Hunter Sprague

Friends and family,

I just thought I would give you an update on my internship, and fill you in on what’s going on here in Austin!

First of all, thank you all so much for walking with me in this season. Your support has made my development as a disciple, leader, and artist possible. I could not do this without you guys! Your continued prayers and encouragement mean more than you’ll ever know.

My time at the Austin Stone thus far has been incredible. The Lord has already used this season to refine and grow me in incredible ways. We have been hard at work telling stories, growing in discipleship, learning theology, and living in community.

It has been a very exciting and fruitful time with Story Team. We have been blessed with a handful of really great stories to share with the body; stories of people selling everything they own to go to the nations, people rising up to the call of adoption, people being transformed by the Gospel and forgiving their worst enemies, and people holding tight to Jesus in the face of struggles and hardships. I have had the opportunity to conduct interviews, take photos, shoot video, and edit audio, and it has been truly amazing to see my gifts expanded and used for the Kingdom. One huge thing that we’ve been blessed with is our own page within the Stone’s website. It has be great to have all of the work we’ve ever done on a single page that looks incredible. You can see that here: http://austinstone.org/stories/stories-main.

Here is one of the pieces that I have been able to take photos for: https://vimeo.com/46975462 This project was such an honor to be a part of. I hope you guys are blessed by these stories.

I’m also excited to be going through the Men’s Development Program at the Stone this year. This is an intensive seminary-level course designed to build doctrinally-sound and biblically-trained men. The course has really challenged me and shown me how little I really know about the God we serve, but I have already seen a much deeper understanding of the Gospel. I believe this course, in addition to my internship, will be absolutely vital to molding me into a man that is fit to serve the Kingdom, lead my peers and family, and glorify the Lord with everything that I’ve been given.

Another thing to rejoice in is that our community group, or Missional Community, has expanded from 3 people to 12 over the past couple of months. We set out a year ago to live in community with other Gospel-centered artists, and it has been incredible to live life with more guys who have the same heart. Our hope for this group is to see the church’s artists rise up in faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. It has been amazing to see our hearts be transformed as we grow closer with each other and with God.

Our church recently started a new series on adoption. Our pastors have done a great job of teaching the body about how we have all been adopted and called sons and daughters by the Father. Now, knowing that, we are to extend that same spirit to those around us, whether they are orphans, kids stuck in the foster care system, or simply those who need guidance from someone who genuinely cares. Here’s a video that our team produced to go along with the series: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLOgtobOWHQ&list=UUuIa7xIvcRIPqCBpu_Lz9jg&index=2&feature=plcp

This subject always hits me hard as I’ve seen my sister and brother in law walk through this process, as well as it being something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s crazy to think about how this man looks at his new baby, and loves that child with such an intense passion that he is shaken to his bones. He can’t help but be brought to tears because he is so pleased with his child. Yet, our father looks at us with a passion that is infinitely greater. He looks at us and he is pleased because we are simply His. He rejoices in our very existence, and calls us His children, despite all of our wickedness. He did not leave us to our own depravity, but pursued us and gave us more than we could ever hope for. What an honor!

Lastly, I ended up not raising enough funds to go full-time here at the Stone. I’m currently $200 away from my goal each month, and would like to be fully-funded by the end of the year. It would be greatly appreciated if you could prayerfully consider supporting me with more each month. It would also be great if you could pass this along to anybody that might be interested in partnering with me as well. Here is the link to my online giving page: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=2f6cbd

Thank you guy so much for what you’re doing. I pray that the Lord blesses you all in of your sacrifice and support.

Blessings,

Hunter Sprague

We released this video last weekend in an ongoing sermon about suffering. It’s an incredible story of a very brave woman that has held tight to God’s promises in the midst of cancer. I believe the Lord did something huge on sunday through that sermon and this video, and will continue to do so. This is honestly a tough video for me to watch, as it reminds me all of the struggles I’ve been through with my arm injury as a child. With that, I’ve been constantly reminded lately that the God who ordains all suffering is the same God that carries us through them, and all of these things are ultimately being worked for our good. May we be a people who hold tight to Jesus in life and in death, in health and sickness, in joy and sorrow. Always.

Thank you for loving me when I hate you

Thank you for healing me when I let the world harm me

Thank you for speaking to me when I need your words the most

Thank you for saving me from a life of sin

Thank you for lifting me up in my darkest hour

Thank you for hearing my praises, even though they’ll never be good enough

Thank you for showing me what to do when I have no idea

Thank you for blessing me even when I turn my back on you

Thank you for holding me when everybody else turns me away

Thank you for calming me when I get worked up

Thank you for giving me my daily bread when I think I don’t need it

Thank you for convicting me when I think I have everything right

Thank you for the breath in my lungs

Thank you for the music I’m listening to

Thank you for the roof over my head

Thank you for the food I’ll eat today

Thank you for a healthy body I so often destroy

Thank you for amazing parents, and that they love you as they love me

Thank you for my sisters and brother-in-laws that I’ve learned so much from

Thank you for my nieces and nephews, let there be an anointing on their precious lives

Thank you for my best friends, may they seek you and find you

Thank you for happiness, which you alone can give

Thank you for worship, which is a privilege

Thank you for hope, that we have in you alone

Thank you for the joy you give to us when we live for you

Thank you for the stars, my God they are beautiful

Thank you for sunsets, my God they are glorious

Thank you for the moon, my God it is gorgeous

Thank you for the mountains, they tell of your power

Thank you for the oceans, they speak of your wonder

Thank you for your children, may I love them as you do

Thank you for your sacrifice, without it I am worthless

Thank you for mercy, without it I am disgusting

Thank you for your spirit, it is ever-powerful

Thank you for your will, may I be completely submerged in it

Thank you for your majesty, you are an artist Father

Thank you for my future wife, may I love my bride as you love yours

Thank you for my future kids, may I show them how to live for you

Thank you for communion, bless our gatherings

Thank you for your birth, you were king even as a child

Thank you for your life, you showed us how to live

Thank you for your death, I was bought with blood

Thank your for your resurrection, you are the risen king

Thank you for your throne, may I worship you for all of eternity

Thank you for your commission, may I live to fulfill it

Thank you for your love, for it is unconditional

Thank you for being you