decisions, decisions...

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Preview Weekend at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Upon graduation from WKU in May, I am not entirely sure where God is leading me. Honestly, I do not want to be in school any longer. I feel like that chapter in my life is quite lengthy, and it’s time for a change. However, I feel God nudging me to go to seminary, for whatever reason. My prayer has been (and still is!) that God would help me to trust though there’s a reason I can’t understand.

Before the Preview Weekend at Southern, I had many concerns and questions about specific degree programs that I was interested in. The weekend was great in the sense that I got most of my questions answered and was able to narrow my options to a few degrees. I am not completely set on attending seminary at Southern, but I would like to visit both Southwestern (in Texas) and Southeastern (in NC). So, after the weekend, I knew more precisely what to pray for in terms of future plans. First of all, I am praying for direction and clarity in regards to where I should go and what degree plan to pursue. Second, I am in prayer about what type of ministry God wants me to focus on while I am in seminary. And lastly, I am praying for peace that transcends all understanding. The last one is the most difficult because I want to know details, but God doesn’t always show me everything for my own good.

Right now, I am in the process of applying to Southern and have to get all of my references lined up to be sent in. It is definitely a bittersweet process, and exciting at the same time. There is only one part of the application that I have left blank. The decision of which degree to pursue is not to be taken lightly, so I have been praying and other people have been praying for me to have an answer to this uncertainty. What I do know is that God has given me a heart for missions and I desire to somehow glorify Him through that passion. There are so many people asking me what I plan to do with my degree from WKU in Religious Studies, and the only thing I can say is that I will devote myself to glorifying Christ with the gifts and passions He has given me, in whatever way He sees fit. Most of the time I wish I could answer with a practical career goal, such as teaching or counseling or social work, but then I realize that God has not called me to be practical. He wants me to be radically sold out to Him, no matter how ridiculous that may sound to the world. So whether I end up at Southern or not, I know one thing for sure – my life is in His hands.

“Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory…take my life and let it be Yours.”

falling into a new season

So long Summer… hello Fall. The season also known as Autumn is most definitely my favorite of all the wonderful times of year. Don’t get me wrong – the other three seasons have their own beautiful qualities that make them just as lovable, but there is a certain charm to fall that none of the others have. Spring ushers in new life and pretty flowers, but comes with unpredictably bad weather. Summer smells like fresh cut grass and provides opportunities for kids to play outside, but it is very hot and humid. Winter decks the halls with snowflakes that glisten and celebrates the birthday of the Savior Jesus, but it packs on the pounds and chills to the bone. Fall, however, has no downside. Everything about it is wonderful to me. These are a few of my favorite things: colorful trees, hayrides, cool but not cold temps, hot chocolate, chili, fleece blankets, hoodies, football games and volleyball season, cookouts and bonfires, stepping on crunchy leaves, yard sales, new TV seasons where old shows return, the optimistic feeling of a fresh start, not having to turn on the AC or heat, leaf piles begging to be jumped in, and fall decorations! And although I’m not too crazy about Halloween, I do love Thanksgiving.

More than anything, fall always reminds me of just how majestic and creative the God of the Universe is! His creation is magnificent! I could observe as a tree transforms throughout the year and know without a shadow of a doubt that my God created it, and all of His creation proclaims His glory.

The season also reminds me of the process of transformation we must go through as His children. Just as leaves in the fall die and fall to the ground, so must we as believers die to ourselves and be raised to new life in Christ. It is a daily cycle of death and rebirth, just like the seasons changing, where we must make a conscious decision to live for Christ alone. The parable in John 12 stands out to me – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24) The kernel must die in order to reproduce and grow. If it dies, it produces. The principle of life through death is evident even in the plant world! The kernel must perish as a kernel if there is to be a plant. I want to be that kernel of wheat, even though dying to myself is hard most of the time.

I love how God uses simple, everyday things to teach us complicated truths. So much can be learned from His creation and His Word. So, in this new season, keep your eyes open for the things He desires to show you. Allow yourself to be transformed – even if it means falling to the ground like that kernel of wheat. Don’t you just love fall?!

The World at Our Door

This week I have been pondering the importance of international student ministry and how amazing it is to get to be a part of the ongoing ministry to those students here at WKU. Two years ago I had the privilege of serving on the Leadership Council at the BCM (Baptist Campus Ministry) here on campus as the ministry team leader for international students. Looking back, I realize how much I could have done to make that ministry better. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the impact of the ministry and the potential it had to become so much more. That year a dear friend and sister in Christ, Melissa (who was the international student minister at the time) gave me a book called The World at Your Door that really challenged me and encouraged me in the ministry I was given to lead. The book not only increased my heart for the nations, but also ignited a desire within me to truly invest my life in the lives of international students for the glory of Christ. There were certain things the book outlined that I need to share.

First of all, it is imperative to point out that each year over 120,000 new international students and scholars begin a four-year sojourn in American universities and other institutions of higher learning. While these students come to America with specific goals and plans, most of them are unaware of a personal divine plan from God. As caring and committed Christians come across their paths and offer friendship in Him, they can learn about the greatest friend of all – Jesus Christ. Over half a million students come from around the globe to study in the United States, right in our own backyard. As we develop friendships with these future leaders and executives, we have an opportunity to reach our world for Christ. When these students complete their education and return to their homelands, they assume leadership in international corporations and national institutions. Or, they become political leaders, influencing thousands. Unfortunately, during their time in the U.S., most of these students never enter an American home or visit a place of worship. Statistics prove that among the international students who study in the U.S., historically 70 percent have never been invited to an American home during their stay. More than 85 percent are never invited to an American church or have any meaningful contact with genuine Christians during an average stay of four years.

As believers living in America, we have an incredible opportunity to influence the lives of this world’s emerging generation of influencers. International students sent to America are typically the best and the brightest their countries have to offer. In five to twenty-five years, they will be the leaders of their nations. They will return home to make a difference. The question is, “Will they make a difference for Jesus Christ?”

Over 50 percent of international students come from countries that are closed or less than accessible to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet their future leaders and executives are here. In God’s plan, He has brought these leaders to our door. In many cases, it is difficult or impossible for traditional missionaries to enter these nations. We don’t need to be called by God to a foreign land to be used by Him in His plan for reaching the nations. Consider the life of Jesus. He met the needs of the people everywhere. If they were sick, he reached out and touched them and they were healed. If they were bound up with demons, he touched them and freed them. He met people right where they were at the time. The New Testament book of Acts records in its early pages how men and women were gathered together from around the world. In Jerusalem, these people heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, accepted it, and returned to their countries as ambassadors for God. Today history repeats itself in the U.S., where over 500,000 of the world’s best, brightest, and/or privileged students from every nation are within minutes of a local church.

God has brought the mission field to our doorstep. If only one-half of one percent of all Christians who say they know Jesus as Lord and Savior in a personal way became a friend to an international student, we would have a friend for every international student in the nation! What an opportunity to impact the world for Christ!

So, here’s the challenge – Be a pioneer in this most strategic of all mission fields. Be a foreign missionary on your own doorstep! Love an international, a future leader of our world, for Christ’s sake. Touch someone who will impact others – perhaps a nation, perhaps the world. Reach the unreached while they are here in our country. Join the most reproductive mission in the world – the international student outreach of love and hospitality. Each of us can be such a friend and help reach the nations for Christ!

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3