Monthly Archive for May, 2011

Following a Trail of Trust

Published on May 18, 2011 by Chris Bean in Calling, Campus Ministry, Faith, Finances and Prayer.

A couple of years ago we left the somewhat comfortable and secure model of church-based ministry (after about 16 years) and decided to help start something new at the University of Cincinnati. Our spiritual tribe (the Church of the Nazarene) had hopes of reaching out to the university campuses in and around Cincinnati, but the right people and pieces had not yet come together.

After a long season of discernment, prayer, and planning (3-4 months’ worth), we launched out in a new ministry to students at the University of Cincinnati. This venture is a partnership between the CCO (a campus ministry org based in Pittsburgh) and the Southwestern Ohio Nazarene Churches.

Perhaps the most troubling challenge before us was raising a significant amount of our own financial support to cover salary and ministry expenses.

In the last few posts, I was discussing the Top 5 Things I Love About Raising Support. Although each of these points are very true, the task of reaching out and inviting people to share in the cost/investment for our calling has been no less daunting.

After two years of trusting, asking, praying, inviting, confessing, calling, blogging, sharing, stretching…we have reached a milestone which encourages us to continue in this calling and mission of seeing college students transformed.

For those who have been a part of this journey in any way (praying, giving, serving, etc) we are deeply grateful.

And for those who have YET to partner with us in one of these ways…there’s no time like the present!   ;-)

Our goal is to be fully funded by the end of the summer. We have absolutely no doubt that God is able to provide all that is needed between now and then.

We are quite certain that many others share our passion for seeing college students transformed by Jesus so that they will live out their faith in every area of life. When a college student develops a biblical worldview and partners with God in His mission, there is no limit to the Kingdom impact which is being actualized. If that mission is something you feel led to support, we invite you to become one of our ministry partners with a monthly, quarterly, or annual donation. Click on the image below to find out more.

 

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My Top 5 Favorite Things About Raising Support: #1

Published on May 12, 2011 by Chris Bean in Calling, Campus Ministry and Finances.

Between now and Memorial Day, we are trusting God to provide enough monthly supporters for our campus ministry so that we would reach a minimal goal of being 80% funded. The Spring “Fund” Drive has simply been a tool for inviting people along for this incredible ride of watching God transform the lives of college students.

And that is certainly what God is doing. Over the past two weeks I’ve been able to disciple a UC student who I recently lead to Christ (Many people have been pointing her to Christ…I just had the privilege of praying with her in that final moment of decision). Though she is in the midst of some difficult circumstances, it really is amazing to see what God is able to do with a young trusting heart. With only a few weeks of the Spring quarter remaining, I am trusting God not just for financial provision but for the opportunity to pray with one or two more students to trust Christ as Lord.

I have to say, after I recently prayed with this college student to enter a new life in Christ I could NOT wait to share the news with our team of financial supporters. Never before in my 18+ years of ministry have I felt such a sense of partnership with a group of people. Those who regularly invest their financial resources in our ministry through the CCO to students in Cincinnati are literally partners with us in ministry. Were it not for their support, I would be forced to provide for my family another way and would NOT be able to live out my calling to be on campus with students.

#1            The sense of partnership we get as we collaborate with God and visionary supporters to impact the lives of college students.

So that would be the absolute best thing about raising support and partnering with Kingdom-minded donors who recognize their role as stewards of God’s resources.

With about 2 1/2 weeks left in this “Fund” Drive, we continue trusting God to provide a few more of these great partners who get to celebrate with us each time God transforms the life of a college student. If you would like to become one of our ministry partners, click here for more information and simple instructions for how to give.

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