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.
 

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.

Scrapbook Moments

  We had an excellent club. Commandos was the theme (a giant game of tag). I enjoy the game, but I also enjoyed the talk. we are talking about the scrapbook moments of ones life. You often throw your best moments into a scrapbook, but the bible doesn't do that. living a life showing only the good moments isn't real or realistic. God wants to take those moments that aren't scrapbook and turn them into scrapbook moments.


  After three years of trying to wake students up, we finally got breakfast club of the ground. 7 students showed up with hopefully a few more to join us in the coming weeks. Breakfast club provides the opportunity to have a free breakfast and enjoy a devotional and worship. I think it is the best way for students that are striving for Jesus to start their week.

  We also just had the YFC Golf tournament yesterday. It is always a fun event to see the multiple donors who support YFC. One team included three of my brother-in-laws, and many others included my father-in-law and friends. Hopefully I can upload pictures soon, as my card reader at the office is being difficult.

Xavier Baptized

I spent a portion of my day yesterday at the Baptism of Xavier. He accepted Jesus at Open Bible church a week ago. I have worked with Xavier since he was a freshman. This month's newsletter is about Stacey, who accepted Jesus last year. Stacey and Xavier are best friends, and Stacey introduced Xavier to that church. I am excited to see God continuing to move through the work He has started with Campus Life! The Kingdom is being advanced.

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I got my YFC Credentials, which means I am a licensed minister again. Which is good for my volunteer Erica Fox, because I am slated to do her wedding in a few weeks. This will mean a housing allowance and other benefits that help ministers. God is good!

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 Had a great day of playing soccer with the Campus Life Kids today. Got a nice sunburn and sore legs. It was a group of kids I think that can radically changed the campus if they boldly profess Jesus.

Skycamp 2013

  What an amazing week at Camp. When the Spirit of God moves it is amazing to witness. 3 Elmira students made commitments to follow Jesus Christ. Taylor, Samantha, and Jesse. Many others made commitments to seek Christ in some way, whether they were already believers or were still seekers looking to find Him. It was an amazing week to watch God move.
  I am hoping that I can share Jesse's story with you either in the newsletter next month or here. The Holy Spirit answered his genuine prayer for Christ to have his life. It came on him so powerfully he was shaking, scared, and at peace all at the same time.
  Jesse's new faith is so encouraging! I had the opportunity to fill in for Pastor Gangle at Fern Ridge Faith Center this past Sunday. Jesse showed up to the service with his uncle. It was amazing to know he is a brother in Christ and actually in church. Jesse had not stepped foot inside a church, and said he couldn't after his father passed away. On Sunday he had no problem coming to grow in his faith and seek the life God has for him.
  May you too be encouraged by what God is going, and always look forward to what he does next.
In Christ,
Skyeler Lewkowicz

Summer Transition

As things transition into summer I get the opportunity to transition myself and the students into new activities. Boating, Pool days, Paintballing and Kickball. Raising money for camp and organizing work parties for 12 of the up to 20 students who are going to camp.

I also have an opportunity to work as a driver for Fed Ex. This will help pay off some student loan debt and help make up the difference in my Campus Life salary. Providing for my chief ministry, my family, will always come first. How can I best model behavior for my students. While my schedule will become a bit more hectic I am excited to see how God continues to shape my family and the Campus Life ministry. He is so good!

I also have finished YFC Bible Academy (good training), which means I am one paper away from being a fully credentialed minister for YFC. Besides being a benefit for tax purposes, I get a pretty awesome certificate. 

Quick update

  Sorry for the inconsistent update. Crazy and exciting times for Elmira Campus Life. Our spaghetti dinner is next week and will be featured in the Fern Ridge Review.
  Two students accepted Jesus at club. Dale and Haylee responded to the gospel message and stayed after to pray and discuss what the journey with Jesus looks like. Haylee got plugged in with one of my volunteers going to church youth group and Dale has been reading scripture, coming to bible study, and is attending church.
  We will be making some modifications to our clubhouse at the Moose. We will be adding lights and decor soon. Below is a picture of us playing a game at club at the Moose. In the middle is a picture from the girls retreat. On the bottom is Ruben falling asleep at the Middle School All Nighter with me taking advantage of him.