Thanksgiving is approaching, and after Thanksgiving, our students have one week before finals begin. We anticipate meaningful ministry between now and the end of this semester. At the same time, we are beginning to shift gears and prepare for the next semester. We will be taking our leaders on a leadership retreat January 8-10. In between that time, our staff will be meeting, praying and planning for another great semester.
Please join us in praying for the students at UTSA. God has given us great favor with many this semester. Next semester we are praying that our students will continue to grow in Christ and repdroduce themselves in the lives of many. Please join us in praying for our leaders and for our students as well as our staff and me.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Consulting Help Available
I receive my fair share of emails and calls concerning starting a college ministry or youth ministry. I want you to know that I am available to assist you-this is something that we at BSM are here for to strengthen churches! If you are interested, please contact me at utsabsm@gmail.com or by phone: 210.823.4166. I would be honored to set a time to meet with you, your staff and or your church.
There are questions I would ask any church that expresses interest in starting a ministry to students. For your consideration:
* Is your church behind this endeavor? Does the church have a passion for students? Does the church have a broken heart for this generation?
* Does your church have people who are willing to invest their time, talents, energy and prayers into this ministry?
* Is the church willing to support this ministry financially? The church does not need to spend a lot of money on bells and whistles-but the church needs to commit some resources to the ministry. A church's budget reflects what is truly valued.
* Is the church willing to make some adjustments to reach students?
* Is the church willing to meet young people where they are?
Young people matter to Christ. It is not "news" that we are losing a generation that is ironically, interested in spiritual matters, but not the church. If you are interested in reaching this generation, my words to you are "God bless you! May your tribe increase!"
I would also say, "Be patient. Stay in prayer-and please let me know if we can assist you in any way."
There are questions I would ask any church that expresses interest in starting a ministry to students. For your consideration:
* Is your church behind this endeavor? Does the church have a passion for students? Does the church have a broken heart for this generation?
* Does your church have people who are willing to invest their time, talents, energy and prayers into this ministry?
* Is the church willing to support this ministry financially? The church does not need to spend a lot of money on bells and whistles-but the church needs to commit some resources to the ministry. A church's budget reflects what is truly valued.
* Is the church willing to make some adjustments to reach students?
* Is the church willing to meet young people where they are?
Young people matter to Christ. It is not "news" that we are losing a generation that is ironically, interested in spiritual matters, but not the church. If you are interested in reaching this generation, my words to you are "God bless you! May your tribe increase!"
I would also say, "Be patient. Stay in prayer-and please let me know if we can assist you in any way."
Pancakes and Prayer
Please pray for us as we reach out to many students this Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. As you might imagine-many students are "cutting" class that day to get home for their short Thanksgiving break. Many students, however, are "stuck" on campus-either due to work or because professors have scheduled tests for that day.
We are going to be out in a very public place to serve pancakes to students, faculty and staff who are still on campus the day before Thanksgiving. Our students are very excited about the service opportunity-and we anticipate this being a great way to bless students and develop new relationships.
Please pray that God uses this event to build bridges for the Gospel.
We are going to be out in a very public place to serve pancakes to students, faculty and staff who are still on campus the day before Thanksgiving. Our students are very excited about the service opportunity-and we anticipate this being a great way to bless students and develop new relationships.
Please pray that God uses this event to build bridges for the Gospel.
Praise Report and a Few Laughs...
God has opened a remarkable door for us to minister to international students. We have been praying and waiting for some time now for that opportunity-and every time, it seemed as if doors were simply closed. This past week we sponsored a party for international students. We had no idea what to expect in terms of numbers.
Two showed up: Guki (from China), and Yosef (from Morocco). Some might say it was a failure-only two students-but it was a huge blessing and a great success! Both students were so amazed and excited that there was someone on campus who cared about international students. They both are in required English classes with hundreds of internationals. They let us know that they would tell "all of their friends" about BSM and they wanted to know when the next party would be so they could invite all their friends!
Both young men were delightful, full of energy and joy-and again, so appreciative at our small gesture. God has opened a door for us through them.
On a lighter side we enjoyed our conversations with them because they are also still in the learning process. Our language is not easy to master-but both are doing very well when it comes to speaking....still....
