Category: Encourage Service (Page 1 of 10)

Encourage Service to God’s Purposes in the World

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 always up and to the right

June 10, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

It is easy to think things should always grow, right? Every day, things getting better and better? Maybe it’s just me…

Well, that is not how it works. Yesterday as we gathered as a community, we were reminded of the story of Haggai. A people after laying a foundation of a temple in Ezra 3, were shut down by the king and had still not finished the work 16 years later.

It is with those disheartened people, who had lost hope of rebuilding, that God speaks to in Haggai. The message, it is time to rebuild the house of God. And God gives an amazing promise, the glory of this temple will be greater then the former (Hag 2:9). What? Greater then the adorned temple that Solomon made with all his (and David’s) riches? It will not be the jewels leading to the glory, but, in time, the presence of Jesus in that space.

This experience is something like what James Choung and Ryan Pfeiffer describe in their book Longing for Revival. The curve of breakthrough faith (shown above) does not just go up and to the right. Instead it leads through crucified hope and a crisis of faith.

What areas do you find yourself disheartened? Places you are not moving ahead on something you had anticipated growth or sensed God’s invitation. What would it look like for you to engage those areas with work and prayer in faith? Trusting God’s movement that will come in time. May we seek, like the people of Israel, breakthrough and the movement of God.

Pray for the Lord of the Harvest to send workers

May 10, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

This is a season of many invitations.

There are some that are quite regular for us to make: to serve as small group leaders, Campus Staff, or Volunteers. There are some that are unique opportunities – to lead our ministry to Graduate students and Faculty There are also invitations from colleges and universities to potential students and faculty to choose their campus.

In each case whether inviting or receiving these potential workers, we look to God to send out workers for the harvest field. As when Jesus first spoke these words, the Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Join us in praying for students, faculty, and others to hear God’s invitation and say yes to the field he has for them.

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.

Believing for Life in the face of death

April 20, 2022 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Two weeks ago at our annual Field leaders conference we engaged in several ways with the story of Lazarus in John 11. It was particularly profound as so many of us have experienced death and other losses through this pandemic.

In the story Jesus arrives once Lazarus was dead 4 days, the point they believed his spirit had left the vicinity and decay had started. Nothing to be done but leave the stone in front of the grave and weep. Jesus joins in this weeping, an amazing picture of heart of God, but also invites Martha to roll away the stone, so that he might speak Life to what is dead.

As a team we considered the places we have considered past saving, where God invites to roll away the stone, that he might speak life. Join us in praying and believing that God is one who speaks Life into places of death.

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.

Its harder then it looks

December 22, 2021 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

We have an amazing group of leaders working to see students and faculty from every corner encounter Jesus. Each bring expertise and experience that enable us to focus our outreach. But how do we work together for the benefit of campuses across the US?

Last week we gathered staff in the Every Corner program to discuss this collaboration. They highlighted bright spots and challenges in this work. Please pray for me and Henry Lucey-Lee, director of InterVarsity Arts Ministry, as we lead this program and learn together how to collaborate in ways that most effectively expand our work.

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.