Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.r.childs/JiB2007?authkey=jhmvuOZHvoM
Our 4th annual welcome night for new students, "Jesus in Berkeley?", sponsored this year by 27 camus fellowships and churches, was held this past Saturday August 25th. The vision for the event is to really make an effort to display to incoming students as well as the rest of the campus, our unity as believers, as churches and fellowships, at the beginning of the school year; and also to provide an opportunity for new students to experience that unity and get plugged in to a community where they can walk with the Lord while they are here at Cal.
It really went well, praise God! We rented out the biggest lecture hall on campus (Wheeler Auditorium), brought in a band for worship, had a Christian faculty member give a short welcome, I spoke from the word for 10-15 minutes, one representative from each sponsoring group lined up on stage to identify their group, and then the students had a chance to talk with groups at tables that had been set up in the lobby of Wheeler, while munching on some snacks. Rougly 300 people showed up, although that could be a bit low.
Involvement from the groups was great. The Wednesday before the event we had over 50 people show up for a planning meeting to get everything in order for the night. And the night of at least that many were there an hour or so before the event getting things set up.
It's so easy to get caught up in trying to get new students to come to our events, and our group and to grow our church, but it's so important to remember that we are not competing against other churches or groups for people, but rather working together to lift up the name of Jesus in Berkeley and extend the offer of life through Him to everyone here. The enemy desires to divide us and get us quarreling among ourselves, which mutes the message of Jesus to those who see us. Check out what Jesus prayed in John 17:20-24, I hope this event helps us take a step closer to being what Jesus prayed that we would be.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Leadership Retreat Report
Pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.r.childs/LeadershipRetreat?authkey=NWFIYoh8-nE
As is our tradition, we spent the weekend before welcome week (8/17-19) up in Arnold, CA at Tawnie and Tamilyn Lee's parents' house. We worshipped, studied the word, prayed, planned a bit, rested, and of course had some fun. Only two minor injuries, a skinned knee (Jeremy) and a slightly tweaked ankle (David Kwon) came from the weekend. We drove up Friday evening, stopping at In & Out for dinner, and got in fairly late, so we prayed a bit together and then went to bed.
In the morning we had time with the Lord on our own and then came together to talk about leadership, where each of us might fit in, and planned a bit for the first couple weeks of school. We enjoyed an awesome sunny day in the 80s in the afternoon down at the river (swimming and chilling), and worshipped around a campfire that night. Then got up super early and made the 2 1/2 hour drive back to Berkeley in time for church!
It was a good time of refreshment and rest for all of us, as many were feeling a bit weary after a long summer of school, trip to East Asia, and College Life Summer Edition. It was great to grow closer to one another during our time as well. We definitely missed Jonathan and Andrei being there, but they've since jumped in and really been helping out.
Thanks for your prayers! Looking forward to a great semester with these guys!
As is our tradition, we spent the weekend before welcome week (8/17-19) up in Arnold, CA at Tawnie and Tamilyn Lee's parents' house. We worshipped, studied the word, prayed, planned a bit, rested, and of course had some fun. Only two minor injuries, a skinned knee (Jeremy) and a slightly tweaked ankle (David Kwon) came from the weekend. We drove up Friday evening, stopping at In & Out for dinner, and got in fairly late, so we prayed a bit together and then went to bed.
In the morning we had time with the Lord on our own and then came together to talk about leadership, where each of us might fit in, and planned a bit for the first couple weeks of school. We enjoyed an awesome sunny day in the 80s in the afternoon down at the river (swimming and chilling), and worshipped around a campfire that night. Then got up super early and made the 2 1/2 hour drive back to Berkeley in time for church!
It was a good time of refreshment and rest for all of us, as many were feeling a bit weary after a long summer of school, trip to East Asia, and College Life Summer Edition. It was great to grow closer to one another during our time as well. We definitely missed Jonathan and Andrei being there, but they've since jumped in and really been helping out.
Thanks for your prayers! Looking forward to a great semester with these guys!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Leadership Retreat
Please be praying for our leadership retreat this weekend: August 17-19th up in Arnold, CA. A few key leaders are missing the time, but I hope it'll still be effective in setting direction for the fall and getting the student leaders excited about what we're up to.
We have less non-student volunteers working as directly with College Life this year, so the students are going to have to step up a bit more, pray that they'd respond to the call, and enjoy it in the process! Here's a couple pictures from last year, and the year before.
We have less non-student volunteers working as directly with College Life this year, so the students are going to have to step up a bit more, pray that they'd respond to the call, and enjoy it in the process! Here's a couple pictures from last year, and the year before.
Those planning to be there this year: Me, Audrey, Gerardo, Jeremy, David Kwon, Tawnie, Astrid, Lena, and Kristin. If you don't know who these guys are, hopefully you will soon.
Friday, August 10, 2007
I'm Engaged!
For those of you that haven't heard, I apologize, but let me share with you now that I'm engaged to the most awesome Audrey Yong (see picture above)! We got engaged on Good Friday, April 6, 2007 and the wedding is planned for January. We'll be living in Berkeley for at least a little while after we get married. Needless to say we're excited and so grateful to the Lord for this great gift! Any advice on engagement/marriage is more than welcome!
What's this blog about?
I am grateful for all the support that you guys have given over the years to me and the ministry the Lord has been doing through New Church's college ministry here in Berkeley and around the world. I have not always been the greatest at keeping you updated as to what is happening. I'm hoping that this blog will be something I update at least once a week with a short blurb, some pictures or other stuff that keeps you in the loop about what's going on and how you can be praying. It will likely be a mix of ministry stuff and personal stuff. I hope you enjoy getting more of a glimpse into what is happening here. And most of all may the Lord be glorified through it all. Enjoy!
Oh, and if you'd like to see something up here just give me a holler!
His,
Steve
Oh, and if you'd like to see something up here just give me a holler!
His,
Steve