Awaken 2011

Hello everyone!

I don't typically like to use my blog for advertising, but I need to let you all know about the upcoming Awaken conference, first of all, check out this video that I made advertising it!

If the player above isn't working, click here to watch it on the Awaken website. 

I encourage each of you to come to the Awaken conference, from June 10-11 at St. Albert alliance church. Wes Martin and Justin Rizzo (click on their names and you'll be directed to their websites) are going to be presenting. Both of them are missionaries in Kansas City at the International House of Prayer. I have been privileged to personally meet both of them and I must say they are both incredible men of God. You will be truly blessed if you are able to make it to the Awaken conference. 

There is also something special around Awaken that I want to inform you about. If you have ever wondered what worship is like in the prayer room, there is a perfect opportunity for you the day before the Awaken conference. Mark Your calendars for June 9 at 7:00. We will be having a night of worship, prayer, and teaching at Central Baptist Church. Wes Martin will be speaking to us on the House of Prayer and why it is so important, and Maria Collette (with me and a few others) will be leading a time of intercessory prayer and worship (just like we do in the prayer room, only with a full band!) Please try to make time for this! Especially if you have been able to support me financially, it would be a great way for you to come and experience the ministry that you are sowing into!

Thanks and blessings,

sorry for the advertisement, but I am so passionate about Awaken, it is going to be SUCH an incredible conference and you all should attend!!

That's enough for today, 

until next time,

Daunavan Buyer

Back in the Swing of Things

Hello blog followers, friends, and anyone else. Thanks for checking my blog today. It's been a while since I've updated and I'll be honest: I've been super busy! Since my last blog post, I've been to San Diego (vacation), Mexico (missions trip), Medicine Hat (ABA General sessions), completed a video for the ABA on leadership development, and had a really bad 1 1/2 week sickness... Needless to say, it's been crazy!

I wanted to start off this post today by simply praising God for how faithful He has been to Kirsten and myself in this last little while. Not only did God provide us with the funds that we needed to GO to Mexico for the missions trip, He also provided us (every penny and more) with the shortage of funds that came as a result of Kirsten missing 2 weeks of work. Thank you thank you thank you to those of you who have been financially supporting my work at House of Prayer. I hope you know that you are causing miracles because of your faithfulness to God! I have really seen the church at work and God at work since I've been fundraising, and I have to say: there is really nothing more beautiful than when the Church truly acts as the hands and feet of Jesus. All the praise goes ultimately to God but I also hope you know that I am so grateful for each of you reading this, for your prayers as well as for your financial support! That being said, if you feel that you would like to support what God is doing at House of Prayer, please follow this link  and click "Donate Now." If you would like these funds to specifically go to myself, my designation is HR03. There are other ways that you can give, so email me if you have any questions.
On the Horizon
So, now that my cold has finally lifted, I can honestly say I feel like I am back in the swing of things (finally!). So what's on the horizon for myself and House of Prayer?
1. I bought running shoes, which I hope to employ as soon as this wretched white stuff runs goes away for a little while!
2. I am extremely excited to let all of you know that House of Prayer Edmonton is hosting an Awaken conference in June (10-11) where people from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City will be coming to teach us and lead us in worship. This conference is open to everyone and is centered around "Encountering the Beauty of Jesus." I highly recommend anyone to go to this conference, I believe it could be life-changing for anyone going that is keenly hungry for the things of God. For more information on the conference, click here.
(There's more blog under the photo, but please prayerfully consider attending Awaken and click the poster underneath!)

3. In light of the upcoming election, House of Prayer Edmonton is hosting a night of worship and prayer centered around praying for Canada and that God's will would be done with this election. The night of prayer is happening at McKernan Baptist Church (11125, 76 ave.) in the Lighthouse (West Building (McKernan Child Development Center)) on Tuesday, April 26. Prayer and worship will begin at 7:00PM and we highly encourage any and everyone to come and join with believers from across the city in prayer (Invite your friends, it's going to be an awesome night). 

4. For myself, I am doing quite well. With the Awaken conference coming up, a lot of my focus at this time is going to be on promoting the conference (making videos and trying to get churches on board). We want this to be quite a big deal because we believe that it's going to be such a great time.. I am excited for this. 
5. Finally, both through House of Prayer and my own initiative (and a Focus3 course), I am beginning to pursue a vision that God has laid on my heart for city wide interdenominational unity (both through corporate events and relational seeds being sown). My primary focus is going to be something called "Unity Nights." I don't know how they are going to start, when they are going to start, or anything like that.. at this point it is a vision. Please pray for me, both for wisdom as far as how I am to go about getting this off the ground, and practical doors to be opened. 
6. Mark your calendars for ONE more thing (I Promise, other than Mexico, this is the last update), On TUESDAY, MAY 24 I am going to be preaching at HoPE Tuesday (our weekly prayer meeting on Tuesday nights). It would be great to get a bunch of support out for that! I will be preaching on Ephesians 1:17-19, Paul's prayer for the Ephesians that they would receive a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of God... I'm looking forward to it and believe that the Holy Spirit is going to use that time powerfully!
Mexico Trip:

(Our team and the Church we helped complete (scattered as usual))

(A better shot of the team)
For those of you asking about the Mexico trip, it was amazing! We stayed with missionaries in San Luis, Mexico (Rich & Lori Barcelona), whom our church has built a very incredible relationship with over the years, and we served a church plant minutes away from Rich & Lori's church. The trip was a family trip, so there were kids on our team from 5 years old to 13 years old. While this caused a bit of chaos at times, for the most part it was awesome to see the kids really excited about serving in another culture (our prayer is that this will become something normal for them). 
Other than 'normalizing' missions for the kids, one of the main purposes of the trip was to serve this church plant. When we arrived, the church was not quite finished. While there was a roof, a concrete slab, and walls (With some electricity and minimal plumbing), it looked like very unfinished. We were able to drywall, paint, install bathrooms, and a whole variety of other things, making their church quite beautiful!

A view inside the sanctuary, Blain and Cam finishing up by screwing a cross on the front wall.

Their pastor joyfully posing for a picture in his now (almost) completed sanctuary.

I can honestly say that we really got a taste of what the Kingdom of Heaven is like while we were on our trip. Not only in seeing how the team was able to bond in unity together in being the hands and feet in Jesus, but also in hearing the stories of what God is doing through this church planting couple in Mexico.. They literally sold everything they owned and moved to San Luis out of obedience and it's incredible how God has used them to help many many people come to faith, feed many hungry children, and see many people healed (emotionally and physically). 

Thanks for those of you who've made it this far. If you have any more questions about the trip or want to know how to support the missionaries there, please email me. I look forward to hearing from you. 

I also look forward to updating you all soon about the awesome stuff that God is doing.. I am excited for this summer and the many opportunities for kingdom impact that the summer is bringing! Be blessed! 

Daunavan Buyer

Just a few of many nice sunset pictures that I took.. I hope this blesses you a bit today