Jesus is EVERYWHERE

It's been a whirl-wind month around campus! Lots of late nights, lots of deep conversations, lots of new faces. I've had pizza for fully 1/3 of my meals this week. And I've noticed something pretty cool.

Jesus is everywhere.

I saw it when we distributed free water bottles to thirsty freshmen as they moved in (a million years ago, in August). It continued as we knocked on every door in the newly built dorm at the edge of campus, inviting them all to come play night-time tag by the fountain. As the connections strengthened, the conversations deepened. And Jesus was in all of it.

8 days ago, I listened while a freshman from western Africa shared how much she'd been struggling with disorientation and depression since getting to campus. I'd only known her for a week and a half, but already she knew that I and others in our community cared. We prayed together, and Jesus was there.

3 days ago, a student I'm discipling and a guy he's discipling walked down Jackson Street with me to grab some pizzas. As we walked, we dreamed together about how Jesus might want to meet the needs of the students who live there. Later that night, as we studied scripture together, we saw Jesus invite himself to Levi's house for a party, though it hurt his reputation with the religious elite. If Jesus came to be with the sick, where might he spend his time on campus? The shady pizza place on Jackson? A party in the basement of a dilapidated rental house? Jesus is there? Would we follow?

Jesus is changing hearts. He's changing minds. School's only been in session a month, but Jesus has been getting around!

Over the next 2 weeks, it'll be a very busy time for me. Would you pray with me for the many things on my plate, and a keen awareness of the presence of Jesus as I'm working on the following...

• Sunday, 10/2 - Megan and I are doing an hour-long presentation for a church that's considering supporting us. A lot is riding on it, as we'd love to see Megan have more hours on campus (a direct result of increased support for her ministry).
• Sunday, after the presentation, we're leading the student leadership team in an 1.5 hour training on the character of a leader. The topic? Humility.
• Monday - Thursday - I'm co-leading a training conference for 8 new InterVarsity staff. As new staff, I and my partner Shannon will be teaching them to train up missional small group leaders to more effectively reach every corner of their respective campuses.
• Wednesday night, as part of their training, Shannon and I are taking them to York's campus to host 3 large-scale evangelistic events (we're calling them "Sexy Pizza"). They'll facilitate an open conversation about sex and spirituality for rooms full of students who are faithful, skeptical, and searching.
• Friday will be a catching up day - all the things I normally do during a given week of ministry will be put into that day, due to the new staff training conference.
• Saturday, pray for me as I rest and Sabbath, reflecting and preparing...

It'll be an intense week. I'm grateful for your partnership so far - your confidence in our mission, your commitment to its success, and your compassion for York College's 4,600 students is humbling and encouraging!

Thanks for following along!