In my previous newsletter, I mentioned some summer vacations with my girlfriend, Kate Wetzel. Since then, Kate and I have continued to seek the Lord's guidance and, on October 17th, I asked her to marry me!
We are very excited to start our lives together and to continue ministering with DiscipleMakers together. I hope that many of you get to meet Kate soon, but for now, here's a brief introduction to the woman I am privileged to know and soon marry in the beginning of March
How Did Kate Get Involved With DiscipleMakers?
"I grew up as a typical church kid, knowing all the bible stories and "right" answers. I believed that if I worked hard and followed the laws of the bible, then I could earn God's love and favor. This striving got tiring after a while, and by the end of high school and my first year at Muhlenberg College in 2013, I began to question what the point of all my effort was when I saw little reward and knew I needed to investigate what I was believing. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I got connected with DiscipleMakers and my life changed course. I was taught that I do not have to work for my salvation and can rest in Christ's finished work on the cross. I was immersed in a community that helped me grow in my understanding of Scripture and how to rightly live that out. I was quite impacted by the work of DiscipleMakers at that time in my life when I was figuring out what direction I was headed - for the glory of God or for the glory of myself. So, when it was introduced to me that I could work for this ministry AND use the gifts of management and event planning I was given, I eagerly applied to work at the Headquarters office of DiscipleMakers. It has truly been a joy to serve this ministry over the past 3 years and I look forward to many more, with TJ by my side." - Kate
How Did We Meet?
Kate and I first met when she started support raising in May 2017, only a few months after I had started. Through support raising we initially got to know one another, but it wasn't until we had both moved to State College in early 2018 to serve in the Headquarters office that we really became friends. Over the next two years, the Lord grew each of us individually, and at the beginning of this past year it became clear that we enjoyed spending time together, were good friends, and wanted to consider pursuing a deeper relationship. So even though the majority of our dating relationship has been in a time of COVID, it has been some of the best days and months of my life to get to know her more and more.
What's Next For Us?
We're planning to get married on March 6th and are busy getting all the final details together. After that exciting day, we'll continue to live in State College and serve together in the Headquarters. This is one thing we both valued in one another - that we see how God has equipped us for "behind-the-scenes" type roles and are eager to serve there so that DiscipleMakers is more effective on campus and there are no barriers for the gospel.
Since we will continue to serve this way, there's little to no change for our work with DiscipleMakers - everything will simply be combined! Newsletters will be written by the both of us to you, and any giving will be combined to support TJ & Kate Renninger's ministry with DiscipleMakers.
Please enjoy a few of our engagement photos!
Ways You Can Be Praying
Pray for Kate and I in our upcoming wedding and that our marriage would continually glorify God.
Pray for both of my brothers who are strengthening their relationship with the Lord.
Pray for the students who are now back at Penn State, that they would seek the Lord as their hope.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. If there are any ways that we can be praying for you, please let us know!
