GroshLink

Last week I sent an email to our partners in ministry and posted A Note to Partners in Ministry.  But the snail mail newsletter (two letter size pages, giving envelope, giving card) for 300+ recipients took all my spare time over the course of the last four days as I visited Loyola College (MD), tried to be present for the family (as three came down with various ailments), facilitated an adult elective on The Advent of a New Year, and spoke with the youth/parents of Cumberland Valley Brethren in Christ on Next Steps:  The Transition from High School to College (part 2, the first being on 11/30).  Note: as for the consumption of time, let me mention that writing/design took 2 days out of a previous week and several long brain-storming sessions.  In order to be better prepared for the spring mailing, I'm placing dates on the calendar for newsletter writing (early April) and assembly/mailing (April 13-14), so I can invite friends to help out.  Maybe we'll have pizza, snacks, drinks, chocolate left over from Easter, music, etc.  If you're in Central PA and interested in helping with the assembly, drop me an email. 

It is probably no surprise to you that such a mailing, particularly with a quick release time, cannot be accomplished by one person alone.  As such I am very grateful for those whom God has called to walk alongside me in this task.  In particular, my Mission Opportunity Sending Team (MOST, i.e., personal support team) pressed me to place in print what I do in order to better communicate how the call to identify, equip, and encourage Christian Scholars to be redeeming influences in higher education works out in the field.  I've already shared the 2008-2009 Ministry Summary in a number of contexts, including our local congregation Elizabethtown Brethren Christ, Messiah Village's World Prayer Team (where I spoke last Wednesday evening), various mission committees, and received positive feedback.  At the turn of the calendar year, I will update 2008-2009 Ministry Summary and distribute in a wider circle.

Also, thank-you to Circle of Life Photography for the family photo, Dwight for the beautiful color laser printer copies, Karen for running the 700 pages through the folding machine, Ralph (Theresa's grandfather) for applying the 200+ postage stamps, my family & Theresa's extended family who played with the girls as I worked through the mailing on the weekend, the twins who tried their hand at various parts of the mailing, and Theresa who not only managed the family, but even worked on the mailing for a few minutes late one night as I approached the home stretch.   

God is good!  With this project completed, I'm taking a deep breath and waiting upon God the Father to provide through His people the resources necessary to enable this pioneering work among Christian scholars to develop the necessary financial base to take a bold step forward in the coming year.