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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