Into the Unknown...

I hear it over and over again from students, friends, and collegues in campus ministry, "We've never been here before!" I know we can all resonate with this statement. We are literally walking into the unknown in almost every aspect of our lives. This includes our ministry to students.

While serving with our students in India for spring break, we found out that the upcoming weeks of school would be canceled. Soon after returning, we received information that the rest of the school year would be held online only. Every campus in Richmond was closed to only essential staff. That meant every small group, every worship meeting, every planned event, all of our one-on-ones were instantly canceled too. But I'm happy to report, our ministry to students continues. Our small group leaders are hosting meetings through Zoom, we'll have our first ever Wednesday Night Live online today, 7pm @ rvaxa.online.church (thanks LifeChurch.tv for opening up your virtual platform for free), and we're gathering to pray online every day. We're also systematically reaching out to each one of our students to make sure their needs are met and they're growing in their faith. We've never done any of this before and to be honest, we're not exactly sure what will come of it, but you can be assured we'll work our hardest to continue to reach students, train leaders and influence nations.

This is an extremely difficult time for our world. As we gather to pray every day, we're lifting up individual needs. We're asking for God to bring healing to those who are sick, to provide for those who are financially insecure and to be close to those who are isolated. We're praying for wisdom and protection for medical professionals and leaders of government. We're praying for the church to be strengthened; that every local congregation, campus ministry, and outreach would find ways to live out the love of Jesus safely, but in ways that would meet real needs. We're praying for God to reveal Himself. We would love to pray for you specifically. Respond to this email with your prayer request and I'll guarantee Richmond Chi Alpha will be seeking God for it the next day! 

Finally, let me say how much we appreciate your financial support. Your sacrifice enables us to meet our personal financial demands and helps us to guide our students to the peace and purpose of Christ during this difficult time. We are so thankful for you!!!

Would you pray with us?

• Pray for us to find creative ways to connect with students. 
• Pray for our small groups to be re-established and be open to invite new students in. 
• Pray for our new virtual leadership training that we would be able to raise up the next generation of small group leaders through online delivery.
• Pray for our seniors, that we would be able to prepare them to step into a very different world and make an impact.