December 2014 Updates

International student Ministry

Holidays are often thought of as a time to spend with loved ones and family and I hope you get to spend some precious time with your family and loved ones. Many people are discussing shopping and chatting about the great deals they hit-up on Black Friday. Movies and tv shows are addressing the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas seems so polarized that Nate and I are sometimes unsure whether we should laugh or be sad about these commercials, tv shows and public conversations we overhear. Two things which I think our life should entail is integration of our knowledge of the Gospel message into our daily actions and lifestyle, and a holistic perspective on the evangelical needs of the world. We are often so focused on what the needs of other people groups and other nations are, but we forget that Americans are often completely mixed up and need Jesus as well. I hope that every time you hear someone say that Christmas is about family, Santa Claus, presents, etc.,  that your heart would break for your local community and that we might find a way to reach out locally as well as internationally this holiday season. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, the Savior, the God who humbled himself to become a man (talk about incarnational ministry!).

Philippians 2:6-11
“…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself,  by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“

While this month does not hold much for on-campus student mobilization (as students are prioritizing their time for their upcoming finals), I hope that I/we can minister to students, friends and family locally in creative ways.

New items for this month in student ministry:

• I began attending Thursday night international student ministry near SFSU (though they are students from all over the city). I am hoping to connect with both international students as well as individuals with a heart and mind for international ministries.

• I am in conversation with a dean from Western Seminary to work on creating a program for OMF members who wish to attend seminary. This partnership will also allow me to come on campus and share with students about mission opportunities.

• We are hosting four female international students for Christmas brunch! We love to share the love.