A Summer Charged with Potential

Mery writes "I had developed a very jaded view of religion but couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something important in my life. What was it about the message of Jesus that had so many people following him dutifully in their daily lives? I began to meet members of my university's Chaplain's Office who completely contradicted the images of Christians that I held. These people believed in the message of justice and service that I had read about in the Bible and were actually acting on them. They preached acceptance and love, and most importantly, being an ACTIVE member of society and working purposeful to change the world around them for the better. I discovered community among these like-minded individuals, and a renewed admiration for God."

Mery just finished her junior year at Ohio Wesleyan. I have known her from the very beginning of her college career. She is a rare mix of energy and deep thoughtfulness. She has been involved in the outdoor ministry as well as mission trips and other service opportunities, but as she writes above, she has only recently begun to seriously consider Christianity.

She will spend forty days of her summer in the mountains of Wyoming on the CCO's Leadership and Discipleship in the Wilderness trip (LDW). This hardcore backpacking and mountaineering experience is more than high adventure. Students are guided to explore a variety of spiritual practices on their own and together as a group.

I went on LDW as a student in 2004. The trip played a major role in my decision to become a campus minister with the CCO, and I often reference the skills I learned on the trip in my everyday life. Please pray that this summer will be a time of intense spiritual growth for Mery.

While students are away from campus, I will spend my summer preparing for next school year. Here are some highlights:

• CCO Spring Institute - Two weeks of training for campus ministry. I will take three courses and teach a seminar on how to plan and lead a spring break trip.

• Athletes' Fresh X - Fresh X offers pre-orientation retreats for new students. This year there will be three different trips for three groups of students. The first one is a backpacking trip in Kentucky for student athletes that I will lead at the end of June.

• Planning - Bible studies, outdoor trips, and other events for the fall
  

• Fund raising - My goal is to gain at least six new monthly donors.

• Vacation - A little bit of downtime will round out my summer.

Osprey Homecoming

Last weekend I took some students to help with the Osprey Homecoming at Hogback Ridge Park, near Delaware. Ospreys are raptors, similar to eagles, that eat mostly fish. They even dive into the water to watch them. They're large birds, with wingspans approaching 6 feet.

The day was so much fun. We spent some time exploring the nature center and then went over to see the nesting platforms in Alum Creek Reservoir. I have to admit to being a little skeptical before hand that we would actually get to see any ospreys. After all, I don't think they knew that the park had scheduled a homecoming for them, but maybe they did know because eight ospreys were there including two mated pairs - one which had already built a nest and laid eggs. I haven't seen that many ospreys in my whole life, and the park had telescopes set up to watch the birds in action.

Then we finished the day with several hours of picking up trash along Alum Creek and the road into the park. To give you an idea of how long it had been since litter was picked up from the area let me tell you that some of the items I found were an 8 track (The students didn't even know what it was.) and a green glass Coke bottle.

We had a great time and enjoyed serving the park in that way. The students are the leaders for Fresh X, Ohio Wesleyan's freshmen retreat. I'm looking forward to working with them again for that event in August.

Climb Well, Live Well

Picture yourself rock climbing, high on a cliff: You come to a difficult section and feel like you're going to fall. You get scared. Your breath comes quick and shallow. Your muscles tense up, and your ability to climb drastically drops.

Now, intentionally take slow, deep breaths and tell yourself that you aren't going to fall this instant. Your muscles relax; you feel calmer and notice a great hand-hold within easy reach. You grab it and you are able to climb well through the difficult section and finish the route.

Now imagine yourself in a stressful life situation: For one student this was taking a big exam. For you maybe it's driving in heavy traffic or arguing with a roommate or family member. Things are not going your way; you are frustrated, angry. You feel yourself about to lash out and scream - or break down and cry.

You check your breathing again. It's fast and shallow. Deliberately take deep, regular breaths. Feel yourself begin to relax. Tell yourself that the car in front of you, the person you're arguing with - whatever you are mad at - isn't in control of you. You begin to think more clearly and finish the test with confidence, drive calmly to work, or apologize and live well.

Over spring break I took ten students on a week long camping and rock climbing trip. This activity about breathing illustrates how we looked at essential climbing skills and expanded them into principles to help us to excel in other areas of our lives. The aspects of climbing we focused on included: Breathing, movement, balance, and goal setting.

Spring Break Wilderness Treks are designed for students to encounter themselves, other people, God, and the natural world in new ways. In addition to the Arkansas trip, I sent treks to: The Florida Everglades; Cumberland Island, GA; and Big South Fork National Recreation Area, TN. In all, forty two students were able to take advantage of these four opportunities to discover new things within themselves while exploring God's creation.

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

I spent my spring break this year with a great group of students at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch in northwestern Arkansas. We rock climbed, camped, hiked, and explored rock climbing as a metaphor for life. I'll post more about that later; for now I have a few photos for you to enjoy.

