campus on a Friday night. Everyone pitched in by praying, making arrangements, setting up, bringing snacks, hanging posters and inviting people. I was afraid it would turn into a flop but it was a smashing success further proving that it is God at work here bringing students to himself and that I need to follow his lead even when it makes me nervous. Part of what made me nervous was giving away so much responsibility. However this is one of the major ways God moved in our students. They took on they challenge and ownership for the event. Paul standing in the photo was in charge of fun and games and the room stayed packed and full of energy as different conversations and activity formed all over the room. As InterVarsity students from the different studies met and connected they reached out to the campus village students who came and the spirit was working through them welcoming and building community. The joy of the Lord was so present. Several of us met an international student from China, who is curious about religion and taking advantage of his time here to visit church and explore what power might be there to change people. My students and I have a more knowledge now of that power that as at work through us by the Spirit of God and our obedience to his word and leading. It is changing us individually as a fellowship and is reaching out to the rest of the campus through this amen!!!Tuesday, February 17, 2009
When God is at work
In response to what we have studied in Luke and experienced in Jesus I invited my students to celebrate by throwing a party. To further apply what we had learned and extend our joy to others we threw it at campus village, the closest thing to dorms at the Auraria campus on a Friday night. Everyone pitched in by praying, making arrangements, setting up, bringing snacks, hanging posters and inviting people. I was afraid it would turn into a flop but it was a smashing success further proving that it is God at work here bringing students to himself and that I need to follow his lead even when it makes me nervous. Part of what made me nervous was giving away so much responsibility. However this is one of the major ways God moved in our students. They took on they challenge and ownership for the event. Paul standing in the photo was in charge of fun and games and the room stayed packed and full of energy as different conversations and activity formed all over the room. As InterVarsity students from the different studies met and connected they reached out to the campus village students who came and the spirit was working through them welcoming and building community. The joy of the Lord was so present. Several of us met an international student from China, who is curious about religion and taking advantage of his time here to visit church and explore what power might be there to change people. My students and I have a more knowledge now of that power that as at work through us by the Spirit of God and our obedience to his word and leading. It is changing us individually as a fellowship and is reaching out to the rest of the campus through this amen!!!
campus on a Friday night. Everyone pitched in by praying, making arrangements, setting up, bringing snacks, hanging posters and inviting people. I was afraid it would turn into a flop but it was a smashing success further proving that it is God at work here bringing students to himself and that I need to follow his lead even when it makes me nervous. Part of what made me nervous was giving away so much responsibility. However this is one of the major ways God moved in our students. They took on they challenge and ownership for the event. Paul standing in the photo was in charge of fun and games and the room stayed packed and full of energy as different conversations and activity formed all over the room. As InterVarsity students from the different studies met and connected they reached out to the campus village students who came and the spirit was working through them welcoming and building community. The joy of the Lord was so present. Several of us met an international student from China, who is curious about religion and taking advantage of his time here to visit church and explore what power might be there to change people. My students and I have a more knowledge now of that power that as at work through us by the Spirit of God and our obedience to his word and leading. It is changing us individually as a fellowship and is reaching out to the rest of the campus through this amen!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The overwhelming needs
I'm not even going to attempt to catch up what has happened between now and my last blog. I will give a quick overview of my hearts journey over break. Something snapped into place spiritually. It was like when at the eye doctors they switch between lenses and all of a sudden you can read the bottom row. I became acutely aware of my need for a savior, of my need for Jesus, and not only my need but everyone around me desperately needing Him as well. I hadn't even realized the subtle ways I begin to think people are ok without Jesus or ok with a watered down "just be a nice person" "God helps those who help themselves" "all paths lead to God" kind of Christianity, I mean its better than nothing right? But for a week I had my eyes opened to how nothing but Jesus and surrender to Him and acceptance of His sacrifice and His plan will lead to life. Nothing else leads to life and wholeness, and all around us are the suffering, the broken and the dying. And they don't know it, and most of the time we don't either. I thought of my students and how I see them transformed before me as they choose to follow Jesus. That at each point they choose His will they grow stronger, braver, and more joyful. I felt my call to be an InterVarsity staffwork strongly affirmed. Right after this week of intense awareness I became incredibly discouraged about the support raising side of my calling. Even if I love the campus and desire for more students to follow Jesus that won't happen without me having hours to build the ministry on campus. Though I am surrounded by the incredible generosity of so many believers I am still about 30, 000 dollars short of a full time budget. This is an amount impossible for me to raise. Which reminds me that this is a work of God and not about my abilities or connections. Through much prayer and encouragement from other staff around me I am beginning to have hope that I will have the suppourt I need to continue on as a staff worker at Auraria. Already this semester God has been moving to bring students to himself and I am so excited and blessed to be part of that.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The Big Story
This Thursday my staff partner and I took two of our students to Proxe Station training at CU Boulder. Proxe Stations are an amazing outreach tool designed by staff in the great lakes region. It uses fine arts, interaction and conversation to introduce students to the Christian faith and invite them into further investigation with bible studies designed specifically for seekers. I had an incredible hour long conversation with a girl named Sarah who has felt increasingly suspicous and distant from the Christian faith she originally grew up in. Even so she has a deep longing for spirituality. I wasn't able to answer all her questions but I shared some of "the big story" with her and convinced her to leave behind her contact information so she could be with other people asking the same questions as they look at the life of Jesus for answers. "The big story" is an evangelism tool designed in San Diego. I decided to began reading the book
"True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In" by IVCF staffworker James Choung, that it comes from. I already had it as IVPress regularly sends me books to share with students and enhance my ministry. This may be the read of the year and I recommend it to everyone. Both the book and "the big story" that came out of it places what our faith means in context and refuses our tendancy to make our beliefs serve us instead of being challenged by truth. I have attempted to include the video of James Choung sharing it.
"True Story: A Christianity Worth Believing In" by IVCF staffworker James Choung, that it comes from. I already had it as IVPress regularly sends me books to share with students and enhance my ministry. This may be the read of the year and I recommend it to everyone. Both the book and "the big story" that came out of it places what our faith means in context and refuses our tendancy to make our beliefs serve us instead of being challenged by truth. I have attempted to include the video of James Choung sharing it.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
August kinda like bullet train
It's already Sept 14th and my brilliant plan to share more stories by blogging has been foiled. Here is a quick one. Friday, Aug 15 the first week of class, I was glad that the floating couch I drive has six seatbelts. Three freshman, and two sophomores who were with us last year crammed into my car to go to a Wii tournament we had arranged as an outreach event. It was really wonderful to spend time with these new students. The house we had the party in was crowded but full of really good conversations inbetween Wii tennis. Chantel one of our sophmores was wonderful at engaging new students and its fun to see her grow up with the chapter. Continue to pray with me that the students we met the first month of class will become involved in our weekly bible studies and groups.
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