Dear gospel partners,
Thank you for your continued prayers and support as I continue into my 2nd year as a ministry associate in SMUCF!
The past month has been spent sitting at the desk poring over Scripture as I write two sermons (Genesis 16, Genesis 17) and a workshop for justification in anticipation of the semester starting, studying Galatians for G360 Monday training, and preparing Ezekiel for 121.
I'm grateful for God's providence with SMU Libraries installing screens facing this window and so I've had a largely conducive space to work in.
Once again I am reminded of some of the joys that come with being in full time ministry, especially being able to sit and ponder the gospel as revealed in all of Scripture. My mind has been particularly working through a collection of rather complex theological topics that concern the Genesis 17 sermon and the justification workshop, such covenant theology, circumcision, baptism, and the nuances in understanding justification. Being overwhelmed as I flip through and think for myself all of the different positions for how Scripture fits together has become the normal experience for the past month. On one hand, it has heightened my sense of supreme incapability for the task of teaching the Scriptures, and on the other hand, it has made me very grateful for the work of scholars who pore through the historical discussions, the Scriptural data and the different views to provide a nuanced yet clear argument on where things might stand.
The past month has also reminded me what a wonderful gift it is to be able to, in my confusion and tiredness, to speak to my heavenly Father and simply cry out for help. Thanks be to God that he does not leave us alone in grappling with his Word but gives us understanding as we think over what he has said to us.
As August kicks off, the most tiring period of the year for us is going to start. We're holding a social for our year 1 going year 2 students this evening to try to get them thinking about exchange and internships through the lens of the gospel. Quite sadly, a growing trend is for the CF students to uncritically embrace the messaging that you need to max out the internship experience you can get to get the best possible job when you graduate. We're hoping that we can show how the most precious thing they have in this life is their relationship with Jesus, and growing and protecting that is their priority, not maxing out their careers.
Next week will be our retreat for our student leaders, and a big part of where we shape how our Growth Groups will be run and what the priorities will be. We're thankful that a big part of the culture now is for the leaders and trainees to meet outside of the group meeting and dedicate a big portion of their time to praying for their members and for God's word to work, and we hope that we can continue to emphasize that.
Following on 13th to 14th Aug is where we set up a booth at the CCA fair and every introvert becomes an extrovert for the gospel. Hopefully we can encourage many of the Christians to join CF! After that will be our CF start of year camp where we'll dive into Romans and let the gospel shape our minds as we start the semester.
As you can see, it will be a rather intense month ahead, and but if they go well they'll help to set up for the year.
And so I would appreciate lots of prayer for us!
New Staff: Please pray for our new staff (Hannah, Silas and Andy for the next Academic year. Please give thanks for them! Please pray that they would work well together, and that they would be trained up for the Lord’s work in the long term. Please pray for Paul as he supervises the team! Please pray for the ongoing godliness and faithfulness of our team and that we would keep a close watch over our life and doctrine.
Recruitment for new year: please pray that the Lord would send us a large crop of new year 1s to serve and to grow in the upcoming academic year! Pray that they would be hungry and reachable and that they would turn into men and women who live sold out lives for Jesus!
Events (Y2 Social, Leaders Retreat, CF Camp): Pray for the gospel of Christ to be front and center in all we say. Pray particularly for the smaller exco to be sustained as they do so much of the administrative support. Pray that there would be intentional conversations that orient all of us to rejoice in Jesus!
Prep for new year: pray for the staff as they prepare the talks and Bible studies for the new academic year. Pray that the Lord would help them to write talks which are faithful and engaging and that the Bible studies would be fun and clear.
Personally,
Relationship with God: Pray for me to continue to prioritize reading scripture and talking to God in prayer. The temptation is always to see these things as secondary to "what actually needs to get done" rather than primary for my soul and for the effectiveness of the gospel work. Pray that I will be enjoying what I see of the gospel in what I read, and that I will delight in communing with God.
Energy: I do get very easily exhausted, and I think my energy to interact with people is always the first to go. Pray that I would be compelled by the love of Christ to be willing to bear the cost, and pray that God will provide what is sufficient for each day.
Discernment: Please also continue to remember in prayer my thinking through where my next step will be after I finish this program next July.
I still need to raise a balance of 4.4k for my salary this year as part of training for fundraising, and as a way for more people to share in the work of the gospel here in SMU! SMUCF does graciously underwrite this amount, so I will be paid regardless of whether I raise this amount, and so I genuinely can say that I'm not in need of this amount, but I ask so that the fruit of the gospel might also increase to your credit! If you would be willing to partner me financially, the details can be found here!