Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Hooray for Scouting!!!

Hello, friends! 

Looking back at my last few posts, they haven't really been much about the stuff that has been happening on campus, have they?  There have been a few personal posts and rants and things of that nature.  Well, this blog was originally meant to be a way for me to let folk know what is happening on campus so you can better pray and partner with us even if you don't live in beautiful Columbia, Missouri.  With that being said, what do we say we have a post about something that's actually happening on campus but not really?  =0). 

When Megan and I moved here to Columbia, it was not just to be the staff for Mizzou ACF.  I love Mizzou ACF with all my heart but there was definitely more to coming back here than just taking back the old job.  We moved here as Team Leaders with the hope of planting the Mid-Missouri area, made up of all sorts of chapters on campuses all over Mid-Missouri.  (We are defining Mid-Missouri loosely, as it pretty much means anything that isn't St. Louis or Kansas City at this point). 

In order for us to do that, it requires that we do some scouting to see where the Spirit is moving.  Just within 60 minutes of where we live we have Mizzou, Columbia College, Stephens College, two locations for Moberly Area Community College, Lincoln University, William Woods University, Westminster College, and Central Methodist University.  Add a half hour to your commute and you can throw Missouri University of Science and Technology, State Fair Community College, University of Central Missouri, and Truman State University to that list.  Without us scouting these campuses, we would be literally running around Missouri without any plan or any sense of what these campuses need. 

So, the past few weeks have been spent scouting these different campuses.  We had students from Missouri State (Springfield is about 3 hours from Columbia) and MS&T join us at Fall Conference and Megan was able to have a conversation with them about their thoughts on the campus and what the needs are there.  Some of our ACF students did a prayer walk in Greek Town at Mizzou to see if there was anything to be done there.  Megan took one of our volunteers and a student leader to Lincoln to pray and meet some students.  Last week, Megan and I went to Moberly to do the same there.  It's been a crazy few weeks filled with meeting new people, interesting conversations, and getting to know the area known as "Mid-MO." 

Honestly, I don't know if we've gotten a huge sense of what is next for us but we're excited about the prospect of getting closer to knowing what our next step will be.

This is where you come in.  Please be praying for us as we continue to scout and discern what God has next for Mid-MO.  If everyone who reads this post spends just 10 minutes listening to God on our behalf I'll bet that God will speak in a really powerful way.  If you hear anything, you could just send it along to us too.  =0). 

Megan and I have committed to 4 hours/week focused on scouting.  Our prayer is that this will give a good sense of the next plant in Mid-MO.  Won't you join us? 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Brokenness of Homecoming...

Hello, friends! 

This weekend was Mizzou's homecoming.  According to legend, homecoming was founded at Mizzou in 1911 when our Athletic Director Chester Brewer encouraged all Mizzou alumni to "come home" and cheer on the Tigers vs. the dastardly Jayhawks of KU (the final score was a 3-3 tie).  It was meant to be a time of coming together, a time to renew school spirit, and a time to root for the home team. 

It's amazing what can happen in 100 years.  What was once a chance to come together and cheer on your alma mater has turned into a chance to get together with old friends and get absolutely smashed drunk.  Both Megan and I almost hit drunk folk when they stumbled into the street outside of a bar.  Thankfully, no one was hurt but it could have been a really bad situation. 

What has happened?  Maybe it's the culture of the time.  Maybe it's a symptom of society.  Maybe it has always been like this.  There is probably some truth to each of those thoughts.  Honestly, though, I think it's come down to this: more and more, people are looking for something and are realizing that what they have now isn't doing it. 

Megan and I were talking yesterday and we were trying to figure out what the appeal of getting drunk is.  It costs money.  It leads to hangovers that don't look like a lot of fun.  There are stories every day of folk making poor decisions while drunk and the horrific consequences that come from those decisions.  What is the appeal?  We think it comes down to escapism.  Folk want to escape from the fact that life hasn't turned out how they thought it would.  It's easier to get drunk and forget for a few hours than to remember that life isn't what you wanted. 

Which brings us back to homecoming.  Why not come back and "relive the good old days"?  Who cares that most of your time was spent stressing about your classes, trying to get an internship, and worried that the guy our gal you met last week won't call?  It's time to get slammed! 

If I sound pissed, it's because I am, but it isn't as much at the students and alumni as it is with the brokenness of the world today.  The Evil one has implanted the lie in our minds that the only way to deal with our problems is to try and escape them.  There is the lie that getting drunk and sinning is fun with no consequences.  It breaks my heart to see so many people drifting further and further from the fullness of life with Jesus and having no idea of what is happening. 

So, my friends, please continue to pray for our universities and our students.  I took this job because I believe that we can have an impact and turn things around on college campuses all over the country.  It begins with prayer.  Please pray that these students and alumni will be looking for something more.  Please pray that as they look, they find Jesus.  Please pray that the students who follow Jesus will be a light on this campus. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Hooray for Alumni!

