When doing evangelism on campus and asking about their church experience it is not uncommon to have a student say something like this, “I was going to church, but when I started asking questions they didn’t want me there anymore.” This always puzzled me because I can’t imagine this type of response to a teenager in my church or churches I am familiar with. Questions are important. I think more often their questions or comments were not responded to in a helpful way, or they just assume that if they had questions that they would begin to be treated differently.
Reading through any of the Gospels one notes an amazing number of questions. Jesus is continually giving thoughtful answers to hard questions. Whether a question was intended to trap or revealed ignorance, Jesus engaged with wisdom and clarity. At Cedar Campus northern students took the week long track called, “Truth that Works, Truth that Heals.” The seven students learned about how to engage with skeptical students in a pastoral way and saw how the Gospel intersects with questions they or their friends have. They had time to research and find answers to questions that we may wish to avoid in conversations. However, the campus and our churches are full of people wondering about God’s goodness in the midst of suffering, wondering if we are produced out of random events of nature, or how Jesus can be the exclusive way to God. Out of this week, one of the students, Brad, has decided to lead a small group this next year that focuses on these types of questions. One idea for the group is to spend a week in a key Bible chapter, the next week or two in research, and an additional week in sharing the truth on campus in some way. We will also be inviting some non-Christian students who have hard questions to join this group if it interests them.
Please pray for Brad as he prepares for this fall and his small group. Brad is finishing up a math degree as well as working next school year, so his time is at a premium. Don’t be shocked or disappointed when asked a hard question! Instead take note of Jesus. Pray for words of grace, wisdom and truth. Also, read a helpful book!
Rick Mattson shares images he finds useful in talking to those skeptical of Christian Faith
One campus can feel considerably different than another depending on the number of residential students compared to those who commute. The largest difference between campuses isn’t always the location of the school as much as the location of the students. The commuter school often has very little community and or well attended activities outside of the classroom. The growing popularity of taking classes online or driving into and out of campus can save money but makes it hard to make connections. Campus ministries tend to do well at connecting with students in residence Halls (2,470 lived in the dorms last year at NMU). InterVarsity has been working on how to create community on commuter campuses and among commuter students. Besides distance, commuters may be older, working more hours, have family commitments, etc. 60% of Northern students live off campus, our goal was to start serving some of those who commute from a considerable distance. The key is adding new opportunities in the middle of the day while they are around. Joel, Mikayla, Noah, Eli and Shyanne could not make any of our normal small groups or campus wide meetings that met in the evenings. So this past semester we met in Melted, our grilled cheese cafe at the center of campus. Between noon and 1 on Tuesdays we visited, prayed, snacked or ate, and did Bible study. Some people stayed longer to visit and sometimes a random friend would join our table. The commuter study was a great success! I was a bit skeptical that we could connect so well over a lunch hour. Whereas residential students may have many opportunities for Christian fellowship each week, these students, even more, appreciated and cherished our time together. This summer I’ve started training Mikayla to lead a commuter study in the Fall. She will co-lead the first couple of months and then I will hand it over to her. At the same time I will be leading a second commuter lunch study that meets another day of the week in Melted. Thank you for praying for Mikayla and our attempts to serve commuter students at Northern in the Fall!
Our region of InterVarsity is called “Lakes and Plains.” We are made up of universities and colleges in Wisconsin, the upper peninsula of Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. This weekend I was in Green Lake, WI at the fall conference that serves most of the schools in Wisconsin. I directed a track called, The Art of Spiritual Mentoring. We had 3 other staff and 7 volunteers so the 63 students each had a table leader to help with discussions. Although I have helped with this track at least a dozen times I still enjoy it very much. The students are there to learn how to better mentor or disciple younger students. We cover the do’s and don’ts, how to use scripture, how to model things, how to encourage, etc. We begin the weekend with an extended time in 1 Thessalonians 2 and soak in the example of Paul who truly loved and cared for the Thessalonians. We use this passage to help students capture a vision for the heart of a mentor. We also use the warning in Ezekiel against bad shepherding and Jesus’ teachings about shepherding. Students go away from our time with lots of tools and encouragement to make an impact in the lives of those around them. I am particularly excited at the reality that these young students most likely have another 50 to 70 years of life ahead of them to be an influence for God in the lives around them. Here are some of the responses and prayers shared by students at the end of the weekend:
“God, give me the courage and time to pour into someone else’s life like [friends name], and others have into mine.” UW-Whitewater student
“God met me at a point where others weren’t on my heart and put them on my heart.” Carthage student
“God met me by laying on my heart specific people to mentor and how I can use specific gifts He has given me.” UW-Madison student
“I will no longer simply be a Christian consumer, but pass on what God shows me.”– Carroll College student
