Nov. 2017 Announcement Letter

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  - Ephesians 2:10

How to be happy?

Sex? Alcohol? Money? The American dream: - A house, a spouse, kids (for some), pets (for some), car, career ??

Really?! 

My niece and nephew
excited for dollar store gifts!

With the world talking about how to find happiness and singing and dancing every step of the way here, I thought I'd share what I read about being happy: http://www.everystudent.com/forum/happiness.html and some pictures that make me happy. :)

My happy baby niece

So many people in my life are in positions where I would assume they would be the happiest. They have money, a family, a significant other, etc....

Happiness is a choice. It isn't contingent upon our circumstances.

TAKE A BREAK! Read the article. Listen to the song. Dance just cuz. Eat chocolate. Call a friend just to say hi. Tell someone you love that you love them just cuz. LIVE.

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

Where is God in the midst of pain & suffering?

Praying for the the families who lost loved ones in Newtown, CT ... Jesus, comfort the families and friends who are suffering from the loss of their loved ones. This world is getting darker and darker =/

This was a status that awakened me to the heart-breaking news yesterday morning. I was working from my new Elizabeth apartment, where I do not have television and only have limited internet. Suddenly my phone buzzed with Facebook notifications, informing me of the terribly horrifying shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Knowing I didn't have television, Christa (pictured below, click here for a recent story on her) quickly called me to fill me in on the details. I couldn't help but cry out to God, wondering why.

I immediately searched for scripture of comfort, like 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 to send to her and post on the Jersey Metro Cru and Kean Cru facebook pages. Later, Christa posted this status:

I am praying for those families who lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy ! I couldn't stop the tears from falling today. God I don't know why you allowed such an awful thing to happen today ... but I know that if anyone understands heartache, pain and suffering it's you. GOD YOU GAVE UP YOUR SON JESUS FOR A FALLEN PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. YOU WERE SCORNED, BEATEN, MOCKED, TORTURED, HUNG ON A CROSS and DIED FOR A PEOPLE THAT WOULD REJECT YOU. WOW ! I can hope in a GOD who understands my suffering and my heartache. God is relatable and he allows things to happen to show how fallen this world is and how much it is crying out for it's Redeemer.

I was so proud to read this status of hers. When I called to discuss her appropriately biblical perspective and compassion for those suffering, Christa told me she was inspired by Alyssa Bethke. She is the wife of Christian Spoken Word artist, Jefferson Bethke. When I went to Alyssa's blog to read her perspective of yesterday in light of our Savior, I found such an encouraging article. Alyssa prays at the end:

Thank you that You are not a God who is high on His throne and looks away when evil happens, but rather You are a God who is high on His throne and who came down to earth to suffer and die for us- for sin- for our sin- and who rose again. You are a God who intimately knows our suffering, who suffered more than we will ever know. And rose again, offering HOPE and life for us.

Generosity develops Growth

It just breaks my hears when students have to choose between going to Fall Retreat, where they're challenged to live a surrendered life to God, and going to RADIATE, our winter conference where they're encouraged by students from around the region and built up in their faith. Why is money Satan's biggest threat to the growth of the church body?!

There are five students at Kean alone that I can name off the top of my head who will not be attending this year's Fall Retreat unless God provides a miraculous $75 for the two freshmen and $99 for the upperclassmen new believers. Please pray with me as I go to ask local churches and Kean Cru supporters to sponsor a student and help transform a life.

Picture story! :)

I've not posted in a long time... But here's the short, picture version of why:

This Friday is our second Jersey Cru of the semester! Last month we had nearly 200 students!

Kean is really working on reaching out to their campus this week. (Quest week is a statewide student/staff effort to take the initiative to share the Gospel with students, faculty and staff on the 30/60 campuses we are on.)

Kean Cru doesn't just give out free pizza! We really want people to come talk about God. So we are providing home-made empanadas! :)

Fall Retreat was terrific! Students truly encountered Jesus Christ!

11 women represented KeanCru at this years Fall Retreat. Harvey (right) is joined by 2 NJCU men pictured above.

Discipleship was beautiful by the beach @ Harvey Cedars Bible Conference.

Although a D3 University, Kean Cru even represented at the tailgate festival this year and cheered on Liscet (2nd from right) as she represented Christ, running for home-coming queen!)

Just cuz we were at homecoming, doesn't mean we weren't going to make an effort to start spiritual conversations! Underneath the castle the students built, they laid sand with "Soularium" cards dug in them. :)

Last Thursday, in an effort to reach students who may not have attended the homecoming concert, Kean Cru played short films produced by the Global Shortfilm Network to promote spiritual conversation.

