Category: Encourage Service (Page 4 of 10)

Encourage Service to God’s Purposes in the World

Prayer is the work

July 3, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Do you remember the story in Exodus 17, of Moses standing on the mountains with his hands up as the Israelite’s battled on the field below?

As I studied this passage in an InterVarsity class last week, Praying for Spiritual Breakthrough, we were challenged by this phrase shared by our teacher – Prayer is the work.

How does my action, my work, demonstrate the central place of prayer in the story of God? Many times it does not. I go about my work, important for sure, without the central component of a dependence and crying out to God as I do it.

This morning in our weekly chapel I had the opportunity to lead our office staff to intercede for the requests of new staff across the country (pictured above). As I continue to explore how to deepen this aspect of the work God has called me to, would you join me in God’s invitation of engaging in the work of intercession?

Students taking the lead

June 5, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

This year the chapter at Arizona State University was put on pause after graduating all of the student leaders and transferring the staff out of Arizona.

But, God heard the prayers of staff, Steven and Jessica Grahmann, and called 4 students at Urbana who had a vision to replant the ministry. These 4 students have multiplied to 20 as they’ve recruited for weekly events and bible studies!

Please pray for this group of students as they take the next steps of developing the work at Arizona State.

Developing world changers

April 25, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Could you imagine the impact of a generation of nurses that follow Jesus deeply and engage in their work as partnering with God in bringing shalom?

My amazing colleagues with InterVarsity’s Nurses Christian Fellowship have been engaged in developing these type of nurses since the 1930’s.

Recently their publication, the Journal of Christian Nursing, has again received top awards from the American Society of Healthcare publications, including a bronze award for Best feature article, The Long Journey of Alzheimer’s Disease and Gold awards for graphics and design.

Do you know a nurse that would benefit from this magazine? Or a nursing student who God could be calling to start something new at their nursing school?

New partnerships

April 18, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

In partnership with a faculty member, InterVarsity staff trained students at John Brown University in proxe stations and the Big Story.

In one of their following class periods the professor sent his 20+ students to visit a Northwest Arkansas Community College, a campus where staff are starting an InterVarsity chapter, to practice what they learned. They led the the Colorblind proxe for two hours on campus, practiced listening and intercessory prayer, and did pocket proxes all over campus.

All of this was very helpful for the local staff, who is doing follow-up and a gathering event as a result of the outreach. The JBU professor said, “I’ve been waiting 10 years to do something like this, we’ve just never had anyone to partner with.” What a great first step of partnership!

As a former InterVarsity staff in Northwest Arkansas, it is so exciting to see God on the move there. Praise God with me!

Following God across boundaries

March 5, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

God can use a few conversations to change the course of a semester and beyond.

At Urbana 18, Susan, an InterVarsity student from the U.S., talked with our Study Abroad and InterVarsity Link teams about her upcoming semester abroad in Latin America.

She received our guide to prepare her for the semester, signed up for a digital small group, got Bible study training, and connected with the leaders of the IFES movement where she was going who invited her to their week long student camp.

When our staff followed up with her after Urbana, she shared about going to the local student camp where she met lots of excited Christian students who are now her friends back in the city where she is studying. She also started a Bible study on Hebrews at her school where there is not an IFES student group, yet, and is being discipled by a local staff.

Praise God for his divine timing and invitation for Susan to partner with Him in mission. Please pray that she would thrive spiritually and that a group would be established at her university in Latin America and in the U.S. as she goes back at the end of the semester.

Photo Credit: martinlouis2212 Flickr via Compfight cc

A new way

February 25, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

As our movement considers partnering to see witnessing communities on 2500 campuses, we realize that we are looking at significant changes.

A colleague mentioned that we are looking for a change more like what Uber did for ride sharing then the taxis taking a next step in installing a credit card machine.

As a community we are seeking God’s direction to engage new levels of national partnerships, create easy on-ramps of volunteerism, make training accessible to all, and more deeply empower students and faculty in mission.

It is an exciting and pray-producing time, particularly as I facilitate elements of our work with volunteers. Thanks for your continued prayer!

Photo Credit: Ian Ligget Flickr via Compfight cc

Praying across Maine

February 13, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Do you remember a time where God brought the right people together at the right time?

At Urbana 18 I led an exhibit that invited participants to pray for every campus in the United States. I received this story recently from Will Truesdell, InterVarsity’s Associate Regional Ministry Director in New England.

A highlight for me at Urbana was to come alongside a group of students from across Maine (and from various campus ministries and churches). Because of Urbana, they committed to praying for every campus in Maine this year. We began with a video call in January, and developed a goal to find someone from every campus to join us for a monthly prayer time. Then, we hope to visit campuses to pray—seeking God for his will and his kingdom to come to each of these places. I’m thrilled that this seed has begun with students, that it’s bigger than InterVarsity, that it is focused on God and prayer, and that it has a vision that could grow into something transforming for colleges in Maine.

Join me in praying for these students from Maine.

In 2019 InterVarsity along with several partners are leading the EveryCampus initiative to invite people onto campuses to pray. Want to join us? Go to everycampus.com to sign up.

Fruit at Urbana

January 28, 2019 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Rejoice with me for the many decisions at Urbana 18 and pray for these students and faculty as they take next steps back on campus.

Pray for Urbana

December 27, 2018 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Tonight over 10,000 students and staff will join together to consider Jesus, the Faithful Witness, through the book of Revelation.

The vision of the Urbana 18 Student Missions Conference is: To compel this generation to give their whole lives for God’s global mission.

Please join us online at https://urbana.org/ to stream the sessions and go here for specific ways you can be praying each day.

Real Hope on Campus

November 28, 2018 / Howie Meloch / 0 Comments

Thanks to you… Continue reading