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.

It's a BSU FIRST DOWN!

Yes, I like football...and I am rooting for the Broncos.

But this isn't about football. It's a about prayer. God has been showing me a lot about prayer recently. One of the things that he is showing me is that prayer cannot be just another part of the ministry--another wall to build. It must be the foundation. FIRST, we're DOWN on our knees. Unless the Lord builds this house we labor in vain. And so, with that in mind, we are having 100 days of prayer for BSU.

In Brief-
*2000 people from many ministriies and churches participate.
*100 Days of prayer--Sept. 12 to Dec 20 (100 yards in a football field)
*10 Key areas of prayer (10 yards to make a First down!)

If you would like to show you are praying with us, you may join our facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=271153910650&ref=ts#/group.php?gid=271153910650&ref=ts
or leave a comment with your first name and last initial.

Prayer guides are available as well. See the links section.

A Greek example

I was at a small men's Bible Study a week ago, and we read from Act 17, where Paul goes to Athens. I had the Message translation with me, and was quite moved by the story and found many links to the BSU Campus ministry. (Here is a link to the passage from the Message. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017:16-34&version=65)

Here are the observations we made as a group that relate to the ministry:
1. Paul was angry with the idols, but his anger was not taken out on people. Rather, he got to know some of them pretty well (vs 17-18)
2. Some want to learn, some want to debate.
3. Paul takes what is already common, and uses the Athenian culture to build a bridge. And he uses what they value--Intelligence--as an entry way. Vs. 23. He is appealing to them intellectually. How true is that of a university setting? And he doesn't call them stupid, but rather calls them to know more, and make a good decision.
4. Paul then appeals to their own poets and writers...in other words, he has listened to them speak. Paul also shows a tremendous amount of respect towards the Athenian people. And some say he's crazy. Some say, "let's talk more." And some become Christ followers. I am so fascinated to see that Paul was so angry at all the idols, yet is so respectful of the people there. You'd never know he was angry with his words and respect that he shows.

As we encourage the BSU campus to drink deep of God's pure kindness, we want to do so with respect and gentleness. Understanding the culture, the people, and the values, listening first. And one day we, too, will have the right opportunity to tell people about their unknown God. And some will become Christ followers--until then, we pray.