GroshLink

On Tuesday, August 31, we will gather friends from Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA, http://www.cmda.org) to hear Scott Boyles, CMDA's Northeast Regional Director. Scott will present on "Connecting along the Journey."

Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (PSU-CMS), Noon, PSU Hershey Medical Center, Room 1847. If you're not regularly involved in lunch lectures, please RSVP to me.

CMDA South Central PA, 7pm. Acorn Farms, 3141 Mount Joy Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552. RSVP to me.

Scott's looking forward to connecting with as many CMDA members as possible with the goal of hearing how things are going for you and sharing an update about CMDA, especially a slightly new direction for Campus and Community ministries — the grassroots ministry arm of CMDA. If you're part of the CMDA mix (or desire to become a part of it), I encourage you to make every effort to come out.

Praise God for the strong launch of Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (PSU-CMS).  About half of the 55 students at our first Tuesday lunch gathering (2nd day of classes) were first year students.  We even had a few first year grad students in the mix with the medical students.  Can't wait until the next class of nursing students arrive!

Several of the students we had connected with ahead of time in person (when they visited campus or students knew one-another from undergrad; for example 3 Eastern Alum, 3 Wheaten College Alum, 4 Messiah College Alum, 7 Grove City College Alum are involved in our fellowship*) or over the internet.  But for the most part students came due to chalk board announcements in the first year Anatomy and Physiology class.

Hayley and I enjoyed hanging out with twenty from PSU-Hershey at Saturday's games night! What a way to kick off a year, I chatted with students over dessert for over an hour before the Chapter President gathered everyone together for introductions/games. We went around the room sharing "What's the most dangerous thing you've ever done?" My response: "Getting married," followed by "having kids." Led to a good conversation in the car with the daughter who had joined me for the evening. Second Question, "What's your biggest pet peeve?"  My response:  When the computer shuts down for some reason while I'm in the middle of writing a blog post.  Good thing that there is an autosave feature :-)

Pray for another strong turnout on Tuesday when the physician who joined our Dominican Republic Spring Break Trip speaks at lunch lecture, followed by frisbee in the evening.  In addition, pray for continued growth in the development of a Health Care Professionals Network in South Central PA which will reach out to area hospitals and minister to 3rd Year Students on rotation along with new residents (i.e., those who have just graduated from Medical School and in the mentoring process).

Upcoming Event: On Tuesday, August 31, we will gather CMDA (http://www.cmda.org) friends together to hear Scott Boyles, CMDA's Northeast Regional Director. Scott will present on "Connecting along the Journey."

Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (PSU-CMS), Noon, PSU Hershey Medical Center, Room 1847. If you're not regularly involved in lunch lectures, please RSVP to me.

CMDA South Central PA, 7pm. Acorn Farms, 3141 Mount Joy Road, Mount Joy, PA 17552. RSVP to me.

*I should take survey on alma maters represented in the fellowship.  Other schools which come to mind include Bucknell, Cedarville, McMaster, Millersville, Mt. Holyoke, Northwestern, Penn State, Stony Brook, Temple, Virginia Tech, William & Mary.

Since the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA) Mtgs in Washington, D.C., there has been a steady stream of ministry:  speaking with Young Adults at Roxbury Holiness Camp, launch of Penn State Hershey Christian Medical Society (PSU CMS), InterVarsity's Mid-Atlantic Undergrad Region's Staff Conference, and preparation for fall activities.

By God's grace, the family has not been lost in this blur of activity.  In particular, we all enjoyed the special treat of some aspect of InterVarsity's Mid-Atlantic Undergrad Region's Staff Conference and PSU CMS. Pray for us to keep on track during a busy month* which culminates with the beginning of a new school year.  Note:  Eden can't wait for Kindergarten, pray that this keeps up and Eden enjoys the Open House!

PS.  More specific updates on these various endeavors as time permits, some items probably won't 'come across your screen' until September :-0

*Theresa takes the twins to the beach next week, PSU CMS has a number of activities for first year students, our family makes a run to visit friends in Pittsburgh (if you're in the Pittsburgh area, please drop us a line to see if we can connect while we're in town), Tom takes a class on "The Church," we gather CMDA friends together on August 31.

