Video of Power Cross boys leaving Universal Studios

We rode at Universal until the park closed. The boys had so much fun all night. Here are a few of the boys as we're leaving the park.

The Power Cross slide

The boys made the world's longest train on the slide at the resort.

More Orlando Video

Here is Andy leading the group in our favorite song at Bible Study. The song is Umbrealla Christ Remix by Coffey Southernman. They were a little tired after a full day at the park, but they still sound pretty good.

Power Cross Orlando Trip-Video Clip

Here is a clip of the boys at the Shamu show. They got front row seats! Everyone was soaked.

Power Cross Orlando Trip

The boys with the Christmas Tree at SeaWorld.


The group at Universal Studios

There is so much to say about our trip to Orlando! I don't even know where to begin. We took along our video camera and I'll be uploading some more clips as the weekend goes along. We were able to take about 50 kids to Orlando for a few days to visit SeaWorld and Universal Studios. We were also able to make a pit stop in Jacksonville that allowed all of the boys who had never seen the ocean the chance to visit the beach. We had all been in serious prayer about the trip for weeks. We were praying for peace among the boys, safety on the trip, good weather, you name it! In so many ways we felt God's presence there with us. We wanted to make a little list to show you how God just kept showing up while we were gone. I'll have more pictures later as well!

We want to say another Thank you to the Jones Family and to all of you who made a donation this holiday season. This trip was a trip of a lifetime for most of these boys, and for me and my family as well. Also a huge thank you to Andy Jones, Jonathan Beaver, Molly, Gabe, AJ, Brenda, and Steve for chaperoning the boys at the park and in the rooms. And our last big thank you to our bus driver Paul and his wife Vicki. They displayed a lot of patience on the ride there and back! The trip could not have been possible without all of your help and support.


Top Ten ways God was with us on the Power Cross Orlando Trip:

10. We had one chaperone who needed to pull out at the last minute. Within 10 minutes we had another friend call and ask if there was anyway he could come help and chaperone. Totally unrelated, neither knew the other person or the situation. God provided.

9. Two 15 passenger vans, 1 30 passenger church bus, and 1 suburban with trailer, made it 1300 miles with no flat tires, wrecks, tickets, and only one small broken window. (sorry Paul)

8. We arrived at one of the theme parks to pick up our tickets, with an estimated cost of $2400.00, and the status had been changed to complimentary tickets.

7. The kids wanted to eat at the NBA restaurant in Universal. It was a little over our lunch budget, so I was a little stressed. About 10 minutes later we ran into a friend of ours from Tennessee who gave us a check that covered all of the lunches. Just a coincidence?

6. 48 kids with 8 chaperone's for two full days in SeaWorld and Universal and we only lost 1 kids for about 10 minutes. He was in the bathroom a little to long.

5. We rode every roller coaster at SeaWorld and Universal with about 35 kids who had never been on any type of ride and not one person threw up.

4. On the way home we stopped at a McDonald's where the bill came to $195.00. An older gentleman and his wife were dining there and say all of the boys. He wrote us a check for $200.00 to pay for our food.

3. 48 boys between the ages of 7-13 were together for 96 hours straight and we had no fist fights, and only 1 tooth knocked loose.

2. We had beautiful weather and no rain the entire trip.

1. We see the young men of Power Cross growing in their relationship with Christ. When we sat down to eat lunch at the NBA restaurant the boys were spread among 4 tables. Andy went to lead the boys at each table in a blessing, but Caleb, TJ, Khalil, and Ausar had already stepped up and prayed with each of their tables.

The trip was amazing in everyway!!! Much more to come!!! Next week were off to ring in the New Year at the Big God Conference.



The boys and AJ starting their voyage on the Jurassic Park ride. Everyone looks excited.

My view on the "Storm Ride" at Universal. Pun trying to figure out how he can get on top of the cart and ride. Quincy on the other side deciding if he should get sick. And Darius who's always in the middle of everything with a big smile!

Everyone at the Jacksonville Beach

More from the Power Cross Christmas party.

