Baptist Student Ministries experienced an amazing year! God blessed us tremendously and we are seeing incredible things happen!
1) God has raised up a strong core group of students who are the most mission minded young people (or adults for that matter), that I know. These students are actively and intentionally engaging their campus, developing friendships with the lost, and going out of their way to serve the lost on campus. Our students have grown immensely. They no longer see Baptist Student Ministries as a "bubble" where they can hide safely from a lost campus-rather they see our organization as a place to be equipped, to worship, to be built up and re-energized so they can go out into the mission field that is the University of Texas, San Antonio.
2) Lives are being changed. I recently received an email from one of our students stating how significant Baptist Student Ministries was to her in her life. In her words, "I was heading down the wrong path when I came to the university, and God used BSM to change my life." This young girl is one of the most vibrant believers I know. She is actively serving others and sharing Christ. There are many stories like hers.
3) The lost are responding. We have been spiritually mapping our campus. By that, I mean we have been surveying students on campus to gain a better feel for the spiritual climate at UTSA as well as to help us understand our mission field and people's perceptions of Christianity, the Church, Christian organizations and their receptivity to further conversation and exploration. We have found students surprisingly open to talking. We have encountered Neo-Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, Satanists and people from other religions and alternative lifestyles. Interesting: While many are open to talking about Jesus, many have negative views of Christianity and the Church. Even more interestingly-after listening to their stories respectfully, these students are open to exploring Christianity with BSM.
4) We are growing. The students have been faithful to till the spiritual soil, to work the ground, to plant, to sow, to water, to continue to do good, to not grow weary, and we are seeing the first fruits of a potentially tremendous harvest. We have outgrown our rooms for luncheons as well as our worship time. God blessed us in that next year we have two larger rooms for both meetings. It is amazing to see how God has and is using our students for His Glory.
Please continue to pray for BSM! We look forward to our summer mission trip and to spending time this summer preparing for an incredible year next year!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Los Angeles and the Least of These
They have a name for it: "Compassion fatigue." It is a recent phenomenon. We hear so much about the needs of others, here and around the world, that we become desensitized to appeals for help. Whether it is the displaced child in a refugee camp in Darfur, the children without parents in AIDS ravaged Africa, or the plight of the homeless and urban poor in America, we are bombarded with images and requests to help. Over time, we become weary of it all, and we stop feeling responsible. "It's someone else's job" or "I'm only one person...what can I do?" or "I just can't handle any more. I have enough stress in my own life."
It is understandable. We live in a hurting world. Fifty years ago, we did not have the Internet, there were not news agencies across the globe covering every tragedy. Now, we are bombarded with images and stories and needs. We want to make a difference, but at the same time we are overloaded.
As I have shared about our Los Angeles mission trip over the past few months, no doubt for some, compassion fatigue was the default response. I've been there and understand.
I am reading a fascinating book that I strongly encourage you to read: "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Rich Stearns, CEO of World Vision. Stearns makes a powerful case for the Gospel (as presented by Jesus, the apostles) being Good News for the poor-and that as Christ-followers, our relationship with Christ leads us to care for the least of these. I strongly encourage you to read it. Going back to God and Israel, Stearns points out quite powerfully and convincingly that God is supremely concerned with the least of these and demands that His people who are called by His Name take responsibility for the poor in their midst. Stearns shows in Scripture how proclamation of the Good News is accompanied by demonstration of the love and kindness of God.
In Los Angeles, we will be working with and serving some of the most destitute, the most 'least of these' in the U.S. . Skid Row is a real place. Thousands upon thousands of people have given up on life, given into despair, feel abandoned by God and by humanity. As one person said of Skid Row in an interview: "Skid Row is where people go to die." We saw that last year-this tangible sense of hopelessness and despair. With over 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles, Skid Row is a city within a city where darkness and despair are tangible. It is the "end of the line" for those who end up there.
Women are at particular risk. A woman (and many women are on the street with their children) has a greater than 80% chance of being sexually or physically assaulted if she is on the streets for longer than 2 weeks. We are ministering with agencies that are doing everything they can to get these women and children off the streets.