Both told us they were "very popular" with all of the international students. The word "popular" was used quite often. I believe they meant that they knew a lot of international students.
The next day, both showed up at our free lunch. After the first lunch, with a room packed full of students, Yosef asked me to introduce me to everyone. He said, "I want to know their names. I want to be popular." This brought a smile to my face. As I introduced him to as many students as possible, he proudly said, "I'm Yosef...it is nice to meet you. I like to be popular." I could only smile.
Perhaps my favorite moment came from a student named Carlos. Carlos is from somewhere in South America. I am still learning more about him. After my brief talk at lunch, Carlos pulled me over and said, "Thank you for these words. I will really take them for granted. I promise you that I will take them for granted." I tried (and God gave me grace to not do so) not to laugh because that was my first reaction-he was so sincere, so serious and obviously meant to be complimentary. I managed to smile and tell him I appreciated the kind words. He stated how eager he was to "join this group."
Again-God showing us favor. In ministering to internationals, relationships are so key. We will have a long way to go with all of our international friends. It will take time. But this much we know: God brought them to us for a reason-and these young men are all eager to connect us not only with their fellow internationals, but also their English teacher so we can coordinate more gatherings for the students.
Pray that God would continue to give us favor, that we would be found faithful, and that through those relationships, these precious students would come to faith in Christ.
Two showed up: Guki (from China), and Yosef (from Morocco). Some might say it was a failure-only two students-but it was a huge blessing and a great success! Both students were so amazed and excited that there was someone on campus who cared about international students. They both are in required English classes with hundreds of internationals. They let us know that they would tell "all of their friends" about BSM and they wanted to know when the next party would be so they could invite all their friends!
Both young men were delightful, full of energy and joy-and again, so appreciative at our small gesture. God has opened a door for us through them.
On a lighter side we enjoyed our conversations with them because they are also still in the learning process. Our language is not easy to master-but both are doing very well when it comes to speaking....still....
Both told us they were "very popular" with all of the international students. The word "popular" was used quite often. I believe they meant that they knew a lot of international students.
The next day, both showed up at our free lunch. After the first lunch, with a room packed full of students, Yosef asked me to introduce me to everyone. He said, "I want to know their names. I want to be popular." This brought a smile to my face. As I introduced him to as many students as possible, he proudly said, "I'm Yosef...it is nice to meet you. I like to be popular." I could only smile.
Perhaps my favorite moment came from a student named Carlos. Carlos is from somewhere in South America. I am still learning more about him. After my brief talk at lunch, Carlos pulled me over and said, "Thank you for these words. I will really take them for granted. I promise you that I will take them for granted." I tried (and God gave me grace to not do so) not to laugh because that was my first reaction-he was so sincere, so serious and obviously meant to be complimentary. I managed to smile and tell him I appreciated the kind words. He stated how eager he was to "join this group."
Again-God showing us favor. In ministering to internationals, relationships are so key. We will have a long way to go with all of our international friends. It will take time. But this much we know: God brought them to us for a reason-and these young men are all eager to connect us not only with their fellow internationals, but also their English teacher so we can coordinate more gatherings for the students.
Pray that God would continue to give us favor, that we would be found faithful, and that through those relationships, these precious students would come to faith in Christ.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Book Recommendation: God on Mute
There are some things that "good Christians" don't often talk about. Dealing with prayers that seem to be unanswered or not heard....is one of those "things." Have you ever pleaded with God, poured out your heart to Him about something that weighed your soul down, only to hear nothing but a deafening silence? Have you ever fasted and humbled yourself before God in prayer and things seemed to actually get worse? Have you ever come to God in your brokenness, crying out to Him, and it seemed He was unresponsive?
We are quick to "defend" God (as if He needs our defense). We quickly respond with Sunday school answers: "When God closes one door, He opens another! Keep your chin up!" Or, the more spiritual sounding: "Sometimes His answer is 'yes,' sometimes 'no,' sometimes, 'wait,' sometimes 'yes, but...' which is certainly true-but sometimes those words seem quite hollow when we are in the middle of the dark night of the soul. Especially when that dark night turns in to a long, dry season in life.
