Catalyst

We're at Catalyst in Dallas, TX this week with a booth representing Casas Por Cristo. As we write these words there are thousands of people filing in the doors to hear Christian leaders from around the US speak. People have come to this conference to be challenged in their faith, and to return home with a renewed fire for their churches and ministries. This is a great conference for networking and growth and to hear about the latest causes in social justice from around the world. However, hidden beyond the hoopla of a huge conference and people dressed in crazy costumes is so much more.

What is masked beneath free give aways and flashing neon lights are exhibitors and speakers that have given their lives to fight for the causes that we believe in.  We have traveled across the country to share the burning message that Jesus has burdened our hearts with. We are here on behalf of a world that is crying out and begging for you to care.

Every speaker has stepped out boldly with challenges to do more. They are reminding us that God's message on our lives is not to be comfortable, but rather to give everything and to risk it all on the crazy belief that God is enough. They are begging us not to live easy lives but to live better stories.  His call is to die to ourselves, to give everything we have so that someone else might find life in Him. It is about suffering and sacrifice spurred on by an unapologetic and selfless love.
 

Attendees are adorned with buttons and t-shirts that proclaim boldly, "I am courage" and "LEAP." Every time you walk out of that auditorium, you are presented with opportunities to follow Him. Within the four walls of this conference are photos of starving women, families desperate for housing, children without shoes, young girls being sold into slavery and people that have never even heard the gospel. We are praying that you can hear beyond the DJ's mixed beats to the cries of the oppressed that fill these halls. 

 

As exhibitors, we pray that when you view our organizations you can see past our big screen TVs and large displays to our hearts.  We hope that you see lives willing to be sacrificed for the gospel of Jesus Christ and His children around the world. We pray their stories will break your hearts as they have broken ours. We hope that the inspiring words that are re-tweeted from speakers are lived out.  Honestly, we pray that this conference changes everything; that you can't leave here and go back to your church or your ministry and be safe. We hope that you leave here to live reckless, unsafe lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ and it turns your worlds upside down.