Stereotypes of the homeless are shattered in Los Angeles. I must confess my stereotypes often included the ideas such as: 'This is a life they chose,' or 'These are people just working the system,' or 'drug addicts' or 'people with mental illnesses.' While there are certainly people who fit into these categories, they are still loved by God and He desires for them to be set free. There are the 'others' though-thousands and thousands of 'others,' individuals or families who were barely making it paycheck to paycheck. People who were downsized (laid off), or had medical emergencies, and suddenly found themselves unable to pay mortgage or rent. It is a progression: Living in a car while trying to find work. If no work materializes, then being on the streets.
The "drop off point" from having a roof over your head to being out on the streets is a fine line in Los Angeles. The greatest economic disparity between the 'haves' and 'have nots' exists in L.A. Thousands are on the streets asking themselves, 'How did this happen to me?' Jesus cares for these people as well.
And many are on the streets having long given up any idea or hope that things would change. We met a young man last year and after talking with him, it was quite apparent that in his mind, there was simply no more hope." Jesus cares for him.
So we are going to Los Angeles because we sensed Him calling us to go. We won't be spending our time with the 'haves'-or hanging out on Rodeo Drive. We will spend our time on Skid Row and among the urban poor.
And Jesus cares for these people. He cares for this city that so many look at as the "land of fruits and nuts." He cares for them all.
I am blessed by our students. They have prayed and sensed His call to serve in a very challenging context. I would ask for you to pray for them. I would also ask, if you sense His leading, to support them, partner with them in the Gospel. Yes, "compassion fatigue" can desensitize us to many things. I would humbly ask that you consider the twenty students going, and the work they will be doing, and the thousands of people we will be interacting with, and join us in making a difference in the lives of people who experience a sense of abandonment, pain and hopelessness most of us cannot imagine.
Jesus cares for the "least of these." I'm proud of the students going who heard His call and are going in faith. We leave in less than a month. There are still needs to help these students go. We have seen this as a faith venture from beginning to end. We trust Him to provide. If He impresses on you to be a part of that provision, you may send any and all gifts to:
San Antonio Baptist Association
Attn: Baptist Student Ministries/Kevin Prather
5807 I-H 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
It is understandable. We live in a hurting world. Fifty years ago, we did not have the Internet, there were not news agencies across the globe covering every tragedy. Now, we are bombarded with images and stories and needs. We want to make a difference, but at the same time we are overloaded.
As I have shared about our Los Angeles mission trip over the past few months, no doubt for some, compassion fatigue was the default response. I've been there and understand.
I am reading a fascinating book that I strongly encourage you to read: "The Hole in Our Gospel" by Rich Stearns, CEO of World Vision. Stearns makes a powerful case for the Gospel (as presented by Jesus, the apostles) being Good News for the poor-and that as Christ-followers, our relationship with Christ leads us to care for the least of these. I strongly encourage you to read it. Going back to God and Israel, Stearns points out quite powerfully and convincingly that God is supremely concerned with the least of these and demands that His people who are called by His Name take responsibility for the poor in their midst. Stearns shows in Scripture how proclamation of the Good News is accompanied by demonstration of the love and kindness of God.
In Los Angeles, we will be working with and serving some of the most destitute, the most 'least of these' in the U.S. . Skid Row is a real place. Thousands upon thousands of people have given up on life, given into despair, feel abandoned by God and by humanity. As one person said of Skid Row in an interview: "Skid Row is where people go to die." We saw that last year-this tangible sense of hopelessness and despair. With over 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles, Skid Row is a city within a city where darkness and despair are tangible. It is the "end of the line" for those who end up there.
Women are at particular risk. A woman (and many women are on the street with their children) has a greater than 80% chance of being sexually or physically assaulted if she is on the streets for longer than 2 weeks. We are ministering with agencies that are doing everything they can to get these women and children off the streets.
Stereotypes of the homeless are shattered in Los Angeles. I must confess my stereotypes often included the ideas such as: 'This is a life they chose,' or 'These are people just working the system,' or 'drug addicts' or 'people with mental illnesses.' While there are certainly people who fit into these categories, they are still loved by God and He desires for them to be set free. There are the 'others' though-thousands and thousands of 'others,' individuals or families who were barely making it paycheck to paycheck. People who were downsized (laid off), or had medical emergencies, and suddenly found themselves unable to pay mortgage or rent. It is a progression: Living in a car while trying to find work. If no work materializes, then being on the streets.
