Testimonies (continued)

Another Testimony from the work that Jesus is doing in the hearts and minds of college students at UMF through the work of InterVarsity. Enjoy! "My Experience at InterVarsity My experience at InterVarsity has truly been a great life changing occurrence that brought a better knowledge and understanding of God’s word, who He is, along with His amazing love, grace, and power into my then overwhelming life. Growing up spirituality has always been a significant part of my life. Fortunately at a time where it was beginning to fade, not have any sign of faith and after losing all hope of ever finding it near the University of Maine Farmington campus, it was finally found! My spiritual lifestyle was surely replenished at a whole different level. I was first introduced to the group at a time where I was not having such great second semester. A dear friend of mine proposed the idea of joining a group activity right there on the campus. She began to name all sorts of groups, but the one that I was truly looking for was one that involved the enhancement of my spirituality. The One that had been seeking me to come back into His loving arms and try to develop my morality even more was finally mentioned, and that was InterVarsity. I was truly at my lowest point and was not willing enough to take any other advice that was recommended by my other friends, my roommate, or family, and I decided to give it try. The first time I went I had a great time and it made me want to continue going. As I continued attending, I was enabled to gain wonderful friends, who are almost like family to me now. I learned how to strengthen my relationship with God. InterVarsity to me is not just a church service as I thought it would be, but it is now more than that, based on of my experience of going to the devout gathering. To me it is a time to worship, pray, sing, and listen to His word, giving you the opportunity to be around amazing people that share a great faith in God with you. Lastly it is the perfect place to reinforce your relationship with God wherever starting point that may be for any individual." -Breann

Exciting and Difficult

This last year was both exciting and difficult. Exciting because we saw 8 students make decisions for Christ, difficult because becoming a Christian is a messy process. Exciting because we saw 32 UMF students go to New Orleans for our Alternative Spring Break trip, difficult because coordinating that many students isn't easy. Exciting because 16 of those students were non-Christians, difficult because 16 of those students were non-Christians. Exciting because one student said of one of our guest speakers who is a pastor in the 9th Ward “I don't want to go to church but I'd go to his church,” difficult because one of my student leaders nearly came back and began dating a non-Christian. Exciting because we're going to be making some changes that will focus more on discipleship and encouraging students to lead within the context of the way that God has gifted them, difficult because what reminded me of this was that I had burned out my student leaders by focusing on events and not having enough of a focus on discipling and caring for student leaders. Exciting because Christians became real about where they're at, difficult because where they're at is messy. Exciting because God worked in mighty ways, difficult because I was at times working against God. Exciting because when we are weak then he is strong, difficult because humility isn't learned in a sermon but in being humbled. Exciting to see where God is working, difficult in trying to understand how some things are going to fit into his glorious plan. All in all it was an amazing year and I once again look forward waiting expectantly to see what God is going to do this upcoming year both in and through InterVarsity at UMF. Please join with me in praying for the Lord to raise up leaders both from within the group and from new students and Jesus might continue to draw His lost sons and daughters unto Himself in part through the work of InterVarsity.

Summer Newsletter

Charles W. Ellis August 1st 2012 InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 159 Perham St Apartment 1 Farmington, ME 04938 (207) 491-8964 Greetings, Chuck here with a brief update on what Jesus has been doing at UMF through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I want to again thank You all for your continued partnership in the ministry here. It has been exciting over the years to see that way that Jesus works on campus but also in the provision of finances for the ministry budget each year. Every year God has faithfully provided and each year it has become less and less stressful for me as I trust God and watch him work. Normally though there is a rush for me after the school year ends to push forward in finding the funds to make budget by the end of June(the end of our fiscal year). This year however that was not the case in fact without me making a funding push at this time I was able to end the year with a surplus of $1200 and I ask that you celebrate this with me and praise the Lord for all of the different ways in which he provides for our needs. There are still financial needs in the ministry and I have been working from a bare-bones budget in order to be able to end the year in the black. During this time I have not received the normal annual increase that all staff workers with InterVarsity receive and if I am able to raise another $3000 this year I will be able to be at a full budget and receive my collective 3% annual increase that I have received for the past 3 years. This means if 12 people are able to give at $25 a month I will reach my goal and I would ask that you would prayerfully consider either beginning to support or increasing your support of the work Jesus is doing. Moving on from finances I have heard from many of you the desire to either have me bring students with me when I speak at your churches, which for one reason or another hasn't seemed to work out, or hear from student the impact Jesus is having on their life. I am excited therefore to be able to share with you testimonies from both former and current InterVarsity students on how Jesus has impacted their lives. I hope and certainly believe that you will enjoy and be blessed by these testimonies. I know I did and was. Before you go on to those please join with me in praising the Lord as this last year we saw 5 students make first time decisions for Christ and another 3 students recommit their lives to Christ. This is really exciting and in reality the most students we at UMF have seen become Christians in a single year since I got involved in InterVarsity as a student almost 10 years ago. I also believe it to be the result of years of preparation and learning and understanding how to share the gospel on the UMF campus and that this is only the beginning of God drawing people unto himself. I ask also that you would pray with me that the Lord would send workers into the fields of UMF and that he would continue to draw his lost sons and daughters unto himself. Thanks again and please be sure to enjoy the testimonies! Your Fellow Worker In Christ Jesus, Charles William Ellis Campus Staff Member UMF