Before that, Kean Cru had a difficult time booking a room to have Bible Study in, so we did a few community building events like bowling! Here are some of our senior women involved in the ministry. (From left to right: Liscet, Sindy, Jahtasia, Sharon)

It was a fun time for everyone!

Even a silly time for newbies to get to know and love us! :)

Friends with Freshmen!

Classes have just started but freshmen have already met the people they will be friends with for the next 4-5 years of their college careers.

Due to the Hurricane, Kean University postponed move-ins til Monday, August 29th. But that didn't change any other activities for the week! Tuesday, the freshmen were oriented to "all things Kean", including Kean cru! Many colleges believe that freshmen need to learn how to survive college, but we believe they also need to be equipped to thrive in life. At a club awareness fair, I was able to set up a table and hand out "freshmen survival kits" (Bibles, water bottles, fliers & "Jesus Without Religion" books by Rick James) to over 100 new freshmen! Within an hour of the first group of freshmen, we had given nearly everything away. And the only reason I believe we still had Bibles was because we had extra donated by a local church.

Answered prayer: KU Cru men leaders! Joe, Harvey, Karl, Jon, Joe

Before anything else happened, I met with all the Kean cru leaders (men pictured right) to divide the 115 surveys so that we could each follow them up. On a survey from 1-10, nearly 30 students marked a 10 to answer the question "rate your desire to know God personally"! Tuesday night, after the fair, students were invited to meet in front of a freshmen residence hall to go out for a photo scavenger hunt! Wednesday, our Kean cru student leaders met over lunch to follow up with more surveys! Thursday, they were all invited to our "meet & greet" in the New Freshmen Residence Hall. About 10 students who attended were freshmen who desired to strengthen their walk with Jesus! Praise the Lord!

Three of these freshmen stated in their intros that they went on mission trips this summer with their churches! I have a great feeling that this year we will see strong freshmen believers sent as missionaries from their local churches to our college campus to share Christ and help transform lives through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Reason for God

Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church gives a sermon series entitled "The Trouble With Christianity: Why it's so hard to believe" that addresses the skepticism of modern day Americans.

"I'm married and therefore, my right to make even small unilateral decisions is over forever!" - Keller

Pastor Keller does a good job of addressing the most difficult subjects of conversations with people who doubt God. This series will challenge your confidence as a Christian to share what you believe without fear of being tripped up by skeptics arguments. This series challenge those who call themselves "atheists" or those who doubt God's existence.

I dare you to listen.

"It's obvious the fish was designed for the water and when in the water, it experiences it's freedom." - Keller

Subjects:

Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?

Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?

Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves?

Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression?

Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge?

Doubt: What should I do with my doubts?

Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?

To download for free or listen, visit: http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=29

Still I will Praise You!

"Oh no, you never let go through the calm and through the storms. Oh no, you never let go every high and every low. Lord, you never let go of me." - Matt Redman


Our God is unfailingly GOOD!
So then why do I so often, want to know what is next? I want to know where I can go and what I can do to get to where I think He wants me to be. I want to know what's next in life but God says "Be still and know that I Am God!". Paul prayed for the thorn in his flesh three times and I have prayed so much more so, waiting...when will it be my turn to be on campus, at full support? When will it be my turn to serve college students. And He says "Be still and know that I Am God."


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6


God will always prove Himself faithful and good! Look at the story of Naomi (book of Ruth) or the one of Job. I'm sure she thought that God abandoned her. I'm sure she asked "why?!...why did I have to go through this?" My story is nothing compared to Naomi's or Job's but in a similar manner, I so badly want to ask "why?" sometimes. Why am I still raising support two years later?! Why can't I find the consistent support that I need? But God had a plan for her life and continues to have plans for the lives of His children, including me! I might not know His plans, but I know I'm in His hands. I know His Word will comfort me, like it has. In His providence, He will accomplish His will for my good and His glory!
As Pastor Ray Cole says: God is unfailingly good!


Contact me for the rest of the story about this process of raising support.

Battle Buddies...

I've really been feeling down lately. Don't get me wrong...I'm not depressed or anything and I've been making sure that I stay soaked in His Word and surrounded by His children to encourage me. I have made sure to find reasons to be happy and praise God every day!

However, one thing I've noticed in the past two years of raising support is that in the front lines of a battle, one needs a companion. My friend returned from war in Iraq last summer and while she was away, all she could tell me was that she missed her friends & family. She wanted desperately companionship that would keep her mentally, emotionally & spiritually strong while she was away. Connecting with me & her family on the phone once in a while was NOT good enough.

