By Kevin Friesen

Street Invaders worship leader Chris Westby.

They will be here to learn how to effectively share their faith, and experience a week of adventurous discipleship through a program called Street Invaders (SI).

Street Invaders is a missions program for students aged 13 to early 20s, designed to challenge them to grow into the disciples Christ has called them to be.

The philosophy of Street Invaders is 'discipleship through evangelism,' and the goal is to use different forms of evangelism to develop strong disciples - not just for the length of the program, but for the rest of their lives.

Although SI has been running successfully for the past 18 years, with programs in B.C., Ontario, Saskatchewan, the Maritimes and overseas, this will be our first summer in the Lower Mainland - based out of People's Full Gospel Church, July 13 - 22.

Since the start of these programs, in the late 80s, more than 20,000 people have become Christians, through SI youth who were willing to be used by God.

Not only does the ministry see people won to Christ; but, just as importantly, it is helping these young people take great steps forward in their walk with Christ.

The first week of the program, called 'bootcamp,' is not nearly as scary as it sounds. It is an intense week of spiritual training; each day starts with devotions, breakfast and a chapel service.

The rest of the morning consists of classes, covering subjects such as: living as a disciple, leading people to Christ, character building, proving their faith, spiritual warfare, leadership and team dynamics.

The rest of the day is devoted to practical ministry times, outreach practice and team building, as well as other preparations for the upcoming mission.

During the evening, there is worship and teaching. This year, the program is particularly focused on having participants apply principles with their own non-Christian friends and family members back home.

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A Street Invaders training class.

The faith of each member is stretched, as they share it with everyone they come in contact with. Reports which come back are typically remarkable and powerful.

Glen Madden, campus pastor for Pacific Academy in Surrey, credits SI with "changing my life."

Melissa Deagle, an SI grad, and now a staff member for the past three years, comments: "If I had to point to one thing that marked the turning point in my Christian life - from lukewarm to on fire - it would, without a doubt, be Street Invaders."

God, she continues, "used this program to ignite my passion for worship and to teach me that you are never too young to be used by the Lord.

"It gave me an opportunity to use gifts I didn't know I had, and a real sense of belonging to the family of God in all its diversity.

"The friends I met at Street Invaders years ago are still some of my closest friends - and if not for their encouragement, I highly doubt I would be living for Jesus the way I am today. Street Invaders is always the highlight of my summer - and whenever I'm there, I feel like I am truly at home."

Tim Eissfeldt has done SI twice. "I went in with a knowledge of God, but came out having a real, living, two-way relationship with him.

"I took the focus off of myself and my own problems, and learned to focus on other people. In doing so, it allowed God to take control of my life. After coming back from Street Invaders, I learned to love people in a way that God has loved me, and it has made such a difference."

SI is also looking for adults who want to be involved in leadership, and are inviting churches or youth groups to send some of their young people to Street Invaders, or host a team for the mission portion of the program.

Contact: streetinvaders.ca or 604-862-2882.

July 2007