All Attention!

With last years Kean Cru president

1 Corinthians 10:31&33

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ... not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

           This is what i sincerely hope to be true of my life everyday. How do I make decisions that are not directly a result of scriptures? After much prayer and knowledge of God's word and character, I discern what to do according with whatever choice would bring God the most glory (attention).

          I do this mainly through my ministry with Cru to college students in the North/Urban counties of New Jersey. My hope is that more and more of these students may know Jesus as Savior and understand what that relationship can look like after first saying yes to this perfect groom.

         On campus now only three days a week due to lack of financial support makes that extremely difficult. Yet still, in whatever I do, I hope to bring glory to God. I seek financial support to be a full-time missionary resource to these students, not for my own gain - AT ALL, but for His. I ask people to join my team through financial gifts to help usher new believers to our King and help guide believers in Christ to maturity in leadership for the glory of God.

To be part of this, visit give.cru.org/0597677 and set up your gift today.

Do You Agree?

Acting Kean Cru President)

This past week, the student leaders at Kean University put together an outreach event called "Do You Agree?"with the help of staff and a good Christian friend in faculty.

The idea for the outreach was initially developed at Humboldt State University (see below for details) but at Kean, it was led by Sharon Hawkins (pictured left) and a faculty friend at Kean.

“I Agree with” weeks began sweeping across college campuses in fall 1999 beginning at Humboldt State University, and then University of Arizona, stretching throughout the west coast, and east as far as Penn State University. The concept was born when Humboldt State decided to change a traditional Christmas ad, which they ran every year. The ad concludes with “If you have any questions about this incredible event, please ask one of us.” And then typically, it’s followed with the names of Christian students and faculty. Amidst much laughter, they decided to really get peoples attention with the ad that year, and listed just one name …Tom. No last name.

Kean University holds a lottery each year for non-funded groups and we just so happen to win! That means Kean funds an event of our choice for the student population and purchases whatever we need for it! We were able to order free shirts that said "Do You Agree?", free food for the night, a Cru table cloth for our info table, and money for souvenirs! We even got a few shirts for the night of that say "I Agree!" across the front. :)

With a background band, three testimonies, and about 5 musical selections, 75 students packed in the Cougar's Den (a popular cafe on campus) to hear what Cru believes is the best way to live life on campus in New Jersey, home to the National Atheist Society. Students sat at round tables of 4-8 people, discussing their opinions on God and spiritual things after a short video of student interviews. At the very end, about 50 people were still there to hear and see, through our testimonies & talents, what we all agree is the best way to live life on purpose.

Praise God for how He is moving at Kean in our Christian students' lives to impact the rest of campus! Please pray these students come visit us during our weekly meeting at some point as well!

Education and IBS

These letters may be confusing to you if you're not up on the Campus Crusade for Christ lingo. :) Starting this past Monday, I am taking 4 weeks of seminary courses with the Institute of Biblical Studies (IBS) by Cru.

Eliza graduating Monroe College

Last month, my sister graduated from Monroe College with her Culinary Certification as a pastry chef one week after my father graduated from New York School of the Bible with his advanced education certificate in Biblical Studies! :) Even Gia, my 5 year old niece, is ready to read and will start in an advanced Kindergarten class this Fall! So proud of my family seeking to be good stewards of the time, money and skills God has given them.

My 5 yr old niece, Gia, READS!

One way I'm trying to do the same thing this summer is through IBS. Experienced full-time staff and professors from other seminaries around the United States put together various courses that Christians going into full-time ministry typically study and create them as a two week summer class for the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ around the world! - IBS. Next week I will be finishing my first two courses in Biblical Interpretation and Old Testament Survey.

Dad graduating from NYSB with Liberty U.

So far I've really enjoyed them both. Biblical interpretation is something I've learned growing up in a Reformed Baptist Church and with a father who loves "choppin' up" the scriptures. Although it's something I have a heavy background in, it's great to receive organized instruction and learn specific methods of how to best dissect the Word of God. It's also really encouraging to learn the terms to describe the scripture within it's historical, narrative and redemptive context.

