Supporting and Motivating College Students in the Church

The Millennial generation (ages 18-29) is hurting spiritually. The Barna Group conducted a 2011 study on how Millennials with a Christian background would describe their spiritual journeys. Here’s what they learned: 59% have dropped out of church after going regularly; 50% are significantly frustrated about their faith; 57% are less active in church today than they were at 15; and 38% have experienced periods of time where they significantly doubted their faith (For more info on why, check out the book "You Lost Me" by David Kinnaman).

With this in mind, how can the Church effectively support, motivate, and disciple what seems to be a spiritually indifferent generation? Here are three suggestions:

Build relationships: one of the primary ways the Church can uphold this generation of college students is by spending time with them and investing in their lives. Here are a few practical examples of how this can be done: have them over for dinner; offer to do their laundry (detergent and fabric softener aren’t included in tuition); bless them with a gift card (Wal-Mart/gas cards are in high demand). At the end of the day, they simply want to know that we care. Much of why the disciples were so bought in to Jesus was simply because he cared about them. College students are no different. They are far more likely to buy in to Jesus when they see the Church making efforts to pour into them.

Model authenticity: the expressed desire for authenticity is pretty well unanimous among college students. Many are likely to view authenticity as today’s highest virtue. Without visibility, words like life-change, grace, and discipleship become nothing more than a theoretical “pie in the sky” sales pitch. In order to be effective in reaching them, we must be transparent with our own struggles and graceful in how we respond to theirs. Your typical college student will feel ostracized by the Christian who acts as if they have it all together. Quite frankly, they are appalled by pretense. If we want to reach them, we must be real with them.

Prioritize service: college students want to make a difference.  Simply hearing about life change isn’t really enough; they want to be involved in it. This is why they find missional initiatives such as “Love Loud” to be so appealing. College students are much more likely to go all in with the Church that is intentional about displaying the love of Jesus in their community through service and outreach.

The commitment that is required to reach this generation is nothing new. Discipleship always has and always will demand sacrifice. Here’s one of the many reasons that I believe the sacrifice is worth it: when I reflect on the eternal impact that many college students are having on their campus communities in WNC alone, I become more and more convinced that the Church of Jesus Christ is and will continue to be in good hands for many years to come. This may even be the generation that finishes the mission of God’s great Kingdom by spreading the Gospel “to the end of the earth.” Consider this as an invitation to join me in praying for such a good and glorious end.

Through Gates of Splendor (Book Review)

Matthew 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life (ESV).”

“Through Gates of Splendor” by Elisabeth Elliot has had a significant impact on my understanding of God’s will.  The book chronicles a vivid illustration of what Matthew 19:29 looks like in action. In short, Elliot tells the story of five young missionaries: Jim Elliot (Elisabeth’s husband at the time), Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, Ed McCulley, and Nate Saint. “September 1955 was the month in which the Lord began to weave five separate threads into a single glowing fabric for His own glory.” It was then that each of these men resolved to reach a stone-age tribe in a remote region of Ecuador known as the “Waoranis” with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the face of danger and uncertainty, they bravely stepped out in faith, naming the mission “Operation Auca.”

While reading this heroic account of self-abandonment, one sobering truth kept stoking the furnace of my heart, mind, and soul: God’s will requires sacrifice.

“Operation Auca” was entirely inconvenient. Before the Waoranis would as much as hear the name of Jesus, three large obstacles had to be addressed. The first obstacle being that the Waorani language was both unknown and unwritten. This meant that each missionary would have to learn and help structure an obscure foreign language. Doing so meant sacrificing great amounts of time and mental energy. This didn’t stop them.

