"I Can't Believe this is Happening!"

Big Break was an amazing week of sharing our faith, bonding with students, and hearing great talks about our Idenity in Christ from Roger Hershey. There are so many stories I could share with you about Big Break. Well, since I'm not limited to space on my blog, I can!

After a 33 hour drive, a flat tire, and a fender bender, the 34 Boston students and staff arrived in Panama City Beach, FL. Everyone was tired and smelly, but excited for the week ahead. We made the trip to Wal Mart for groceries (which is like a Macy's on Black Friday) and got settled in.

On Sunday night we kicked-off the week with a great talk and worship with the other 1,200 students at the conference. Then Monday was our first day of sharing. Most of our students had never shared their faith before. This is always nerve racking in the beginning, but once we were all out there we saw the Holy Spirit at work.

One conversation I had on Monday was with a girl Taylor. Taylor was very open to the survey and it became clear that she had a "mixed bag" of beliefs. Her parents were non-practicing Muslims and raised her to be "one with the earth". She was open with Rice and I about her life, but I was surprised when she said that she has a strong desire to know God personally! I was excited to share the gospel with her and kept saying "I can't believe this is happening! This is what I've wanted for so long and now someone is putting it into words. I can't believe this is happening to me right now!" Taylor wasn't ready to receive Christ, but took the gospel booklet to look through it again on her own. Praise God for our conversation with Taylor! Please continue to pray for her and that other Christians will enter into life with her.

*The picture is of guys at Big Break sharing with other college studetns at Panama City Beach

Vision for the Northeast

The Northeast Region (New England and New York) has 2.3 million university students and faculty on over 550 campuses. From first generation immigrant students living at the poverty line in NYC to future presidents at Yale and Harvard, the universities of the Northeast are the most influential and diverse in the world. God, in His wisdom, has given this part of the country a unique position in shaping world thought and history. Our vision is to transform every campus by launching spiritual movements to reach the lost and grow Christ-centered, fruitful leaders.

We're having a Vision Dinner on May 1st to share with people in our communities how they can help see this vision come alive. Through financial partnership, prayers, and/or volunteering, you can be a big part of what God is doing. Please pray for our upcoming Vision Dinner!

Ashley @ Preview Weekend

Wouldn't you love a winter getaway to sunny, Orlando, FL? Many think of Orlando as the capitol for Disney Princesses and Mickey Mouse, but in the heart of the city is also CCC's Headquarters. Known as Lake Hart, over 1,000 staff members work at this state-of-the-art property.

Ashley had the opportunity to visit Lake Hart last month. Every February CCC HQ hosts "Preview Weekend", a time for graduating seniors to see a snapshot of what ministry in Operations looks like. They see the different operational teams: Human Resources, Worldwide Challenge Magazine, Conferences and Events, IT, and the National Campus Office, just to name a few. The great thing about Preview Weekend is that students see how their skills can be valuable in an office setting. Because students are only surrounded by staff on their campus, they feel limited to what they can do within the ministry. Preview Weekend sheds light to that misconception. Ashley came back inspired by the weekend and is ellated the do a one year internship at Lake Hart when she graduates! I'm so excited for her and that she was able to discern God's will while there. She also came back a with little tan, or should I say slightly less white. :)