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Monday, February 20, 2012

Back in the Saddle Again - Jan/Feb Newsletter


“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Romans 12:9-15

 

Back in the Saddle Again…



What a crazy and amazing start back to full-time campus ministry! We feel like we have been sprinting since December, but this has been the most rewarding month and a half!
Though we have been busy with event after event (weekly meetings, a snow day, a retreat, Angel and Mortals), the best stuff has been happening in our day-to-day interactions with students. We have been so excited to be able to share the Good News of how Jesus changed our lives. Not only that, but we are encouraging our students in our discipleship appointments to be bold in their lives – whether it means to stop walking in sin or to take that step of obedience to share Jesus with someone else. 
With all the joy of living in obedience to what God has called His people to also come the spiritual attacks from our enemy who would like nothing more than to keep the Gospel from spreading. We have seen small dissentions between staff, between us as a couple, and also in the students. We have seen some of our students go from walking strong with Christ to walking the line of sin. The best way I can describe it is we’re battling to make Romans 12 active in our daily lives, and the enemy doesn’t like that!
But what is so great to see is how God is sovereign and overcomes evil. We fight hard to keep seeking the Lord, keep seeking peace amongst each other, and keep letting God’s Truth reign over our feelings and circumstances! Thank you for all your prayers – God is doing big stuff on campus, and He’s definitely not done yet!! 

Stepping Out in Faith

 

Anne is a junior transfer student, and she has been such a wonderful addition to our group this year! She got to go to the Denver Christmas Conference, and had an amazing opportunity while there. Here is her story.
“On New Year’s Eve, we were sent out into the heart of downtown Denver to evangelize. We started by doing a flash mob across eight blocks. An hour later, we lined the street again for a massive wave and invited bystanders to join us. Across the street stood a high school girl, Eva, who ran over to join us. Afterwards, I finally decided to break the ice by asking her a few questions and talking to her about her background in Christianity. For the first time that night we met someone who didn’t believe in God. She asked us a lot of deep questions, allowing us to provide truth for her. At the end of our time together we exchanged numbers and offered to meet with her again before leaving Denver.
“The following day I received a text message from Eva asking if we could still hang out. Once we agreed to meet for lunch, she also asked to join some of the conference activities for the day. Along with all the other college students she helped us package 100,000 meals for Haiti and listened to a guest speaker during women’s time talk about shame. Afterwards we were able to learn more about her at dinner and she joined us again for the main session, which involved 1300 college students praising Jesus through song and an incredible talk by the main speaker.
“During campus time that night I was able to share my story about Eva with the rest of the students and staff from Master Plan Ministry. In the middle of discussion, I received a text message from Eva asking if we could talk. She proceeded to pour out her past to me, and the pain she felt from it. I was able to offer her healing and love through God’s love. I am thankful and filled with joy to tell you that she accepted Christ that night.”
 

Changed Lives



Chris is a sophomore this year, and we were so excited to have him share his testimony at our last retreat. He has graciously let us share his testimony with all of you!
“Even though I went to church growing up every Sunday, I thought of it as more of an obligation or job and didn’t truly see God for who he is and what he did. Through junior high and high school I felt this empty gap in my heart and resorted to drinking. This brought me to college where I drank too much one night and ended up in the hospital.
“Through everything that happened, I felt like God gave me life again. He saved me. A few weeks later, I met a few guys, who were a part of a ministry on campus in Durango called Connect. They ended up inviting me to a retreat taking place that month. Here I saw the true love of God and I realized how much I needed it in my life. Through all the talks and discussions, I saw I needed to surrender my life to Christ.
“I am so thankful to this day for everyone in connect and showing me the love of God and brining me to a life with Christ. If it weren’t for that first retreat, I probably would never have given my life to God.  I thank God every day for the people in my life that showed me how much I needed his grace and love.

  

Prayer Requests


Thank you all so much for praying! We have been so blessed to have so many people praying for us and for the students.
-       Pray for Megan, Jeremy, Brandon, Halley, Chris, Nick, Dan, Richie, and all the other students that need Jesus in their lives as their personal Lord and Savior – and that we can have an opportunity to share with them as much as we can.
-       Pray that our students will continue to be bold in their walks with God by living out the great commission and walking in the light of truth.
-       For a student, Alex, and his family who are grieving the loss of his brother and their son who committed suicide a few weeks ago.
-       Pray that us on staff will be continually encouraged by God’s Truth, and that we will work together as a team
-       Pray that we will continue to work together in unity as a couple, and that God will continue to be bold in sharing the Gospel. 

Master Plan Students (from every campus) at DCC
Playing broom ball at the Ranch Snow Day

Sledding at the February Retreat
Rugby in the snow
Valentine's Day/ Angels and Mortals Connect