Note to The World Missions Summit

Some of you have read, previously, that New Orleans has been selected as the domestic target for workers and funds at the upcoming World Missions Summit in Cincinatti, OH. (You should come!)

Recently, they asked me for a write-up to put into the nations Chi Alpha missions magazine Expeditions in advance of The World Missions Summit. I thought I'd share what I wrote:

The city of New Orleans has been starving for new jobs for decades, starving for leaders with compassion and integrity, and starving for the Good News. We have the opportunity to meet all these needs by reaching the universities in New Orleans.

Tulane University is the largest private employer in the city! Xavier University sends more African-American students to medical school than any other school in the nation! Tulane and Loyola University have nationally recognized law schools. Tulane's School of Finance has been ranked one of the top ten in the world…

The students at these universities, and the others in the city, have the opportunity before them to set a new standard for New Orleans: a standard of honest and compassionate leadership in law and politics, medicine and business, a standard of commitment to developing a region in need, and a standard of faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

But, how can they make these commitments (how can they believe!), if they do not hear? And how can they hear unless someone proclaims the message to them?

We are building a team of missionaries and volunteers in New Orleans to proclaim the One Message above all others in New Orleans, and we need help. We are looking to do two things: (1) build an endowment that will produce funds to support missionaries for decades and beyond, and (2) purchase a facility in Uptown for use as a student center, and a hub of operations for city-wide Chi Alpha.

Will you join us in this unprecedented opportunity as New Orleans rebuilds?

The Kick is Off

Hello faithful readers (and pray-ers).

I'm a week late keeping you all up to date...

It's been nearly non-stop action across our three campuses since we returned to New Orleans on the 7th. But, Jen and I did get a day off on Monday, which was glorious!

Tonight, I'll be heading out to UNO to lead our small group there. This semester, my focus in more at UNO and Loyola than at Tulane. Jen and our CMiT (intern), Kelsey, are focusing their time and energies at Tulane.

I am excited about the early semester developments within the UNO Chi Alpha community, and am hopeful for Loyola's chapter, as I am watching some young ladies (Azebe and Kat) step into real leadership. Azebe has a passion to reach her school with the Good News, and Kat is picking up on that (while still sorting out some deep faith questions of her own), and is a blessing of faithfulness and follow-through when it comes to the logistics of all that we do at Loyola.

I would like to take more time to give more detailed updates and reports on all our campuses and events, but I can't at the moment. However, Jen and I will be working on another newsletter shortly, and that will be full of great news and pictures. Hopefully, it will be out within a week.

Thank you for your prayers!

Gustav IV

As we continue to pray for those in the Caribbean and Cuba that took the full force, we thank God that Gustav lost his nerve before swiping the Louisiana coast, sparing New Orleans another total disaster.

The city remains closed, and all the universities have announced their reopenings for next Monday. We will, likely, stay in Atlanta until Saturday. One of the students with us will celebrate her birthday on Friday, otherwise we'd drive home then. But, who wants to celebrate a birthday on an 8 hour car ride?

Thank you all for your prayers.

We look forward to returning home, cleaning up, and launching into a semester that is in God's hands. Our plans are weak, but His purposes are strong!

PS: While I have so much blog attention, I'd like to ask for prayer and consideration regarding our financial support: Jen and I rely upon God's provision through the generosity of His people to pay our bills every month, as well as fund the ministry. Currently, we need $182 a month in new monthly support to keep everything running smoothly. Would you like to join our support team, or slightly increase your current monthly giving?

our account # is 2684454
online Faith Promise form

give online

or mail gifts (including account # on check's memo line) to:
AG US Missions
1445 N Boonville Ave
Springfield MO 65802

Thank You!