Leaders Meeting! Important, hard, challenging, rewarding . . .

Here is a picture of last Friday’s leaders meeting. 10 student leaders and staff come together once per week for 2 hours to be trained in Christian leadership and together as a team to set the direction for the whole fellowship!

This is one of the most important meetings we lead as staff. Student leaders are usually the students with the most ownership and action in seeking God and living in God’s mission to the campus. Yet it is also one of the most difficult to figure out how to lead this group in ways that help equip and mobilize students who are volunteers.

Please pray for my staff team to have wisdom in how to lead this meeting weekly in a way that is powerful and helpful to the student leaders in leading your movement at CU Boulder! Pray for leaders to choose in and engage and get all that they can from training and being united with this team of other leaders!

My new perspective on Elijah and the widow 1 kings 17: God does provide today like that!

Earlier I wrote on this same scripture from 1 kings 17 and Elijah and the widom, but now I have new perspective from my own experience.

The way God works and provides does not always make sense. I know I often think of myself and especially other missionaries who have a clear calling and vision to advance the kingdom. But then I see them struggle and I have struggled to get enough funding. In InterVarsity campuses and ministries have been affected by staff with insufficient funding.

So when we experience this what do we believe about God, God's goodness, and God's plans?

Sometimes we get angry or discouraged. But I believe we are called to persevere and continue trusting. Elijah the prophet went through exactly what we go through in finding provision for his ministry:         in 1 Kings 17 where Elijah begins his ministry by prophesying in the face of a corrupt king of Israel. Then Elijah's word begins a drought and Elijah has no food or home except a brook and food brought to him by ravens in the wilderness. But then God makes the brook run dry and stops providing food through the ravens. So Elijah is without food and water and seemingly without hope in the wilderness.

What if the story ended there? Elijah and the widow and her son would have died. 

I felt like I was at that point last Wednesday. I felt like I was going crazy and going to have a breakdown because of life and fundraising. Even if I got funded I felt like I was not mature enough, godly enough or wise enough to pastor a group of college students. 

But Elijah's story and the widows did not end there. That was only the beginning! So too with my life and ministry God had more and has more plans:

Somehow God picked me up and I just kept doing my best to be faithful to what I knew God had called me to do: to keep asking people to partner in this ministry, especially now with people I knew less. This reminds me of how Elijah asked boldly a widow who was not a believer. who was ready to die if she would share the last food she had. God also blessed me with a taste of giving and sharing my contacts this summer as I partnered with Max another missionary from my home church. God also has blessed me to partner with other missionaries from my own income. That same day I had a little breakdown I was able to host a married couple on staff with InterVarsity Justin and Samantha and welcome them into my men's small group to ask for partnership. It was hard and scary at first. 

But I have tasted and seen the Lord's provision abundantly! For the Lord provided for Elijah when he asked twice and risked it. But the Lord also provided for the widow and son who weren't believers when they gave:

¹³ Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. ¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

¹⁵ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. ¹⁶ For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

In the 5 days after that Wednesday of breakdown God provided 16% of my annual budget! And he provided through people I hardly knew and almost didn't even ask. All Praise be to God! For the Lord is good and he provides abundantly. But not always in the timing or way we expect. Lord give me and others encouragement from my story that we might continue to be faithful in fundraising! And always remind us you are the provider and all glory goes to you! All glory be to our God who reigns from on high and yet is close and near to our troubled world and hearts.

Amen

God's abundant provision: Do I believe in it?

1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded.”

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing 5 and said to Moses, 

“The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.”

6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Exodus 36

Wow, God's work here in the building of the Tabernacle is a joyful process for Israel. The people all give generously until there is more than enough. Moses literally has to tell the people to stop giving. Praise God for this amazing partnership of giving for God's work and blessing the people with joyful and generous hearts. 

hold on a minute when is the last time at a fundraiser or church we heard that there was more than enough money? Perhaps not often. But usually we get enough to get by or in other words just enough to get by. The problem is that I get in the wrong mindset both that it is only people providing and that it has little to do with God. Maybe strong believers give generously so God is working indirectly.

Do we really believe God is the one providing when we are the ones working and giving?

Can we in faith and truth pray with Solomon:

"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 

But do we really believe God will provide abundantly?

