Ministry in the City

We are in awe of what God did this past year! May He get all the glory that He alone deserves! Thanks for reading The Hill Herald: Sept 2011.

At our year end Toronto banquet, a passionate young Christian leader shared an exciting vision (written by herself and a C4C staff member) of what she would like to see God to do next year at Ryerson University.  Please pray with her to this end.

But what are we excited for next year? What we’re most looking forward to are the life transformations in non-Christian students. What would this look like?

In the lives of the young women on campus there would be an end to self-destructive habits of attention-seeking behavior.  They would be set free from of being slaves to the latest fashion trends or Facebook polls.  That they would be free from wanting to look for love and finding love and acceptance and approval in destructive dating and sexual relationships with guys that don’t care for them. But can find a true, life-transforming relationship with God.

A relationship with Jesus would dispel the deception of mixed media messages acclaiming anorexic images as the epitome of beauty.

They wouldn’t feel compelled to go farther with guys at parties or clubs to gain validation of their worth because they would know they are adopted (Eph 1:5), bought with a price and they belong to God (1 Cor 6:19, 20).

It would look like young women experiencing healing in their hearts and relationships, learning to trust again as they count themselves as royalty in God’s kingdom (1 Tim 6:15).  They wouldn’t count on the perfumes of Victoria’s Secret to win them into the hearts of men but know and rejoice that they are the sweet fragrance of Christ to God (2 Cor. 2:15).

They wouldn’t carry on each day relying on compliments to get them through but would live to selflessly bless others by knowing they have been established, anointed and sealed by God (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

For guys, it would mean radical transformation would mean instead of looking for meaning in being successful students and future businessmen/entrepreneurs, instead of guys looking to fulfill their sense of power by conquering the financial industry, and conquering women, instead of guys being apathetic about how messed up the world is and about their own spiritual destiny, we can actually see life-transformation. Where guys actually become men. Where these men don’t seek power to control people, but they seek power to help and transform the world around them. Instead of them being apathetic, self-centred, un-caring about the God who created them, wasting their time with Halo and porn, and objectifying women, they actually seek to be leaders like Christ, They want to save the world, not for their glory but for the Glory of Christ. They don’t want to waste their lives, but want to make their lives count for Christ and the Lost.

What would transformation at Ryerson look like? It would mean walking down the side of Gould Street, and not seeing posters advertising cheap student rates for fetish nights at the local nightclubs.  It would look like where students actually know the difference between true and false Christianity. Where professors don’t slam Christian beliefs because of their lack of knowledge. It would look like where it’s not just the newspapers that care about social justice at Ryerson, but all students care about the rights of the oppressed. Where justice, racism, inequality aren’t just a fashionable idea that the Ryersonian promotes, but that students feel and experience value and equality because of their relationship with God through Christ.

This transformation would extend beyond into the residence floors, into classrooms, into faculties like the Business and Social Work areas we’re trying to reach.  This transformation would be carried through graduates and into the work force. And this transformation would go home with International students, back to their home country. And testimonies of real life transformation would sweep the world, infect the Internet, infuse our music, influence our culture changing the very fabric of our social structures.

The thing I am most excited about for next year at Ryerson C4C is to be apart of the transformation that God is bringing to the darkened eyes and hearts of stone in our city.  But I’m also so hopeful for the transformation that’s going to happen in the lives of the Christian students.

Good news here.

This is why I have devoted my life to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ at U of T, in my neighbourhood, and overseas.

Recently a Campus for Christ team from all over Canada went to Scotland on a missions project.  This included some U of T students and a staff member, Rod Rudd.  Rod shares some really exciting stories about how God exceeded his expectations:

Our set goals for our mission trip to Scotland were that the message of the Gospel would be proclaimed on the Glasgow campuses and that God would use the trip to call a few of our Canadian students to a longer term commitment to the U.K.

What we encountered was that God had much more in store for us there.

Our short time in Scotland only allowed us a little over four days of on campus ministry.  The team of only two staff members in Glasgow had found that their evangelistic efforts were met with much resistance.  They hadn’t seen a single student come to faith this academic year.  Their hopes were that our group coming would create some momentum that they could build off to engage the 3 campuses that they are positioned to reach.

