August 2025
It was her second day on campus and she was anxious to meet with me. Jael contacted me over the summer through a friend and I had told her that yes I’d be willing to meet with her once she was back on campus. She didn’t waste any time in getting a meeting set up. And as I sat with her and listened to the anxiety within her woven with passion and excitement I reassured her that through the process of discernment during her senior year she would know that she is in the center of what God has for her and she will not choose wrong. The anxiety is real in this generation for wanting to do what is right, wanting to be sure to do what God has planned for them. Wanting to know how to find peace over next decisions. And I know that this conversation will be played out with at least 40 students this year as the reality of decision-making hits them square in the face and they fear doing something wrong. I want students to enter their senior year with the boldness and willingness to step into the calling that God has given them, and to begin to take the steps that they can while still on campus.
My own heart has wrestled over the last years for where God is calling me and what assignment he has for me. I have been deeply convicted throughout my 25 years in education that I cannot ask a student to do something that I am not willing to do myself. I have wrestled deeply with the path that God has before me, His calling, His placement. I have found myself walking in boldness so that students can walk in their own boldness. The confirmation to this calling comes as I meet with students, like Jael, and pray with them as they desire to be in a position where they can do life as ministry, and take on the role of disciple makers whether it is in the US or abroad. I know God has placed me here in this season to live out that call and honestly, it is a difficult season.
And so I embark on my ninth season on the college campus with open hands for what God is going to do. The question comes often, “What are you doing now?” and my answer remains the same, “Disciple-making.” It has been engrained within me for 30 years now – walking with students, pointing them toward Jesus and challenging them to not settle for comfortable. I am a disciple set on making disciples that will make disciples. The organization may change, the location might look different, but my boss remains the same – Jesus. And the assignment remains the same – to walk with, disciple and launch the next generation. Ministry is not just for across the globe and I have been challenged by this in the last eight years, seeing more and more the mission field on our campuses, even the campuses labeled as Christian campuses. And so I embark on this journey of continuing in this season of ministry on campus and allowing the Lord to lead and direct.
In my role, I will be able to be on campus every day, meeting with students, leading discipleship groups, giving oversite to students in ministry and spurring students toward living out the gospel message. The lyrics to Missionary Anthem have popped into my head often in the last month:
The harvest is ready, We have to go
We won’t stop, Till the whole world knows
The power in Your blood, To save every soul
We’re not ashamed of the gospel
I will preach the gospel
Die and be forgotten
As long as You get the glory
And going right now looks like being present on campus every day. That no matter where I am, who is in front of me and how I am serving, God has called me to preach the gospel, lead others and to not take the spotlight off of the truth. Surrendering to my will and taking up the cross. Preaching the gospel will happen through conversations, support for students and leading discipleship groups this semester on the themes of “ What happens when you say yes to God” and “Practicing the Way of Jesus”. I will also be meeting with leadership of several campus groups to help guide them in decision making.
This season comes with its challenges, trusting in God’s provision and partnerships. Support raising shifts from being funneled through the church to being funneled through Christian Ministry Alliance. This causes some confusion for people who have been faithful givers and I would welcome sitting down with you to talk and answer questions through this process. Not much has changed except that I am support raising using a different funnel so that it remains legally backed and tax deductible.
To support ministry this semester, I am raising money to be used for serving students in missional community through Midweek Meals hosted at my house, meeting 1 on 1 with students, outreach events to reach the unreached on campus, and needs that arise within our MK (missionary kid) and international community on campus. My monthly goal right now is $1400 a month.
Praise Him through whom all blessings flow! This leap of faith that I continue to take is not taken alone. I will preach the gospel in words, in deed, in action and stay the course.
If you would like to continue to be a part of the support team that helps support students, there are two ways that you can give:
On the Donor Fund Website you will find my webpage and the following link to donate. I invite you to go to this page to see the missionaries that are served under this organization.
For more frequent updates follow my blog: https://mytrustfall.com
