Here's an update from our staff, Joe, who works at Siena College.
"We weren't able to get a table this year for the club fair (which has put our gears into "high" on getting recognized as a club at Siena). However, students are still motivated and have decided to go door-to-door over the weekend to get 150 students to fill out surveys. Please pray for them this weekend. Aaron (a fellow staff member) has graciously volunteered to help me out and do a follow-up training for the leaders Monday night. Then, we'll begin follow-up on Tuesday. Different plan than we originally thought, but God is still moving. We had 10 students at the initial planning meeting yesterday. 4 freshmen"
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Sage College of Albany
We have often shared with you about a student we met our very first year in Albany; that year she was a freshman at Sage College of Albany - a small college of about 400 students down the street from us. She has worked tirelessly and often alone. At the end of her freshman year, we met a young man, a year older who is a Jesus-follower. We were thrilled that she would have a co-laborer the following year, and, together they completed the process for becoming an official school organization ("Cru"). Even though they worked diligently to reach out to the Sage community, at the end of another year, there were 2 more Jesus-following students connected with them. Here's some of an email she just sent this week about this year:
Hello Everyone,
Thank you again for your willingness to pray for CRU this year! I'm here to report that your prayers are already being answered! :-)
In my last note I mentioned that we were going to be having our activities fair last Friday. In all honesty I was just hoping and praying to find one other like minded Christian among the incoming freshman class and hoped at least a couple people showed some openness to spiritual things. Well I must say God went above and beyond!! As of now we've connected with 15 people who have all showed interest in attending our weekly meeting! Now out of those 15 we know for sure that at least 5 of them are Christians. With a current group size of 3 another 5 would mean we've more than doubled in number already. So with so much promise on the horizon we are all super excited! One guy I spoke with helps lead worship at his church and really wants to do so for us too which is way awesome!
So what we have coming up now is a meeting on Tuesday to talk about the awesome response and how we are going to handle it and informal get to know each other/hang out meeting with all the new people on Thursday. Additionally we'll be doing a movie night on Friday which will allow us to connect further with our new people and allow everyone to invite some friends along. Afterward we'll have some pizza and hopefully have some good bonding time and meet more students. Then on Saturday we're doing an outreach for freshman where we'll be offering free car washes and air fresheners for their cars. We're hoping to use that as a good time to start dialogs with students and demonstrate God's love in a tangible way. So we've got a very busy week ahead of us and will despteratly need your prayer support through it all!
This is what you can be praying for this week:
1. That we connect with all 15 people people who gave us their contact info
2. That we bond well with all the new friends who will be coming along side us in our mission at Sage
3. That the Holy Spirit guides all of our conversations with students that we interact with during our movie night and car wash
4. That we connect with many students who are spiritually seeking and are able to guide and lead them in the right direction
5. That God guides and leads us as we plan out where to go next with CRU during the semester
6. That new students are able to get connected at good local churches
Hello Everyone,
Thank you again for your willingness to pray for CRU this year! I'm here to report that your prayers are already being answered! :-)
In my last note I mentioned that we were going to be having our activities fair last Friday. In all honesty I was just hoping and praying to find one other like minded Christian among the incoming freshman class and hoped at least a couple people showed some openness to spiritual things. Well I must say God went above and beyond!! As of now we've connected with 15 people who have all showed interest in attending our weekly meeting! Now out of those 15 we know for sure that at least 5 of them are Christians. With a current group size of 3 another 5 would mean we've more than doubled in number already. So with so much promise on the horizon we are all super excited! One guy I spoke with helps lead worship at his church and really wants to do so for us too which is way awesome!
So what we have coming up now is a meeting on Tuesday to talk about the awesome response and how we are going to handle it and informal get to know each other/hang out meeting with all the new people on Thursday. Additionally we'll be doing a movie night on Friday which will allow us to connect further with our new people and allow everyone to invite some friends along. Afterward we'll have some pizza and hopefully have some good bonding time and meet more students. Then on Saturday we're doing an outreach for freshman where we'll be offering free car washes and air fresheners for their cars. We're hoping to use that as a good time to start dialogs with students and demonstrate God's love in a tangible way. So we've got a very busy week ahead of us and will despteratly need your prayer support through it all!
This is what you can be praying for this week:
1. That we connect with all 15 people people who gave us their contact info
2. That we bond well with all the new friends who will be coming along side us in our mission at Sage
3. That the Holy Spirit guides all of our conversations with students that we interact with during our movie night and car wash
4. That we connect with many students who are spiritually seeking and are able to guide and lead them in the right direction
5. That God guides and leads us as we plan out where to go next with CRU during the semester
6. That new students are able to get connected at good local churches
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACP)
You may remember last spring, when our daughter Anna Kate introduced us to her Sunday school assistant, Katie, who is a Jesus-following student at ACP.