Growing up in a Reformed Baptist Church, I knew the importance of properly dividing the Word and so I was slightly intimidated when I found out my professor for "Old Testament Survey" would be Dr. Futato from Reformed Theological Seminary. His lectures are wonderfully detailed and designed for hearers of all backgrounds but I KNOW his exam will NOT be easy. He is a God-fearing man, excited about the knowledge of the scriptures as it pertains to our living to glorify God; he reminds me a lot of my father. I just hope and pray to be able to retain the massive text we have to read and his daily 3 hour lectures! : /

Please continue to pray for me as I study to discern God's Word properly and return with greater ammunition for the spiritual battles on campus in NJ. Please also pray for me to finish raising the support I need to pay for these courses, dorm-life and meal plans.

Free from Ctrl

This song, Hold Me - Jaime Grace and Toby Mac, is one of those songs I hear and wish I would always believe. Laura Story sings a song called "Blessings" that does a good job of reminding me of the truths I need to stay focused on.

Backdrop: (pray please)

• I haven't had an apartment since the end of July and the school semester started the end of August. So I've been staying with my parents on the weekend and friends/students throughout the week as I work on campus at Kean University. 
• My support has been $1200/month lower than I need it to be so that I can fully engage college students with the revitalizing story of Jesus Christ. So I've only been working at Kean University for the most part and working on support the rest of the time.
• My tire blew an unexpected expense through my emergency fund the second day of work.
• My laptop has been unexpectedly been shutting down on random occasions.
• Kean Cru has been having problems getting a room for it's weekly Bible studies.

What God's been teaching me...

This weekend I was able to go to Baltimore with our Jersey Metro Intern, ChiChi, and a few NJ students to meet up with staff and students from around the region to discuss and plan our upcoming winter conference, RADIATE2011. Immediately after this conference, I decided to drive to Virginia with a student of mine to go visit friends & students from Hampton Beach Summer Project 2011. It was Saturday afternoon and I had Monday off since I had just finished working a 65 hour work week. I've obviously been struggling with finding rest without a place of my own and I knew that if I went to NJ or NY, I would probably work in one way or another. So I decided I need to get away.

Truth:
On this 5 hour drive to Virginia Tech & 8 hour drive back up to NJ, I learned that I have a strong desire to be in control of all things in my life and cause them to work my way - "the good way". I tend to forget God's promises and truth that He loves me and has plans to prosper me and not to harm me (Jeremiah 29:11). I see my circumstances and wonder where is God's hand, but He said He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrew 13:5). So then can I believe Him even when I don't see Him working? Can I believe His word, which says He is good & all that He does is good (Psalm 119:68)?

Focus:
This song, "Tear Down the Walls" by Hillsong, reminds me that I can believe Him because there is a greater purpose to being here in this life than to be comfortable and adjusted in my life-seat. I can BE FREE from the need to control because He's trust-worthy. Christian rap artist, Lecrae, says it beautifully in his song "Background"- "I can play the background cuz I know sometimes I get in the way". He can handle my life.... I just gotta trust Him and see it from His perspective. Kinda gets me excited for what God is going to do at our Fall Retreat this year entitled "focus - Change your perspective. Find your purpose."

NOW... (praise time)

I can see God's goodness in all these things that appear painful.

• Because I don't have an apartment, I've saved on rent and utilities for two months and haven't had to pay with students, friends and family.
• Because my support is low, I've been able to talk to more students about what I do and the importance of giving to God's kingdom work.
• Because my tire blew & my laptop may be at the end of it's working life, I'm excited for what God's going to do on campus to upset the enemies schemes!
• Despite Kean having problems getting a room for their weekly meetings, we've had MANY freshmen students come out to our meet & greet, pizza & God event, and bowling night out... people know we are on campus! This is key to our movement! PRAISE JESUS!

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!