April 2023
God is Able
Definition: One who has sufficient power, ability, and resources
Scripture(s): 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20-21; Hebrews 7:25
Praise and Thanksgiving
· We have had several donations toward GenFree! Thank you, Lord, for your provision!
· The Lord has brought us some more potential team help with administration and training!
Intercession URGENT FOCUSED PRAYER NEEDED -First GenFree Intensive in Bismarck, North Dakota April 28-29, 2023
o Pray for the participants:
Darcy, Scott, Greg, Sherri, Pamela, Mary B., Jennifer, Jason, Keri, Billy, Jenna, Mary E., Gary, Ilan, Evans, Sara, Michael, Terry, Dennis, Tammy, James, Mellisa
· Completion of their Coursework (CFMU 301 & 302 Classes)
· Travel funds, planning, and safety
· Families during their absence
· Heart preparation, fears, worries, expectations, openness, Spirit dependance
· Physical health
· Making Connections with others
· JOY and fun!
o Pray over the content and rhythm of the Intensive:
FRIDAY 8:30 am – REGISTRATION 9:00 am - Opening Prayer, Info & Introductions 9:30 am - Speed Meeting Activity 9:53 am - GenFree VISION 10:15 am - What is our target audience: Gen Z 10:40 am - Break (10 min) 10:50 am - Table Discussion: What barriers do you find when discipling Gen Z? 11:11 am - RARE Leadership – Belonging, Identity, Joy and Resilience 12:00 pm – LUNCH 1:15 pm - Stones of Remembrance 1:31 pm – Building Resilience – Appreciation, Beliefs, and Connections 2:30 pm - Break (10 min) 2:40 pm - Panel Discussion: How to cultivate transformative relationships with young generations 3:50 pm - Break (10 min) 4:03 pm - Steps Appointments with Young Generations 5:00 pm - Table Discussion: Navigating the roadblocks in steps with teens 5:30 pm – Worship 6:00 pm – DINNER – offsite on your own 7:30 pm - Bonus Panel Discussion: What Role does “Sexuality” play in reaching Gen Z? SATURDAY 9:00 am - Worship 9:33 am – Essential Prayer 10:00 am - Personal Practice Listening/Immanuel Prayer 10:10 am - Table Discussion: How can you incorporate and teach prayer to young people? 10:50 am - Break (10 min) 11:01 am - CFMU Follow-up 12:00 pm – LUNCH 1:15 pm - Train your Thoughts 1:30 pm - Panel Discussion: Counselor’s Perspective - When should I get additional professional help? 2:45 pm - Break (10 min) 2:56 pm - Empowering and working with Parents and family systems 3:45 pm - Table Discussion: What are some key learnings that you have received from working with parents? 5:03 pm - Ministry in Community 5:50 pm - GenFree Specialist - Training Track & Resources 6:30 pm – DINNER TOGETHER 7:30 pm Group Time: Praise, Testimony, PRAYER, and Commissioning - Living it out!
o Pray for the Panelists:
Greg – moderator and contributor
Sara, Kira, Billy, Mellisa, Marie
Still adding possible panelist – pray for that finalizing decision
o Pray for the main Speakers:
Chris Campbell – video session covering Empowering & working with parents and family systems
Tammy Williams – covering Essential Prayer session
Greg – covering Ministry in Community session
Mellisa – covering 7 sessions
o Pray for AV and Technology team:
Danielle and her filming team
James with all things computer and sound
o Pray for our Host
Center for Counseling staff and their families
Facilities and meals
Areas in need of continued prayers (nothing “NEW” here but ongoing for sure!):
Testimonies being filmed – we are recording student testimonies to post on the website. Pray the Holy Spirit gives these young people the words to say and the editing process painless.
GenFree Presentations this Spring
Vision and Promotion Presentations given at the FICM Practicum and the Transform Retreat April 2023 – both in Travers City, Michigan (both presented by Mellisa Pressley) with a NEW GenFree Booth
New Presentation Scheduled in Family Gathering Event 2023 in Northampton, UK – We are starting a discussion with all 40 countries on how we can bring Freedom in Christ to Gen Z. Pray God reveals His plans for this presentation and group collaboration.
