A bit too much snow on the ground to do anything, and it’s been too long since my last post…
It’s amazing how the end of the semester comes out of nowhere. Next week, students start their finals, so they are (mostly) in study mode already, and we’ve been wrapping up our Bible studies in anticipation of the Christmas break. Looking back on the semester, it was a great time to grow in relationships with each other and with Christ, and I have big expectations for this coming semester. More on that in a little bit…
I personally have kept very busy the past several weeks. Towards the end of November, all InterVarsity staff from Minnesota and the Dakotas gathered for our regional staff conference. I hadn’t realized it, but I really needed that time together with other people that God has called to this ministry. Campus work can be quite lonely at times, but our 4 days of training provided some good opportunities for me to get to know other staff members and be reminded of why we do this. It’s all about the students and seeing God work in their lives.
I’ve also spent a lot of time meeting with students. This is my favorite part of the job, and I have seen God working in amazing ways in their lives. One particular passage that resonates with several of the students is Romans 5:3-5:
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Each students’ story is different, but God is walking with them through difficult circumstances, and the hope and expectation that is evident in their lives gets me excited for the rest of this school year.
Looking ahead to next semester, there are some great things ahead. In January, students have intensive classes that actually open their schedules up a bit, so we will spend a decent amount of time in the study and practice of prayer. Through this, we hope to develop a greater understanding of the role prayer plays in reaching the campus for Christ. We are also hosting an event at the end of February to share Christ with many students. More details on that in January. Please be in prayer for these two things, and also be praying that new students would be introduced to the ministry of InterVarsity.
On the financial side of the ministry, things are still good. Praise God for that. If anybody is considering year-end giving opportunities, please think about InterVarsity as an option. If you have any questions in that regard, please contact me. Thanks for reading!
