I wrote an email to my aunt this week and found myself easily updating about the ministry. “I’ve been wrapping up the semester on campus. It has not been an easy year but I do feel the Lord’s presence and know that He is caring for these students and the chapter as a whole. There is always at least one or more encouraging stories at the end of each week as I look back and think about the ministry. It also helps that the sun is out & warm again!”
Tonight my encouragement is clear: We had about 75 people gather for our last Monday night of the semester, and 12 of those were Seniors or otherwise leaving the chapter. Most of them went up front to share, a truly a vision-casting experience as we heard them say things like “I was just going to class, then work, then home and I really needed some friends my own age” or “I had been praying for real relationships to grow in college” and then the story unfolds of how the community of InterVarsity became that to them. Most people’s first interaction was with a friend inviting them to Crash. They talked about the life-long friendships that formed, realizing God’s love for the first time, exploring scripture, being discipled and learning to get uncomfortable, then challenged the rest of us to continue doing those things.
I prayed for all of our departing seniors and other folks who are leaving, with full confidence that God has used their time in college to develop them into world-changers. These students are equipped to grow in their leadership development and love for God. A tidbit of where these world-changers are going? Newport News Police force, Kenya Global Project, Grad school, InterVarsity staff, teaching in inner city Richmond, and some into the great unknown. Pray with me for them during these transitions!
Here they are!
I spent all day pulling photos off of facebook and teaching myself how to make a fancy slideshow. I am proud of myself! I know Mac is intuitive, but still. Let me show off my day’s work. (And possibly, let it show off my 3 year’s work…?)
I am so proud of you for doing that video!! Looks great!!! I knew you could figure it out. I love seeing your past three year’s work. Praise God.