AS God provided for Israel and Moses work in exodus through the people and as God provided through the king of Persia for the work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls when Nehemiah asked. Do we believe God can also provide for us and the work he has called us to? Can God provide for me through Christians I hardly know? Can God provide for the ministry at CU through people like the King who aren't even believers. 

All of these questions I have to ask myself daily as I develop ministry partners or 'fundraise':

And the answer is sometimes I believe more and sometimes less. But that doesn't change who God is. God is always good and he will provide abundantly for his plans and his work in mysterious and beautiful ways. 

So Lord I say I believe you will provide for the work of your kingdom through me your servant with InterVarsity at CU, but Lord please help my unbelief. 

Amen

We are God's people

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
(1 Peter 2:9-11 ESV)

How beautiful is this that we are God's people his sons and daughters of his inheritance through faith in Jesus.

Yet I think this verse following the popular quoted verse is important to remember. To be God's people we can't be people of the world and people running after things of this world. We can't have part of our heart in God's promises and part of heart in desires of this world.

We are God's people and exiles and sojourners in this land.

And so God again and again you have been and you will probably need to continue to remind me of this truth. But I want to be a part of your people God. Set my desires and affections on things of you God not the lustful and temporary desires of this world. But Lord I confess my sinful desires for things of this world which do not last: success, approval, pleasure, affection etc. Lord break those desires by showing me how fleeting and unsatisfying they are. And turn my heart to the whole and beautiful life if faith in believing the Gospel of Jesus and that I am a son of God and inheritor by grace through faith.
Amen

Giving is an act of Worship!

As I enter into another week of fundraising for my ministry or as we prefer to call it ministry partner development I want to center on God and what the living Word of God says about money and giving. One thing that blesses me is that I have the honor to give and be on the other side of this for some other missions I support including other InterVarsity staff and the Central Asia Institute building schools for children especially girls in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. God I pray you remind me both in giving and being the one asking for financial gifts for your ministry that you center me on you God and the truth about money and giving.

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
(1 Chronicles 29:10-14 ESV)

This is a beautiful prayer by David over this act of giving. For it is so important that we remember these truths about God and giving:
God is creator and sovereign
God is the owner of all resources
We are only stewards for a time of God's resources
It is a spiritual act of worship to give back to God and God's work. God doesn't need it but it is good for us to give generously!

I write this not to make anyone feel guilty. I am looking for partners who are passionate about God's work in college students lives at CU! I pray for partners in the gospel who would work and sacrifice with me as a thanksgiving to God. For:

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV)

This all reminds me how at my church in boulder before the offering and giving of money to the church they invite us all to continue to worship God with our money and giving. Lord I pray for faith and understanding to see and feel the spiritual act of worship as I both give and ask others to give!
Amen

Fundraising: Rejoice in the Lord in need and in plenty

Lord as I come back from several great trips and dive into the challenge and joy of fundraising I pray I would rejoice in you both in need and in plenty. Whether fundraising is going well or not, whether I am in abundance or in need I want to hope in and rejoice despite the circumstances. For I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength!

Philippians 4:10-20

"10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

This is my prayer also like Paul that in fundraising (Ministry Partner Development MPD) that the focus would not be on the money but rather the spiritual investment and partnership that blesses you as my donors and partners in the gospel. God will supply our every need, I need not worry about raising another $21,000 or $1700/month. And I believe God will provide for you as you give generously and joyfully. I pray for you as you give your time and money to support my ministry and other causes that your gifts would be a beautiful offering to God and that our Lord would provide for you not just with your physical/financial needs but with strength to endure all circumstances. 

Here is as word of encouragement I needed this morning to remember why I do the ministry and fundraising I do and why we follow Christ:

1 Peter 1:23-25

... you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for

“All flesh is like grass
    and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
    and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

We are born again of imperishable seed that builds us up to eternal life in Christ. For God has promised in his Word that through faith we would be saved and the Word of God and his promise remains forever! In Christ and his promise we set our hope!

Amen

Let me be compassionate Today

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32 NIV)

As I travel for the 4th day in the last 5 I pray for patience and kindness and compassion and forgiveness to fill me. Not of my strength but of Christ who strengthens me! 

Lord help me to be a light for you and your gospel with my friends, girlfriend, parents, airport officials etc.

Thank you Jesus for your great example of servant heart and immense patience!