I'm blessed to say God has brought encouraging friends into my life during this time of raising support but I'm even more blessed to say He's NEVER LET ME GO! This song has truly reminded me of that!

"I can see a light that is coming for the hear that holds on and there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes, still I will praise You! You never let go, through the calm and through the storm. You never let go, every high and every low, YOU NEVER LET GO OF ME!"

What am I doing?!

God has miraculously supplied 77% of my support! He is showing me slowly but surely that this is His plan for my life. I just have to be patient for His perfect timing.I realize some of you don't fully understand what I am presently doing or will be doing when I complete my support. Here is a break down:
Where do I work?
I work for Campus Crusade for Christ. Right now, I work from home most of the time. When I am at full support, I will return to New Jersey and work on the campuses out there withing the Jersey Metro Campus Ministry. Pictured left is most of the team I will be working with in New Jersey. A few are missing because they are still raising support and couldn't afford the regional staff conference. We have 10 full-time staff, 4 moms (sorta part-time staff), 3 volunteers, and 4 raising support.


What am I doing?
My job right now is to raise support through networking via emails, phone calls and other correspondence for 40 hours a week. A lot of my work is from my computer, printer, phone, or traveling to appointments. I often call people to meet with them to discuss (in person) the ministry I work with so that they can understand the need for people to support this particular work for the kingdom.


What happens when I raise 100% support?
When I have enough people supporting my ministry through financial gifts of $10 - $25 - $100 monthly, then I can report to campus because I’ll have enough money to support myself and the ministry. Once I meet 100% of my monthly support goal, then I can return to the campuses of NJ to work with young adults on their relationships with God and others. I will be meeting the the staff for prayer and planning meetings as well as meeting with students for discipleship and Bible Study.


Accountability? 
Every Saturday, I send a weekly update to my “support coach” with a detailed account of what I did to raise the support that week. Every two weeks we talk about how I can better improve and what I can do to get on campus ASAP.


What will my full-time job be when I complete raising monthly support?
My full-time job will be to work with college students to train them to be life-time laborers for the Kingdom of God (building God’s army). Since this is all I will be doing, like the 12 disciples and Paul in scripture, I have to drop all other things. Our goal is three-fold: we desire to co-labor with the Lord to win students to Christ (so I go on campus to plan outreaches and witness), build students in their relationship with Christ (so I meet one-on-one with young women for discipleship, as well as teach students the basic foundations of the faith), and send them out to reach the world for Christ (so I train students in sharing their faith, evangelism, outreaches, etc.). ONE PERCENT OF THE WORLD is in college! Such a small amount of people that will soon rule this world and make the decisions that affect everyone’s life! Our vision is to influence them to be followers of Christ before they influence the world. (Strategic, huh?! ;o)

What are the funds for?
I do not have any other source of income, so the support that I raise is my income. I must raise enough monthly funds to cover my rent, utilities, bills, healthcare, social security, taxes and other missionaries overseas. Once I have these funds, I can report to campus without concerns of how to pay these things. I can give my undivided attention to God and His plan for the lives of 1% of the world!


I hope this explains to you a bit of what I am doing and will do. If you want to be a part of this in any way, please let me know. I am especially looking for appointments to meet new people just to at least talk to them about the need. Maybe your family or friends from church would be interested? Maybe your church itself might want to hear what God's doing with college students? I’d love to come down and meet them. I can even present to a small group of people who might be interested. Even if they can’t financially support, they can pray and maybe even recommend other people. In the past, I’ve done small group dinners or coffee parties at people’s homes. Let me know what you think God is calling you to do here. I’d love to have you partner with me in more ways than one.

Powerful Message

This is a message from a media ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ's called everystudent.com The website is intended to capture the attention of students who are seeking God and seeking answers to their many questions about Him. There are articles they can read covering almost any topic and they can respond by emailing a staff person anonymously and receive a biblically sound response. Here is a portion of one of the articles. (Feel free to visit the website to find the rest of this article and more.)

The early portions of Scripture declare not only God's immense power and knowledge in the fashioning of the universe, but his enduring concern over the created order. His relationship with individual men and women was such that they found it appropriate to identify him as friend, provider, comforter and King. Yet, it didn't take much time for rebellion against God's moral order to become the modus operandi. A great divide between God and his creation surfaced, as evil and corruption of heart and action came to be the primary descriptors of the human condition. It seems clear that a moral entropy has been enacted, leaving in its remains the wounded, pummeled and trounced souls of God's creation. All this in the face of the ever-present, ever-concerned creator.