As a pastor, I preached through several sermon series on prayer. If given another opportunity, I would more fully develop what to do during such mystifying and difficult times such as these. Pete Greig does a wonderful job of addressing a matter that most ministers would find difficult to address: Those times when it seems God is absolutely silent when we are sincerely seeking Him in prayer.
Greig is no mere theoritician. He is one of the co-founders of the 24-7 prayer movement, a movement that has spread across the globe in remarkable fashion. Greig is a man of prayer. He is also transparent and authentic enough to write a book on dealing with those when God seems both completely absent and remarkably silent when we are crying out to Him. Greig writes from experience: When his wife was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor, Greig and his wife found themselves thrusts into a situation where all they could do was pray...and it was not tidy.
I appreciate Greig's honesty and transparency. All too often we Christians tend to talk only about those spectacular answers to prayer (and dare I say-sometimes exaggerate the reports?) and gloss over those vexing, pesky, difficult times when prayer seems to go unanswered. We avoid "that place." Greig forces us to walk with him and with Christ in the Scriptures, to that place and we are richer for going there with him-and above all, with Christ. He does not give us easy answers, nor trite "Sunday school answers," rather we are challenged to embrace faith and mystery-and to find comfort in the One who does indeed love us perfectly, even if it doesn't always "feel" that way.
If you are one of those believers who has "figured out" God-and knows all the answers, this book will either insult you or bore you. But for the rest of us...I wholeheartedly recommend "God on Mute" to you.
We are quick to "defend" God (as if He needs our defense). We quickly respond with Sunday school answers: "When God closes one door, He opens another! Keep your chin up!" Or, the more spiritual sounding: "Sometimes His answer is 'yes,' sometimes 'no,' sometimes, 'wait,' sometimes 'yes, but...' which is certainly true-but sometimes those words seem quite hollow when we are in the middle of the dark night of the soul. Especially when that dark night turns in to a long, dry season in life.
As a pastor, I preached through several sermon series on prayer. If given another opportunity, I would more fully develop what to do during such mystifying and difficult times such as these. Pete Greig does a wonderful job of addressing a matter that most ministers would find difficult to address: Those times when it seems God is absolutely silent when we are sincerely seeking Him in prayer.
Greig is no mere theoritician. He is one of the co-founders of the 24-7 prayer movement, a movement that has spread across the globe in remarkable fashion. Greig is a man of prayer. He is also transparent and authentic enough to write a book on dealing with those when God seems both completely absent and remarkably silent when we are crying out to Him. Greig writes from experience: When his wife was diagnosed with a massive brain tumor, Greig and his wife found themselves thrusts into a situation where all they could do was pray...and it was not tidy.
I appreciate Greig's honesty and transparency. All too often we Christians tend to talk only about those spectacular answers to prayer (and dare I say-sometimes exaggerate the reports?) and gloss over those vexing, pesky, difficult times when prayer seems to go unanswered. We avoid "that place." Greig forces us to walk with him and with Christ in the Scriptures, to that place and we are richer for going there with him-and above all, with Christ. He does not give us easy answers, nor trite "Sunday school answers," rather we are challenged to embrace faith and mystery-and to find comfort in the One who does indeed love us perfectly, even if it doesn't always "feel" that way.
If you are one of those believers who has "figured out" God-and knows all the answers, this book will either insult you or bore you. But for the rest of us...I wholeheartedly recommend "God on Mute" to you.
College Ministry Toolbox: Principle One-Relationships
I am commonly asked: "How can my church reach college students?" Sometimes, the question might be more accurately phrased: "How can we attract college students?" While the desire to reach college students is noble, there must be something more than growing a group numerically. All too often, churches fall prey to the trap of attractional ministry, regardless of the age group being targeted. The end result is the shuffling of believers or people open to Christianity from one congregation to another. When one church starts drawing a specific crowd, other churches want to know what they are doing and try to duplicate the efforts. I will let you in on a little secret I have found both as a pastor and as someone who works with college students: "We're doing little more than swapping people from one place to another, and in doing so, encouraging the consumer mindset of church attendees."
Here is where I would start (and how I did start) a college ministry. It is fairly radical because it is so counterintuitive to what the prevailing church culture encourages us to do: Start small, focus on discipleship. Invest in a few and then challenge them to trust God for great things and then unleash them.
