Legacy Conference Highlights (Day 1)

Ali got to meet and take a picture with Jackie Hill, a spoken word artist from Chicago. Ali was pumped, which is obvious from her facial expression.

I got to take a picture with her too... Pretty amazing artist!

Amisho Lewis, or better known as Sho Baraka, spoke at the Devotional. Amazing things to say about contentment as leaders and/or artists in the church.

These two authors and writers have been an inspiration to me as I seek to be a future writer. Trillia Newbell and Jamar Tisby.

P4CM Spoken Word Competition was amazing. So many talented people at this conference!

Ali and I right before the second General Session with HB Charles Jr. 

DJ Wade-O killing it as the DJ of the conference. Check out his stuff online.

Joseph Solomon was the Emcee of the conference. His material on YouTube (ChasGod.tv) is really helpful for all ages and people groups. 

HB Charles Jr. preached on The Good Samaritan... I can't wait to post the video for everyone!

Ezekial is a pretty amazing spoken word artist. This specific poem was focused on the devil's perspective on us continuing to sin.

KIDD and I after the first night of the conference. This a legit guy who everyone needs to listen to. He has a new album out -- Hipsavvy: The Introduction.

Janette...ikz and Ezekial did a performance together, and it was absolutely crazy good! Check it out on YouTube.

Jackie Hill -- one of the best rappers/spoken word artists today -- did a performance at the conference... So good!

Preston Perry murdered his poem about dreaming of heaven. Again, check it out on YouTube.

If We Die, We Die

While I do not completely agree that giving Chicago good weather is a test, I believe that this Facebook status should reveal the need of the gospel of Jesus Christ to be known throughout each neighborhood in Chicago. I love my hometown, and Jesus needs to be preach boldly and lovingly in the areas of most need.

Ali and I are moving to a neighborhood that is more dangerous than any other in Columbia, the Douglass Park neighborhood, but some areas of Chicago give me a real perspective on violence, drug use, and the brokenness of each and every human being. We are no better than the people that committed crimes, and we all need the hope of the gospel in our lives.

We have all fallen short by sinning against God, and this violence in Chicago demonstrates the reality of our hearts: We need Jesus.

Let's sacrifice to go into the dangerous neighborhoods. People need to know of the life that Jesus lived for us, died the death in our place for our sins, and rose from the grave to defeat Satan, sin, and death.

The gospel sends us into the dangerous neighborhoods because we serve a Savior who went into dangerous neighborhoods, hung out with the rejects of His day, and died a horrific death all for us. We are to likewise go into the dangerous neighborhoods and share the hope only found in Jesus.

If we die, we die, but we die with a certain hope only found in the God that died for us! 

Chicago needs Jesus. Columbia needs Jesus. The world needs Jesus.

You need Jesus. I need Jesus. We all need Jesus.

God is good and gracious.

Jacob Luis Gonzales

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For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. (Romans 14:8 ESV)

Rain, Tears, and Prayer

This morning was a particularly interesting morning. There were rain, tears, and prayers for the future.

This morning started off with this picture above. It was pouring here in Columbia. When I say "pouring," I mean it was coming down so hard that it was hard to see a lot of things in the distance.

Something you may not know about me: I love rain.

Rain reminds me of a lot of good moments in my life, but mostly I love rain because it reminds me of God's grace and His faithfulness. It reminds me of God's promise that He made to Noah after the flood.

Ali and I taught this past Sunday about God's covenant that He made with Noah that He would never flood the Earth again (Genesis 8-9). Rain reminds me of how God's faithfulness has been active and present in my life. Rain reminds me of how God has been loved and saved me from a life without Him and His saving grace.

This morning also brought forth a video about a church that is going to be planted (started) in the city of Chicago. I watched this video about a group from Texas about the influence of Chicago and how they are hoping to plant a church in Chicago by 2014. I honestly had to hold back tears while I was sitting at my desk.

Ali and I have thought quite a bit about what God is calling our family to do after the internship, but if you are curious about what we are seeking to plant a church - specifically and possibly in Chicago - watch this video. It explains the importance of Chicago and it beautifully explains the need for Jesus to be known, loved, and praised in the innercity.

Check out the video here: http://reachchicago2014.com/

Pray for Ali and I as we pray about where our family will go after the internship. Pray that we seek wise counsel within Karis Church to help guide and lead us towards where God would have our family. God is good and He will do great things in the coming months and years. Your prayers are needed and appreciated.

God is good and gracious.

Jacob Luis Gonzales

4th of July Trip

Ali and I are heading to Chicago for the next couple of days, and I'm pretty excited to spend some time with family.

We were originally supposed to spend time in Memphis, TN getting connected with the community and the church leaders in that area for future partnerships, but being that itsa holiday   weekend we thought not many would be in town. Hopefully we can head there towards the end of this month or potentially the beginning of September. We'll see what happens!

I hope to meet up with family and friends while I am back in the Chicagoland area, so it will be a busy yet enjoyable time to catch up and partner up with anyone willing to help out during the Karis Internship. 

God is good, great, gracious, and glorious.

Jacob Luis Gonzales