Eastern Michigan University:How We Became Missionaries
As undergrads at Eastern Michigan, we experienced first-hand what God can do through college ministries. During our first semester there, Josh became a Christian and we were both baptized in the Holy Spirit. We learned as students how to witness to our classmates, mentor younger students in the Lord and other specific ministry skills like leading worship and acting as student president.
As we neared graduation, God began to call us to lay down our dreams to become university professors. He replaced those dreams with a desire to become Chi Alpha missionaries. We saw the exponential impact we could have on the world by investing full-time in college students. God was also drawing our hearts to each other and we were married soon after graduation!
We stayed at EMU for a Chi Alpha internship and received training to prepare us in theology, practical ministry and spiritual maturity. While we sought him for guidance, God spoke clearly that we were to work with Chi Alpha in Indiana, but we still felt we needed more time to mature before leading a ministry on our own.
As undergrads at Eastern Michigan, we experienced first-hand what God can do through college ministries. During our first semester there, Josh became a Christian and we were both baptized in the Holy Spirit. We learned as students how to witness to our classmates, mentor younger students in the Lord and other specific ministry skills like leading worship and acting as student president.
As we neared graduation, God began to call us to lay down our dreams to become university professors. He replaced those dreams with a desire to become Chi Alpha missionaries. We saw the exponential impact we could have on the world by investing full-time in college students. God was also drawing our hearts to each other and we were married soon after graduation!
We stayed at EMU for a Chi Alpha internship and received training to prepare us in theology, practical ministry and spiritual maturity. While we sought him for guidance, God spoke clearly that we were to work with Chi Alpha in Indiana, but we still felt we needed more time to mature before leading a ministry on our own.
Purdue University:Training for Pioneering
This presented at problem, because at the time, there were no Chi Alpha ministries in Indiana! But God knew what He was doing. Enter stage right: Linda Seiler! God spoke to Linda, who had been serving with Chi Alpha in Illinois, about pioneering a ministry at Purdue University. We learned of her interest and sensed that this was the open door for us to walk through. After four years at Purdue, it has become abundantly clear why God wanted us to further mature before launching out on our own! We had SO much growing to do.Linda and the Holy Spirit have ministered in us a firm foundation of dependency on God, integrity and many ministry skills.
God has done an amazing work at Purdue, establishing a strong core of students who love the Lord as well as the lost. We were able to help train students in evangelism, prayer, worship music ministry and many other skills. Most importantly, we were both involved in discipling students, several of whom are now discipling other students as well. It was invigorating to see the vision of Kingdom multiplication unfolding before our eyes! Along with these blessings, God also gave us Johnny, born in August 2009, who happens to be the sweetest little boy in the world.
This presented at problem, because at the time, there were no Chi Alpha ministries in Indiana! But God knew what He was doing. Enter stage right: Linda Seiler! God spoke to Linda, who had been serving with Chi Alpha in Illinois, about pioneering a ministry at Purdue University. We learned of her interest and sensed that this was the open door for us to walk through. After four years at Purdue, it has become abundantly clear why God wanted us to further mature before launching out on our own! We had SO much growing to do.Linda and the Holy Spirit have ministered in us a firm foundation of dependency on God, integrity and many ministry skills.
God has done an amazing work at Purdue, establishing a strong core of students who love the Lord as well as the lost. We were able to help train students in evangelism, prayer, worship music ministry and many other skills. Most importantly, we were both involved in discipling students, several of whom are now discipling other students as well. It was invigorating to see the vision of Kingdom multiplication unfolding before our eyes! Along with these blessings, God also gave us Johnny, born in August 2009, who happens to be the sweetest little boy in the world.
Ball State University:Our Current Assignment
The very first church we ever visited in Indiana was in Muncie, home of Ball State. Ever since then, we have had Ball State in the back of our minds as a potential mission field after our time at Purdue. In the summer of 2010 we sensed God saying it was time to lead our own team and help get Chi Alpha going at Ball State.
The very first church we ever visited in Indiana was in Muncie, home of Ball State. Ever since then, we have had Ball State in the back of our minds as a potential mission field after our time at Purdue. In the summer of 2010 we sensed God saying it was time to lead our own team and help get Chi Alpha going at Ball State.
God has brought two great people to come alongside us as full-time missionary staff. James Snouwaert, a Purdue grad whom Josh discipled, and Mercy Karanja from Elkhart, IN joined us in December 2011 and are helping us on campus.
Our public re-launch of Chi Alpha at Ball State kicked off in January 2012. Since that time we have had the privilege to pastor a growing group of students. Check out our newsletter page for current stories of what's happening at Ball State.
Our Story
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