Jordan Bierkortte is a current Core Adviser to the Core named Watchmen

What is your core name?

Jordan Bierkortte: Watchmen

Why is Watchmen your core name?

Jordan Bierkortte: Our core verse is 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” The word “provide” in the Greek has over 200 interpretations. Many of which have connotations such as “to plan ahead” “to make a way” “to see things coming” “to be prepared.”  So I try to instill to the men in my core teaching and values that reflect the importance of properly evaluating what it is going to take to achieve their desired outcome no matter what it may be. I try to delegate tasks to show them the weight of leadership and what happens when people abdicate their responsibilities and fail to fulfill commitments.

Why did you become a core adviser?

Jordan Bierkortte: I didn’t have a father. I understand the value and importance of male mentorship/discipleship. I see a generation that is void of fathers especially good Christian leaders who are willing consider others better than themselves. I see a Christian culture and a generation that has so few men willing to count of the cost of what it takes to lead a family, business, ect. I want to raise up men in a core that will understand the fore thought, preparation, and sacrifice it takes to effectively and efficiently advance the kingdom of God. My heart is summed up in a quote by Edwin Louis Cole, “ I push guys to do the things they don’t want to do to become the men they’ve always wanted to become.”

What is the hardest part of being a core adviser?

Jordan Bierkortte: Patience. The different levels of seriousness and urgency in leadership. People abdicating their responsibilities. Doing what you know is right even though you know its not popular opinion.

What was your favorite core?

Jordan Bierkortte: Well, the guys tell me this is their favorite core: We played the line game from freedom writers. It’s where the guys line up opposite of each other. I asked them questions such as “How many of you have unsaved loved one?” “How many of you are afraid of failure?” “How many of you have trouble believing God loves you?” These questions are designed to create vulnerability and create unity to show the guys they aren’t alone in their struggles. They also had weights around their necks to represent the baggage they carry. When they confess that, it takes the weight off to show the power of confession.

If your core could walk away with one thing, what would it be?

Jordan Bierkortte: Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words.

Amanda Ayers is the Core Adviser to the Core known as Beloved.

What is your core name?

Amanda Ayers:Beloved

Why do Cores have a name?

Amanda Ayers: Cores have names because it gives the group an identity. It gives the group a common goal. It also creates vision for the year.

Why is Beloved your core name?

Amanda Ayers: It’s the vision God has given me for my life. It is what I personally believe and am striving for. It is about gaining identity as the Lord’s Beloved. My heart cry is that these women would have their identity restored. I pray against the lies that they aren’t His Beloved and that my core would be healed and restored.

How is a Core beneficial to the Honor Academy experience?

Amanda Ayers: Core is the most influential aspect of the Honor Academy experience. The Core is the greatest tool at the Honor Academy and it is used to grow you in character and ability to relate to people. There is a vision behind a Core and it gives you something to work toward. It provides reason to why you are here. Ex: I am here to know Christ as My BELOVED.

What is one thing you want the girls in your core to walk away with?

Amanda Ayers: I want them to identify themselves as Christ’s BELOVED.

What does a CORE do together?

Amanda Ayers: They do life together. A core lives together in 1-2 rooms. They wake up together and brush their teeth together. They see each other mad, angry, upset, and frustrated. They are within the same social circle.

There is also an event known as CORE?

Amanda Ayers: Yes, the Core meets together every other week. The Core Adviser will teach the meeting known as Core. It’s an opportunity for practical guidance. In Core meetings, I have taught on identity in the Beloved, intimacy with the Beloved, and surrender to the Beloved.

What has been your favorite core?

Amanda Ayers: I had the girls write down lies they believed about themselves on a piece of paper. I brought each of them to a sink. They read aloud the lies and then lit it on fire. They watched the lies burn to ash in the sink. In front of them was a mirror but the mirror was covered. This was an example of how the lies block us being able to see who we really are. I then told the girls to rip down these sheets. When they pulled them off, the word BELOVED was written on the mirror. These lies kept them from seeing they are His Beloved. They then wrote truth about themselves on the mirror. We prayed for these truths to become reality in their lives.

What is a Core adviser role?

Amanda Ayers: A Core Adviser functions as a mentor, as a friend, as a sister. She is there to intercede endlessly, to carry burdens to the cross, to cry with them, to laugh with them. A Core Adviser also facilitates the Holy Spirit in their lives so that they walk away from this year as completely different people.

CORE

This term is used quite frequently at the Honor Academy.

When interns come to the Honor Academy they are placed in a core. Core is the group of people that are most influential in an intern’s Honor Academy experience. This is a group of 6-12 same-gendered people, who live in the dorms together. The dorms have triple bunk beds and most rooms have two of these triple bunk beds, so one room can hold up to 6 people.