Amen

CU InterVarsity Flyer - designed by Megan Rounseville

During the summer a lot of future and prospective students come through the CU Campus. A student leader - Megan Rounseville helped me create flyers so parents and students would know about InterVarsity and what we are about. This is a great way especially for parents to know about our Christ centered community. The trick is actually connecting with the students. So please be praying for students to hear about InterVarsity and connect with us. 

Also if you know students coming to CU it would be great to connect with them!

Here are the flyers for this next year - just for fun. Megan and I put them together in 1 hour and 30 min so they aren't perfect but I think they look great. Thanks Megan!

CU InterVarsity 2013-2014 Flyer

Giving leadership away to students!

One of the aspects of InterVarsity that I love is that InterVarsity depends on student leadership to run almost every aspect of the group. As they lead in college I believe their faith grows immensely and they go on to become leaders in the church, in their work and in their families that bring people closer to Jesus. They are becoming World Changers starting by leading the the people in InterVarsity and on campus right around them.

Students lead:

• Bible Study Small Groups
• Worship team
• Large Group
• Outreach/Evangelism
• Service - (homeless hygiene kits)
• Disciplsehip
• Fun Events
• Prayer Meetings
• ...

Our role as staff is to empower and train students in spiritual leadership to develop students in these different areas through:

• Spiritual Formation
• Active Discipleship
• Large Group teaching
• Bible Study leadership meetings
• Leadership meetings
• Coaching
• Vision Casting
• Challenging students and the fellowship
• ...

For me student leadership was how I grew the most in my faith. As I was responsible to lead a bible study I really invested more in my own personal study and devotionals in God's Word. As I was called to more and more leadership I was challenged in new ways and I had to depend on God more.

From this year a few stories of student leadership:

Aris Doike. 

This year he was a junior. He is a cello player and music is his major. He came into this year with a lot of potential but not a lot of experience or solid foundation. Through leading a bible study together we went through the ups and downs and I was able to encourage and challenge Aris in his faith and leadership. It was amazing to see him step up and become really passionate about InterVarsity and God's mission! A big step was when we split our small gorup bible study and he had to start leading on his own and developing Grace a freshmen to colead with him. This really stretched him but he is glad he did it. During that time I was able to disciple and coach him through meeting regularly and debriefing and praying for his small group. 

Another amazing story was how Aris felt his cello playing was separate from InterVarsity and God. I continually challenged him to invite God into his music. Then he shared later how in praying into that God gave him a vision of playing his cello in a white room and as if he was playing all for God's glory. When his arm muscles tightened which is a major problem he faces Jesus came and wrapped Aris in his arms and eased the muscles. When Aris performed at his junior recital which is a major part of his career in music I attended with most of the InterVarsity group of like 50. He said he had never felt so at peace in a performance because this time he was playing for God and not for an audience or to look good. What a beatiful story of God transforming hearts. And what beautiful music God has enabled Aris to play to his glory!

I believe Aris might be called to InterVarsity staff, but even if he goes in the music world I believe he is going to Change the World through the people around him!

April and May Update

April & May 2013

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” - Mark 1:14,15

Here are some highlights:

• Two of our student leaders gave powerful large group talks: 

• Aris taught from Zaccheus’ story in Luke 10 about following God in college.  

• Kim who will be an InterVarsity Intern this fall taught from John 4 about the healing redemption of Christ across cultures.  Kim invited us to write some of our struggles in marker especially around identity and then to wash them as an act of offering our idenity up to Jesus to be healed and remember we are sons and daughters of God in faith.

• We called 12 to be on our new leaders team that will lead our growing fellowship to renew the campus with Jesus’ gospel bringing his kingdom just as Jesus sent his apostles in Luke 9. We are praying for wisdom about trying something new to give more students ownership and have a bigger impact on the campus. Our idea is that next year in addition to the leaders team we would have a core team of people who are not leaders but who want to be a part of moving InterVarsity forward kind of like the 72 that Jesus sends out in Luke 10.  
• Mark Camp - a week walking with Jesus through the gospel of Mark studying and living out the scripture 8 hours a day is coming up! 15 students who gave up a week of summer and $210 for Jesus to show up and transform their lives!

For me the biggest things are saying goodbye to my intern team whom I love and will miss as they go on the next place God is calling them. Please be praying for my team as they continue to fundraise and give their careers to bring Christ to college students as InterVarsity staff: Ivanna as she goes back to her alma mater University of Arizona, Bridget to Northern Arizona University, Tom as he goes to Colorado State University and Kathryn and I as we step into the full staff role at CU Boulder. Over summer all 5 of us will be deep in fundraising and encouragement and prayer is much appreciated. 