This is Khalil. He asked Coach Jeff if he could close the Christmas party in prayer. Khalil was saved on Father's day of this year. He truly speaks to the Lord when he prays. We're new to the video stuff so I'll be uploading a few clips all week! When we get back from Florida I'm sure we'll have some fun clips to show as well!

Thanks,

Jeff, Nat, and the PC Boys

The Power Cross Christmas Party

We began preparation for our Christmas party about two months ago. The party was last night.I don't even have the words to describe the way God worked in the crowd. We had around 240 people in attendance. All but 6 of our Power Cross boys were able to attend. And almost all of the boys in attendance brought at least one relative with them. The night started out with a wonderful Christmas dinner. We have studied the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus recently in Bible study, and stressed that Jesus was given three presents at his birth. So we got three presents for each of the boys. The boys love Power Cross clothing so we got them all a new long sleeve Power Cross shirt. They were a little excited. We got them all a new winter jacket with Power Cross embroidered on it, they got really excited.

Quan-ya with his new jacket

And lastly we gave them a ticket. We gathered all of the boys together. Sat them in front of a big projector screen and starting giving them clues to what the ticket might be for. We have to back up a little bit to know how the ticket came about.

Jeff and I, and Power Cross have been so blessed to have been introduced to the Jones family of Tennessee. They have opened their home to Power Cross boys for a weekend at the lake.They have provided Power Cross with a much needed 15 passenger van. Just last week one of their son's Aaron moved to Statesville to help with the Power Cross ministry. The Jones family has provided almost all of our financial support over the last year. The two Jones brothers (Steve and Wiley), and their families have truly blessed this ministry. After a weekend with the boys, Steve & Brenda decided that the best Christmas present would be to send all of the boys to Orlando, Florida for a three day escape from everyday life. This is where the gift of a ticket comes into motion. We have worked hard preparing a three day trip to Orlando, Florida complete with a full day at Universal Studios and a full day at SeaWorld. Along the trip home we are detouring to the beach for a day so that all of the boys who haven't seen the ocean will have that chance. It will be an awesome event!

So they had their shirts, jackets, and a ticket in hand. Coach Jeff started giving a few clues. After about three clues they were all convinced they were going camping.

The boys with their tickets in hand

Then we starting to play a DVD I had prepared with images from the theme parks and resort. The boys finally realized that they were going to get to go to Florida. They could not contain their smiles.





After the gift giving was wrapped up we were so blessed to have our good friend Ken Freeman speak and bring the message of salvation to all in attendance. We had over 50 of our boys siblings, parents, and grandparents give their life to Christ. We had about 5 Power Cross boys finally give their life to the Lord. In that one moment, I can't begin to imagine how many prayers were answered. I know many of mine were. As we prayed with everyone one of our Power Cross boys, Khalil had an emotional moment. He just felt an overwhelming amount of love that he had never felt, in his life. He also felt the extreme sadness he held of never knowing his dad. So he did what so many boys there did, he went to his Coach Jeff for a hug. His brother in Christ, TJ, was there to wrap his arms around him as well.


It is such an awesome and humbling experience to be in the presence of the Lord. When you call on his name, he is there. Last night we handed out over 150 gifts, but the best gift that was given was the salvation of over 50 people. It is so amazing to see how God is using Power Cross to change the lives of not only the boys in our organization ,but also their families and siblings. We have one family who we work with three of the son's and one of the cousins. Last night their mother, grandmother, father, and aunt all gave their life to the Lord. In one night an entire family is changed. God is so good.

We leave on Saturday, December 20th for Orlando. I can promise we'll have a ton of pictures to show you when we get back.

God Bless,
Jeff, Nat, and the PC Boys

Power Cross Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,
Things have been going great for Power Cross over the last month. God is doing wonderful things with the boys in our organization. We are up to almost 60 boys each week joining up for Bible Study and fellowship. We have just started basketball and Power Cross has 8 teams!!! We have several other boys also playing for the middle school teams. It's an exciting time! We we thrilled to have many 8-14 year old boys sign up who have never played an organized sport before. It's been great watching them gain confidence and develop the skills God has blessed them with. The season games will start in January. I'll post a schedule when we get it together.