See below for a sneak peak into the world of Cru Global Missions (formerly WSN). Students of the world, reaching students of the world. Changed lives, changing lives.
(Works best if you watching it full screen).
Showing posts with label campus crusade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label campus crusade. Show all posts
Monday, February 11, 2013
Global Missions: Students reaching Students.
See below for a sneak peak into the world of Cru Global Missions (formerly WSN). Students of the world, reaching students of the world. Changed lives, changing lives.
(Works best if you watching it full screen).
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sending a Sender.
It was a weird spring for me this year, as I labored to send out teams of students
and staff on mission projects this summer, but also prepared to go myself.
Now more than ever before, I see the importance of a support team to stay in the US while people are sent out around the world with the Gospel. Being a 'sender' myself, I recognize the strategy and significance - but this summer I step into the 'go-er' role (I know, probably not a word...).
A few weeks ago we had our Briefing conference, where 150 people gathered together before being sent out to 6 countries for the summer. As I sat with my team learning about security issues and campus guards and code words, a dozen people worked behind the scenes to ensure that these 150 people could go to the world with the Gospel this summer. As I type this from my international dorm in a rather large city in East Asia, I see the importance of people back home that can directly support what we are here to do: take the hope of Christ to Asian college students.
Speaking of support teams, I can't forget about the awesome financial and prayer partners I have! The senders at my office would not have a job to do if it wasn't for faithful friends who give and pray generously - not only to me, but to all our summer project students. More than $500,000 came in this spring for these 6 projects. That's a LOT of givers- and lots of pray-ers who go before the Lord to ask for provision for others. If you're a sender, giver, or prayer, thanks for what you do!
Now more than ever before, I see the importance of a support team to stay in the US while people are sent out around the world with the Gospel. Being a 'sender' myself, I recognize the strategy and significance - but this summer I step into the 'go-er' role (I know, probably not a word...).
A few weeks ago we had our Briefing conference, where 150 people gathered together before being sent out to 6 countries for the summer. As I sat with my team learning about security issues and campus guards and code words, a dozen people worked behind the scenes to ensure that these 150 people could go to the world with the Gospel this summer. As I type this from my international dorm in a rather large city in East Asia, I see the importance of people back home that can directly support what we are here to do: take the hope of Christ to Asian college students.
Speaking of support teams, I can't forget about the awesome financial and prayer partners I have! The senders at my office would not have a job to do if it wasn't for faithful friends who give and pray generously - not only to me, but to all our summer project students. More than $500,000 came in this spring for these 6 projects. That's a LOT of givers- and lots of pray-ers who go before the Lord to ask for provision for others. If you're a sender, giver, or prayer, thanks for what you do!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Legacy Project
I love learning the history of Campus Crusade. So much has happened in the last 60 years! Awhile back, the Legacy Project was started as an initiative to benefit young leaders, by connecting us to our organizational heritage. There are dozens and dozens of videos. Check out this one from a Jacquie, a staff woman from Madison, WI, about her husband's military ministry:
Click here for more info on the legacy project.
Click here for more info on the legacy project.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Top Five Tools for International Sending.
Below are the top 5 things that make me good at my job (besides D.I.C.E. and the Holy Spirit, of course) :) - these tools are super important in allowing me to send the large number of college students overseas from the Upper Midwest:
5. Google!
Not only do I get an instant answer to a question from this fabulous website (ie: what's the current exchange rate in Uruguay?), Google has a few other important platforms: Google Docs, (shared spreadsheets and surveys) Google Translator, (because I don't read Turkish), and Google Blogger, (which enables me to share my wonderful thoughts with you!)
4. A file-sharing system
Our office (and region) uses a file-sharing system called SugarSync, which allows me to set up folders for each of my 12 vision trips, 6 summer projects and 8 stint teams. I couldn't do my job without this. A file-sharing system greatly increases my capacity to keep track of so many files, and make sure that each trip leader has what they need at the right time.
Along with providing a way for dozens of people to access the same files all at once, file-sharing systems provide a place to hold important documents from year to year. With a few clicks, I can find documents regarding summer projects in 2007. We often joke about not "reinventing the wheel" - and file-sharing programs help us stick to that philosophy.
