Gay.
Straight.
Trans.
Bi.
Our culture uses these words—and many more—to describe and even identify people. But do they define us?​
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What determines our identity, sexual or otherwise? How does what we believe influence what we do? And in a world of seemingly ever-shifting values and beliefs, how can a Christian respond in both truth and love?
If you’ve wondered about any of these questions (or others related to sexuality, identity, and purpose) you need to attend one of our upcoming ManUp/ReignOn weekends. We held our first one a few weeks ago in Pryor, Oklahoma, and have the next one scheduled for Feb. 15-16 at Trinity Baptist Church in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

Come hear speakers including Peggy Nunley, Mike Lehew and Dr. Walker Moore as you learn how God has uniquely gifted you to glorify Him through your identity, purpose and calling.

We’ve designed these weekends with an interactive format, so you’ll have both large- and small-group time to work through the materials and share with others. If God is calling you to be a world changer (and He is!), the ManUp/ReignOn weekend makes a fantastic place to start. Come, bring a friend, and prepare to find yourself challenged, inspired, and changed. 

Here we are, almost three weeks into 2019. Have you broken your New Year’s resolutions yet? Statistics show that by February, 46 percent of people have already given up on those first-of-the-year goals.

Although Awe Star did make a Christmas list (and it’s never too late for Christmas!), we haven’t made any New Year’s resolutions. But what we do have are lots of ways 2019 means #NewYearNewUs, and we thought we’d share a few while we can still call this a new year.

1. New Staff: Our new intern, Tyler Olson, joins Whitney Maie Hunter to serve both with Awe Star and with Church Inside Out. Tyler may be new to our internship program, but he is no stranger to Awe Star, having served with our teams multiple times and seen God do amazing things in countries from Mexico to Latvia. Welcome back, Tyler!

2. New Trips: Our Mexico Christmas  and Refugee teams recently returned (the Refugee team just last week) from ministry. Our Mexico Christmas  and Spring Break teams are longtime Awe Star traditions. But the Refugee team represents just one of the many ways Awe Star is reaching out and reaching beyond to push back the darkness and bring in the light. Check out earlier blog posts (Mexico, Refugee) to see the great things God has done through these teams, and be sure to visit our 2019 trips page to see if God is calling you to one of the countries we’ve served before or a brand-new adventure in a brand-new place!

3. New Events: We just finished our very first ManUp/ReignOn Weekend at Life Fellowship Church in Pryor, Oklahoma, with more of these challenging, inspiring weekends yet to come. Come learn what it means to be a man or woman who walks out God's design for your gender and how God has uniquely gifted you to glorify Him through your identity, purpose and calling. Watch our social media accounts to find out when and how you can participate, including our next ManUp/ReignOn Weekend in Tulsa, coming up in just a few weeks! 

4. New Emphasis: We kicked off our 2019 emphasis at iGO this fall, but in case you missed it, 2019 is the year of pH: proclaim Him! We know He has called us to proclaim Him in our local area, in the surrounding region and to “the ends of the earth.” Are you following Him in obedience? How far will you go to proclaim Him?

5. New Merch: Check out the Awe Star Store … it’s not just T-shirts and hoodies anymore! Share your heart for missions even before you hit (or return to) the field with our caps, beanies, bracelets, pens and more including (you guessed it) some Awe-some T-shirts!

6. New Heart: God promised to replace our heart of stone with a heart of flesh (see Ezek. 36:26). As you pray for our ministry, ask the Lord to give you a heart that would reflect His kingdom. You just may find that as He fulfills His promise, you’ll follow your new heart to pray, give and go in new ways.

How's your 2019 going so far? We’d love to hear about how He is making all things new in you!    

#TeamRefugee awoke this morning to their first day of work among Refugee families. Yesterday was a day of preparation physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Because of the time difference when we post a blog, it is in the middle of the night at home and early morning here. The team has worked hard to ‘adjust’ to the new time zone so they can be effective, alert, and attentive to the pressing needs of so many.


Our day yesterday began with a church service with many nationalities ( kinda felt a little what Heaven will be like), then we pulled medical bags and began to organize medications, injections, and wound care supplies they will be used on home visits. ‘Medical backpacks’ were made to go out with providers, other team members organized meals and market runs, others spent time praying and discussing how so many diverse skills in medicine, trauma, mental health providers, and other giftings could reach and serve the Refugees here.


We have committed Proverbs 16:9 to our prayers “ A man makes his plans, But God charts his course. “
Will you pray this with us that each of us would be placed in the right group to go visit and that we would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purpose for us here.
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We are having an incredible time and sense the darkness lifting more and more as we pray and worship. Would you join us in asking God to determine our steps and glorify His name in all we do?

#TeamGambia awoke this morning to their first day of work among Refugee families. Yesterday was a day of preparation physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Because of the time difference when we post a blog, it is in the middle of the night at home and early morning here. The team has worked hard to ‘adjust’ to the new time zone so they can be effective, alert, and attentive to the pressing needs of so many.


Our day yesterday began with a church service with many nationalities ( kinda felt a little what Heaven will be like), then we pulled medical bags and began to organize medications, injections, and wound care supplies they will be used on home visits. ‘Medical backpacks’ were made to go out with providers, other team members organized meals and market runs, others spent time praying and discussing how so many diverse skills in medicine, trauma, mental health providers, and other giftings could reach and serve the Refugees here.


We have committed Proverbs 16:9 to our prayers “ A man makes his plans, But God charts his course. “
Will you pray this with us that each of us would be placed in the right group to go visit and that we would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purpose for us here.


We are having an incredible time and sense the darkness lifting more and more as we pray and worship. Would you join us in asking God to determine our steps and glorify His name in all we do?

#TeamRefugee has all arrived at the Dallas Airport! Every one is excited and ready to go. Please pray for us as we begin a long journey of travel today. Will you pray the Lord would give us favor on flights, divine encounters in our seats, and rest so we can hit the road running when we arrive! We will keep you posted as we travel via social media and let you know when we arrive! #JesusLovesRefugees