February 2009

World Partnership

“The Powerful Percent”

Roughly 1% of people around the globe attend college. These students are the future leaders countries and shapers of their cultures and truly are the powerful percent!

While we focus on reaching the students of the United States, we are keenly aware of the millions of students around the world and the impact for the Kingdom of God if we were to see spiritual movements raised up through them.

Worldwide Student Network

The Worldwide Student Network of CCC was established in the 1990s to allow American students to take part in reaching other college students around the world. Because of the numbers of Christian students  in the U.S. and the affluence of our country, there are more opportunities for our students to take the gospel around the world than for students from any other country.

Initially students began going to just a few countries, including the Eastern European country of Albania. I traveled there for spring break while at Ohio State. Over time students began going to dozens of countries in every continent of the world, and saw the gospel impact the lives of students. In Albania the ministry that began on the college campus eventually reached every corner of the country until it could be said with certainty that every person in Albania had been exposed to the message of Christ.

Partnerships

Each campus in the U.S. establishes a partnership with a city around the world, committing to send students for spring break, summer projects and as year-long short term missionaries.

Over the past 11 years our movement at Michigan had been able to partner with a large city in western Asia and currently in Budapest, Hungary. I have been fortunate enough to travel to both of these locations with U-M and EMU students to share the gospel with the students of those countries and to help build the ministry in those countries.

Upcoming Trips

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY—Beginning February 20 I will be leading a group of 14 students and 4 other staff to Budapest, Hungary. God has been moving in Hungary in amazing ways over the past 10 years, but because there are not many Christians, our group can have a big impact in just a week’s time as we have opportunities to speak in university classrooms, do outreaches in the residence halls and have personal conversations with students about Christ.

SOUTHERN ASIA- Just two weeks after returning from Hungary I will travel to one of the largest countries in southern Asia with other staff from around the country on an exploratory trip. The ministry in the city is in its initial stages and we are seeking to determine whether this would be a good location for our next partnership as we wrap up our connection with Hungary over the next couple years.

With a population of 14 million, 1.6 million of whom are university students, and with it being an economic and cultural strength of the country, the city presents a difficult yet amazing opportunity for the gospel. With the church surging in China, this country will become one of the most important mission fields over the next century. I am excited for how we might play a role in the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this country!

I need your help

I must raise additional support to cover my trips to Hungary and Asia. Our trip to Hungary is a strategic time of ministry for our students and I have a key role in organizing the trip.

In many ways my trip to Asia is even more important as we consider our future partnership with that country. If we choose to pursue future ministry opportunities in the main city, it will be important for me to know about the country as I cast vision to our students and ask them to go.

Details

Budapest, Hungary

February 20-28

Southern Asia

March 15-25

Cost of both trips $2500-3000

Includes airfare, lodging, food while in country, visa charges, and immunizations.

Options for giving

1. Send a check made out to “Campus Crusade for Christ” to:

6403 Oakbrook Dr.

Ypsilanti, MI 48197

2. Send an extra gift with your normal contribution (if you are a regular supporter)

3. Go to https://give.ccci.org/give/View/0484633 

Follow the instructions to give.

Thank you for your consideration!

Kids' Column

We got to go sledding with some friends for the first time. There is a hill at a park close to us. I am not sure that all those bumps were worth it! Next week I will be nine. It is great to be the oldest kid and remind my brother and sisters that I know more than they do!

I would have sledded for hours if my mom didn’t make us leave! It was so much fun! We haven’t gotten enough times to play outside this winter so it was just fun to get out. I have lost 2 more teeth and now have a retainer in my mouth instead of the expander.

Mommy had to get me a new coat because the zipper on my old one melted when she put it in the dryer after we played outside. We have had so much snow that I could make a good angel. But now our snow is just about gone. That means we get to ride our bikes again. And our scooters—how fun!

It’s not so much fun to get snow in your boots. I learned the hard way when I had a tantrum and laid in the snow. But now that I am a big kid it is much easier to walk in the deep snow. It has been fun to play with the girls next door and throw snowballs with them.

Caleb

www.ardle.org

Staff Account #0484633