| “What is it like being a Christian here?” I asked the student next to me at Chi Alpha at Georgetown University. He chuckled as he replied, “It’s not easy.” Then he smiled as he looked around the room at his community, “But they make it possible.” We live in a world full of loneliness and superficial community; perhaps you’ve heard the statistic about how the impact of loneliness is similar to that of smoking 15 cigarettes per day. And yet Jesus invites us into His community, which is full of vulnerability, commitment and invitation. This is what we were created for — to experience friendship with God and one another. I was struck that night by the sincere gratitude evident in the room – specifically, gratitude for one another. This community is an outpost of God’s kingdom. In the middle of week, in the middle of a busy semester, on a campus like Georgetown, students were gathering to be together in God’s presence. And this student expressed what is true: it is impossible to follow Jesus on your own. Or as author Justin Whitmel Earley puts it, “You cannot experience God the way you were made to until you experience God alongside others.” I remember being a college student — and I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like to try to follow Jesus without a community like this! I pray that Chi Alpha would continue to be outposts of God’s kingdom. A place where the lonely are set in families. northeast vision trip Last month, my supervisor and I took a group of Chi Alpha regional directors from all across the country on a vision trip throughout the Northeast. These are leaders that represent different geographical regions of Chi Alpha. We visited campuses, met with local church and ministry leaders, and walked a lot of steps. The hope was to raise awareness about the many opportunities that exist in the Northeast and to dream about how we might work together to plant new ministries. It was a historic trip and I was so honored to be part of it! Did you know? 1) The Northeast has the highest concentration of college and universities in the US. 29.1% of campuses with over 4,000 students are in this region. 2) 1/3 of international students study in the Northeast 3) Six Northeast states are ranked in the “Top 10 Least Religious States.” We started in Philadelphia, then headed to Princeton, NYC, Connecticut, and ended in Boston. The reality is, these are some of the least reached areas in our ministry — and yet these are some of the most densely populated areas when it comes to college students! It was an incredible and eye-opening week, as one regional director reflected at the end, “I’ve heard of the need here, but it’s different to actually see it. I just didn’t know.” Many seeds were planted, and we are praying that God is at work even now to prepare individuals and teams to plant ministries in places like Manhattan, University of Rhode Island, and Princeton University. Will you join us in prayer as we continue to cast vision and facilitate conversation about how we might work together to build for God’s kingdom in these areas? May God reveal Himself to the many college students on these campuses, for their good and for His glory. Learn about the Northeast  At NYU in Manhattan! We are praying for the million college students in the NYC metro area. We currently have one wonderful Chi Alpha group here and long to see disciple making groups established throughout the city.. May God be glorified here — we’re asking for personnel, resources and wisdom.  I had a lot of fun creating some of the visual material for this trip and for future advocacy efforts! Click the button above to see a visual representation of the Northeast.  Visiting the University of Pennsylvania in Philly with my local pastors. It was special to have them speak about church planting in the city and invest into it. Philadelphia is currently top priority for us!  Eating well all week long! Pray with us For God to raise up laborers for the many campuses in the Northeast. We are asking the Holy Spirit to call individuals, families, and teams to the Northeast. To places like Philadelphia, New England, NYC and upstate New York, where there are an abundance of campuses! Pray for us as we facilitate this. For a fruitful end of the semester across all our campuses. In these next few weeks, new students will be raised up into leadership, seniors will graduate, and campuses will have their final gatherings. Would you take a moment to pray for the college students who are finishing another semester — and that God would even interrupt students even now! For my mental health. I’d love your prayers amidst some personal challenges — for mental clarity, peace and joy. I am currently trying to connect with a therapist to address my mental health and would love your prayers for God to provide care!  Thank you for faithfully praying for and for enabling me to serve campuses and ministers across the Northeast. Together, we are serving students, blessing campuses, developing missionaries, and cultivating healthy teams. I am grateful to have an incredible team of partners. Please let me know how I can be praying for you!If you are interested in partnering with me financially, click the button below to sign up on my secure giving page. partner with me |