October Prayer Letter

Fall Retreat is a hit!

Imagine packing into a car with three of your best friends (or brand new friends if you’re a freshman!) and driving a couple hours to a camp in the woods for a weekend of peace and quiet after a hectic beginning of the semester. Imagine as well, standing with 175 other students (pictured above) from your campus worshipping God together during that weekend. That is exactly what Fall Getaway is- a retreat for students to connect with

God and each other away from the pressures and stresses of daily life. It also presents opportunities for deep conversation for students like Crawford, who opened up to other guys during Men’s Time about feeling condemnation for his past sexual sin. Through his tears, he was able to hear God’s love and forgiveness from the other men in the group who pointed him to Jesus’ grace poured out on the cross. Pray for Crawford and others! 

“Look what God has done”

“Remember when you sat me down and asked me to lead the men’s group? Look at how far God has brought me... I’m leading the high school ministry, facilitating the baseball team Bible study, serving the women of Cru, and pursuing community. Thanks for pushing me to face my fear and take steps of faith.”

CHANGED FOREVER

This is what Robert said to me (Davy) last week when we got together to catch up. Robert entered college with a desire to explore his freedom as an adult, but one of his good friends (a student leader with Cru) invited him to attend our first-of-the-year events. We got connected, I began discipling him, and eventually asked him to lead the manhood Bible study one night. He was so scared that first time, but courageously stepped up to lead. His growth since that point has been amazing and he is now one of our strongest student leaders in Springfield. Pray for him as he seeks to lead his peers into holiness! 

HOUSE PROJECTS 
In the two weeks we were home in Springfield, we finally got a chance to decorate and paint!This is a wall in our office.We want to keep our eyes focused on God’s heart for the world and pray for the believers everywhere. 

UPDATE ON JACOB 
Thank you for your prayers! Jacob’s broken neck is doing very well. He and Amanda got married and Jacob was even dancing at the reception. He is cleared to drive now and going back to classes. Praise God!  

WHAT'S NEXT?
Our annual Christmas conference is coming up! Students from all over the Midwest will come to Denver, CO from December 28th to January 2nd to worship God and grow in their faith

PRAYER REQUESTS

• We are at 63% of our monthly financial support goal and have 63 days left in our 100% in 100 days goal.
• We are now in Mtn View, MO living with Davy’s parents to raise support in his hometown. Pray for new contacts and a bulk of support to come from this trip.
• Our 1,000 student conference DCC is coming up in a couple months. Pray for students to sign up and for the team planning the conference. 

HOW CAN WE BE PRAYING FOR YOU? Fill out the form to the right and let us know. 

September Prayer Letter

Life Changing Small Groups

Tyler, a 6’9” sophomore basketball player at MSU leads the Bible study for the team. Nine of the 13 players showed up for the second study and continue to express interest. Andrew (a student from my Manhood Group last year) is hosting a small group for his fraternity and half of the members are showing up! Of the six main dormitories on campus, all have studies happening, and Freddy Hall has 40 students show up consistently, while Blair-Shannon has around 30 each week. Fourteen girls are attending Fall Getaway from the Freddy group! One Sorority passed around a sign-up sheet for interest in a house study and 55 girls signed their name! There is a study in all of the Sororities and eight of the Fraternities have guys leading groups weekly. Small groups were instrumental in our growth during college as well. Pray for them! 

“Davy! Have you heard about Cru this year!?”
It has been so encouraging to hear the freshman guys from my small group last year so excited about all that is happening with Cru. We had our largest meeting ever a couple weeks ago with 400+ students in attendance, our Fall Getaway retreat numbers are the largest they have ever been (30% more than last year!), and small groups have consistently maintained large numbers of students.

Students in the "Freddy" dorm Bible study hanging out after their weekly study. 

GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE

Momentum is exciting, pushes the staff to their fullest capacity, and ensures all the credit goes to God as it is obvious He is multiplying the harvest past our abilities as people. Pray with us as 85 of the registrants for our fall retreat are freshman. An amazing figure, but it also creates new challenges as we give them a significant discount (strains the budget), and organizing rides is difficult since many don’t have 
friends yet. 