Go to http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_August_Prayer_Calendar.pdf to print our August 2010 Prayer Calendar and continue to walk with us in prayer over the course of coming month.

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

We rejoice in your standing with us in so many ways during a full year of sharing Christ in the complex mission field of higher education.  Pray for us as we jump into a new "academic term" of ministry at PSU-Hershey Medical Center with a Christ-centered passion, intensity, and "call to care." Pray for the new students (medical, nursing, and graduate) who are arriving to "get settled," find their way around, and come into contact with the various new year activities provided by CMS.  Key upcoming activities/dates to remember in prayer:  orientation beginning (8/2), 1st classes (8/9), 1st CMS weekly lunch outreaches (8/10).

A few updates:

1.  The August Prayer Calendar is posted at http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_August_Prayer_Calendar.pdf.  Note: page 2 has a list of upcoming events.  For those 

• In Pittsburgh, let us know if you're available to connect when we're in the area August 21-22. We're in process of arranging a Saturday late afternoon/evening reception, details tba.
• In Central PA
  • August 31 (7 pm):  Invitation to Partnership:  Dental & Health Care Professionals. Speaker: Scott Boyles, Northeast Regional Director of the Christian Medical & Dental Association (CMDA).  Location:  Acorn Farms, 3141 Mount Joy Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552.  Please feel free to pass information regarding this event to health care professionals.  RSVP to tgrosh4@aol.com.
  • Sunday September 26 (12:30 pm):  Challenging sexual ethics issues Christians face today.  Christian Scholar Series featuring Dennis Hollinger, President of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.  Visit http://www.etownbic.org/hollinger/ to RSVP and for information on the whole morning at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ(sermon on Head, Heart & Hands, adult elective on Christian Ethics in Life & Death).

2.  Fiscal Update: Many of you have asked and given sacrificially during a stretching economic time.  Thank-you.  We rejoice in your concern and your standing with us in prayer, gifts [financial, office supplies, food, household (especially with Eden), time, skills, even services], and encouragement. The numbers are in and the bottom line is that we ended with a shortfall of $5,318 (reduced from the anticipated $15,000 shortfall). This will be addressed in the 2010-2011 fiscal year by adding the amount to the $92,000 which we're budgeted to raise in the coming fiscal year.  Please email us if you desire some detail regarding our budget and unique forms of giving/volunteering to advance the work.

1. Not the end of the story:  At the beginning of July, we received a $2,000 gift to further address the shortfall, adjusting the number at $3,318.  What a blessing, another example of how God provides through His people through His means in His timing.  As we have shared before, we have been blessed in immeasurable ways by your friendship, prayers, encouragement and giving.  Furthermore we are confident that God intends for us to touch campuses throughout Central PA (with PSU-Hershey Medical Center receiving a significant attention) and Emerging Scholars on the national scene (through conferencing, presenting, writing, blogging on http://blog.emergingscholars.org).  As such he will provide for our needs.  To God alone be the glory for the provision and the work on campus! 
2. Anchor Team:  If you sense a desire/interest (even call) to become part of a team/network of resource people to develop new and creative ways to fund and advance this pioneering work, please drop us a line by email or phone.  It is our intention to enter the new calendar year with a firm plan as to how to address the shortfalls which we experienced this year.  An important component of this plan, involves the development of a new team of donors to walk alongside us in the pioneering work among Christian scholars and health care professionals.

The summer has been full and it does not appear to be letting up. Please forgive me for not posting our July Prayer Calendar earlier, it is now available at http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_June_Prayer_Calendar.pdf.  Your intercession is greatly coveted/desired by our family and those with whom we minister on campuses in Central PA, in South Central PA as a community, within InterVarsity Christian Fellowship [through a variety of connections including InterVarsity Press (IVP) and Emerging Scholars Network], and on the web (e.g., http://blog.emergingscholars.org).