The college ministry that grew in the most unlikely of churches for a college ministry to grow (a very traditional, out of the way church located no where near a college) began with Friday night discipleship meetings comprised of myself, my son (who was 14 at the time) and two soon to be seniors in High School. We met almost weekly for six months. We went through a simple book "The Barbarian Way" and these young people caught a vision for Christianity as a movement, not merely an institution. Even greater, they caught a vision of what it means to follow Christ with abandon and to invest in the lives of lost people.
The growth that took place from that six month period was incredible. These students became missionaries. They invited their lost friends to Bible Study, to fellowships, to services. We saw students saved. We saw lives transformed. We saw community develop-and the biggest blessing was this from my perspective: We did not "grow" a group by syphoning off other churches. The students invested in lost students and that is how the Kingdom is supposed to work.
If you want to develop a viable ministry to college students (or any particular age group) I suggest the following:
1) Identify a couple of individuals and pour yourself into them in a discipleship context. Teach them that it is normative for believers to reproduce themselves. Teach them to follow Jesus. Challenge them to trust God for great things. Turn them loose.
2) Pray. It sounds like a Sunday school answer-but pray. Going out to the edge where lostness exists is not the same as putting on a show to attract "good, Christian kids." Pray, intercede and pray with your core group.
3) Provide platforms for relationship building. You don't have to host everything at the church campus. You are more likely to engage the lost in a more non-threatening context, such as Starbucks. Provide opportunities for your core group (and your growing group) to fellowship and invite their lost friends.
4) Be patient, and be a good listener. The "unchurched" have a lot of questions about the faith. About church. We often assume, incorrectly, that "everybody" knows at least the basics of the faith. That is a dangerous assumption. Be prepared to walk with the students in relationship.
5) Love deeply. People have problems. (Newsflash-so do believers). This generation, and dare I say, most all generations, know if they are truly loved and cared for or if they are just a number or a project or whatever. Authentic relationships take place in context of love. A lot of times we drop the ball here. While we say Christianity is not a "performance based faith," we send conflicting messages in the way we love conditionally. One thing I know for certain about this generation-they want the real deal. They will fall down (just as you and I do), have problems (again-just like us), get hurt (ditto), and sometimes they are just "messy" (of course we would never admit to that)-but love must reign supreme.
This generation is interested in truth. They want to know what the Christian Scriptures teach. They want to believe, believe it or not-but they need to SEE it. They need to see love, grace, mercy, compassion in action.
They also need to feel they are a part of a community where they are loved, challenged and doing something much larger than themselves.
This is a starting place. May He bless you richly as you seek to reach others for the King.
Here is where I would start (and how I did start) a college ministry. It is fairly radical because it is so counterintuitive to what the prevailing church culture encourages us to do: Start small, focus on discipleship. Invest in a few and then challenge them to trust God for great things and then unleash them.
The college ministry that grew in the most unlikely of churches for a college ministry to grow (a very traditional, out of the way church located no where near a college) began with Friday night discipleship meetings comprised of myself, my son (who was 14 at the time) and two soon to be seniors in High School. We met almost weekly for six months. We went through a simple book "The Barbarian Way" and these young people caught a vision for Christianity as a movement, not merely an institution. Even greater, they caught a vision of what it means to follow Christ with abandon and to invest in the lives of lost people.
The growth that took place from that six month period was incredible. These students became missionaries. They invited their lost friends to Bible Study, to fellowships, to services. We saw students saved. We saw lives transformed. We saw community develop-and the biggest blessing was this from my perspective: We did not "grow" a group by syphoning off other churches. The students invested in lost students and that is how the Kingdom is supposed to work.
If you want to develop a viable ministry to college students (or any particular age group) I suggest the following:
1) Identify a couple of individuals and pour yourself into them in a discipleship context. Teach them that it is normative for believers to reproduce themselves. Teach them to follow Jesus. Challenge them to trust God for great things. Turn them loose.
2) Pray. It sounds like a Sunday school answer-but pray. Going out to the edge where lostness exists is not the same as putting on a show to attract "good, Christian kids." Pray, intercede and pray with your core group.
