Merry Christmas!

Thank you. We can praise God and celebrate together!

Campus Crusade for Christ -- Christmas Thank You from Masterworks on Vimeo.

Rejoice, Give Thanks and Sing

Last night, Jen and I watched a choral concert on television by the choirs of St. Olaf College. Actually, I watched it, while Jen slept. It was pretty incredible and worshipful as I sat on that couch to hear the name of Jesus proclaimed many times throughout the concert. This morning, I got to thinking. There are so many reasons to rejoice, give thanks and sing.

While there are many reasons to rejoice, without this one, the rest are meaningless in my mind. I love Chris Tomlin's song Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel
God incarnate, here to dwell
Emmanuel, Emmanuel
PRAISE HIS NAME EMMANUEL

Then, I think about the semester that we just had and know that there are so many reasons to give thanks.

• His plans are bigger than mine.
• His strength and help as we walk by faith and trust Him for great things.
  
• Moving away from Siena and focusing fully at UAlbany.
• Getting in contact with many coaches and speaking in front of 6 teams, inviting them to be a part of Athletes in Action at UA.
• Many conversations that Jen had with female athletes, with opportunities to share the Gospel
• Our staff team growing together and establishing deeper relationships
• Athletes in Action small group growing from 4 to 12 athletes in one week at the end of the semester

Regardless of whether we see success or failure on campus, we can sing. Jesus' birth, death and resurrection gives us hope no matter what we face today. I love the words that Chris Tomlin wrote...

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing 'cause You pick me up
Sing 'cause You're there
I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I'll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! Please know that we are so thankful for you and your commitment to stand with us, while we watch Jesus change lives on campuses here and throughout the world!

Grace Extended

God is teaching me more about His grace every single day. Recently, our students have had the opportunity to take part in a service opportunity- proclaiming the Gospel through deed. In the Capital Region, we are working to balance sharing the Gospel through word and deed. Currently, we are partnering with a ministry called Angel Tree. Many children have parents who are in prison during the holiday season. Angel Tree becomes the link between parent and child. Volunteers buy gifts for the kids, put a tag on the present with a message from the parent and deliver the gift to the child's home.

Our students teamed up with each other and each adopted a child. About thirty students are buying gifts for 12 children. We are praying that this is a great community builder as students go out together to shop for these kids. On Friday, we'll have our annual Real Life Christmas Party for the students. They'll bring the gifts to that party ready to be delivered to the kids.

Here is what I think is so cool about this. The parent in prison didn't necessarily do anything to deserve the opportunity to give their child a gift. Nevertheless, our students are stepping up to the plate, so excited about the opportunity to give freely- no strings attached. I believe it is because they get that they did the same thing, rebelling against God and His ways. Yet, in His love, God continued to run after them until they turned to Him. That is our God! Jesus stepped up to the plate- no strings attached- and gave His life for us, so that we can be free forever! Our students get this and that is why they are so passionate about extending that same grace to these parents, so they too (as well as the kids), can know the love, hope and grace of Jesus!

We're on Facebook!

The time for the Northeast Staff Conference comes faster and faster every year. No joke. This year it seems impossible that it is already the end of November and we will be heading up to Camp of the Woods at the end of this week. We love this time of the year. It is good to be with people who live out the mission and work in the same context. We have such great friends on staff and Abby loves her little friends too! We'll have great times of worship through music, hear from speakers, get some training and have a lot of time to rest and relax. Please take some time and pray for this conference. Ask the Lord to help staff continue to apply the Gospel to our lives and experience the freedom found in Jesus. Pray also that kids won't get sick (as often happens when there are tons of them in one room for childcare), families get rest and ultimately, that God is glorified over the three days we are there.

Facebook! Our goal is in the midst of a busy schedule on campus, is to keep in touch with our partners in ministry as best as we can. We love and appreciate each of you and are thankful for the sacrifice you make to give every student an opportunity to respond to the Gospel. To this end, we have created a facebook page for you to join and keep up date to date on what is going on here in the Capital Region. We're excited about this! So, go here and like the page for up-to-date information on how God is moving forward!

Jen and I are thankful for you. It is humbling to think that there are friends, family and churches throughout the United States that are praying for us and our ministry and giving of their finances. Thank you for walking by faith and trusting God to use us to continue to expand His Kingdom. My prayer for all of us this Thanksgiving is that we would celebrate and thank God for Jesus- the one who set us free from darkness and provided a way to live the life that we were truly made to live. Enjoy friends and family- and Happy Thanksgiving!