Core Advisor

The core is composed of a Core Advisor (CA). A Core Advisor is a 2^nd year intern who acts as a mentor. The Core Advisor aids in development of spiritual growth.

Assistant Core Advisor

Each room has an Assistant Core Advisor (ACA). The Assistant Core Advisor assists the Core Advisor. The Assistant Core  Advisor is a leader among the peers in their room. They help delegate room cleanliness. They conduct weekly room meetings and they also fill out paperwork. They help people in the room with knowing the rules and schedule.

Adopteds

The Core also includes selected 2^nd year interns. These interns are selected by the core advisor. They are known as “adopteds” since they are adopted into the core. The adopteds don’t live with the core but live in graduate intern housing and serve the ministry of Teen Mania in different roles. They provide help to the core advisor and also additional guidance to those in the core.

Core is also a bi-weekly event when the Core group of people get together to learn from their Core Advisor. This meeting presents biblical concepts in practical ways to inspire integration into daily life.

Often times this Core group becomes close, so close that they refer to each other as sisters or brothers. The Core is like family with accountability.

I grew up in a generous family.

I say generous family but, actually, my mom was the generous one. We would be driving to church and pass a hitchhiker. My mom would beg dad to go back and pick up the hitchhiker. My dad would mention how we were gonna be late for church. He’d mention our names and safety. My mom would promise dad that the hitchhiker would not be an axe-murderer.

This scenario reminds me of Jesus choosing to give people His time. The Bible never mentions Jesus MAKING time for His disciples. It never mentions Jesus prioritizing the poor, sick and needy. Rather, Jesus always had time to give.

Always.

Jesus ALWAYS had time.

Jesus got tired. Jesus became hungry. He was tired when he sat at a well exhausted. And yet He still gave His time and salvation to the Samaritan Woman. (John 4:1-26)

Needless to say, my dad turned the car around and picked up the hitchhiker…he was not an axe-murderer. My mom would proceed to give the hitchhiker the sandwich she had stashed away for after church.

Jesus asks us to give our time but also give our sandwiches or possessions. Jesus asked the rich young ruler to give away all of his possessions.

Notice Jesus said ALL.

Jesus didn’t say, “Give all your possessions except for the house, car, grocery money, and college fund.” Jesus didn’t ask the ruler to give away everything except for what he needed. Jesus asked for everything. The rich young ruler decided to walk away from Jesus. (Luke 14:25-35)

We express love for God by expressing love for the poor. (Matthew 25:35-40) We shouldn’t give out of obligation or duty but rather, love. God’s love and generosity toward us inspires us to love and be generous in response.

The hitchhiker was a soul needing someone to show him the love of God.

Should there be a line between love and self-preservation? Should we cling to some possessions?

…Do you think it’s realistic to give ALL we have in this generation?

Written by Shekinah Heinritz

Resources:

Charity

Disney music car rides, half off appitizers, camp fires, and sprinting back to the dorms to make curfew… #Blessed #Adventures #HAlife

Najonin @Najonin

Just finished my burrito from #Chipotle and I’m 100% full #HALife

Cameron Payne @cameroncpayne

Donut Palace run with Cobb #HAlife

Nic Sibson @FriendofNic

Kicked it old school & went out to Sonic for dinner. Reminds me of good times w/ good friends in the #HAlife.

Andrew Nanulaitta @DrewNanulaitta

Its a gorgeous january sunday. Time for roasting hot dogs on an open fire by the lake and tossin round the pigskin. #CoreDay #HALife

Michael Keith Ylag @michaelkeithcy

Sushi Night with the @SOWBand #goodtimes #halife

Jessica @guitargal09

Bonfire and carrot cake fight with my ha family #HAlife

Dominic Brizzi @TheDomBrizzi

Loving that we are fasting tomoro and on friday our #50HourPrayerBurn starts #HAlife

 JAMIEROSE @RatedJAE

First Prayer and Fasting Day of the Year #HAlife

Andrew Nanulaitta @DrewNanulaitta

Today has been evidence of the spiritual hunger within the students on campus. Praise the Lord! #HALife

 Rachael Blackburn @RockellThePeep

Off to dinner, #PrayerRoom, and then core. I love #Intimacy with the Lord. #Excitement #HALife

*Follow us on twitter @honoracademy

*Join the conversation:

#HAlife

#HApray

These thoughts may have crossed your mind when talking to a current Honor Academy Intern. It’s time for your confusion to end with….

Teen Mania Explained!

Since its founding in 1986, Teen Mania Ministries has grown into a “tree with many branches” and the name “Teen Mania” now includes six major programs. Each of these ministry units play a vital role in accomplishing the overall mission of Teen Mania: To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth!

In the summer of 1985, Ron Luce, president and founder of Teen Mania, and his wife Katie set out to change the world. They set out on a six month mission trip with the intention to take the gospel message to those who have never heard before.

