I’ve recently finished putting together the finishing touches on our upcoming spring & summer schedule for the college-age ministry. If I do say so myself, it’s awesome. Everything from our two different bible studies a week…to “welcome home” & “easter “parties…to ultimate frisbee…to new orleans…to white water rafting…to kayaking…to homeless bbq’s…to volleyball and the list goes on and on. I can’t tell you how excited I am for this spring & summer! I pray that this ministry will be a blessing to your life this spring & summer. I hope that you not only have some fun, but also that you learn more about our God through connecting, growing, & serving. All events/trips/studies…etc are open to you and all your friends. Take a look around and let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Eric Ferrell
Well everybody, we are back and un-wound from our annual mission trip to Mexico. This year, as you may have heard, we did not go to our usual location of Juarez, but instead we went to Nuevo Laredo. This was bitter sweet for many of us who have had our hearts in Juarez for 8+ years. On one hand, we were working with a new church and community and we’re excited about that. On the other hand, we had friends and family that we were gonna miss this year that we wouldn’t be seeing. One of the most difficult things for me as the leader of the trip was not being able to answer everyone’s questions about how things were going to go this year. Anytime you start a new relationship with another church on the mission field, there is a learning curve involved in getting to know each other and how that relationship is going to play out over the course of a week on the mission field together. To say the least, it worked out great. The Lutheran church/organization (http://www.lalm-elcm.org/default.htm) that we worked with was more than accommodating of us and had all kinds of help that they needed. We were more than happy to contribute in any way that God’s equipped us.
This year, as my team came together, I could tell something special was in the works. From the leaders I had with me down to the individual students I had serving alongside me all we, everyone was spectacular. To define spectacular, I mean, willing to set aside their own agenda and just give God all the room he needed to work through them to accomplish His mission that week. Having a group like I did this year was nothing short of amazing. We built a home for a pastor and his family, put a drop ceiling in one of their churches sanctuary’s, and ran two weeklong vbs programs in different areas near the main church. It was truly humbling to serve God that week and I was reminded yet again that I can do the same thing back home as well. Between Mexico, New Orleans, Detroit, Troy, & all the other places Faith’s college-age ministry serves, there are plenty of lives that God wants to use us to promote His change. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:36-38).
In addition to that, we had a theme we worked through all week titled RENEW. Ephesians 4:17-24 reminds us “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self”. We learned that this is a process that God wants to walk us through regularly and that though it may be difficult, it is not only worth it, but necessary. God truly wants to transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) and then use us to feed his Lambs (John 21:15). This is necessary for spiritual maturity and for sharing the gospel with others.
After leading this trip, I was reminded that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. What a blessing it is to simply be a part of something bigger.
Eric Ferrell
So today Donna, Ethan, & I left for the west side of the state to visit some friends at Western Mich University. Day started out eventful with a 1 hour attempt to have the at&t folks transfer my data from my recent broken phone to an old used one that still worked. To no avail!! Waste of time basically. So if you call me or txt me and I don’t know who you are right away it’s because I don’t have your number anymore. And I refuse to create a facebook group like “eric’s phone’s broke and needs your numbers” like everyone and their mother does when they lose or break their phone.
Wait a minute…this was supposed to be about my visit to k-zoo
So on our way out we drove through blizzard like conditions kind of like on the deadliest catch, lol. Anyway it was a nice afternoon visiting with Emma and KJ over here at WMU. Visited for a while and then went out to dinner together where we could eat peanuts and throw them on the ground. I love that! We’re in Grand Rapids right now and looking forward to seeing some more friends over here at Calvin and GVSU. Man there’s a lot of churches around here. More than gas stations. Sounds like more snow is coming so please pray for safe driving for us cause this is just the beginning of the trip.
My “challenge” for the week from our discussion at Watershed this past Sunday night was that we’d each spend time trying to block out everything for a while each day. Trying to spend quality time talking to and listening to God. I mean real time, really listening. It’s hard to do I know, but my prayer is that we can all set aside that time more intentionally this week than we normally do. Feel free to join us in that “challenge” this week and stop by this Sunday night as we continue to discuss things like “Does God Speak To Us?
7pm, Student Center.
Later, Eric
One of the more common questions I hear is “does God still speak to people?”. I’ve said it myself, I think people experience God in different ways, some of which is audible and some of which is not. But we all desire for that direct line of communication that’s not so “open to interpretation”. I mean, we were created by Him & for Him the scriptures tell us in Colossians 1:16. If I’m called to Love Him & Love others (Luke 10:27) I wanna make sure I’m doing that to the best of my ability right?
“So how am I doing God?” you might ask? I’m dying to know. I know I’m supposed to follow you (Matthew 16:24-25). But where are you going in my life? Sometimes you’re silent. I don’t always feel your presence. I don’t always feel like you answer me. I’ve got this book you tell me to read. I know I’m supposed to spend time with you in prayer, but sometimes you feel so un-reachable.
I’m currently reading a book by John Eldredge, author of “Wild at Heart” and “Captivating”, called “Walking with God” Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really. I’d like to take us through parts of it as it directs us through the scriptures with topics such as “Does God Still Speak?”, “Learning to Listen”, “God?”, etc… and hopefully provide some clarity in this area for those of you struggling with this. We’re doing this on Sunday nights at Watershed in our Student Center, 7pm. If you’re schedules open, come on by and join us.
Feel free to share comments on this post. Chances are you’re not the only one thinking and wondering what’s on your mind. It may be helpful to others to hear some of your thoughts and insight on this topic…so post away!
I’m new at this, but my understanding is that you can “subscribe to this feed” if you want where I’ll share more thoughts and scripture regarding this and other topics.
Eric