Dave reconnected with Katie this fall, as she returned to Albany for her 5th (of 6) year. Dave and Katie met together, along with 3 other young women. They will begin meeting together as a Real Life Group. Pray for men. There is a high demand for pharmacists, so the campus is experiencing significant growth as demand for its services grows. ACP is located near our home on the same block as the law school (untouched) and the med school (currently inactive) right in the heart of Albany. ACP has been the location of quite a bit of prayer over the years. So, we are encouraged to see God's hand at work and His answer to our prayers.
Dave reconnected with Katie this fall, as she returned to Albany for her 5th (of 6) year. Dave and Katie met together, along with 3 other young women. They will begin meeting together as a Real Life Group. Pray for men. There is a high demand for pharmacists, so the campus is experiencing significant growth as demand for its services grows. ACP is located near our home on the same block as the law school (untouched) and the med school (currently inactive) right in the heart of Albany. ACP has been the location of quite a bit of prayer over the years. So, we are encouraged to see God's hand at work and His answer to our prayers.
Fall 2010 Launches
Almost every campus within our scope began school on Monday, August 27. Dave and our staff team have been busy! Here's a glimpse at what's been going on:
@ RPI- 400 surveys were taken by college freshmen; 60 of those students asked for a way to connect with Jesus followers on campus or to hear more about knowing God personally.
@ U Albany- 300 surveys were taken by college freshmen; 150 of those students asked for a way to connect with Jesus followers on campus or to hear more about knowing God personally.
At each of our campuses, surveys are followed by appointments and by campus parties. Our small groups, which we call Real Life Groups, begin next week. Pray that we are able to faithfully follow up with these contacts and connect students to Jesus and other Jesus followers!
Wrapping Up Wildwood
Wildwood Stats
1500 Spiritual conversations
1000 Gospel presentations
David returned to Wildwood the beginning of August to help the students "close out" the project - debrief, reflect and prepare to transition back to campus. As you may know, our staff are only at the Summer Project for the first half of the students' stay (about 5 weeks); the students remain, with the same schedule, under peer leadership for the second 5 weeks. At the end of the Summer Project:
*** There are 50 new brothers and sisters in Christ! Praise God!
*** As staff, and more specifically directors, we feel like there has been a breakthrough in our ability to encourage and resource students towards patiently demonstrating and proclaiming Jesus in the workplace. (Their workplace on summer project is their primary ministry outlet.) While this is significant for the Summer Project, it is even more significant as the students return to campus as Christ-centered laborers with tools to represent Jesus well in their dorm, their classroom, and their post-college workplace.
*** There are Incredible numbers of international students present in Wildwood. Entire city blocks are inhabited by only young college students from overseas trying to make money over the summer. Our students began the process of decoding the best ways to have an impact among this group of people in summers to come. Several international students met Jesus over the summer, and several international students who already follow Jesus connected with our project, were a wonderful encouragement to our students, and were encouraged by our students.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Wildwood Summer Project 2010 - women's time
Last Saturday, we pulled together only the women and only the men separately.
For the women's time, the staff women decided to highlight the lies women believe and proclaim God's truth that replaces those lies. After dessert and an introduction from The Jesus Storybook Bible (which we highly recommend, even for adults!), the women were given a list of lies to prayerfully consider. The women circled the lies they believed, then traded papers. One by one each lie was read and women in the room stood if that lie was circled on their paper; this allowed everyone to see how many of us struggle with the same lie. Then the truth of God's word was read to combat that lie.
I was stunned when nearly the entire room of women stood when this lie was read: "I am not beautiful." It was really eye-opening to see women stand for each lie, often a majority of women for each lie.
After a time of sharing and prayer, the night ended. A new environment of trust and vulnerability began that night, and we pray it continues throughout the summer!
For the women's time, the staff women decided to highlight the lies women believe and proclaim God's truth that replaces those lies. After dessert and an introduction from The Jesus Storybook Bible (which we highly recommend, even for adults!), the women were given a list of lies to prayerfully consider. The women circled the lies they believed, then traded papers. One by one each lie was read and women in the room stood if that lie was circled on their paper; this allowed everyone to see how many of us struggle with the same lie. Then the truth of God's word was read to combat that lie.
I was stunned when nearly the entire room of women stood when this lie was read: "I am not beautiful." It was really eye-opening to see women stand for each lie, often a majority of women for each lie.
