Winter News

Joyful Ministry

By Casey Coston

The first Tuesday of March was cold as winter always refuses to give up easily. I powered through the day with some good meetings...our apprentice Hutton led an outreach on campus in Trabant...but my body just wanted to curl up on the couch and nap. Then in the evening the fog moved in with light rain. It could not have been a drearier end to the day...outside that is. When 630pm rolled around, there was a very different "vibe" inside (as the young people like to say). Our primary meal provider and cook, Gail Friedline (along with her handy helper husband Harold) had providentially prepared 3 soups...potato, chicken noodle and minestrone.

We had a good group ready to eat at 630pm and then several more trickled in after that. A young adult we hadn't seen in a while was back. A new sophomore came after seeing our instagram. Another new student came because of an invite from a core member. It was great to see our regulars conversing with these students. And then eating together and the sounds of conversation and laughter...well, it sounded really sweet and filled my heart with joy. This has been a regular occurrence lately and it reminds me of several verses from Acts that have been part of our school year discussion series:

"They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..." Acts 2:46

"All the believers were one in heart and mind." Acts 4:32

"He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14:17

It reminds me of some really sweet times when I was a student at Arkansas and leading the Ole Miss ministry. It is one of the things that can make our campus ministry attractive to outsiders. Please pray the outsiders stick and new ones keep coming as they hear about the joy and gladness exuding from Blue Hens for Christ...it must be God's Holy Spirit working among us in a special way.