very good. Interestingly, that is the only thing you'll hear about a conference if that is the case. I think people are more likely to take something home from a conference if the food was good. Because if people are happy, they might be more open to what is being said."

What has changed over the years at TeenStreet, in respect to the kitchen?
"The number of participants has increased, which requires better equipment and increased professionalism on our part. The machines and devices we are using now are much better than the old ones that often broke. So many things actually became easier even though there are so many more people to cater for."

Are you going to continue working at TeenStreet? What are your hopes for the future?
"God willing, I will be part of TeenStreet again for the next few years. Apart from that, I wish for some good cooks that can support us. And it is always great to find consistent workers. In the end, it is by the grace of God that everything is happening the way that fits best."

What's Brewing at Teenstreet

Energy levels are high here in Oldenburg as everyone gets ready for TeenStreet 2010. And if the crew needs even more motivation in the morning, the coffee bar is staffed and ready to serve. Bifi and Silvia have been working at the coffee bar ever since it was first introduced at TeenStreet. So they know how to make a good coffee  – just try a “white dream” (a white hot chocolate with espresso) and see for yourself!

Silvia says her favorite thing about the coffee bar is the smile on a customer's face when they receive their drink – a well-made coffee in the morning adds to a better mood for the rest of the day. “I just have the desire to serve people,” Bifi said. “Teens should come if they want the best hot (and cold) chocolate they've ever had!”

The menu includes a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, hot chocolate, teas, and cookies. Drinks are also available iced—perhaps a good option to bring to the volleyball court or football field. It's hot here in Oldenburg! In response to requests from last year's TeenStreet, the coffee bar also carries Fair Trade products (A Fair Trade label guarantees that the product was made using ethical labour standards).

Christina Kübler will also work behind the counter. She enjoys the comfortable environment the coffee bar provides. She specifically looks forward to talking with teens about their experiences throughout the conference. “I look forward to seeing people touched by God,” Christina said. “I expect to see Him working in people's lives—and in mine, too.”

See you soon

The teens won’t arrive for another three days, but the Set Up Crew is officially in “Teenstreet mode” — aka, “drinking gallons and gallons of fizzy apple juice."

It takes a small army to get everything together, and everyone is hard at work: carrying rows of tables into the dining hall, marking the floors where the NET groups will sleep, setting up web cams, washing dishes, and tuning guitars.

Every evening, the crew meets together to worship and pray for the teens and the events of the conference. And that’s the motivation behind all the hard work: creating an unforgettable opportunity for thousands of teens to develop their relationship with Jesus, and making TeenStreet 2010 the best TeenStreet yet!

See you soon!