After a time of sharing and prayer, the night ended. A new environment of trust and vulnerability began that night, and we pray it continues throughout the summer!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Wildwood Summer Project 2010 - week 1
Students have been in Wildwood just over a week. We had a great (and busy) student orientation week, and now, most students have their jobs and we are all settling in to our project schedule. Here are a few stories from our staff:
One of the questions we often ask others is, "On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your desire to know God." One staff member and a student were on the Boardwalk initiating conversations. The two people they were talking with answered this question 10 and 7, respectively. The young man who answered 10 (let's call him Luke) said, "This will be a moment I'll look back on and wonder if we don't go through the booklet (speaking of the Knowing God Personally booklet which explains simply and concisely how to begin a relationship with God through Jesus)." As the conversation continued, all of the friends "Luke" was with on the boardwalk dispersed, and he was left alone with the two project members. At the end of the booklet there is an opportunity to express your desire to follow Jesus through prayer. At this point in the conversation, Luke said, "I can tell this is for me because everyone else has left." As they talked more with Luke, they could see God's perfect timing at work in their initiative. . . . Luke had just been asking "big" questions that weekend because of another booklet he had been given which had said the end of the world would be May 15. What a great reminder of how God moves and works in the lives, hearts and minds of people and how He can use us!
Another couple of our staff were on the Boardwalk initiating conversations, when one responder said to them, "I know what you are going to tell me. You are going to tell me that I can know God personally through Jesus because Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sin.. . . That's just too easy and not fair." This individual is stuck because she can not believe that God gives us the gift of eternal life freely, at God's expense.
God is also answering the personal prayers of the staff and students on our project as they live in close community with one another and build friendships on the project.
One of the questions we often ask others is, "On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your desire to know God." One staff member and a student were on the Boardwalk initiating conversations. The two people they were talking with answered this question 10 and 7, respectively. The young man who answered 10 (let's call him Luke) said, "This will be a moment I'll look back on and wonder if we don't go through the booklet (speaking of the Knowing God Personally booklet which explains simply and concisely how to begin a relationship with God through Jesus)." As the conversation continued, all of the friends "Luke" was with on the boardwalk dispersed, and he was left alone with the two project members. At the end of the booklet there is an opportunity to express your desire to follow Jesus through prayer. At this point in the conversation, Luke said, "I can tell this is for me because everyone else has left." As they talked more with Luke, they could see God's perfect timing at work in their initiative. . . . Luke had just been asking "big" questions that weekend because of another booklet he had been given which had said the end of the world would be May 15. What a great reminder of how God moves and works in the lives, hearts and minds of people and how He can use us!
Another couple of our staff were on the Boardwalk initiating conversations, when one responder said to them, "I know what you are going to tell me. You are going to tell me that I can know God personally through Jesus because Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sin.. . . That's just too easy and not fair." This individual is stuck because she can not believe that God gives us the gift of eternal life freely, at God's expense.
God is also answering the personal prayers of the staff and students on our project as they live in close community with one another and build friendships on the project.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wildwood Summer Project 2010
We have been in Wildwood, along with the other directors and their families, since Thursday. However, today our staff arrive - seventeen staff from the northeast and great lakes regions - and we really get going. We will spend the next ten days in staff orientation - preparing for our roles on the summer project and the work we will do with the students and connecting with Jesus and one another. This year's theme is "Treasuring Jesus, Impacting the World." This is our greatest hope and desire for each of our staff, the staff children who will also be with us, and our students - that we will treasure Jesus above all else and impact the Wildwood world around us. If you think of us, you can pray along those ideas.
Also, in the next ten days, Dave has lots of responsibilities to get the project going on the "right foot." You can join us in praying that God will provide all that Dave needs to do this well.
Also, in the next ten days, Dave has lots of responsibilities to get the project going on the "right foot." You can join us in praying that God will provide all that Dave needs to do this well.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Registered at RPI
After a year of significant growth among students involved with Real Life at RPI, we knew it was time to register as a student organization in preparation for the fall. RPI has a highly organized application process with a starter constitution which could potentially cause us difficulty in the future. After spending a significant amount of time and effort trying to blend our needs with RPI's requirements, we decided to simply submit our own Real Life constitution and pray that it would find favor with those in charge at RPI. Much to our surprise, we immediately received notice of the acceptance of our constitution and official status as a club at RPI pending a brief discussion with the campus chaplain! Please pray our students find favor in this meeting and that it is the beginning of a great relationship with the chaplain and RPI.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
This summer, we have a number of students who are participating in Summer Projects sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. In addition to these students, we also have many students who will be involved with other missions and ministry opportunities. Even though it is our job to invite students to take advantage of these opportunities, we also honestly believe that it is a summer well spent. After all, we often remind students, how many times in your life will you have about 3 months to do with as you please? (Not many, as we know!) Here's a story about one of our student leaders who has chosen to participate in a 2-week long opportunity in Boston:
"For so long I was envious of others that were able to go on summer projects(summer long missions trips with campus crusade) but I thought it impossible because of my lack of funding. Lets be honest these are really hard economic times. But I failed to see that EVERYTHING belongs to Jesus, EVERY single thing. The God of the universe is bigger than pieces of paper that fade away with time. With encouragement from staff from Albany campus crusade (who I would much rather refer to as my very dear friends and mentors), I decided that I would step out in faith and apply to a two week summer project in Boston. I almost bargained with God, which I highly suggest NOT doing. I said "Lord if you want me to go forward with this and trust you, please allow me to be accepted." It wasn't too long after, that I heard back and was indeed accepted to go on the mission trip/discipleship experience. Every day I am seeing God move mightily. Just when I feel like this goal of raising $1000 is insurmountable, God provides and I am one step closer to this goal. I am so thankful for this process, because even if it may seem like a small step, one small step is all it takes before you begin making strides."