The second looming obstacle dealt with geographical access. Located in a remote eastern region of the jungles of Ecuador, the only way to access Waorani settlements was by foot or a fifteen-minute plane ride from a nearby missionary outpost. Nate Saint’s piloting experience with the Missionary Aviation Fellowship (whose aim was to transport evangelical missionaries, their supplies and their sick to and from remote missionary outposts) helped to swing the tiny window of access to Waorani civilization wide open. The men pressed forward with great zeal and enthusiasm. In the weeks leading up to their initial face-to-face encounter, Saint and the others were deliberate about building a bridge into the Waorani world and culture. As hard as it was, Saint would fly his bright yellow piper over Waorani territory, dropping them gifts in the clearings below. All the while, each of the five men maintained the conviction that if the Waoranis were worth reaching they were also worth knowing. Limited access didn’t stop them.

The third and most frightening obstacle of all was the violent reputation of the Waoranis towards outsiders. Especially white men. Previous expeditions into Waorani territory were typified by surprise attacks and bloody outcomes. No speculation surrounded this fact: outsiders were not welcome. Despite insurmountable odds, God was on their side. These audacious soul winners embraced the reality that in order to obtain God’s objective in this mission, they “had to be willing to be expendable” for Christ. This life-threatening obstacle didn’t stop them.

On January 8, 1956 each of the five men were killed in a spearing raid after an initial and seemingly friendly encounter with the Waoranis. Jim, Roger, Pete, Ed, and Nate paid the highest price in order to share the Gospel with those who had never heard it. Their sacrifice was not in vain. What began with the willingness to die to self resulted in the God-breathed life of many. Is this not how Jesus said it would be? Shortly after the death of her husband, Jim, God opened doors that only he could. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Elisabeth proceeded to convert the majority of the Waoranis to Christianity. Two of the men involved in the spearing raid are now Christians and the New Testament has been translated into their language.

Bottom line: living out God’s will is going to cost you something. You may find yourself asking the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” Based off of the authority of God’s word, I can tell you this much: His will involves personal sacrifice. Although the sacrifice packages itself in various forms through various people, it should always be clearly identifiable as just that, sacrifice. While I wouldn’t mind being wrong, most who read this blog are not called to frontier missions (engaging unreached people groups with the Gospel). That is okay. However, we must all realize that the call to sacrifice for God’s glory is indiscriminate among those who would call Him “Father.” For this much is true: those who sacrifice for His “name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

With the scriptures plainly before us and this example of great sacrifice in mind, I want to ask my brothers and sisters in Christ the very question God is challenging me with: What sacrifices could you start, or continue making that would most glorify Christ’s name? Regardless of what they may be, this is God’s will for our lives.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

~Jim Elliot~

You can order a copy of "Through Gates of Splendor" through the BBC Arden bookstore: http://tinyurl.com/9wzx8nh

 Elliot, E. (1996). Through Gates of Splendor. Massachussetts. Hendrickson Publishers.

The ONE - Do you know Him?

The lines below are are an excerpt from one of Malcolm Muggeridge's writings in the early 1970's (1903-1990). Muggeridge was a British journalist who, later in life, became a relentless defender of the Christian faith. I was confronted with Muggeridge's words in a sermon on Colossians by Pastor Tullian Tchvidjian (http://tinyurl.com/4d5dau5). My soul was immediately stirred by the poetic nature of Muggeridge's thoughts on the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ in all things. I believe the substance of these words are worth re-visiting time and time again. Enjoy!

"We look back upon history, and what do we see? Empires rising and falling, revolutions and counterrevolutions, wealth accumulated and wealth disbursed. Shakespeare has written of the rise and fall of great ones, that ebb and flow with the moon.

I look back upon my own fellow countrymen (Great Britain), once upon a time dominating a quarter of the world, most of them convinced, in the words of what is still a popular song, that ‘the God who made them mighty, shall make them mightier yet.’

I’ve heard a crazed, cracked Austrian (Hitler) announce to the world the establishment of a Reich that would last a thousand years. I have seen an Italian clown (Mussolini) say he was going to stop and restart the calendar with his own ascension to power. I’ve heard a murderous Georgian brigand in the Kremlin (Stalin), acclaimed by the intellectual elite of the world as being wiser than Solomon, more humane than Marcus Aurelius, more enlightened than Ashoka.