Ever hear of the 24/7 prayer movement? They encourage churches and ministries to set aside rooms for extended times of focused prayer. A few years ago we wanted to create a room on campus but had a hard time finding any buildings that were open for 24 hrs so…… we put up a tent. Our Colman screen tent served well as a room for 1 or more students to gather and pray for the campus in 1 hr shifts. We set it up between the University Center and Gries Hall from Thursday 7pm to Friday 7pm near a sidewalk under some towering white pine. A corkboard nearby invited student to leave specific prayer requests, many students did, including some who thanked us for praying. Although it was cold and not all the time slots were filled the students really enjoyed this experience of intercession in the outdoors. It also fit the tagline of the university, “Northern Naturally” 🙂
Legacy-something handed down from an ancestor or predecessor. Every two years those of us who were part of an amazing time of growth in InterVarsity at Central Michigan University in the mid-late 90’s gather. 10 families spent the weekend at Cedar Campus in Cedarville, MI catching up. I was invited to share some scripture Sunday morning and had us look at the story of Nehemiah. As a group we had experienced the call to pray and act at CMU, much as Nehemiah prayed and acted on Jerusalem’s behalf. We remembered with fondness our daily prayer meetings in which we faithfully lifted the campus to God. The quality of God’s work among us produced missionaries, church leaders, God-honoring parents, etc. Even though our group had golden days in the past of amazing growth and impact, we as men and women entering middle age desire to keep using the gifts God is refining for his kingdom. It was particularly wonderful for us to watch a video sent from one of our more engaging (funny) members, who is living in a country closed to the Gospel. He demonstrated local dance and played an indigenous instrument for us, we laughed and were encouraged by his sacrifice. He is just starting to learn the 2nd language of the people he feels called to serve. The current staff at CMU shared a bit of the legacy of our prayers for CMU. He shared about a group of over 100 fraternity and Sorority members at CMU who are part of the InterVarsity Greek ministry. They are also working with 4 non-greek students to start up an undergrad ministry. Some of us got to share video encouragements for the four women who are part of our legacy. Our motto was and is: Central for Christ, The World for Christ–The World for Christ, Central for Christ.
At our last retreat several students took a track called “Pslams of Lament”. So tonight at our weekly meeting they shared about Hebrew poetry and about the structure of Psalms that cry out to God. We learned that, just as David did, we can cry out with raw emotions of hurt, confusion, fear or anger. In our honest expressions to God he meets us and reminds us of his faithfulness. The students had 20 minutes to write their own Psalm of Lament. The structure is 1) addressing God and crying out 2) Lament/Complaint 3) Petition “hear!” 4) Turning Point 5) Response of Praise
Here is one a student read sharing with God her struggles with anger, ”
Oh Lord of my own heart, the enemy knows my name. he knows my weakness, it’s easy to strike. anger thrashing like a violent storm. Even when its gone the aftermath is still seen. Please Lord, give me strength. A gentle heart that is slow to anger. The curse on my heart brings agony to me and the people near. But I know Lord, You are sovereign. I know you will show me the way. Praise the Lord, who has given me the Holy Spirit! A spirit of Love, Joy, and Peace, Pateince, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control!
At the end of the meeting one of the students had their grandparents there. The grandmother got up and thanked our chapter for praying for her husband’s battle with cancer. She shared how it had been a time of calling out to God in hard times, yet resting in His good plans. She announced to the group that her husband was cancer free and that he was slowly regaining strength. It was good for the students to see a visable sign of faith in the midst of hardship…and to see the good hand of God at work!
Sophomore student Taylor read the InterVarsity Press book, “God in a Brothel” a story about the rescue of women and girls who had been trafficked and forced into prostitution. God placed this issue on Taylor’s heart as a place where Christians need to be active in rescue and ministry. After NMU had a speaker share about her experiences and rescue Taylor decided to do something about it. Taylor said that, “we always talk about awareness, but let’s do something.” Taylor located a ministry that sells products made by rescued women. She ordered a shipment, reserved a room and organized volunteers. It is wonderful to see Taylor respond to things God has shown her. Lord, continue to guide your people into places of service and witness in the world. Continue to guide Taylor into the things that are on your heart and into effective service in your kingdom.
I had a great trip to Lake Superior State October 14th. Their InterVarsity group is going through the Gospel of Mark and I spoke on Mark 4 about the 4 soils. It reminded me of the reality that as people make decisions to follow Jesus it is not always smooth sailing. The main point of the talk was an encouragment to hear God, respond to Him, and follow Him. A key to the passage is noting that it is about “the seed” or Word. As we hear or study God’s word it is imparitive to spend time reflecting on the implications it has on our actions and thinking and our understanding of God. As we share Jesus we are invited to throw seeds everywhere! What seems like dry soil on the outside may be receptive! There were at least 25 students at LSSU, made up of more men than I thought. It was great to see Alex who had been in my track at the fall conference about learning to be a “Spiritual Mentor”. He will be graduating this semester with a degree in teaching math . Last two thoughts: The UP is beautifiul even though it rained the entire trip & LSSU’s IV has a great meeting room from which you can have a view of the length of the International Bridge.
nmuintervarsity 