Category: Encourage Service (Page 2 of 10)

Encourage Service to God’s Purposes in the World

Nursing

“I don’t know if I can do this”

November 11, 2021 / / 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.

Michigan student conference

The Joy of being Together

November 11, 2021 / / 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.

Throwing the net

Where is the next throw

October 5, 2021 / / 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.

Signs of Life Springing Up

September 7, 2021 / / 0 Comments

A brick wall, not very inspiring right?

Last week, I participated with colleagues around the country noting #signsoflife we saw on campus. I shared about a wall.

It stood behind a staff, a toddler when I first met him, now sharing with me about his ministry at the University of Arkansas. I walked past this wall 20 years ago when I staffed the campus. Now a staff team invites students to encounter Jesus. This wall reminds me of the continued work of God through many seasons, even as He moves us to new places.

Across the country, InterVarsity chapters focus on new student outreach on campus and virtually. Please pray for them and also share with me #signsoflife you see around you.

Engaging Faculty

May 7, 2021 / / 0 Comments

In this pandemic, we see college and university faculty connecting digitally and pursuing God together. From a faculty roundtable at Northwestern in January with 900+ participants, to 180 faculty engaging in a digital Camino, to our highest number of participants (297) at the Believers in Business Conference. Last week an event on race and theology drew 90 faculty from across the country.

Like for others, it has been a challenging year for faculty and InterVarsity’s work. At the same time we praise God for His movement amongst faculty. Join me in giving thanks to God!

Do you know a faculty member that would like to connect to other Christian faculty? Connect them with us.

Unexpected place

August 17, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Welcome barbecues, help with move-in, and dorm visits have been replaced by largely digital connections for InterVarsity leaders throughout the country.

Last week as we studied the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8, I was reminded how God leads his people at times to the most unexpected places to encounter those who are seeking Him.

Pray with me that our staff would be guided by the Holy Spirit where to be present and for us to encounter those who are seeking after God there.

Longing for Justice

July 17, 2020 / / 0 Comments

In May and June the attention of the nation once again focused on the continued systemic injustice in our country after the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, in addition to the ongoing disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black and Latino communities.

Over the last few months I have reflected often on 2014 and the work God did in my heart and in my city of St Louis after the killing of Mike Brown.

The question for me (and us) – will we maintain our focus to partner with God in seeking His shalom for all as the attention of others move elsewhere?

As a leadership community we are reading Healing Racial Trauma by Sheila Wise Rowe this summer and engaging how we can see God’s kingdom come in and through InterVarsity.

For resources to take the next steps in your journey, check out my about page, IVP’s list of resources for faithful justice, and this thought provoking reflection by Chris Rice.

EveryCampus

Goal Reached

May 27, 2020 / / 0 Comments

Over 4,000 campuses have been prayer walked in the last 18 months. It was a blessing to take part in the live event to pray for last few together.

EveryCampus is a collaborative movement of dozens of like-minded organizations working together to do something we could never do alone, to mobilize prayer and mission on every single campus in the United States.

Would you pray that God would use the prayer for each campus to water seeds scattered on each campus and that we would see God made known on them?

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