In our last newsletter, we shared about our ministry goal to reach 25 campuses by 2025. As of right now, DiscipleMakers has reached 23! Praise God!
One of the schools we're hoping will be #24 or #25 is a small school we'll call St. James College*. With its more remote location and strong Catholic affiliation, it can be tricky to build momentum for our evangelical ministry. However, the Lord has graciously heard our prayers and is working in the hearts of the students!
Our staff who are pioneering at St. James shared this update with us about the Bible study he's started in these first few weeks of the new school year:
As of right now, I have done two Bible studies at St. James, and they have been two of my favorite Bible studies that I have ever done.
We've all had those Bible studies where, if we're lucky, one or two students are talkative, and most of the study is spent in awkward silence. But these St. James students... they're the exact opposite of that.
During the first week of classes, nine students came out and we had a lively conversation in Mark 1 about who Jesus is and why He is such good news. And while I was praising the Lord for such a successful start, nothing could have prepared me for what God would do at the second Bible study.
I had heard that those nine students had told their friends about the study, and so I was optimistic that we would see some growth the second week. But as the time for the study drew near, students began pouring into the room, eager to study God's Word. It quickly became apparent that there were more than twelve, and so the room we had was not big enough. We made the last second decision to switch to a bigger room, and even then we had to borrow chairs from other rooms so that everyone could sit down.
Friends, when I finally got my wits about me and looked around the room, I counted twenty-two students! Once again, it was a lively conversation in Mark 1 about what it looks like to follow Jesus and be fishers of men.
God is doing some amazing things in the lives of the student body at St. James! There is a hunger and an energy there that I have not seen on other campuses and can only be explained by the work of the Spirit.
Please join me in praising the Lord for these hungry Catholic students!
* Name changed since we are not yet publicly recognized as a student group
Growth in Pictures
It has been so encouraging to hear the many stories of more and more students connecting with our ministries. This newsletter would get quite long if I shared all of them, so here are just a few photos from the first few weeks of the semester.
Our students pulled 14 tables together so we could all eat at the same table before large-group the first week of the semester
Talking about Mark 1 in small groups during the first large-group of the semester at Shippensburg
One of the players on the Albright football team gathering the team together, and praying over the team.
DeSales students showed up in droves for our first large group Bible study of the semester.
Students at Muhlenberg College, praising God in worship together at one of their first meetings.
Fall Conference
It's that time of year again! We are eagerly preparing for our biggest event of the year, Fall Conference!
In less than a month, we'll once again be at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel with over 500 students and staff praising God together and deepening their knowledge and love of Christ.
This year, we're taking it back to the beginning with a student in the first three chapters of Genesis. Our world offers countless perspectives on our purpose and design. But these answers often leave us with further confusion—because they’re not connected to the One who made us. Throughout the weekend, students will be discovering the beginning and purpose of all things as defined in scripture.
Would YOU help us prepare for the event? While Kate in Event Planning, along with all our co-workers can take care of the detailed planning, we need many to cover us in prayer.
Please join us in praying for:
Our many staff who will be teaching at this event - pray for wisdom and the Spirit's guidance in their preparations that they would faithfully preach God's Word alone.
Soft Hearts for students - that they would have "ears to hear" the gospel preaching throughout the weekend that deeply impacts their lives.
New students and underclassmen - that they would decide to come and that it would set them up well to continue pursuing Jesus this year and the rest of college.
Registration - that there would be no cancellations and many would choose to attend over the many other alluring activities in college.
The many missions agencies who will be attending our Missions Fair - that students would consider how they can serve the Lord in missions, whether that be domestic or abroad, long or short term.
Kate's interactions with Hilton staff - that in this specific role, she could image the love of Christ to them and have opportunities for gospel conversations in a business setting.
Prayers & Praises
Praise God for the work of the Spirit in the hearts of the St. Jame's students. Pray that they would continue to deepen their knowledge and love of Christ, that it may spread to the entire campus. Pray for favor with the administration such that we could become an official club on campus.
Pray for the preparation and execution of Fall Conference. Pray for the many requests listed above.
Praise God for the favor he's given us on all our campuses, and the sweet answer to prayers for the growth of our ministries.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are constantly in awe of God's work on the college campus and delight to share it with you. If there are any ways that we can pray for you, please let us know!
In Christ,
TJ & Kate Renninger
Outside the Office
What a busy month!
Our friend and coworker took some amazing family photos for us! (above)
We went camping with TJ's family and Asher loved being in the hiking backpack. (right)
We went to a local baseball game and Asher got to wear TJ's hat from when he was a baby. (below, left)
And Asher always keeps us laughing with his silliness! (below, right)