While away, God burdened their heart for teenagers in America. So they returned to the United States to spark a revolution that would become known as Teen Mania.

In 1986, Ron and Katie began traveling across America to rally teenagers with the vision of forsaking the American dream to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. These small church rallies grew into stadium events, reaching up to 250,000 people every year, and are known today as BattleCry and Acquire the Fire.

Young adults came to Ron’s house wanting to serve. They would manage logistics during the day and then listen to Ron speak in the evening. This turned into an intensive discipleship program that trains teenagers of today to become the leaders of tomorrow. Honor Academy Interns are the workforce behind Teen Mania Ministries. Each year more than 500 young men and women take part in developing themselves spiritually, professionally, and emotionally through the Honor Academy.

Global Expeditions Mission Trips (GE)

An outreach designed to give teenagers a chance to serve and learn about other cultures while sharing their love for God on both stateside and overseas mission trips ranging from 1 week to 2 months. Trip Leadership is committed to mentoring the missionaries and helping them to develop personal character that is Christ-like. Global Expeditions has sent 67,783 missionaries on the field to 69 countries and has documented 1,324,637 reported decisions for Christ.

Visit Our Mission Trip Website

Acquire the Fire Youth Events (ATF)

A 27 hour larger than life youth convention hosted in over 30 major cities annually. The rallies bring hundreds of church groups together from all kinds of evangelical backgrounds to focus on inspiring local youth to a greater love and passion for the Lord, while teaching practical ways to apply the gospel in their own lives. Over a million students, many with their parents and youth leaders, have attended an Acquire the Fire event in their community and been challenged to grow in their faith.

Visit Our Youth Conference Website

The Honor Academy Internship (HA)

A year-long internship for high school graduates and young adults crafted to provide leadership training, opportunities to deepen faith in God, and make strong life-long friendships all while serving in a placement directly contributing to the ministry of Teen Mania as a whole. There are over 5,000 graduates of the Honor Academy and many have gone on to influence the world by making their faith the foundation of their lives.

Visit Our Christian Internship Website

The Center for Creative Media (CCM)

A professional-level development program for those wanting to express their faith while working with television, graphic design, film, and other technological media. These interns become part of a two year adventure where they have the opportunity to sharpen their skills by meeting the media needs and requests of all the other programs of Teen Mania as well as other outside ministries and popular bands.

Visit Media Internship Website

School of Worship (SOW)

The School of Worship began as a second-year program for Honor Academy graduates and has since blossomed into one of the largest programs on campus. Through specific skills classes and intensive discipleship, the School of Worship empowers young musicians in their technical skills and grows their spiritual leadership so they can use their music for the glory of God.

Visit Our School of Worship Website

Extreme Camps (XC)

A week-long camp hosted on Teen Mania’s Garden Valley campus two to three times each summer inviting students between the ages of thirteen and eighteen to participate in the fast-paced fun of paint ball, ropes courses, swimming, and extreme games. During each camp session, Extreme Camps hosts dynamic speakers and widely known Christian music artists whose messages inspire students to a new passion for Jesus Christ.

Visit Our Texas Christian Camp Website

Please comment if you have any questions regarding Teen Mania and it’s ministries.

Ever since I was 16 months old, my family took in foster care children. My parents put a lot of effort into making sure every foster child felt apart of the family. I would share my room, share my toys, and I would call them my brother or sister. However, I never completely understood what it meant to be a sister. I thought that living together made us sisters. Over the years, I have realized that being a sister is more than a title.

A sister makes the decision to daily be a sister.

A sister knows that before she sets a standard, she has to follow it.

A sister sets the example of seeking God. She makes Godly decisions.

A sister sharpens others toward holiness.

A sister prays for her family.

A sister is someone who understands.

A sister will be beside us when no one else wants to be beside us.

A sister listens. This is so simple and yet so essential.

A sister doesn’t hold on to mistreatment or harsh words.

A sister doesn’t say mean things when she is angry.

A sister always protects and always loves unconditionally.

A sister is the only one who can pick on her siblings.

Sisters have a bond that best friends can’t break. God taught me how to love each sibling with His unconditional love. This love took some of my sisters by surprise because they thought no one could ever love them. They thought their past affected our relationship, but since they were my sisters their past didn’t affect my opinion of them. I learned to love them even when they did things that hurt me. I learned to love them even when they didn’t love me in return. I think of all my sisters and I’m thankful for them shaping me into the woman I am today. I consider them my best friends, the jewels of my heart.

There was one special sister named Miah. We became close very quickly. She had a disease known as cerebral palsy. Her disabilities made it hard for her to fit in with normal kids. I got to know her. I heard her story. I heard the troubles she went through and how she felt about being different. I wiped the tears from her eyes. One day we were playing in the backyard and some people came to take her away. I helped her pack her clothes into black trash bags. The moment she went to the car, I realized she would be gone forever and that I’d never see her again. I started to chase after the car taking her away but my dad held me back. I sat at the window of our front door as the car drove away. I looked inside the car and saw that she was crying.  We both knew we would never see each other again.

