Partnership in the Gospel

I've been reflecting on the partnership I share with many of you who pray and financially support this mission to the campus consistently. I'm reminded of Paul's words:

"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building." 1 Corinthians 3:7-9

The mission to change the lives of college students with the good news of Jesus is truly a team effort. People have been praying for these campuses and these students for decades by the time they reach us, and many more join in those prayers as they arrive. God blesses some with financial resources to share, and they send and resource campus pastors like myself to be on campus full-time. We get to not only reach out to new students but also equip students who are followers of Jesus to be pastors and evangelists to their peers. They go out every day into classes and residence halls and dining areas to be the presence of Christ. And I could go on with parents and grandparents and siblings and pastors and youth pastors and teachers and so many others who live out some part of God's mission. We each play multiple small parts, but none of us deserves the real credit. We've all been invited into this work by God, the same One who used others to bless us into his kingdom. Thank you for the myriad ways you love and serve people, and thank you especially for the ways you invest in the lives of university students through FOCUS. I'm so thankful to have you as co-workers in God's service!

Student Testimony

SMU is a tough campus for many reasons, but God is answering our prayers to raise up leaders for the harvest! Please say a prayer for Brandon and his friends as they prepare to go out on campus this fall!

Vacation!

I'm getting to spend this week in Breckenridge, CO, with 4 staff guys and 3 student leaders. It's been a great time to share in the Lord together, experience some beautiful creation, and take some time off before we start gearing up for 2019-20 on August 1.

A few of us went on a long hike yesterday. We may have gotten lost, come partway back down, and then actually found our way to the top.

I walked about 20 feet from a huge moose today! We were very careful to slip by without disturbing him.

And for those of you who are concerned, my wonderful wife Sarah is on a cruise with a couple of friends this week. She planned her trip without me first. :)