It's Already September?

My first day at Wofford 2005

Move-in Day!!! Freshmen poured onto campus today and were welcomed by dozens of orientation and residence life staff waiting to unload their cars (the parents love this!).  It was exciting thinking back to my first year at Wofford and remembering some of the first people I met. The first few days are so important as the Campus Outreach staff hope to build relationships with students. By God's grace, in time these relationships turn into spiritual conversations and lives surrendered to Christ.

Andre Fields and Jennifer Rook (the full time campus staff) and I all went to campus during lunch today to meet some new faces. I was pretty nervous about stepping back onto the campus but it was encouraging seeing familiar faces and meeting new students. It was funny talking to students that didn’t know where buildings were on campus- the sense of newness is brief but fun to see.

I am trying to claim this good gospel reminder as I hesitate or get nervous about going to campus--"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

A light thing in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 3:16-18) As Aug 15th  was rolling around, honestly I was a little bitter, wondering why God had not answered my prayer to be at 100% of my support. How quickly I failed to rejoice in the work of Christ. I keep going back to Psalm 127:1-2 though, knowing ultimately that it is not my work (though that’s important) that will bring me to 100%, but trusting and being patient in the God that called me to himself, called me to this ministry, and has brought me to 90%...which is amazing!! This must be a light thing in the creator of the universe. Perseverance and trust have taken on a new meaning in this season of my life- there have been so many encouraging stories of God’s faithfulness that I cannot wait to continue to be amazed!

Prayer “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…”  Colossians 4:2-3 

Join me in praying the above verse and the following:
-We would meet (and remember!) many students in these first few days and weeks
-Relationships would turn into spiritual conversations and lives surrendered to Christ
-I would find my identity (Psalm 147:10-11), strength (2 Chronicles 16:9), and command (Matthew 28:18-20) in and from Christ…not myself, especially in these intense first few weeks
-God would provide my support goal of 100%

Surprising answer from Billy Graham: His response resonates well with the heartbeat of CO- to reach students with the gospel, train them to walk with God and reach other students for Christ, and establish a vision of reaching the lost for a lifetime. http://cogreenville.server288.com/2010/08/04/a-picture-of-our-mission-from-billy-graham/.