On the very first day on campus the morale of our team soared as we saw a Glasgow student put their faith in Christ.  The zeal for evangelism among the students was amazing, they continued the week trusting God for souls and boldly shared the message of the Gospel. By the end of the week, we saw 7 people place their faith in Christ. On the final day, Ross the director of the Campus ministry gave an emotional address he thanked our Canadian group for their faith and all the gospel work they had done on campus.

I personally experienced the incredible openness of the Scottish students to the Gospel.  On my first day on campus at Strathclyde University, I met a first year economics student named Greg.  Greg was a wee bit intimidating at first to approach, he was dressed in dark clothes, with heavy black makeup surrounding his dark eyes, and black nail polish covering each of his finger nails.

However, within a few minutes I was impressed by this thoughtful, sensitive young guy.  Greg shared with me that he considered himself a Marxist, when asked why he responded that he liked the emphasis on equality and social harmony.  He told me that he was very skeptical of religion.  As it turns out, much of his interaction with religion was unfortunately hurtful.  More than once, a street preacher had zeroed him out from a crowd, no doubt because of his unique style, and informed him that he was going to hell if he didn’t change his ways.

Truthfully, Greg seemed quite ssurprised that I was willing to sit down with him and discuss his difficulties with religion.  He had mostly felt judged and look down upon by Christians.  He smiled at me when he said that I didn’t seem like the other Christians he had met.  I shared with him my perspective how I saw the true Christian message when embrace leads to true social harmony and genuine humility in its followers. The real problem, I added, was not our attitude towards one another, as despicable as it may be, but our attitude towards our loving Creator God.

Later on in the conversation I asked Greg how he thought a person can have a relationship with God, he said with a great deal of sincerity, “Exactly how you described, it makes total sense”.  We both smiled, not expected to have such an enriching conversation that morning, as well as make a new friend.

Greg didn’t feel that he was able to surrender his life to Jesus at that point, but he said that his entire view on Christianity had been changed that morning.  I left him sitting in the student lounge not expecting to see him again soon.

The next day on campus, in the same student lounge I met a student named Ryan.  Ryan jumped out at my because of the large, fresh tattoos that covered in inside of his forearms.  In a similar fashion, Ryan in no time admitted his reservations with organized religion.  He too, unfortunately, had been hurt more than once by people that claimed to be Christians.

While we spoke Ryan cell phone kept ringing, but he was ignoring it so that he could continue to talk.  Finally, he picked it up and quickly informed the caller that he was in the lounge area.  Within 30 seconds Greg came in to see his friend.  His face lit up as he saw me and sat down with Ryan and I at the table.  Ryan, like Greg, had been hurt in the past by religion and had never heard the message of the Gospel that God loves us so much that He came to earth to suffer and die for us, so that we might be restored to proper relationship with Him.  I left the two sitting in there at the table praising God as I left the student lounge.

The next morning, I took out one of Scottish students who was new to the campus ministry and had little experience sharing her faith.  We approached a girl who was busily working away on her laptop and asked her if she would be interested in sharing her opinions on faith and religion with us.  She invited us to sit down with her.  She informed us that she was a ‘recovering Catholic’.  We began talking about meaning and purpose in life and she was quite aware that she was living without much.  Suddenly, in a very animated tone she leaned forward and asked “hey, are you the guy that was talking to Greg earlier this week?” To which I responded, “Yes, I am”.

It turns out that Greg had been talking quite a bit about our conversation earlier that week with his friends.  She told me that she didn’t think that he had gotten ‘all religious’ on them yet, but he was certainly challenged to rethink his beliefs about Jesus Christ.

We ended our time together as I prayed that God would truly reveal Himself to that group of friends and the He would bring the peace and compassion that the Scottish long for through His Son Jesus Christ.

It was truly quite a week of ministry.  It is so exciting to see how God is working in different parts of the world.  Moreover, I was deeply moved by seeing our Canadian students on fire with faith and going out to boldly and compassionately share the good news of the Gospel.

Rod Rudd & family

I have the privilege of sharing the gospel with Rod every week at U of T.  He is one of the most inspirational evangelists I have ever met and is uniquely gifted by God.  However, because Rod came to Christ as an adult, he does not have a large Christian network of people who can pray for him and partner with him financially.  Please could you pray for Rod.  Please could you pass on this post to others.  Please could you prayerfully consider partnering with him financially.  If you would like to support Rod in the amazing ministry that he is doing at U of T please go here or contact him directly: rwkloosterman@gmail.com.  Thank you so much!

