Newsletters

October 2004

“Through the folly of what we preach…”

“So, why don’t you believe in God?” I ask a student in his dorm room, as we continue our discussion off a ten question interview (like the one below). “Well,” he replies, “I don’t see any good reason to believe in him. I just believe in what can be proven scientifically.”

This is just one of many typical conversations my guys and I have had over the past few weeks. While some of our students and staff have seen people come to Christ this semester, many more continue to reject a relationship with Jesus Christ. Why do they reject the same message we accept with joy? Why do they not see the truth of the gospel?

I have been leading my guys through the book of 1 Corinthians in our leadership group this semester. Paul makes it very clear why some reject the gospel. “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God...For since in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.” (1 Cor 1:18, 21 ESV)

How then can believers understand the gospel and why do unbelievers think it folly? Paul answers in the next chapter, “These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit...we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God...The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (2:10a, 12, 14)

What Paul teaches here is seen in my experience as well. My best argument, my best explanation of the gospel, my best apologetic answers, my best probing questions, are never enough to break through the wall of doubt and disbelief that exists in the minds of most students. The things I am telling them are spiritually discerned. Unless the Spirit of God moves in that students’ minds and hearts there is nothing I can do to convince them of the truth of Jesus Christ.

Fortunately God is gracious enough, to us and to those to whom we talk, to move through His Spirit in the lives of some students, regenerating their minds, allowing them to comprehend the gospel and entrust their lives to Jesus. Please continue to pray that God would move on our campus and on the many other schools we have been entrusted with to take the gospel. Pray that we would not be discouraged by rejection and that we would be encouraged by witnessing the power of God at work.

One of the interviews we do with students who indicate that they are willing to take a spiritual interest survey (displayed in last month’s newsletter). These surveys are great in helping us to learn what students value and what they believe. They also allow us to get into significant conversations about the gospel.

Kids' Column

Fall is fun! We got to go to the barn dance with the students. I can’t tell you much about it, except that the food was great! I had candy corn and s’mores. There were a lot of students there dancing around in squares. Daddy, Lauren and I climbed to the top of the bleachers (see the picture to the right). Next month we get to go to the fall retreat. I can’t wait! I’m already talking about the big poles that have the baskets to throw the Frisbees in. Mommy says that’s like disc golf that Daddy likes to play.

-Andrew

 Hanging out with Daddy at the barn dance

It has been so great to play outside a lot more than we did this summer. Mommy even let me ride my bike one day, but it ended up being carried in Lindsey’s stroller basket because I got too tired to ride it. I am starting to be a big helper to Mommy. I can help set the table and I even vacuumed under my chair the other night. (Watch out Drew—I’m stealing your job!)

-Lauren

The girls at the barn dance

Yes, that’s really a smile. I am becoming quite a character

I am 9 months old now! The best thing about being so old now is that I can pull up to standing and walk along the couch or the coffee table. And I thought that army crawling was exciting—that was nothing! There is so much more stuff that I can play with now! Mommy found a walker at a garage sale for $2 so now it is so much fun to be outside. I like to follow my big brother and big sister around when they chase each other in circles. It’s fun to get away from Mommy when she chases me, too!

-Lindsey

Nate to attend training in Orlando

Over the past two years I have been able to help our regional team in Indianapolis by evaluating the applications of men seeking one year internships with Campus Crusade at various schools in our four-state region. I have enjoyed this responsibility and has gained valuable experience in evaluating people’s suitability for spiritual leadership in a job that requires a lot out of people. Now I will take the next step in evaluating by being trained to evaluate the applications of those seeking to join Campus Crusade for Christ as full-time staff. I will travel to CCC headquarters in Orlando October 24-27 to attend the training conference there. Pray for safe travel and for strength and patience for Shelly as she takes care of all three kids by herself over those days.

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