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:

University of Nebraska Omaha (CSF_Omaha)

Re-engaging UNO post-retreat has both been refreshing and challenging. It's overwhelming at times to hold the tension of being the person in two places. What's encouraging is that at IWCC I've found a rhythm of how to be on productive with my time on campus and it's yielding fruit. The challenge of a university that's 3x the size is finding where that is, especially when there are more campus ministries. Where does CSF fit? Where do I fit? These questions take time, proximity, and relational bandwidth I haven't had. My hope is God reveals how to make the most of my effort at UNO.

Be praying for clarity in how I approach this.

In less reflective and more tangible news, ASK is consistently college ministry appropriate in attendance. Some weeks 5 students and other weeks 1 - I wonder if the free Chick-Fil-A has something to do with it? - and that's okay. Samantha and I are continuing to invite, build community, and occasionally bribe our students towards helping them find and follow Jesus.

Iowa Western Community College (CSF_CB)

When I was asked to start a campus ministry at IWCC, I had no idea what I was doing (don't tell my boss that lol). I can also officially tell you Google isn't helpful. In all seriousness, when I think about what CSF is trying to do on any campus, it's more than just a singular Bible study (although those are very good) or a worship service (also good!). What does the eco-system of environments look like that comprehensively help students find and follow Jesus? In other words, how do we build a "ministry?"

For me, the keystone environment, much like ASK is for UNO, is CSF Weekly. It's our pseudo-large group environment where we play a game, study the Bible, and pray together. It's extremely dialed in, and, as a recant guest teacher affirmed, working. New students come and become regulars. Students are reached with the gospel for the first time and others are challenged to take their faith deeper by obeying what the Bible says.

Yet, I've finally realized in lived experience what I knew intellectually. Building a ministry has to be more than a single environment. As capacity has allowed I've tried to design and execute secondary spaces, but that's not been possible this semester. Now that I have a wonderful volunteer the load has been lightened enough to begin to dream again, but this time realistically.

It'd mean the world if you prayed for this.

Misc. - Some Wins

Another Baptism! Maddie went all-in with Jesus this past month. We connected with her on campus, gave her a Bible, and she was invited to church by one of our students! SO FUN!

OFFLINE - 30 students turned off their phones to learn to follow Jesus, together. We celebrated 2 baptisms & a host of stories of life change.

Student Led Worship Night: I love watching God move on campus. 60+ students praising Jesus for 90 minutes.

Guest Speaking at CSF Peru: My co-worker Jess asked me to preach on Silence and Solitude. It was a joy to be with this amazing crew.

for you and your prayers.

thank you:

• for your prayers. - as I hope you can see, you make a huge difference in the lives of students. Whether they know it or not, their eternities are being impacted because of your commitment to contend for God to move. Thank you for praying for CSF, myself, and these students. I covet your prayers.
• for your gifts. - I really pinch myself that this is my job. It's not super flashy, no work-paid conferences in Cancun, or window office in a high rise. Just freedom to pour my professional life into helping students find and follow Jesus. I work hard to honor your financial partnership because I know I only get to do what I do because of your generosity. So thank you :)

Also, I'm looking for a few more monthly partners, if you've read this far and have been encouraged I'd ask you to pray about coming on as a financial partner. Maybe it's not monthly, a one time gift also goes a long way in allowing me to serve college student full time with CSF.

Support My Work

pray for

• A core group of students to be formed around CSF at both schools.
• Spring Break planning (we get started early!)
• Fall Party this Sunday (October 26th).
• Sanity :)

The Learning Corner:

Slow Productivity Cal Newport has been a favorite author of mine for the last couple of years, so I was delighted to finally get my hands on a copy of his latest book. It's a thought provoking and encouraging challenge to the assumptions we hold around work. Amazon Link

Ruth Haley Barton "Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership" wrecked my life time after time. Exploring spiritual leadership through the life of Moses was challenging, encouraging, and most importantly, drove me to actual change in the way I lead. Amazon Link

Do you have a podcast, book, or otherwise you think I'd find valuable? Send it my way by replying to this email!