Summer Report

"What we do on campus matters; Jesus on campus matters. I see it all of the time, kids come to college, completely overwhelmed. They don't know who to trust or what to trust anymore. Everything is on the table. Everything. Atheism. Drug use. Missionary work. The Peace Corps. Community. Isolation. Many leave the faith, many decide to follow Jesus. They make choices that influence their own lives and countless others for years to come. We present Jesus to them. We present a relationship with Jesus that cannot be really tasted in High School. We talk about a faith that is radical and that can only be chosen now that they are free to choose it. 50% walk away from faith in college, but what about the other 50%? What is the new, radical faith they are choosing into? What about those who come to college with no faith? What about the ways that Jesus is calling them to Him and into mission? This is about the trajectory of lives and the world. Are you in? Would you partner with me in this mission and give $2000 towards these transformations?" 

I was amazed how easy the words came out of my mouth. Was it easy because it was rehearsed? Not really, I had never used these words before. Was it easy because I had already achieved my goal of $10,000 in new money? No, if my past is any indication, I would let up and just have a nice coffee with a friend. 

I looked over at my friend. His tie was loosened and he looked thoughtful. He was on his lunch break and due back at court in about 20 minutes. All summer we had been trying to meet. I wonder how this would have gone in June, when we were supposed to meet? 

I would have stammered more, probably taken more sips of coffee. I would have stressed numbers and goals more. I thought back to earlier this conversation; I had talked about my calling. I used terms like, "God said to me" and "for a time such as this". These are loaded terms. In June, I would have kept these to myself and to my closest friends. My friend is Presbyterian! Does he even believe God speaks like that? 

Yet there I was calm, confident and secure. 

I don't know if my friend is going to give $2000. What has changed for me this summer though, is that I believe that he should. Jesus DOES change lives in IV and Jesus DID speak to me about being Area Director. The campus is not okay. It desperately needs the Kingdom to come and for God's presence to transform it. The Inland Northwest needs the "new day" that God has been promising since the first day that Joel and I began to pray this summer. 

To those who give: thank you. You are partners, not donors. God is using you in ways that you cannot even begin to imagine. Our students cannot believe that so many, give up so much for them. You inspire them.  

To those who ask: keep asking. The gospel that we believe in, the gospel that transforms lives is worth it. Don't settle for asking because someone will check up on you, ask because God is healing you and this is part of His prescription. Ask for money because you want to asks students to give up a whole lot more for the sake of the Kingdom. Ask because our financial partners love to be part of transformation. Ask because Jesus loves you that much. Ask.