The "drop off point" from having a roof over your head to being out on the streets is a fine line in Los Angeles. The greatest economic disparity between the 'haves' and 'have nots' exists in L.A. Thousands are on the streets asking themselves, 'How did this happen to me?' Jesus cares for these people as well.
And many are on the streets having long given up any idea or hope that things would change. We met a young man last year and after talking with him, it was quite apparent that in his mind, there was simply no more hope." Jesus cares for him.
So we are going to Los Angeles because we sensed Him calling us to go. We won't be spending our time with the 'haves'-or hanging out on Rodeo Drive. We will spend our time on Skid Row and among the urban poor.
And Jesus cares for these people. He cares for this city that so many look at as the "land of fruits and nuts." He cares for them all.
I am blessed by our students. They have prayed and sensed His call to serve in a very challenging context. I would ask for you to pray for them. I would also ask, if you sense His leading, to support them, partner with them in the Gospel. Yes, "compassion fatigue" can desensitize us to many things. I would humbly ask that you consider the twenty students going, and the work they will be doing, and the thousands of people we will be interacting with, and join us in making a difference in the lives of people who experience a sense of abandonment, pain and hopelessness most of us cannot imagine.
Jesus cares for the "least of these." I'm proud of the students going who heard His call and are going in faith. We leave in less than a month. There are still needs to help these students go. We have seen this as a faith venture from beginning to end. We trust Him to provide. If He impresses on you to be a part of that provision, you may send any and all gifts to:
San Antonio Baptist Association
Attn: Baptist Student Ministries/Kevin Prather
5807 I-H 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78201
Missions Here or Abroad? A Both/And Approach
Early in my ministry, I had a somewhat jaded view of many 'mission trips' which I saw as little more than sanctified spiritual tourist trips, or vacations. As such, I was not the most popular youth minister when, at my first ministry post, I broke ranks with the annual "youth choir mission trip" and took the group to Houston's 9th Ward. Prior to my arrival, the youth went to "fun" and "interesting" places to sing, do a backyard bible club, and then do a lot of sightseeing. Somehow, this idea of missions didn't resonate with my understanding of the New Testament pattern of missions. At Mildred McWhorter's Mission in one of the toughest parts of Houston, there was little to see in terms of "sights" unless gangs, people standing in line for sacks of potatoes, vegetables and bread were "sights."
The daily work in Houston was typically long and hard. Have to love that Houston humidity, sleeping on the floor and unloading food from 18 Wheelers from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
As I continued in the ministry in the local church, I believed it important for the church to be on mission both in the community and outside the community. I remember hearing (more than once), something to the effect of: "Shouldn't we focus our energies here when (fill in the blank of the city or town I served in at the time) there are so many needs here instead of going somewhere else? On one level, it seems to make sense. Why go to Houston when Dallas has so many needs? Why go to Los Angeles when San Antonio has so many needs?
When I look at Scripture, I see something else, however. I see Jesus calling His people to not only make a difference where they are, but to go to the ends of the earth. If we all adopted the mindset that said "We'll go elsewhere when everything here is fixed"-we would never leave. Poverty, lostness, hopelessness exist everywhere. The question we must ask is: "What role does Jesus have for us in His Missionary Enterprise? What is He calling us to do, to be?" The Great Commission certainly is not confined by geography.
Missions is not a "here or abroad" issue-it is the very nature of God's people to continually be on mission-both where we are and open to wherever He leads us-and He does lead us out of our geographical locations.
The wonderful thing about mission trips-and by mission trips I am referring to those trips that focus on sharing the Gospel in word and deed, as well as ministering to the 'least of these' is that they expand our vision of the King and His Kingdom, stretch us in ways that can only take place out of our comfort zone, and prepare us for more effective ministry in our city/place of origin. Mission trips also allow us to partner in the Gospel with other believers, strengthening the work they are doing.
As a church planter in Wisconsin, I was blessed when a group from Dallas came to our city to help with the work. Their help allowed us to accomplish in one week what would normally take our church over 2-3 months to accomplish. The benefit was mutual-they were stretched and we were strengthened.
