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Freshman Roommate Power A Ministry Update from the Kertsons
Every year is a rush to connect with Freshman. To capitalize on their FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) by getting them to hang outs that will hopefully turn into meaningful connections and conversations that build into relationships and eventually changed lives through the power of Jesus. We have had great success this year so far with some packed events such as a ladies’ crafting event and a guys’ Poker Night that both drew almost 50 new students. 50 of us also just came back from our Fall Retreat last weekend where we encountered God in amazing ways learning his love is more than we could ever need by giving each student their own loaf of bread and bottle of grape juice for communion (see the 90 second video above).
In the midst of the craziness there is always a key story or two that stick out. So far for me it has been the quality of freshmen that God has brought us already. In particular, we have three sets of roommates that have come to Chi Alpha. In each instance, one roommate has brought the other more reluctant roommate and God has moved in both of their lives to find out what true community and love look like. They have also built a deeper friendship than the pair would have imagined around the person of Jesus. Diana is a fireball full of life and the Holy Spirit. She has leader written all over her. Her roommate Kerrin was a week late to school because of Visa issues (she is an international student from South Africa). As soon as Kerrin arrived Diana began getting her back on track academically and connecting her socially through Chi Alpha tailgates, parties, services and small groups. At first Kerrin was hesitant because her church back home warned her against groups with bad doctrine, but Diana’s love (and hopefully good doctrine) has won her over and she is all in on serving Jesus at SDSU through Chi Alpha. Jillian and Mary are another roommate team that together have come to every single service and many of the events we have. Jillian told me she never would have come if Mary hadn’t been so insistent, and now she couldn’t imagine not being a part of Chi Alpha. Finally, Bridgett and Alisha were paired as roommates over the summer and became super close. Their depth of relationship allowed Bridgett to invite Alisha to Chi Alpha even though Alisha didn’t have a faith background but now because of Bridgett’s friendship, she is a follower of Jesus! It is so awesome to provide a place of empowerment for these students to be used by God on their campus and to make an impact in the lives of others. It’s even more awesome when it happens so fast because God was at work months ago through the housing department to prepare the way!
Keeping Up With the Kertsons
The girls have gotten back in the full swing of school, voice and dance lessons. Next week they have their two-week Fall Break. Pray for our sanity.
Kendra has been taking an increased role preaching in Chi Alpha speaking at least once a month and she has been killing it. She may soon pass Brandon as the most sought-after speaker in the family.
Brandon has been battling sickness a lot this first month of school. He had a peritonsillar abscess that caused a lot of pain and doctors’ visits. He also has the flu as we write this. Pray for healing and him to take good care of his body in the midst of business.
Prayer/Partnership Points
Thanks to all of those who made an extra donation to help send a student to Fall Retreat. If I could tell you each student’s story and what God did, you would see it was a worthwhile investment.
Pray for endurance for our student leaders who have been working so hard to reach new students. They have done an amazing job and at this point it is easy to go into cruise control, but there are so many more students who don’t know Jesus on our campus and so much discipleship to be done to raise up more leaders.
Pray for our Halloween outreaches coming up at the end of the month. It is always a strategic time to connect to our campus by finding ways to serve and share Jesus with all the students partying that week.
