Week 2 Done Gone Got...Done?

Well I have officially been in Pennsylvania for 2 weeks now and this past week has been interesting.

Last Friday I went to a camp called Camp Christian. Those of you that are from my home church, or just those that I know from camp, it's not Round Lake, but it is a great camp, and the director of the camp is a great guy. This was a great first work-filled week for me to start off the summer with.

I always get asked "What'd you do at camp?" and I can never give an answer that's short, or remember, but I think I can somewhat shortly tell of what went on.

Friday through Sunday morning we had a college retreat, where we had about 12 students from different universities. During that time we had worship, some messages, and a lot of fellowship time. I got to meet some of the students that went through CSF in the Pittsburgh area, and I saw how campus ministry really effected their lives, which was awesome.

Both Friday and Saturday night I spoke at camp fire, both of which surrounded the theme of "Uncommon Life." The first night I talked about how living the Christian lifestyle is hard in the world, and talked a lot about Paul and his life's journey. The the second night I talked about how rewarding it is to persevere through the hardships. I shared my testimony for that one, and talked about how even though things got rough for me through family issues and problems I put myself in, and even though things still are hard for me, there is nothing else that brings me peace like being in Christ.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon and Sr. High week begins with a rush of high school students flooding the camp ground like a wave of unbalanced hormones, body spray, and need for attention. (And I will even acknowledge that yes, I know I was like that too.)

The first night was slow going, with me still not coming out of my shell or knowing anyone around me. But for those of you who have been faculty with me at camp before, you know how camp brings something different out of me.

In case you didn't know, I'm an introvert, so I like my quiet alone time. But camp always gets me out of my shell for the campers.

For the week I was a family leader, more or less. We met only a few times a day, mainly to do devos, pray, and help them with memory verses. I didn't really do the last part, but instead furthered their devos for the day by helping them understand the memory verse in the context it's in and help them apply it to their lives. Another family leader in our group and I did this a lot, and we also tried to help them understand how to do devos, such as actually reading the text and pulling meaning out of it, not just looking at it. Some of the things that we talked about with the students afterwards were great, and quite a few of our family actually got some good stuff out of their devos.

Throughout the week we had times of worship and a message, and class times, none of which I spoke for but observed, and most of the students seemed to receive the messages well. Some weren't really listening because their focus was on things other than Jesus, so there were some problems with them throughout the week, but you'll have that. I do want to applaud the main speaker Billy (Scott), the boys teacher Greg though, , and also the girls teachers, all of the women faculty, for doing a great job teaching throughout the week.

Of course every evening we had to have camp fire, and congratulations to the campers, they made me lose my voice the first night, which has never happened before. To my credit though, I haven't had to get loud for about 6 months with no real preaching obligations. I spoke on Tuesday night about finding out what you struggle with and a basic overview of sin. Afterwards I was talking with the guy who spoke Monday night and he said that there was a kid who was struggling with how God can allow bad things to happen in our lives. The first night the camp fire speaker spoke about the love God has for us. The second night the guy I was talking to was talking about the importance of God in our lives/ why God matters. Then the third night I talked about the problem of sin and why bad things happen. God really worked through us this past week.

Finally there were meals (weird people eating at camp for a week right?). But I have a thing at camp, where every meal I'll sit at a different table until I sit with everyone. I'll get to know the kids, where they're from, what's going on in their lives, maybe teach them a lil something. The very first night there was a group of people I was sitting with who were going through a list of "ugly people" that they know. That's not going to fly with me. I pull out my Bible, flip to Ephesians 2.10, have someone read it, then flip to Genesis 1.26-27 and have someone else read that. Then I talked to them about those verses, tying them together, and got them to understand that what they were doing was wrong.

Throughout the week I was asking all the people I sat with two questions: Why are you at camp this week? What do you expect to get out of it? Most of the answers to the first question were the same, "I've been going here for ____ years." But the second question rose interesting conversations and some good time to educate. One of the notable answers was:

"I want to find God." 

So I ask, "Do you believe God exists?" 

"Yes."

"So how can you find him if you already found him?"

"...I guess I want to know him better?"

"Alright. Now how?"

"Nature and stuff?"

I again opened up my Bible and talked about how God has a lot of different aspects, and there are a lot of different ways to know God. We looked at Romans 1.20, Hebrews 1.1 and Titus 2.11 both of which speak about how God has shown himself in different ways to all people. We also got into who God is and some of my theology on God, which began to blow some people's minds, so I had to back off a bit. But it was still great conversation. But just table hopping throughout the week was fun, getting to know the campers, letting them get to know me,  and just talking and sharing with them. 

Over all it was a good week, with a lot of moments to teach students in non-traditional ways, which I think really prepared me for what's to come in the next year.

As always, please keep me in your prayers, and if you could donate moneys so I can live, that'd be awesome. And we can show people who doubt that God can do amazing things.

Until next time friends.

My First Big Day!