Hello, friends! 

It's starting to get pretty chilly here in Columbia, MO, which is great for some but a little tough for those of us who bike to campus.  I'm not saying that it's too cold to bike.  I'm just saying that I rocked the gloves and the earmuffs on the commute today.  =0). 

One of the things that I have been thinking about a lot this season of ministry has been how great it is to have so many alumni for Mizzou ACF and the different ways that they have partnered with us after they graduate as we bring the Gospel to the campus.  A number of alumni are financial partners, which is great, but it has also been so cool to see the way that alumni have been serving as well.  Jordan and Charis are who ACF alumni and they are both interning this year in Columbia.  Esther is one of the original ACFers who is now serving with us as a volunteer.  Paula is another alumna who graduated last year who not only did an EXCELLENT job leading worship at Fall Conference but will also be speaking for us tonight at Large Group.  It has been such a pleasure seeing each of these alumni work and being able to continue in relationship with them. 

Campus ministry is tough in the sense that you only have a limited amount of time with people.  In other settings, time is less of an issue.  In college ministry, you know that you have 3-5 years max to invest in students in a real intentional way.  After that, they are off into the "real world" and the best you can do is pray that you've prepared them to be followers of Jesus.  When I get to talk and work with alumni, it is a continuing of the relationship, which I really enjoy.  It is such a joy to see that former students are still following Jesus and are making waves for the kingdom. 

Graduating is hard though.  As I've talked to alumni, one of the things that has jumped out to me is how tough the transition is, regardless of what you are doing next.  The students who go to Grad School and the students who go into the work force are all feeling the issue of finding community and transitioning to life after college.  Unfortunately, it isn't quite the same as in college, when New Student Outreach and being sought out are rites of passage. 

So, to the Mizzou ACF alumni, please remember that you always have a place here at ACF and that I am super thankful for the time that you spent in ACF.  We are what we are today because of your influence, as large or small as you think it may have been. 

To everyone else, please be praying for all of the ACFers who have walked through our doors.  Pray that they will be encouraged in their transitions and that they will continue to follow Jesus wherever they are. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

Friday, October 18, 2013

Balanced Advocacy...

Hello, friends! 

I've been thinking a lot about advocacy lately, particularly when it comes to matters of race and ethnicity in the US.  There have been a few different events that have brought this up, including the Trayvon Martin shooting, trial, and verdict, a few unfortunate missteps by some prominent church leaders, and a trip to Memphis to the Civil Rights Museum.  There was also an Asian American Association General Body Meeting a few weeks ago that talked about hate and how to combat it. 

As I've thought more and more about it, I've come to this conclusion: as much as we want to believe that standing up for our rights is the best way to change things, and I believe that it does work to a certain extent, I believe that the best way for us to see injustice eradicated, hate put to death, and a real understanding of racial reconciliation is if we stop just advocating for OURSELVES and start advocating for OTHERS. 

To my African-American brothers and sisters: We, as Asian-Americans, need your help.  Your struggle for equality and justice goes back further that ours and you have won many more battles.  You have endured more injustices here in the US than my Asian-American brothers and sisters can even count and through your fight you have gained so much.  We need you to stand up on our behalf because you are probably better at advocacy than we are. 

To my Latino-American brothers and sisters: We, as Asian-Americans, need your help.  You are the fastest growing minority group in the US and your numbers are only going to continue to grow.  If you advocate on our behalf we will have numbers that will make those in power (of all ethnicities) stop and listen to what we (being you and us) have to say. 

To my Caucasian brothers and sisters: We, as Asian-Americans, need your help.  Let's not beat around the bush.  You are the majority culture.  You hold most of the offices of power in the US and that includes places of business, media, and politics.  You set the agenda.  If you advocate on our behalf it will do one of two things.  It will give our voice a place to be heard, yes, but I think more importantly, it will show others that whatever injustices we suffer are not just a "minority" thing but an actual injustice.

To my Asian-American brothers and sisters: We, as Asian-Americans need to get off our butts and start caring about the rest of the country.  For better or worse, we are the bridge that spans the gap between our Caucasian brothers and sisters and our African-American and Latino-American brothers and sisters.  To put it crudely, White folk aren't as afraid of us as they are of other minorities.  We need to use this power to foster understanding and we need to stand up for the injustices that we see happen to our brothers and sisters of color. 

Originally, I was going to post about how important it is to balance time and energy between caring about issues that plague "our kind" vs. issues that plague "someone else's people" but as I thought about it more, I believe that the call is not for balance in terms of equal time as much as it is balance in terms of making sure that we are all moving closer to the goal.  Honestly, when it is "your people" getting up to advocate isn't all that hard.  It comes naturally.  The hard part is when it is "someone else's people."  That's when we really have to think and act intentionally. 

