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?

Missional Team Leader (MTL)

This summer I’ll be getting trained for my new role as the female Missional Team Leader (MTL) of the North Urban area of NJ. J

I’m so excited to take on this role where I will coach and train staff to lead diverse movements on several campuses in the urban area of New Jersey!

There are 106,000 college students in the Hudson County and surrounding urban areas of New Jersey. I pray the Holy Spirit will work through me as I co-lead with Mark Scott (the Jersey Metro Cru director) to direct several new interns and staff whom God has called, to reach each of these campuses with the knowledge of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God! There is so much untapped potential in this community and I can’t wait to see what God does!

            This summer is very important for me to spend time listening to God’s voice as He guides me to set goals and make plans to reach every future leader on the urban college campus.  I trust the Lord to teach me new strategies this summer through the Spirit-led training given by senior Cru staff in Colorado. I also trust He will raise the financial support that my team and I need to implement those plans this upcoming new school year.

            Please pray for me as I hope to incorporate all three reasons God has called me to staff in these plans. Those are: to help Christian minority students make their faith personal; to build up young women in Christ so that their hearts would be set on Him; and to bridge the gap between the majority and minority cultures in the Christian world.

            Please also pray that the Holy Spirit will lead His children to give to this purpose so that every college student will know somebody who truly follows Jesus Christ. I imagine a day where young minorities are working as missionaries alongside the majority culture to advance God’s kingdom everywhere. Will you help in making this possible this year? Will you consider giving a one-time $100 gift or making a monthly pledge?

In order to reach college students (like Sharon pictured left) with the life-transforming truth of the Gospel, I need be fully funded by supporters like you. My monthly support is currently 30% shy of where it should be to receive full paychecks and when retreats, conferences, or training occur, those funds are depleted even more for payment of these events.

Would you consider helping meet my one-time needs for this summer or beginning your monthly gift today?

Visit give.ccci.org/0597677 for more details on how to give or email me at edithann.morales@cru.org