3. A reliable visa agency
A visa is a piece of paper from a foreign government giving you permission to enter a country. I obtain about 200 visas a year for our various international trips. There's no way I could get that many visas without having a trusted agency in Chicago that actually submits the paperwork to foreign consulates for me. The best feature of using this visa agency is their awesome website. I can type in a country, and the purpose of a trip, the resident country and state of the traveler, and immediately get instructions on the process for applying for the right visa. It's genius, and has made me look like a genius on many occasions.
2. A trusted travel agent (or 3)
I am lucky to have a trio of stellar travel agents to hook me up with good deals. Not only do they provide the basic booking of tickets, they have my back. They offer advice, catch my mistakes, and have taught me a ton about international group travel. They also help me look like a genius.
and finally...the number one tool for international sending...is...
1. Microsoft Excel!!
If you know me at all, you knew this would be number 1! I. Love. Excel. I have so much data I need to store: from tracking $500,000+ in donations each year, to ticket prices and locations for each of our 25+ trips, to passport names and birth dates for travelers.
When I see a jumbled mess of information, my brain automatically wants to categorize it into a spreadsheet that will make numbers and names make more sense. I have a very high value for easily accessible, very concise, and extremely reliable data.
I need to end this post with a shout-out to my boss, who is always very willing to figure out a way to get me the resources I need to do my job well. Sometimes I'm not even sure what that resource is, but with his vast knowledge and expertise in the field of Operations, my questions are never a problem!
5. Google!
Not only do I get an instant answer to a question from this fabulous website (ie: what's the current exchange rate in Uruguay?), Google has a few other important platforms: Google Docs, (shared spreadsheets and surveys) Google Translator, (because I don't read Turkish), and Google Blogger, (which enables me to share my wonderful thoughts with you!)
4. A file-sharing system
Our office (and region) uses a file-sharing system called SugarSync, which allows me to set up folders for each of my 12 vision trips, 6 summer projects and 8 stint teams. I couldn't do my job without this. A file-sharing system greatly increases my capacity to keep track of so many files, and make sure that each trip leader has what they need at the right time.
Along with providing a way for dozens of people to access the same files all at once, file-sharing systems provide a place to hold important documents from year to year. With a few clicks, I can find documents regarding summer projects in 2007. We often joke about not "reinventing the wheel" - and file-sharing programs help us stick to that philosophy.
3. A reliable visa agency
A visa is a piece of paper from a foreign government giving you permission to enter a country. I obtain about 200 visas a year for our various international trips. There's no way I could get that many visas without having a trusted agency in Chicago that actually submits the paperwork to foreign consulates for me. The best feature of using this visa agency is their awesome website. I can type in a country, and the purpose of a trip, the resident country and state of the traveler, and immediately get instructions on the process for applying for the right visa. It's genius, and has made me look like a genius on many occasions.
2. A trusted travel agent (or 3)
I am lucky to have a trio of stellar travel agents to hook me up with good deals. Not only do they provide the basic booking of tickets, they have my back. They offer advice, catch my mistakes, and have taught me a ton about international group travel. They also help me look like a genius.
and finally...the number one tool for international sending...is...
1. Microsoft Excel!!
If you know me at all, you knew this would be number 1! I. Love. Excel. I have so much data I need to store: from tracking $500,000+ in donations each year, to ticket prices and locations for each of our 25+ trips, to passport names and birth dates for travelers.
When I see a jumbled mess of information, my brain automatically wants to categorize it into a spreadsheet that will make numbers and names make more sense. I have a very high value for easily accessible, very concise, and extremely reliable data.
I need to end this post with a shout-out to my boss, who is always very willing to figure out a way to get me the resources I need to do my job well. Sometimes I'm not even sure what that resource is, but with his vast knowledge and expertise in the field of Operations, my questions are never a problem!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Spring Break Vision Trips
Last weekend, 45 staff and students are headed overseas for 7-10 day vision trips! I sent teams to 4 different countries and 5 cities; students from 6 universities, departing from 7 US airports.
I hope to post a few stories here when the trips return. For many of these students, this is their first time out of the country and their first time on any sort of mission trip!
Sunday, January 01, 2012
TCX: looking back
Christmas has come and gone - and so has TCX. As this new year begins, I can't help but think back to my experiences at past TCX conferences.