Grace, Mercy and Peace,
from God and Jesus
Amen

Daniel

Fundraising Partners: Alumni and World Changers!

Here is a story of Joy in partnership financially and in prayer. 

Kurtis and Cynthia

When I first contacted Kurtis and Cynthia a year ago a few months before their wedding they told me they had already felt God calling them to support my ministry. The surprising part was that Cynthia was the one who first felt that call. But Cynthia I had only talked to briefly before that! We met at an ice cream shop called little man ice cream in Denver and talked about life, God and being the light of Jesus and his gospel. They partnered and gave generously this past year while I was an intern.


When I talked to them throughout the year and met with them to thank them for their partnership it was such a joy. I felt encouraged by them and their questions and passion to hear about people becoming Christians and other fruit in the ministry. They felt encouraged to get to be a part of this ministry and to hear the stories I shared. As they are starting their family and their first home together their ability to partner financially may change, but I believe our partnership in this ministry will deepen as we pray for each other and encourage each other and give to each other in different ways. I am especially excited that they are only a drive down the highway when their baby is coming due in a few months. Just last week I went there again with my intern team and reflected on how blessed I felt by Cynthia and Kurtis' friendship and partnership in the gospel.

Also I want to share how Kurtis as a Mines InterVarsity Alumni has gone on to be a world changer. Kurtis started a textbook fundraiser during his time at Mines that helped raised almost $1000 dollars for InterVarsity. Then from that start Kurtis has run with that idea and started a non profit called Compassion by the Book that empowers college students to give to causes they believe in through giving a resource they have - textbooks. 

http://compassionbythebook.com/

As college students in InterVarsity and other groups learn and are empowered to give now, I believe they will go on to give generously and be world changers wherever they work and live. 

Encouraging stories of fundraising Partners!

I want to share a story with all of you about fundraising and one of my partners. Fundraising and asking people to support me financially is one of the most challenging parts of my ministry with InterVarsity. Yet I believe it is both biblical and good for those who partner in this ministry. For it is a partnership in giving and receiving (Phil 4:15).
Here is a story of Gods provision in giving generously even in hard financial times.

Here are Nate and Tambra Schultz - 

Nate is wearing an InterVarsity (IV) shirt with our vision statement: 

Transform lives, Renew the Campus, develop World Changers.

These two love InterVarsity so much and are both IV alumni. Tambra graduated from UNC IV and Nate graduated from the same IV chapter as I did: Colorado School of Mines. 
Tambra shared how significant IV was in her faith to actually take God seriously and not just believe with words only. They also first met because of InterVarsity at Bear Trap Ranch at an InterVarsity summer Chapter Camp. Now they are happily married!

Here is a picture at a conference at Bear Trap Ranch.
Nate and I are going head to head in a tough game of broomball between worship sessions.

They are great examples of InterVarsity alumni who are world changers in the careers God gave them. Nate is an engineer and Tambra studied education but works at Accounts Receivable at Magnolia Hotel Denver. They are active members in their local church helping to start the high school youth group.

I was planning to contact them and have a meeting to ask them to support me, but their hearts are so generous that they set up their giving before I even had a chance to set up a meeting time! 

This past year in their partnership I have been blessed and here is part of their story in giving faithfully and sacrificially: 

When Nate went through a hard time at work and was down to half time work and pay they had to make hard decisions about money. They told me they thought about lowering their giving to my ministry and other causes they support. But instead they decided to give up personal things they considered selfish. As they are in their first few years of marriage savings and planning for a house is important and yet in this hard financial time they believed the work of missionaries was more important than their financial hard times. They didn't stop giving or even decrease their giving. 

And yet they said they were really blessed even in those hard financial times. God provided exactly what they needed for all their bills even as they gave sacrificially with just a little left over (reminds me of the feeding of the 4000 and 5000 with leftover crumbs in the gospels Mark 6 & 8).  Nate and Tambra's partnership and their story has really encouraged and blessed me.

I pray it also encourages all of us in giving sacrificially and trusting in God's provision even in hard times. 