The distinctives of Campus for Christ flow out of our goal, we are here to change the world by helping students discover Jesus, and answers the question, what are the principles we will employ to shape our strategy?

CENTRALITY OF THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD

C4C recognizes that we cannot obey in the flesh and that anything we do in our own strength is not ultimately glorifying to God. We recognize that spiritual power comes from God alone, who grants it to us through the person of the Holy Spirit. Only through being filled with the Holy Spirit can we grow, obey and do what glorifies God. We experience spiritual power by being constantly filled with the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. This involves confessing any known sin in our lives to God and trusting God’s Word and the gospel.

CONCERTED PRAYER

We emphasize prayer as the foundation for all that we do, from seeking God’s wisdom, to His dreams, to the planning of these ideas, to their execution, the tiniest detail is not too important to pray about. We pray for others and actively seek people to participate with us in prayer.

INITIATIVE EVANGELISM

Success in initiative evangelism is simply taking the initiative to share the good news of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God (Bill Bright). This is done one-to-one and through group evangelism.

Many people conceive of evangelism as effective only when they lead someone to Christ.  This is not biblical.  We are His witnesses.  It is up to God to bring about new life.  Also, many Christians conceive of evangelism as living good lives and waiting for people to ask what is different about them and then to share the gospel.  This is not biblical.  Our conversion as Christians is because someone took the initiative to share the good news about Jesus with us.

Luke 9:6ff; Ezekiel 2:3-7; Jer 1:7-8; Jesus Himself coming; Him going to Samaria (John 4); Acts 1:8; Phillip approaching the Ethiopian Eunuch; ; 1 Corinthians 16; Mark 16:15; Luke 10:2; Acts 5:42, Modelled by the apostles, even after being beaten (v.40); Acts 20:18-21; Matthew 28:18-20, Commanded by Jesus; Romans 10:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:11, we persuade others; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.

ONE ON ONE AND SMALL GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

Following Jesus’ example, we believe that people are best discipled in small groups. This aids in multiplying our time, the encouragement of group members and a process whereby we can find those who want to have a deepening relationship with the Lord. We also disciple people individually. They are discipled to Christ and not to us. Our goal is to help people become independently dependent on the Lord.

SPIRITUAL MULTIPLICATION

In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned to other reliable people who in turn are to pass this on to others. Although we want to build into our new and young Christians, our goal is that what we give them would not end with them. Until they are giving away what they have been given we are just having a ministry of addition. Our goal in ministry is multiplication.

Colossians 1: 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.

TRANSFERABLE METHODS AND MATERIALS

For Spiritual Multiplication to take place, transferability of thoughts, ideas and material need to happen. We believe that it is vital for material to be passed on from one generation to another, one culture to another, discipler to disciple. Thus, any materials need to be easily understood, easily used and easily passed on to others. As Jesus said, “make disciples . . . teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

For example, there are stories of a student on campus trusting in Christ through the “Knowing God Personally Booklet” and then that same day going home and reading the booklet to their family and their whole family trusting in Christ.

SACRIFICIAL SENDING FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION

Jesus’ goal expressed in Matthew 28:18-20 is “make disciples of all nations.” The word “nations,” ethne in the Greek, and has a fuller meaning than just political boundaries. Ethne means people group.

Currently there are 6,872 unreached people groups comprising 2.80 billion people (Joshua Project).

“Thus, while there are still tens of millions who have never heard the name “Jesus” at all, there are hundreds of millions more who may have heard of Jesus and may even have high regard for Him, but who cannot see a way to become His disciples and still remain within their natural com- munity. The church cannot grow within peoples where relevant churches do not exist. Forty percent of the individuals in the world live within peoples with no church. They are no more spiritually “lost” than your cousin who has never gone to church, but unlike your cousin, there is no church made up of people like themselves with whom they can fellowship. Such people live in groups that we refer to as being “unreached.” Their entire people has not yet been effectively reached with the gospel” (Ralph Winter).

We are to make disciples of all peoples. Acts 1:8 says: “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In my latest newsletter (see below) I talked about Christianity Explained. It is ideal for introducing the basics of Christianity to a friend, a family member, or a co-worker one on one.  It can also be used effectively in groups.  For more information, and to check it out go here.

