Help Jared go to Desperation Leadership Academy

jared hillestad Start Date: Jul 5, 2015 - End Date: Aug 18, 2015
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Missionary Service
  • Leadership/Training Program
  • Colorado Springs, CO, United States

My Travel Story

by: jared hillestad Start Date: Jul 5, 2015 - End Date: Aug 18, 2015
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Missionary Service
  • Leadership/Training Program
THE DESPERATE PURSUIT OF GOD!

My name is Jared Hillestad, I am 19 years old and currently live in Utah. I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado and will be moving back in September to begin an Internship with Desperation Leadership Academy (DLA) which is a large global youth ministry  associated with New Life Church in Colorado Springs.

Desperation Leadership Academy is specifically designed to train, teach, and grow young people in pursuing a life fully committed to God and to better prepare them for a life of full time ministry.  I will be taking this year to focus, first & foremost, in pursuing the heart of God. The emphasis will primarily be on Passion, Intercession, Consecration, and Mission.  My schedule will consist of daily prayer meetings and various classes throughout the week. This will be hand's on ministry and leadership training, plus developing my personal gifts and abilities. I also will be working with adult and youth ministries at New Life Church, auditing classes at "The King's University," working with Desperation  Band, assisting them with logistics for on-the-road concerts as well as their annual youth Conference in Colorado Springs. In the spring I will go on a missions trip to Trinidad and Tobago to share the Gospel and help with the physical needs of the local people there.

A little about myself.  I was born into a wonderful loving Christian family and regularly attended church and youth groups. I accepted Jesus into my life when I was about 6 years old. As I grew older I became more distant from God and began to seriously question my faith around the age of 15. When I was 16 years old I became essentially agnostic and had many questions  and frustrations about life and my faith in general. Very soon after this I began to have an intensive "gut feeling" that persisted day and night telling me, "You're going to be a pastor."  I fought this feeling with all my might and even began to pray to God, making vows, saying that if he didn't make me "waste my life" becoming a pastor I would go back to being a "good christian" and do things like tithe regularly, go to church, do good deeds and read the Bible.  But the feeling still persisted.

The day after my 17th birthday in 2014, while I was attending Desperation Conference in Colorado Springs, I finally gave in. I renewed my relationship with the Lord and agreed to give my entire life over to Him. I began to intensely study the Bible and began a vigorous prayer life. Very quickly God began working through my life and started to make Himself clearer and clearer through both His Word and answers to prayer. That school year he set my heart on fire to share my faith and even worked through me to lead some of my friends to a saving relationship with Christ. I became much more involved in my church and youth group, and began to love and share life with people I once resented and made fun of.  God has completely changed my life since that day, almost two years ago, and has filled me with passion to pursue God's calling in my life for full time pastoral ministry.  By helping me on this next step of the journey you are allowing me to dig deeper into a relationship with God, enabling me to share His truth and love with passion and clarity. 

How you can help: 

1. PRAYER - The most important thing I can ask you to do is to pray for me and for this incredible ministry that He has called me to.  It is my sincere prayer that I will always remain in God's will and favor,  serving Him with my whole heart, for His glory, and for lost souls to be saved. 

2. SHARE - Share this post with others and follow me on any of my social media sights or blog (links will be posted at the bottom of this article and in various updates).  If you need further information or have any questions at all please contact me.

3. FINANCIALLY - Desperation Leadership Academy is a very demanding FULL TIME+ Internship.  Because of this, interns are unable to maintain any sort of outside employment. Your donations will allow me to pay for the costs of the internship itself, as well as my traveling expenses during the mission portion of the program, and living expenses.  Any donations are greatly appreciated beyond understanding. You are helping me to pursue my life's calling, passion, and most importantly, God's will.  If you feel led please donate any amount you are comfortable with. Thank you so much!

I invite you to check the following links that will provide more information on Desperation Leadership Academy. 

For His Reward,

Jared Hillestad

contact me or learn more
  • Colorado Springs, CO, United States