The month long break between the Fall and Spring semester is a cherished time for college students as they take time to breathe and regroup from the busyness of school. Many students spend the time with family or vacationing, but for some they look to use that time to consider "What's Next"?
Our students regularly see what life is like for the DiscipleMakers campus staff that they see almost daily, but don't have much opportunity to see the behind the scenes work we do in the Headquarters office.
At the beginning of January, Kate had two senior students shadow her in the Event Planning Department - Rebekah Fodale (left), and Esther Wild (center). Both of these ladies have been key students with their fellowships on campus and are considering what it might look like to go into full time ministry after they graduate.
Since these ladies will be graduating so soon, we wanted to give them the opportunity to check out what the Headquarters is like. Even in the short amount of time they were with us, they were an incredible help to get Kate set-up well for the upcoming semester FULL of events.It was a delight to work with these ladies and get to know them more, and we want you, too, to be encouraged by God's work in them.
For many of you, you see the need for the community that college ministries provide for students at a critical time of life. You may have first hand experience seeing the youth of your church be quite involved while still living at home, but once they head off to college, you never see them again. You may wonder if the investment in these kids, or even your own teens, is really worth it.
Below you can read Esther's testimony, where she speaks to just that. Esther grew up knowing Christ, but it was her mom's effort to connect her brother and her to a community in college that really sparked a deeper relationship with the Lord.
I was raised by a Christian single mom, who truly lived as an example of what it is to be Christ like. There were plenty of difficulties growing up, but her faith and love for us was evident through this in many ways. When my older brother was headed off to college, my mom heard a DiscipleMakers missionary speak at a friend's church and she immediately sought to connect my brother with the group at his school, Lafayette College. She knew this kind of community was important for him to be a part of. My brother was slow to join, but when he did, his faith did a complete 360. He was walking with the Lord again and I was so proud and excited.
When I was about to graduate high school, I thought I'd just go to a community college first to save money, and then go to another school to finish my desired degree in Social Work. As I considered this, a friend attending Kutztown was raving about the DiscipleMakers group there. Knowing how this impacted my brother, too, I deeply knew that I wanted to be a part of this community. With this desire, I decided to transfer to Kutztown before finishing my associates at community college. I was immediately welcomed and enfolded by the group. I felt the Lord leading me to want to care for these people as they care for me. The following year, I was a student leader and was having game nights after our large group almost every week in my apartment! It brought me so much joy to be able to show the love of Christ to others through my home. Leading a bible study was not unfamiliar territory but it was new to experience it with my peers. There was a difference in learning and growing in our relationships with each other and the Lord in this study than I'd experienced before. The Lord was clearly at work to bring me to Kutztown and DiscipleMakers such that I could learn to be an ambassador for Christ.
I'm currently in my last semester at Kutztown. I serve our DiscipleMakers group as a key leader and have been loving doing the behind the scenes work for our ministry. Being able to use gifts the Lord has given me to further grow His kingdom is such a beautiful thing. This as been the most significant thing for me to learn in college. The Lord has all made us different, and while that can be hard at times, we come together as the body of Christ to fulfil His purposes as set in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
Even more so, my significant involvement with DiscipleMakers as a student leader has come up in many conversations with my family. While my mom is a deep believer, many of my family members are not. The Lord has been able to use me to plant seeds in my family’s hearts and I pray they grow. I am looking forward to graduating and seeing where the Lord takes me for work and life. I am excited to potentially pursue ministry, and if that isn’t what the Lord intends, I will be patient in the waiting and look forward to what the future holds.
Rebekah and Esther are both currently applying to work with DiscipleMakers full time. Please be praying for the application and interview process, and for them both as they discern where the Lord is calling them to be post-graduation.
Upcoming Events
The Spring is the busiest time of year on campus. Students are well connected at this point, eager to continue building community, and are committed to various Bible studies and fellowship activities. On top of all this, we have a number of conferences and retreats throughout this semester. For Kate, this means that there is plenty of work to be done to help coordinate all these events.
Please pray for each of these upcoming events!
Restore - February 18th
Restore is an event centered on making disciples of all nations and races through a day of worship that expresses the experiences, preferences, and voices of people of color, while staying true to the gospel message. This year, the teaching will explore "Restoring the image of God", looking at how God created us in his image, how we fell into sin, and are now restored in Christ. Check out the event page.
Spring Break Trips & Men's Retreats
Throughout February and March, our campuses do a variety of smaller trips and retreats that build community among the students. Some use their week of Spring Break as a service trip, often at Young Life camps to prepare for their summer season. Other campuses have regional men's retreats, too.
Women's Conference - March 30 - April 2
This event always brings great excitement among the college women. It's a delightful weekend away, enjoying fellowship with the other ladies, and deeply learning about God's word. This year's teaching will look at John 14-16, when Jesus is in the Upper Room with his disciples before his death. It's where he gives his final words of encouragement to "Take heart, I have overcome the world." Our speakers will show how we, too, can be encouraged by these words of truth. Check out the event page
Focus - May 7-12 & 14-19
Classes are done, finals have been submitted, summer has started - but before heading home, many of our students join us for a week away to relax, recenter, and refocus on God's teaching. This year we'll be studying 2 Timothy, as Paul instructs his spiritual "son" in the call and labor of gospel ministry. Our teachers will look at how we should respond as we are "entrusted with the gospel". Check out the event page
Summer Staff Conference - June 12-16
Finally, after a busy semester, our staff will gather together for some rich teaching, training and fellowship. We look forward to studying the book of Psalms with our speaker, Dr. Mark Futato, a professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary.
Support Raising Update
We continue to be amazed by God's generosity and kindness to provide financially for our ministry with DiscipleMakers! Thank you to those who have heard God's leading to partner in this way.
At this point, we still have about $550 in monthly giving to raise by the end of June to reach our goal. We're currently looking to make connections with churches and individuals in the coming months to fulfill this goal.
If you are considering beginning a financial partnership with our ministry with DiscipleMakers, you can click the link below to set up giving. For those who are already regular supporters, we'd also invite you to consider increasing your giving as we seek to reach this goal. If you know someone who wants to see God's work be done on the college campus, we would love to meet them! Would you connect us?
Please continue to pray for our financial needs such that we are well prepared in the coming years to serve this ministry whole heartily.
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for Rebekah and Esther and their desire to serve the Lord in ministry post-graduation! Pray for discernment in their ministry endeavors, and that the Lord would make it abundantly clear where they should serve Him.
Pray for ALL the events coming up this spring. Pray students would be eager to attend. Pray their hearts would be softened and prepared now such that the biblical truths deeply penetrate their hearts.
Pray for Kate and all those involved in the planning of these events. Pray against temptations to be anxious or stressed about all the details that need to be balanced simultaneously. Pray for energy and rest for all our staff as we work hard to use these events for God's glory.
Praise God for how he has faithfully provided financially for our ministry with DiscipleMakers! Pray that the Lord would bring in the remaining funds by the end of June.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. If there are any ways that we can pray for you, please let me know!
In Christ,
TJ & Kate Renninger
Outside the Office
This winter has been a much appreciated slower season. We've enjoyed the simplicity of just spending a night at home on these cold days, and spending time with friends. Of course, we also spent Christmas with both our families for a few days.
An Additional Personal Prayer Request:
Would you pray with us that the Lord would grant us children?
Over the past number of months, we've come to learn there are some barriers for us to easily get pregnant. We are currently starting a treatment for this, but there are still many unknowns for how Kate will respond. Please pray that this treatment would be successful, but more so please pray for our hearts as we want to be faithful and honoring to the Lord no matter what the outcome.
