A Vibrant Night with UMass Chi Alpha

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:04:11 -0500

As you may have read in my previous newsletter, I have mostly away from campus as I concentrate on raising financial support for the next four years of ministry. This transition leaves Chi Alpha in the capable hands of Shane and our student leaders. While visiting, I was astonished on the growth that I saw both in numbers and spiritual vibrancy. On this particular night, Dave lead the group of 23 worshipers. Shane spoke on repentance and called the students to come forward if they felt God speaking to them in this area of their life. In the course of the evening, nearly everyone was up front to either minister or be ministered to.

Since the beginning, Shane and I wanted a group of students that ministered to each other and the campus. One of the bedrock elements of our Fusion groups is that ‘every member is a minister’. Of course, their public ministry is overseen by us, as we disciple and model the ministry into their lives.

Before Christ came into the picture, the Jewish spiritual center revolved around the temple and the Levites. The Levites were a tribe of the community that were set apart to concentrate on the cares of the temple and the spiritual needs of the people. It was the Levitic priests who offered sacrifices on behalf of their fellow Jews for their sins. They were the only ones allowed to enter the holy of holies, and be in the presence of God in the temple.
Since Christ, a lot has changed. Christ came to reconcile all men unto God. All those who are in Christ, have even more access to the Father then the levitical priests did. Christ lives in the hearts of Christians, as we are being made holy through the act sanctification in our lives. Writing to the churches, Peter put it this way;

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 peter 2:9-10)

The ministry of the church is no longer in the hands of the pastor. We all have a responsibility as we seek God for His will in our lives. If you would submit yourself to Him, he would take you on the most incredible journey of your life. You can be the one person in the lives of those close to you that causes them to give their lives over to the work of Christ, just as my students have found.

To all of you who faithfully support us every month, I want to say “Thank You”. Your gifts are making a difference in the lives of students at UMass and I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!

Mailing address: 52 Northern Dr, Chicopee MA 01013
Phone: 617.669.9818
Email: mrdanjohnson@mac.com
For more information about supporting this ministry, feel free to contact me or visit my website at www.journeysjournal.com

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A Vibrant Night with UMass Chi Alpha