3) Provide platforms for relationship building. You don't have to host everything at the church campus. You are more likely to engage the lost in a more non-threatening context, such as Starbucks. Provide opportunities for your core group (and your growing group) to fellowship and invite their lost friends.
4) Be patient, and be a good listener. The "unchurched" have a lot of questions about the faith. About church. We often assume, incorrectly, that "everybody" knows at least the basics of the faith. That is a dangerous assumption. Be prepared to walk with the students in relationship.
5) Love deeply. People have problems. (Newsflash-so do believers). This generation, and dare I say, most all generations, know if they are truly loved and cared for or if they are just a number or a project or whatever. Authentic relationships take place in context of love. A lot of times we drop the ball here. While we say Christianity is not a "performance based faith," we send conflicting messages in the way we love conditionally. One thing I know for certain about this generation-they want the real deal. They will fall down (just as you and I do), have problems (again-just like us), get hurt (ditto), and sometimes they are just "messy" (of course we would never admit to that)-but love must reign supreme.
This generation is interested in truth. They want to know what the Christian Scriptures teach. They want to believe, believe it or not-but they need to SEE it. They need to see love, grace, mercy, compassion in action.
They also need to feel they are a part of a community where they are loved, challenged and doing something much larger than themselves.
This is a starting place. May He bless you richly as you seek to reach others for the King.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Praying For A Campus
With 29,000 students, UTSA is a large campus. With dorms and housing springing up all around, the campus is not the "commuter only" campus it was 20 years ago. It is now a campus where students from around the United States and the world live and go to school.
I am often reminded of Acts 17, when Paul encounters the Athenian philosophers and their multitude of gods, when I walk the campus. Every world view, every faith, every lifestyle is present.
We cannot reach a campus in our own strength or in our own 'wisdom.' It sounds cliche because it has been so overused, but we truly do want to win the campus for Christ. It is our prayer that we will be a city on a hill, a light shining brightly in the darkness, the salt of the earth-that we would be more than a religious organization. It is our prayer and desire that we would truly be missionaries on campus.
Please pray for our campus. Pray for Baptist Student Ministries as well as other Christian ministries. Pray that we would shine brightly, move forward confidently in Him, that we would be filled with the Spirit and that we would not be ashamed of the Gospel-that we would proclaim it faithfully and boldly as we should.
Our students are some of the finest young people I know. They "get it." By that, I mean they understand that God has strategically called them to this university, to this ministry that they might be used by Him to reach lost students on campus. The big test for our students, as it is for so many followers of Christ, is that of faith: Will God be bigger in their eyes or will people? Will they walk by faith and boldly go, or will they choose to stay comfortable with one another? I praise God that they are following His lead and desire to be missionaries. Please pray that God would be glorified in their lives and on this campus.
29,000 people. That is a city. A city that desperately needs Jesus.
I am often reminded of Acts 17, when Paul encounters the Athenian philosophers and their multitude of gods, when I walk the campus. Every world view, every faith, every lifestyle is present.
We cannot reach a campus in our own strength or in our own 'wisdom.' It sounds cliche because it has been so overused, but we truly do want to win the campus for Christ. It is our prayer that we will be a city on a hill, a light shining brightly in the darkness, the salt of the earth-that we would be more than a religious organization. It is our prayer and desire that we would truly be missionaries on campus.
Please pray for our campus. Pray for Baptist Student Ministries as well as other Christian ministries. Pray that we would shine brightly, move forward confidently in Him, that we would be filled with the Spirit and that we would not be ashamed of the Gospel-that we would proclaim it faithfully and boldly as we should.
Our students are some of the finest young people I know. They "get it." By that, I mean they understand that God has strategically called them to this university, to this ministry that they might be used by Him to reach lost students on campus. The big test for our students, as it is for so many followers of Christ, is that of faith: Will God be bigger in their eyes or will people? Will they walk by faith and boldly go, or will they choose to stay comfortable with one another? I praise God that they are following His lead and desire to be missionaries. Please pray that God would be glorified in their lives and on this campus.
29,000 people. That is a city. A city that desperately needs Jesus.
