The world will tell your story if it’s compelling enough. Vy Higginsen is a pioneer, producer and publisher who leads the Gospel For Teens Choir in Harlem, New York City. Her story was recently captured by 60 Minutes correspondent Leslie Stahl, who followed Vy for nine months, focusing on an outreach program established to rescue teens who live within the five boroughs of New York City. Through the voice and venue of a choral program, the futures of hundreds of youth have been radically changed.

Vy recruits several dozen youth, auditions them and then invests the better part of a year transforming their individual voices into a powerful choir with one voice. In the beginning, many of these young people have a difficult time publicly declaring their own names and where they are from. The program is designed to address their lack of identity, purpose, brokenness and often their guilt and shame.

If you’re like me, you’ll find it difficult to get through the segment without being deeply moved by Vy’s passion and her commitment to helping these young people reclaim their voice and ultimately their purpose. You can watch the videos here: 4sq.ca/60Minutes.

“Speak: Reclaim Our Voice” will be our theme for 2012. I have been deeply moved by the Holy Spirit in my times of prayer and reflection concerning this next season ahead. The church that finds its place of influence during the 21st century will not seek to play it safe. It will commit to taking risks, not being afraid of a world that is desperately seeking purpose and clarity.

Our roots are intertwined in the persuasive story of a creative entrepreneur who boldly declared her dependence on the Lord. Flawed and fruitful, Aimee Semple McPherson left a global legacy of a passion for the disenfranchised, a contending for the power of the Spirit, and a desire to tell the gospel story in a compelling way that would transform individuals, a city, a nation and the world.

Most of us would agree that the apostle Paul knew how to speak. He was bold and even boisterous in his pursuit of taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Yet in Acts 18:9, the Lord spoke quite directly to Paul, saying, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent” (NIV).

The city of Corinth would have presented multiple challenges to anyone on a mission to bring the message of the cross. A large, cosmopolitan seaport city of 500,000, Corinth was godless, immoral and idolatrous. Ministers of the gospel were up against significant opposition.

God confronted Paul’s fears, because giving place to them would squelch any possibilities of a spiritual transformation in this city. That encounter with the Lord re-energized Paul, and he stayed for 18 months, engaging in a powerful ministry partnership with Aquila and Priscilla.

The most talented and focused among us need to be reminded occasionally not to let life or circumstances rob us of our voice and influence. We must keep on speaking—and not be afraid!

The Foursquare Church is a MOVEMENT (of leaders and churches), with a MESSAGE (Jesus Christ as Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon-Coming King), on a MISSION (making disciples of all nations).

This past year, many in our Foursquare family read through the book of Acts every month, revisiting the foundation and MISSION of the early church. This coming year, I’m asking you to join us on a new shared Bible journey, as we read through the Gospels. Our weekly prayer emails will focus on the fourfold ministry of Jesus, as we revisit this powerful reminder that is the centerpiece of our MESSAGE.

The simple clarity that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us as witnesses to the most powerful life lived is a testimony to God’s great love for all of us! There’s a reason the Bible is still the bestselling book of all time—no other story provides such hope. Let it saturate your soul during this coming year, and may the Lord help all of us to reclaim our voice!

Let me share several important points of celebration, clarity and communication:

Connection 2012

Phoenix, Ariz., will be the host city for our annual convention, May 28–31, 2012. We are excited about the guests who will unpack more of the theme, “Speak: Reclaim Our Voice.” Wayne Cordeiro, Chris Hodges, Ted Olbrich, Ralph Moore, Keith Jenkins, Margaret Feinberg, Obed Orozco and Ed Stetzer are among our speakers and guests. Worship will be led by Eric Diaz in the morning and Matt Redman at night.

We will provide a full day of learning tracks with something for everyone, including worship leaders, administrators, ForeRunners, NextGen leaders, international missionaries and guests, and senior pastors. We will also host a one-day Hispanic convention, called Conexión Hispana.

The team is working extra hard this year to make convention a place for all kinds of leaders, and Phoenix is a great opportunity to bring some or all of your team with you. In my recent mailing, we included a few “save-the-date” cards for you to share. We are encouraging everyone to consider sponsoring a younger leader and his or her spouse to come and experience convention.

Convention is the only opportunity we have each year to connect as a global tribe, experience our diversity, and discern God’s voice for us as a movement. Would you prayerfully consider whom you might invite and sponsor to go to Phoenix with you? Debbie and I have personally decided to give air miles, provide a travel stipend and cover the registration for one young couple to get to Phoenix.