There was a connection of sisterhood, something more than words can express.

Something inside told me to fight to protect her, to protect her from the judgment or normal kids and to protect her from all the hate in the world. My heart ached for weeks. It felt like a piece of my heart was ripped out and the only thing left was a gapping hole. I don’t know where Miah is today but I think about her all the time and pray that she is safe and with a family that loves her more. This is the heart of a sister, a sister who lets go for God to do His work.

An example of a sister in the Bible is Rahab. In Joshua 2:12-13 Rahab asks the spies to save her parents and brother and sisters. If you think about it, she probably wasn’t in good speaking terms with her family. She was a prostitute and which was extremely shameful. In verses 1-4, it talks about Rahab’s house. She was most likely living alone, without her family, but yet, she cared for them. Her family didn’t do any of the work of hiding the spies or helping her. She could have asked to only spare her, but she didn’t.

I ask God everyday to help me be better than the day before. I challenge you to ask God to be a sister to the siblings He has placed in your life.

written by Poiema Heinritz

Poiema is a 17yr old Senior who wants to become a psychiatrist to help foster children know the miraculous power of God.

*Used with Permission

Brokenness

God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9) Paul says, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Paul realized

that he was weak,

that he was lacking,

 and that he was a broken person.

The beautiful part of being broken is God’s desire to

love you,

empower you,

and exalt you.

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:27) God used His own Son to display this point.

Jesus was God’s son. Jesus was of same equality with God and yet He humbled himself to become human. He humbled himself to the point of death and not only death but death on a cross. Because Jesus Humbled himself, God exalted Him. Philippians 2 mentions every knee will bow in the presence of Jesus Christ. Every single person that’s ever lived will say His name: Jesus.

God desires to exalt you. Will be broken before Him?

* Click on the above video to listen to Nancy Leigh DeMoss speak on the evidences of a broken person.

The Honor Academy usually hosts the Super Bowl for all interns. Pizza is delivered. The game is placed on the big screens. This event includes hilarious commercials. These commercials are videos created by interns and have been played at past Superbowl parties. This year we opted for a slightly different approach, but we think that these are worth watching again anyway Most of these videos included inside jokes. Here are a couple videos for your enjoyment!

Trailer Club is the Men’s program  for interns on campus.

 Upon arrival Honor Academy Interns go through several interviews. This is one key question asked:

Trailer Club men often open doors for ladies and clear the dishes in the cafe.

This month our Christian Internship is filled with activity.

Chapel

This week’s Chapel speaker was Sujo John, a 9/11 survivor. Six months previous to the terrorist attacks on the two World Trade towers in New York City, Sujo had moved from India seeking adventure and prosperity in the United States. Sujo worked on the 81st floor of the North Tower, and his then pregnant wife Mary worked in the 71st floor of the South Tower. By the grace of God, they both survived to tell of their accounts of those horrific events. Sujo John has since founded Sujo John ministries.

Mid-Year Defenses

Currently August interns are presenting what they have learned these past 6 months at the Honor Academy. The interns are encouraged to use creativity. This creativity includes paintings, modge podge, song, dance, power points, videos, and ect. This is a good time for reflection and continued growth.

Campus Preview Weekend

Affectionately known as CPW, Campus Preview Weekend is on the horizon. This weekend prospective interns will come to campus. We are preparing to make this weekend memorable.

Fasting

The Fasting Life Transforming event will occur February 16-19.  This is a time devoted completely to God. For three days, interns will fast food as well as all electronics. They will also refrain from speaking. This weekend is set aside to speak with God and for God to speak with the interns.

Week of the Ring

We are gearing up for an upcoming event called The Week of the Ring. Throughout this week interns will attend several sessions covering the importance of living a life of integrity, honor, purity, etc. The week will conclude with the Ring Banquet on Saturday, March 10th, 2012 in which we will present August interns with an authentic Honor Academy Ring to represent this lifetime pursuit of honor before the Lord. It is our heart’s desire that this ring serves as a constant reminder to each young person of that lifelong commitment.

This is a great time to encourage the interns. If you are able, we ask that you write  a note of encouragement to your intern. Please email these notes to: Kelsey.Fraser@teenmania.org

We also invite you to join us at this special banquet to share this memorable event with your loved one.

Seating is limited, so we ask that you reserve your seats as soon as possible but no later than 5pm CST Friday, February 25th. Tickets are $10.00 per additional attendee (intern’s cost is covered by the Honor Academy). The Ring Banquet starts seating 6:30pm.

Please RSVP by calling Kelsey Fraser: 903-324-7556.