Revision and Rebranding of Steps booklet for Young Persons and GenFree bookmarks
Budget 2023 Development and funding
Spiritual Warfare
It has been more than apparent that GenFree is a threat to Satan and his schemes! Please be in prayer for the battles (although the war has already been won!) currently going and those attacks in the future. Specifically, pray for physical health for the leaders, their families (especially their children and grandchildren), their marriages, and their safety in traveling.
Join us in daily putting on our God-given armor, claiming Jesus’ authority, and declaring that authority over all areas of our lives.
New GenFree Website content
There is minimal content currently on the GenFree website because there are so many aspects involved in the creation, editing, approval and distribution of material and resources. This is a BIG, BIG task! We need the Lord to provide it all!
We also need wisdom and patience in the process. The team members know they are in a beautiful place of complete dependence and reliance on Christ here.
We also pray those who visit the site will be patience, feel excitement and anticipation, and hope for the future as content is slow to develop and distributed.
PROTECTION, PROVISION & SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We ask the Lord to protect and provide for the team’s families, infuse them with creativity and vision, direct them into the resources He has planned for this team to utilize, and continually grow in dependance and love with Christ personally. The enemy wants to discourage and disarm us all as we seek to walk in the Spirit and faithfully follow the calling He gave us. Please pray by name specifically for:
o James and Mellisa Pressley, Joe and Tammy Williams, Mary Chester, FICM Staff involved in support of this effort: Dan Studt, Cindy Bergenback, and Chris Campbell, and other administrative support: GayNell Scarborough, Gary and Mary Erkes, Sue Huber
TEAM DEVELOPMENT: We want to further develop a team of contributors who serve as youth ministers and curriculum developers. This takes some networking and prayerful discernment. Pray God leads us to HIS chosen contributors for the curriculum content and GenFree team.
TIMING: Lord, Jesus, keep us in step with Your divine timing. We want to wait upon You as you deem right and charge full steam ahead only when you say "GO!", so keep us in daily submission to your direction and speed as You fold out Your plan for this ministry effort!
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: You know how the enemy will try to distract us, dilute our passion, and discourage our attempts. Pray the enemy be blocked from his efforts, as we claim the authority and position in Christ given to all those who serve Him! Pray with us for our hearts and minds to be in complete alignment with the Holy Spirit.’
o New Generation Freedom Website content: Pray for the GenFree Team as we develop more content for workers, parents, and young generations.
o New GenFree Intensives: Pray for the development of training seminars in various locations throughout the USA.
o Curriculum development: for HIS words to just freely flow onto the keyboards as we type this message for students!
FUNDS: Donations will be an ongoing series of faith endeavors. God is THE provider, and we depend on Him to bring forth donors to fund the expenses this ministry requires. Areas in Need of funding currently are:
o Rebranding materials (Video and sound equipment, graphic designers, website developers)
o Team member expenses as they travel to train CFMAs.
o Future Youth Intensives - development and expenses
o New Curriculum development
o Field Staff expenses (currently GenFree team field staff are Tammy Williams and Mellisa Pressley)
o To give a donation, visit https://www.ficm.org/give/
DREAMING AHEAD: Lastly, pray for God to continue to work out the specific ways FICM can resource and further disciple adults to work with the next generation. We are looking into trainings, website contributions, networking platforms, future youth practicums, parent resources, and more! Lord, keep us tethered to Your vision and plans!
March 2023
God is Understanding
Definition: One who has empathetic or tolerant recognition of somebody else’s nature or situation
Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 28:9-10; Psalm 147:5; Ephesians 1:7-9
Praise and Thanksgiving
• God has provided us with an attorney! We can now move forward with finalizing forms and various tools needed to legally protect both the minors and adults in GenFree ministries.
• Several people have been brought by the Lord to establish a foundational framework for GenFree. They continue to work together to bring various levels of support, administrative aid, encouragement, and prayers.
• GenFree Intensive Registrations are coming - We have over 15 registrants so far!
• We have another GenFree Intensive scheduled in Spring Hill, Tennessee October 9-10, 2023, scheduled.
