The Ministry in Iowa

Back from the trip! I left last Monday and returned last Thursday in the afternoon. Thank you all for your prayers - I definitely felt them. Here are some of the ways that God showed up during my trip:

Protection on my travels
A deer ran in front of my car on a dark Iowa highway and caused me to swerve and skid all over the 2 lane highway. Thankfully no cars were near me and the car stayed on the road and didn't hit any of the obstacles that could have been laying off the highway. No damage was done to me, the car or the deer but I did leave some awesome skid marks in a snake like pattern in the middle of I-63 =).

Two student leaders @ William Penn University
Please continue to pray for Leah and Jenerro who will be trying to start a music ministry at their local InterVarsity chapter @ William Penn. Our first couple meetings went extremely well and I was blessed to see God already at work in growing their hearts for helping others to worship God at the University. Their goal is to do their first worship set together at the end of the semester at the last large group. I will be following up with them and their campus staff, Sherami, and will keep you posted. Here is an excerpt from a letter Sherami sent to me:

I'm so grateful for your passion & initiative in helping the students start worship at Penn. It's so nice having someone who understands empowering students & is willing to continue working w/them. ... I can already see the potential leadership growth as I've spoken with Leah and Jenero! You blessed us tremendously - thank you! - Sherami, IV Staff @ William Penn

One Student Worship Leader @ Drake
Drake University already has a worship team but had just gotten a new worship leader who is extremely gifted as a worship leader but is facing some challenges and frustrations in sharing his passion with those on his team and in the chapter itself. We had a great conversation and I look forward to continuing to mentor him and be a resource to empower him to improve the quality of music ministry leadership at Drake. He recently wrote me a short email:

Hey Jon, I want to thank you for coming and talking with me last week. It was really a blessing to be able to speak with you about things others wouldn't understand. I feel like I was able to learn from what you shared with me as well. I'm exited about practicing your thoughts about how people interpret worship through the worship leader. ... I'm looking forward to hearing back from you. - Michael, Worship Leader @ Drake

Thanks again to everyone for your prayers. Please continue to pray as I follow up with these students and work to help them lead others in worship.