The Jesus House

[The Jesus House Closes]: Saying Goodbye

thejesushouse — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:07:40 +0000

Dear burning ones-

History records twelve men whose lives were never the same after encountering the man, Christ Jesus. They were utterly wrecked by his love, his authority, and his compassion. They went down in history as being the first disciples, those who followed in the dust of their rabbi. Jesus was God alive, walking and talking among them and to their great surprise they found themselves caught up in his great story as first hand witnesses of the Good News. The sick were healed, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, and demons were cast out as Jesus reclaimed the culture and demonstrated the Kingdom of God among them! Everything had suddenly changed! We can only imagine what it must have felt like even as they asked one another,

“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked to us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?” –Luke 24:32

Today too, we find ourselves surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses. We also can’t help but to recall the past few years of our own story, to remember a group of friends whose lives would never be the same after encountering the presence of God in our college days. God marked us powerfully then as burning ones, consumed by the love of God and eager to share that love to those around us, transforming lives, cities, and nations. John Wesley once said,

“If you set yourselves on fire, people will come and watch you burn.”

So, as a group of friends, we set out on a journey to explore loving God, loving one another, and loving the world around us, inviting as many friends along for the ride as we could! We chased the Holy Spirit like chasing a wild goose. We prayed for everyone we could and saw people’s lives touched by the power of God and the power of his love. We baptized people in ponds, in lakes, and even in truck beds! God was alive and walking and talking among us! It was incredible and we believe we will never be the same because of it!

As our last year of college approached, we stumbled upon an abandoned fraternity house that had “community” written all over it! We moved in over the summer of 2007 and for three years, The Jesus House was home to over 50 Christian guys. Through unceasing love and support from the Stillwater church community, a multitude of family and friends who believed in us and came along side us for the journey, and many other beautiful friends who pitched in to make this happen- we have seen God renovate not only a broken down, bedraggled fraternity house, but also the renovation of hundreds of lives! It is truly amazing to think about the spiritual legacy of generations coming together, both old and young alike, to see God rebuild the ancient ruins long devastated.

In our belief that God is who he says he is, and can do what he says he can do, we jumped at the opportunity to invest in the city in this capacity, coming along side and participating in what God was already doing: establishing his Kingdom and building his family! We long to continue to be a people who aspire to this great calling: following Jesus where he leads and participating with his spirit in what he is doing.

“In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His spirit.”
-Ephesians 2:21-22

As spring of 2010 approached we became quite aware that the wind of change was blowing through the ministry of the Jesus House and we began to deliberate whether or not to close the doors to this chapter in our history together. Through a series of divine circumstances and much wisdom, and prayer, the board (which includes local church ministers, pastors, current house leaders, and past leaders) unanimously decided it good in the Holy Spirit to official close the doors of the Jesus House beginning June 1st of 2010.

As sad and unforeseen as this decision is, we remain convinced that God has written some significant history in each of our lives over the past few years! We are incredibly indebted for the friendship, the grace, and the prayers of those who have gathered around as and called us family during this time! Thank you friends and family for sharing who you are with us! You are an incredible breed of people who have encountered God, who will do his works, and change the world by sharing his love!

May we continue to champion one another in the seasons to come, as the Lord faithfully leads us on, to bring about his good purpose and plan! May we continue to fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of this most holy faith, the one who was and is, and is still to come! May we remember the wonderful work of the Lord, and remind ourselves constantly of his unfailing love and mercy. May we love him till the end with all of our affection, all of our lives, and all the dreams still yet to come! Friends we know this:

“God’s spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! The resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, papa?”

-Romans 8:14-15 (The Message)

With burning hearts,
The Jesus House Leadership Team
June 2010

[March Update]

thejesushouse — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:20:42 +0000

Well there has been a lot happening in the constantly changing March. We started things off at the House with TRIBE coming in and playing an incredible concert. Thanks guys for coming in and playing!
Up next we have To Write Love On Her Arms coming in to bring the house down. They will be here Sun March 28th, and for more information check the facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=388996741653

Spring break was slow around the house as several of the guys went to Colorado where they climbed around on really big rocks at the garden of the gods and sunk chest deep into the snow. They stayed at a place called the Training Ground. A place whose purpose is letting men experience work and God’s purpose for man in work, wilderness and teaching them skills to survive, and worship to praise him in groups and studies of the bible. Check them out at http://www.trainingground.com/

Continue to burn for the Lord as his heart sets us ablaze.
Pray for the nations, our state, our city, and let God work through us everyday. Shout out to us here our on our facebook page.

PS-Taking applications for new brothers for the upcoming year, pray them in!

