Dinner and Basketball

We are full swing into the semester. We had a fun beginning with our students. It was great to see some of our students at UAlbany jump on board with what God is doing on the women's basketball team. We held an event to welcome back the students after their break. First, we had dinner at T.G.I. Fridays. We had a good crowd show up. It was fun catching up with some of the students and hearing about their breaks. Then, some of us went from dinner to continue on the fun at the womens' basketball game at UAlbany. This was great to show our support of the team. When I (Joe) was with them earlier in the day (for Chapel) and shared that some of the students were coming to support them that night, they got excited. The womens' team doesn't draw a crowd like the men's, so they love it when people (especially their peers) come out to support them. It was a great way for the students in our movement to love the team.

A new addition!

We have a beautiful new addition to our family! Abigail Emery Cassel was born on January 17th at 7:28 pm, weighing 7 lbs. 8 oz. Everything went very smooth. God answered so many prayers and we are so thankful! Mom and baby are home now and doing very well. We love Abby so much and she makes us laugh and smile everyday. Thank you for praying for us! If you are interested in staying up to date with Abby, Jen will be starting a new family blog soon. This one will remain a place for ministry updates. We'll let you know of the blog address for the new blog when Jen has time to set it up.

BWC Photos!

Below is a website where you can find photos of the Boston Winter Conference. We hope this will help you gain a greater idea of what took place at the conference. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/cccnehq/BWC2010?feat=email#

Andy's Story

Our students have returned from the Boston Winter Conference and had an awesome time! I (Joe) have really enjoyed hearing the stories of a few students and what the Lord shared with them there. Since Jen and I weren't there this year, I asked one student (Andy from UAlbany) to share a little bit about how God used the conference to impact his life. Enjoy reading...

My name is Andy and I am a junior at the University at Albany. This was
my first time going to BWC. For the first time, I was at a retreat among
other college students who were just as committed as me to seeing our
lives and our campuses reflect God's glory. The friends I made here will
last for a long time and into eternity, I am sure, and I can't wait to go
back.

I guess what struck me the most about being with these people was how much
everyone owned thier faith. It was no longer a parent's faith, or a youth
pastor's faith. It is ours, and it is real because of the Holy Spirit who
lives in us. I just saw others like myself seeking after God in a
personal relationship and it reminded me that the battle is still being
fought everywhere for Jesus to be lifted up.

God really showed me a lot about the "win, build, send" model of
evangelism and discipleship and missionary work. God helped me become
more secure and willing to accept my position as a small group leader and
as one entrusted with Jesus' disciples. I can say in a fresh way: I am
honored to be part of the Great Commission on my campus because of the
breath of fresh spiritual air that came from BWC.

God also gave me some specific directions for my educational path that
have challenged me to "walk by faith, not by sight". Although I am still
scared, I trust God and I am so appreciative for all of the examples of
faith I was able to witness at BWC so that I could "run with perserverance
the race marked out for me" because of "this great cloud of witnesses"
(Hebrews 12:1).

Overall, BWC was an awesome experience, allowed me fellowship time with
other Christians, allowed me worship time to thank God, let us experience
the joy of outreach and partnering in God's sovereign salvation, and, most
of all, gave me time to stand on the mountain and hear the sweet voice of
my Savior. So thank you, Jesus, and thank you, BWC!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010! We hope you had a great Christmas and New Year celebration. Jen and I continue to wait for our little girl to make her first appearance. No news yet! We'll keep you updated. Please keep praying!

Today, January 2, two exciting things are happening...

1. There is a UAlbany women's home basketball game today vs. Rhode Island at 2:00. I (Joe) will be spending time in Chapel with them this morning after their warm ups. We will be talking about HOLY SWEAT. The main topic is that Jesus calls us to be holy and it takes sweat to get there...and how our goal in life is not hapiness, but holiness. The women are excited. I got an e-mail from the assistant coach yesterday saying the girls were asking about whether or not we were having Chapel today. God is moving on that team! Please pray for our time this morning.

2. 19 Capital Region students will leave from Crossgates Mall at noon and roadtrip to Boston for the 2010 Boston Winter Conference. The conference begins tonight with a first meeting and then...the Shane and Shane concert! What a way to begin the conference! Please pray for safety for students throughout the Northeast Region traveling to this conference. Pray that God would draw students into a deeper relationship with Himself and that they would have a greater understanding of their purpose in the world.

As you probably guessed, Jen and I will not be attending the conference this year. There is some sadness, because it is such a special time of the year for both of us. However, the reason we are not going is so much more important! We will be sure to let you know when she comes!

The Meaning of Christmas!

As I (Joe) write this, we are two days away from celebrating the birth of Jesus! Something that I need to be reminded to celebrate everyday! On Saturday, I had the opportunity to ask the basketball team if they wanted to go through the 3rd Athletes in Action Principle today...or tackle the meaning of Christmas. They chose the second.

So...in a few hours I will be digging through the Christmas Story in Luke with them. We will be looking at how Jesus came in humility...his claim of being the way, the truth and the life...and what it means for the world (and them as athletes). Please pray for them as I will be communicating the Gospel. Pray for open hearts and that many would meet Jesus.

I have had such a great time with this team. I have had the opportunity to lead chapel as well as cheer them on during their games. I sit behind the bench and pray for them throughout the games. A few times, a few women looked at me during a rough spot in the game and asked me to pray for them. What an opportunity God has given Jen and I to be involved with this team.

We hope you have a great Christmas! We are so thankful to have you as a part of our team. This will be our last blog entry for 2009! AND...we are less than 3 weeks from the due date of our first child! Jen is feeling well and we are excited!

Merry Christmas!

Audience of One

Audience of One...that was our theme for last weeks women's basketball chapel at UAlbany. We had our first chapel with them last Saturday right before they took on Wagner at their afternoon home game. As we shared earlier, Jen and I are leading chapel times for the UAlbany Women's Basketball Team before every home game. Over the next 5 home games, I will be diving into the first 5 principles of Athletes in Action. Audience of One talked about turning sports from an idol to worshiping God. Keeping in mind that this time is optional for the team, 8 women and 3 coaches decided to show up for the time. I had the opportunity to share a little bit of how I started to live for an Audience of One and then we dove into the Scripture for a while. It was a great time!

We will meet two more times before the women head home for Christmas for their five day break (not much time when you're an NCAA athlete in a winter sport). They have another home game tomorrow afternoon...and on December 23. We meet together a few hours before the start of the game. Please keep these times with them in your prayers.

As for the rest of the ministry, finals are finishing, Christmas parties are done and students are heading home for the break. Please pray for them as they take a much needed rest. Pray that they will keep walking with the Lord and won't let laziness get the best of them.