We are partners in the Gospel with believers both here and abroad, and it is in that partnership that we are able to do more together than we could ever do alone. It is in the context of that partnership that we learn more of what it means to be the Body of Christ, working together, each one looking out for the other, not looking out merely for ourselves.
The economy of the Kingdom is different from that of this world system-the more we give away, the more we receive. The more we live for the blessing of others, the more we ourselves are blessed. I'm not referring to receiving material blessings, but rather the blessing that comes with following Christ wherever He leads. May we follow well...
The daily work in Houston was typically long and hard. Have to love that Houston humidity, sleeping on the floor and unloading food from 18 Wheelers from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
As I continued in the ministry in the local church, I believed it important for the church to be on mission both in the community and outside the community. I remember hearing (more than once), something to the effect of: "Shouldn't we focus our energies here when (fill in the blank of the city or town I served in at the time) there are so many needs here instead of going somewhere else? On one level, it seems to make sense. Why go to Houston when Dallas has so many needs? Why go to Los Angeles when San Antonio has so many needs?
When I look at Scripture, I see something else, however. I see Jesus calling His people to not only make a difference where they are, but to go to the ends of the earth. If we all adopted the mindset that said "We'll go elsewhere when everything here is fixed"-we would never leave. Poverty, lostness, hopelessness exist everywhere. The question we must ask is: "What role does Jesus have for us in His Missionary Enterprise? What is He calling us to do, to be?" The Great Commission certainly is not confined by geography.
Missions is not a "here or abroad" issue-it is the very nature of God's people to continually be on mission-both where we are and open to wherever He leads us-and He does lead us out of our geographical locations.
The wonderful thing about mission trips-and by mission trips I am referring to those trips that focus on sharing the Gospel in word and deed, as well as ministering to the 'least of these' is that they expand our vision of the King and His Kingdom, stretch us in ways that can only take place out of our comfort zone, and prepare us for more effective ministry in our city/place of origin. Mission trips also allow us to partner in the Gospel with other believers, strengthening the work they are doing.
As a church planter in Wisconsin, I was blessed when a group from Dallas came to our city to help with the work. Their help allowed us to accomplish in one week what would normally take our church over 2-3 months to accomplish. The benefit was mutual-they were stretched and we were strengthened.
We are partners in the Gospel with believers both here and abroad, and it is in that partnership that we are able to do more together than we could ever do alone. It is in the context of that partnership that we learn more of what it means to be the Body of Christ, working together, each one looking out for the other, not looking out merely for ourselves.
The economy of the Kingdom is different from that of this world system-the more we give away, the more we receive. The more we live for the blessing of others, the more we ourselves are blessed. I'm not referring to receiving material blessings, but rather the blessing that comes with following Christ wherever He leads. May we follow well...
Friday, March 27, 2009
Investing in Eternity
Sometimes when we hear about students going on a mission trip, a part of us equates the trip with "spiritual tourism." I know that feeling-I've experienced it before when I am asked to support a person or group going on trip, here or abroad.
But there are those times when you know a group-what they are doing, and you know their trip is anything but tourism. I want to tell you briefly about such a trip-a trip that is going to be extremely challenging, one that will profoundly change the lives of college students, and one that will impact eternity.
We (Baptist Student Ministries)are taking nineteen students from UTSA back to Los Angeles this year on mission trip. We are returning to the same church and agencies we worked with last year to build on last year's work.
Our students were challenged months ago to pray about being called to Los Angeles. The students going have taken this responsibility seriously and last night we had our first training meeting. I was blessed to see a group of young people coming in faith, with a strong sense of God's Hand upon them, leading them to serve in the heart of Los Angeles, where there is indeed much darkness.
Our students will be serving through Mosaic church-but connecting with agencies such as the Dream Center, Union Rescue Mission, Adopt a Block, MetroKidz, School on Wheels-working among the 90,000 homeless, focusing on Skid Row, and working among the urban poor. We will be sharing the Gospel and demonstrating Christ's love to people living in darkness and despair. It is tough spiritual terrain. Our students will not be seeing the "beautiful" side of Los Angeles, rather immersed in the darkest and toughest places. Their work schedule is taxing-not much in the way of down time, and they knew this as they prayed about the trip and yet...they said, "Here I am Lord, send me!"
