Mary’s February Update
Apologetics on the Lawn was our first outreach of the semester. We spent the afternoon interacting with students, sharing the gospel, handing out literature, and answering thoughtful questions about faith, truth, and the reliability of Scripture. These conversations matter. Seeds were planted. Truth was spoken. Christ was proclaimed. As ambassadors for Christ, we stand as signposts — pointing students to the only Savior who can save.
In our New Believers study, we have been answering an important question:
Why do we believe the Bible?
One powerful summary we discussed comes from Voddie Baucham: “I chose to believe the Bible because it’s a reliable collection of historical documents written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and claimed that their writings were divine rather than human in origin.” — Voddie Baucham
Students are learning that our faith is not blind — it is rooted in history, eyewitness testimony, fulfilled prophecy, and the trustworthy Word of God.
On Thursday nights, we are walking verse by verse through the book of Philippians.
The Apostle Paul mentions joy or rejoicing over fourteen times in this short letter — all while under house arrest, chained to the Praetorian guard. From a prison cell, Paul reminds the church:
• Our citizenship is in heaven
• We must stand united in Christ
• We are called to proclaim the good news
• We press on to finish the race
Paul’s chains did not silence him. His circumstances did not steal his joy. His life was anchored in Christ.
That same calling rests on us today.
As this semester moves forward, several of our students are preparing to graduate.
It is always bittersweet. I have grown fond of these young men and women. My season of pointing them to Jesus in this specific place is coming to a close — but the Lord is not finished with them.
He will continue to place other signposts in their path
Thank you for praying, giving and standing with us as we reach students with the gospel.
Please continue to pray:
• For boldness in outreach
• For unity among believers
• For graduating students as they enter a new season
• For open hearts on campus
Tim’s Update for February:
I was able to share the gospel with a young lady student, who told me she doesn’t like to think about death and felt comfortable in not thinking about where she would spend eternity. I pleaded with her to think seriously about her eternal salvation. Furthermore, I told her the worst thing she could do is not worry about where she will spend eternity. After that I proceeded to share with her the Law and the Gospel. Where in the beginning of our conversation, she seemed resistant of hearing the gospel, after our conversation she was happy and appreciated me sharing the gospel with her. Sometimes as Christians we need to alarm people, when they feel comfortable not thinking about their own eternity!
I also was able to share the gospel with five guy students talking together around a table. The guys were really thinking about the seriousness of their eternal salvation after giving them the Law and the Gospel. They all took gospel tracts after I shared the gospel with them.
I went inside the Student Center and walked inside the billiards room and started a gospel conversation with 3 Students by going through the Good Person Test! After that I walked into the gaming room where I spoke with 2 male students playing video games. I appreciate them pausing their game to allow me to share the gospel with them. Both were very receptive to the gospel message. After that I went to a lounging area and shared the gospel with another male student by using the Good Person Test!
I had shared the gospel with young lady student who gets fearful of talking about death and didn’t like thinking about where she would spend eternity. I was gently able to share the gospel with her. Later I went outside and handed out a few tracts for a couple of minutes. I eventually made my way back inside the Student Center and was able to share the gospel with Latisha and one of her friends Daniel who I spoke to before.
I spoke with a student named Ray who I shared the gospel with. He was very receptive to the gospel message. 2 minutes later I went on the 2nd floor and shared the gospel with Leah who is a Buddhist.
I went inside the library where they have a dinning area and shared the gospel with Nick. I also handed out gospel tracts outside as walking to different buildings.
Thank you for your support Tim
Brian’s February Update:
Outreach at CNU While at the crosswalk at campus, I had someone approach me who was excited to take the IQ test. His name is Hunter, and he is currently in the Navy but is looking to become a student at CNU. After going through the IQ test, I told him that I was asking all these questions to ask one question. What do you think happens when we die? Hunter gave all biblically correct answers. I then just to make sure ran him through a few of the commandments, that we’ve lied, stolen, blasphemed God’s name, and committed adultery by looking on a woman with lust, but because of what Jesus did on the cross through his death, burial, and resurrection. If we repent and trust in Jesus, we will be forgiven. He agreed with that fully. Then my friend Bill entered the conversation and said, “when was the last time you read your Bible?” Hunter said, “Sunday.” Bill said, “when was the last time you ate?” Hunter responded, “oh, I see where you’re going.” Bill then asked Hunter, “how do you get born again?” Hunter said, “by getting baptized.” Bill said, “no.” The morale of the story here is someone can give all the right answers and agree with you about sin and the gospel but if you dig deeper like my friend did, you’ll find out there are some inconsistencies in their life and what they believe. This is why evangelism and discipleship on campus is so important. Hunter walked away that day hearing the gospel and was given the real answer to how we are born again.
God Bless, Brian
Jen asks you to pray for a young man I met on campus this month. As we talked, it became clear that although he was attending a Bible study, he did not understand how a person is saved or how to be reconciled to God. I was able to walk him through the gospel and show him from Scripture that apart from Christ we stand under God’s judgment. He later shared that he attends a Presbyterian church but does not know what he believes.
He does not have solid Christian resources at IUP, so I encouraged him to look up the Westminster Confession of Faith and begin reading it so he can better understand biblical doctrine and the gospel. I gave him my number and invited him to reach out with any questions. Please pray that the Lord would grant him clarity and true saving faith.
Prayers:
• Pray for the Campus Mission Tour beginning Wednesday.
• Pray for the health, safety, and unity of all participants.
• Pray that students would repent and trust in Christ.
• Pray for warm, dry weather during the tour.
• Pray for our conference speakers.