God's provision for Elijah in his ministry

I posted this on my personal devotional blog, but I wanted to share this and my other blog with you:
http://danielharrison-trustinthelord.blogspot.com/


The story of Elijah's first recorded step in ministry is one of great boldness and dependence on God. Elijah challenges the King of Israel who is leading the whole nation in sin. As a result Elijah faces persecution and God guides him to a place of utter dependence on God and his provision.


Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe[a] in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him:3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1 Kings 17: 1-6


God you have called me into this ministry with InterVarsity. As you have called you will provide even if it is in unexpected ways like from ravens. Lord I want to trust in you to provide and take bold steps of faith in my fundraising as I work to invite people into partnership in my ministry. God help me to be faithful and make bold asks inviting others to partner in your work.
Amen

Why do I work for InterVarsity as a staff member?

You may ask and I ask myself this question:

Why do I work for InterVarsity as a staff member? 

• Why am I not using my engineering degree in the traditional way? 
• Why do I fundraise in order to do this work?
• Why have I devoted my career to lead a group of college students in following Jesus and his mission? 

God put the verse below from Romans on my heart as I first applied to the internship and began my journey to staff for InterVarsity

Romans 10:9, 13-15 NIV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!""

This is my calling that God has placed on my life to be sent to bring the good news of Jesus to the college campus as I lead students to come alongside with me in this mission. I work for InterVarsity so that students at CU would hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and first repent and then believe and be saved. God has sent me and his work is good and the harvest is plentiful. In this past year many have repented and believed the gospel and the entire trajectory of their lives and eternal destiny has changed. As students believe and their lives are changed I also have seen college students share their faith and begin to spread the gospel even farther. That is why I love what I do. All praise and glory be to God for saving those souls!

Why do I work for InterVarsity as a staff member? 

God has sent me

To advance of the gospel

on college campuses

through witnessing communities 

who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord

How?
through partnership
With the Spirit

And with you!

Amen

A Biblical View on Fundraising for Ministry

I felt called to look at a biblical view of fundraising and share this with you.

What is Fundraising and what does the bible have to say about it in regards to ministry for the gospel?

We also call it Ministry Partner Development because we believe this is a partnership of giving and receiving that advances the gospel. When I ask for supporters to give financially I am not begging or asking anyone to be an ATM. This type of partnership in financial giving is biblical and a blessing for those who give and those who receive.

Both Jesus and Paul are excellent examples of ministries that relied on partnership of others in both giving and receiving.

Jesus: In Luke chapter 8 we read how Jesus’ ministry was supported by a group of women.

“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. . . Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3

Jesus sends us as he sent the 72 in Luke 10 to advance the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and calling all to repent and believe. As Jesus sends them he tells them to take nothing but to depend on the generosity of others for the worker is worth his wages. (Luke 10:1,7) As staff for InterVarsity my full time work is the gospel and the advancement of the kingdom.

Paul:  Paul’s ministry was supported by the people in the church of Philippi and Paul writes this to the Philippians in chapter 4 of his letter as part of prayer letter of thanks. As Paul did before me I send out my regular prayer newsletter to my partners in the gospel to encourage, update and ask for continued prayer.

"And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only." (Philippians 4:15)

Remember that this is a partnership of giving and receiving. As I receive your gifts of prayer and fincancial giving I am equipped to work full time on the college campus. Through my ministry I also hope to give back to you in stories, fruit in the kingdom, encouragement and prayer.

We are all called into partnership in ministry of the gospel to advance the kingdom. But we each have different callings, gifts and resources. Some are called to preach and some are called to encourage and support but all are important. God has called me to this work as a minister of his gospel to college students through my work with InterVarsity to college students at CU Boulder. That is why I have and will continue to invite you and others into partnership with me in giving and receiving for my InterVarsity ministry. 

I trust God will provide for me and my ministry as he also provides for you. For God is the only provider and we are all dependent on him whether we work as engineers, moms, or ministers of the gospel. 

Thank you and as Paul said to the Philippians (ch 4) "May God supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

-Daniel

Upperclassmen Small Group: Bible study fun

This semester my roles are changing. I have stepped in to help lead the upperclassmen small group. Ironically with a freshmen named Sean who just joined our leadership team. He is a teachable and excellent partner in the gospel. I am excited for this year with him:

This is Sean as we handed out cookies in the apartment complex we are meeting in for Bible study. First we had to do a taste test. But we met some people including one guy who gave us some milk. 

I love cooking and so some of the upperclassmen and small group members and I have cooked: 

Indian and Thai food!

Mmm