"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him." Ephesians 1:3-4
Imagine: 460 students, alumni, and staff gathered together on a Saturday night singing praise to the Lord and shouting "We trust the name of Jesus!" in unison. Joyful tears welled up in my eyes as I clearly saw how the Lord has been at work in the hearts of college students across Pennsylvania.
Read on for quotes, stories, and pictures from the weekend!
“Fall Conference reminded me how great God is and that we were made to glorify God because he deserves all glory and praise. I was impacted by learning that God is three different persons working in my life in three different ways. Also Fall Conference allowed me the opportunity to invest in members of the fellowship and grow in greater community with them!”
"Ellie" was holding 2 Bibles - one, a journaling Bible with plenty of room to exercise her artistic side, and the other, a bit more compact with a beautiful cover. This is how I met her. Together we weighed the pros and cons, and she eventually settled on the journaling Bible.
As our conversation continued, I learned how this decision was more weighty than I realized. Ellie was raised atheist. She was taught to reject God and anything to do with him. However, the Lord had been seeking her out through various friends growing up. So, when Ellie started at Muhlenberg College in August, she was intrigued to meet DiscipleMakers at the activities fair. After being loving embraced by the community, Ellie was eager to learn more about this God she had been taught to ignore and all the ways that He has never ignored us.
"How do your parents feel about you being at Fall Conference, or even buying a Bible?" I asked. "Oh! They don't know, and if they did, they would be furious!" Ellie responded. "Oh wow! I'm assuming that this your first real Bible you've owned then?" "Oh yes!" Ellie replied with a big grin across her face. Choosing between these two Bibles was more than just an aesthetic decision. It showed a true commitment to know the Lord and his great love for us through Christ!
“Coming into Fall Conference I was filled with guilt and shame. The speaker talked about how there is more forgiveness in God, than sin in us. He also stated 'through Gods blood I am forgiven'. I don’t have to hold myself prisoner of my guilt or shame because Christ died on the cross for my sins.”
I co-led a breakout session called "Own It! How to Grow as a Disciple of Jesus" where we discussed how the Lord is our best discipler, but he uses people to help do this, too. My part focused on the practicals of a "Heart Chart", which is a handy way to process through difficult situations with the Lord.Listen to it here!
Check out the highlight reel for just a glimpse into what happened throughout the weekend!
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for a successful conference where many students were impacted by the gospel teaching through which God is shaping their hearts. Praise God for the (at least 2) students who gave their lives to Christ during the weekend.
Pray for "Ellie" as she learns more about who God is and what Christ has done for her on the cross. Pray that her faith would positively impact her family despite opposition they may have to Christianity.
Pray for me as we move into the next season - that I would find rest from the busy weeks of planning for Fall Conference so that I can continue to work hard for God's glory and kingdom expansion!
Thank you, dear friends, for your partnership in the gospel!
Your support - whether prayer, financial, or other - is greatly appreciated and makes it possible for us to continue reaching the next generation for Christ!
