Highlights. The Summer Outreach Fellowship continues to do well and as promised in the last newsletter here are some metrics from the survey I sent out:
- Overall, how would you rate Game nights? <<4.4. Between Very Good and Excellent>>
- How have the leaders welcomed and/or helped you? <<They give me rides, they are always cheerful, they truly care, they follow-up on my prayer requests and really pray...>>
- Overall, how would you rate Bible Discovery nights? <<4.2. Between Very Good and Excellent>>
- What have you liked most about Bible Discovery night? <<The leaders help us to discover what the Bible says for ourselves, it allows us to get a nice overview of the entire Bible, hearing what the others say and seeing it from their view...>>
- Average attendance - 20 on Fellowship night, and 10-15 at Bible study. Sierra 30%, Folsom 5%, CRC 15%, ARC 15%, Sac St 15%, Sac City 15%, Other 5%. ~50% are Christians, or on their way.
Lowlights. Driving to events still is a challenge for me and I don't go to everything I want to. Thankfully, I can augment my presence with Skype, when needed. I got a little behind due to my vacation in June.
Story 1 - Bethany
Bethany is one of the student leaders. I have not been able to get to know her too well yet but she posted a very thoughtful and relevant post on FB. In last months newsletter I mentioned how Will Mark posted a short summary of what he believed marriage was and quoted a couple Bible verses and emphasized there is no ill feeling between him and any proponent of same-sex marriage. Well, one person jumped into the post and asked what parts of the Bible he believed on marriage? The many wives of Solomon, the adultery of David, the illegitimate children of Abraham, marrying a prostitute like Hosea... Well, before I could respond, Bethany said it better than I could of. She mentioned how the Bible is narrative and just because it is written doesn't mean God condones it. In fact, in all of the examples the individual gave, God did not condone their behavior in their marriage and in fact condemned it. The narrative shows that even the most godly men and women are not perfect and are in need of grace and forgiveness. Which is the only message Christians are trying to get across.
She has 3-5 students in her group each week. One of the students became a Christian a few weeks ago and is growing a lot with these Bible studies as well as Bethany's friendship and encouragement. Another one of her students states that she is not a Christian but is really open to the gospel and seems to deeply understand the scriptures and give good insight. She is drawing closer to Jesus so please pray for her (forgot her name, though :/)
Metrics
http://isiervthomas.weebly.com/metrics
http://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2015/by-the-numbers.pdf
Pics
Prayer Requests
- For the student in Bethany's group that is getting closer to the Lord. That God would open her eyes and heart so she can understand fully His open arms to her and run into them... soon.
- For our leadership teams, at all our schools, to get ready and excited for the coming year. That God would 'show us the way should go,' and we walk in it. Our entire team kickoff meeting is Aug 7.
- God would draw, and show us how to draw in more students for the summertime Bible study. That He would touch hearts and we would 'see' fruit and growth in both the students and the leaders.<<Numbers are steady and reported above>>
- Reinstatement of our club charter so we can meet in a classroom once again. <<Still waiting but have heard rumors of good news that we will be restored by Fall semester :)>>
- International student orientation occurs in 3 more weeks. This is one of our regular pivotal events to meet all the new students, introduce ourselves and our ministry and present them with giveaways that will bless them and help them to remember us. Pray that our charter is reinstated so that we can actually have our booth in front of the orientation room and not outside. Pray the students would be attracted to us and see the light for them in our eyes
Admonition
“If you love those who love you, what good is that? Even unbelievers love those who love them" - Luke 6:32