It’s May!! We officially have 2 months until the end of my first year of MTS (missions training school). It has been an amazing first year of making friendships and serving. Since coming to Calvary Chapel Saving Grace I have learned so much. I have learned how to make espresso shots as well as fancy coffees. I have learned what it takes to put on a ministry event. I have learned the importance of fellowship in the body. I have learned how to evangelize more efficiently. There is so much more I can tell you. I have learned beyond what I expected.
Evangelism.
Well, I have been doing more and more evangelism with Pastor Nick and I’m now on the Convinced ministry’s team! We film and upload different types of content about evangelism. Whether it be a 2-minute apologetic video from Pastor Nick on various topics or a recording from some of us having conversations with the students of the college. As I started coming to the college outreach I was very scared and nervous. I would hide by the table while others went out and did the “hard work” as I thought. I was nervous and timid about how much more other believers knew about the Bible. I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to answer people’s questions or I would fail. Both have happened to me… As I visit the campus I find myself looking at all these college students my age walking around coming from different backgrounds, religions, and beliefs.
Let me share with you my vision: I stood in the midst of a crowded area, filled with many different types of people and stories. I thought to myself, how am I going to reach everyone?
Well, I have to remind myself nothing is impossible with God.
I have had a few different encounters with people that have been difficult for me.
I met this woman at the college (Cal State Fullerton University) I noticed I saw her sitting close by, I felt the Lord tell me to talk with her. As I get up I become nervous but I know the Lord was telling me to talk to her for a reason. As I approached this woman she was right away worried about politics and asked if our church was progressive. To be honest I was caught off guard by that. I haven’t had the privilege of having that conversation yet with someone. This woman’s next question was about abortion. I haven’t had the privilege to have a conversation about that either. As our conversation progressed it wasn’t getting anywhere except her being more upset by what the Bible had to say about these topics. As I walked away I felt so defeated, as though I didn’t know my Bible enough and wasn’t strong enough. In all honesty both these things were true. I, by myself, am never good enough, and yet the Lord used me to talk to this woman. I can always learn more about the Bible and what it has to say, we all can learn more. I took a step back and was walking around campus praying to God, frustrated and I realized why God led me to her. Of course, I planted a seed but also it showed me I will never be enough on my own and I have more growing to do. As I see this woman walk around campus I immediately start praying for her in my head.
More recently I got to talk to a man. I have seen him and his friends walking around evangelizing before. We come against a lot of different religions but also cults. In this specific Cult that he’s a part of they believe you have to be baptized to be saved. They believe the action of water baptism saves you. Now talking to this man it was honestly a scary moment. I wanted to make sure I was ready and that I knew what the Bible says and the context of the verses they tend to use. I started to have this conversation with him and at first, he wasn’t open to hearing what we had to say about baptism. I asked if he had to be baptized to be saved and he said yes. I asked him where in the Bible it says that. He told me he didn’t know where exactly. As I got to speak the truth and the gospel he became more open to what I have to say about baptisms but also the gospel principles. Later in the conversation as we were ending I asked how he felt about all that I told him. He said he didn’t know if you have to be baptized to be saved and I just summarized what I said beforehand about baptism and the gospel. I got to invite him to our young adults group. He was open to learning more and as I encouraged him to come to our booth and speak to Pastor Nick he did eventually come over. All though he didn’t talk to Nick he listened in on a different conversation Pastor Nick was having with a different found Man. As we go out and evangelize we meet different churches and it is amazing seeing their style of how they preach the gospel and hear their evangelizing stories.
Young Adults Retreat!
The young adult camping retreat was amazing. In all honestly I needed it. It was an amazing time. We got to learn more about the holiness of God from Pastor Joel, Roger, and a special missionary. We got to hang out at our campsite and play volleyball, eat, and just fellowship with each other. Even though it was rainy and raining on and off all weekend it was enjoyable. We got to go to the beach and play games. We got to sing around the campfire. We even went thrifting in the rain. one of the most enjoyable times at our young adults’ retreat was getting to do worship around the fire. it was a time we all got to come together, put everything aside, and worship the Lord together!
Thank you all for the time you have put into reading my newsletter. Thank you for your prayers as I continue to walk in the path where the Lord is calling me. If you would like to finically partner with my there is a link down below but most of all your prayers are appreciated.
Prayer requests:
Pray for me as I ask the Lord where is calling me on these next steps of the school
Pray for the Lord to contrite to provide as I pray about vision tours coming up.
Pray for the Lord to make these next steps clear
Praise reports:
Praise the Lord VBS is coming up soon!
Praise the Lord I will be turning 20 years old next month!
Praise the Lord he is speaking to me every day and I get the honor of obeying Him in what He has called me to do!