Fiscal Update: Many of you have asked.  Thank-you.  We rejoice in your concern and your standing with us in prayer, gifts [financial, office supplies, food, household (especially with Eden), time, skills, even services], and encouragement. So the numbers are in and the bottom line is that we ended with a shortfall of $5,318.  This will be addressed in the 2010-2011 fiscal year by adding the amount to the $92,000 which we're budgeted to raise in the coming fiscal year.*  At the beginning of July, we received a $2,000 gift to address the shortfall, adjusting the number at $3,318.  God provides through His people through His means in His timing.  We wait upon Him.  To God alone be the glory for the provision and the work on campus! 

Reconnecting:  If you're in the Pittsburgh area, let us know if you're available to connect when we're in the area 8/21-22, for more swing by 8/21-22 Pittsburgh Visit. If you're not from the Pittsburgh area (or not available over that interval) and desire to touch base, please email, call, or message us.

 (More)

 

Before flying out, Steve Lane (Pastor of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ) dropped me an email to let me that he'll be joined at Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/) by Matthew S. Harmon.  Matt is the Professor of New Testament Studies, Grace College & Theological Seminary.  And his blog on Biblical Theology, http://bibtheo.blogspot.com/, is #11 on Christian College dot com's Top 100 Theology Blog List, http://www.christiancolleges.com/blog/2009/top-100-theology-blogs/. 

Hmm.  The world of blogs.  I wonder if Matt will post about his time at TCCA with Steve.  Maybe I can get an inside scoop before he returns (or after the trip if the connection isn't good).  Maybe Matt will be an inspiration to Steve to start a blog for Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ ;-)  

Note 1:  Earlier post TCCA Connections -- Example of a small world & the work of God.

Note 2:  I wonder how this list was generated.  Good to see that Scot McKnight's Jesus Creed made the list.  I'd rank it much higher ;-)  Wonder if BioLogos or Emerging Scholars might make future lists.

Last weekend I was at the Brethren in Christ General Conference, serving as one of the delegates from Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ.  To catch some superb summaries of presentations and lots of pictures (including of Bible Quizzers) visit the conference blog at http://bic-church.org/gc2010/blog/. 

As for myself, it was a joy to get to know the Brethren in Christ more deeply, both on the level of vision/strategy and those from the Body of Christ who were present. Some personal highlights:

• Connected with some "on-line" friends/conversationalists face-to-face for the first time.
• Met a number of InterVarsity alum. 
• Networked with several people who are interested in partnering with the Central PA Christian Scholars Network and who provided input regarding my work among scholars/health care professionals (on the ground and on-line). 
• Heard an excellent presentation by John Spurrier, Brethren in Christ Medical Missionary who serves at Macha Missions Hospital, Zambia. Note: The day after General Conference, John & Esther Spurrier joined us at our home for a PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society's Social ... by the time you read this John & Esther are back in Africa addressing a number of medical issues, including an aggressive AIDS prevention/treatment program.  
• More on Spurrier's presentation, the dessert, and other topics to come.  For their prayer card, click here

Continuing to pray for God's transforming work among the Brethren in Christ over the course of the next two years.  Looking forward to the stories of God's transforming work which will be shared along the journey to and at General Conference 2012.  To God be the glory!

Steve Lane, Pastor of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, is en route with his family to teach for several weeks at the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/).  While at the Brethren in Christ General Conference (7/9-12), I had the opportunity to meet TCCA faculty Richard and Kathey Stuebin, http://www.theologicaltraininginafrica.org/staff.php.  One of the first things Richard shared with me was that he is an alum of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, who served with InterVarsity in the U.S. and later assisted with IFES. And as you can tell, the call to open up the Word and equip others continues. 

What a joy to meet Richard and Kathy, to hear their stories and to learn of how their passion for the Word has been passed on to their son who ministers with youth at Grantham Brethren in Christ!  A gift of God.  The Call of God.  That's why we love doing what we're doing as part of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.*  Looking forward to some partnering with two generations of Stuebins in the coming months, years. ... To God be the glory! 

 

*As you may remember Steve is also an InterVarsity alum.  Both Steve and Richard received theological training at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the president of which will speak for the Central PA Christian Scholars Network on Sunday, September 26.  For information visit http://www.etownbic.org/hollinger.

