InterVarsity CityLights in the news

Local TV station KPLR 11 did a news spot on CityLights, a program our students participated in this spring, where they served in the inner city to help those often ignored by members of "productive society". Not only did God use many of them in their service but God grew many of their hearts for the people they met. Click here to read the article.

SLU InterVarsity 2007 Slide-Show!

We're having a little end of the year party on Monday. This is a little slide show that will be shown there. I think the greatest accomplishment this year at SLU was to really see the students start to enjoy each other as a community. That alone has been a great witness to non-believers on a campus that has a culture of independence and individuality. Thanks again for your support!

Urbana 2006 Live Worship CD Released!

The CD is out finally! Click here to listen to some samples or to buy it online! Thanks again for all your support & prayers for Urbana!

FYI the group of people formerly known as the "Urbana 2006 Worship Team" are forming a ministry called "UNITED". UNITED is NOT a band but rather a ministry that seeks to empower other worship leaders around the country. It is mostly an idea right now but I will keep everyone posted about what evolves.

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.

Worship & Music Ministry

Just a quick update / prayer request. I am going to Iowa today to help staff start a worship team @ William Penn University & to assist in the growth of a worship team at Drake University. Please keep me in your prayers. It seems that God has a lot on my plate in the realm of worship lately:

Urbana '06 Worship Team - December '06
Start Worship Team @ SLU - January '07
Daryl Black Worship Concert / CD Release - February '07
Asian American Staff Conference Worship Team - March '07
CityLights Spring Break Worship Directory - March '07
Start Worship Team @ WP - April '07
Coach Worship Team @ Drake - April '07

and coming up...

Urbana '06 CD Release - April/May '07
Catalyst (140 student leadership camp) Worship Director - May '07
National Orientation for New Staff Worship Director - June '07

Please do keep me in your prayers this week. I hope this goes well, it is really a first for our region to have staff help others in the area of worship & music ministry.

Happy Easter everyone!