#ministrylifeprobs

Hey Y'all this is my first post on this blog!
For this one I copy/pasted from my personal blog, but it's about Campus Life so I figured it relevant here, too. 


Late night theological talks.
Early morning rides to school.
Hanging out with young teens and all their silliness.
Funny inside jokes and fun memories.
Trips and camps.
Weekly connecting with students and showing them love.
Behavior problems and discipline.
Slang and strange sayings.
Paperwork, planning, and preparation.
Fundraising.

There are so many things that come with being in youth minsitry. It really is a whole different world, a whole different life than most know or experience. I have definitely had a call on my life to be in youth ministry, and I am SO blessed to be!

Lately, though, there have been aspects that I've needed to really step up my game in. Working with Lane County Youth for Christ I am esentially a local missionary. My paycheck is from the donations of generous people who support what God is doing in the Fern Ridge area through the ministry of Campus Life. I have been challenged (and I know it's needed) to get more people supporting me financially so that I don't have the stress of worrying about bills. Asking for money is NEVER easy, but I have to remember that if I don't even try then I could be stealing from others the blessing of giving. It's about correcting and directing my mindset.

If you are reading this and want to be a part of what God is doing by supporting financially, please feel fee to click here and do so. If you have any questions about the ministry or want to know more you can go to the Lane County YFC website. It takes all of us doing our part, but I know that ultimately it is God who works through each of us in what we can do. Together we can reach the youth for Christ.

And for your viewing pleasure, this is the goofy pic that we took for the office and that is on the website.

God bless you all,
Mandy

Experience

  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.

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