A Preview to the Future

Albany, NY was the scene of a gathering of 88 students this weekend as they sought God and His will for their future. Every year, the Northeast Region has a conference for juniors and seniors called the Preview Weekend. It is a weekend conference, where students can get away for free and hear great talks on Kingdom Vision. The main question being, "how are they going to spend their years loving Jesus after college?"

I was there for the day on Saturday. It was so encouraging to hear from students, "I had my plans laid out. I think God might be shifting me in a different direction. I really need to stop and pray about this." Awesome. On Saturday night, students were invited to join us as interns or new staff. One of our staff gave great vision for the Northeast, encouraging students to consider the influence it has on the world, as well as the great need for students to hear about Jesus. The weekend was encouraging for me as well, reminding me to keep my eyes on things that are eternal and not temporary. Overall, it was a great reminder of the depth of God's love through Jesus!

Please pray for these students as they process their future (as well as for those seniors who did not attend the weekend). Pray that their response to Jesus would be, "Here I am Lord! Send me!"

Amazed

I just had to get on here right away. I just returned home from campus after a busy, but incredible day in the athletic department. I am, once again, amazed at the Lord and all He is doing. Let me share with you a few of the highlights:

• Had the chance to meet and talk with the athletic director this morning. I enjoyed my time talking with him. He is excited about us being here.
• I met the men's basketball coach and will be setting up a time to meet with him in the near future.
• I had a chance to speak with the women's basketball team and had them fill out response cards. Here is some of what they expressed:

1. 4 women expressed interest in talking with someone about developing or growing in a relationship with God.
   
2. 9 women said they would like to be involved in some sort of small group or weekly meeting.
3. There are 13 women on the team.
   
4. One shared with us a question she has: "How do I discover a relationship with God?" Wow!
   

This is the third team that I have spoken in front of this semester, giving them an opportunity to be a part of Athletes in Action at UA. On both of the other teams, the majority of athletes have expressed that they are not interested. On this team, only 3 expressed they weren't interested. Three that I had never met. This shows me something that is key. Relationships. These players have known me for a few years. Therefore, they are willing to share more of what is really going on in their heart. God has been working in the lives of the athletes on this team for a while and it is so great to see this unfold. Please pray for Jen, the athletes and I as we move forward with the women's basketball team, as well as the rest of the teams in the athletic department.

A Busy Tuesday

You know it is God at work when you walk into the athletic department at UAlbany one day and leave with 4 appointments set up for the same day the following week (tomorrow). As you know, we have been praying for God to open doors in this specific part of campus. Its very clear He has been doing this for a while. Jen and I are praying that I will have a chance to speak with each team and invite them to be a part of Athletes in Action (the athletic ministry of the larger UA campus ministry, Real Life/Cru).

So, what is happening tomorrow? To start off the day, I'll have an appointment with the Athletic Director. I'll have the chance to introduce myself, let him know why we are there and ask how we can specifically serve the athletic department. Following that, I'll have a meeting with two head coaches (track and field hockey) before I head to the basketball court around 2:30. For a while now, we have had a great relationship with the women's basketball team. God has done great things through this team and coaching staff. The head coach will introduce me to the men's basketball head coach. I am hoping to set up a time to meet with him. After this, I will get a chance to talk with the entire women's basketball team again and invite them to be a part of the larger athletic movement.

So, needless to say, tomorrow is a big day. This is so exciting! Please pray. Pray that God would open some new doors, great relationships would start/continue/build and steps would be taken to give every athlete an opportunity to know Jesus and have their life changed for eternity!

A Chance to Relate

It was 8:15 on Saturday morning. Its unusual for me to go to campus that early on a Saturday, but that day was different. At 8:45, 15 football players and coaches would gather together in the player's lounge to spend some time in the Bible together. As I drove over, I prayed that God would give me the chance to relate to them and point them to Jesus.

It was another great chance to meet more of the team. Its so encouraging to see that many players come out on game day, so early in the morning. The question of the day was, "what fuels your fire?" Some said praying, while others said spending time with others. At one point during the time, the conversation shifted into talking about times that we fail. Wow. I can relate to that one! I waited until one of the coaches invited me to share. Then, I shared about the pressure I can face being in ministry and people having expectations of you to live a certain way. I shared with them that in the face of that, I can become discouraged or fearful if I am placing my hope in people themselves. However, through trusting Jesus, I can know that I am fully loved, fully accepted, nothing to fear, nothing to lose, nothing to hide and nothing to prove. I shared for me, what matters is loving Him, because I know His love. When I fail, He still loves me and that motivates me to live for Him! His love is what fuels my fire! It was great to watch their faces as I spoke and see God work in each one of their lives, showing Himself to them!