I have seen America wealthier and, in terms of military weaponry, more powerful than the rest of the world put together–so that had the American people so desired, they could have outdone a Caesar, or an Alexander in the range and scale of their conquests.

All in one lifetime, all in one lifetime, all gone! Gone with the wind!

England, now part of a tiny island off the coast of Europe, threatened with dismemberment and even bankruptcy. Hitler and Mussolini dead, remembered only in infamy. Stalin a forbidden name in the regime he helped found and dominate for some three decades. America haunted by fears of running out of those precious fluids that keeps their motorways roaring, and the smog settling, with troubled memories of a disastrous campaign in Vietnam, and the victories of the Don Quixote’s of the media as they charged the windmills of Watergate.

All in one lifetime, all in one lifetime, all gone! Gone with the wind!

Behind the debris of these solemn supermen, and self-styled imperial diplomatists, there stands the gigantic figure of One: because of whom, by whom, in whom, and through whom alone, mankind may still have peace–the person of Jesus Christ.

I present him as the way, the truth, and the life. Do you know Him?"

Leave the Boat... It's Sinking

Luke 5:10b-11 – “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

Have you ever made plans that you were fully convinced you would follow through with but didn’t? I think most of us have. The funny thing about planning is that what we plan on in life is often subject to change.

Before Jesus began performing miraculous signs in the presence of the people, the three men named in Luke 5, Peter, James and John, probably weren’t second-guessing their life plans. For each of these men, fishing was a means of survival. It helped pay the bills and put food on the table for the families that depended on them. Despite all this, Luke asserts that each made a bold move after witnessing the unparalleled power and authority of Jesus… They “left everything and followed him.”  Consider the implications of leaving everything in your life for the purpose of following after another: imagine quitting college 3.5 years into your major, walking away from the job that puts gas in your car, or even worse! Putting down your cell phone and disconnecting all forms of social media in response to the realization that there is something far better awaiting you once you do. The point here is not for you to aimlessly go and do the latter but rather to put yourself in the shoes of the men who did and consider whether or not they were crazy or actually onto something. The text tells us that they gave up “everything” in order to be with Jesus. In the original language, the word ‘everything’ actually means… everything.

The implication is short and sweet: the disciples resolved to put everything on the line, including their life plans (which the fishing boats represent) in order to pursue something that was greater. Their obedience to God’s initial call led them to discover their highest purpose in life. The same is true for you and I. My personal ambitions prior to knowing Jesus looked very different than what they shaped into after I truly met Jesus. For instance, I always envisioned myself being a college basketball player that would go on to be a Physical Therapist; not a Psychology student that would go on to be in full-time ministry. You see, the script of my life was dramatically flipped once I began walking with God. The irony of such a course correction is that I now experience a deeper sense of fulfillment in life doing what I said I would never do in contrast to what I thought I would always do. True story, at the age of 11, my Dad said to me: “Jeremy, don’t be surprised if you end up in full-time ministry.” My response went something like this: “fat chance” (Sarcasm intended). Thankfully, I was wrong. The day I left the fishing boats that housed my own selfish ambitions was the same day my innermost passions were awakened. Not to mention I also met my beautiful wife, Victoria, because of it. This never would’ve happened had I chosen to accompany fishing boats. My heart breaks over the countless lives who have done just that and chosen their way over God's way. I am so deeply burdened over this because I can now see, coming out of trying to do it my own way, God's way is far better.