Thank-you to the many partners in ministry who invest their resources to enable me to give focused time and attention to the strategic, pioneering work of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN).  You've all heard me share about ESN's growth in "identifying, encouraging, and equipping the next generation of Christian scholars who seek to be a redeeming influence within higher education" AND the amazing stories of of those whom I have had the opportunity to walk along with in the challenging academic journey. ... But to make sure I keep those who desire more specifics up-to-date, below's a teaser.  Note:  the full report (based upon our May 2010 member survey) will be available in mid-July.

ESN Members: 3,604 as of April 2010 (8.4% increase from June 2009).

ESN Blog for the last 30 days: 

• 1,700 unique visits (42% increase from a year ago)
• 2,795 page views (60% increase from a year ago)
• Averaging 156 subscribers over past 30 days
• A couple of quotes from our 2010 ESN member survey:
  • Graduate student: "[I have been] fed spiritually through the articles on the site."
  • InterVarsity staff: "An excellent resource to direct students and faculty to join!"
  • ESN Mentor: "I've been glad to be a mentor to younger, up-and-coming scholars."

What have I contributed to ESN since moving to South Central PA?

• On the ground ...
  • Launching Central PA Christian Scholars Network
    • More available at Central PA ESN Lecture Series (also look us up on Facebook)
    • 9/26: Dennis Hollinger, President of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Info/RSVP
    • 2/25-27:  Mary Poplin, Professor of Education at Claremont Graduate University, details tba.
      • Along the Way: The Unlikely Conversion of a Radical Scholar
  • recruiting, e.g., check out pics from Urbana 09
  • speaking
• On the web ...
  
  • 155 blog posts
  • Two articles 
    • Loving God in the Flesh in the Real World 
    • Scripture Study of John 3:1-21

• “In many ways, Tom Grosh’s ministry to students and faculty is a 'throwback' to the early days of InterVarsity, yet his vision always casts forward to the redeeming influence that Christians can have in the university. Through his visits to campuses throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland, his writings on discipleship of the mind, and his concern for the whole of the Christian life, Tom consistently brings a word from God to the students and faculty he encounters. His gifts of reflection and discernment, as well as his deep love for the people and ideas of the university, are a great benefit to the Emerging Scholars Network and InterVarsity.” -- Micheal Hickerson, Associate Director, ESN, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

PS.  If you haven't visited the ESN Blog recently, I'd encourage you to swing by to check out an interview of a follower of Christ engaged with higher education:

• Chasing Wisdom with Nathan Foster
• Chasing Wisdom with Nathan Foster part II
• ESN Interview: Alissa Wilkinson
• Interview: Jimmy Lin, Medical and Scientific Doxologist
• David Naugle: Love, Happiness, and Paideia
• Derek Melleby: Academic Faithfulness
• Bobby Gross: Living the Christian Year

The Martyrs Mirror Conference 2010 (Sponsored by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College) began yesterday evening with a presentation on “Thieleman Jansz van Braght (1625-1664): A Preliminary Study of His Life and Thought.”

"The conference, which commemorates the 350th anniversary of the Dutch first edition of Martyrs Mirror, features presentations on spirituality, stories of women, tranmission and reception of the book, and details of its publication, especially the Ephrata edition of 1748." -- http://www.etown.edu/YoungCenter.aspx?topic=Martyrs+Mirror+Conference+2010.

After a breakfast appointment, I'm looking forward to heading back to campus to learning more about the history, transmission, and significance of "Martyrs Mirror." AND those who give their life to research, write, and present on the history of the people of God.

As always, I'll take some notes and write some reflections for those interested, but unable to come.

Our June Prayer Calendar is posted at http://groshlink.net/gallery/1/10_June_Prayer_Calendar.pdf.  Please join us in prayer as we rejoice in a year of ministry, prepare for summer activities, and look for the Lord's provision in addressing our current support shortfall of $15,000.

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Theresa and I enjoyed hosting Bobby Gross, National Director of InterVarsity's Graduate & Faculty Ministry.  Bobby's presentations were well received (Note: pictures and stories coming).  In preparation for these gatherings, we created a year end newsletter.  Click here to prayerfully review the material and consider how you (and local communities of which you are a part) might address our current shortfall of $15,000 (out of a total ministry budget of ~ $90,000).  Please let us know if you'd like us to connect with you, a local congregation's pastor and/or missions committee as you engage in late summer/early fall budget conversations.

