Treasure Hunting

A couple of our favorite movies to watch on occasion are Disney’s National Treasure series.  We are always captivated by the incredible discovery of treasure at the end.  It’s as if we become obsessed with the treasure hunt along with the crew, and we desire to find more.
  In the Bible, however, God teaches us not to store up treasures here on earth, but to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). 
  So, what are those heavenly treasures?  For those of us serving in Crosswalks Coffee, those treasures are found in our ability to love, serve, and disciple students well.  We are obsessed with this treasure.  It is what drives and motivates us.  And, it is a whole lot more exciting and rewarding than seeking earthly treasures.  We know that when these students find Jesus as their treasure, it will be the best treasure they ever find!
  Here are some treasures we’ve discovered already. 
  Charity, a sophomore at BSU, and our student organization president, said: …“The girls' Bible study that started last semester was small, but through it, we all grew closer to God and to each other.”
  Tori, our Vice President from New York, has made four new friends within this group and recently informed us that she’s finally been plugging into a local church.    
   The Towers dorm was hosting a caramel apple event which Tami ended up “crashing” prior to their Bible study.  Rather, she stepped up to help the hosting RA’s. While doing so, Tami met and served Keith, a freshman, who responded by saying “Wow! I’ve only known you five minutes and I like you more by the minute. Thanks for helping!”
   Friends of Jared (our treasurer), received Care Kits full of food (see pg. 2 for their reactions).
  These are the treasures we store up in heaven, but thankfully also get to enjoy here, at BSU, now!
(From the Nov2011 Newsletter)

My heart is breaking!

I want a broken heart.  But not in the sense we've come to know the phrase.  I want a broken heart that motivates me, that moves me, that changes me, that convicts me, that makes me more like Christ.  I want a broken heart like Paul had. 

Campus Ministry is like washing dishes

I learned something today.  Campus ministry is a lot like doing dishes.  At my house, one of my chores is washing the dishes--by hand.  We don't have a dish washer.  And today, it struck me how much campus ministry is like doing dishes--you never seem to get done, it means getting your hands dirty and serving, and when you think you are done, a whole new load or batch of dishes is ready to be washed at the next meal.  Sometimes, I have to scrub hard, and there are students that need a good scrubbing.  Sometimes, dishes need to soak awhile.  That's true for students--they may not respond right away to the good news of Jesus, until they've soaked in it awhile.  And for us, in the beginning of this ministry, it seems like all we do is the hard, gritty work that never ends.  One day it will be worth it, just like seeing a sparkling glass--a student will sparkle as they share their lives with others.  Honestly, I hate doing the dishes and would gladly give it away, but I love campus ministry.  What other ways can you think of that (campus) ministry is like doing dishes.  Write a comment and let us know.

Saving our own kids

From NCN News Facebook Photo page.

This map shows an interesting statistic.  In 2009, Global Ministry Center asked the following question:  Quickly: This info was taken from the local church perspective. Of your students in college, how many are in Nazarene schools? Non-Nazarene?
While it is not surprising that the districts with the highest percentage of Nazarene students attending Nazarene schools is the host district, it is surprising how low the overall percentage is.

This graphic helps me see the great mission field right before us.  Most Nazarene teens in local churches do not go to Nazarene schools.  Two thoughts come to mind.  1)  We must do better at encouraging our students to be discipled at a Nazarene school.  2)  What are happening to the over 70% on average that are not attending regional universities.  What an amazing opportunity.  

What's more amazing to me is that the Church of the Nazarene has less a ministry presence on less than 25 campuses.  The United Methodist Church has nearly 600.  And, if you take away local churches (i.e. Sunday School Classes, etc.), our number goes down and the number of UM ministries rises.


While many who see the above graphic are saddened by the number not attending Nazarene schools, I am burdened by the responsibility and opportunity to reach these "other" students.  


And that is why we are here at Boise State, and why others are on the mission field at other universities.  More thoughts on this will be coming later...but until then, I close with this thought from Benson Hines:
"If we reach college students well for the next 5 years, and then stopped, we would effect the culture for the next fifty years."  

Ask and I'll give the nations to you.

Today was missions Sunday at our home church.  We have a favorite song that we sing, called "You Said" by Reuben Morgan.  It's based off of Psalms 2:8.  Here are the lyrics.

You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need."
You said, "pray and I'll hear from heaven,
and I'll heal your land."

You said Your glory will fill the earth
like water the sea.
You said, "lift up your eyes;
the harvest is here, the kingdom is near."

You said, "ask and I'll give the nations to you."
oh Lord, that's the cry of my heart.
distant shores and the islands will see

O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we ask for the nations
O Lord, we are asking for the nations

You can hear a version by Hillsong here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvuoCrDfru4

During the song, I found myself thinking that this is my heart for Boise State.  Around here, Boise State is sometimes referred to as Bronco Nation.  During the last section of the song, I found myself singing, "O Lord, we ask for the Bronco Nation."  I'm praying that God will provide for us and this ministry, that God will heal the land of this institution.  I'm praying for the distant shores and islands in people's hearts to see.  I'm praying that God's glory will be known here. God is saying to me and Tami, "Lift up your eyes, the harvest is here at Boise State.  The Kingdom is near at Boise State."  And I came away renewed in passion for a people and place that desperately needs to know Jesus.