Yes, I'm acting like a little school girl with this post. No shame.

Well I've been in Pittsburgh for three days now, and so far it's been a fun city to be in. I've been staying at my aunts house, not really doing much other than playing with her grandson. But I've been doing more than that, no worries!

Monday I met with the man I'm going to be working with, Greg. We got together for coffee, talked a bit about what's going to be going on, and some of the things that are coming up. I said in my last post that I'm going to be posting about once a week, but it may be more, but this week is now because 1) a good bit has gone on and 2) I'm leaving for a week. While talking with Greg we decided that I should go to camp with him, so Friday I'm leaving for parts unknown (to me) for a campus retreat which will go through Sunday, and then Sunday through Friday we'll be working a week of Senior High camp, which I'm excited for. What will my official job be? I have no idea, but I'll do what God has called me to do and make what positive impact I can on some kids lives.

Last night was the first time I went to a function for this internship, where I met with Greg and talked for a bit before a Bible study, composed mostly of college students. I saw some good discussion and good, deeper thoughts on the scripture that we were looking at (Matthew 22.1-14). Afterwards we went out to eat for a time of fellowship and for me to get to know some of the people. Just from some of the conversations I had I think that this is where God is calling me. I can't say why just yet, but when I figure it out I'll let you know.

Today I had an interesting time, driving to State College for a class put on by CSF, a 3 hour drive. That's a long drive by yourself through the hills of PA. But during the class we talked a bit about some of the policies and procedures here with this foundation, and went through some tax things which hopefully I will be able to remember when it comes to be that time. But then we talked about campus ministry, some of the history behind it and the college movement.

Looking at the history of campus ministry and some of the stats we can see that campus is where God really likes to start stuff. There have been revivals at multiple campuses and lasting for days or even years. God does amazing things at campuses.

A lot of the history that we talked about really encouraged me with what's going to be going on here at this ministry, and I'm interested to see what God does in this next year.

Please remember me, U of Pitt, the city, and CSF in your prayers, and lets see what God does in this city.

First and Last Post

Well this is my first post on this blog, but it is also my last post. Last from home that is.

Tomorrow I move to Pittsburgh to start a year long internship at the University of Pittsburgh, working with students and discipling them. (For those of you who go to a church or have not been taught about discipleship, it is basically pouring yourself into others, just as Christ pours himself into us, building them up and training them to do the same. So whenever I talk about discipleship or similar uses of the word, this is what it means.)

My hope is that those who are reading this are supporting me, but there may be some of you who are not and have no idea what I'm talking about. So allow me to clarify!

Campus ministry is not like church, where you have a steady income of money from those you have in your congregation. We have a complete rotation of students every four years. College students that is. And we're poor as all get out. So in order for this ministry to function, and in order for me to not be living on the street when I get to Pittsburgh, I have to raise funds.

[Shameless Plug] If you would like to donate, which would be phenomenal, just write a check and send it to

Christian Student Foundation

P.O. Box 221

State College, PA 16804

and put my name on the memo line. If you're interested in donating monthly ($20, $50, $100 whatever) a month, send a voided check with a note with contact info and who you want to support. 

If you're interested in helping and have any questions, you can contact me through email, mandrews909@gmail.com or the foundation itself at donerservices@csfpa.com.

[End Shameless Plug]

Over all, I'm really excited for this opportunity that God is putting in my life. I've been trying to get into different ministries, an internship at Southeast, a job in Dayton, keeping my job in southeast Ohio, and all of them fell through. This is the only ministry opportunity that never had a door close on me. I've had people I highly respect encourage me and tell me that campus ministry is something that would be absolutely perfect for my ministry style. I know that through this chance, I will actually be able to do my part for the Kingdom. I can actually make disciples and numbers wont matter. I'll have chances to work with students from all over the world, training and building them up, so that they can go and do the same. This will be us making disciples of all nations, just as Jesus has commanded us to do. How great of an opportunity is that? 

Note about the naming of this blog which I think I just changed to "The Year of the Beard" and the description which basically says "my adventures at U of Pitt doing campus ministry." The reason I have named the blog itself thus is because I want to grow out my beard the entire year, so I will be shaving tomorrow and making myself look like I'm 16 again. And I call this an adventure because I see it as one. I'm going to a city I don't know, with no idea what kind of funds I'll have, and even my living situation isn't fully nailed down yet. But I fully believe this is what God wants me to do so I'm not stressing about it. I know He's going to do amazing things in my life this next year, and throughout the rest of my life, but this next year will be a huge test of faith not only for me, but definitely my family (my parents are freaking more than I am). But this year will be a launching platform for the rest of my life if this is the ministry that God is calling me to do. 

As for the content of the blog, I'll be updating it about once a week probably, maybe more, maybe less. I'll be telling of things going on, encouraging things going on, wins, loses, students (though no names will be used). I'm incredibly excited for this chance that God has given me, and I hope that if you're reading this you are too.

God Bless and see you on the other side.