As we mentioned in previous materials, our fiscal year closes on June 30 and the Father has not let us down in 14 years of ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  As such, we look forward to giving testimony to God's amazing provision for this pioneering work through the people of God.

Direct gifts to "InterVarsity Christian Fellowship" P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895.  Please enclose a separate piece of paper indicating that the gift is for the work of "Tom Grosh."  On-line giving available at www.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh

Bobby Gross

Director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Graduate & Faculty Ministry

At last week's Graduate & Faculty Team Meetings, God deepened my passion for long-term Kingdom labor in higher education.  As such, I ask you to intercede for the preparations for these upcoming gatherings and all the related appointments which have been coming together over the past several days. This is a significant time of envisioning and developing the support base (financial, resource, volunteer) for a growing pioneering work among Christian Scholars, Emerging Scholars, Health Care Professionals, and those who desire to be engaged in Culture Making.

If you are in Central PA, please try to join us for an evening in which you can hear testimony of God's amazing work on campus not only from myself, but also Bobby Gross, Director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Graduate and Faculty Ministries, and some with whom we minister.  Please RSVP to tgrosh4 at gmail.com by May 10 ...

What Tom shared with a local congregation desiring an update as we begin the month of May.  

A full week. I just returned from InterVarsity's Graduate & Faculty National Staff Team Mtg, for which I served on the planning team.  The workshop which I co-led on "Using Social Media Effectively & Appropriately" continues to receive a lot of positive feedback and indicates a significant area of ministry development for InterVarsity as an organization.  I'm exploring how I might share some of my gifts, experience, and resources/relationships (especially with Carnegie Mellon University alumni) to bless the movement as a whole.  Pray for discernment and next steps in this area.

God has continued to deepen our work with PSU-Hershey's Christian Medical Society and Christian Scholars in Central PA.  With respect to the second, on 4/19 we hosted a live web stream showing of the Amish Grace Movie followed by a discussion with Donald Kraybill, one of the authors of the book. A moving film and helpful conversation which clarified a number of the aspects of the film.  Note:  My initial blog post on the film can be found at http://blog.emergingscholars.org/2010/03/amish-grace-and-pop-culture/... another will be coming :-)

Finally, as the May prayer calendar shares, Theresa and I are seeking God's provision of an additional $15,000 in support as we close the fiscal year on June 30.  The Father has not let us down in 14 years of ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and we look forward to giving testimony to his amazing provision for an amazing work.

In Christ, Tom Grosh IV, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

PS.  If you're interested in learning more about our ministry and family, explore the Groshlink.net and Tom's Facebook page.

Pray for God the Father's gift of travel to/from, leading/direction of, presence at, the Word through our speaker (a physician), growing Christ-likeness, and the fruit of the Spirit at this weekend's PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society's Spring Retreat.  A little over 30 are confirmed, including grad students, medical students, nurses, physicians, and kids ;-)

Bobby Gross

Director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Graduate & Faculty Ministry

May 12, 7pm, Acorn Farms
Faith on the Edge, Ministering in Higher Education. An Invitation to Partner.
RSVP to tgrosh4 at gmail.com Click here for the Facebook Event Page.

May 13, 7:30 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, York
Living the Christian Year:  Time to Inhabit the Story of God -- Author Night
In partnership Hearts & Minds Bookstore.
Click here for the Facebook Event Page.

I'm looking forward to hearing and chatting with Scot McKnight, Karl A. Olsson Professor in Religious Studies at North Park University (Chicago, Illinois), at tomorrow's gathering of Atlantic Conference Brethren in Christ Church. Pray for the gathering to be a blessing to all present and provide insight regarding direction for individuals, families, local congregations, and related ministries. Pray for connections to be made at InterVarsity's Emerging Scholars Network Table which will lead to more partnerships for the Central PA Christian Scholars Network.

