After literally years of prayer, God has called us to pack up our lives here in San Luis Obispo, CA, and head to Buffalo, NY, to help start a Campus Crusade for Christ ministry there. (Yes we know it is cold and snows a lot there :) It is hard to leave a place that the Lord has graciously allowed us to be a part of which bears so much fruit. We have an amazing team, we have seen hundreds of changed lives, and have been a part of sending dozens and dozens of well-trained missionaries to other colleges all over the USA and all over the world. This year alone Cal Poly is sending 17 students for at least a year to places like East Asia, El Salvador, and the Middle East. But we are so excited to now besent again!
WHY GO?
God continues to put the question on our hearts, what if the same thing that is happening in SLO could happen somewhere else? We are at unrest thinking, what about giving other unreached students the same chance to hear about Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him as SLO Crusade students? This has been why Jenn and I have naturally gravitated towards pioneering ministries like Cuesta Community College and Epic (Asian American) ministries.
Thanks to the Lord we have been able to see both of those ministries grow from about 4 students to around 100.
SO WHY BUFFALO?
PLEASE KEEP US IN PRAYER, THERE HAS BEEN LOTS OF TEARS FROM BOTH OF US!
This years Bi-annual Campus Crusade For Christ staff Conference is significant for two reasons. Firstly, this year marks 60 years since Bill and Vonette Bright started bringing the Gospel to students at UCLA. The other part (which you may have heard about through any number of news outlets) is the announcement of our new name on Tuesday night. Starting in early 2012 Campus Crusade for Christ will be known simply as “Cru.” I think this is a good choice and will serve to make our ministry of lifting up Jesus Christ and His Gospel even more effective.
I’d like to take a moment to assure you that we have not lost our commitment to Christ or to the Gospel even one iota. We live and breathe the Gospel, everything we do is so that people will respond to the Gospel and Christ will be glorified through their belief and worship.
Especially the “Crusade” in the name has been a significant hindrance to the Gospel. As CCC looked into the possibility of changing our name over the past three years, there was one fact that stood out that made us know that we had to change it – of people who said they were willing to have a conversation about Jesus 20% said they would no longer be interested when they heard the name “Campus Crusade for Christ.” That means that 1-in-5 people who might be open to the Gospel became closed to the Gospel when they heard our name. That is an incredible loss in effectiveness.
Personally, every year I have increasingly noticed people wanting to argue with me about the "Crusade" in our name and not wanting to have anything to do with us because of that one word.
All of this is to assure you – we have not changed who we are. Language changes over time, and words that meant one thing in 1951 carry very different baggage 60 years later. We have to be shrewd enough to know that changing our language does not mean changing what we’re about. As a matter of fact, sometimes we have to change our language to continue to be who we’ve always been.
This is not about political correctness, it’s not about hiding who we are and who we’re about; it’s about people hearing about Jesus in a way that they will respond to it. I personally agree with Francis Chan who spoke at our staff conference "Whatever the new name is doesn't really matter it is about God moving in people and changing people."
I'd love to know what you think, or answer any questions you may have. Official answers to your questions and videos can be found at www.ccci.org/cru
Also, thank you Jayson and Carrie Whelpley who I took most this blog post from check out their ministry blog at http://www.whelpley.org/
7/12/11 We have officially been in Buffalo for a week now, which has mostly consisted of unpacking into the house we are renting, getting utilities set up, and figuring out where everything is. You have to buy your own trash cans here so it took about a half day to figure that whole deal. Since real estate is so much cheaper here we are considering buying a house, which has helped us get to know the area a bit better.
It has also been nice to have the kids around Jenn's parents and brother. Both kids just light up whenever we meet up with them. We still feel like we are just here for a visit. Would you pray for our transition as it is not easy, we left so many blessings but we truly believe this is where God wants us.
Now we head to Fort Collins CO for a week and a half for a nationwide Campus Crusade staff conference, I'll let you know more about that later!
(Dave with Grandpa Marotta)
99 WONDERING QUESTIONS
----99 Wondering Questions These questions are thanks to Doug Pollock's Book "God Space", check out his website at http://www.godsgps.com/. Many times we are never more than a few wondering questions away from a good spiritual conversation. With the right attitude and atmosphere, any of the following 99 questions can be powerful tools. Remember, how- ever, that the best questions always come from the wondering that the Holy Spirit is stirring inside of you as you listen to others. Listening leads to wondering, and wondering provides more opportunities to listen. As you grow in your ability to harmoniously balance God’s teeter-totter, spiritual conversations will flow more naturally in your day-to-day life.
If you want to hear my whole talk on the "New Ways To Talk To People About Jesus" you can do so here: Kevin's well talk 10-14-10
