DCC New Year's Balloon Sword Fight

Here is some footage of the balloon sword fight on 16th Street in downtown Denver at this year's DCC outreach!!

New Year, New Start - Newsletter January 2013

 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”

Philippians 1:27-28a

 

New Year, New Start

 

Imagine you are a college student on New Year’s Eve, and you are in downtown Denver – what do you imagine that you would be doing? Would you believe that you are having a balloon fight with a couple thousand other college students and other civilians on the 16^th Street mall? And the whole reason you’re out in the freezing cold is so you could share the best news in the world with someone?! Needless to say, this was probably not your first thought! But that’s exactly what we got to witness this New Year’s at Denver Christmas Conference (DCC).

Here one story from that night from Anne, a senior at FLC:

“After the balloon sword fight my fiancé, Brandon, and I began telling people ‘Happy New Year!’ One specific couple I asked if they had any New Year’s resolutions. After the wife told me hers, she asked me mine, where I got to share with her my relationship with Christ and my desire to grow closer to Him. Our conversation very quickly turned into a spiritual one… I got to share the Gospel with her in a very clear way using a little booklet that spells out the Gospel… It brought her to tears. She didn’t accept Christ right that moment, but I gave her that little booklet, with a prayer for her to receive Christ in it, and she said, ‘This is the best New Year’s gift!’”

Okay, now let’s say you are a college student again. And this time you are coming back from Christmas break, and you have an opportunity to potentially share the Gospel with a girl you have only met once and you are feeling scared to do it – what do you imagine you would do? Would you fight through your feelings and go anyway?

Meghan was feeling uneasy after she told me (Leah) she would join me in this conversation to see where “L” was with God. But the Sunday before, the sermon on discipleship really encouraged her to step out in faith and watch God show up. As we were talking and hearing more about “L’s” story, her friend, “F”, came to meet up to have tea with her. Upon seeing the pictures, “F” was completely intrigued and wanted to participate too. After a little while I asked the question, “If Jesus was sitting with us right now, what would be one thing He would say to you?” After hearing their answers, I asked, “Can I tell you what I think He would tell you?” And using the Soularium pictures, and guided by the Holy Spirit, I got to show “L” and “F” how Jesus has a wonderful gift of eternal life, how our sin separates us from God, how Jesus is the only solution for our sin, and it’s by receiving Jesus by faith that we can have this gift. It sounded like “L” had already received Christ, but “F” was blown away by what we were telling her! When explaining how Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” she said, “Wow! No one has ever explained this to me like this! I really need this to sink in more.”

She needed more time to let the truth sink in, so we are going to follow up with her soon. Pray for all these people we have had a chance to meet and share Jesus with! And pray that we can keep meeting people and be bold to share the gospel with them!!

 

Prayer Requests

 

-       Nate and Erin Hebst (who are on staff with us at Fort Lewis College) welcomed the arrival of their third child – and first boy – on January 8^th, 2013!! Micah Peter Herbst is healthy and doing well, along with Mom, Dad and big sisters. Pray for continued health for everyone - especially since it’s flu season – and for the life adjustment to a family of five will be smooth!!

-       Pray for Stephanie Brown (also on staff at FLC), our student leaders, and us as well, as we continue to share the Gospel OPENLY (praise God) and invest in the lives of others. Pray that we will have God’s energy and wisdom as we all step into new roles and step out in faith!

-       Pray for our students to have a healthy balance of school and ministry – but more specifically that they would have the heart to see their mission field on campus and reach out to those who are headed into eternity without Jesus.

-       Thank you so much for your prayers and financial help!! We have been able to pay for a new battery for the Suburban and for DCC! And God blessed us with people putting new tires on the Subaru!! God is so faithful!!!

Snow Day at Three Trails Ranch (courtesy of Daniel Amerman)

 

Missional Women

 

If you are a woman, or have a lady in your life, please check out a new website designed for women who desire to live on mission for Jesus Christ! Topics range from devotionals, apologetics, image and identity, sexual issues, and more. Not to mention resources and encourage too! Many women contribute, including Master Plan staff women, Cru Staff, housewives, women workers – you name it!!

Visit www.MissionalWomen.com to discover more.

Snow Day (courtesy of Heidi O'Hara)

God Can Do WAY MORE - December 2012 Newsletter

 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

 

God Can Do WAY MORE!

 

 

I (Leah) was reminded of this verse halfway through this past semester, and I was hit with this thought, “God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. What do I ask for? What have I been imagining?” I realized that day that we can easily be the limiting factor for God to work even greater things to happen! God has such amazing plans – are we on board for them to happen?

About two years ago, we planned a Connect to have free pizza, a game, and a couple testimonies that shared the Gospel. We had prayed for at least one person to come to know Christ personally. That night, Alex came for free pizza, and a couple days later accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation from sins!! Malcolm has worked with him one-on-one since then, so he holds a very close place in our hearts. Now Alex is leaving to go back home to Florida for school. Please pray for Alex as he transitions to life away from consistent, loving atmosphere to follow Christ. Pray that he can share Jesus with others, especially his family.