I am humbled by their spirit, their willingness to offer themselves up in a context most people would avoid.
For us, Los Angeles has become our "ends of the earth" as far as missions.
I want you to know that for our students, missions is not about an annual trip-they are on mission throughout the school year. They have been trained and are continually challenged to be missionaries on their campus-and they are. God is using them in powerful ways to interact with and engage the lost. So for them, this trip is further training and further investment in the Kingdom.
I am writing to ask for you to prayerfully consider the following:
1) Committing to pray for this group. We are going to need it. The darkness and despair is great. We need God's protection, provision and strength. We cannot do this in our own strength.
2) To prayerfully consider helping to support these students as they go. Last year, our actual cost per student was close to $1,000. This year it is $950. Last year God provided through churches, Sunday school classes, individuals in such a way that our students were able to go for $350. That is our goal again this year.
Our trip is May 19-26. Our students have turned in their first deposit of $100.00 and their second is due next week. They are trusting God for everything, as am I.
If you are looking to make an investment in the Kingdom, an investment in young people-something that will "stick" with them, something that will make a significant difference in the lives of many, I encourage you to pray about supporting these students.
Anything that is received is divided among the group. We are all working and praying together-this is a team effort and a faith venture from beginning to end.
We appreciate the prayers of so many. Thank you. Your prayers are making a significant difference on our campus!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ustabsm@gmail.com or call me at 210.823.4166.
If you would like to help support these precious students, you may do so by sending a check to the San Antonio Baptist Association; Baptist Student Ministries, 5807 I-H 10 West; San Antonio, TX 78201. In the memo section of the check, please designate: BSM Mission Trip, LA
For the King and His Kingdom,
Kevin Prather
But there are those times when you know a group-what they are doing, and you know their trip is anything but tourism. I want to tell you briefly about such a trip-a trip that is going to be extremely challenging, one that will profoundly change the lives of college students, and one that will impact eternity.
We (Baptist Student Ministries)are taking nineteen students from UTSA back to Los Angeles this year on mission trip. We are returning to the same church and agencies we worked with last year to build on last year's work.
Our students were challenged months ago to pray about being called to Los Angeles. The students going have taken this responsibility seriously and last night we had our first training meeting. I was blessed to see a group of young people coming in faith, with a strong sense of God's Hand upon them, leading them to serve in the heart of Los Angeles, where there is indeed much darkness.
Our students will be serving through Mosaic church-but connecting with agencies such as the Dream Center, Union Rescue Mission, Adopt a Block, MetroKidz, School on Wheels-working among the 90,000 homeless, focusing on Skid Row, and working among the urban poor. We will be sharing the Gospel and demonstrating Christ's love to people living in darkness and despair. It is tough spiritual terrain. Our students will not be seeing the "beautiful" side of Los Angeles, rather immersed in the darkest and toughest places. Their work schedule is taxing-not much in the way of down time, and they knew this as they prayed about the trip and yet...they said, "Here I am Lord, send me!"
I am humbled by their spirit, their willingness to offer themselves up in a context most people would avoid.
For us, Los Angeles has become our "ends of the earth" as far as missions.
I want you to know that for our students, missions is not about an annual trip-they are on mission throughout the school year. They have been trained and are continually challenged to be missionaries on their campus-and they are. God is using them in powerful ways to interact with and engage the lost. So for them, this trip is further training and further investment in the Kingdom.
I am writing to ask for you to prayerfully consider the following:
1) Committing to pray for this group. We are going to need it. The darkness and despair is great. We need God's protection, provision and strength. We cannot do this in our own strength.
2) To prayerfully consider helping to support these students as they go. Last year, our actual cost per student was close to $1,000. This year it is $950. Last year God provided through churches, Sunday school classes, individuals in such a way that our students were able to go for $350. That is our goal again this year.
Our trip is May 19-26. Our students have turned in their first deposit of $100.00 and their second is due next week. They are trusting God for everything, as am I.
If you are looking to make an investment in the Kingdom, an investment in young people-something that will "stick" with them, something that will make a significant difference in the lives of many, I encourage you to pray about supporting these students.
