One of the great things about the ministry is that we really get to know our students – whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Atheist or other. Every Friday they join us for a meal, a fun game and a Bible teaching. We are connecting with them on personal levels, hearing their stories – all while sharing the gospel throughout. In fact on October 13, we had our highest attendance yet with 85 students!

There are of course other times we connect with our students. We call these points of “contact”.” Our hope is to certainly share the gospel as clearly as God allows, but also to befriend them in genuine and relational ways! Not only have we done this at our Friday dinners, but there were a number of other ways we’ve done this in the last month.

On September 23rd, we took students bowling. On September 30th, we took students to Burlington Coat Factory to help them choose winter clothing. On October 8th, the Muslim student “Stanley” invited me and the family to join his family for fishing! On October 14th, we took students to a harvest festival hosted by a partner church out in the suburbs. Every Wednesday from 10am – 1 pm,  we also host a “lounge” for three hours where students can come get free coffee and donuts and just have a social and safe place to hang. Finally, throughout the last month, we distributed 50 computer monitors – which were donated by a volunteer!

All of these points of contact are an intentional part of the ministry. We want students to see that we genuinely care for them, and we are not merely trying to preach-and-run.  We want to gain their trust and friendship, so that when we talk to them about Jesus wanting their trust and friendship, it has been modeled to them by the love of Christ in us. 

That said, please pray for our patience and for the supernatural intervention in the minds and hearts of these students. We know we cannot force anyone to believe, and we do not want this! And yet, we are doing our part; now we believe it is up to the Lord to do His part and truly draw our students to himself! Please also pray for our upcoming “home groups” where we send students into the home of volunteers instead of meeting on campus. Finally, pray for our THANKSGIVING outreach, where we hope to place over 100 students into the homes of Christians in the area for a Thanksgiving Day meal. Consider even being one of those homes!  Thank you so much for your partnership in the gospel!