• New GenFree Connection Coordinators – dealing with all steps requests and general GenFree ministry information requests
Intercession
AREAS IN FOCUS: These areas of ministry are currently in our scope of focus and need additional prayer:
• Training 2023 – URGENT FOCUSED PRAYER NEEDED
First GenFree Intensive (in-person weekend) is scheduled in Bismarck, North Dakota April 28-29, 2023.
Specifically, we are working out the speakers and content development.
Pray for all the attendees…. that God would call them out, make way for their finances and needs, and envelope them with a passion to get networked in this area of ministry.
• Testimonies being filmed – we are recording student testimonies to post on the website. Pray the Holy Spirit gives these young people the words to say and the editing process painless.
• FICM Newsletters from GenFree this Spring – We are writing newsletters in March and April sent to over 6,000 recipients. Pray for the words given by the Lord touches readers, deepens their own walk with God, and inspires them to invest in young generations for Christ.
• GenFree Presentations this Spring
Vision and Promotion Presentations given at the FICM Practicum and the Transform Retreat April 2023 – both in Travers City, Michigan (both presented by Mellisa Pressley) with a NEW GenFree Booth
New Presentation Scheduled in Family Gathering Event 2023 in Northampton, UK – We are starting a discussion with all 40 countries on how we can bring Freedom in Christ to Gen Z. Pray God reveals His plans for this presentation and group collaboration.
• Revision and Rebranding of Steps booklet for Young Persons and GenFree bookmarks
• Budget 2023 Development and funding
• Spiritual Warfare
It has been more than apparent that GenFree is a threat to Satan and his schemes! Please be in prayer for the battles (although the war has already been won!) currently going and those attacks in the future. Specifically, pray for physical health for the leaders, their families (especially their children and grandchildren), their marriages, and their safety in traveling.
Join us in daily putting on our God-given armor, claiming Jesus’ authority, and declaring that authority over all areas of our lives.
• New GenFree Website content
There is minimal content currently on the GenFree website because there are so many aspects involved in the creation, editing, approval and distribution of material and resources. This is a BIG, BIG task! We need the Lord to provide it all!
We also need wisdom and patience in the process. The team members know they are in a beautiful place of complete dependence and reliance on Christ here.
We also pray those who visit the site will be patience, feel excitement and anticipation, and hope for the future as content is slow to develop and distributed.
Areas still need of continued prayers and are of great importance:
• PROTECTION, PROVISION & SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We ask the Lord to protect and provide for the team’s families, infuse them with creativity and vision, direct them into the resources He has planned for this team to utilize, and continually grow in dependance and love with Christ personally. The enemy wants to discourage and disarm us all as we seek to walk in the Spirit and faithfully follow the calling He gave us. Please pray by name specifically for:
James and Mellisa Pressley, Joe and Tammy Williams, Mary Chester, FICM Staff involved in support of this effort: Dan Studt, Cindy Bergenback, and Chris Campbell, and other administrative support: GayNell Scarborough, Gary and Mary Erkes, Sue Huber
• TEAM DEVELOPMENT: We want to further develop a team of contributors who serve as youth ministers and curriculum developers. This takes some networking and prayerful discernment. Pray God leads us to HIS chosen contributors for the curriculum content and GenFree team.
• TIMING: Lord, Jesus, keep us in step with Your divine timing. We want to wait upon You as you deem right and charge full steam ahead only when you say "GO!", so keep us in daily submission to your direction and speed as You fold out Your plan for this ministry effort!
• CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: You know how the enemy will try to distract us, dilute our passion, and discourage our attempts. Pray the enemy be blocked from his efforts, as we claim the authority and position in Christ given to all those who serve Him! Pray with us for our hearts and minds to be in complete alignment with the Holy Spirit.’
New Generation Freedom Website content: Pray for the GenFree Team as we develop more content for workers, parents, and young generations.
New GenFree Intensives: Pray for the development of training seminars in various locations throughout the USA.
Curriculum development: for HIS words to just freely flow onto the keyboards as we type this message for students!
