Our Summer Goal

This Summer, Aimee and I are meeting with current financial supporters, past special gift partners and prayer partners to reconnect and share about our support goal. We are also hoping to meet with new people to share with them about what God is doing here at the University of Missouri and the joy we get to play some small part in it.

We are hoping to raise $500/month in regular gifts.

Why are we raising this?

• Though our finances are fine, for my career in vocational ministry to be sustainable long-term, we need  to increase our financial support.
• To pursue seminary classes, the funds need to be there.
• To be more generous with our students
• As we begin thinking about having children, we want to be financially stable for Aimee to take some time off and for compensating for new expenses that would incur.
• Because we are trusting that God wants us to be fully-supported and this is the next step in pursuing that.

It's pretty bold and we are really trusting the Lord in this request. Please join us in prayer and if you are interested in setting up a gift, know that you are meeting a very tangible need. And thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Go over to my Giving Information page for help in getting started with a gift.

Fuel and the Flame

I've begun re-reading The Fuel and the Flame by Steve Shadrach. Aimed at campus missionaries, pastors and student leaders in such ministries, Shadrach inspires us to believe in the strategic impact that sharing the Gospel on the college campus provides while reminding us how crucial it is to build our spiritual foundation before doing so. He gives plenty of principles, stories and encouragements on how to do so while keeping us rooted in Scripture.

The Rock purchased dozens of these books about a month or so ago and the Core Leaders of our Community Group have begun reading it. They've already been discussing the book on our Facebook Group page! It's so cool to see these guys and girls excited about serving together as leaders in the Fall.

A couple things have stood out to me already. First is a quote on the first page:

"One of the greatest things we can do for any student is to help give him or her an outward focus, instead of the inward one that most bring with them to college."

The vision for something greater than ourselves is one of the most essential things we, as humans, need to latch on to in order to live to our potential and to be happy. In a society that is so self-absorbed, we desperately need to understand the significance of the Gospel and to be reminded that our life is about Christ and the spreading of this Gospel. Life is not about our next Facebook update, tweet or Instagram post. It's not about how much money we make or who we're going to marry. It's not about how we look on the outside but about the positioning of our hearts in such a way that we live like we believe the Good News of Jesus Christ is actually something worth living for.

Usually what throws us off course are morally neutral (or even admirable) things that we let take the place of God. They become the ultimate: goal setting, checking off tasks, moving on to the next thing, distractions, living for the weekend, time with friends/ family, etc, etc. Instead, God wants to use these things to bring Him glory and to make His name known. When we are in harmony with that, these things can actually bring the fulfillment they are meant to (except those distractions, of course).

I'm excited again to remember how crucial it is that we're on the campus - the place that is feeding our next generation of leaders and world-changers, emotionally, academically and spiritually. Thank you for joining me in bringing the Gospel to these students, for sacrificing finances and for laboring with me in prayer because you believe in something greater than yourselves.

Summer Rock Begins

The Summer Rock looks a lot different than our typical services throughout the school year. We had close to 40 people show up to our first Praise, Worship and Communion service to kick off the summer. Throughout the next several weeks, we'll have guest pastors and other speakers come in to share with our smaller group.

Our series for the summer is on "Encounters with God", focusing on men and women throughout Scripture and what it was like for them to interact with God, leaving them forever changed.

Last night I played djembe for our smaller band and got to share our first devotion before leading us in Communion. It was a great way to start of the summer!

May 2013 Prayer Letter

Hey all,

I sent this out about a week ago or so but in case you haven't read it, here is my latest prayer letter. It was fun to write this recap of the year and to praise God for what he's done this year. Enjoy!

Chris