"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do."
Romans 8:1-3
For 42 hours, over 450 students, alumni, and staff gathered together for a weekend packed full of teaching, worship, and fellowship at our annual Fall Conference. I had asked you to pray for this conference in my last newsletter and God surely answered our prayers! Check out this highlight reel for an appetizer of what happened this weekend.
Watch the highlight reel!
When we were only 6 short weeks away from this conference, I was asked to help with the planning to support our lone Event Planner (who is also one of my roommates!). This required some serious crash course training to make this happen, but praise God for all of the experiences I'd had previously (in my Theater Stage Management classes & shows) that I was able to keep up! All the planning that goes into an event such as this is truly life giving to me, especially knowing the eternal impact God would be making! At the conference I was busy organizing the next things on the schedule which left me with little time to interact with the students there, but I have heard some great stories from my fellow laborers with DiscipleMakers that I would like to share with you!
One of the main things I helped plan was a "Missions Fair" that invited missions agencies to come and share with students about how they can use their majors & careers as a way to further the kingdom of God. One of these missionaries was highly impressed with the students, saying, "I've had more conversations - and better conversations - with students here than at any other missions fair I’ve been a part of. Your students are farther along in their thinking and maturity than we’ve seen in other campus ministries."
"I learned more over Fall Conference weekend than I have in years of trying to figure out more about God. So many of my questions were answered! Sitting there listening to the talks and reading the Bible throughout the weekend, I started to understand more and more about God and all He has done for me by sending Jesus. By the very end of the conference, something just 'clicked' and I felt like I understood God's love for me for the first time."- Quote from a South Korean student
"In a season of life where worries and challenges tempt me to despair, God's steadfast love draws me back to Him. The Lord used the conference to teach me that 'trials will disrupt me, but they will not destroy me,' and that by grace I am forever fastened to a love that will outlast any storm. Despite inevitable hardships, I am sure that I am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me!" - A student from Susquehanna University
A student sat crying in the second row of the anxiety/depression breakout session. I got to talk to her afterwards and she had just really started struggling with anxiety a few weeks ago and didn't know what to do. She was so encouraged that we were talking about these struggles because it gave her confidence to start sharing about her struggles and seek help. - Story from one of our staff workers
Some friends (& coworkers) and I got to spend some time together at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon! It was so fun to see the colors of fall and be reminded of how creative and amazing our God is to have designed such beauty!
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for a fruitful Fall Conference that impacted the hearts of many!
Pray that students would continue to wholeheartedly pursue the Lord as they grow deeper in Him back on campus, and especially at home over the upcoming holiday breaks.
Pray for me as I consider other opportunities to get involved here in State College, especially in a non-Christian setting that I might be able to spread the love of Christ there.
I'm very thankful for you, dear friends, as it is only through your support -- both through prayer and financial giving -- that makes this ministry possible!
I pray for each of you, and I'm grateful for your continued partnership in my ministry. Please reply to let me know how I can pray for you specifically!