In 2004, I was a new believer, and learned about what it meant to follow Christ in the midst of a broken world.
In 2005, I learned about the holiness of God - the I AM that had spoken to Moses and so many others had called me to live a life of holiness, too.
In 2006, I felt the Lord prompt me to commit a year of my life to full-time ministry, unsure of how or when or where that would be. I knew why - to make disciples of all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28.
In 2007, with graduation looming, I came to a crossroad. Would I take the first steps in following through on last years' contract to give a year of my life in ministry? I went to a seminar on transitioning from college to staff life, and afterward I ended up sitting down with my now boss, Steve, the Director of Operations in our region, and a team member, Erika, who I'd worked with before on some projects. As they explained about the team, and opportunities to serve in Minneapolis, I became even more interested.
4 years later, here I am - in Minneapolis, working with Steve and Erika on the Operations team, serving staff and students around the region and around the world!
In 2004, I was a new believer, and learned about what it meant to follow Christ in the midst of a broken world.
In 2005, I learned about the holiness of God - the I AM that had spoken to Moses and so many others had called me to live a life of holiness, too.
In 2006, I felt the Lord prompt me to commit a year of my life to full-time ministry, unsure of how or when or where that would be. I knew why - to make disciples of all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28.
In 2007, with graduation looming, I came to a crossroad. Would I take the first steps in following through on last years' contract to give a year of my life in ministry? I went to a seminar on transitioning from college to staff life, and afterward I ended up sitting down with my now boss, Steve, the Director of Operations in our region, and a team member, Erika, who I'd worked with before on some projects. As they explained about the team, and opportunities to serve in Minneapolis, I became even more interested.
4 years later, here I am - in Minneapolis, working with Steve and Erika on the Operations team, serving staff and students around the region and around the world!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
TCX 2011: FUSED
Here's a little promo video for our largest student conference, TCX. We're trusting the Lord to move in the hearts of this generation of college students. We're trusting He will use this conference to impact lives and advance His Kingdom. Will you trust the Lord for this with us?
TCX 2011 Promo on Vimeo.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Why College Students?
It was during his college years that CS Lewis learned what it meant to believe in Christ.
It was during his college years that Karl Marx shed his Christian faith.
The fact is, no one thought up the strategy of fulfilling the Great Commission by reaching the college campus. Campus ministry is the result of the observation that God has chosen to use University and college students like you as His primary vehicle in accelerating the evangelism of the world. The campus ministry is the heart of God’s global missionary strategy.
[taken from http://joinus.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/why-campus-ministry]
It was during his college years that Karl Marx shed his Christian faith.
The campus is a battleground of ideas and ideologies, vying for dominance and competing for followers. Everyone will graduate as believers, but in what?
It isn’t a question whether tomorrow’s leaders are on the campus, or even a question whether these leaders will shape and influence our country and world. The question is who will shape and influence them? The old watchword of Campus Crusade for Christ was, “win the campus today and you’ll win the world tomorrow.” Almost every major political, athletic, social, military and religious leader will pass through either the high school or college campus. To reach them with the gospel is to effectively reach the world.
The campus ministry of Cru targets students, because it is the time they make the most decisions in their lives. It is the small window of time where individuals are open to changing their ideas, beliefs and perceptions of the world. This is the reason roughly 90% of all Christians made their decision for Christ before they reached the age of 21.
The fact is, no one thought up the strategy of fulfilling the Great Commission by reaching the college campus. Campus ministry is the result of the observation that God has chosen to use University and college students like you as His primary vehicle in accelerating the evangelism of the world. The campus ministry is the heart of God’s global missionary strategy.[taken from http://joinus.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/why-campus-ministry]
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Leaving A Legacy.
One of my favorite moments of the 2011 CCC US Staff Conference was the night of the 60th Anniversary celebration. Up on the stage sat an adorable, gray-haired woman. The MC (left) shared with us that Nancy (right) spent much of her life as a missionary with her husband Mark. The two served with the PCA in Brazil for 50 years. She was a nurse, and her husband Mark was a pilot. They used his plane as an ambulance to take care of people with machete wounds, snake bites and bullet wounds.