We have some great partnerships that are popping up in the athletic department. Please continue to pray for these relationships with athletes and coaches. Thank you. Enjoy your week!

Fall Getaway Rewind

Its always fun to go back and remember such a great weekend. Its hard to believe that more than a week ago, we left Long Point Retreat Center for the sixth time after a great Getaway weekend with students from throughout New York State. Our weekend was filled with great times and memories. We had 19 students join us from the Capital Region. Although it rained throughout the weekend, that didn't stop students and staff from enjoying those free hours on Saturday afternoon! Of course, there was the annual East vs. West football game in the mud.

The speaker for the weekend was Drew Hyun, pastor in New York City. One of his main points of the weekend was that because of Jesus and His work on the cross, we are fully loved, fully accepted, have nothing to hide, nothing to prove, nothing to fear and nothing to lose. What a great message for students who are constantly bombarded with the opposite! We had one of our UA athletes there for the weekend. She is consistently told to prove herself in her sport and only feels truly accepted if she does well. God really did a work in her life to help her understand and grasp the Gospel at a deeper level. While there was a huge battle for her to get to the Getaway, it was clear that it was God's desire for her that weekend.

Thanks for praying for us and this ministry. We hope you have a great week!

Apples and a Getaway!

I love Fall! There are so many great events that our family takes part in. The first is apple picking. We went on Saturday morning with some friends, picked apples and got those famous cider donuts! Here are two pictures of Abby and I...one from last year and this year as well. Look at how much she has grown!

Abby and Daddy 2010

Abby and Daddy 2011

Another fun annual event is the Fall Getaway on Seneca Lake! Again this year, we will be heading west with our students and staff team to join up with college students from throughout Upstate New York! This is our 7th year gathering together as New York State! We are praying that many students from the Capital Region (especially freshmen) will make the three hour trip for an awesome weekend. Here are some things to pray for...

• God would move in a powerful way in hearts and we would all grow in faith as we see and respond to Him!
• Safe travels to and from the Getaway
• Great relationships would be built over the weekend
• Protection throughout the weekend- especially for the football game (that no one would end up in the hospital)
• Logistics would continue to come together as staff trust God and walk in faith with the various positions that we have been given
• Our speaker, Drew Hyun
  
• ULTIMATELY, God would be made known and glorified in everything we say and do this weekend

We can't wait to share about the weekend next week!

Saturday Night Lights

I love those football games that are held under the lights on a cool, Fall night. Even though UA lost to Maine, it was fun connecting with some athletes as I watched the football team play. Earlier that day, I had the chance to meet some of them. I was invited to join them in their Chapel time. It was good to see a small group of men come together to talk about God and pray. Jen and I are praying that before the end of the semester, I will have the chance to get to know five of the players well. Please join us.

On Thursday, I will have the chance to meet and share the vision for the athletic movement at UA with the women's soccer coach. One of our students already involved is on the women's soccer team. She has agreed to introduce me to the coach. Hopefully, this will result in me having the chance to stand before this team and invite them as well to be involved with the athletic movement. Please pray for this time. Also, pray for Kendra (the team member) as she continues to have an impact on this team.

Some exciting things are happening! One thing God constantly reminds me of is that the vision God has given us is way bigger than Jen or I. Ephesians 3:20-21 is the verse for our marriage. I believe it fits here as well.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

Siena Is Back!

Jen and I hope you all had a great weekend! We took a break from the busyness of campus and continued to put our house together. Jen went to the Beth Moore Simulcast on Sunday and was really encouraged in her relationship with Jesus. We are really thankful for a woman so passionate about the Word of God. She has encouraged both Jen and I so much and pointed us to Jesus again and again.

So...what's been going happening on campus. Let me share a bit. As I shared last week, I had the chance to invite 106 football players to be part of an athletic movement that is being established at UA. 8 players said that they would like to talk with someone about growing or developing in a relationship with God. They also expressed that they would like to meet with other athletes to find out if the Bible is relevant to them as a student athlete. Wow! 6 more shared that they would like to be involved with events. Please pray as we take more steps in connecting with this team and serving them.

Siena is back! They began classes this past Tuesday. I visited their club fair on Friday and was encouraged by their ownership of the movement. They had a decent number of students signed up for their small group. They are taking a new approach this year, where they are a "volunteer service" ministry. They are going out into the community and inviting their peers to go with them. Through this, they hope to share Christ's love with their peers, while being the hands and feet of Jesus to the community around them. Please pray for them as they continue to seek God's direction. We have some great leaders there!