Ministry Opportunity
Every week we serve free lunch to students at UTSA. The number of students we serve ranges from 80-120 weekly. It (the free lunch) is a way for us to bless the students and develop relationships with them for the sake of the Gospel.
If your church is looking for a ministry opportunity and wants to learn more about this generation, BSM is always thankful for those churches who seek to provide a meal for our students! By providing a meal and spending time with the students during our lunch hour, you not only bless them, you also have the opportunity to learn more about ministering to college age students as you develop relationships with them.
If your church, Student Ministry, WMU, Women's or Men's Ministry is interested in providing a meal, please contact me at 210.823.4166.
If your church is looking for a ministry opportunity and wants to learn more about this generation, BSM is always thankful for those churches who seek to provide a meal for our students! By providing a meal and spending time with the students during our lunch hour, you not only bless them, you also have the opportunity to learn more about ministering to college age students as you develop relationships with them.
If your church, Student Ministry, WMU, Women's or Men's Ministry is interested in providing a meal, please contact me at 210.823.4166.
Helping You Reach a Generation
I am often asked, "How can we reach college students?" Or, "How can we start a college (or youth) ministry?" The 'million dollar question' for so many churches is: "How can we reach this generation?" It is quite obvious the church as a whole is not reaching this generation effectively. It does not have to be that way.
We are here to help you work through this question. If there is anything I can do to assist you or your church in developing a vibrant ministry to students, please let me know. I won't give you a 'program' or a pre-packaged response, but will gladly share Scriptural principles combined with personal experience to assist you.
We are here to help you work through this question. If there is anything I can do to assist you or your church in developing a vibrant ministry to students, please let me know. I won't give you a 'program' or a pre-packaged response, but will gladly share Scriptural principles combined with personal experience to assist you.
BSM-How Can We Help Your Church?
Baptist Student Ministries enjoys developing relationships with Baptist churches in San Antonio, in Texas and in the United States. Our students want to serve and enjoy service opportunities. Over the course of the year, we have: Lead Disciple Now's, lead youth rallies, worked Fall Festivals, participated in mission work, just to name a few things.
We are here to serve you! If there is a way for Baptist Student Ministries to bless your congregation, please let me know. You can contact me via email: utsabsm@gmail.com or by phone: 210.823.4166. It would be an honor for us to serve you!
We are here to serve you! If there is a way for Baptist Student Ministries to bless your congregation, please let me know. You can contact me via email: utsabsm@gmail.com or by phone: 210.823.4166. It would be an honor for us to serve you!
Praying for Hannah
I try to keep any personal prayer requests to a minimum on the Blog. I would appreciate your prayers (as would my family) for my daughter, Hannah, as we take her to MD Anderson this month for her check up. There are some spinal issues they need to examine. It is our prayer that whatever the issues are, they will not be related to her NF 1 (Neurofibromatosis Type 1). Please pray for a good report.
In addition, please pray for an opening at the Ronald McDonald House. The House is a special place-right next to MD Anderson, affordable and an uplifting environment. At the end of long days of testing, it's a true blessing.
Thank you for your prayers.
In addition, please pray for an opening at the Ronald McDonald House. The House is a special place-right next to MD Anderson, affordable and an uplifting environment. At the end of long days of testing, it's a true blessing.
Thank you for your prayers.
Seeing the Unseen at UTSA
God has a way of surprising us. He certainly surprised me this semester at UTSA. It is my continual prayer that BSM will be a missional community, not merely a "Christian club." That contrast is continually shared with the students. Club or missional people? I have no interest in the former and pray fervently for the latter.
At the end of last year, the Spirit truly began to open the eyes of our students as to the difference between the two. We ended the year with a strong foundation to start a new year with great hopes of being used by Him to reach students.
This semester has been amazing. Weekly, we are encountering new students and our group is growing far beyond what I anticipated. Our new students are full of energy, enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference for the King and His Kingdom.
For most of this semester, we have been processing as a group this new, emerging community. Initially, some of our "old-timers" wondered what to do with all of these new kids. Community has been formed over the course of this semester. Now, we are focusing on developing "communitas" (for definition of communitas, see bottom of page). Pray for us. We are challenging our students to move out of the "safety" and "comfort" of community and into the sphere of liminality-going to the edge of lostness, to the 'unsafe' places on campus, in our city, and wherever God leads us as a group, to develop relationships with the lost for the sake of the Kingdom-to make Christ known.
