So sorry I'm a week late getting this up. These past two weeks have been pretty crazy dealing with unexpected issues. Sadly, a freshman who was actively involved in our UNT community passed away in an auto accident on his way back from Thanksgiving break. Another car caused the wreck trying to pass in a no-passing zone and sped away from the scene. Ryan Schutze died at the scene. I didn't have the privilege of knowing Ryan personally, but all those I have talked to say he was a very godly young man who had a positive impact on a lot of people. That has been comforting to the students in our ministry who are confident in the relationship he had with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 has been on my mind: "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." Paul doesn't say that as Christians we don't grieve. But he does say that we don't grieve
like others grieve, because we have great hope.
I don't believe God causes such accidents, but I do believe He is able to work these tragic events and choices to the ultimate good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Through these events, students are inspired to examine their own lives, are reminded that tomorrow isn't a guarantee, and examine what legacy they would leave behind if they were taken suddenly away. Through the grace of God, Ryan leaves a powerful legacy with only 18 short years here. He will continue to bear fruit in the kingdom.
In happier news, Mandy put up another international student baptism video at
mandy.anyfocus.org!
And we had 250 students attend our Pizza Theology class this semester entitled "Rethinking Sex and Marriage." At these events we have 2 hours of lecture, 1 hour of pizza, and 2 more hours of lecture. It allows us to go much deeper into a topic than we could in a typical sermon. You would have been so encouraged not only by the turnout, but by how serious they were about taking notes and asking questions.
Thanks for all you do for the kingdom and for me.