We are so proud to watch students, just like this one, taking steps of faith and trusting God in new ways. She has watched God quickly provide for the full cost of the project, as well as her traveling expenses!
"For so long I was envious of others that were able to go on summer projects(summer long missions trips with campus crusade) but I thought it impossible because of my lack of funding. Lets be honest these are really hard economic times. But I failed to see that EVERYTHING belongs to Jesus, EVERY single thing. The God of the universe is bigger than pieces of paper that fade away with time. With encouragement from staff from Albany campus crusade (who I would much rather refer to as my very dear friends and mentors), I decided that I would step out in faith and apply to a two week summer project in Boston. I almost bargained with God, which I highly suggest NOT doing. I said "Lord if you want me to go forward with this and trust you, please allow me to be accepted." It wasn't too long after, that I heard back and was indeed accepted to go on the mission trip/discipleship experience. Every day I am seeing God move mightily. Just when I feel like this goal of raising $1000 is insurmountable, God provides and I am one step closer to this goal. I am so thankful for this process, because even if it may seem like a small step, one small step is all it takes before you begin making strides."
We are so proud to watch students, just like this one, taking steps of faith and trusting God in new ways. She has watched God quickly provide for the full cost of the project, as well as her traveling expenses!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Anna Kate helps launch a campus
Well, kind of. Our sweet Anna Kate, who is 6 years old, is a great listener. A couple of weeks ago, she casually mentioned that the next Sunday would be Katie's last Sunday in her Kids Church classroom because Katie was going home for the summer. Our ears perked right up! We knew Katie must be a college student somewhere in the Capital Region! When Dave dropped Anna Kate off the next Sunday, he talked to Katie briefly. And, in fact, Katie is a student at the Albany College of Pharmacy - a school Dave, especially, has been praying for, asking God to grant us connections there. Dave and Katie met the following week. She has gathered 5 students for a Bible study, and told Dave she had been praying for help, that she knew she needed some help to do more than just a Bible study on campus. Well, Katie is home for the summer, but we will stay in touch and are looking forward to helping that group become more of a Kingdom-minded, Kingdom-building sort of group.
Monday, May 3, 2010
God provides 46 students
As of yesterday, there are 46 students from around the United States who have been accepted to the Wildwood Summer Project. We are so excited and so thankful. As we work to launch movements of Jesus-following students on campuses around the country, and especially in the Northeast, summer projects are important, imperative almost. So, when Dave decided to lead the Summer Project, we felt like it was important that this project grow - so that more students can have the life-changing experience of a summer project. It seemed like a supernatural, God-sized faith goal to set: a 30% increase over last year's project. And, now God has accomplished it.
Pray with us that each of these students trust God to provide for their summers and follows God all the way to Wildwood, New Jersey on June 1.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Paul and Godspace at Big Break
On Tuesday night Paul went out with some UCONN students to share the gospel. The group prayed a few times to connect with spring breakers and didn't see anyone really respond.. a bit discouraged they went to the Waffle House and "hung out"; while hanging out.. God Space (relational space for spiritual content) was created as they sat and talked amongst themselves. One of the UCONN students named Becky had a ton of reservations about the week and even more specifically why things weren't biblical.. like why is it really "wrong" to get drunk.. what's the big deal? Paul came over for lunch on Thursday and he told us the story of creating space for God to uncover what it was in Becky's heart.. she hadn't really trusted Jesus with her life! What ended up happening was Paul and the other UCONN students went through the Knowing God Personally with Becky.. at first she was embarrassed and didn't want to "do the prayer" with the group. But later that night she went on the balcony and cried.. and told Jesus she desired to know him and read the prayer! Paul engaged with someone who said "I'm a christian" and yet wasn't completely surrendered.. and he used God Space to engage and see someone trust Christ!
Report from Big Break
From Ellen:As we were playing ultimate Frisbee 2 guys named Jake and John were on the team with me and Jen (and a couple UCONN students too). It was a close game but we won by 1 point! yay!
After the game Jen, myself, 2 UCONN girls and these 2 guys Jake and John sat with us. I asked question about them and before we knew it I was talked through spiritual things.. I learned Jake's parents are going through a divorce and that he was Lutheran until his parents stopped going when he was maybe 10.. John's dad's brother is a reverend and his aunt is budist! I mentioned how we were using tools to ask spring breakers questions about spiritual things and even asked if any of them had a chance to talk about sprititual things on campus during the year... they said no! I turn briefly and Jen had already gone to her bag and whipped out the Soularium (to which the RPI students keep calling it a "game" .. haha.. we're still working on that.. ) The guys engaged with us and when asked on a level of 0-10 what's their desire to know God.. (after telling them they couldn't pick 0 because they were already talking to us about spiritual things!) they both said 6 and 8! I told my story and presented the gospel! I did bring out the KGP (Knowing God Personally booklet)to ask which circle they were (the point of decision in the booklet) and Jake said he had been trying to get to the circle on the right (a life submitted to Christ) ... after sharing he didn't have to "work at it" the gospel was presented and I challenged them to make a decision for themselves!
