Wendy Quay – Stanford IV Grad
A Witnessing Community
As we step into this new year, we have no doubt that God will shape us in ways that will surprise us. But we are already sure of one thing - God is building us into a people who bear witness to Him on campus. And this began even before the year kicked off!
Daphne, one of our leaders, had a vision to host an early welcome movie night. She remembered her lonely and boring Saturday nights last summer when she arrived on campus weeks before classes started. Following that impulse, she gathered our young and small leadership team to host a screening of Wonder Woman, followed by a discussion. Ten first year students showed up, several of whom were non-Christians, and they were welcomed by ten IV Grad students. Our team was delighted and inspired when these guests stayed long after the movie to have a lively discussion on the themes of good and evil in the movie. And they're ready for more!
Please pray for our evangelism leader Jiwon Li as she seeks to keep evangelism at the forefront of IV Grad's mission. Please pray that IV Grad will become an inviting community, and that we will be faithful in proclaiming the Gospel to our friends.
Mary Tuttle – Florida International University and Barry University Grad & Faculty Ministry
In God’s Path
THANK YOU to all who made inquiries and offered shelter when hurricane Irma was headed toward us. Hordes of South Floridians evacuated thinking we would not have homes left when we returned.
Hurricane Irma persisted as a Category 5 hurricane for more than three days and maintained 185-mph winds for 37 hours. The hurricane devastated many Caribbean islands and leveled 25 percent of homes in the Florida Keys. On the U.S. mainland, the storm left millions without electricity in Florida and four other states (where many of us fled!). Nevertheless, God is using the cleanup process and people involved as a Church-building experience and a way to bring glory to His Name.
The Main Thing
Students and faculty at the universities where I serve lost a whole week of classes and employment. This was especially devastating for the foreign-educated physicians who are enrolled in a three-year accelerated BS/MS nursing program – as this compounded already stressed schedules and tight finances. Nevertheless, nine of these students took time to study the Scriptures together and receive encouragement in Christian fellowship through our Called to Care group. We also held the first of our Stewardship Dinner Series.
Doing Small Things with Great Love
Faculty were eager to reschedule meetings and to find answers in Jesus and the Bible. Many of us have multiple dependent relatives (Rick and I have four single or widowed elderly aunts nearby), and returning to normalcy requires steady plodding. Students are disoriented and subject to food insecurity. Stores are slowly getting shelves re-stocked, debris is being cleared from our neighborhoods, and damage to property is being assessed.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that we may recover swiftly and regain our financial footing. Pray for our families and the health concerns that have risen after the storm. Pray that we may continue to spiritually encourage students, faculty, and staff who feel overwhelmed at school and home. Pray that we may offer healthy food to those on campus with decreased resources. Pray for young adults who are vulnerable to trafficking and other vices as they search desperately for the means to provide food and shelter for themselves and their dependents.
We are broken but not destroyed. We do not fear tomorrow; we know God is displaying his works in us.
Michael Moriarty (GFM Georgia) and Glenn Goldsmith (Emory University)
New Group at Georgia State University
Michael and Glenn have begun a new ministry to grad students at Georgia State University (GSU). "We met more than 30 interested new students at the grad student orientation day and now have a regular weekly gathering on campus. Five GSU students joined our fall retreat! We are excited to see how the Lord grows this new group and leads us to engage other new campuses as well. Please join us in praying for this group at GSU and for similar growth on other campuses."
Jake Evans – Univ. of Kansas Grad & Faculty Ministry
Grad Students in the House!
The beginning of the school year is exciting no matter your stage in life. Even when you are not a student, the renewal of routine is welcome from the summer days. That is definitely true here! On September 1, we fired up the grill and welcomed our returning grads, as well as several new faces, to the GCF (Graduate Christian Fellowship) ministry. We had to pull up some extra chairs, as more grad students trickled in to connect with this inspiring group. Most of the returning students worked hard on their research over the summer, and we got to hear about the exciting things they’ve been up to. It was great to offer encouragement in their frustrations, and rejoice with them in their successes.
After the lid of the piano had been closed and the conversation and laughter started to wind down, we discussed the when/where/how of our study for this semester. We will focus on integrating faith with vocation—using a great video series titled, “Redeeming Work.” Please pray as we begin this study; we anticipate having a great semester!
Georgia State Logo from wikicommons.
