UTPA BSM

Lots of cool things have happened since our last post.  We just have been so into what God is doing that have not been able to post about it. So, here is a recap since last post….

Focus at San Antonio was great…

We had a blast and learned much about each other and what God wants us to do in our campus. Here are some pictures:

Campus Outreach

As soon as we got back we went over to campus to have an outreach event. As usual, lots of students came out to help so we had a blast as we met new students and invited them our weekly gathering. Many came! Pictures:

D&D for Athlete Students

Our Diner and Devotional for Athlete students is going great.  We have met great new students who represent our campus greatly in the area of Athletics. Go Broncs!

Free Lunch…The Tradition goes on…

Our building is up to capacity with the amount of students we have at our lunch. Every student we have met tells us how much they enjoy coming to the Free Lunch. Last week we had Calvary Baptist Church serving lunch. David showed up to grill burgers and then did a great job sharing with students about his missionary endeavors.

Friday Serving Project….

Sharon took a great group of students to the Children’s Hospital to perform skits, sing, and play with the kids. It was just amazing to see all of the students that showed up to go.

To top all of these cool happenings, Journey Groups met throughout the week and we had a great discussion on love during our worship gathering.

As you can tell we had a full week of blessed ministry. Thanks be to God for the way he is working among college students at UTPA and through their lives.

Our weekly worship gathering has been great this semester. Every week we continue to be encouraged to live freely in Christ.  This week we have a special guest coming to share with us about the way in which God has lifted him up from the darkest areas of his life. We will start at 8 PM.

CHOICE is also a good place to hand out and enjoy hanging out with others.  Last week we had a cup cake decorating spread. Here are a few pictures:

We love missions. What it represents and the impact that missions have on a person, a family, a community, a nation, and the world.  Missions is in our hearts because we are passionate about seeing people coming to know Jesus and experiencing first hand what faith in him can do in one’s life.

Last Saturday we got together to raise money for missions at Hestect.  It was great. Everyone that showed up understood what we were there for and kept the main picture in mind.  We can’t wait to see what God will do this year as we keep on focusing on being the presence of Christ on our campus and beyond.

Here are pictures of the event. I am also including pictures of a visit some BSMers did to minister to children at the Children’s Hospital.

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One of the hardest things we will ever have to do is to trust in God in the midst of trouble.  Sometimes when you are right in the middle of it, it may even seem that God has completely turned away from your circumstances.  Let’s admit it, it is very hard to understand that what we are going through in some way will bring some sort of benefit. Moreover, even to think that we will better off because of it may even seem like we are pushing the envelope.

It is not easy to explain why some things happen in life.  It is equally difficult to explain how God can transform pain into growth.  However, God is able to bring something good out of what it may seem like a lost cause.  Time and time again, the testimony stands of the faithfulness and transcendence of God. It is this reality that gives us hope, that in spite of our circumstances God is able to see us through.

This song is shared with you in this blog for the second time. So that if you, or someone you know is going through a tough time, you will realize that there is hope, a living hope, the kind only God can provide.

We are greatful with God for what He is doing through Free Lunch.  Every Thursday, students from all walks of life come together to eat, relax, and listen to a devotional. This weekly event could not happen without the volunteers that come from all over the valley every week to serve food.

Also, it could not happen withouth all the students that show up to help before and after. You guys and girls rock.

Here are some Free Lunch Moments from this week:

The joy in our lives could be the people we have around us, the things we do, the goals we achieve, or the things we hope for. This of course is an earthly joy. The kind that is attained by human endeavor. There is another kind of joy, the joy of God. It is not earned nor attained by any human beings. It is only given by God and in reality, it is the only thing we need.

God is our joy. Basking in his mercy is enough to satisfy our deepest longings. So, rejoice, for Christ the Lord has given us the opportunity to belong to him and to follow him every day of our lives.

You are My Joy

And He set me on fire, and I am burning alive.
With His breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And he set me on fire and I am burning alive.
With his breath in my lungs I am coming undone.
And I cannot hold it in
Remain composed.
Love’s taken over me
So I propose the letting myself go.
I am letting myself go.

You are my joy.
You are my joy.
You are my joy.

We had an incredible week. It was busy but filled with meaningful happenings that opened our eyes to the power of God.

This week we shared the gospel on campus, heard stories from what God is already doing in Journey Groups, went to two meetings to speak about college ministry, and held discipleship classes and a theology class with incredibly dedicated students. We also had a great lunch and a life changing worship gathering under the leading of our BSM band. We praise God for everything he is doing.

We have also seen God answering prayers in the STC campus (Sharon prayerwalked the campus this Tuesday with a student asking for divine opportunities) and also in the lives of students here at UTPA.

We can’t wait to continue being witnesses of the power of God. Keep on praying for us.

Praise God in the midst of everything.  Drop this or that, don’t worry about anything, just trust him.  Experience the power of God working on your behalf.  Trust God and see that he is good.  Delight yourself in the fact that there is a God who loves you and can guide your life if you let him.

Praise God in spite of your circumstances. Praise him because of your circumstances. Humble yourself before God and he will lift you up. The world and its desires will pass but those who do the will of God will live forever. God is holy and his love never ends. As you go through your day today, or tomorrow, or always,…. remember the goodness and mercy of God and simply praise him.

Last week we had an incredible week.  We held our first BSM leaders meeting for the year and our first CHOICE for the year. During CHOICE we had “make your own pizza” and a very meaningful time of worship.  Afterwards every one got to meet with their Journey Group and get ready for the semester. There is still time for you to be part of a JG, you can sign up online or stop by the BSM… Here are some pictures of the event….

Also, I am including pictures of Eliana’s birthday celebration. She is a BSM leader and loves the Lord.  She was surprised with this small celebration by some of her dear friends at the BSM. Happy Birthday..

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Today we held our first leadership meeting for the fall semester.  It was awesome! There is something encouraging about meeting with students who love God and want nothing less than to serve God in everything they do. This fall we have 21 leaders.   I have known these guys and girls and I can tell you that they have inspired me in many ways to serve the God we love.

Here are a few characteristics I have seen in them so far:

-  They are willing to invest their lives in serving others in God’s name

-  They want their lives to count

-  They share a passion for God

-  They want to learn to be disciples of Jesus

These and more are characteristics of the students we get to serve with. Thank God for mobilizing students to serve.