The BIGGEST win for me was when Jen and I were walking back to the van.. she said she learned something huge about this.. the guys STILL wanted to talk after presenting the Gospel.. she had thought it would have been awkward to just go back to talking after all that.. but it wasn't and she realized how "natural" talking about Jesus can be!
After the game Jen, myself, 2 UCONN girls and these 2 guys Jake and John sat with us. I asked question about them and before we knew it I was talked through spiritual things.. I learned Jake's parents are going through a divorce and that he was Lutheran until his parents stopped going when he was maybe 10.. John's dad's brother is a reverend and his aunt is budist! I mentioned how we were using tools to ask spring breakers questions about spiritual things and even asked if any of them had a chance to talk about sprititual things on campus during the year... they said no! I turn briefly and Jen had already gone to her bag and whipped out the Soularium (to which the RPI students keep calling it a "game" .. haha.. we're still working on that.. ) The guys engaged with us and when asked on a level of 0-10 what's their desire to know God.. (after telling them they couldn't pick 0 because they were already talking to us about spiritual things!) they both said 6 and 8! I told my story and presented the gospel! I did bring out the KGP (Knowing God Personally booklet)to ask which circle they were (the point of decision in the booklet) and Jake said he had been trying to get to the circle on the right (a life submitted to Christ) ... after sharing he didn't have to "work at it" the gospel was presented and I challenged them to make a decision for themselves!
The BIGGEST win for me was when Jen and I were walking back to the van.. she said she learned something huge about this.. the guys STILL wanted to talk after presenting the Gospel.. she had thought it would have been awkward to just go back to talking after all that.. but it wasn't and she realized how "natural" talking about Jesus can be!
Report from Big Break
From Ellen: We were assigned to haiti meal packing on Wednesday afternoon. I had asked a few ppl on the beach to come help us and many seemed unwilling to come.. even thought the weather was poor and there weren't that many out that day..
As we were walking back onto the property to just go help (they told us to try and then come back if you didn't have anyone) I prayed asking God to show us IF there really was someone to come with us.. I even saw Jen run down the beach looking!
On our way in.. there were 4 guys trying to get in to the Edgewater.. and being told no.. I quickly asked "Bro, we're going to pack meals for haiti on Edgewater, wanta come with us?!" The first guy said wow that sounds like fun! the other 3 were less excited.. but When I told this guy Cypres he could still come just him the others were in! We all walked together to the conference center.. Standing there almost brought me to tears! there were ppl working to make meals and at the same time a guy asking who wanted aprons.. I watched as these 3 girls (who came with UCONN girls) looked around embarrassed at first realizing that they were half dressed while many actually had clothes on! watching further you could see how they wanted to turn around and leave, but one of the UCONN girls smiled and said come on lets get hairnets and clean our hands.. the guy at the front "offered" and apron "IF they wanted it".. which of course they did! .. just after this.. I realized I saw this so I could help our guys.. they put their beers down and looked around uncomfortably and I immediately grabbed the hand santi stuff and started putting it in their hands and passing hair nets.. John even offered them aprons!
We ended up letting Paul and John take on the guys and the girls all went together to work at one table.. There was pumpin music blasting and we all got super into screaming random things in excitement when we finished a box or 2! I was overwhelmed at the love these spring breakers experienced and the acceptance that I saw the body of christ displaying!
As we were walking back onto the property to just go help (they told us to try and then come back if you didn't have anyone) I prayed asking God to show us IF there really was someone to come with us.. I even saw Jen run down the beach looking!
On our way in.. there were 4 guys trying to get in to the Edgewater.. and being told no.. I quickly asked "Bro, we're going to pack meals for haiti on Edgewater, wanta come with us?!" The first guy said wow that sounds like fun! the other 3 were less excited.. but When I told this guy Cypres he could still come just him the others were in! We all walked together to the conference center.. Standing there almost brought me to tears! there were ppl working to make meals and at the same time a guy asking who wanted aprons.. I watched as these 3 girls (who came with UCONN girls) looked around embarrassed at first realizing that they were half dressed while many actually had clothes on! watching further you could see how they wanted to turn around and leave, but one of the UCONN girls smiled and said come on lets get hairnets and clean our hands.. the guy at the front "offered" and apron "IF they wanted it".. which of course they did! .. just after this.. I realized I saw this so I could help our guys.. they put their beers down and looked around uncomfortably and I immediately grabbed the hand santi stuff and started putting it in their hands and passing hair nets.. John even offered them aprons!