The MC asked Nancy how she was affiliated with Campus Crusade. Nancy was pursuing religion and truth while in college, so she went to a meeting at the house next door to her sorority house. After the meeting, a woman approached her and asked if she enjoyed the meeting, and if she had any questions. Nancy said she'd never placed her faith in Christ, and when the woman asked if she's like to do so, Nancy said she would.
The two women met frequently that year, and on December 2, 1952, at 11:30 in the morning, Nancy became a Christian during her sophomore year in college at UCLA.
Nancy wrote to this woman every year, even while living in the jungles of Brazil, to thank her for her impact in her life.
This woman who shared with her was Vonette Bright. Nancy was the first person to come to Christ through Vonette...ever. Vonette was so encouraged by this experience, she continued to share her faith on the UCLA campus. She was scared to do so, but she "did what Bill told her to do" (her exact words). Vonette didn't know it, but Bill kept track of her faith sharing journey. The next 100 people she shared the Gospel with placed their faith in Christ. Incredible. And now, 60 years after that appointment, the two met on stage at the US Staff Conference.
You never know how one conversation can change a life. And how that one life will impact the world.
The MC asked Nancy how she was affiliated with Campus Crusade. Nancy was pursuing religion and truth while in college, so she went to a meeting at the house next door to her sorority house. After the meeting, a woman approached her and asked if she enjoyed the meeting, and if she had any questions. Nancy said she'd never placed her faith in Christ, and when the woman asked if she's like to do so, Nancy said she would.
The two women met frequently that year, and on December 2, 1952, at 11:30 in the morning, Nancy became a Christian during her sophomore year in college at UCLA.
Nancy wrote to this woman every year, even while living in the jungles of Brazil, to thank her for her impact in her life.
This woman who shared with her was Vonette Bright. Nancy was the first person to come to Christ through Vonette...ever. Vonette was so encouraged by this experience, she continued to share her faith on the UCLA campus. She was scared to do so, but she "did what Bill told her to do" (her exact words). Vonette didn't know it, but Bill kept track of her faith sharing journey. The next 100 people she shared the Gospel with placed their faith in Christ. Incredible. And now, 60 years after that appointment, the two met on stage at the US Staff Conference.
You never know how one conversation can change a life. And how that one life will impact the world.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
What God Has Done
Check out this video for some of the ways God has used the US Campus Ministry of Campus Crusade in the last year:
Friday, July 22, 2011
Top 10 Questions about the Name Change
- Why is Christ no longer in the name?
- Why did Campus Crusade for Christ change its name?
- Who made the decision to change the name?
- Who was involved in the process?
- How were the staff involved in the process?
- What does Vonette Bright think about the new name?
- Why did we hire a brand consulting agency?
- Campus Crusade for Christ has inherent meaning. Cru has no apparent meaning. How do you explain that?
- Does Cru carry the negative connotations of the word “Crusade”?
- Why did we take the name “Christ” out of our name?
Each of these questions have run through my mind, along with many others over the last 48 hours as I've thought about the name change. Visit this website for answers and even more frequently asked questions.
Campus Crusade for Christ becomes Cru
Two years ago, at our US Staff Conference here in Ft. Collins, CO, our leadership announced that the board of directors had approved a motion to consider changing the name. Over the course of these two years, there has been an incredible amount of research, discussion and much, much prayer over this decision.
This week, at our US Staff Conference, they revealed the new name: Cru. There have been many sessions and discussions concerning the process of searching for and deciding on a new name. After taking everything in, it is very, very evident to me that the US Leadership of CCC has been lead to this name by the Lord.
It's been interesting to reflect on the name change and think of the history of CCC. Even in the 70s and 80s, founder Bill Bright talked about the possibility of changing the name of the ministry.
I feel confident that this is the right decision for us at this time, and that our organizational leaders and staff involved in making this decision have truly sought the Lord on this.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Day 2: 2 believers!
It's day 2 on campus for the summer project team in Uruguay (pictured here), and they saw 2 people come to Christ! I don't have many details, just that some of the project students were sharing the Gospel on campus in the Economics building and saw two students place their place in Christ. Rejoicing in Minneapolis (and in heaven!) for these new believers.
On the flip side, I saw a tweet from the project director today that he shared with 2 guys at the university's law school. The students weren't interested, saying that God bores them, and they have no faith because they believe in themselves.