Note: Ministry Summary created for the Atlantic Conference Brethren in Christ Church available on-line: page 1, page 2.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.  -- Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today we ask for you to join us in focused prayer for our family and ministry. For those who are in South Central PA, please join us 11 am - noon, Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, 996 High St, Elizabethtown, Lounge.  In addition to the March Prayer Calendar, we've shared some additional prayer requests below.

Prayer requests from Theresa:

1. Praise: Enjoyed this weekend's cabin trip with Ellen and Hayley. Looking forward to the fun years ahead as all four girls continue to mature as women of God. What a joy to catch glimpses of Eden beginning to flourish!
2. Insight:  Eden's kindergarden registration and all the meetings which will be associated in trying to make the transition and coming year(s) as smooth and beneficial as possible.
3. Calendar: 
   
   1. When Tom's traveling for InterVarsity Meetings, a lot is going on at home.  Pray for the ability to arrange the needed childcare.
   2. Preparations for the summer, getting all the plans in order.

Prayer requests from Tom:

1. Praise:
   1. Joy of growing in Christ not only as an individual but as a member of an earthly and heavenly family, i.e., the Body of Christ.
   2. The deepening of the work with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN), in particular the ESN Blog and the Central PA Christian Scholars Network (also visit Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Emerging Scholars Series).
2. Discernment:  New leader selection for PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society is tonight.  Pray for the passing on the torch to give glory to God, to continue to advance the Kingdom of God.  Praise God for the good report from the 20 who served on the Dominican Republic Spring Break Missions Team.
3. Strength and spiritual insight as Tom takes part in
   1. InterVarsity's Spring Leadership Mtgs:  member of the prayer team
   2. InterVarsity's Graduate and Faculty Ministry National Staff Team Mtgs
      1. Advisory Team
      2. Bibliography for delegates, Query: Intergenerational Ministry Bibliography
      3. Resource table for delegates
      4. Workshop leader, Query: Social Media, Community Development, Campus Ministry 

In Christ, Tom & Theresa

PS.  New ministry summary sheet prepared for the Atlantic Conference Brethren in Christ Church, which is meeting on Saturday, March 28: page 1, page 2.

PPS.  We're developing a calendar for focused days of prayers, more information coming shortly.

Join me in praying for the 20 person PSU-Hershey Christian Medical Society's missions team. They are currently serving in the Dominican Republic over PSU's Spring Break. The team is comprised of a graduate student, medical students, nurses, and physicians. Pray for God to be working through them to those whom they minister to/alongside. Pray for safety in travel, the provision of necessary supplies, the healing touch of God in the physical and spiritual body. Pray for grace and insight when they return on Saturday to a variety of schedules and the picking up of daily routine.

.

Amish Grace & Pop Culture (Tom Grosh, ESN Blog, 3/3/2010) ... Responses?

I was intrigued with Dr. Kraybill for his intellectual insight on his belief on God. I was encouraged that he said his intellect drew him closer to God.  -- Emerging Scholar

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

A few items to pass along:

• March Prayer Calendar
• March 6-13:  PSU-Hershey Medical Center's Christian Medical Society Mission Team, comprised of 20 students (graduate, medical, and nursing) and physicians who will minister in the Dominican Republic. 
  
  • Pray for safe travel, strong health, and the necessary resources for the team to minister. 
  • Pray for the team to demonstrate, provide, and articulate the healing life of Jesus the Christ our Lord & Savior.
• Monday, March 22:  Please join us in spirit or in person for a Day of Prayer for Family & Ministry.  11 am—noon, Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, 996 High St, Elizabethtown, Lounge.  Prayer requests will be posted on Groshlink.
• Sunday, February 28 -- Positive comments continue to come in from our Day with Donald Kraybill, Sociology Professor, Elizabethtown College. The partnership with Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ has been rich and continues to deepen. 
  • Emerging Scholars And Elizabethtown BIC Team Up To Offer Seminar
• Upcoming ESN Events:
  
  • Wednesday, May 22:  Dessert with Bobby Gross, National Director of InterVarsity’s Christian Fellowship’s Graduate & Faculty Ministry. Location/time tba shortly.
  • Thursday, May 23:  Bobby Gross presents on his new book Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God (InterVarsity Press, 2009) through a partnership with Hearts & Minds Bookstore . Location/time tba shortly.
• Please continue to contact us if you have interest in and to connect us with those who you think might have interest in the Emerging Scholars Network.  
  • Note:  Tom's regularly posts on the ESN Blog
    • Addressing our Errors
    • What are you picking up this Lent?