Ways you can pray:

• We are at 51% of our monthly support.We have 90 days left in our 100% in 100 days goal.
• Pray for Fall Getaway.You will hear the stories in next month’s letter, but pray now for many students to encounter God in a fresh way.
• We are back in Springfield (had been in Oregon the past six weeks). Pray as we settle into our home amidst the transition.
• Pray God would raise up new contacts to join our monthly support team here in Springfield. 

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? Fill out the form on the right side of this page and let us know. 

FOLLOWING UP
Caleb was your average freshman walking into college. However, he filled out a survey with Cru and during follow-up, placed his faith in Christ. He and our director met the next day, he then went to a Bible study, and this past Thursday he brought four friends to Cru! 

DAVY’S BROTHER: JACOB
My little brother broke his neck in three places playing rugby a couple weeks ago. He is ok and not paralyzed in any way. He had surgery and will be in a brace for six months. He got married Sept. 26th. Please pray for speedy recovery and his marriage. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
We're so excited to share stories from Fall Getaway in our next letter. The next conference we hold is called Denver Christmas Conference. This will take place December 28th through January 2nd. Please begin to pray for students to attend. This conference is so life changing!

The Easy Button

This conversation happens quite often:

Friend: "So you have to raise money in order to go back to campus and do your job?"

Me: "Yep!"

Friend: "Isn't that really hard?"

Me: "You know, sometimes it is, but I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Friend: "Seriously? Why?"

Those questions Davy and I get asked are totally valid. It's not normal. Most people in the United States get a job and get paid by their employer. But our story is a little different. We got jobs with Cru and set out to raise our financial support. And yes, sometimes that is really hard. But I really do mean it when I say that I wouldn't trade it for anything (this is a recent development, by the way. God has really been working in my heart). Since all of you that read this blog probably won't get to sit down with us and hear why, I thought I'd tell you right here.

Davy and I are reading a book right now called The God Ask by Steve Shadrach. It's amazing. If you are a missionary, read this book. If you know missionaries, buy this book for them. In the book, Shadrach talks about the easy button. You know, the one Staples advertises on TV? In the book he lays out a scenario. If an easy button existed for missionaries and they could press it and have all their funding raised just like that, would they?

Shadrach says he asks that question to thousands of Christian workers and about 95% say, yes, they would press the button. His hope in writing this book is that the mindset would change. He's come to the conclusion that he wouldn't do ministry any other way. He NEEDS his support team. Not just their finances, but their prayers, accountability, passion, and encouragement as well.

This process is full of ups and downs. Yes, it does get hard some days. But when we get to sit down and share with people about God has changed our lives and the lives of college students... wow! Words cannot describe how fun and joy-producing that is. Even when people are unable to give, we got to sit down for a little bit and brag on how amazing God is. That fact always outweighs the hard days. If this life is about bringing God glory, we can do that sharing the Gospel on a college campus or sitting in a person's home talking about our ministry and financial support. Both aspects of our job are equally as worshipful to our Savior.

In addition to that, we remember what Paul says in Philippians 4:17: "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit."

We wouldn't change this process because we would be robbing individuals of the abundant joy and blessing that comes from investing in God's kingdom. Not everyone is called to be in vocational ministry, but we are all called to give of the resources that God has entrusted to us. When we obey that call, God is pleased. We want others to experience the privilege of obeying God and fulfilling the Great Commission through giving.

Don't get me wrong, some days I don't want to pick up the phone to make calls or stare at my computer screen one minute longer sending out emails. As an introvert, it can get exhausting meeting new people. And inevitably talking about money can be awkward. This process is hard. Of course it is, or people wouldn't ask the questions I mentioned at the beginning of this post. Shadrach, found that many Christians consider vocational ministry, but are prevented due to finances. He says that Ralph Winter, founder of the U.S. Center for World Missions, estimates that as little as 1% of people who inquire about staff opportunities ever make it into a long-term ministry assignment. Shadrach believes this is, in part, because of the challenge of raising support. Luke 10:2 says "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." It breaks my heart that the workers might be even fewer because raising support is hard and scary at times. I'm definitely not saying that Davy and I have it all together. We struggle with it too, but we've decided to trust God. No matter what. Even if that means this process takes years. Even if it gets really hard. We're going to walk by faith because we believe in what God has called us to and we want to be a blessing to others whether they can give financially or not.

