hello again Reader,
as always, I pray these updates encourage, inspire, and challenge you as we help college students find and follow Jesus.
~~from the field:
OFFLINE & CSF's Ministry Residency
Over the last few months work started on two of the biggest projects I get to serve on with CSF. The first is OFFLINE. I've started to meet with my co-workers Adam (Wayne State) and Breanna (UNL) to plan our all campus fall retreat we call "OFFLINE." The vision is to help students Encounter God Together through spiritual formation that leads to mission. We're building on an incredible first year and are excited to see how God shapes this next one!
The other "central" project I've been working on is CSF's Ministry Residency. For the past 3 months I've been part of a committee made up of various CSF staff giving input and direction on our 2 year ministry training program. I've had a vested interest in this for two reasons. First, I deeply care about residency programs. If you've been around since the beginning you know this ministry team started with me spending 2 years in Los Angeles at Real Life Church.
The second reason is...
University of Nebraska Omaha (CSF_Omaha)
Samantha and I hired two residents to work at CSF_Omaha! Justin and Sara start July 1st and we couldn't be more excited. There is a responsibility to steward these two years well that has helped us develop a robust and intentional program that will bless residents on every campus and - hopefully - future churches as we train young adults for a lifetime of vocational Kingdom work.
I'll have a full introduction in a later update!
In the meantime, we're trying to identify some housing options for them in the Omaha Metro. If you, or anyone you know would be a good fit please let me know by replying to this email or texting me! (402) 650-2170. Thank you!
Beyond that, I'm grateful for this past semester of campus ministry at UNO. My teammate Samantha and I's team dynamic was much stronger, our relationships with local churches deepened, and our future got a little brighter.
Post staff retreat Samantha and I are taking some time to individually rest and reflect on the semester before we debrief it, but as we begin to review and plan for the fall, would you keep us in your prayers?
Iowa Western Community College (CSF_CB)
Across the river, we wrapped our semester with our annual pancakes and pjs! It had been a real up and down of a semester for some of our students, so to simply be together and celebrate all God had done was deeply good.
Personally, I felt encouraged by how we wrapped up. Last year we ended with 1 student, this year we ended with 5 and a volunteer. Growth is slow when you're trying to build something healthy and strong, so these moments remind me that despite attendance fluctuation and life craziness, our faithful, steady, and consistent presence on campus is bearing fruit.
From left to right:
- Llewelyn being soooo big and sooo cute.
- The whole staff! It's rare we're all in one room and it was such a gift!
- I got to bring a couple IWCC students down to CSF at Peru State when I taught a few weeks back!
- Most Fridays you'll find me at Astute Coffee for some personal retreat time. I'm highly caffeinated and very happy.
for you and your prayers.
thank you:
- for your prayers. - This season has been nuts. I plan to share more in a future update, but I'm so grateful for your prayers.
- for your gifts. - Every time I spend a dollar on rent, coffee, and the occasional Lego set, I'm reminded that all of it is a gift. This work is funded by the generosity of people like you. So thank you.
pray for
- Courtney and I to find some rest this summer!
- God to reveal a plan and direction for each campus as we plan and pray!
- A productive summer for me!