The example initiated by Jesus and obeyed by three simple fishermen changed my life and has the capacity to change yours. In order for it to do just that, an important question should be raised: what fishing boats do you need to leave behind? Maybe it’s an unhealthy relationship that is currently draining you of the joy you are entitled to when you are in Christ. It could even be a self-centered pursuit of money and power. Could jealousy have something to do with it? Maybe it’s a lingering feeling of bitterness towards the Father that walked out on you. Regardless of what the boats may be, they’ll end up sinking both you and the people you take with you in it one day. Therefore, I would unashamedly challenge you to leave your boats behind and walk with Jesus. You won’t have all the answers when you do, but you will experience something that is far better; assurance of who you are. A forgiven (Ephesians 1:7), accepted (II Corinthians 5:21), and loved (Romans 5:8) child of God (Ephesians 1:5). Those who are in Christ are entitled to purpose in life. If you feel as if you have none then maybe, just maybe, its because your still holding onto something God intended for you to let go of a long time ago.

Leave the boats behind and follow Jesus. And don’t be surprised if when you do, your nets begin to overflow with passion and purpose.

"3 Reasons Why Christianity is Not Dumb"

This may come as a shocker to some but the Bible is not incompatible with science. While it is true that God's word is not specifically about science, every time it does speak on issues related to biology, astrology, or geology its claims are 100% accurate.

As a Christian, I believe that the Bible is as an unparalleled source of truth that was revealed to man by virtue of divine inspiration. Granted, my reasoning for arriving at this conclusion is not to be equated with fideism (blind faith). I base much of this conviction off of... get ready for it... evidence.

I am currently walking through such evidence with a group of college students that I teach on a weekly basis. In our most recent gathering, I challenged the group to think about why they believe what they do. Literally. The discipline of critical thinking and active-decision making is a lost art in American culture. We tend to accept information as truth before processing whether or not it can be verified by evidence. Hear me on this; the Christian faith can be validated with reasonable evidence and can be defended in an intellectual manner.

Below are 3 evidences that uphold the relationship between science and scripture as well as the validity of the Christian worldview:

1. The Bible and earth's free suspension in space

Job 26:7 - "He spreads out the northern skies, over empty space, he suspends the earth over nothing."

The book of Job was composed during the patriarchal period around 1500 B.C. Some would argue that it was the first book of the Bible ever written. Either way, this marks a point in history when earth was believed to have been upheld by a large animal or giant. It's interesting to note that scientists didn't come to acknowledge the truth found in Job 26:7 until 1650 A.D. That's over 3000 years after the author of Job had penned this reality. Lucky guess, right? 

2. The Bible speaks of an invisible structure

Hebrews 11:3 - "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Scientists didn't discover invisible atoms until recent years. After which they concluded that what is seen is made from what is unseen. This phenomenon of the creation was spoken of in the Bible 2000 years earlier. Had the Bible not been compartmentalized as a fictitious literary work by many, maybe this would’ve dawned on the academy much sooner.

3. The Bible reveals that the earth is round

Isaiah 40:22a - "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth."

Here's a Bible trivia question for you: When was the book of Isaiah written?

Here's a scientific trivia question for you: When did mankind discover and fully acknowledge the shape of the earth to be spherical rather than flat?

Answers: Isaiah was written between 760-680 B.C. - Aristotle suggested that the earth was round about 1000 years later and his claim was not fully verified until well over 2000 years later in 1492 (when Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue).

I'll have more reasons on why the Bible is neither pre-scientific nor intellectually primitive in my next post. God bless!

Why I Believe the Bible – Part 2

Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Current scholarship teaches that science contradicts the Bible. Is it true? In today’s context, three toxic factors serve as life support for such a thesis: ignorance, intellect, and inconvenience.

Ignorance fuels false truths by offsetting convictions, which otherwise result from knowing the truth. At its core, ignorance is superficial and complacent. Ignorance plays a lead role in permitting one to merely hear a curriculum or puffed up professor promote the idea that says: “science and scripture are incompatible,” only to process the claim as truth without leaving room for the possibility of skewed facts or personal bias. Considering that the content was given from a “credible” angle, one never weighs the deeper implications or attempts to think critically about what was or is being said. As a result, the Bible becomes a figment of some hallucinogenic imagination and is marginalized as useful for story time yet irreconcilable with reality.

