Driving almost 1,000 miles, putting in several 15 hour work days, investing in 44 students for 6 days, and coming home with a head cold. Sounds like a pretty dreadful Spring Break, right?
 | |
| Daily Bible Study from Acts |
In actuality, it was one of the most spectacular weeks of ministry in my life. Through our time in Milwaukee, God opened the eyes of many students to his love for all creation and how he’s at work around the world. There’s a great deal I could say about all I was a part of, but instead I thought you might like to hear a bit from one of the students that was there and a brief story from another.
-----
First, an excerpt from Nick’s (Hamline) blog:
From this week, I've remembered something so obvious and necessary yet something I had neglected. God's City isn't only white. Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." From every TONGUE, TRIBE, PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE. Not a bunch of White Americans. Not just the upper middle-class. Not just men. From EVERY people. Hallelujah, God's vision is for EVERYONE! In Acts 2 we see the church frightened as Phillip preaches not to their friendly neighborhood Jews but to their ANCIENT ENEMIES. And even as he baptizes them in Christ, the church questions. Can THESE people really be Christian? Do they HAVE to be, can't we just have it easy and accept ONLY our friends?
The Holy Spirit did not settle for any less than a miraculous, echoing NO. The Holy Spirit came down in the presence of the church leaders, Peter and John, affirming for all eternity that the gift of salvation is open to all.
--
 |
| Hamline and St. Olaf students in Milwaukee |
My pride, my arrogance got in the way. My way was right, none other could be. My way or Hell. I sanctified my traditions over the Gospel. But God is a God of mercy, of grace, and of reconciliation. You see, our cultures are important, our differences are pivotal. Can I really be so prideful to believe God won't be playing Gospel Music in Heaven? Or hip-hop? Not anymore! Imagine dancing in Heaven as Jesus rocks the DJ's booth! Or the choir of angels is movin' and groovin' with claps and shouts!
-----
As one of the staff workers on site, one of my roles during the week was to work with students who were volunteering at St. Marcus Lutheran School. For most of these students, it was their first experience in an inner-city school. Nathan, one of the students serving there, was actually hoping to be at a different site, but because he had a car, we needed him to come to the school since we wouldn’t have enough drivers otherwise. When I first asked him how he was feeling about this experience, he was hesitant…it definitely wasn’t his first choice and he would admit that he didn’t have the greatest attitude. After 2 days of tutoring (actually, trying to remember math and English lessons long forgotten), Nathan shared that he was starting to realize that God had given him the capacity to be investing in the lives of young men, specifically those without a strong male role model. He knew from experience what life can be like without that influence, and God was calling him to use that experience to make a different in someone else’s life. It was amazing to see God work through our time at the school, and I can say without a doubt that the other 6 students who were serving there came home with a deeper understanding of how God is calling them to be a part of his work in the world.
-----
Weeks like this remind me time and again that I have the greatest job in the world. God is at work in lives all around me, and I get to be used in the process of developing new leaders and world changers. And I thank you for the role you play in supporting this work, whether it’s through prayer, financial support, or the random encouragements, it is all a huge blessing. Thank you so much.
If you would like to do more to partner with this ministry, you can be praying for students as we begin to prepare for next school year, specifically when it comes to identifying new leaders. There is also a financial need, especially if you know of any good fundraising ideas for students looking for help in paying for our upcoming Chapter Focus Week. Please contact me if you have any ideas or questions regarding this. Thanks
Deron
deron.vaupel@gmail.com
