Supporting Our Students
With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
- Acts 4:33-35
Friends,
When I first started working in student ministry many years ago, I felt like a huge part of my job was asking people for money. Every time we had a trip, I would have to remind people to pay. And, trips come around in student ministry quite often. It was always heartbreaking to hear families decline opportunities for their students because it was too expensive. When I started here at University, one of the first things the staff told me about was our scholarship fund. They kept telling me "money is never a reason not to go." And each year there is a big fundraiser, Evening of Glory, to raise money for the scholarship fund.
It made me think of the early church. In the book of Acts, we read about how the people shared everything they had so that no one in their community was in need. It is hard to know sometimes how we can support each other in the church, particularly in ministry areas we do not have a lot of contact with. But in the wisdom of the model of the early church, we are reminded that we give to the body and the body helps distribute as needed. It is a beautiful picture that we, as University, can live into that image of the church. When you contribute to Evening of Glory, you are being the church, loving each member, and allowing those with a need to be fulfilled.
So I invite you to come to Evening of Glory this year, for fun and for living into the image of the early church. Our theme is Hollywood and walk the red carpet! We will have dinner, an amazing talent show by our students, and a silent auction. There are amazing auction items, from self-care baskets to having a movie night put on at your choice of locations with the church's big blow-up screen! There are lake houses, trips, and baskets of fun and games. And behind all the fun, we have the joy of knowing that all this adds up to all students participating in transformative ministry, trips that will open their eyes to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and never have the anxiety of money hold them back. You can sign up to be part of the fun or simply donate money if that is more your style on the church website!
We can't wait to see you,
Rev. Sarah Dennis
Director of Student Student Ministry