• FUNDS: Donations will be an ongoing series of faith endeavors. God is THE provider, and we depend on Him to bring forth donors to fund the expenses this ministry requires. Areas in Need of funding currently are:
o Rebranding materials (Video and sound equipment, graphic designers, website developers)
o Team member expenses as they travel to train CFMAs.
o Future Youth Intensives - development and expenses
o New Curriculum development
o Field Staff expenses (currently GenFree team field staff are Tammy Williams and Mellisa Pressley)
o To give a donation, visit https://www.ficm.org/give/
• DREAMING AHEAD: Lastly, pray for God to continue to work out the specific ways FICM can resource and further disciple adults to work with the next generation. We are looking into trainings, website contributions, networking platforms, future youth practicums, parent resources, and more! Lord, keep us tethered to Your vision and plans!
February 2023
God is Awesome
Definition: One who inspires awe; majestic, magnificent, wondrous, astonishing, amazing, breathtaking
Scripture(s): Exodus 15:11; Job 37:22; Psalm 47:1-2; Psalm 66:1-5
Praise and Thanksgiving
God is AWESOME! Our Provider, Sustainer, and Way Maker has showed up again and again, time after time! He has been leading the way, meeting needs, and constantly providing the peace and promise for the future in GenFree!
Podcast is Recorded! – The Lord is so good and ever present! James, Mellisa, Chris Campbell, and Dan Studt were able to record the podcast mid-January smoothly. It is now in the editing process.
GenFree Website – We are in the top in the Google Searches for gen free!
There has been great response to the website and a lot of interest expressed in training, steps appointments for young people and outreach for encouragement
Administrative Help – God has provided several individuals to help us during this first foundation building year to are gifted in administration, discernment, and loving people. These additional people have agreed to help us establish the roadmaps for our team to travel on in various ways, so we can bring others in the team permanently.
Intercession
AREAS IN FOCUS: These areas of ministry are currently in our scope of focus and need additional prayer:
New GenFree Website content
There is minimal content currently on the GenFree website because there are so many aspects involved in the creation, editing, approval and distribution of material and resources. This is a BIG, BIG task! We need the Lord to provide it all!
We also need wisdom and patience in the process. The team members know they are in a beautiful place of complete dependence and reliance on Christ here.
We also pray those who visit the site will be patience, feel excitement and anticipation, and hope for the future as content is slow to develop and distributed.
GenFree Specialist Roadmap Development
We need prayer as the training roadmap for GenFree Specialists is in development – so many details and integration!
Revision and Rebranding of Steps booklet and bookmarks
Legal protection and provision
Need legal professionals – we are looking into the many areas where we might need the appropriate professional legal advice to protect the CFMAs and FICM ministry.
We seek to protect the ministry and young generations from anyone who is not totally free in Christ or called to serve in this way.
Training 2023
New GenFree Intensive (in-person weekend) is scheduled in Bismarck, North Dakota April 28-29, 2023.
Specifically, we are working out a schedule and content development.
Pray for all the attendees…. that God would call them out, make way for their finances and needs, and envelope them with a passion to get networked in this area of ministry.
There is a possibility for another Intensive this fall in Tennessee; please pray for wisdom and discernment.
Spiritual Warfare
It has been more than apparent that GenFree is a threat to Satan and his schemes! Please be in prayer for the battles (although the war has already been won!) currently going and those attacks in the future. Specifically, pray for physical health for the leaders, their families (especially their children and grandchildren), their marriages, and their safety in traveling.
Join us in daily putting on our God-given armor, claiming Jesus’ authority, and declaring that authority over all areas of our lives.
January 2023
God is Jehovah Shammah
Definition: The Lord is there; ever present with us
Scripture(s): Deuteronomy 31:6, Ezekiel 48:35, Isaiah 12:6, Matthew 28:20, Revelation 21:1-3
PRAISE & THANKSGIVING
New GenFree rebranding: We have completed the communication elements of new VISION for discipleship of young people:
Launch videos, new logos, and launch emails
God provided several designers and copy writers who helped us with these tasks….a direct answer to our prayers! Thank you, Tim, Kamela, Courtney, Ethan, and Beth!
Intensive Provision: We have been able to secure discounted hotels and low event costs for one the GenFree Intensive training event! Our hosts are amazing, and the Lord has been providing in many ways to keep costs low so more people can attend!