These two situations occurred on the same day, on the same campus. Our message is taken differently; the Holy Spirit must be at work on hearts and minds for our words to mean anything. We cannot control outcomes. We can only be faithful to share what we know and trust God to use our actions done in obedience to His will.
Sidenote: it's also Tuesday - so many 2s today :)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
What do I do for a living?...I'd love to tell you.
What a week! On Sunday afternoon, 151 college students and staff arrived at the Hilton Hotel near the MSP Airport. I watched from a balcony on the 11th floor as students arrived and parents and friends (and significant others) said good bye.
These people are heading to 6 different countries for a period of 4-6 weeks to share the Gospel with college students around the world. Campus Crusade strategically sends these teams each summer, giving encouragement and lift to the teams that are in-country long term, and giving a vision for college students of God's work around the world.
My part in this adventure is an interesting one: financial, logistical, administrative. I track donations, help trip leaders set their budgets, obtain visas for those that need them, book airline flights, ensure that everyone follows the corporate rules we as a global missions organization have in place, etc.
My job is hard to explain to people sometimes. I've tried to come up with a 2 sentence rote answer, but I rarely get across the magnitude of my job in the way I want. I should probably just start telling people I'm a missionary, and if they are actually interested, they will ask more questions after that.
I'm a missionary. Instead of the typical "going to live in a grass hut in the Amazon," that you might think a missionary would do, I work in a cubicle. (Don't worry, I LOVE it!)
I'm a missionary that loves Jesus, that desires for people all over the world to have a chance to hear the Gospel and respond to the claims of Christ. I'm a missionary that happens to have a business degree and a passion for using resources efficiently and effectively. A missionary that is gifted in administrative tasks, has a methodical mind that loves serving others. A missionary that loves supplying people with the resources they need to do what God has called them.
That's my job.
So, here's a breakdown of the mission projects I've spent the last 5 months coordinating:
These people are heading to 6 different countries for a period of 4-6 weeks to share the Gospel with college students around the world. Campus Crusade strategically sends these teams each summer, giving encouragement and lift to the teams that are in-country long term, and giving a vision for college students of God's work around the world.
My part in this adventure is an interesting one: financial, logistical, administrative. I track donations, help trip leaders set their budgets, obtain visas for those that need them, book airline flights, ensure that everyone follows the corporate rules we as a global missions organization have in place, etc.
My job is hard to explain to people sometimes. I've tried to come up with a 2 sentence rote answer, but I rarely get across the magnitude of my job in the way I want. I should probably just start telling people I'm a missionary, and if they are actually interested, they will ask more questions after that.
I'm a missionary. Instead of the typical "going to live in a grass hut in the Amazon," that you might think a missionary would do, I work in a cubicle. (Don't worry, I LOVE it!)
I'm a missionary that loves Jesus, that desires for people all over the world to have a chance to hear the Gospel and respond to the claims of Christ. I'm a missionary that happens to have a business degree and a passion for using resources efficiently and effectively. A missionary that is gifted in administrative tasks, has a methodical mind that loves serving others. A missionary that loves supplying people with the resources they need to do what God has called them.
That's my job.
So, here's a breakdown of the mission projects I've spent the last 5 months coordinating:
- 33 students are heading to Accra, Ghana for 4 weeks
- 16 students sent to Uruguay, a country with currently only 2 CCC campus staff
- 17 students sent to Montpellier, a city near the south coast of France
- 20 students to a closed country in Eastern Asia where God is moving mightily
- 18 students to a country in the Middle East that is less than 1% Christian
- 23 students to Brisbane, Australia, where there is a large amount of international students
Friday, April 29, 2011
Kingdom Called
It's a few weeks late, but finally, a post about Kingdom Called! :) This is one of my favorite conferences (I feel like I always say that!) - it's incredible to sit in a room full of college students and recent grads that are passionate about reaching the world with the Gospel. Their lives have been changed by God, and they seek to be used by Him to change the lives of others.
We provide vital training and development for students going on international summer projects, along with the new US and international interns in our region.