We ended up letting Paul and John take on the guys and the girls all went together to work at one table.. There was pumpin music blasting and we all got super into screaming random things in excitement when we finished a box or 2! I was overwhelmed at the love these spring breakers experienced and the acceptance that I saw the body of christ displaying!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Whatever it takes...
From John: "God is going to do great things this semester! I will do whatever it takes!"
... said Tom recently (via text), a new believer and new student to our movement at RPI. We had just shared our faith with a student he had just met recently in his dorm on campus using an innovative short film to begin asking questions of each other about faith and spirituality. I am excited to see Tom growing in his faith and putting into practice skills he is learning on how to create space in his friendships for spiritual conversations and for God to come up naturally. He and I read GodSpace over winter break, where Doug Pollock, a fellow Campus Crusade staff member, shares some great ideas for doing just this.
... said Tom recently (via text), a new believer and new student to our movement at RPI. We had just shared our faith with a student he had just met recently in his dorm on campus using an innovative short film to begin asking questions of each other about faith and spirituality. I am excited to see Tom growing in his faith and putting into practice skills he is learning on how to create space in his friendships for spiritual conversations and for God to come up naturally. He and I read GodSpace over winter break, where Doug Pollock, a fellow Campus Crusade staff member, shares some great ideas for doing just this.
Four Laws in Mandarin
From Joe and Jen: Stacey has been great about being intentional with her friends and inviting them to her small group. Lindsey continues to come and her friend, Wong Ling also spends time with us on Monday afternoon. The challenge comes with Wong Ling's limited English, so a lot of the group is spent translating. It has been a learning experience for me and has grown my patience a whole lot! A few weeks ago, not sure where Wong Ling stood with Jesus, I invited him to sit down with Stacey and I to go through the Four Laws in Mandarin. He agreed.
The following Friday, Stacey, Wong Ling and I met in the student center. Together, we went through the four laws in Mandarin. It was amazing to just sit back and watch Stacey help Wong Ling through the four laws. Every now and then, I would answer questions, but Stacey helped him the most. At the end, he said he was the circle on the left and wanted to be the circle on the right. However, he said that he had prayed to receive Christ before, but was being lazy in walking with Him. It was encouraging to be able to share with him about our security in Christ and continue to tell Him about the grace of God and not by our works. He has a curiosity about the Holy Spirit, so this Friday, we are going to meet to go through the Spirit-Filled life in Mandarin. It still remains to be seen as to whether or not Wong Ling has a true relationship with God, but it is encouraging to see what God is doing in his life and how He is using us!
The following Friday, Stacey, Wong Ling and I met in the student center. Together, we went through the four laws in Mandarin. It was amazing to just sit back and watch Stacey help Wong Ling through the four laws. Every now and then, I would answer questions, but Stacey helped him the most. At the end, he said he was the circle on the left and wanted to be the circle on the right. However, he said that he had prayed to receive Christ before, but was being lazy in walking with Him. It was encouraging to be able to share with him about our security in Christ and continue to tell Him about the grace of God and not by our works. He has a curiosity about the Holy Spirit, so this Friday, we are going to meet to go through the Spirit-Filled life in Mandarin. It still remains to be seen as to whether or not Wong Ling has a true relationship with God, but it is encouraging to see what God is doing in his life and how He is using us!
Creating "Godspace" on campus
From Ellen: Here's the story from Alisons's perspective..
"Rachel and I went to the same high school, but we were never really friends. When she found out that I was going to Saint Rose she connected with me and we became great friends. Since Freshman year of college, I prayed that she would accept Christ and after doing a study on Godspace and learning how to have natural spiritual coversations with people, She began to open up to me. About a year ago, She expressed to me that she was looking to explore the "spiritual" side of herself and I began asking her questions about what she believed and listened to her. After a short while after that I asked her to come to church with me. She at first was too busy, but eventually she was asking me if she could come to church. After the first time she came to church with me she was really blown away by the community of believers. She felt accepted and loved and she was able to actually see John 13:5 being lived out "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The next week she accepted Christ!"
What Alison didn't share was that last year, Rachel was THE first student we did Soularium with on Campus! I shared my story with her sitting on St. Rose's campus a year ago (give or take a month!)
"Rachel and I went to the same high school, but we were never really friends. When she found out that I was going to Saint Rose she connected with me and we became great friends. Since Freshman year of college, I prayed that she would accept Christ and after doing a study on Godspace and learning how to have natural spiritual coversations with people, She began to open up to me. About a year ago, She expressed to me that she was looking to explore the "spiritual" side of herself and I began asking her questions about what she believed and listened to her. After a short while after that I asked her to come to church with me. She at first was too busy, but eventually she was asking me if she could come to church. After the first time she came to church with me she was really blown away by the community of believers. She felt accepted and loved and she was able to actually see John 13:5 being lived out "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." The next week she accepted Christ!"