Sure, there are days the easy button looks really nice, but no one that I aspire to be like (Paul, Ruth, Esther, Jesus, the list goes on) ever pushed that button. I pray that we will not ever be tempted to push it. I pray that we continue to give people an opportunity to be blessed through giving or simply hearing how God is moving on the college campus. Please pray with us in this process. The enemy undoubtedly will attack and attempt to hinder the mission. He'll make the easy button look so appealing. Pray that we remember the process is from the Lord and that it is His good gift to us and to the people we have the privilege of talking with.

I explain these things because I want our eyes to be lifted to Jesus. I don't say all of this so you think Davy and I are great, because we're certainly not. This is something we're in the process of learning ourselves. We just want people to be aware the support raising is NOT a necessary evil. It is a privilege and joy. Please remember that as you pray for and interact with the missionaries in your life. Please join us in celebrating this process and worshiping Jesus and His provision in the midst of it. May God get all the glory as we share about our ministry with others and as He brings in the support little by little. 

August Prayer Letter

The First Six Weeks

6,000 freshman students walked onto campuses in Southwest MO the past two weeks. They were presented with opportunities to go whatever direction they desired, to attend a host of functions, clubs, or parties. 330 of those freshman and upperclassmen walked into our first Thursday night weekly meeting(pictured above). They heard the gospel of Jesus Christ in their first week at college. 

What these students will encounter in the coming weeks can rattle even the strongest foundations. Many professors will shake their faith with postmodern teaching. Studies show that in the first six weeks of their freshman year, students will align themselves with what will shape their entire college experiences, which in turn will set the trajectory for their entire life. Please pray for this critical window.

"Exactly what I needed"

Spencer was burned by the church. Condemned and cast out, he was resistant to Christians. However, he encountered a Cru staff member at MO State and heard the gospel during our initial outreach. He found the community and grace Jesus offers in the midst of our sin. Spencer was so thankful our team invited him with open arms to attend the meeting. Our hope for him is to restore a right outlook on the church. Pray with us.

Small Groups

Cru small groups started this week. The goal of these groups is for students to get involved in a smaller community where they can grow in their faith and reach out to their friends. We have small groups in all areas of campus: fraternity and sororities, athletic teams, international students, residence halls, off campus, and faculty. Here are a few stories from this past week. 

Are you familiar with the lifestyles of college athletes? Often busy, tired, and the source of the party life on campus--- ministry in this arena is tough. Which is why we are so excited 60 of MSU’s athletes showed up for our kick-off BBQ last week! The entire men’s and women’s basketball teams attended and several of the guys even said, “we’ll come back next week for the preaching too.” Imagine if these campus social leaders (as athletes often are) began pointing their peers to Christ. The whole culture would change! 

Residence hall Bible studies are often a place where students, especially freshman, make lasting friendships and experience life change. This past week one of the halls "Freddy" had 50 students attend (pictured above). Another hall "Hammons" had almost 30. This is the most we've seen in the years we've been involved at Missouri State. Jordan, the small group leader in Freddy said."My heart was so happy tonight to find over 50 kids in Freddy come to our CRU 'small' group. I am so stoked to get to be a part of leading so such eager students. Watch out, God is doing big things at Mo State!"

This is Brandon. Last spring Brandon led Sebastian to the Lord. Sebastian went on a summer mission trip, is now an RA in one of the dorms, brought 10 of his students to the weekly meeting, and is beginning to disciple a freshman guy- Tucker. Praise God for students coming to the Lord and taking it to the world. 

Most international students will never step foot in an American home. This is our first group meeting of the year and the students had a ton of fun making friends and playing games!

What's Next?