As I stood up in front of a room full of 150 people on Saturday night, I felt overwhelmed with the task of sending these students and staff to the world. This will be the first trip overseas for many of these students, which could lead to many more trips. I feel so privileged to play a part in sending laborers around the world!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Day of Prayer
Today was the CCC Worldwide day of prayer. Being able to pull away from the craziness of ministry and gather with like-minded people to pray for our world was incredibly encouraging.
Last week was so busy, by the time Easter rolled around I was so emotionally and mentally spent I couldn't reflect on the significance of the day. I didn't get a chance to go to a Good Friday service, so getting to spend an hour or so this morning reflecting on the cross and events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection really made up for that.
I was able to lead the group in 30 minutes of worship this morning. I can honestly say it was one of the best worship sets that I've ever experienced. I sensed that hearts were really engaged in worship; people were connecting with the heart of God, which was my prayer the whole time. And everyone sang so loudly, I could barely hear myself at times...and that just makes it fun. It was about as far away from a performance as you can get, which can be a struggle.
To stop in the midst of a super busy week and sit before God for several hours is very humbling. It leads me to admit that I am only able to do my job because He enables me to; and He can do more in a minute than I can do in a month. He doesn't need my work- He wants my worship. There are times that the two don't gel like they should.
Last week was so busy, by the time Easter rolled around I was so emotionally and mentally spent I couldn't reflect on the significance of the day. I didn't get a chance to go to a Good Friday service, so getting to spend an hour or so this morning reflecting on the cross and events leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection really made up for that.
I was able to lead the group in 30 minutes of worship this morning. I can honestly say it was one of the best worship sets that I've ever experienced. I sensed that hearts were really engaged in worship; people were connecting with the heart of God, which was my prayer the whole time. And everyone sang so loudly, I could barely hear myself at times...and that just makes it fun. It was about as far away from a performance as you can get, which can be a struggle.
To stop in the midst of a super busy week and sit before God for several hours is very humbling. It leads me to admit that I am only able to do my job because He enables me to; and He can do more in a minute than I can do in a month. He doesn't need my work- He wants my worship. There are times that the two don't gel like they should.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Paperwork.
I'm amazed at how many forms it takes to send a team of missionaries overseas.
For one student, there are 4 forms from Headquarters and 5-8 donation forms sent throughout the spring. Some projects have visa forms, as well, and I'll need multiple copies of the same form.
The Upper Midwest will send around 157 people overseas this summer. Some quick math tells me that I will handle something like:
628 Headquarter forms
798 Donation Forms
170 Visa Forms
That's 1,596 forms. It's a good thing that 'Input' is one of my strengthsfinder themes.
I wonder what I use more: paperclips or forms?
For one student, there are 4 forms from Headquarters and 5-8 donation forms sent throughout the spring. Some projects have visa forms, as well, and I'll need multiple copies of the same form.
The Upper Midwest will send around 157 people overseas this summer. Some quick math tells me that I will handle something like:
628 Headquarter forms
798 Donation Forms
170 Visa Forms
That's 1,596 forms. It's a good thing that 'Input' is one of my strengthsfinder themes.
I wonder what I use more: paperclips or forms?
Friday, March 25, 2011
How My Blog Got Its Name
If you've ever wondered how I came up with the title and tagline of this blog, wonder no more! Today's the day you find out.
It's pretty plain story, actually. A college friend, LL and I were talking about my blog, and how I could make it into a more focused ministry blog. I frequently talk about how much I love cubicles, so the title came together pretty quickly. LL is very familiar with Campus Crusade and our mission, so I was not surprised when she combined the admin side of ministry with the end goal to come up with the tagline. Pretty clever, that LL. I think she enjoys hearing about my trifling matters amidst working on her PhD.
Little did LL know, the tagline she dreamed up was perhaps foreshadowing my role in ministry. I wasn't ever 100% sure of what I'd be doing at the Regional Office upon finishing my support, (I wasn't too concerned with the actual job, I knew it would be fabulous).
I mainly use paper clips every day when students send in their donation checks. It's pretty systematic (some would say boring, I suppose) - open the envelope, count the money, scan the checks, scan the form, mail the checks, file the form.
It's pretty plain story, actually. A college friend, LL and I were talking about my blog, and how I could make it into a more focused ministry blog. I frequently talk about how much I love cubicles, so the title came together pretty quickly. LL is very familiar with Campus Crusade and our mission, so I was not surprised when she combined the admin side of ministry with the end goal to come up with the tagline. Pretty clever, that LL. I think she enjoys hearing about my trifling matters amidst working on her PhD.
