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A
Retrospect...And a Peek Ahead
It was
August 2000 when I first set foot on the Grinnell College campus as a
student. Almost eight years later, in mid-June 2008, Martha (we met
during our freshman year here) and I are preparing to uproot ourselves to
Kansas City. Looking back, these eight years have been a roller-coaster
experience. I graduated from Grinnell, joined InterVarsity staff, married
Martha, bought (and am still working on selling) a house, started
graduate school...But more than that, In my final days as a staff at
Grinnell, I want to invite you to remember God’s faithfulness to this
campus. Though once labeled the 2nd most godless campus in the United
States, Grinnell has been experiencing spiritual renewal, and here are
some highlights from my time as a student leader till now.
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Rational
Christianity: An Oxymoron? (04-05)
 Admittedly,
we were tentative about the idea. Bringing in a retired attorney to talk
about how he came to faith through a historical investigation felt like a
risk. But through the encouragement and support of an alum, we decided to
give it a shot.
Without having seen a large-scale Grinnell evangelistic event in our
lifetime, we had no idea what to expect. So we prayed and set out 50
chairs in the room, certain that it would be enough. But as the minutes
ticked down, we found ourselves scrambling for more chairs as students
kept pouring into the room!
When the lecture finally started, more than 100 students were present, at
least half of whom were not Christians. And all of them heard a
compelling presentation of the Christian faith!
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Project
Tutor: Faith Lived Out (05-06)
Grinnell
students (like practically all other college students) like to criticize
but rarely take action. That all changed spring 2006 when a team of
students attended InterVarsity’s CityLights Spring Break Urban Plunge in
St. Louis. There, students discovered that Jesus cared for people
holistically—addressing their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual
needs.
When they returned to Grinnell, a group of InterVarsity students
contacted a local elementary school to develop a remedial tutoring
project. That project became “Project Tutor,” and in the following years,
dozens of struggling elementary students received one-on-one tutoring and
friendship through InterVarsity.
This set the stage for future service events, including our annual
tradition of packaging rice-based meals for the poor around the world.
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Quick
Look at the Numbers (2001-2008)
 - Chapter
grew from 10 to 64 members
- 4% of the campus population during this time period has been regularly
involved in InterVarsity
- 17 students have made decisions for Christ
- 35 investigative bible studies have been held, primarily led by
students
- 80 non-Christians have been part of the fellowship in a significant way
- We have held 18 evangelistic events, and about 15% of the campus
population has participated in at least one event
- 45 students have been part of the student leadership team
- We have graduated off 44 seniors, many of whom are making an impact for
Jesus in the world
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World
Changers Developed (Class of 2008)
When
I joined InterVarsity staff, the class of 2008 was just beginning its
freshmen year. So those students and I depart Grinnell together as
world-changers. Let me share with you what a few of them are doing:
- Brad and Erin are interning with me in the Kansas area next year.
Brad’s faith experienced a significant awakening his first year at
Grinnell, and Erin became a Christian during that year as well. It is
exciting to journey together into a new ministry experience next year.
- Dave will be participating in a two-year intensive urban missions
experience in Los Angeles through Servant Partners. Dave’s heart for the
poor developed through InterVarsity’s Urban Project in St. Louis, and he
will take the next two years to discern where God might lead him.
- Joana will be joining Teach For America in Texas, teaching high school
math in an inner-city setting. During her time with InterVarsity, Joana
discovered the importance of the outward expression of her faith through
evangelism & social action.
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So
What’s Next for Grinnell?
 In a future
e-mail, you will be introduced to Jen Andrews (soon-to-be Jen Weinman) and
her staff transition to Grinnell next year. This whole year, I have been
praying that the Lord will prepare the fellowship for the transition, and
I believe that He has done just that. Praise God for the following:
- We have a young but healthy leadership team of 13 students next
fall—lots of energy & excitement!
- We intend to start six bible studies next fall, including a first-ever
black student small group
- We planned an ambitious New Student Outreach that includes multiple
evangelistic events—we are excited about sharing our faith with the
campus!
- We have dozens of returning students who are not on formal leadership
but who want to get involved in the ministry
- We have two graduated seniors who will be in Grinnell for
ninth-semester internships to facilitate the transition
As I close my time at Grinnell, I want to thank you for your prayers and
for your support. The fellowship would not be where it currently is
without you. May the Lord continue to bring His kingdom to Grinnell
through Jen and the new student leadership team. To God be the glory!
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Prayer
Requests and Calendar
PRAYER
REQUESTS:
1. Praise and thanks to God for eight amazing years of ministry in
Grinnell!
2. For Jen as she prepares for her wedding and move to Grinnell. Pray
that God will give her vision, courage, and time to rest during this
stressful summer.
3. For the new, young leadership team as they mature in their faith and
seek to minister to the campus faithfully.
4. For the Kansas City transition, including:
- Our house in Grinnell to sell quickly and at a reasonable price
- Our team of four staff and interns to be able to raise new support.
- God to bring the right students to KC campuses for us to meet
- God to appoint a job for Martha in KC
5. For Martha’s and my move:
- God to provide quick friendships for the two of us
- A church to call home in KC
- God to grow a love for the city in our hearts
CALENDAR
Jun. 13-15:
Moving weekend to KC!
Jun. 20-21:
KC Team Meeting
Jun. 28-Jul. 3:
New Area Director Training (Madison, WI)
Jul. 28-31:
Regional Leadership Team meeting (Orlando, FL)
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