Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. –Matthew 28:19-20
I’ve been volunteering with InterVarsity staff for the past three years, with a limited budget for supplies and special donations for student scholarships to attend retreats. To commit more of my focus to the spread of the gospel and the development of Christian leaders on campus, I need ministry partners. Partners financially support the work, enabling me to spend more hours on campus and focus on loving college students. Would you prayerfully consider joining my team as a ministry partner through prayer and finances?
What’s the impact on campus?
Student Leaders: This is the first year where students with leadership potential and dedication to the campus have joined the ministry. Tamara started leading a ladies’ Bible study, Joyce is reaching fellow international students, and I hope to give Tranquility and Hilary outreach opportunities this fall.
Conferences: 17 Pierce students attended InterVarsity conferences along with students from PLU, UPS, UW and more. Students were challenged in their view of the ways our culture and prejudices filter how we perceive Jesus, and how we can seek to see scripture in a new way and join Jesus’ revolutionary Kingdom.
Friday Night Fellowship: Last year, my most successful activity was having students over to my house for dinner. (We live less than 10 minutes from campus!) I’d like to make this event an every-other-week activity, and I’ve started incorporating Bible study, prayer, spiritual movies, and discussion into these nights, since we typically have 15 or more students attend. The time, grocery money, and prep work for these nights is an investment that has a lot of fruit.
Weekly Bible Studies: This fall we’ll be studying stories about Jesus, parables, and the many questions he asks. We’ll also discuss sharing the gospel with friends and practicing outreach on campus.
Racial Reconciliation: We discuss racism in America and God’s love for the oppressed and marginalized. We do an outreach to the campus that includes five profiles of courage for Christians who fought racism and oppression around the world throughout history. Our spring Bible study focused on justice in scripture from Genesis to Revelation, looking at systemic and personal injustices in contrast with God’s design for shalom.
International Students: Although unplanned, I have spent a lot of time with international students the last two years. Most of these students are from Africa and East Asia. Some just come to the US for one year, and some plan to stay and pursue advanced degrees. International students are a powerful ministry- they may learn about Jesus and take gospel and love home to their own country, or they may stay and contribute to share with Americans a more full vision of faith and following God. Fall 2017 will be an exciting time to meet more internationals because Pierce is opening its first “dorm” (apartment style, off campus). We are excited for the new opportunities there!
Goals
- Extra time on campus helps things grow!
- See the fellowship grow from 15 to 24 students regularly attending
- See two students come to know Jesus for the first time.
- Train three student leaders to mentor other students or lead a weekly event.
Luiz stood up to accept Jesus at our Spring Retreat. Continue praying for him and his twin sister, Lucy.
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| Students gathered to watch "Selma" and discuss racism and activism in faith. |
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| International Student Bible study led by Joyce and Harold. |
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| New Ladies Bible Study led by Tamara, her triplet Tiara helping her out. |
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| Ladies Bible Study |
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| Worship day on campus |
A friday night fellowship talking about art, evangelism, and faith. Harold used the art of collage.
Student families helping out with hosting- Annette and her mother Joyce hosted a mostly international student evening watching "Amazing Grace," the story of the abolitionist movement that ended slavery in England.
To support the ministry, you can donate online:
givetoiv.org/gingermontalvo
