Newsletters

October 2003

Growth by the Numbers

Numbers are not the goal of our ministry, but they do give us some indication of how God is moving on campus.

For instance we have averaged over 400 during the first few weeks of this semester (compare previous years in chart below).  70 guys have come out consistently to the Bible studies led by my guys in my four-dorm target area (compared with 55 guys most years). Almost every dorm has seen growth in the number coming to Bible studies on both the men’s and women’s side. Over 36 men and women have come to Christ so far this semester (over 15 through personal conversations). Our annual Barn Dance, which has never seen more than 200, saw over 320 last weekend in spite of 40 degree weather.

What is important to realize is that all of these numbers represent real people, making real decisions for Christ, taking real steps of faith to share Christ with their peers, and making real sacrifices to love others.  In all this success we must constantly remember that it is God who is at work on campus. Yes, we make changes every year to be more effective; yes, we have been very intentional this year about sharing our faith more often; yes, we have a very good core of 100 committed leaders. But, none of that would make any difference if God did not choose to move in student’s lives. To Him be the glory!

A Critical October

October is a busy month for us, and is critical for our ministry. It began with our record setting Barn Dance. It will close with the most important event of the semester, our fall retreat. It will be exciting to see what all God will pack into those in-between weeks! Already we have seen two guys on my area of campus come to know the Lord. Both of them had been coming to one of my guy’s Bible study, and gave their lives to Christ when, after a couple of separate studies, he took an opportunity to find out whether they had ever begun a relationship with God.

This past weekend was U-M’s fall break, so in the middle of this crucial season we get to rest up a bit. Shelly and I had a great night away by ourselves. We had originally planned to go camping in August for a weekend, but then this “little” blackout happened. We decided that if we wanted our sitter to ever come over again we had better not ask her to watch the kids during a blackout! Come to think of it, the blackout was a little bit like camping anyways! We went to Bay City, Michigan, which is on the lake. Shelly was amazed that I have even agreed to stop at the outlet malls on the way there or on the way back. (Little did I know she meant more than one hour!)

Support Update

Some of you are aware that we have had a gradual decline in our support over the past few months. That combined with an expensive summer in Colorado left us with little buffer in our Crusade account, from which our salary, benefits and ministry expenses are taken. Our national director sent a letter out on our behalf asking for help in making up this deficit, which many of you received. Some of you have asked how our support situation is going. The response has been very encouraging. We have seen at least $300 in additional monthly support come in along with over $800 in special gifts. We are still in need of about $300 in new monthly pledges to bring us up to full support. We could also use a couple thousand dollars more as a buffer to prevent short paychecks. Thank you for everything you do to enable us to continue to reach students here at Michigan!

Kids' Corner

My favorite part of the week is going to Cubbies on Wednesdays. I just got my first patches on my vest; they’re for saying my verses. I have a favorite friend there—her name is Kira. I get to see her on Sunday and again on Tuesday while our moms are in a Bible study. We are learning in Cubbies about God creating the world. We have talked about the first 4 days.

I like to sing the ABC song in the car. I will sing it the whole way to church and the whole way home. But I don’t like anyone to sing with me, even though the song talks about “won’t you sing with me?”

Daddy and Mommy are painting my new room this weekend. It will be blue. I asked for a Bob the Builder comforter for my bed, so we are looking for one. It will be fun to have my own room soon!

-Andrew

I like going to church, too. On Sundays I even get to make the same craft and color the same pictures that my big brother does in his class. On Tuesdays my class is all girls. We have a lot of fun. One Sunday I even shared my hair bow with my friend Lina.

Daddy and I have been having fun on Wednesday nights while Andrew and Mommy go to Cubbies. We get to take out the trash and recycling for the garbage men. Sometimes I help Daddy water the grass. But I mostly like to have him read to me. We do puzzles together too.

I am sad that I will be all alone in my room soon. But I have plenty of babies to talk to. (I try to whisper to them so Mommy and Daddy don’t hear me and tell me to go to sleep.) I can’t wait until my sister gets here and I can share my room again.

-Lauren

www.ardle.org

Staff Account #0484633