Anything that is received is divided among the group. We are all working and praying together-this is a team effort and a faith venture from beginning to end.
We appreciate the prayers of so many. Thank you. Your prayers are making a significant difference on our campus!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at ustabsm@gmail.com or call me at 210.823.4166.
If you would like to help support these precious students, you may do so by sending a check to the San Antonio Baptist Association; Baptist Student Ministries, 5807 I-H 10 West; San Antonio, TX 78201. In the memo section of the check, please designate: BSM Mission Trip, LA
For the King and His Kingdom,
Kevin Prather
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Invitation
This Monday, March 16, I will be speaking at the San Antonio Baptist Association after lunch. I will be talking about attractional and missional ministry approaches and sharing what God is doing on our campus and in the lives of our students. I believe the time will be encouraging and helpful to pastors, youth ministers, to church members-to anyone who is concerned about what it will take to reach our city with the Gospel.
I hope you will come! I will also be sharing a bit about our mission trip to Los Angeles and how the lessons we learned there last year translated into more effective and meaningful ministry here in San Antonio.
If you are interested in coming-please call the SABA office at 210.525.9954 to make your reservation.
I believe you will be blessed!
For the King and His Kingdom,
Kevin Prather
I hope you will come! I will also be sharing a bit about our mission trip to Los Angeles and how the lessons we learned there last year translated into more effective and meaningful ministry here in San Antonio.
If you are interested in coming-please call the SABA office at 210.525.9954 to make your reservation.
I believe you will be blessed!
For the King and His Kingdom,
Kevin Prather
Sunday, March 8, 2009
BSM Mission Trip to Los Angeles: Investing for the Long Term
We are returning to Los Angeles this May for our mission trip. I am excited for our students. The journey to return to Los Angeles is a testimony in and of itself to our student's responsiveness to the Spirit.
Every year we are to take a mission trip. The trips have a remarkable way of not only forging community, but also expanding the vision of the Kingdom and sevice and what God is doing outside of San Antonio. As we started thinking and praying about mission trip 2009 late summer and early fall, there was this discussion going on about where we should go this year, with a subtle presupposition that wherever it would be, it would be some place new-some place with new experiences, new things to see and do...and to be frank, there were many possibilities that emerged that were exciting and would be new experiences-but one thing was lacking: Peace.
I read something from a leadership journal that simply said this: "Short-term mission trips= spiritual tourism?" The article spoke of the importance of having places believers invest long term-investing in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. It spoke of the importance of building something in one area as opposed to flitting around each year to see new things. In other words, "don't prostitute missions by making mission trips nothing more than excuses to do spiritual tourism."
Bingo. This was why I had a lack of peace. I shared with the students (who were by the way excited with visions of New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and even Argentina). I called them to pray. We started talking. To their credit, to a person they began to see the importance of investing long term in one place-which for us is Los Angeles, and building something there that will last. Long-term investment.
So we are returning-and the work is nothing short of intense. Los Angeles has 90,000 homeless people, and that population is growing The city's unemployment rate just hit 10 percent. We will be connected to Mosaic Church for worship and for training, but will be working with Union Rescue Mission, the Dream Center, Adopt A Block, MetroKidz, Hope Gardens, School on Wheels (I encourage you to check out these places on YouTube). Our students will also be doing street evangelism on Hollywood Blvd as well as having conversations with Scientologists and Buddhists while in Los Angeles.
Last year, we had a remarkable time in Los Angeles. Lessons learned there, the experiences we had, translated into meaningful ministry on our campus this year. On this trip, the work is nearly doubled-our students are going to be stretched significantly (and I will as well), and we would truly appreciate your prayers.
At this time it appears we are taking around twenty students. We all need your prayers. When we touch ground in Los Angeles, the training starts and the work begins. It will be an intensive time of ministry (May 19-26), with little rest each day. Our mornings are early and our nights are late.
Something interesting has happened through this process as well: As we discuss this trip as an organization, God has been specifically calling students out to go-and the prevailing attitude is already one of soberness and humilty-that God has something significant for us and that we must be preparing ourselves now, not waiting for the mandatory 5 weeks of training to start preparing. It is difficult to describe other than it is tangible. God's Hand is on this group. We do not know what we will experience, what Los Angeles is going to be like in May of this year-but we do have a strong sense that we are in for a time of intensive spiritual warfare and testing.