More on Jubilee

"Re-imagine the world in a way that acknowledges a God who cares about your life right now. Everything you think, everything you say, and everything you do matters today. Our task as Christians is to be Kingdom people in our time, despite the struggles we experience. . . Jesus began the greatest and final year of Jubilee. Our task is to live like it." ~ From the Welcome to Jubilee

Two weeks ago I, alond with the other CCO staff at OWU, took forty five students and staff to the annual Jubilee conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Of the five times I've been to Jubilee, this one was the best.

Students' Reflections and Highlights

"I learned that plans change and even though there are things I dream of doing with my major, God may have other plans." Tiffany

"I enjoyed discussions on the bus travelling to Jubliee and getting to know my roommate." Barbara

"Bill Strickland instilled a lot of hope in me. If one person can do all he did, there is still hope for the rest of us making an impact." Sam

What I like best about Jubilee is that the spirit of the conference continues beyond the three days of the actual event. My students had an exciting weekend away from campus, a weekend filled with moving worship music, the inspiring testimonies of dynamic Christian leaders, and the energy of thousands of Christians gathered in one place. This gave students a glimpse into how some people have chosen to serve God in fields as varied as banking and athletics, art and education.

Now, back on campus, I can continue the conversation with students. We hold weekly Bible studies and many informal discussions in the spirit of Jubilee - telling students that God cares about what they make of their lives, that God wants them to be Christian leaders not only in church and "Christian activities" but also within theirmajors. As the conference theme said "Every square inch belongs to God."

In less than a week I will take eleven students to Arkansas for a week of high adventure rock climbing and high intensity growth and learning. Please keep us and our other thee spring break wilderness trips in your prayers.

Jubilee 2009

I spent my weekend at Jubilee. This was the fifth time I've been there, and it was also the best. The line up of speakers was amazing. Just a few of my favorites were Andy Crouch, Gabe Lyons, and the folks from *culture is not optional.

Bill Strickland also spoke. Play the clip below for a taste of what he had to say.



Mr. Strickland built a training center in a bad neighborhood of Pittsburgh. It's a shining example of the Jubilee vision, that the good news be shared with all people. The following scripture comes to mind: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~Colosians 3:17 If we're doing things in the name of Jesus, then we'll do them excellently Like the folks at the Bidwell Training Center.

Here is a link to a longer YouTube video about Mr. Strickland's training center. It's well worth your time.

This was the message of Jubilee. We also heard from other people who are in the midst of projects to bring God's Kingdom to Earth. Thanks for your support and encouragement that enables me to undertake a similar project, albeit a small one, bringing God's Kingdom into the lives of students at OWU.

Theology: Ideas about God that change the way you live

I heard this definition last week, and it keeps running through my mind. The question I ask myself again and again is "Do I only give students new ideas about God, or do I truly guide them to change the way they live?"

College students are inundated with new ideas every day, so its not enough for me to add Christian ideas into the mix. I need to show them that another way of life is possible and challenge them to change. I have two big events planned this spring to do just that: The Jubilee Conference and Spring Break Wilderness Treks.

Jubilee is the CCO's biggest event of the year. More than two thousand college students will converge in Pittsburgh to worship, learn, and network with other Christian students. Together we will explore this year's conference theme: "Every square inch belongs to God." Students will hear dynamic speakers and participate in interactive workshops explaining how God cares about all of life, including how they study and what careers they choose to pursue.

Presenters at the conference include: Andy Crouch, a new favorite author of mine and Daniel Sepulveda, punter for the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. These are just two speakers in a brilliant line up of more than forty Christian professionals and leaders.

Spring Break Wilderness Treks are outdoor adventure experiences to all parts of the country. This year's trips are:
"Climb Well, Live Well" Rock climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Arkansas
"Sun, Wind, Tide" Coastal canoing in the Florida Everglades
"Searching for Self" Backpacking on Cumberland Island, Georgia
"Where am I storing up treasure?" Backpacking in Big South Fork National Recreation
Area, Tenessee

Each team is captained by OWU student leaders working with a CCO staffer to create a safe and fun trek that gives students an opportunity to not only hear new ideas about God, but to change the way they live.

Each trek focuses on one aspect of lfe, demonstrating how to approach it differently, and challenging students to do so. My team (Arkansas) will focus on ways to measure success. The message I want to convey to students is this: Even though we often measure our success and self worth solely on our performance, God measures us by a different standard. According to him our worth comes from being his children, created in his image.

In addition to offering this idea about God, we have activities and reflections planned to make this abstract concept tangible and give students practical steps they can take to make it real in their lives.

"God will provide" is an idea that changed the way I lived when I became a campus minister - and he had provided. Your generous hearts are the tools he uses to supply me with a salary and also with encouragement, especially when I need it most. Thank You!