October Update

I have been really encouraged this month getting to see and hear how our students are growing in their relationships with one another and with Christ.

I'm currently studying the bible with a young guy that I've been spending some time with on and off for about 5 or 6 months.  He's been around our ministry for a couple years, but never very involved or invested.  This past summer was a real low point for him, leaving him feeling disenchanted, isolated, and estranged from God.  On top of that, while it was obvious to him that something was wrong, it was obvious to me that he wouldn't take advice to overcome those things!

I challenged him pretty hard about it near the end of the summer.  About a week later, he contacted me with a much different attitude about the things we'd spoken about.  And while it wasn't overnight, I've gotten to watch him slowly change his mindset and habits.  He committed himself to being a part of the community, to look for ways to give, and to work on building spiritual friendships with some of the guys.

What a change it has brought about in him!  At the end of our time last week, he told me he feels like he's been missing out his entire life.  Growing up without a father in the picture, he said he's never had guys in his life that could help him figure things out and navigate this life in a way that glorifies God.  I just can't wait till he gets to turn around and play that role in the lives of other young men.

Another cool story...  One of our student leaders at Collin this year had shared with me back in the summer that she really wanted to find ways to reach out to her co-workers.  She works at a bank and is by far the youngest person in her department--most of them are old enough to be her parents.  But she has purposefully worked to that end, buying a couple of her co-workers a bible along the way.

Long story short, I found out today that she has set up a one-on-one bible study with a woman in her 40's.  What 20-year-old does that?  This one does!  God is raising up young people in our midst that go into spiritual battle every day in their own spheres of influence.  This isn't just about our campuses, this is about the Kingdom of God expanding wherever His people go.


Please pray that our one-on-one bible studies will be fruitful, that students will come to know the Lord, and that they will understand what it is that He is calling them to.

Thank you for your prayers and continued support.  This work is indeed impossible apart from the grace, love and power of our Lord.  May He receive all the glory!

Much love and thanks,
Casey