Following and Walking in the Light of Christ,

Tom & Theresa Grosh

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Graduate & Faculty Ministry
http://www.groshlink.net
http://blog.emergingscholars.org

Financial support for this strategic ministry should be directed to "InterVarsity Christian Fellowship" P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895.  Please enclose a separate piece of paper indicating that the gift is for the work of "Tom Grosh."  On-line giving available at www.intervarsity.org/donate/to/Tom_Grosh

'Students and Faculty Transformed, Campus Renewed, and World Changers Developed.'

 

Click here for the March 2010 Prayer Calendar. Lord willing, e-prayer letter coming out tomorrow.  Pray for me as I travel to several campuses tomorrow.

Emerging Scholars And Elizabethtown BIC Team Up To Offer Seminar ran in the Elizabethtown-Mount Joy Merchandiser.  The article promoted the upcoming day with Donald B. Kraybill, Distinguished College Professor & Senior Fellow in the Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College.  What a joy to be engaged in this creative ministry pilot between Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship's Emerging Scholars Network! Note: For event page w/RSVP for lunch, click here.

Note:  Email sent to ministry partners.  If you desire to be part of the email list, please let us know. 

"I think one of the greatest needs today is to help people understand how the situation between reason or understanding and revelation has changed in our time, and specifically to understand that what is in trouble on our campuses today is reason itself. Reason is in big trouble!  The task of the university in the next century is to redeem reason and bring it fully into the camp of God. ... My claim will be that only the body of Christian knowledge and intellectual method can redeem reason." -- Dallas Willard, "The Redemption of Reason" (keynote address at the academic symposium "The Christian University in the Next Millennium," Biola University, La Mirada, California, February 28, 1998, http://www.dwillard.org/articles/artview.asp?artID=118).

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

A few items to pass along:

1. February Prayer Calendar
2. 2010 Ministry Summary half sheet -- attached. Note:  The original half sheet was created to share with members of Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ, our local congregation.  It has received a slight edit for wider distribution.  If you are a member of a fellowship which supports us (e.g., fellowship group, local congregation, missions committee, small group) and have an opportunity to distribute, please print and do such. 
3. Sunday, February 28 -- Partnership with Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ in hosting Donald Kraybill, Distinguished College Professor & Senior Fellow in the Young Center for Anabaptist & Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College.  If you're in the area, please join us for all or part of the day (Note: he'll preach on "Jesus' Upside Down Kingdom," teach adult Sunday school on "The Riddle of the Amish," and share "The Sociology of Faith: An Autobiographical Study" over lunch.  Info/RSVP available at http://www.etownbic.org/kraybill/.
4. Ministry and family updates continue to be posted at http://www.groshlink.net/, also regular posts on higher education at http://blog.emergingscholars.org/.
5. Weather update:  Preparations for the Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Winter Retreat took much of Tom's time over the course of the past week.  Due to the snow storm it was canceled.  Pray for discernment regarding next steps for area training.  Tom's currently snowed in, but working on posts such as http://blog.emergingscholars.org/2010/02/lost-in-a-blizzard-of-hidden-persuaders/.  All four kids are running around the house and will soon venture into the snow drifts when Tom turns attention to digging out.

Following and Walking in the Light of Christ,

Tom & Theresa Grosh

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Graduate & Faculty Ministry
http://www.groshlink.net/
http://blog.emergingscholars.org/

Our Mission: "To establish and advance at colleges and universities witnessing communities that follow Jesus"

Our Vision: "To see students and faculty transformed. Campuses renewed. World changers developed."

Due to the snow storm coming through the Mid-Atlantic, we've cancelled this weekend's Mid-Atlantic Graduate Student Winter Retreat.  Pray for discernment for the staff team as we prayerfully consider rescheduling the retreat for March 12-14.  Check back for updates.