Two days ago, we returned from an amazing weekend at Long Point Retreat Center on Seneca Lake. 220 students from across the Upstate New York Region (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany and Ithaca) gathered for a weekend of connecting with God and people. It was a very encouraging weekend for all. 38 students from the Capital Region attended the weekend (last year there was 20, the year before...2). God is building a movement in this region!
The speaker for the weekend (Dr. Gary Parrett from Gordon Conwell Seminary) took us through the book of Ephesians emphazing One Body in Christ. He stressed to students and staff how important it is to be part of the body of Christ and not isolate ourselves in our walk with God. He shared how the cross is vertical and horizontal- reconciling us to God and others as well. He also made it very clear that God calls us to serve the world with others (as students got ready to take the Gospel back to their campuses).
The weekend finished with 220 students singing "Glory to God Forever." A great focus as they got in their cars and drove back to a campus in desperate need of Jesus.
And...for those of us in Syracuse and Albany, we won the East vs. West (west being Rochester, Buffalo and Ithaca) rivalry football game!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Welcome back Siena students!
As of now, all schools are back in session. Siena students began their first day of classes on Tuesday. Tomorrow, our three leaders will have a table with water bottles and the quick questionnaire (see last blog entry for more info) for students to fill out. Please pray that many Siena students will agree to have a conversation on how knowing God personally and our purpose in life go together.
We've had some good conversations with students at UAlbany. One student, named Prince, wants to be involved in a small group. So, he'll be joining a freshman leader (named Dan) and a few other freshman every week to enjoy community and look at the Word together. Please pray for Dan as he continues to trust God to build up a small group.
Tonight, we have our first city-wide meeting of the semester. Students from schools throughout the Capital Region will join together to celebrate all that God has done during the beginning of the semester and this past summer. There will be a time of worship as well as a charge to reach their campus for Jesus! Mary (most of you remember her story from last year) will be sharing how Jesus changed her life. She has such a passion for the Lord. It is so exciting to watch it continue to grow. Please pray for us tonight!
We've had some good conversations with students at UAlbany. One student, named Prince, wants to be involved in a small group. So, he'll be joining a freshman leader (named Dan) and a few other freshman every week to enjoy community and look at the Word together. Please pray for Dan as he continues to trust God to build up a small group.
Tonight, we have our first city-wide meeting of the semester. Students from schools throughout the Capital Region will join together to celebrate all that God has done during the beginning of the semester and this past summer. There will be a time of worship as well as a charge to reach their campus for Jesus! Mary (most of you remember her story from last year) will be sharing how Jesus changed her life. She has such a passion for the Lord. It is so exciting to watch it continue to grow. Please pray for us tonight!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
How Water Bottles and Freeze Pops Lead to Conversation
We are 3 days into the semester! On Sunday at UAlbany, the university put on a Freshman Block Party for new students with a bunch of different organizations lined up around the Indian Quad (freshman dorms). We (Real Life at UAlbany) had one of those tables. 5 of our students passed out water bottles and freeze pops and asked students to take a really quick questionnaire. The three questions were:
1. Have you come to understand and know your purpose in life?
2. Do you think its possible to have a relationship with God?
3. Would you like to know how these two go together?
They provided their contact information at the bottom. If they answered yes (54% of the surveys filled out) to the third question, we contacted them to set up a time to meet with them and have a spiritual discussion.
The past two nights, a new freshman (named Dan) and I (Joe) have been visiting students at their room. So far, no one has had the time to sit down with us. However, many are interested. Dan and I are scheduled two meet up with two guys on Tuesday night at the student center. Would you please pray for this conversation? Pray that both guys would show up, that their hearts would be open and that we would communicate clearly and listen well.
It has been a great start to the semester throughout the region!
1. Have you come to understand and know your purpose in life?
2. Do you think its possible to have a relationship with God?
3. Would you like to know how these two go together?
They provided their contact information at the bottom. If they answered yes (54% of the surveys filled out) to the third question, we contacted them to set up a time to meet with them and have a spiritual discussion.
The past two nights, a new freshman (named Dan) and I (Joe) have been visiting students at their room. So far, no one has had the time to sit down with us. However, many are interested. Dan and I are scheduled two meet up with two guys on Tuesday night at the student center. Would you please pray for this conversation? Pray that both guys would show up, that their hearts would be open and that we would communicate clearly and listen well.
It has been a great start to the semester throughout the region!
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