We tend to prefer safety and comfort. We like our comfort zones. Jesus did not call us to comfort, but to follow. As this semester winds down, and a larger community has been formed, please pray for BSM. Pray that over the semester break, over our leadership retreat, that we will follow Him wherever He leads. A campus of 29,000 students is a wonderful mission field. He has called us to be far more than a club.
At the end of last year, the Spirit truly began to open the eyes of our students as to the difference between the two. We ended the year with a strong foundation to start a new year with great hopes of being used by Him to reach students.
This semester has been amazing. Weekly, we are encountering new students and our group is growing far beyond what I anticipated. Our new students are full of energy, enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference for the King and His Kingdom.
For most of this semester, we have been processing as a group this new, emerging community. Initially, some of our "old-timers" wondered what to do with all of these new kids. Community has been formed over the course of this semester. Now, we are focusing on developing "communitas" (for definition of communitas, see bottom of page). Pray for us. We are challenging our students to move out of the "safety" and "comfort" of community and into the sphere of liminality-going to the edge of lostness, to the 'unsafe' places on campus, in our city, and wherever God leads us as a group, to develop relationships with the lost for the sake of the Kingdom-to make Christ known.
We tend to prefer safety and comfort. We like our comfort zones. Jesus did not call us to comfort, but to follow. As this semester winds down, and a larger community has been formed, please pray for BSM. Pray that over the semester break, over our leadership retreat, that we will follow Him wherever He leads. A campus of 29,000 students is a wonderful mission field. He has called us to be far more than a club.
Praying for Anant
Every Wednesday, BSM serves free lunch to students at UTSA. The meal is a time for students to connect, relax and of course have a free meal. There is no "typical profile" for the average attendee. Students who come from other faiths, who have no faith, who are searching attend our luncheons along with followers of Christ. The meal allows us the opportunity to serve and bless students as well as develop relationships with them. The ultimate goal is that through the relationship building-Christ will be shared.
Meet Anant. He is a young man of Indian descent. Raised a nominal Hindu, he also attends our luncheons. This past week, after my ten minute devotional talk (I usually focus on one spiritual truth or principle for the day), he approached me. He had questions.
I loved his intellectual honesty and transparency. He wanted to know more about the relationship between faith and works. His specific question: "I understand how faith would please God (we are not talking about the same God here-but this was our initial conversation), but what about works? Can we do good things, good works, and not have faith in this God and still please Him?"
God opened the door for me to share the Gospel with Anant. I would like to say he has given his life to Christ, but he has not as of now. He still has questions. He is very open and receptive. Please pray for him. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open his eyes and ears, open his heart and draw him to the One True God through Jesus Christ. Pray for his salvation. Pray for me, and for our students who know him. Pray that we would all be available, willing patient, prayerful and eager to continue sharing with this special young man.
UTSA is filled with students like Anant. Almost every worldview and religion (or lack of religion) is found on our campus of 29,000 students. Pray for BSM, that we would be the missional people God has called us to be.
Meet Anant. He is a young man of Indian descent. Raised a nominal Hindu, he also attends our luncheons. This past week, after my ten minute devotional talk (I usually focus on one spiritual truth or principle for the day), he approached me. He had questions.
I loved his intellectual honesty and transparency. He wanted to know more about the relationship between faith and works. His specific question: "I understand how faith would please God (we are not talking about the same God here-but this was our initial conversation), but what about works? Can we do good things, good works, and not have faith in this God and still please Him?"
God opened the door for me to share the Gospel with Anant. I would like to say he has given his life to Christ, but he has not as of now. He still has questions. He is very open and receptive. Please pray for him. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open his eyes and ears, open his heart and draw him to the One True God through Jesus Christ. Pray for his salvation. Pray for me, and for our students who know him. Pray that we would all be available, willing patient, prayerful and eager to continue sharing with this special young man.
UTSA is filled with students like Anant. Almost every worldview and religion (or lack of religion) is found on our campus of 29,000 students. Pray for BSM, that we would be the missional people God has called us to be.
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