I will give you rest...

So Eagle Lake was amazing. God grew relationships with many of the freshmen in our ministry this year. We had about 90 students (freshmen and leaders) attend the retreat and it was awesome! Saturday morning about 40 of us awoke from our slumbers for a frosty sunrise hike. It was a little cold but once we got started up the hill we began to warm up. At the top I got some good time with a freshman in my bible study, Bryah. We talked about his family what he's looking forward to this year. Bryah is a humble young man with a strong background in the faith. He gave God some of his summers in high school to serve at a Christian camp for children with life threatening illnesses and disabilities. I'm excited that Bryah was led to the Navigators and that God put him in my bible study this year. Will you pray for Bryah that he will enjoy his college experience with Jesus as the center on his life?

Bryah, myself, Eric and Corey during the sunrise hike!

Saturday morning after breakfast I got to share my testimony with the students. I really felt led by God during this time. I shared with them my past life of growing up in Texas, playing hockey, falling into the party scene, and being redeemed in Christ. I told them about the joys of being a new creation how True fellowship changed my life. I also shared that spending time with Jesus in the Word everyday is one of the greatest disciplines I have ever developed. Right after my message, the students got to go spend time alone with God for over an hour! I usually get nervous during public speaking but not with His Spirit guiding me. ptL! (praise the Lord!)

Saturday afternoon we got an abundance of free time! I spent some time with students on kayaks, playing volleyball and on the BLOB!

Here is a picture of a freshman, Kaylin, blobbing in good form. Notice the joker in the kayak

The retreat was a great time for these students to fellowship with one another, spend time with God and to take hold of their faith. Many are desiring an abundant relationship with Jesus while they are at CSU and we're praying that this will set a foundation for the rest of their lives. Will you join us in prayer?

Another sweet God story is that a student, David, in my freshmen study gave his life to Christ last night (Thursday, 9/23). I had some conversations with him before about his relationship with God and could tell he never accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. I shared the gospel with him at Chipotle after a burrito and he wanted Jesus in his life. Please pray for David that he can grow as a young Christian and God will continue to use me in David's life.  

The start of the semester has been absolutely amazing and I'm so grateful to be on this staff and laboring for the Kingdom. It has been very event oriented to start the semester and now things are settling to a more routine schedule. I'm getting into more of the ministering to these students and it's challenging. Please pray for my time alone with the Lord; that it will be refreshing, intimate and that I can learn from Jesus.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light." - Matthew 11:28-30

Off to Eagle Lake!

Just wanted to give a quick update! I'm about to head down to Eagle Lake (outside CO. Springs) with about 80 freshman and leaders for our Freshman Retreat. I'm very excited to meet more of these freshmen, get closer to the guys in my study and share God's story in my life. I'll share my testimony and why I find so much joy in meeting with Jesus everyday. Thank you all for your prayers. I'm excited to share stories with you all about this weekend. 

On another note, I led my first bible study of the semester last night. I'm leading a freshman study as well as a sophomore study. Last night, these sophomore men came over and we grilled up some burgers and brats. The 7 men are still getting to know each other but God's hand was on the night and it was sweet. We are studying The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. I love this book because Jerry brings to life the truths of scripture unlike any other author I've read. Right off the bat he tackles the sin issue and that we are responsible for the sin in our lives. He also touched on the Holiness of God and that we are called to that same Holiness. I'm excited to see the balance of grace and truth in this book and in these student's lives this semester.  Please be praying for these guys and that I will be led by Jesus to lead this study. 

I love you all! Romans 13:8

First weeks!

The first 2 weeks of students been on CSU's campus have been very good. Whether it's $100 to Chipotle, volleyball, pounds of spaghetti, numerous trips to Office Max for printing, throwing the firsbee on the IM fields, 14 tubs of ice cream, 200 burgers and dogs, or even just having casual conversations on campus, the Lord has used it all to attract many students to our ministry this year. My teammate, Dan Boryla (sounds like Gorilla), was praying for over 100 freshmen to join the Navigators this year and that prayer was answered! It's very exciting to see these lost sheep come to this new phase of life called college and to see them step out and say "Yeah, I want to study the bible." It's also great to see them worship our Creator. 

This coming weekend (Sep. 10-12) we have our freshmen retreat. We will be going 3 hours away from Fort Collins to a summer camp (Eagle Lake) where we can spend time with the Lord and have these freshmen grow with God as well as cultivate new friendships that will last for the rest of their lives. I will be speaking at this retreat on the importance of walking with God in college as I share my testimony. Please be in prayer for the retreat, the freshmen, preparation for my talk and that God will be exalted.