What Alison didn't share was that last year, Rachel was THE first student we did Soularium with on Campus! I shared my story with her sitting on St. Rose's campus a year ago (give or take a month!)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Creating "God Space"
Last night (Thursday night)I met some students at 8:00 on campus.
All day and even on the way I was debating what that time would look like. We had talked about releasing them to do some "God space" (the title of a book about initiating spiritual conversations) but I was skeptical that there would be enough students around for them to approach and engage. Even as we sat talking about their breaks and their hopes for the semester I was uncertain about how much I would immediately challenge them to.
After talking about their hopes for the semester, I asked them what their fears were for the semester, or what they hoped would not happen. All three of them said they hoped they would not let fear stand in the way of what God had for them to accomplish that semester. I had silently asked God to confirm through what they shared whether or not we would venture out to engage students that night.
I asked them to start putting their fears away immediately by approaching students with God space questions for the next half hour. We did a brief role-playing training emphasizing four things:
1. Introduction, identification as a Jesus-follower, and permission to ask a question.
2. Active listening.
3. Summation with a statement like, "So what I hear you saying is..."
4. Ending by saying "Thanks for your time" or sticking around for more listening and some dialogue if invited to it by the student.
They went out having each picked a question they liked from page 63 in "God space". I told them I would stay in the student lounge and pray for them, which I did.
Jess was back in fifteen minutes, beaming. She had approached a girl, identified herself as a Christ follower, asked the question, listened intently, and summed up. The girl thanked her profusely, repeatedly, and wanted to know when and where the group was meeting. The agreed to connect on FB.
Maddy was back in 20 minutes with a new friend. The same thing had happened with her except this girl was a believer who thought she was alone at college and wanted to meet other believers immediately so she came with Maddy to our debrief. She visited for a while, asked us to pray for some things, and then left to play bingo, which I guess everyone loves.
Todd came back after an hour and a half. He had met some old high school friends and had a hard time transitioning to the question. He sat with them and caught up for a long time, sat through a minor drug deal, and a visit from a friar, and then finally worked up the courage to go to the question at the very end. They weren't as interested. He came back a little discouraged I think.
When they came back we went briefly through the Listening Test on page 57.
We spent the rest of our time together connecting relationally and talking small group shop, specifically about the idea of everyone committing to meditate on the agreed upon Scripture passage for the week so everyone could encourage the group with songs, hymns and spiritual songs and so the group didn't get too top-heavy.
The next training challenge I see is helping our students know when and how to walk through the spiritual and emotional doors that open for them. We talked about our 3-minute stories and having a brief Gospel presentation at the ready.
All day and even on the way I was debating what that time would look like. We had talked about releasing them to do some "God space" (the title of a book about initiating spiritual conversations) but I was skeptical that there would be enough students around for them to approach and engage. Even as we sat talking about their breaks and their hopes for the semester I was uncertain about how much I would immediately challenge them to.
After talking about their hopes for the semester, I asked them what their fears were for the semester, or what they hoped would not happen. All three of them said they hoped they would not let fear stand in the way of what God had for them to accomplish that semester. I had silently asked God to confirm through what they shared whether or not we would venture out to engage students that night.
I asked them to start putting their fears away immediately by approaching students with God space questions for the next half hour. We did a brief role-playing training emphasizing four things:
1. Introduction, identification as a Jesus-follower, and permission to ask a question.
2. Active listening.
3. Summation with a statement like, "So what I hear you saying is..."
4. Ending by saying "Thanks for your time" or sticking around for more listening and some dialogue if invited to it by the student.
They went out having each picked a question they liked from page 63 in "God space". I told them I would stay in the student lounge and pray for them, which I did.
Jess was back in fifteen minutes, beaming. She had approached a girl, identified herself as a Christ follower, asked the question, listened intently, and summed up. The girl thanked her profusely, repeatedly, and wanted to know when and where the group was meeting. The agreed to connect on FB.
Maddy was back in 20 minutes with a new friend. The same thing had happened with her except this girl was a believer who thought she was alone at college and wanted to meet other believers immediately so she came with Maddy to our debrief. She visited for a while, asked us to pray for some things, and then left to play bingo, which I guess everyone loves.
Todd came back after an hour and a half. He had met some old high school friends and had a hard time transitioning to the question. He sat with them and caught up for a long time, sat through a minor drug deal, and a visit from a friar, and then finally worked up the courage to go to the question at the very end. They weren't as interested. He came back a little discouraged I think.
When they came back we went briefly through the Listening Test on page 57.
We spent the rest of our time together connecting relationally and talking small group shop, specifically about the idea of everyone committing to meditate on the agreed upon Scripture passage for the week so everyone could encourage the group with songs, hymns and spiritual songs and so the group didn't get too top-heavy.