The real question is: do I even use paper clips in my day-to-day job?
Little did LL know, the tagline she dreamed up was perhaps foreshadowing my role in ministry. I wasn't ever 100% sure of what I'd be doing at the Regional Office upon finishing my support, (I wasn't too concerned with the actual job, I knew it would be fabulous).
I mainly use paper clips every day when students send in their donation checks. It's pretty systematic (some would say boring, I suppose) - open the envelope, count the money, scan the checks, scan the form, mail the checks, file the form.
But this monotonous procedure represents a monumental faith step: college students trusting God to provide their finances in a way they probably haven't ever experienced. Knowing that each envelope I open has a story attached keeps me focused on what's important when they fill out the form incorrectly, or miscount their money.
So, the name of the blog is pretty accurate, with one clarification: I'm using the paper clips, in hopes that God will use me in the lives of college students, who will change the world by taking the Gospel everywhere. I just had to shorten it since all that wouldn't fit in the little bar at the top. :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Webinar Wednesday - Woes & Wins
Today, I hosted a live, 45 minute Webinar over the internet for students that are going on US and International summer projects. A coworker of mine covered the strategy of summer projects, and gave a biblical perspective on raising financial support, and I covered the tools and procedures we use to raise support and process the donations once they are given. (Some staff joined in as well - so cool to think we had people from all over the US meeting together for the same goal, via the internet).
I hosted the first of these webinars about 3 weeks ago, which I was initially really nervous for. That one went flawless. Today was another story! The actual webinar went fine, but there were quite a few little things went wrong along the way- starting before I even got to work.
Last night, we got 4 inches of snow on top of an inch of slush, making the morning commute awful. After spending 15 minutes digging out my car, I managed to put my elbow in the middle of my breakfast while attempting to get into the car. (I ate the breakfast anyway...tasted just fine!)
Because of the roads, the coworker who was supposed to help with the first part of the webinar couldn't make it in, so we had to scramble to get him set up on the program at his house. I had neglected to reserve the big computer TV system I wanted to use, so about 30 minutes before the webinar I had to rethink the setup for the broadcast.
Because of the roads, the coworker who was supposed to help with the first part of the webinar couldn't make it in, so we had to scramble to get him set up on the program at his house. I had neglected to reserve the big computer TV system I wanted to use, so about 30 minutes before the webinar I had to rethink the setup for the broadcast.
Regardless of the little hiccups along the way, the webinar was a success. It was so fun to 'stand' before a group of nervous students and guide them in the support raising process. When I went to Brazil on project in 2007, we didn't have these great tools and processes; even in the last four years there have been major advances in websites, procedures and tools for students and staff to make the process of raising support and tracking donations much easier. I think it's a great example of leveraging technology to enable us to increase our capacity for sending students around the world.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Big Break '11
As the weather slowly warms up in Minneapolis, students are just settling in to their hotels at Big Break, a one-week spring break evangelism training and outreach in Panama City Beach, FL. Last year, over 3,000 college students made the journey to PCB, for their spring break. Over the course of five weeks, the Gospel was shared 10,815 times, with 1,689 people trusting Christ!
I overheard someone talking about the Spring Break atmosphere in Panama City Beach. The first few days, students go crazy. By Wednesday, they start to wonder...is this it? This is supposed to be the most fun thing in the world?
People might scoff short-term mission trips or initiative evangelism. But God can take a chance meeting between an 18 year-old from the U of M and a senior from Auburn...and transform both of their lives.
Follow Big Break on twitter here for updates as the conference continues this month. Hoping to post more later about how God is moving in the hearts of college students.
I overheard someone talking about the Spring Break atmosphere in Panama City Beach. The first few days, students go crazy. By Wednesday, they start to wonder...is this it? This is supposed to be the most fun thing in the world?
People might scoff short-term mission trips or initiative evangelism. But God can take a chance meeting between an 18 year-old from the U of M and a senior from Auburn...and transform both of their lives.
Follow Big Break on twitter here for updates as the conference continues this month. Hoping to post more later about how God is moving in the hearts of college students.