About three years ago, we had a retreat where Ashlie came for the first time. After hearing all this talk about having a relationship with Christ, Ashlie asked a student, “What would you share with someone who wanted that?” My friend, Hedy, went through the Gospel with her, thinking she was training Ashlie to share it with someone else. In reality, when Hedy went over the prayer at the end, Ashlie told God she was a sinner and wanted God to have control of her life! Since then, Ashlie has grown into a mature woman and a budding leader. After two summers serving at Walt Disney World in Florida, she has decided to go back again for her first semester after graduating from Fort Lewis College. I had the pleasure to not only watch Ashlie grow, but walk along side her and challenge her the past year in discipleship. Pray for her as she works and shares the Gospel at Disney, and as she adjusts to life outside of college!

About four years ago, I was just starting my internship with Master Plan Ministries. I had met a feisty freshman, named Mollie, who wanted to really to live for Christ. This last semester was the last semester I had with her before she left on another adventure on a sailboat in the Caribbean. At her last Connect she presented in her farewell speech, “I’ve learned a lot through these past few years of college, but I think I can sum up most of what I learned in three main points. One: It’s ALL about God – everything comes back to Him. Two: Give all the glory to Him. Three: Never give less than 100%.” I couldn’t be more proud of Mollie! Pray for her last semester on the sea to be fruitful and safe, and that God will show her what He wants her to do after college.

Though we are excited about what God has done in the lives of students, we are more excited to see what He has in store next! We are already seeing and expecting God to do immeasurably more than what He has already done on campus and in the lives of these students.

 

Prayer Requests

-       PRAISE GOD!!! The policy has been reviewed and changed – evangelism is protected and no longer limited on campus!! Thank you SO MUCH for praying! Pray that next semester we can go out strong to share the Gospel with the entire campus!

-       We have 11 students signed up to go to Denver Christmas Conference! Pray that they can raise the money they need in order to go. The school has provided a charitable sum to help them pay for the conference, but they still need a little more. If you’re interested in helping them, please contact us ASAP. Pray also that they will learn a lot during their time their, and that the conference will spur those students going to be excited to reach their campus next semester.

-       Pray that our students will be safe over their Christmas break, not only from snow, but also from temptations that come from home. Pray that they will instead be rested and excited for the next semester to go all out for God!

 

A Special Request

As the year comes to a close we look back at God’s abundant provision in our lives and we cannot help but praise Him! We have not once gone hungry, and have had all of our needs met every time. Without you these stories of students’ lives being completely changed by Christ would be far harder.  We thank God for your prayer and support in making all of that happen. Nonetheless. things rise up that are unexpected costs and expenses.  Here are a few things that you can prayerfully considered giving a special end of the year gift to.

-Car maintenance: Both of our cars are in need of new sets of tires for the winter. And the Suburban is in need of a new battery.

-DCC: We are going and need your help to get there so that we can lead and encourage the students.

May we ask you specifically pray about giving a special end of the year gift of $50, $100, or $500 to be put towards these needs?  Thank you for considering this. If you give, whatever the amount you decide is great, and all gifts are tax deductible. 

To give go to www.masterplanministries.net and go to the donate page and click Malcolm and Leah.  Or send a check written to Master Plan Ministries at P.O. Box 1082 Durango, CO 81302

 

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

This Was All HIS Fault!!

Well, if you didn't want us on campus next semester, you're gonna have to talk to God about it because...

WE'RE AT 100% OF OUR GOAL!!!!

Seriously, God has orchestrated a crazy plan for our lives! When we set down our final amount in August, I (Leah) kind of thought to myself, "Well, maybe we don't go on campus at all this year..." We needed to raise an additional $2,500 in monthly support. When I was single raising support it took about 9 months to raise $2,000, so I expected this to take just as long or longer. But God quickly showed us that HE was in control and we were not. So now we are here, about 4 months later with our funds in in time for the holidays! 

We want to take a moment and thank ALL of YOU for your part in God's plan!! We thank and praise God for all of you who financially contribute, who met with us to hear about our ministry, and who prayed for us. We honestly couldn't be more grateful for every single one of you!!!

So, what's next in the Hillewaert agenda? Well, we definitely have a lot of fun and exciting things in store for us!

First, we are heading out early Saturday, December 10th, to go on our Honeymoon cruise!! We have had this planned before we were married, and every day that the temperature gets a bit cooler we have kept in mind our fun and WARM adventure that awaits us. We would appreciate prayers for safe travels and a time to recoup from this past month of traveling for MPD.

After that, we chill a bit in Durango, and then, head up to see family for Christmas. THEN we get to go to DCC again this year! DCC (which stands for Denver Christmas Conference) is put on by Cru (formally known as Campus Crusade for Christ), and it's a 5 day conference where students from all over our region come together. It's an excellent time for the students to grow more in their walks with God, and grow closer with the other students from our campus and the other campuses as well. Pray for us and the students as we prepare to go, and that the overall conference will be a great time of growth and a great time of fellowship for all who attend - and pray for anyone wh might get to hear the Gospel for the first time while we're there as well!!

Once again, we are truly thankful and humbled by all of you!! Let us know who we can be praying specifically for you.