Back in Nebraska

Well, I’ve been back in Lincoln for a few days now following two weeks of conferences in Colorado and Texas.  Our regional Christmas Conference in Denver was a great time with over 1,000 college students from the Great Plains region in attendance.  This was my first year working the conference, and I found that a great deal of work and care goes into making every part of the conference a positive experience for students.  I had an awesome time working with the stage production staff, staying up all night on security, and hanging out with students in the times in between.

Every year, one day of the conference is dedicated to going out and sharing the good news of Jesus.  All the students are mobilized and sent out to serve in various ways all over the city.  They are challenged to make themselves available to whatever God puts in their path, then watch to see the mighty ways He shows up.  When the students returned that night, we heard story after story about them stepping out in faith to share the Gospel, and the result was many people believing in Christ for the first time! 

One of these cases was a couple of students from Wayne State College, Jarah Gleim and Beth Blankers, sharing the Gospel with a 14-year-old girl named Anna at a laundromat.  They cleverly went into the bathroom and “spilled” water on a sweatshirt Beth was wearing so they would have to dry it, creating a natural way to approach this girl and engage her in a spiritual conversation.  They asked her questions, listened to the story of her life, and then shared with her the love that Christ has for her and how she could have a personal relationship with Him.  She responded to the pursuit of God for her heart and prayed with Jarah and Beth to receive Him as her Savior.  Praise the Lord for divine appointments and for these girls’ willingness to step out in faith!

After the week in Denver, I flew to San Antonio for a Summer Project Director’s Conference, and I was able to work with part of my leadership team on our project we’re leading in Juneau, AK this summer.  It was a productive time getting the calendar set, figuring out logistics, learning from staff who have led for years, and praying for vision.  While I was there, I really got a chance to hear from the Lord as to what He would have for this summer and submit my leadership to His sovereignty.  I am so incredibly excited to be in Juneau this summer with the women who will join me, and I am believing God to see a city transformed as we step out in obedience to share the Gospel.  It’s going to be amazing!

Now I’m getting back to real life, or trying to catch up with it.  Students have already been back on campus for a few weeks now,  and I’m anxious to see in what new ways God will move in the hearts of students this semester!

~ by karensharp on January 17, 2008.