[As the Winter rolls on...]

thejesushouse — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:16:35 +0000

The house currently has 14 guys living in it (the lowest ever to date) and it has been awesome! Our desire is to go out and recruit over the next couple months and look for freshmen and sophomores who are willing to dream big with us about Jesus’ desire for this campus.

We recently began a Saturday morning (10 am) group study over the book “Sex God” by Rob Bell. It deals with the interconnectedness between spirituality and sexuality – and how God never intended for them to be separate. It’s an amazing book that we are listening to on an audio CD together. The discussions after each chapter that we have are what really have the most impact.

As for this Saturday, we have a lot of home improvements to get attacked and accomplished in preparation for next Friday! Triibe will be coming to the Jesus House on Friday February 26th! This incredible group of men loves Jesus and expresses their worship to Him in a monologue through drumming! Connecting with God through prayer is really about a heart-to-heart conversation. We are stoked to be hosting these awesome guys and invite you to join us on the 26th! We will worship whether anyone comes or not – God will show up!

We have decided to follow JESUS.

Pursue or die! Strength, blessing, and honor to you in Jesus’ name!

Amen.

[Onething]: 2009

thejesushouse — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:16:52 +0000

Hello friends!

A group of about 13 of us had the awesome privilege of venturing over ice and snow all the way to the beautiful city of Kansas City, Missouri to the ONEthing09 Conference hosted by the International House of Prayer (IHOP). It was the 3rd time for some of us to go (4th for others) and it the general consensus is that it was AMAZING! 5 of the 13 who went currently live in the Jesus House – all of whom returned with testimonies of encouragement and vision!

God blessed us immensely with hospitality as we got to stay the night with some amazing friends in their peaceful home about 10 minutes from downtown! We loved getting to spend such a valuable and memorable time with those who graciously hosted us as well as with each other.

The worship, prayer, and especially the teachings (coupled with spontaneous outpourings of the Holy Spirit for prayer, healings, etc) truly touched the hearts of everyone at the conference because God’s presence filled every part of it. He showed up in powerful ways through healings and set so many people free from fear, pride, lonliness, approval of man, suicide, homosexuality, and addictions to pornography, drugs, sex, and far more. It was quite a humbling experience – most of us were a bit skeptical at first about everything that had been going on prior to the conference at the student awakening (IHOPU), but we each walked way with a sense of the heavy reality that God was there. The movement of Jesus in our hearts was carried with us as we traveled back to Stillwater and have since continued to learn to live as a family of believers who love one another as we have been loved.

God continues to teach us that He is all about loving people! People are worth dying for – worth loving – worth serving – we ourselves are worth serving! Love is a risk worth taking – and He took it to the fullest, risking the fact that we would even say “no” to his invitation. God is bold – a mighty risk taker who is confident in His plans. Bless the Lord! May His name be praise forever!

The memories and friendships that developed during the time at ONEthing from December 27 through January 1 will never be forgotten! We’ve been so blessed to have such amazing brothers and sisters – broken just as much as we are – to walk through and fight through these seasons of life together.

Walk on the OSU campus, Jesus! We love you and we trust you with our lives! It is no longer we who live but You who lives within us.

“No one else can love you like I love you, Lord – ’cause I was made unique in your heart, I was made to bring you joy!”

The men on the last day of the trip making their Kansas faces!

[The WAKE UP Call]

thejesushouse — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:13:59 +0000

Hey guys!

Sunday night, Nov. 1, we are privileged and blessed to have the presence of friends and family from both Kansas City and Tulsa! The studly Mr. Scott Goodner will be here along with a few more fiery world-changers to celebrate the goodness of God in our lives with us.

If you haven’t been able to make it to a Sunday night gathering in awhile, THIS IS THE ONE YOU WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE! If you are traveling from out of town, save up your gas money NOW (for 3 whole days)! Your face is missed! That message is for EVERYONE!

God is doing mighty works in each individual season of our lives, and as part of one Body we can strengthen and encourage one another with our stories.

Sunday, November 1st:

6pm – Dinner (Swick’s Pizza) served

7pm – Powerful message from Scott

-Worship/prayer throughout

We simply want to express our love for one another as a result of God’s unrelenting love for us. The word of our testimony is conquering and triumphant, no matter who is speaking.

Our doors are wide open. Period. Blessings and strength to all of you; and we hope to see you this Sunday.

Located @ The Jesus House
311 S. Hester
Stillwater, OK

*JESUS is the vision. LOVE is the movement.*

[Jesus House Recruitment]

thejesushouse — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:18:13 +0000

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

The Jesus House at 311 S. Hester in Stillwater is looking for servant Christian men to move in this Fall!