We have our first small group at UA tomorrow night. Pray for this to be Spirit-filled time. We had our UA students to our house last week for a BBQ dinner. All of them expressed a desire for more community in Real Life. We are praying that this community will be established and will spur them on together to reach the campus with the Gospel.

So, here we go! Another week! Pray for us! We are thankful for you!

Back In Action!

This has been the most action packed week we have had in a while! Here are some highlights of the first week back on campus....AND IN OUR NEW HOME!

1. We moved! We sent out a card with our new address that should arrive in your mailbox soon (if not already). It is amazing how much stuff accumulates over three years in an apartment. There was a lot of stuff to move from our small apartment to our new house. It is so good to be there! We've spent the past month painting and preparing the place. Now, we can relax and enjoy it.

2. We have been interviewing freshmen on campuses about their spiritual journey. These interviews were taken over their phone via text messaging. It has been interesting to hear the responses. Please pray for us as we continue to interview freshmen and interact with them.

3. I will be talking to the UA football team on Monday. I am hoping to start a small group with the team. Please pray for doors to open with these influential athletes on campus.

4. We are working to get permission to hit up the freshmen dining hall to continue to interview students. Since every freshman needs to eat, this is a key place in getting in contact with every one of them. Pray that we would get the permission we need to interview this group of students.

I found out yesterday that there was a third suicide at the very end of the last academic year. A freshman took his life off campus the day after graduation. Faculty and staff are tired and many are saying that they can't handle another year like last year. Please pray for this campus. Jesus is hope and we are here to share that! Thanks for partnering with us!

Cru

Hi friends! We wanted to write and share the news with you that you may have already heard: Campus Crusade for Christ is changing it's name to Cru.

Our name is changing, but our commitment remains the same. (New Name--Same Commitment to Christ) We wanted to communicate to all who are partnered with us in this ministry that we have not changed our vision or mission one bit. As an organization, we have not wavered in our commitment to Christ or our willingness to stand for Him. More than ever we are committed to reaching lost college students with the gospel of Jesus Christ, building them up in their faith and sending them to the world to reach others with the gospel.

Our mission remains the same. To help fulfill the Great Commission and to give every person a chance to say YES to Jesus. It’s the same mission that God gave to Bill and Vonette Bright in 1951.

We are not backing away from Jesus, but rather moving toward those who need to hear the gospel, more effectively in Jesus name.

Please visit this link to learn more. We would love to answer any questions you have and look forward to talking with each of you more soon. We are so thankful for your partnership in bringing Jesus, the only name that really matters, to those who need to know him!

The History of Campus Crusade for Christ

The History of Campus Crusade for Christ from DCC on Vimeo.

Heading for the Rockies!

Well, not quite, but we'll have a great view of them throughout the summer. As you may know, in one week, we will be heading out to Colorado State University for our summer assignment. We will be participating in a leadership development track that will help us grow in the way we relate to God, ourselves and others. This will help us become more effective leaders on campus and in our lives in general.

In preparation for the summer, I have been reading a few books that I have really enjoyed. One has been the biography of Bill Bright, Amazing Faith. I have been inspired by how this man trusted God for more than he could imagine. That is very evident today as we look at the ministry that God gave him the vision for.

The second book is A Work of Heart by Reggie McNeal. In this book, I have been challenged by its main statement that a good spiritual leader first takes care of and lets God continue to develop his or her own heart.

We are excited to learn more this summer and share life with other staff who are continuing to develop as leaders as well. At this time, we have a great financial need to cover the expenses of the summer. We are thankful for partners like you who have a heart to see the campuses and world reached with the Gospel. At this time, would you partner with us in one of two ways...

1. Pray as we continue to trust God to raise up the financial needs for the summer. At this time, we are believing Him to provide $5,000.

2. If you sense God leading you to give, click here and you can give right now online. We are thankful for any amount that you are able to give.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us, so we can give every student an opportunity to say "yes" to Jesus!

Commencement Weekend

Its hard to believe this school year is over. I am floored when I think that it has been 3 years since we came to the Capital Region. Amazing! Even more, we got to see our first group of students graduate this past weekend.

