Monday, April 28, 2014

PANCAKES & PRAYER

A Typical Wednesday at FIS

On a recent Wednesday we flipped stacks of pancakes for 90 minutes to over 110 students (about 58% of the total campus population). Lots of buttermilk-goodness was enjoyed, and I now know that peanut butter is the preferred pancake topping. Who would-a guessed?! The students come out in droves when we put food in front of them. Our midweek on-campus events are opportunities for us to interact with students in a safe, comfortable environment that promotes trust and friendship. Often this opens up times for deeper conversation.
Here’s a snapshot of our interaction with students: As a girl was waiting to get her pancakes, she just kind of casually asked, “So meditating is like praying, huh?” and then as we got talking about it, “It just seems like I’m talking to myself sometimes.” I'm sure more discussion will follow.

Friday, April 18, 2014

A-Tisket, A-Tasket, Delivering Easter Baskets

We have about 200 kids on campus. They will each get an Easter “basket” – okay, nest in a bowl – this weekend.

It’s a special gift to let them know someone cares and is thinking of them – just a small reminder of the sweet, free gift that Jesus gave us when He paid the penalty for our disobedience and died on the cross. The sweet part is knowing He didn’t stay in the tomb but came back to life on the third day, just as He said He would.

Each basket contains some candy, the verse below and an invitation to Real Talk, our on-campus worship service that includes Bible-based talks (sermons), praise music and prayer.

 “This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.” - 1 John 4:10