Trilogy 2009

I was so thankful for the opportunity to spend a weekend with 499 college students from Northern California and Reno. 77 of those students were from Sonoma State. Another 30 of those Sonoma State students were part of a track called MOC (Ministers on Campus), which was the track that I got to be a part of with a total of 89 other student leaders! (Pictured top left)

Ministers On Campus is designed for the student leader in ministry. We dug into the text of 2 Timothy to gain a deeper understanding of what leadership looks like. Topics included:
- Mentoring: The art of influencing others like Paul did with Timothy
- Being an instrument for the gospel which includes joy in the midst of suffering
- Excellence and perserverance in the context of the gospel
- Learning about our strengths and using them in our ministry roles

At the end of the weekend during our campus sharing time, 2 students from MOC shared. Jacqui (is on the far left in the table group picture) shared about how discovering her strengths helped her realize that she can focus on the ways God has gifted her to help in leading out in International Student Ministry, rather than focusing on all her weaknesses. Alex (pictured in the middle with the bright orange hat) shared how he wants to find joy in suffering for the gospel. One of the ways he feels like he hasn't done that is by loving others the way people have loved him. He wants to start investing and loving younger men in the fellowship and help mentor them through their time in college. Please continue to pray for Jacqui and Alex as they use the tools they learned at Trilogy to help them live a lifestyle that is unashamed of the gospel on campus!












Pictures: Left- Me, Sarah, and Laurel; Right- Jacki and Laurel
One of the joys of staff work is investing in students and then start seeing them invest in younger students as well. This is the story of Laurel. I began mentoring Laurel last year. She has grown in her heart for seeing others come to know Jesus and in being a good question asker. Both of these Laurel was able to share with her new friend Jacki. Laurel met Jacki at the beginning of this school year when Jacki said she wanted to start learning more about Jesus. They started meeting weekly to talk about what a relationship with Jesus looks like. Jacki wasn't quite ready to completely "put the car into drive." (the language she used) But Jacki was ready to go away on a weekend retreat to continue learning more of what a life with Jesus would look like.

During the weekend Jacki decided that she wanted to have Jesus be in the center of her life and commit her life to following Jesus! She said, "I want Jesus at the center of my wheels and I'm going to hop on the bicycle. I don't know where we are going but Jesus will be holding my wheels straight on so I know that we'll go somewhere!" Laurel with joy and excitement ran to find me to tell me that she prayed with Jacki to accept Jesus! I rejoice for the life Jacki now has in Jesus, but I also rejoice for the joy and excitement of seeing one student lead another student into the arms of Jesus! Continue to pray for Jacki as she discovers what her life looks like following Jesus. And pray for Laurel as she walks alongside Jacki. And pray for me as I walk alongside Laurel.

Also pictured above is another student I am mentoring Sarah. I am so excited for the opportunity Sarah had to pray while at Trilogy. Sarah was struggling with the future and what God had next for her. After praying through some fears, Sarah was officially able to embrace the call to intern with InterVaristy next year after she graduates. Continue to pray for Sarah as she talks with her parents about her decision.

Sonoma State University IVCF staff and students at Trilogy 2009!
Praises:
- 77 students from Sonoma State attended Trilogy!
- 2 students accepted Jesus at Trilogy!
- Male student leaders are committing to reaching out to other men on campus! (no freshmen male students attended Trilogy)
- 4 students I disciple had great times of healing prayer at Trilogy!
- 2 students decided they want to intern with IVCF next year after they graduate while at Trilogy!