In our last newsletter we told you about MANY events happening this spring. From the various campus Spring Break Trips, to Men's Retreats, to Women's Conference, and more, God truly has been at work!
Currently, I'm writing this to you from Focus as we wrap up the last few days of this event. Here's just some of the ways students have heard the gospel preached and responded to Christ.
Women's Conference
Wow! What a joy to finally be back together with over 200 women for a weekend FILLED with teaching and fellowship together. Many of the women attending had never been to this event before due to COVID restrictions for the past 2 years, but many enjoyed it so much, they are eager to come back next year! Read on for some quotes and brief stories of how these ladies were impacted.
"[My takeaway from the weekend is] recognizing and seeing the glimpses of grace in my life. Having hope that just like these woman that we learned about this weekend, that the season that I'm in is not too dark for God to still be present."
"My biggest takeaway from all sessions combined was that "the world will not fulfill you, God will" and that I am worthy and wanted by God even though I am broken and unlikely. I am so excited to be able to apply this to my life by truly trusting God for the first time and allowing him to fulfill me instead of chasing earthly rewards."
Listen to these ladies worshiping God!
"Our worth and value is not found in our accomplishments or achievements but found in Christ. We are covered by His Grace. I have always known this but over the weekend it became truer to me and I feel relief from this truth."
"I have learned to rejoice, even when it's hard because
we serve a promise keeping God
."
One of my favorite parts about being the Event Planner is that I have unique opportunities to care for students who have needs throughout the weekend. This student, "Samantha", was late to lunch after needing extra time to process some personal difficulties from the weekend. It was a delight to sit with her as she ate and hear how God is at work in her.
Focus
Wow! This has been such an encouraging event! As I mentioned before, I'm currently writing this newsletter during the final days of this event. This is the first time we've had this event in 3 years, which means there are only a handful of students here who have attended before...and that was as a freshman! But so many students have expressed great gratitude for this week away to disconnect from life and engage deeply with God's word and community. Here are two quotes from students who were already impacted by this event.
"Focus was such a phenomenal way to end the semester and go into the summer with a renewed BURNING for Christ. We gathered with fellow Christians and studied His word through the week so we can go out this summer and fall and witness like never before!"
"I was able to bond with my campus group and with people I hardly knew. It was a time to challenge myself and increase my knowledge of the Bible. I felt refreshed and peaceful during my time and I want to relive it again."
Do you remember "Jess" from our newsletter about Fall Conference? At that event, we were able to provide ASL interpreters for Jess so that she could clearly hear the gospel preached. Since then she's given her life to Christ and is joining us this week for Focus! We are so grateful for these interpreters and Jess's continued pursuit of Christ through the difficulties in her life. I hope to share more soon!
More Events!?!?
Summer Staff Conference
We still have one more event to plan for this school year! After all the students head home, our staff gather together for a week to be encouraged by one another and seek further training for the upcoming year. Please continue to pray for this event - that our staff would be refreshed and renewed in their vision for ministry.
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for His work in the
many
women who came to Women's Conference! Pray that they would continue to seek the Lord and meditate on the teaching from the weekend. Pray that they would see real heart change from what they've learned.
Praise God for Focus! Pray for the students as they head back home for the summer and continue to be Witnesses for the gospel. Pray that the community they've built during this week would continue in the Fall.
Pray for rest and renewal for us and our staff team in the coming weeks. It's been a pretty exhausting few months and school year, and we are in need of a refreshment from the Lord before heading into another year.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. If there are any ways that we can pray for you, please let me know!
In April, we got away for the weekend to go camping again with some friends. It's always a relaxing time to spend by the lake and enjoy time with others. (above)
Last weekend, we attended TJ's brother's graduation from Lebanon Valley College. Always a sweet time to see family! (left)
We have a website! There you can read some old newsletters, see some projects we've worked on, and more coming soon! Click the button below to access therenningers.com