The next training challenge I see is helping our students know when and how to walk through the spiritual and emotional doors that open for them. We talked about our 3-minute stories and having a brief Gospel presentation at the ready.
Progress in the Athletic Department
From Joe: What a day at SEFCU Arena! Today was my first day back to work and it was awesome. I led basketball chapel today and we had 6 girls there. 2 came back and it was great to see them! I passed out the Passion and Power Bibles and the extra 5 that I had were all taken. In fact, the coaches had to give theirs away, because there were more girls that wanted them than Bibles that were available.
While we were in Chapel, a football coach came into the room to check it out. The football coaches had a meeting following us for new recruits. A basketball coach with the woman's team went over and asked for 15 more minutes to finish off our time. The football coach asked what was going on. When the b-ball coach shared about the ministry and who I am with, the football guy gave the basketball coach his card to give to me. They currently have a chapel and want to connect with a campus ministry or AIA. I will be scheduling a meeting with him sometime in the next few weeks. Another coach came up to me and said "I am excited to work with you." I hadn't even initiated anything yet!!! :) It was awesome. Please pray for the meeting coming up with Juan and any other coach that wants to join him. This is another door that God has clearly opened. Exciting!!!!
While we were in Chapel, a football coach came into the room to check it out. The football coaches had a meeting following us for new recruits. A basketball coach with the woman's team went over and asked for 15 more minutes to finish off our time. The football coach asked what was going on. When the b-ball coach shared about the ministry and who I am with, the football guy gave the basketball coach his card to give to me. They currently have a chapel and want to connect with a campus ministry or AIA. I will be scheduling a meeting with him sometime in the next few weeks. Another coach came up to me and said "I am excited to work with you." I hadn't even initiated anything yet!!! :) It was awesome. Please pray for the meeting coming up with Juan and any other coach that wants to join him. This is another door that God has clearly opened. Exciting!!!!
Looking for Opportunities to Serve
From Aaron: January 22nd Steph and I went to walmart, bought some poster board, Sharpys, and Glitter and made signs to take to the Womens Basketball game. Steph showed great leadership and invited a lot of people and was excited about doing this with me and anyone that would join us. It turned out to be Steph, Mandy and I that went to the game and cheered for the girls. But as we discovered, it only took the three of us to make a significant impact! There were maybe 50 in attendance at the game, mostly parents, some student athletes. In between me explaining the rules of basketball to the girls, we had tons of fun being loud, making up cheers, at many times we had the whole crowd doing cheers with us, and we definately played a part in the come from behind win! We had guys from both the Boys Basketball and Hockey teams come and talk to us and want us to go to their games. I think we struck a good chord and I believe out of any service thing we've tried, this has the greatest potential to bring unity within our group, attendance, and positive response from our greater HV community. We're planning the next for Saturday afternoon Feb 13th, girls play at 1, guys play at 3. We are definitely planning to be at the girls, then those that want to stay for the men can as well. Free for HV students.
Real Life on Campus
From Aaron: John's long time friend growing up, who had plans to come to RPI and do ROTC Navy with him died on Tuesday in a car accident. Be praying for his comfort and for him to grow in this time. I haven't talked with him yet, but his roommate Matt (not a christian, but through last semester has heard a lot of truth and gospel) called me Wednesday and wanted to meet. He told me that John was struggling about wether or not his friend was in heaven or hell, and was really feeling some deep emotions over the loss of his friend (obviously). Pray as I communicate with John while he is gone and when he comes back, that I could communicate God's love and comfort. Pray also that I would be able to have a hard but needed conversation with John along the lines of knowing the truth of God's word and being a witness unto salvation for his friends, he has great concern for others and out of any student I am meeting with, I believe he has a great great calling in the kingdom as a leader.
Also, Matt asked me a really hard question, "In your denomination, what do you believe happens to people when they die." I didn't know how to answer but the Spirit did and had me share about the apostle John and his relationship with Jesus and then we read what John wrote in John 11 and 1 John 5:9-13. The gist of the conversation was that all people die, young or old, that Jesus displayed power over death by raising Lazarus, a man who would also eventually die. That as Christians we put our trust in the reality that God has revealed in Jesus. And we trust in Jesus to give us life because he conquered it at the cross and displayed his power on this earth. That we are promised life in the Son by faith, and that this is the testimony of God himself. That made sense to him and he understood it.
Also, Matt asked me a really hard question, "In your denomination, what do you believe happens to people when they die." I didn't know how to answer but the Spirit did and had me share about the apostle John and his relationship with Jesus and then we read what John wrote in John 11 and 1 John 5:9-13. The gist of the conversation was that all people die, young or old, that Jesus displayed power over death by raising Lazarus, a man who would also eventually die. That as Christians we put our trust in the reality that God has revealed in Jesus. And we trust in Jesus to give us life because he conquered it at the cross and displayed his power on this earth. That we are promised life in the Son by faith, and that this is the testimony of God himself. That made sense to him and he understood it.
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