Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth

We have done a great job as churches ministering to our communities. We have done a great job ministering to those around the world. But for some reason, we haven't done so well with those in the middle. Let me explain.

Acts 1:8 says " ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

It seems to me churches find it easy to target their local town--their Jerusalem--and find ways to minister. This includes Sunday worship, children's and youth ministries, senior adult ministries, compassionate ministries, etc. The list goes on. It's quite natural to focus on these much needed ministries, and we surely need to keep being creative, understand our towns, and do our best to love them.

We also do well at witnessing to the ends of the earth. We send missionaries to Haiti, Africa, South America, Asia, etc. We take special offerings. We hear the amazing stories of how God is working and answering prayers and people are coming to Christ! We have work and witness trips that change our lives as much as those to whom we minister. Again, I strongly believe we need to continue to be creative and reach all cultures for Christ. Loving well, and attracting people to Jesus.

I wonder, though, if we are doing as good as a job reaching our Judea and Samaria. For many churches, this is hard to even define. Who is this group of people?

It occurs to me that Crosswalks Coffee is one part of that answer. We are close enough to some churches to be their Judea. For others, BSU is enemy territory, with as much disdain as the Jewish people in Jesus day had for Samaria. That means we are your Samaria. We're outside your direct community influence, and not far enough to be the ends of the world.

The awesome thing, though, is that we can position ourselves to reach those from the community, those from surrounding states and areas, and those from around the world all at once. We offer a rare opportunity to be witness to a unique mission field.

I wonder what might happen if churches saw reaching their Judea and Samaria as crucial as reaching the ends of the earth? I believe we offer an opportunity to do just that, and we invite you to join us!

Our new name...

...is Crosswalks Coffee.

It's been an interesting journey, to say the least. Picking the right name for us was much harder than we could have thought. But we found the right one--the perfect one for us!
Why Crosswalks? For several reasons:

1. There are a lot of crosswalks at Boise State.
2. Crosswalks offer safety.
3. Crosswalks are part of the on-going journey.
4. Crosswalks offer guidance and direction.
5. Crosswalks (plural) suggests community.
6. Our story has periods of waiting and periods of stepping forward.
7. Most importantly, we want people to walk towards the Cross of Christ so they can experience the joys of an abundant life with Him!

It fits in so many ways! It says everything we were hoping to say in a name. We hope you find it rich and meaningful as well! Here's a video with more:



A side note: the last scene was shot 6 months before we knew our name. Isn't that just like God?

I recently read a post by a Campus Minister in Seattle named Tim--here are his thoughts:
Thoughts on Campus Ministry

I appreciated Tim's comments!  I resonate with them--especially the part about being a Missionary.  His thoughts on ministry centers is also very well stated, and very energizing!

I've been re-reading our ministry action plan...and it gets me so excited!  Currently, we have a location we really want--space, nice yard, large bathroom, and PARKING!  It's more than I was hoping to pay, but if it is of God, we can make it. 

We've also chosen a name!  It fits so well!  We'll be announcing it at District Assembly with our new logo!  You can check back here on May 13th for a reveal on this blog.

It's been a busy few months, and God is helping us!  We are moving ahead.   We've been meeting with students, help disciple them, praying for them, and watching God use us in small, but significant, ways. 

I'll keep you posted...I promise I'll do better!

Blessings,
Ben

FIRST & GOAL

I am really grateful for the number of people that have joined and been a part of FIRST, we're DOWN on our knees.  Your prayers have helped in signifigant ways!  Over 200 people joined the group on Facebook, with others commenting here, or telling me personally they were praying for God's Kingdom to come at BSU.

But now, it is time for the next step:  First & Goal.  First, we pray for BSU.  Second, we are trying to reach a financial goal.  But we're going to have fun doing it.  Boise State will play in a Bowl Game, probably in January.  We are encouraging people to give and help us reach a goal of $25,000 to help with the purchase of a property and other start-up expenses.

Here's how it works:
Option 1:  Pledge an amount per point that BSU scores in their bowl game.  If you pledge $1, and BSU scores 17 points (regardless of winning or losing...we're not betting!).  You would then send in a donation of $17.  You can also choose a minimum or maximum amount.  Let's say you pledge $10 per point.  And you set a minimum of $100 or a maximum of $250.  If BSU scores under 10 points, then you would send in a gift of $100.  If BSU scores 28 points, you would send in your maximum of $250.

Option 2:  You can pledge a flat amount, not based on points.  Simply pledge or send in a gift for whatever total amount you choose.  Some suggestions.  You could send in a field goal-$300.  Or send in a Touchdown $700.  Any amount you decide.  It's not based on points, just whatever set amount you decide.

To pledge, fill out the following form online: 

Pledge form
 

Now for the other fun part!!!  We are going to have a celebration tail gate party.  During the Fiesta Bowl, we are inviting anyone who wants to come to a tailgate party.  We will start at 5:30 on January 4th, have food, and watch the game on large screen tv's.  At half time, we will spend some time celebrating what God is doing through this ministry, and spend some time praying for God's kingdom to come through us at BSU.  If you are on Facebook, r.s.v.p. here:  Facebook R.S.V.P.   If you are not on Facebook, email me or leave a comment to this post.

To close, a brief thought about Christmas:  Christmas is not about presents, it is about presence.  Will you help us be that presence to the Boise State Campus?

Many blessings,
Ben

Anything is possible from the 50.

We're in the middle of the football season, and there is a saying in the football world that "anything is possible from the 50." Touchdowns. Field Goals, Big plays, First Downs, etc. Things are looking good, confident, and hopefully, moving forward. Back on your own 10 or 20, everything looks a lot harder, and a lot further.

We are also just over 50 days in our 100 days of prayer for God's kingdom to come at Boise State University. And anything is possible. We're moving forward.

Several of the ministries on campus have given reports of amazing retreats. Others have noticed that although fewer in number, there is greater depth of the students, more focus, more leadership, and more involvement. Some groups have conducted baptisms. Others are sensing a new direction, as a leader or as a group. God has been answering our prayers!

And the requests continue. All of the ministries have noticed resources are tighter. Unlike churches, campus ministries do not have a tithing base. Would you pray for God to provide for all of the ministries? And if God gives you the ability to help financially, contact Ben Moore (group admin) and I can get you the address of a ministry that pulls at your heart. Also pray for wisdom, peace, and direction as ministry leaders are forced to make tough decisions. And continue to pray for faculty, staff, and students that they might recognize God's amazing love for them and respond to it.

Finally, some words from "Why Pray?" by John Devries.
"People are not merely isolated individuals to be won to Christ one at a time. A person is always part of a social fabric. A person has a home, relatives friends, and neighbors, all who influence each other. When we pray for people we should always be praying for their home, family, and sphere of influence. Our prayers should always be for more than individuals. They should shine God's light on the entire sphere of influence--their . God indicates the nations can be brought to Him--it's for the asking."

In the next four weeks, BSU football has national exposure every week. If you watch the games, when you hear, "It's a Boise State First Down," think and pray with me that "First, we're Down on our Knees" for God's kingdom to come.

Thanks for praying. Grace and peace.