It was a weekend of celebrations. One of my students graduated from UAlbany on Saturday and I joined his family for dinner that night. Two of my students graduated from Siena on Sunday morning. Jen, Abby and I got to go celebrate with one of the families that afternoon. Its such a privilege to be entrusted with these students and have the chance to invest in their lives for 4 years, while they are in college. It is just as encouraging to see them sent out into the world as ambassadors of the Gospel. Sure, as they walk across that stage and receive their diploma, they are graduating from college. They are moving onto a new adventure, new job and possibly a new living situation. No matter where they go, they are still ambassadors of the Gospel. You'll have the opportunity later this month to hear from two of these students in our monthly newsletter.

Thanks for partnering with us! Please pray for our graduated students as they step out into the world. Pray for all of our students and us to have a summer where they continue to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus.

Coming Around the Corner...

We're almost there! Next week, UAlbany and Siena have their last day of classes, exams and then they'll head home or wherever they are going for the summer. Please pray for these students as they get ready for the intense time of final exams. It'll be over before they know it.

This Saturday, Campus Crusade in the Capital Region will be gathering together for a celebration. We'll have an outdoor party to celebrate the year and have a final chance to casually spend time with each other before we head out for the summer. Please pray for this time. Pray that students will invite their friends and that they'll get to see a community that loves Jesus!

We have exciting opportunities with Campus Crusade coming up for two of our students at Siena. One of our students (Joe) will be joining us as an intern for the 2011-2012 school year. He will be working on his ministry partner team this summer and will (God willing) join us to reach college students in the Fall. Another one of our students (Mike) will be taking his first two weeks of the school year to go on the Boston Echo Project. This is a short missions and leadership development trip in Boston for college students. Please pray for these two students as they take great steps of faith. Pray for our other students as well as they prepare to continue to serve the Lord with wherever God leads them.

Stay tuned for our summer plans...

UAlbany Double Time!

Two weeks ago, Siena students had their Spring Break. Most went home, but one of our students went to Big Break (which is Campus Crusade's annual Spring Break conference in Panama City Beach, FL). You'll hear more about this student's experience in the upcoming monthly newsletter. While Siena was on big break, I had the opportunity to spend extra time at UAlbany. Part of my week was getting together with some of the women's basketball players individually in the student center. This gave me the opportunity to hear where they are with God.

One of my conversations was with a woman who has shared with me before that she is all about morals. She comes from a very religious background and shared with me that she believes there is more good than bad in people. We had a great conversation about humans being broken by sin and needing a Savior. It was very evident that God was working in her life.

That night, we had our UAlbany small group, where around 10 students come consistently every week. For the past two weeks, we have had 4 women's basketball players coming to this small group. God is moving on that team! Thank you for being a part of this critical ministry in reaching the future leaders of the world!

We're back!

Halfway through the semester, I decide to update this thing. I do plan on giving more regular updates. We'll just hope this gets more frequent for the rest of the semester. It has been a whirlwind! I hope you have enjoyed our mailing newsletters.

We're coming up on spring break for Siena College. It is next week. Last night, we finished off a small group study called the Prodigal God, based on Tim Keller's book. What an incredible time discovering the depth of God's love for us! The study is based on the parable of the prodigal son and shares that the older, self-righteous son needs Jesus just as much as the younger, rebellious son. It encouraged us to ask God to reveal where we are doing good, religious things for His acceptance, rather than trusting in the complete righteousness and acceptance that comes from Christ alone. After the break, we'll be diving into God's purpose and mission for our lives as a result of knowing the deep, sacrificial love of Jesus.

This coming weekend, we have a few students from R.P.I. as well as one from Siena heading down to Panama City Beach, Florida for a national conference. You can check out Big Break here. Please pray for them this coming week. Its gonna be a great experience! I know it was for Jen and I as students!

Thanks for praying for us and the movement here in the Capital Region!

BWC Update

What a jam packed, exciting 5 days we had with students in Boston! As we sat with students, listening to how God impacted their lives, we were reminded of why we do what we do. Instead of writing a lot, I am going to share a bunch of videos and slide shows. In a few weeks, we'll send out a snail mail newsletter with more stories.

On the 2nd full day of the conference, students went out into the city of Boston for a day of outreach. It was a step of faith for all of them. God did great things through them! Check out the slide show here.

There were also great talks throughout the conference including one of the best I've ever heard on Christian community and another one on surrendering our lives to Jesus. Enjoy taking some time to listen to them!

And of course, there was plenty of fun moments in the main meetings including the BWC Sing Off.

Thanks for praying for our week. One of the students shared with me that he is praying about giving a year of his life to investing in high school students with Student Venture (the high school ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ) after this year (his senior year). Others are seriously considering participating in summer mission trips this summer.

Please continue to pray for these students as they begin their next semester this week. Pray that they would continue to know the love of Jesus, love Him in return and love others well.