To kind of let you know what's been going on real quick
- Class
- Overlapping semesters
- Two very intensive online classes
- Pittsburgh classes started
- Welcome/orientation events
- Preping for our study for the semester
- Game nights
- Trying to find a groove (so far impossible)
- Doctrinal differences arising
- Travelling
- To Columbus, to Kentucky, back to Columbus, then back to Pittsburgh
- Had a wedding to go to Labor day weekend for which I traveled across 3 states
- Personal work
- Personal time with God
- Dealing with a new pet (will explain later)
- Moving things (from Columbus to Pittsburgh)
- Looking for a part time job to help finance the ministry
- Looking for another place to live, preferably an apartment near campus
And I think that's about it.
Obviously things have been a bit hectic here the past few weeks. But let's start with the good news!
Many of you probably know I got a cat. His name is Altair from the video game Assassins Creed because he loves to climb stuff and fight with me. I have the cuts to prove it. He's a good cat, 15 weeks old, and incredibly playful.
Some other good things that have happened recently is that I got to spend some good time with one of our students while working out. We're planning on starting a Bible study together on being a man of God and really looking at coming to the end of yourself and losing yourself, taking on the identity of Christ. Our plan is to set it up this semester and then meet weekly with other guys next semester.
Every Thursday we (CSF) meet on campus for our weekly meeting. This semester we're going through the book of Philippians with our main verse being Jude 3, looking at the idea of contending for the faith. We've met 5 weeks so far, with the first week just being a get together, then the second week an introduction, then the past 3 weeks we've been getting into the text. So far the study has been really good, with some good discussion and observations from students and ministers alike.
There has also been some strife in our ministry as well with "doctrinal" issues arising which has put stress on people and ministries. It's nothing truly major, but it has had some interesting effects and discussions lately. The main thing for me is that while not everyone will agree with each others theologies, we still have a love for Christ and proclaim the Gospel.
In the beginning of August we had some welcome/orientation events on the campuses of U of Pitt and Carnegie Melon (CMU). At CMU there was a "Faith Fair" where all the religious organizations at CMU were able to have a table and a time to talk with students. Then at U of Pitt there was an activities fair where we had our own table and had about two hours to interact with students.
As for other things that have gone on this semester so far, every Tuesday we've been having a game night on campus where we get together and play pool, or ping pong, and one night we went to Greg's to play Halo with his 9 year old son until 1:30 AM. Good times. We also had a movie night where we watched the classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail. This past weekend we were planning on going camping, but had to cancel because of busy student schedules.
What's even better is that the month of October I will be busy every weekend. The first weekend is a leadership retreat for the church that we partner with, and I also preach at the church that is letting me use their parsonage. The second weekend is Fall Retreat for CSFPA, where all the CSFs will be meeting for a weekend of games, worship, and just getting away. The weekend after that I head back to the church I used to work at to preach and hopefully gain some support, then hopefully the last weekend in October Greg and I will be heading to the west side of the city to a church to present CSF and hopefully gain even more support for the ministry.
As stated above, I am looking for a part time job somewhere. My hope is to get a job that is near or on campus where I can still interact with college students, and where I can make enough money for a monthly rent. My goal is to find an apartment close to campus so that we have a "base of operations" close to where we're working. I've found a few apartments which look promising, but as of right now the funds just aren't there. So please keep me in your prayers as I search for a job which will benefit both the ministry and me.
All in all that's really all the important things that are going on in my life. I'm currently taking Old Testament Theology where all I have to do is read books that are mainly about OT Criticism. I'm also taking Sermon on the Mount. Not much to say about that one.
As always keep the ministry in your prayers, keep me in your prayers and feel free to contact me anytime! I'd love to hear from people sometime.
mandrews909@gmail.com
