"Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together."
John 4:35-36
The beginning of the semester is always a hopeful season - we are eagerly awaiting the harvest the Lord will reap. But for now, we are simply sowing seeds. From Bible studies, to large group, to conversations over a cup of coffee, we labor to sow seeds of the truth of the gospel as students grow in their love and obedience to Christ. Read on for a glimpse into a few of those seeds...
Sowing Seeds
This semester I have the privilege to co-lead a Bible study with one of the Penn State students, Emma (pictured on my left). We are going through the book of John with a small group of freshmen ladies. The first seeds we planted were that of community, and what better way to do that than over ice cream! Yum!
Since then, we've had great opportunities to study about Christ being the fulfillment of the Word (John 1), how Christ comes to people in whatever station they are in life (John 4), and even more about Christ's authority (John 5). I can't wait to see how these ladies will continue to respond to the passages in John as the Lord cultivates these seeds we're planting.
I am also involved with Gospel Group. This is an opportunity for sophomores to learn in-depth inductive Bible study. Our vision for this group is to love God by studying His word, build a Gospel-centered community, and teach others to do the same. It's been great getting to know these students and seeing them grow in solid Bible study strategies. One girl in this group is also part of my Bible study, and I'm eager to help her use what she's learning in Gospel Group to lead our study!
More Sowing to Come...
Click here to watch the trailer for Fall Conference 2018
"In his book The Bruised Reed, Richard Sibbes wrote, “We have this for a foundation truth, that there is more mercy in Christ than sin in us." This has become one of the most-repeated, and much-beloved, summaries of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That in the face of our overwhelming sin, God responds with even more overwhelming mercy and grace in Jesus."
Our annual Fall Conference is fast approaching, with this year's theme and title being "NO Condemnation: Drinking Deeply of the Gospel in Romans 8."
Our students will spend the weekend hearing teaching from Romans 8, and spending time with one another and with hundreds of other students from across the state (really, from across the country and world!). I am eager to see what seeds we are able to plant this weekend, as this conference is pivotal for many students in their walk with Christ!
Doesn't this sound like a great conference? Wouldn't you like to be there, too? Well, we've got a conference just for you!
Are you an alum of DM's ministry? Or have you always wondered what it might be like to attend one of DM's conferences? This year DM is holding an alumni conference alongside our Fall Conference in October, and we would love to have you there. All of the teaching will be specifically tailored to people outside of college, whether you were a part of a DM ministry or not. You'll also have the opportunity to join us for main sessions with the college students in our ministry currently! Check out the conference page on our website to register, or find out more info. Don't wait too long, registration closes on October 5th! I have been helping to plan the conference and am eager see how God will use it - I would love to see you there, too!
Personal Update
Recently I had the opportunity to attend the BAM Conference - Business as Missions. It was incredibly encouraging to see how so many business people are using their vocations to do ministry in the U.S. and abroad. I heard many stories of God working all over the world to bring people to Christ often through the impactful interactions they had with these Christ-imaging businesses. I am eager to share this vision with students so that they might consider how they can use their areas of study for the glory of God!
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for the opportunities to sow seeds into the lives of the students on Penn State's campus. Pray that those seeds of truth would continue to grow throughout this year, that we might see a bountiful harvest!
Pray for Fall Conference - that many students would choose to go over the many other activities demanding their attention, and that many students would be impacted at the event.
Pray that I might continue to rest well in the Lord, especially as my schedule gets busier in the Headquarters and as I get more involved with a church.
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!
I am also involved with Gospel Group. This is an opportunity for sophomores to learn in-depth inductive Bible study. Our vision for this group is to love God by studying His word, build a Gospel-centered community, and teach others to do the same. It's been great getting to know these students and seeing them grow in solid Bible study strategies. One girl in this group is also part of my Bible study, and I'm eager to help her use what she's learning in Gospel Group to lead our study!