What God said to Israel some 2700 years ago could be said of our nation today:

Hosea 4:6 – “…my people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge.”

Intellect says that God is useless and archaic because man’s knowledge has surpassed His usefulness. What is even worse, the relationship between God and man is now viewed as subjective and optional! The fundamental issue presented by intellectualism is that it crowns its subscriber as a beneficiary to sin and selfishness.

Without God, the difference between right and wrong is abstract. Intellectualism declares that without a God there can be no true distinction between right and wrong. Therefore, do as you please. If that’s the case, where did the internal sentiment of conviction that demands “fair play” originate? The law of fair play begs justice in the face of unacceptable behavior. You might have heard it said, “he shouldn’t have said that,” or “that’s not fair, I was here first.” Such statements, especially when spoken from the viewpoint of a non-Christian, cause one to wonder how it’s even reasonable to demand justice when there is no foremost lawgiver. One might say, “well it’s just impolite to act that way.” Says who? You? If that’s the case then look who makes the rules now. How many people would agree with those rules? What is to be expected of those who disagree? The myriad of questions that ensue when man makes and looks to enforce the law apart from divine guardrails is futile.

Bottom line: if there is no God then there is no objective parameters regarding what is “right and wrong.”

For example, it is considered a violation of “fair play” to have an affair. Have you ever taken time to question where this determination came from? Scientifically speaking, where is the anatomical structure that facilitates a verdict that says “having an affair is wrong”? Logically, if there is no God then there should also be no penalty. Therefore, if there is no final penalty or administration of justice, whose to say the violation was wrong in the first place? Man does, making the conclusion finite and subjective. Intellectualism demands justice, but at the same time causes injustice. The injustice being that one can do whatever he or she wants with no final sentencing, which directly contradicts the definition of justice.

Paul had this to say regarding the intellect of man:

I Corinthians 3:18-20 – “Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, the Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Inconvenience is the driving force that advocates the principles of ignorance and intellect. Ignorance presents the idea that living by convictions is inconvenient, and intellect attests that it is easier to live life by our own rules. Adherence to Inconvenience makes the dismissal of truth, and the dismissal of a higher power, easy and… well, convenient.

The foundation that ignorance so smoothly laid is now having a structure called “me” built upon it. Why? Simply put, the Bible is inaccurate and detached from reality. Because Christ’s claims have now become subservient to the “facts” of empirical science, one can now live his or her life by human standard, which ends up being no standard at all.

Jesus never mixed words about the “inconvenience” of the Gospel. To keep it short and sweet:

Luke 9:23 – “Then he said to them all: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Science and scripture are not diametrically opposed. Upon careful examination of God’s word, it is more than reasonable (even to the skeptic) to arrive at the conclusion that the authors of both New and Old Testament manuscripts were well aware of biological and ecological undertakings.  Below are 11 scientific truths, with reference points, that counteract academia’s hasty dismissal of scripture. Keep in mind that these references were penned long before any science textbook was...

The spherical shape of the earth:

Isaiah 40:22 – “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth…”

The earth is suspended:

Job 26:7 – “He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.”

The stars are innumerable:

Genesis 15:5 – “… Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can count them.”

The existence of mountains and canyons in the sea:

II Samuel 22:16 – “The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare…”

The existence of springs and fountains in the sea:

Genesis 7:11 – “… on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.” (Genesis 8:2, Proverbs 8:28)

The existence of “watery paths” (ocean currents) in the sea:

Psalm 8:8 – “… all that swim the paths of the seas.”

The hydrologic cycle:

Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 – “The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” (Job 26:8; 37:16, 27-28; 38:25-27; Psalm 135:7)

The reproduction of all living things after their own kind:

Genesis 1:21 – “So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.” (Genesis 6:19)

The nature of health and sanitation concerning sickness, community health, and circumcision:

(Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12-14)

The human bloodstream:

Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of the creature is in the blood…”

The second law of thermodynamics concerning energy deterioration:

Psalm 102:25-26 – “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.”

