Team: Players, Coaches, Owners, Fans

Go Giants! Go Yankees!

Now I know many of you are from Pennsylvania, Maryland and even Queens and consequently can’t stand my opening line, but have you ever thought about why?  Sure, Jerry Swierczek, you may argue it’s about pure talent… but even when the Phillies lose? Or how about you Rick Lockhart? The teams you cheer for are solely because they are located in the place where you’re originally from, but my friend Tommy Waters supports teams from a whole different state. So why do we support the teams we do?

My answer is simple, common, & without really good reason – I’m from New York, born and raised in the Bronx, so I support the teams who represent my community.

Some of you may tease later but in all honesty, these teams have no real eternal value. Yet so many around the world put so much money, time, and even prayer toward their achievements. How about us, the body of Christ?

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

Who do we glorify with our riches, prayers, attire, and time? Ourselves? Our favorite sports team? Our God? I was recently challenged with looking at my life to see what my heart truly gives attention and glory to.  What or who do I promote?

Being a full-time missionary is like being the field coach of a team.

I recently was hit with this concept of being a coach to student leaders who are leading ministries on their campuses. They are the players on the field, I am their coach, and you are all part of the team after the same goal. God owns it all. Some of you pray and some of you invest financially but together our efforts help advance God’s team through college students in New Jersey to reach the world!

Whatever role you play, first I want to say thank you. Without you, this may very well be impossible. Next, I want to challenge you to increase your investment in this team and support of God’s work. Maybe through prayer every week at church or through financial gifts, whatever the Lord wants you to do.

God has placed me as a coach. Will you continue to support this team?

New Job!!!

From Chicago, he grew up in a predominantly African American church, has a beautiful, talented, intelligent wife named Jocelyn and 3 hilarious, fun, loving children. He couldn't be thug if he wanted but is the chillest White dude I know. ;) He's like my big bro... and NOW MY CO-DIRECTOR for Jersey Metro, Mark Scott! #jerseymetro #BIGNEWS

Crazy how a Boricua (Puerto Rican) from the South Bronx would end up raising funds to move to the step-sister state of New York, known as Jersey (not New Jersey, Jersey) to promote the mission and vision of God to complete strangers. #Bronx #NewYork #Give #NewJersey

Visit give.cru.org/0597677 to partner with us in advancing the mission of God. :)

God’s NOT Dead

“Son of God”, “Noah”, “Heaven is For Real”, and “God’s Not Dead” - Seems as though the month of April is Christian month for the American theaters.

I work with college students. College is a time where young people are searching for truth and clarity about themselves and what they grew up learning… sometimes that includes truth about who God is. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of taking a few students to see the movie “God’s NOT Dead”. This film is a good example of an experience many students (including myself) have had as Christians in secular schools. This is one reason Cru exists – to help build the young Christian in their faith.

*We also hope to train students to share the reason for their faith (Jesus) with their professors and peers with uncompromising truth and loving respect.

Once a month on a Friday night, we gather students together for some praise and worship, a little spiritual jump-start, and a chance to hear what God is doing on these campuses through these students.We call it Jersey Cru.

At this month’s Jersey Cru, I will be announced as the female director of Jersey Metro. This is such a unique ministry with over 22 campus movements and about 20 staff spread across the state. 

Each movement and its staff coach are unique in geography, ethnic make-up, socio-economic status, and spiritual health. Some of these campus movements only have a part-time staff person who coaches the student leaders to share their faith and build Christ-centered movements at their university. Some of these movements are not yet officially recognized by the administration at their school. Jersey Metro is definitely a complex ministry.

 

With this new role, I get the honor to serve the staff persons who coach these students. Along with Mark Scott (current male area director pictured right), some of my new responsibilities will be to care for staff, cast vision for the purpose of the ministry and motivate the team and students to go wherever God calls us to go.

Thank God, these movements are all led by a God who pursued us to the point of becoming man who lived a life we couldn't, suffered a death we should have died so that we can live a life we don't deserve.

Please pray that I will be sensitive and obedient to the guiding of the Holy Spirit as He leads me to take part in leading this team.

Working with my Father

Everyday is "Take Your Daughter to Work" day for me bc I get to join my heavenly Father and watch Him do these amazing things! Check out this video! So cool!

http://vimeo.com/91575798

#Cru #2014 #AmazingGod #StudentTestimonies #Stories #ToGodbetheglory #YoungPeople #happy #JCru #NewJersey #Christians #diversity #encouraged #myjob

Social Media

As I mentioned in November of 2013, social media is an advancing avenue for our students to use to start spiritual conversations with their peers.

#getoutthere is the slogan we have been using as @JerseyMetro to track  spiritual conversations on various social media outlets. One tactic we use to start these conversations is called “The Bi-Weekly Buzz”, where members of our staff team send out a video that can be re-posted, shared, and commented on. We’ve also started a blog on our newly designed website: JerseyMetro.com

On which, staff member, Joey Sforza recently posted:

Virality is in high demand.

Everyone on social media wants their posts to have more likes, shares, comments and re-posts. There is a deep emotional high that fills the soul when you see your post is getting lots of attention.

As part of this social media generation, Joey admits in his post his desire, like all of ours, to be known and loved. He then connects the reader to the terrible news that none of us will ever have that void filled through “likes” or “shares” or even in relationships. Joey then follows up with the good news that God can fill that void! J

Joey’s post was shared by nearly 30,000 people. This follow-up blog about it with a spiritual correlation was shared or liked by only 99.

It’s sad how so many people now live seeking purpose through how many “likes” or “shares” they receive. People are distracted with taking “selfies” in hopes to be “liked” while the enemy rages war against true loving community.  

Our hope is that through stepping into this social media world, we can engage people where they are and usher them into truly loving community with God and His family. That’s exactly what Joey did through this post and that’s exactly what our staff and students work toward in sharing the bi-weekly buzz (set up by Christine & Chris).

Join us on social media to #getoutthere with the good news that Jesus truly satisfies! You can follow @JerseyMetro on twitter or Facebook.

In Awe!... of cities?

Last month, at RADIATE-In Awe, I had the opportunity to join Pastor Rich Perez from Christ Crucified Fellowship and director, Andy Young, of the Cru Philly team in a couch discussion in front of 1000 students.

Here is that interview following a great talk called "cities" by Pastor Rich. (starting at minute 53)
http://vimeo.com/83794784

RADIATE - In Awe

instagram

This year, RADIATE is in our nation's capitol, Washington, D.C.

900 students joined a couple hundred staff to be IN AWE of God for four days through worship in song and in His Scriptures.

Students gave thousands of dollars to support new city ministries and took several hours on New Years Eve to go out into DC and share the Gospel with people everywhere!

To the left is an Instagram post day 1 of RADIATE2013. These cool brochures announced vital information for the students including a seminar on Sunday morning I gave on "Complete Surrender". :)

^ Women's Time - +Jen Durlin guiding the women through stories of Peter at #RADIATE2013 #InAwe #WomenOfGod

Speakers this year included Tim Henderson (former staff), Dr. Heather Holleman (Professor & Staff), Matt Mikalatos (author) & Pastor Rich Perez of Christ Crucified Fellowship in NYC.

God's Word was preached through the wonderful power of the Holy Spirit by His willing servants and many were challenged to KNOW Him even more!

The last day of the conference, we brought in the New Year through worship and praise to our King, Jesus! #JerseyWomen +Christine Aliberti , +Laura Fairchild , +Tasha Jean-Baptiste, and others!

Please pray for three of my students who have been talking to God about interning or joining staff with various ministries of Cru.

To God be the glory!