Newsletters

September 2001

A Movement of God

We had a very good first week of ministry. We wanted to give you a few glimpses of God’s work on campus.

¨   In spite of having a smaller staff team we had more people to help do spiritual interest surveys than ever before. As a result we had 2000 more surveys filled out than last year (5000 total). These surveys are our primary way of finding students who are seeking God so that we might share the gospel with them. The surveys are also an effective way to find Christian students who are looking for a group of believers to be a part of. We had a number of volunteers come in from outside the campus to help. Our students also stepped up and helped as never before.

¨   We had around 250 students involved in small group Bible studies during the evening of the first day of classes. This is around 40 more than last year.

¨   400 students came out to our first weekly meeting of the year (called “Cru”; i.e. “Crusade”). It was a very exciting meeting! Not only did these students have an opportunity to worship together and hear from the Bible, they also had a chance to meet representatives from local churches who helped them set up rides to church that coming Sunday.

¨   We had Bible studies occur in every dorm on campus during the first day of classes. This has never happened at U-M before.

¨   On a personal note, Lauren held off nearly 12 days past her due date which allowed Nate to take part in almost all the opening week activities.

These are just a few examples of how God was at work here during the opening week. We as a staff team wondered how things would go this fall because of losing so many staff from last year, including Allison Rose who was paralyzed in Newport Beach, CA. God again demonstrated to us that He can work mightily, even with limited resources! We are looking forward to seeing what He will do throughout the rest of this year.

Prayer Requests

Please pray that we would see many student come to Christ during these critical first few weeks.

Pray for our student leaders as they have numerous spiritual conversations and as they lead Bible studies in the dorms. They will certainly face spiritual attack during this time. Pray that they would be walking closely with God and trusting Him during this busy time.

Pray for the male leaders I work with on the Hill area of campus. Their names  are Bob, Dennis, Jeremy, Luis, Ben, Greg, Russ, Paul, and Jon.

Pray especially for Luis, working in Lloyd Hall, a dorm in which we have always had a difficult time making inroads. In spite of the large number of surveys filled out, he was left with few positive male contacts in this dorm. Pray that God would move in a special way in Lloyd and that many men and women would come to Christ or be strengthened in their faith through the efforts of Luis and others.

Lauren Elizabeth Ardle

Born 5:02 a.m. Saturday, September 8

7 lbs. 13 oz.  20 ¼ inches

Pictures in order:

Our helpful boy tries to give Lauren her pacifier

Big brother Andrew gets a closer look

A new addition to our family

Five minutes after she was born

Enjoying what seems to be a perpetual nap

www.ardle.org

Staff Account #0484633