"Reflections on Camp Tipton - College Mission Trip"

It’s amazing how quickly one takes on a spirit of gratitude when placed in a context that is less fortunate and unfamiliar.

The BBC College Missions team, currently on site at Camp Tipton in Maryville, TN, has become more and more thankful for God's provision as the week has progressed. The team consists of 10 members; Brianna Williams, Samantha Waters, Brooke Rinehart, Lynn Price, Ben Lawson, Parker Oakley, Clarence Price, Brian Messer, Trey Ebert and I. We have been serving alongside several other churches including another team of 7 from Biltmore which is led by NAMB missionaries Randy and Ronda Corn.

Our team’s impact is geared towards three different ministry tracks: Servant Evangelism (Lynn, Brianna, Clarence, & I), Children’s Outreach (Samantha, Brooke, & Ben) and Home Repair (Brian, Trey, & Parker).

Team members who are serving within the Home repair track have reported much progress throughout the week. They have been assigned the task of tearing out and replacing the floor of an elderly couple’s home. According to Brian, the group has endured “persecution” all week via local clans of mosquitos. Trey mentioned that he was able to share his testimony with the woman whose home they are working on. She says that she knows the Lord and was encouraged by his stand. Please pray continued strength over Trey, Parker, and Brian. The work they are doing is very tiring. This couple is extremely thankful for the assistance!

According to Brooke, Samantha, and Ben, the Children’s outreach track is not for the limp-wristed or faint of heart. The situations that these kids come to camp with are precisely why we are learning to never take our blessings for granted. The days are long and hot, yet entirely fulfilling. Apparently the kids are having a blast! Brooke, mentioned that there was one point when “27,” that’s right, 27 kids (sarcasm intended) were attached to her in some way shape or form wanting to play (It’s amazing how quickly they trust and show love). Fortunately, she made it out alive with a smile on her face! I am confident that the lessons God is teaching, and the images God is showing each individual in this ministry track will never be erased. Pray that members of our team serving in this area would finish the week strong and that the Lord would renew their enthusiasm each and every day considering that they are constantly interacting with energetic kids from 7 AM to 5PM in 95+ degree weather. Bottom line is this; the Children’s ministry track is no joke and our team has worked diligently all week!

I chose the Servant Evangelism track hoping to share the Gospel on a personal level with those we interact with. On Monday morning we went to “The Dragon’s Tail,” a US Highway that meanders through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in TN. The Dragon boasts of 318 curves over the span of 11 miles and is a tourist attraction for bikers across the country. Though the Dragon is considered by those who tour it to be a joyride, it has also proven to be an extremely fatal course of transportation. At the foot of the route stands a monument known as the “Tree of shame.” Partial remains of motorcycles whose drivers took a turn for the worst can be seen dangling from the tree. The purpose of the tree is to serve as a warning sign that those who tour The Dragon are not invincible. This inconvenient truth proved to be a sobering reminder that no one is promised tomorrow and therefore, served as an effective transition towards conversations about eternity. We were blessed with opportunities to share Christ with several of the bikers we met at the pull off point where our team handed out water and gift bags. Glory to God, seeds were planted. Though this method of outreach is entirely unconventional, it is desperately needed. Please pray for future groups as well as sent out by Camp Tipton who will be dialoguing with these bikers about the Gospel. A great prayer need for Brianna, Lynn, Clarence and I is simple; that God would give us boldness, wisdom, and a spirit of love as we look to evangelize those we meet the rest of the week.

We are scheduled to return to Biltmore this Saturday at noon.

Our prayer going into the week was that people would hear, believe, and proclaim the Gospel. We are having a blast serving others and investing in the Kingdom this week. Camp Tipton has served as a force multiplier for our team to open a door for God to move in amazing ways. We are entirely grateful…

Romans 10:14-16 – “How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good news!”