A Baptism and an Ordination

Last Friday, we celebrated our second ever baptismal service at Tulane's outdoor pool. This time around, there was only one to be baptized, but it was great!

Liz Bowers made her public proclamation of faith in the presence of the Tulane Chi Alpha community, and a lifeguard. 

I don't have any pictures, currently, as Jen and I couldn't find the camera that evening, but hope to have some soon. In the meantime check out Liz's testimony.

Then, on Monday, I was ordained by the Assemblies of God. I'm not too big on formal occasions or for titles, but the service was still quite meaningful. Superintendent Doug Fulenwider preached a deeply challenging address on keeping the Kingdom of God first.

The night was even more meaningful as my dad, and his brother, John, were in attendance. I didn't even know they were coming to town until I discovered them in my dining room Sunday after church! Thank God for family.

Speaking of family, I'm looking forward to a non-surprise visit from my mom, tomorrow. This will be here first time to Louisiana.

April Newsletter

Click on the image to zoom in.Click here to read the unabridged version of Elizabeth's Story.
Click here to read my version of the story from September.

Salvation Story of a Tulane Freshman

Last Monday was the first Gathering of the semester here in New Orleans. The Gathering is our monthly worship gathering, and it is a city-wide celebration. This one was hosted at Tulane University, and we had a pretty good turnout-lots of new people! Close to 40 students from Tulane, Loyola, UNO, and Delgado came out to encounter God.

One student in attendance, a freshman at Tulane from Tennessee had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ!

Student musicians led the group in a living worship experience, and then I had the great privilege to step up and share from God's Word! I wanted to challenge the students to live by faith, and not to merely exist according to the patterns of the world around us. When I concluded, I challenged students that may not yet have a faith relationship with God to talk to someone about how they might start one, and then I prayed that everyone in attendance would have courage to live by faith every day.

After an offering for Cry Africa, and a challenge from one our Tulane seniors to go out and make a difference for God, we dismissed. I was whirling around unplugging computers and projectors, and helping take down the sound equipment when this student asked to talk to me.

She said that she wanted to start a relationship with God, and would like my help with that! Well, I was more than happy to put down the speaker cables, and give her my undivided attention.

Before I go on, you've got to hear a little background on this freshman: We already knew her, because she had indicated on her 'Religious Preference Card' that she did not know what her religious beliefs were, but she was interested in the religious life on campus. Wow!

Jen had that preference card for a week, but hadn't contacted the student yet, because she wasn't sure exactly what to say. Well, we met her in person when she showed up to an ice-cream social we were hosting. Her roommate is a committed follower of Jesus from Texas who got involved with the Chi Alpha community from day one! God had this girl's number.

As I spoke with her, she said that she had grown up in church, but had been angry at God since age three when her father died. However, the Holy Spirit grabbed her heart at the Gathering, and she realized God's care for her, and that God has so much more for her life than bitterness. She prayed to confess her sins to God, and make Jesus the Lord of her life!

Heaven has one more citizen, and she is quickly starting on the road of following Jesus!