God, as such, is the consummation of all that is noble, loving, compassionate, righteous and pure. He possesses these attributes to a degree in which no greater can be conceived. He does not participate in acts of love; He is love. He does not participate in acts of righteousness; He is righteousness. And it is because of these essential attributes, and a score of others, that God is unable to provide us with the forgiveness necessary for communion with him without exacting a heavy price. He cannot compromise his righteousness, yet he hasn't forsaken his love......

QT - Who am I?

Lately I've been thinking about who my Creator sees when He looks at me.

He created ME right? But for what and to make what decisions in life? And how do I make sure I'm best pleasing Him with the decisions I make? Am I keeping Him number one? Is He priority in my life or do I follow my selfish ways?

Recently I've had to look within myself due to life circumstances. I notice people tend to look at a person and define them by the actions they see. For example, I have one friend who is known to be a very giving and caring woman because whenever people are in need, she extends open hands. However because she's recently lost her job, it appears as though she would be considered more of a begger unless you knew her character. See, even in this difficult time, she would give to me before she fed herself. - Character not effected by circumstance. I have another friend who is known to be a "Christian" by her proclamation, however, everything that flows out of her mouth and her actions speak to her not living for Christ.

As I thought about this, I even recognize the many that begin to follow Christ and fall away. Some repent and return through proof of their actions and the rest of their lives, whereas others stay stubborn til their dying day. I'm reminded of David and Samson, Mary & Martha, Daniel, and all the men & women of faith in Hebrews 11. They all messed up, but in the end day, they all showed where their loyalty stood.

I'm reminded of the songs "Who am I" by Da TRUTH and "Beautiful Ending" by BarlowGirl. What a tragedy when one lives for Christ and loses sight of the love He has shown to the point that their ending results in selfish desires leading self-destruction. When one chooses self over Christ, losing the steps paved for them and falling into the worst ending of it all.

At the end of it all, I want to be in His arms.

Special Praises

God is moving AROUND THE WORLD!

Did You Know?
There is a biography of Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International, entitled Amazing Faith. Here’s an excerpt from it by Michael Richardson: “As the confession and prayer continued, Bill pointed them to the purpose of it all: Loving the world with the message of Christ and seeing the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation.”

Do you recall the US National Staff Conference for all Campus Crusade staff that I attended this past summer? This conference occurs every two years not only to develop our staff with new methods to reach the world for Jesus Christ but to give God all the glory and honor for the great things He’s done around the world. I wanted to encourage you with some of the stories that were shared in Colorado.

GOD HAS BEEN DOING AMAZING THINGS around the world!
The church should know & praise him!

The NJ Metro Director, Rob Mittuch (left with son, Trey), enthusiastically reports: “We heard story upon story of how God has been at work not only around our nation but around the world. Dr. Steve Douglass, the current president of Campus Crusade for Christ, told stories of how God has been working more dramatically around the world than he has ever seen or heard of in his 40+ years of ministry. In the last 10 years for instance there has been 100 million people baptized in the country of India, and in Ethiopia the population has gone from 10% to 20% Christian! The church in China has grown 100 fold in the last 60 years, and that is under intense persecution. Churches and missionary organizations are working together to reach the world for Christ in amazing ways! They are sharing training and resources and coming together to reach parts of the world which have the least Christian presence. At one point CCC went to the leadership of Wycliffe Bible Translators and asked if they would be able to switch from translating the Gospel of John first to translating Luke because it would go along with the Jesus film, and they eagerly agreed upon it. Wycliffe’s ability to translate the Bible has increased so rapidly that they will have a translation of the Bible into every known language by the year 2025. We heard story upon story of God showing up around the world; Muslims having dreams, churches being planted in places that traditionally never saw any fruit, foreign leadership being open to the Gospel and a tremendous amount of people turning their lives over to Christ!

In fact, we’ve seen God show up here in NJ in much the same way. We tallied up how many students here in NJ placed their faith in Christ through our ministry last year and it came to 106!” – Rob Mittuch Although we strongly believe numbers are not important, knowing them brings glory to God as they display the works that He is doing through His fruitful servants. Another opportunity we were given to reach students for Christ in New Jersey took place at a Christian concert geared towards teenagers and young adults. Rob Mittuch (above) was given the opportunity to speak for a few minutes to a crowd of thousands of students at “Revelation Generation” encouraging them to seek the Lord. Praise God!

Thank you for being part of fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation