Category: Draw Students (Page 1 of 13)

Draw Students and Faculty to Jesus as Savior and Lord

Filled with hope and wonder

December 8, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Every 3 (sometimes 4) years we join together as a movement for the Urbana missions conference. It is a space where “one generations commends God works to another; telling of God’s mighty acts.” (Ps 145:4)

Generation after generation of students have heard and responded to God’s call to give their whole lives to God’s purposes around the world. I responded as a 21 year old in a way that still impacts my life 26 years later.

Hundreds have been praying regularly for this event, focused on the book of Acts. They sense that we will experience a powerful move of God in our midst. Please pray with me towards this end. It is not to late to join me in Indianapolis. Reach out to me for a discount and register soon.

Not the time until they arrived

November 7, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

A few weeks ago we studied the story of the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-36. This is a familiar story, where Jesus walks seven miles with two disciples who are going home after his death. Amazingly they do not recognize him until he is in their home, breaks bread, gives thanks, and gives it to them.

What most struck me as we studied this passage, shows up in verses 33-36. Jesus then waits for them.

After the two recognized Jesus, he disappears and they hurry seven miles back to Jerusalem. When they arrive with Jesus’ other followers, they tell their story and then Jesus arrives.

He does not come right away and say “Guess who I found on the road” or “You wouldn’t believe how distracted these two were”. He waits.

Waits for them to arrive, waits for them to tell, waits for the reactions…then he shows up with a word, “Peace”.

This encourages me as I pray for others walking away on a road or begin walking it myself. I am grateful to serve a God who meets people on the road and waits for them to return.

New Name

May 26, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Two times in the last week, I had the same profound experience.

The first came at a year end conference where the speaker walked us through a listening exercise. In it Jesus comes into the room with us. We realize there is a name written on our forehead. It is not flattering – “not good enough”, “second”, “unwanted”…

Then Jesus walks over. He washes off this name and writes on a new one, what is it?

As the speaker led the 200+ students and staff through this experience, many sensed a new name – “worthy”, “loved”, “ready”. After sharing and praying with the person next to them, over 2/3rds of the audience, including me, said they had a significant encounter with God.

Fast forward four days, I am at church and the preacher is speaking on identity. In her sermon she listed five names she had taken on herself and then the names God replaced them with. At the end as a church community we listened for the name that God speaks over us.

We see this kind of work often in the life of Jesus, renaming those that others have cast aside. We also see this in Revelation 2:17 where God gives a new name to the victorious.

What is it for you? What is the name that God speaks over you to replace one you have held on to?

What might God want to do

May 3, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

At Urbana 1997, I heard God speaking to me. “I have given you gifts for this, if you will follow me, I will use you.” At Urbana I said Yes to God’s invitation, to join staff with InterVarsity.

25 years later, I will will join 10,000 others invited to surrender all to Jesus and join in God’s global mission. We will do this through multiethnic worship, creating space for all peoples to come before God. We’ll have time of Scripture exposition and Bible study in Acts. We’ll hear testimonies from the global church. And everyone will have the opportunity to connect with top mission organizations, receive prayer ministry, and get next steps coaching to discern their calling.

Do you know someone (or yourself) who should consider joining me? Send them Urbana.org to register now.

Now is the time

April 20, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Every few years, students from around the country gather to consider God’s invitation to be a part of His work around the world. Every Urbana participants are invited to surrender all to God and to take a next step to engage in mission.

We are blessed to join together in Indianapolis this December for Urbana 22. Pray for God to move during these days and share this opportunity with college students you know.

A powerful foundation

December 22, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Ezra 3 tells the story of Israel rebuilding the temple. At the laying of the foundation many celebrate with joy, while some of those who saw the former temple weep. The various responses are indistinguishable but can be heard far way.

Many of our staff are in a space like this, rebuilding work well established in the past. Our invitation to them is like the Israelites, hold the joy and weeping together as worship before God. And our prayer is that this sound will testify to the work of God in this place.

As you could imagine, the weeping can overcome the hope that foundation represents. Pray that God would help our staff to see and celebrate the new thing growing in their midst.

“I don’t know if I can do this”

November 11, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

In the midst of the pandemic, nurses have been under particular stress. This study reports that 2/3 of nurses surveyed reported decline in physical health, 2/3 experienced symptoms of depression, and 2/3 are considering leaving nursing either now or within a year.

Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) is stepping into this gap. Recently, NCF held an online webinar about the challenges facing nurses and how to cope. 101 participants joined! In front of everyone, a first semester nursing student asked, “Is it worth it being a nurse? I don’t know if I can do this…”

The whole online audience froze. Then another nursing student relayed how Jesus had helped her through the past year and a half of school, excitedly sharing how much she loved nursing and being used by God. After that, a nurse, still working at the bedside in her 70’s, testified to God’s sustenance through 50 years of practice. Finally, all 101 joined in prayer for the student, whose vulnerability allowed that holy moment.

Join me in praying for the important work of NCF in this season amongst their 130+ student chapters and 45+ professional nurse chapters across the country.

The Joy of being Together

November 11, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Over 160 InterVarsity student leaders from across Michigan gathered at Aspire, a one-day conference to equip students for God’s mission on campus.

Timothy Lin, Regional Director of Michigan, shared:

It has been over two years since the last Michigan in-person student conference.

Students were so hungry for community. As soon as they arrived, they sought new cross-campus friendships. They soaked up everything we could teach them. Many indicated their commitment to reach out to classmates with the love of Christ.

Four students came from St Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron, Michigan. We just restarted a chapter on campus this fall, and these four came to Aspire ready to learn everything about leading this fledgling chapter. Over lunch, they told me, “We had no idea how big InterVarsity is! We can’t wait to help grow our SC4 chapter.” And a couple of weeks later, they did just by that passing out “welcome bags” around campus and inviting students to their Bible study!

I love that the Lord is working in and through these 160 student leaders to share about God’s Kingdom on campuses across Michigan. Please pray for their courage and boldness to share about Jesus with their friends.

A New Beginning

October 5, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Our students, staff, and volunteers come back to campus this fall with a different group then they left with in February 2020. On campus we experience continued change with classes of students arriving and graduating. In addition, in most places the pandemic accelerated the change.

Some groups are starting from the ground up. Others have students leading things, like in-person Bible studies, that they have not experienced. This work takes a mindset shift from leaders to start fresh, training core skills. Things like leading Bible studies and sharing the Gospel.

It can be discouraging to start over, though it is so encouraging when a new student begins to grasp these core skills. Pray with me for our leaders as they train this generation of students.

Where is the next throw

October 5, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Over the last month students, staff, and volunteers hosted gatherings, stood at welcome tables, and served incoming students. This is a physically and relationally demanding season for our community. In addition our staff continue to navigate changing realities and regulations on campus.

As I sat on campus praying with one of these staff, he remembered a conversation before the year began. One of his prayer partners shared the story of Jesus calling Peter (Luke 5:1-11). In it Jesus invited Peter to throw out the net one more time after a night of fishing. We then prayed asking where Jesus was inviting this group to reach out next.

Join me in praying for InterVarsity leaders across the country to respond to God’s invitation, like Peter, to throw the net again.