Unity in mind and spirit: God is stirring His mission and vision in the hearts of all FICM USA leaders and board members in such a way, it is apparent He is providing unity and certainty!
INTERCESSION
CURRENT AREAS IN FOCUS: These areas of ministry are currently in our scope of focus and need additional prayer:
New GenFree Website content
There is minimal content currently on the GenFree website because there are so many aspects involved in the creation, editing, approval and distribution of material and resources. This is a BIG, BIG task! We need the Lord to provide it all!
We also need wisdom and patience in the process. The team members know they are in a beautiful place of complete dependence and reliance on Christ here.
We also pray those who visit the site will be patience, feel excitement and anticipation, and hope for the future as content is slow to develop and distributed.
Future podcast episode – currently scheduled to record in January this year
Pray God speaks through us and prepares the hearts of all those who will listen
Legal protection and provision
Need legal professionals – we are looking into the many areas where we might need the appropriate professional legal advice to protect the CFMAs and FICM ministry
We seek to protect the ministry and young generations from anyone who is not totally free in Christ or called to serve in this way.
Training 2023
New GenFree Intensive (in-person weekend) is in Bismarck, North Dakota April 28-29, 2023
Specifically, we are working out a schedule and content development
Pray for all the attendees…. that God would call them out, make way for their finances and needs, and envelope them with a passion to get networked in this area of ministry
Spiritual Warfare
It has been more than apparent that GenFree is a threat to Satan and his schemes! Please be in prayer for the battles (although the war has already been won!) currently going and those attacks in the future.
Specifically, pray for physical health for the leaders, their families (especially their children and grandchildren), their marriages, and their safety in traveling.
Join us in daily putting on our God-given armor, claiming Jesus’ authority, and declaring that authority over all areas of our lives.
Areas still need of continued prayers and are of great importance:
PROTECTION, PROVISION & SPIRITUAL GROWTH: We ask the Lord to protect and provide for the team’s families, infuse them with creativity and vision, direct them into the resources He has planned for this team to utilize, and continually grow in dependance and love with Christ personally. The enemy wants to discourage and disarm us all as we seek to walk in the Spirit and faithfully follow the calling He gave us. Please pray by name specifically for:
o James and Mellisa Pressley, Joe and Tammy Williams, Mary Chester, FICM Staff involved in support of this effort: Dan Studt, Cindy Bergenback, and Chris Campbell
TEAM DEVELOPMENT: We want to further develop a team of contributors who serve as youth ministers and curriculum developers. This takes some networking and prayerful discernment. Pray God leads us to HIS chosen contributors for the curriculum content and GenFree team.
TIMING: Lord, Jesus, keep us in step with Your divine timing. We want to wait upon You as you deem right and charge full steam ahead only when you say "GO!", so keep us in daily submission to your direction and speed as You fold out Your plan for this ministry effort!
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT: You know how the enemy will try to distract us, dilute our passion, and discourage our attempts. Pray the enemy be blocked from his efforts, as we claim the authority and position in Christ given to all those who serve Him! Pray with us for our hearts and minds to be in complete alignment with the Holy Spirit’
o New Generation Freedom Website content: Pray for the GenFree Team as we develop more content for workers, parents, and students
o New GenFree Intensives: Pray for the development of training seminars in various locations throughout the USA.
o Curriculum development: for HIS words to just freely flow onto the keyboards as we type this message for students!
FUNDS: Donations will be an ongoing series of faith endeavors. God is THE provider, and we depend on Him to bring forth donors to fund the expenses this ministry requires. Areas in Need of funding currently are:
o Rebranding materials (Video and sound equipment, graphic designers, website developers)
o Team member expenses as they travel to train CFMAs
o Future Youth Intensives - development and expenses
o New Curriculum development
o Field Staff expenses (currently GenFree team field staff are: Tammy Williams and Mellisa Pressley)
o To give a donation, visit https://www.ficm.org/give/
DREAMING AHEAD: Lastly, pray for God to continue to work out the specific ways FICM can resource and further disciple adults to work with the next generation. We are looking into trainings, website contributions, networking platforms, future youth practicums, parent resources, and more! Lord, keep us tethered to Your vision and plans!