August 2006

Changes at Michigan! 

Nate Chosen as Campus Director

After nine years as director at Michigan, Jeff Nieman is leaving to be a regional director in the mid-south. I applied for and received this director role here at Michigan.

I will be heading up our overall ministry at the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Albion College, Adrian College, and Saginaw Valley State University as well as giving leadership to our staff team. I will also continue to lead the men’s ministry on the Hill area of campus like I have done for the past seven years and so will continue to work directly with students.

Shelly and I have known the Niemans since our time as students at Ohio State and we will miss them very much! I was a student under Jeff’s leadership and worked with him here at Michigan. This will be the first time I will not be under his authority since I first became involved with Campus Crusade. It has been a privilege to work with him and enjoy a friendship with him. He has taught me much, and it is this knowledge and experience which will be invaluable as I take on this role.

This role will certainly be a challenge, which is one of the reasons I knew I needed to apply for the position. It is important for my development to put myself in situations where I am forced to depend on God. This job will definitely do that!

I am honored to be entrusted by our regional team to take on this position. I am also blessed to have an experienced and fun team to work with. Having this great group of men and women to work alongside gives me great confidence as we continue to lead this ministry of 450+ students and continue to reach this lost campus of 35,000. Please pray for me to be walking closely with God and for him to guide me as I take on this new role.

The Edge...as a student!

A diverse group of students from all over the country were a part of The Edge in Fort Collins, Colorado. We saw significant growth in their lives even in two short weeks as they learned about doctrine, got as overview of the Old Testament, practiced Bible study methods, and shared their lives with each other.

It was difficult for me to be away from Shelly and the kids for three weeks, but being by myself I was freed up to spend a lot of time with the students. I lived on the same dorm floor with them, ate all my meals with them, stayed up late playing games with them, talked about theology with them in the hall lounge, and generally got to live like a college student for the first time in 12 years. It was a blast!

Nate (far left) at 14,265 with the staff and students who made it to the top of Quandary Peak. While we had a lot of fun in the mountains, we took each of these opportunities to teach students about teamwork, trust, leadership and communication.

Kids' Column

I can now start and stop my bike without help so I got to demonstrate my new biking skills at each  of my grandparents’ houses. T-ball is over now. I had a lot of fun. I really liked playing pitcher and first base. Joey and Justin, my friends who are moving to North Carolina, were on my team so that was fun.

I am excited about school. I ask Mommy every couple days, “Does school start today?” One of these times I am sure she will say, “Yes!” I have been a good helper with Caleb. I showed Mommy how well I could watch him. I’m not sure why she thought a burp cloth over his head wasn’t a good idea. She said I need to wait a few years before I can babysit.

I sure missed Daddy. I told Mommy about it almost every day while he was gone. I have enjoyed playing in our whale pool when Andrew and Lauren are in the sprinkler and it is calmer in the pool. I have started to see this thing Mommy calls a “potty” in the bathroom. And she is saying something about getting rid of my diapers. Hmmmm…..

It is nice to be back to a normal schedule after all our traveling. I can go all night without eating now, but I still like Mommy to give me my pacifier (since I don't remember how to get my thumb). I like to talk to people and to laugh. I started eating cereal. Lindsey tested it and agrees with me that it tastes pretty good. I may not be able to find my thumb, but my toes taste pretty good, as you can see.

Caleb

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