We covet your prayers. I ask you to please pray for our students.
Last year, many churches and individuals joined us in praying as well as in the sending process. Churches and individuals helped support our students as they raised financial support to go on the trip.
We are aware of economic realities-and we are trusting Him to provide as only He can. If you feel so led to support this mission trip, we are grateful and thankful. Know this: Your investment in these students will reverberate to Los Angeles and back to San Antonio, and through eternity. Our students are sharing their stories with their churches, family and friends. Pray for them.
If you feel led to send financial support for this trip, you may send all gifts to: San Antonio Baptist Association; 5807 I H 10 W; San Antonio, TX 78201. Designate the gifts for BSM LA Mission Trip.
We appreciate your prayers and partnership in the Gospel.
Every year we are to take a mission trip. The trips have a remarkable way of not only forging community, but also expanding the vision of the Kingdom and sevice and what God is doing outside of San Antonio. As we started thinking and praying about mission trip 2009 late summer and early fall, there was this discussion going on about where we should go this year, with a subtle presupposition that wherever it would be, it would be some place new-some place with new experiences, new things to see and do...and to be frank, there were many possibilities that emerged that were exciting and would be new experiences-but one thing was lacking: Peace.
I read something from a leadership journal that simply said this: "Short-term mission trips= spiritual tourism?" The article spoke of the importance of having places believers invest long term-investing in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and ends of the earth. It spoke of the importance of building something in one area as opposed to flitting around each year to see new things. In other words, "don't prostitute missions by making mission trips nothing more than excuses to do spiritual tourism."
Bingo. This was why I had a lack of peace. I shared with the students (who were by the way excited with visions of New York City, Chicago, Seattle, and even Argentina). I called them to pray. We started talking. To their credit, to a person they began to see the importance of investing long term in one place-which for us is Los Angeles, and building something there that will last. Long-term investment.
So we are returning-and the work is nothing short of intense. Los Angeles has 90,000 homeless people, and that population is growing The city's unemployment rate just hit 10 percent. We will be connected to Mosaic Church for worship and for training, but will be working with Union Rescue Mission, the Dream Center, Adopt A Block, MetroKidz, Hope Gardens, School on Wheels (I encourage you to check out these places on YouTube). Our students will also be doing street evangelism on Hollywood Blvd as well as having conversations with Scientologists and Buddhists while in Los Angeles.
Last year, we had a remarkable time in Los Angeles. Lessons learned there, the experiences we had, translated into meaningful ministry on our campus this year. On this trip, the work is nearly doubled-our students are going to be stretched significantly (and I will as well), and we would truly appreciate your prayers.
At this time it appears we are taking around twenty students. We all need your prayers. When we touch ground in Los Angeles, the training starts and the work begins. It will be an intensive time of ministry (May 19-26), with little rest each day. Our mornings are early and our nights are late.
Something interesting has happened through this process as well: As we discuss this trip as an organization, God has been specifically calling students out to go-and the prevailing attitude is already one of soberness and humilty-that God has something significant for us and that we must be preparing ourselves now, not waiting for the mandatory 5 weeks of training to start preparing. It is difficult to describe other than it is tangible. God's Hand is on this group. We do not know what we will experience, what Los Angeles is going to be like in May of this year-but we do have a strong sense that we are in for a time of intensive spiritual warfare and testing.
We covet your prayers. I ask you to please pray for our students.
Last year, many churches and individuals joined us in praying as well as in the sending process. Churches and individuals helped support our students as they raised financial support to go on the trip.
We are aware of economic realities-and we are trusting Him to provide as only He can. If you feel so led to support this mission trip, we are grateful and thankful. Know this: Your investment in these students will reverberate to Los Angeles and back to San Antonio, and through eternity. Our students are sharing their stories with their churches, family and friends. Pray for them.
If you feel led to send financial support for this trip, you may send all gifts to: San Antonio Baptist Association; 5807 I H 10 W; San Antonio, TX 78201. Designate the gifts for BSM LA Mission Trip.