The house consists of servant men living together in community who Love God, Love each other, and Love the world. We desire to see God move in unprecedented ways in the city of Stillwater and on the campus of Oklahoma State University. United by the spirit of sonship, we press into the vision of Jesus!

We are asking for your support in getting the word out!

For more information about the house and our vision, go to the “Our Vision” Link or e-mail Steven Blair and Gavin Knight at thejesushouse@yahoo.com

We are believing in faith that God will fill the house with men He calls purposefully!

Bless you all!

In faith, hope, and Love,

[Tuesday June 16, 2009]: Yard Sale/ Hot Dog Sale

thejesushouse — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:17:12 +0000

Hey All,
There are some awesome things we plan to do this summer and we want to invite you to join us! First of all, we want to have a garage sale/cook out on the 17th and 18th of July. The proceeds will be divided amongst the Trip-less Trip that Mosaic Community is doing this summer, as well as the Jesus House’s work day scheduled for the end of July (more on this later!).

Here’s what you can do! We will first and foremost need stuff to sell! So, if you have anything you want to donate in good condition we would appreciate it! Things like:
Clothes
Shoes
Furniture
Appliances
Electronics
Kitchen ware
Etc…

To schedule a time/place to drop things off before the sale or to help with the garage sale/hot dog sale please email us at thejesushouse@yahoo.com. We really would appreciate anything you can donate and your time!
-Gavin Knight

[Friday June 12, 2009]

thejesushouse — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:36:26 +0000

On April 1, 2009 Jamie Tworkowski, Zach Williams, & To Write Love On Her Arms came to OSU to give a lecture and give awareness to addiction, cutting, and suicide. TWLOHA is so music oriented that they always have some source of music when they speak. Zack Williams is a great man of God that has an amazing story of trial and tribulations. He first began writing music when his wife was in a horrible accident and he could do nothing but pray. He started to write music instead of taking frustaions out on God. Before and after the show I got to visit with both Zach and Jamie, they both live in this idea of a community. I got to share a little bit about the Jesus House and what we are about! They loved the idea of 20+ College guys living together and loving Jesus while they are doing it. Zach told me that when he was in college, he did the same thing with the same mindset. Loving Jesus was the most important thing to them! Praise God!!!

http://www.zachwilliams.com/

http://www.twloha.com/

[Video taken by Amanda Lyn]

[Monday June 1, 2009]

thejesushouse — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:39:01 +0000

Its official, the summer has started here at the Jesus House! Clean up is under way. We have been hard at work for the past couple of weeks cleaning and getting ready for the next few months. We have shut down the 2nd floor and moved everyone to the first floor. This is just for the summer though! We plan on getting a lot of things done around the House in the next few months. We are in the talks of having a work day for the house sometime in July. So keep your eyes and ears open!
~Much Love

[House Party '09]: Details

thejesushouse — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:41:47 +0000

We’re “Burnin’ Down the House”

Saturday April 18 at 6:00 pm, there will be a DANCE PARTY at a location to be determined soon. For now, meet up at the Jesus House. The evening will consist initially of hot dogs, games, tag, hide-and-seek, fellowship, and then A WHOLE LOT OF DANCING! Come prepared in your best dancing attire and show off your moves! ALL AND ANY are welcome to attend and HIGHLY ENCOURAGED!

There will be food provided, but if you could, girls bring desserts and guys bring drinks and finger foods. Do not feel obligated to bring anything, but every little bit would help (even a financial donation).

As mentioned before, the final event will be on Sunday April 19 at 8:00 pm at the Jesus House. If you can make it to only one event this weekend, this is the one you won’t want to miss. We will gather as one body (all the former generations and current ones) to share the vast range of stories written throughout this past year. If you happen to still have the piece of the rock that we broke together one year ago, BRING IT BACK! We have a special activity planned for the re-uniting of the pieces of the rock! If you don’t have a piece to bring or you weren’t at the rock-breaking event last year, come anyway and get a piece of the rock that is still here at the house.

Additionally, there will be a special heart-felt performance by a special someone. Trust me, you WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE! =)

So keep these two dates and times marked for sure:

SATURDAY APRIL 18

6 PM

***THIRD PLACE ( ON WASHINGTON ST.)***

DINNER, GAMES, AND LATER —-DANCE PARTY!

SUNDAY APRIL 19

8 PM

JESUS HOUSE (FOR SURE)

THE LAST HOORAH – SHOWDOWN!

WORSHIP, STORIES, PRAYER, SENDING OFF!