You can look into a students eyes and see he doesn't get it. I remember having people speak to me and the glazed look I must have given them when I wasn't receiving what they were saying with the required mental aptitude. I had this experience recently with a student trying to explain some of the challenges that were going to be headed his way as a result of not following Jesus aka Sin.
It can be hard to offer all sorts of help to someone who isn't aware they need it. Often in our lives we have the prideful attitude, with a dose of ignorance, that "I've got this'. Confidence can be a great thing. as C.S. Lewis said "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn." We can warn someone of impending brutality, but sometimes it just might be what they need. I have noticed in my life there have been lessons I have learned and they have been utterly brutal.
Sin in any form is a worm that transforms over time into a snake and then into a dragon. I have seen the damage in my life from misguided priorities and lack of focus on God. I pray for the students that I have had recent conversations with. I am reminded to be more bold. I am reminded of where I need to follow Jesus better and where I need to listen.
For those of you that support this ministry. Thank you. You help preach the Love of Jesus to rescue from sin and stupid decisions. Pray for these students to hear the plea and accept the Good News.
Friday, July 11, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Finally...an Update.
I haven't exactly updated this recently. Because of a house search, moving, and working two jobs A few things were sacrificed. This blog was one of them. With 150 plus people receiving the monthly newsletter and only about 2 reading any given post, the blog was the least damageable asset to be put to the side for a time.
I am in the process of training an Intern named Dylan (he is going to Cambodia soon on a mission trip), and I am looking for another job besides driving for Fed Ex. I have the intent to have Dylan replace me as the director at Elmira High School and more about this will be in my subsequent newsletters. With a growing family the intense hours, sometimes 60-70, makes doing any one thing with greatness difficult. I am looking for a more career laddered position than my current job as a driver, that uses more of my detail oriented logistical mind. My boss at Fed Ex is a great guy and I have learned even more about the transportation industry than I thought I knew from years ago working at UPS. Be praying that I network and connect with the right position that God would have for me.
This year has been a year that has seen a lower turn out among the freshman class. I know quite a few eighth grade students and expect that this won't be as much of a problem next year. Recently Erica had a daytrip to the coast and connected with 3 underclassmen who don't regularly attend club. The foundation of Campus Life (which is the key to any ministry) is connecting with students on an individual level. As a group of students graduates Erica , like the rest of us, is making new connections to invest in the next class of students.
After the Barn Party I had the opportunity to connect with several students. One named Cody lives right down the street from my new home. He shared his back story of his single parent household and poverty. I am hoping to connect with this freshman more in the coming weeks. One excuse he had for not coming to club was the availability of a ride, I have promptly solved that problem for him.
I am in the process of training an Intern named Dylan (he is going to Cambodia soon on a mission trip), and I am looking for another job besides driving for Fed Ex. I have the intent to have Dylan replace me as the director at Elmira High School and more about this will be in my subsequent newsletters. With a growing family the intense hours, sometimes 60-70, makes doing any one thing with greatness difficult. I am looking for a more career laddered position than my current job as a driver, that uses more of my detail oriented logistical mind. My boss at Fed Ex is a great guy and I have learned even more about the transportation industry than I thought I knew from years ago working at UPS. Be praying that I network and connect with the right position that God would have for me.
This year has been a year that has seen a lower turn out among the freshman class. I know quite a few eighth grade students and expect that this won't be as much of a problem next year. Recently Erica had a daytrip to the coast and connected with 3 underclassmen who don't regularly attend club. The foundation of Campus Life (which is the key to any ministry) is connecting with students on an individual level. As a group of students graduates Erica , like the rest of us, is making new connections to invest in the next class of students.
After the Barn Party I had the opportunity to connect with several students. One named Cody lives right down the street from my new home. He shared his back story of his single parent household and poverty. I am hoping to connect with this freshman more in the coming weeks. One excuse he had for not coming to club was the availability of a ride, I have promptly solved that problem for him.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
2014 to God be the glory
Welcome to a new year! 2013 was capped off with a student getting baptized and my group of strong Christian ladies remarkably taking over a girls bible study and expanding it to reach their peers on campus. I don't take credit for these things, nor could I, I am just happy to be a part of them.
In the process of encouraging my students and staff I often get the opportunity to sit back and marvel at how God works. The Robertsons (Mandy, Cameron. and Ruben) have done an amazing job in the case of the student who was baptized recently. They took building a relationship to inviting this student to church, to their house, into their lives. They accept the student for who he is.
I can tell you statistics and figures of the Campus Life program. I can tell you that it made a difference in Alex's life. However, to adequately pinpoint the success of Campus Life is not to give credit to the program, but to the people that God is using to reach these students (and ultimately the God who is in charge of directing His people). It truly is building relationships and sharing the love of Christ that makes the difference. God gets all the glory. I realize I get to play a part, but it is exciting to sit back and realize I am so tiny and small in this wonderful orchestra that is the Kingdom of God.
In the process of encouraging my students and staff I often get the opportunity to sit back and marvel at how God works. The Robertsons (Mandy, Cameron. and Ruben) have done an amazing job in the case of the student who was baptized recently. They took building a relationship to inviting this student to church, to their house, into their lives. They accept the student for who he is.
I can tell you statistics and figures of the Campus Life program. I can tell you that it made a difference in Alex's life. However, to adequately pinpoint the success of Campus Life is not to give credit to the program, but to the people that God is using to reach these students (and ultimately the God who is in charge of directing His people). It truly is building relationships and sharing the love of Christ that makes the difference. God gets all the glory. I realize I get to play a part, but it is exciting to sit back and realize I am so tiny and small in this wonderful orchestra that is the Kingdom of God.
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