Here is our newest update/prayer letter.  Thank you for reading!

1. You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions by Tim Chester

In this book, Tim Chester explores biblically how change actually happens. He explores the following questions: What would you like to change? How are you going to change? When do you struggle? What truths do you need to turn to? What desires do you need to turn from? What stops you from changing? What strategies will reinforce your faith and repentance? How can we support one another in changing? Are you ready for a lifetime of daily change? This is the best book I have read all year.

2.  Good News for Anxious Christians: 10 Practical Things You Don’t Have to Do by Phillip Cary

The author contends that there are beliefs in the evangelical church that we believe and hold others to, but in fact they have no basis in Scripture and are relatively new in the history of Christianity. These beliefs do not bring the liberty that the gospel promises to bring, but in fact make anxious Christians. Because these beliefs are so deep rooted, this book will cause a stir, but it is definitely worth reading and reflecting on. The things that we don’t have to believe include: Why you don’t have to hear God’s voice in your heart or how God really speaks today; Why you don’t have to “let God take control” or how obedience is for responsible adults; Why you don’t have to “find God’s will for your life” or how faith seeks wisdom; Why you don’t have to be sure you have the right motivations or how love seeks the good; Why you don’t have to worry about splitting head from heart or how thinking welcomes feeling; Why you don’t have to keep getting transformed all the time or how virtues make a lasting change in us; Why you don’t always have to experience joy or how God vindicates the afflicted; Why “applying it to your life” is boring or how the gospel is beautiful; Why basing faith on experience leads to a Post-Christian future or how Christian faith needs Christian teaching. He concludes the book how the gospel of Christ is good news for us. Highly recommended!

3.  The Pastor in Prayer by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

These are the richest and most encouraging prayers I have ever read.

4.  God’s Undertaker: Has Science Buried God? by John Lennox

Does science undermine belief in God? This is what the new atheists would have us to believe. Dr. John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, counters this idea brilliantly. This very readable book will strengthen your faith.

5.  Tactics: A Game Plan For Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl

“THE authoritative treatment of how to employ various strategies in conversations with unbelievers about the Christian faith” (J.P. Moreland). Tactics teaches you how to maneuver comfortably and graciously as you share your faith with others. Learn how to navigate the mine fields, stop challengers in their tracks, turn the tables and – most importantly – get people thinking about Jesus.

6.  Reason For God DVD: Conversations on Faith and Life by Tim Keller

The “C.S. Lewis of the 21st century,” Tim Keller models how to engage in spiritual conversation with intelligent and friendly non-Christians. They cover a variety of relevant subjects such as: Isn’t the Bible a myth? What gives you the right to tell me how to live my life? What about other religions? How can God send good people to hell?

7.  Closing the Window: Steps to Porn Free Living by Tim Chester

Pornography is everywhere. Too many Christians regularly use it and are addicted to it. Chester says that we can be captured by a better vision – a liberating confidence that God offers more than pornography does. Very helpful for yourself or someone you love.

8.  The God Who Is There: Finding Your Place in God’s Story by D.A. Carson (Book or DVD)

There are so many stories and different types of literature in the Bible. How does it all fit together? What is the overarching story? One of the most respected Bible teachers in the world clearly covers the high points of the Bible and the relevance of the Biblical story in clear and understandable language so that the non-Christian, the new believer, and the mature Christian will all benefit.

9.  Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief by Bruce Milne

Understanding and appreciating who God is and what he has done for us is at the center of the Christian faith. Right belief is the first step to getting everything else right–from home to work, from worship to witness, from self-understanding to service. In this concise handbook Bruce Milne summarizes in masterly fashion what the Bible teaches in the major areas of Christian doctrine (the Bible, God, humanity, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the church and the last things). He explains the historical understanding and development of these truths from the early church to the present. Each section concludes with a thorough listing of Scripture passages and questions to stimulate further reflection. Here is a helpful and thorough resource for all who want to understand the essential Christian faith.

10.  A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories that Stretch and Stir by Collin Hansen and John Woodbridge

“I am so glad that this book is appearing now, as a witness to how God has worked in the church in the past and what he can do in the future.” (Tim Keller).