Fall Getaway is coming up September 26-28. This retreat is a great time for students to develop friendships, get away from the demands of school, and really focus on the Lord. Pray many students sign up and bring their friends.

Prayer Requests

• We are at 45% of our monthly financial support goal. Join in praying we reach 100% in 100 days. 

• Pray God would raise up student leaders among the athletic teams to lead Bible studies and be a light to their teammates; especially for Christian freshman.

• Pray for our staff team. They are tired from a busy start of the year and meeting many new students.

• We just celebrated three months of marriage! We have slept in 13 beds since being married. It’s been great and a lot of fun, but continue to pray we love each other well in the transitions.

HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU? CLICK THE EMAIL ICON TO THE RIGHT UNDER "CONNECT WITH US" AND LET US KNOW HOW. 

Please pray with us

Here is a calendar with some ways that you can be praying for the staff and students of Cru in Southwest Missouri. We would be honored if you would pray with us this next month or so. We realize that nothing good happens on campus unless the Spirit moves which is why prayer is so important. We are excited to see how God moves these next few weeks on campus. 

This calendar is by no means an exhaustive list of things to be praying for, but it does serve as a guide. And we know that we even when we fail to pray for what we should Romans 8:26 is true: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING FOR US

If you'd like to download the calendar so you can print it out please click the email icon under the "connect with us" section to the right and request a PDF. I'd love to hear from you.

for the display of His splendor

For those of you who frequent this blog, you'll notice things look a little different. If you're new here, welcome! I figured since this blog isn't just about me now it could use an update. New life stage, new look. But really things haven't changed too much. I'll still post life updates, pictures, and ministry updates. Hopefully you are encouraged and blessed by God's grace in our lives and the lives of others.

As I was changing this blog around I stared at that old banner at the top of the blog. An artist's rendition of a crooked tree and the title of this blog: "for the display of His splendor." A few of you may have read the post explaining why I named this blog that way back in July of 2012 (I re-posted it below if you care to take a look). Many of you have not. I look back to that post and realize how God has fleshed out this idea of being a display of His splendor the past 2 years. The concept is based on Isaiah 61:1-3 which says:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

In the beginning what resonated with me was the idea that the Lord had called me. I was sent. I was anointed. That thought was exciting to me. And of course that is still true today. But what I've realized these past two years is that I was also the poor, the brokenhearted, the captive, the prisoner, the mourner, the despairing. I know Christ, but I am still a sinner and I am just as broken as the people I have been sent to. I as a Christian need Jesus just as much as a lost person. That is what makes this so beautiful. I often picture those oaks of righteousness in verse 3 as the tree in my former header and the tree in my new header: falling down, crooked, and a messy. It's easy to believe that when we come to Christ, we should get it all together. We shouldn't be needy or messy. We should grow straight and tall, no bumps or ugly places. But we know better than that,don't we? My life certainly doesn't look like a mighty, tall, and straight oak tree and I'd guess yours doesn't either. We may not look like mighty oaks, but we are beautiful. We may not look strong and powerful, but our God is. To the world we may look broken, but to those who see as God sees we are displays of His splendor. We are all beautiful messes. The reason those broken falling down oak trees display the Lord's splendor is because they are a picture of the Gospel. We are messed up, broken people and in the midst of that Jesus loves us more than we could ever imagine.

I'm thankful for these past few years. I have learned to see beauty in the brokenness. It gives God all the more glory. Davy and I are broken, needy people leading other broken, needy people to the feet of Jesus. It's that simple. While the look of the blog has changed, the title remains the same because we, together, are all about the display of God's splendor. Until the whole world knows.

Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

Some of you are realizing now that this is where the name of my blog has come from! This is a passage I have fallen in love with. God has been teaching me this one very important thing lately: my life and my actions should be to glorify him. That is all that matters! My hope is that at the end of my life when I stand face to face with my savior he will say to me: "Well done good and faithful servant! You were an oak of righteousness, a planting for me that displayed my splendor." 

I think Psalm 115:1 sums it up nicely: "Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness."

May God get ALL the glory as I embark on this adventure in ministry. Much, much more to come in the near future.

With love,
Melissa