Hi everyone! I hope the last month has treated you all well and that you've been enjoying all the beautiful weather lately. (At least for my friends in Texas) I've got a lot of exciting news to share this week, as I'm sure you gathered from the title of this month's update. So, let's dive in!
Jaden's Baptism
Let me introduce you to Jaden! He and I have been meeting up weekly to study the Bible, since August when we met at a FOCUS Welcome Week event.
Jaden grew up around church, and both of his parents are committed disciples. However, in High School he lost interest in faith and started having doubts and questions come up with regard to whether it made logical sense to believe in the existence of a God, let alone Jesus.
I told him since we first started meeting that no question is ever off-limits, and that God is big enough to handle every one of his doubts! And that I'd do my best to help him process through each one and point him to what scripture has to say about it.
Fast forward to last month, he told me he's ready to start following Jesus for himself, and wanted to get baptized! If you'd like to watch the 25-second video, click below! There's also a longer 5 minute version. If you'd like to see that, let me know!
Praise God for his love of Jaden and persistence in bringing him home to him. Jaden's parents told me that they've been praying for him for years and are overjoyed to know that those prayers have been answered.
"I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
- Luke 15:10
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Toby's Baptism
We've got a double whammy for ya!
I introduced Toby in last month's update and that earlier this semester he started considering himself a Christian.
Similar to Jaden, many of Toby's family members are Christians. Toby never understood the draw of Jesus and Christianity though, but appreciated the chance this year to ask his questions without fear of being judged.
Now he's passionately following Jesus and was overjoyed to get baptized in his name. He's going to our campus ministry leadership conference (SICM) next month, and can't wait to learn how to lead and love his peers.
His parents are living overseas and were itching to see the video of his confession of faith in the Lord and his baptism. Once again, you can click below if you'd like to watch a short video! Similarly, one of his friends recorded a video of the whole thing. Let me know if you'd like to see that!
Toby was born in Brazil, and has family in the UK, and probably other countries all across the world. Praise God for bringing him to SMU (let alone Texas, USA, and North America), knowing that this is where he would bring Toby into a relationship with himself.
"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
- Psalm 34:8
"After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb... For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
- Revelation 7:9,17 (emphasis mine)
Amen.
KCC Small Group
I'll leave you with more good news of something that is still in the works! We started a small group in one of the dorms (Kathy Crow Commons) which has slowly grown! We have 3 friends coming who are all a part of the same Sorority (Alpha Delta Pi) and they're all excited to learn how to show Jesus to their sisters in Greek life. Please pray for them and that the Lord brings abundant fruit through their witnesses!
The star returns
Thank you all very much for your support. I hope these stories encourage you and fill you with hope in what the Lord is doing on college campuses. I'd like to leave you with the encouragement that the God who is working in the lives of Jaden, Toby, the Sorority sisters, and all of our other students, is the same God who wants to work in your workplace, your family, and your life.
"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
- 1 Corinthians 15:58
Comments
Post a Comment