Ministry During the Disruption

On today's episode, Steve shares a brief reflection from Psalm 16:6 and boundaries. There's something pleasant and delightful about boundaries ... something taken from us as our boundary lines have collapsed or disappeared during the disruption. And yet, Jesus meets us on the other side of our boundary lines. We have to decide how to respond.

LINKS

On today's episode, Steve mentioned InterVarsity Live. To catch previous episodes of those broadcasts, check out InterVarsity's YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeP3EwLytbF16bn9zhjqYbgToRtVe9Xhe

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Online Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online.

Amy Shiroma is an instructor of hotel and resort operations at Kapiolani Community College. As the tourism industry in Hawai'i shut down due to the pandemic, Amy felt a stirring from the Holy Spirit. She made a short video to encourage her anxious students. In the process, Amy began to focus more on the Lord and started sharing her faith in ways that feel warm and inclusive. And it's making a difference for her students.

LINKS

We wanted to share one of the videos Steve and Amy discuss on the episode: Life Lessons (Kindness) // https://youtu.be/3qpxflHfmGc.

Amy shared about feeling inspired by the song "The Blessing" from Elevation Worship. Click here to listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ55mDL7dA0.

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Online Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online.

When the campus shut down at Lousiana State University, Rachel Butz had a decision to make: "Would her ministry to her sorority sisters continue?" Rachel serves as the chaplain of ADPi and as a chapter ministry leader with InterVarsity. She decided to take her ministry online, not knowing what would happen. The results have been encouraging.

LINKS
Greek InterVarsity has a number of resources to equip fraternity and sorority students to effectively start and lead a chapter ministry. In this episode, Steve and Rachel talk about the Alpha Series of Bible Studies (https://store.intervarsity.org/alpha-series-leader-kit/). Additionally, Greek InterVarsity produces the "Greek & Christian Podcast" to host real, honest conversations about how to approach Greek Life from a Christian perspective (available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and major podcasting platforms).

Rachel also mentioned in the episode that she's a student at a relatively new ministry at LSU. The Louisiana Region is doing some of the most innovative planting ministry in the United States. To learn more about what God and the InterVarsity team are doing in Louisiana (and to find out ways to partner with their ministry), check out https://www.plantlouisiana.com.

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Online Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online.

On today's episode, Peggy Kao Enderle interviews Chris Thrasher Wheatley about adjustments he and his ministry have made "in the midst of the craziness." They talk about the confusion we're feeling, making small but decisive steps in ministry, and how God is opening doors for students to take initiative.

LINKS

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Online Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online. 

The first Easter found Jesus' disciples locked in a fear-filled room. Life had been disrupted. That's when Jesus showed up. 

Take a few minutes to reflect on John 20:19-21.

May you experience the presence and peace of Christ this Easter!

Tony Gatewood serves as one of InterVarsity's leading Scripture Engagement Resource Specialists, so when the pandemic hit America he was quick to take action and start something new online. Little did he know, God had different plans for Tony and the direction of his ministry. Listen as Tony shares with Steve on how God using his commitment to more than leading Scripture studies online, and how simple questions from his daughter hit him to his core during this time.

LINKS

Tony's comments on revival are informed by his recent reading of "Longing for Revival" by James Choung and Ryan Pfeiffer. Here's a link to check it out: https://amzn.to/3b2VXMO.

Tony also mentioned the book "The Hum" by Evans E. Crawford, a resource that helped shaped the creation of "inductive proclamation." You can pick up a copy here: https://amzn.to/2V199MB

Tony also leads an open Bible Study for InterVarsity's Black Campus Ministries. If you're interested, check it out. Send an email to [email protected] for details.

How does prayer shape your ministry when it's the foundation of your faith journey? Listen as Steve talks with University of South Florida (USF) student, Natalie, about how she came to faith at an InterVarsity conference and how God impressed upon the student leaders in her chapter to start something new during the disruption - a Daily Zoom Prayer Meeting. This episode also provides an example of what a Daily Zoom Prayer Meeting could look like for you, your chapter, your small group or church.

LINKS
Find our guide to leading a Zoom prayer gathering here.

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Digitally Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online. 

How does one pray when living in New York City during the pandemic? Listen as Steve talks with Jason Gaboury, InterVarsity's New York/New Jersey Regional Director, on how God has called him to minister and pray his rage during several times of crises he's experienced while living with his family in New York City.

LINKS:
Jason wrote a reflection on recommended spiritual practices to observe during crises. Read the full article on InterVarsity's website.

Read a passage from Jason's upcoming book, Wait with Me: Meeting God in Loneliness,  releasing on April 21st from InterVarsity Press.

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Digitally Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online. 

Having to move to online ministry felt painful, but also the right next step for Ben Vail and his students at Cal State Fullerton. They didn't let the lack of physical community get in their way of hosting Large Group. Instead, they got creative in their ministry and God showed up! Listen to Ben share how faithfulness in continuing ministry during the disruption led to a student giving his first Large Group talk ever and the responses that followed.

LINKS:        
Ben has gathered together what he's learned about Online Large Groups into a webinar and is making it available at intervarsity.org/online.

We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Digitally Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online. 

This is an interesting time to come to faith. When NYU closed the campus and transitioned to online classes, Sarah Lin had a decision to make. Would she wrap up ministry for the year or get creative? Listen to the story of Sarah's first attempt of online small group Bible study ... and the remarkable result.

Links:
We've created a website (updated daily) full of resources to help you with Ministering Online Through COVID-19: intervarsity.org/online. Check out the webinar on Leading Online Small Groups.

If you're interested in starting your own online Small Group Bible study, we have a collection of Bible studies that can help you jump right in: https://intervarsity.org/small-group-guides