I got into croquet this summer.  Little did I know, God would use it as a great ministry tool!

We've used my birthday croquet set to meet students this year.  When we ask someone to play croquet, they give us a weird look.  Most remember playing some sort of informal croquet when they were 8.   Almost everyone who's gotten past that initial thought has really enjoyed themselves.  Unlike other sports (or should I say games?) croquet provides a great opportunity to converse as we're playing.  And it's competitive enough that it keeps our interest.  :)  It's been great to see some of the guys we played with the first weekend stay involved with us and join Bible Studies!

In other news, many of our students have begun informal Bible discussions with people in their classes and on their floors.  They'll be looking into the Bible at encounters Jesus had with different people.  Please pray for these discussions!  God's Word is powerful (Heb. 4:12) and we're trusting God to impact the hearts of those reading it in these discussions.

Pray also for The Weekender, our regional Fall Conference that will be happening October 10-12.  We're praying for 300+ students to attend from around the region.  "The Word is Life" is the theme.  Norman and Katie Hubbard (our future staff trainers at the University of Illinois!) will be our keynote speakers.  I'm in charge of the program (the main meetings).  Please pray that I'll be completely prepared for the weekend.

Here's some math for you:

50 lbs of flour + 4 ovens + 150 students = ??

Our annual homemade pizza party!  We were (pleasantly) overwhelmed by the turnout for this annual kickoff event.  Students had a great time eating delicious pizza and making connections with their fellow students and staff.  God has surrounded us with so many people.  What a blessing!

Next week, many of our students will be starting Investigative Bible Discussions (IBDs) in their dorms- a short 4-week discussion for non-Christians on Jesus and His encounters with various people in the Gospels.  Please pray that God would bring people to these studies, and they Jesus would draw them to Himself!

Last night was our first NavNite (our weekly large group meeting).

Upwards of 225 students came. . .we had a wonderful time together- getting to know each other, worshipping, and I was able to share a message with everyone.  It was all awesome, there was so much energy in the room.

That was exciting, but what excited me the most were the students I talked to after the meeting.  One student is frustrated with where he's at and really wants to plug in to our ministry and grow.  I told him that's the perfect place to be. . .and he WILL grow!

Another's been spending time talking about spiritual issues with his roommate, and hopes they'll be able to get into the Bible.

So much exciting potential this year!

Matthew 9:37 has been on my mind a lot over the past week.  "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few."  Usually we focus on the few laborers part, but I've been reminded in the past week that the harvest is plentiful.  There are many out there ready to hear and respond to the Gospel of Jesus.

Now that gets me excited!

Hello friends!

Thank you so much for your prayers.  Last Thursday we were approved to start on campus!

Since that time, we've spent many hours there- connecting with returning students and meeting new freshmen.  We've used my croquet set as a connecting tool- we've been able to play with several random freshmen and get to know them a bit.  We've had a lot of fun in the process.

Over 100 students came to our freshman game night, and we've had 75 for late night praise&worship behind one of the dorms.  What beautiful music it was!

To me this is a reminder that the Lord is again raising up a generation of students who are seeking Him.  What an exciting thing!

NavNite (our weekly large group meeting) is this Wednesday.  I'll be giving the talk this week.  Please pray that God would speak through me and that I'd teach clearly and effectively.

More updates to come.  We'd covet your prayers during these next few weeks; they're such an important time for these young students.