I follow Jesus.  That is what I do.  What that means is that I am called to bring the Kingdom of God, one of righteousness, justice, love, and mercy, to Earth.  That doesn't mean just for my people but for those who are oppressed, regardless of how they are oppressed or who is oppressing them. 

Have an excellent day!   

~Adam

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Happy Migraine Season!

Hello, friends! 

Happy October to you all, which of course, means happy migraine season for me! 

It's been an interesting 15-18 years living with migraines.  I'm not entirely sure why I've been getting them or why they continue to happen but they happen and they've become part of my life. 

From what I understand, people react differently to migraines.  Some are light sensitive.  Others are sound sensitive.  Some have nausea.  Mine are a little bit of light sensitivity but it is mostly dizziness with some vertigo thrown in there for good measure.  Pretty much, if I have a migraine, I can't spend too much time "vertical" meaning that standing and walking are a chore.  Forget driving or biking too because those are definitely out of the question.  It makes for a very debilitating migraine. 

Allow me to give you a little tip about how to talk to folk with migraines.  If you do not suffer from migraines, do not suggest causes.  I know you're trying to help but it probably doesn't and I've probably already thought of it.  I would abstain from suggesting remedies too.  It's not that I don't think you care; it's that you haven't been living with this for 15 years.  =0). 

So, my friends, please be praying for me this season.  For some reason, the migraines are the worst during the months of October and March.  I've already had 4-5 this October, which is about par for the course. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Fall Conference By the Numbers...

Hello, friends! 

Megan and I just got back from our Fall Conference, joining InterVarsity Chapters from all over the great state of Missouri.  Words cannot express how tired I am or how awe I am of God's goodness.  Our theme this weekend was Dwell and we can't definitely say that God was dwelling with us.  I think I might be too tired to write much so let's do this by the numbers. 

292 - miles round trip driven to our camp location
174 - students who attended Fall Conference, which may be our biggest ever (I'll have to check that)
150 - boxes of ramen purchased to feed said students during one glorious snack night
19 - staff, including paid staff, volunteers, and interns, who helped make this conference happen
12 - school represented, including students from Missouri State and Missouri S&T, where there is currently no InterVarsity work
9 - Mizzou ACF student leaders who led our 28 students in attendance during small group time
4 - students from Mizzou who made re-commitments to Jesus
2 - ACFes who made first time decisions to follow Jesus
1 - crazy awesome God who showed up BIG.

Friends, God is good, isn't He?!  Praise him for a wonderful weekend and for new life in the kingdom.  Angels are partying hard right now in heaven.  =0). 

In a few days, after I clear it with some students, I hope to post a story or two about how students learned to dwell with God.  I promise, it'll be good. 

Please pray for the students as they return to campus and "real life" tomorrow.  As I was praying last night I got the sense that the prayer we need for them is not protection but boldness.  Please pray that they will be bold in owning what happened this weekend and unashamed to proclaim the Gospel. 

Have an excellent day! 

~Adam

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Time, time, time...

Hello, friends!

First of all, Happy October to you all!  Here's hoping that this month is your best yet.  =0).

October means that Megan and I have officially been at the team leading thing for 3 full months now entering our fourth.  As I have been reflecting on what the differences are between being a Team Leader versus being a Campus Staff Member (CSM) the one big difference that jumps out to me is this: I have to be more intentional with my time.

Back in the day, things were a lot simpler.  I only had to worry about one chapter and one staff.  The chapter was Mizzou ACF and the staff was me.  If I didn't have something prepared in time or forgot to do something, I could adjust my schedule to prep it with minimal effort and minimal collateral damage.  Improvisation was a virtue because it allowed me to get stuff done as it came.

Now that isn't the case.  There are too many moving parts for improv to have the same effectiveness.  There are too many campuses, too many staff, and too many students for it to be a fly by the seat of my pants.  Everything has to be calculated and planned out weeks in advance because if it isn't too many things (and people) suffer.  Add that to the fact that Megan and I are co-Team Leading and things get even harrier.  Making unilateral decisions on the fly is not a good way to build trust with your co-leader (or your wife).

The simplest example I can give is with this blog.  When it was just me, I could blog whenever I wanted and usually had the time to do so.  If I wanted to hit pause on the day to write down something about what has happened then I could do that.  Now, Mid-MO is a fright train that will not stop easily.  I am going to have to be a lot more intentional about carving out time to blog and let you know everything that has been happening here in CoMO.

It doesn't stop there though and it certainly isn't just about team leading.  Intentional time is one of the things that I am learning about when it comes to being an adult.  I have to carve out time for friends.  I have to carve out time to recharge my batteries.  I definitely have to carve out time for Megan.  There is a lot of carving and not as much time to make sure all the pieces fit.

So, friends, please be praying for me as I continue to navigate new responsibilities and adulthood in general.  Please pray for wisdom and intentionality as I invest my time, resources, and energy in things that matter.

Have an excellent day!

~Adam