We appreciate your prayers and partnership in the Gospel.
Internationals, Atheists, Non-Christian Organizations
It is always a blessing when a community of faith feels compelled, even responsible for reaching out to the lost, developing relationships with them-when obedience to the Great Commission is more important than any sense of personal comfort.
It is a huge blessing when a community of faith takes 1 Peter 3:15, 16 quite seriously, always being ready to give reason for the hope that is within, but to do so with all gentleness and respect. Love and graciousness are the framework for apologetics.
When a community "gets" this-the issue is not "winning arguments" with lost people, but rather, through an authentic, loving relationship, sharing Christ and making Him known, being prepared to answer questions as to "why do you believe in Him?" God has brought us to this place-and I am excited and blessed!
There will be parties monthly over the next three months for international students. These gatherings serve two purposes: First, to develop relationships with the many international students on campus and through those relationships to demonstrate the love of Christ. Second, through those relationships, to share the Gospel. We have relationships with students from Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Morocco...from places where the Gospel is "not" either due to government persecution of Christians or a completely different worldview/faith system.
Our students have also initiated a "bowling night" with students in the Atheist Agenda, something that is a miracle in and of itself (the Agenda's openness to doing something with a Christian organization). The purpose of this night is to simply build relationships that will provide opportunity for honorable conversations about the Gospel. We are the only Christian organization on campus that the Atheist Agenda considers "cool." We found that they have had a rough history with other organizations on campus that have further driven many of their members away from Christians. They (the Agenda) have been somewhat intrigued and caught off guard by the love they have encountered in our students. We need your prayers. This is both a significant opportunity as well as a significant responsibility. We have favor with them, and that is solely His doing. Please pray for our students as they continue to dialogue with perhaps the most militant group on campus.
Our students have also planned a social gathering in which we are specifically inviting non-Christian organizations to participate. The response thus far is exciting. Again, the purpose is to develop relationships for the sake of the Gospel. I am proud of our students!
We are seeing our community reach out to other communities not connected to Christ. We are seeing our students individually and in small groups reach out to the lost as well-this takes place daily.
Please pray that God would be glorified in all of these things-and please pray for the spiritual protection of our students. Their faith and willingness to go to the edge encourages and challenges me.
It is a huge blessing when a community of faith takes 1 Peter 3:15, 16 quite seriously, always being ready to give reason for the hope that is within, but to do so with all gentleness and respect. Love and graciousness are the framework for apologetics.
When a community "gets" this-the issue is not "winning arguments" with lost people, but rather, through an authentic, loving relationship, sharing Christ and making Him known, being prepared to answer questions as to "why do you believe in Him?" God has brought us to this place-and I am excited and blessed!
There will be parties monthly over the next three months for international students. These gatherings serve two purposes: First, to develop relationships with the many international students on campus and through those relationships to demonstrate the love of Christ. Second, through those relationships, to share the Gospel. We have relationships with students from Eastern Europe, China, Japan, Morocco...from places where the Gospel is "not" either due to government persecution of Christians or a completely different worldview/faith system.
Our students have also initiated a "bowling night" with students in the Atheist Agenda, something that is a miracle in and of itself (the Agenda's openness to doing something with a Christian organization). The purpose of this night is to simply build relationships that will provide opportunity for honorable conversations about the Gospel. We are the only Christian organization on campus that the Atheist Agenda considers "cool." We found that they have had a rough history with other organizations on campus that have further driven many of their members away from Christians. They (the Agenda) have been somewhat intrigued and caught off guard by the love they have encountered in our students. We need your prayers. This is both a significant opportunity as well as a significant responsibility. We have favor with them, and that is solely His doing. Please pray for our students as they continue to dialogue with perhaps the most militant group on campus.
Our students have also planned a social gathering in which we are specifically inviting non-Christian organizations to participate. The response thus far is exciting. Again, the purpose is to develop relationships for the sake of the Gospel. I am proud of our students!
We are seeing our community reach out to other communities not connected to Christ. We are seeing our students individually and in small groups reach out to the lost as well-this takes place daily.
Please pray that God would be glorified in all of these things-and please pray for the spiritual protection of our students. Their faith and willingness to go to the edge encourages and challenges me.
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