Looking to the week ahead…

Something you may or may  not know about me (depending on  how well you know me, or what you might assume from the weekly BCM e-mail), is that I am a major planner. I like knowing things as far in advance as possible.  My planner is a huge mass of scribbles, notes, dates, times and…all sorts of stuff. It’s pretty intimidating to anyone other than me. Let’s just say it’s a good thing God blessed me with organizational skills, because otherwise, my life would be a wreck.

In order to keep myself sane, one of the things I’ve forced myself to do each Sunday is to look at the week ahead. The whole thing. All at once. Sometimes it looks awesome and I look forward to days to myself and days with friends with little school work in between. Last week was one I hated, full of assignments and way too many not-so-fun things. Yesterday I was very excited to be looking at a fresh start: a new week.

This week is looking pretty average. I have a big presentation Friday, two tests Wednesday. Otherwise, I am loving looking at the week ahead. I have meals planned with friends I haven’t seen in a while. I have BCM and my 24 Hours of Prayer slot with Zach Tuesday night. I get to see the play put on by the Theatre department Thursday.

But most of all, I’m looking forward to Saturday. Don’t get me wrong, I am not wishing my week away. I’m super excited for the week ahead. But Saturday is going to legendary. (I would make a How I Met Your Mother reference there, but only a few of you would get it. Regardless, go watch the show.) Saturday is “the big day” for me. “Why?” you ask with keen interest. Because I’m getting baptized! Yahhoooo!

After a lot of prayer and conversation, I finally know it’s time. I grew up in the Methodist church and was sprinkled as a baby. I love my parents very much, and I appreciate their desire for me to grow up in an environment filled with Jesus. I went through childhood and adolescence very blessed to be a part of an awesome church. But I have yet to decide for myself, and completely proclaim to the whole world who I am, and who I live for: Jesus!

I could sit here and plan out my whole life right now. But I know for a fact that God is going to come along and move me in a very different, much better direction. I want to put my trust in Him. While I intend to use my ability to plan for His glory, I also know I need to be able to put down the planner, pick up my Bible, and celebrate in His glory and His will for my life. And right now, amidst lots of change and excitement, He’s calling me to proclaim my allegiance to Him through the outward sign of baptism.

 

I ask that y’all be in prayer for me and everyone else who is getting baptized on Saturday. Information is below with further details. If you want to also be baptized, see Josh or Jonathan for more information. I would be so excited to share the day with you. I love every one of you, and I am so blessed to call you my BCM family. Thanks for being a part of this time in my life!

*Side note: Another awesome thing going on this weekend you should check out is Mt. Vernon Baptist’s Easter Drama called “A Portrait of Love: Alone at the Altar.” It’s a fantastic story depicting the Gospel. It’s also FREE so take a friend!

Tickets are available at Mt. Vernon. Check out the church’s website for details. There is a show Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 7 p.m., along with a Sunday matinee at 4:00 p.m.

 

Elevation Global: App State

 

Does God move in awesome and mysterious ways?
Um, more than ever I answer… YES.

It absolutely amazes me what God has been up to in my life this year. Really. I am blown away by the power of God and what results in having the utmost faith in Him.

One of the biggest movements that is occurring at this very moment in my life and many others at ASU is Elevation Global. Being from Charlotte, I have attended a handful of services at Elevation Church back home. Two years ago, I walked away thinking the music was cool, but it really wasn’t doing anything for me.

Wrong-o. Let’s just say that in my spiritual journey, I wasn’t in a place where I could even begin to fathom what was taking place through Elevation in thousands of lives. I wasn’t open to what was occurring there…and I was looking for what would please me, not my Creator.

A few months back, I heard from my dear friend Sarah about Elevation Global. Sarah has been a part of Elevation for several years back home, and tried to start an Elevation home church last semester. This semester, after interest was expressed not only by Sarah, but also by the Christian fraternity and sorority on campus, Elevation realized that ASU had the potential to become an Elevation Global site.

Elevation Global is an extension of Elevation Church outside of Charlotte. While it is not a “campus” and doesn’t have a full time staff, it’s a “site” with a coordinator and a core team of awesome people wanting to transform this campus for Christ. You can read more about the Elevation Global initiativehere.

As soon I heard about it, I was a little worried due to my negative attitude and unwilling spirit in my previous experience with Elevation, but I wanted to support Sarah, and the forming band (consisting of some very dear friends of mine, and Zach). I met them one Sunday over Spring Break in Charlotte to attend an Elevation service at the Matthews campus, and boy, did God prove me wrong. The issues I had previously let consume me about this church were wiped away, and God was moving in that room. It was undeniable.

I still had a few reservations which I talked about with friends and members of the core team, and I became enlightened to the major impact that Elevation Global could (and WILL) have on Appalachian’s campus, and hopefully, the community of Boone.

Now here we are, a month later, with a run-through service and a Kickoff service completed. 321 people attended the Kickoff at Legends, and many, many people were stoked beyond belief to be there. We have an overwhelming amount of volunteers involved (myself included) and a God-fearing, faithful core team leading the way with the help of Stephen Webb and the rest of the Elevation Church staff. Not only have 321 people attended so far, but 3 people have committed their lives to Christ in two weeks time. How incredible is that? Talk about God moving.

I am so excited and honored to be a part of this initiative to “reach those far from God” (Elevation’s mission) on this campus and in the community. In addition to that, I have never been so committed in prayer (not just for Elevation, but about EVERYTHING). I am recognizing God in places I never would have seen Him before, and I am amazed by His glory and power.

If you could pray for Elevation Global: the core team, volunteers, band and those attending, I know it would extremely appreciated! Also pray that as we continue on that we strive to be a group of integrity and love to everyone we come across. We are blessed with such an awesome group down in Charlotte leading us, along with other mentors here at various campus ministries. However, we also recognize that God is a huge part in all this— because, after all, we’re all only 20 year old! Pray for wisdom and discernment in every choice made and action taken, that in everything we do, we seek to glorify Christ.

 

The movement of God.

Something God has really been revealing to me lately is the power of prayer…in all situations whether they be stressful, exciting, uplifting, saddening, little, big, life-changing… I think you get the point.

Anyway, I can honestly say that this year has been a very uplifting and God-filled season of my life. I have relied on Him with decisions, actions and everything more than I ever have before. And man, has He been looking after me. The fruits of my prayers have been more abundant than I could ever imagine.

These days, I find myself praying constantly. I pray in the shower, before I eat a meal, while I’m eating that same meal, when I’m driving my car…and all other random moments. It’s a constant conversation with God. And I couldn’t be happier.

Because of my reliance in Him, I am also learning that even when a prayer isn’t answered right away, or if it is answered differently than what I want, that its OKAY. God’s got the big picture and my well being in mind, and I trust Him.

I want to take a minute to ask for your prayers. Not for me. But for an amazing group of people that are striving this week to really seek God’s will for this campus ministry.

The Discernment Team is going to be consumed all week with interviews in order to decide the new Leadership Team for next year. They are interviewing each candidate, and making this their priority– they want their decision to reflect God’s plan for this place.

I ask that you join me in prayer for them. Pray that their hearts and minds be open, and that God reveal Himself in mighty ways. I know that through their prayers and ours, God will make His plan known, and that this new team will rise up and serve Him for this campus.

Let’s come together and support these awesome individuals who are coming together to make some really big decisions. In our togetherness, our oneness in heart, mind, and spirit, God will move.