Ever since Caleb, a high-school sophomore in Jacksonville, Florida, went to FastBreak, he has been reading his Bible every night. He deeply wants to be a man that God can use on his campus and in his family.

Recently, when Caleb’s 25-year-old sister, Alexis, was visiting from Georgia, she stepped in his room at 11:30 on a Saturday night and found Caleb reading his Bible. She had questions about what he was reading, which led to a great conversation. Caleb found himself saying to Alexis, “the words in the Bible aren’t going to make much sense if you don’t first become a Christian.” He had a Knowing God Personally booklet by his bed and said, “Let me show you something.” As he read the booklet to her, page by page, God opened her eyes and her heart to what Jesus said in the Bible. Alexis prayed to receive Christ with her little brother that Saturday night and began the most meaningful relationship she will ever experience in her life.

This experience has encouraged Caleb in his walk with God and he shared about it to all his friends at a Student Venture meeting. Caleb’s heart’s desire is to be a man that God can use for His glory, and because of Student Venture he has the faith and the tools to make that happen.

Family Stuff

• So grateful for our daughter, Hannah, who turns 8 on March 18th. What a delight she is. She is growing into a precious little girl with a sweet heart for the Lord. It is wonderful to see her be herself among public school friends and share her heart for the Lord without realizing that many people would be trembling to say what she says.
• Praying for wisdom and timing for a 2.5 day EEG (brain wave scan) for Ethan. We’re trying to catch absence seizure activity. These are tricky to catch. Logistics of this testing seems quite challenging, along with being confined to a bed for 2 days.
• Praising God that our insurance will cover 30 sessions for Ethan’s Vision Therapy. Please pray his eyes will learn to work together. He is seeing double, not only with both eyes, but in his up-close single eye vision. Pray that God would use this therapy to work though many struggles we are dealing with.
• Pray for perseverance, as we need to get Ethan back in OT (therapy to develop fine motor skills). There are always many insurance battles to fight and it can become very overwhelming and defeating. Pray too, that Kristie can be a creative and loving OT in the meantime. We are praying that Ethan would be able to write clearly by this July 2010.

Katrina, second from left, is a freshman at Timber Creek High School here in Orlando and is involved in Student Venture. Last month she attended our annual FastBreak conference and wrote about her experience. Her full story has been edited down for space.

“One of the things that has changed how I act at school and what I do there, is the amazing opportunity I had to go out and share my faith. We went door-to-door collecting cans of nonperishable food items for the Second Hand Food Bank. Then, we would started conversations using a short survey on things related to church and God.

“Every time I have ever done this, the results were mostly “No thank you” or “I’m already a Christian.” So, going into this outreach, my attitude was very indifferent and I knew nothing would happen.

“I went out with three other people. We approached a house and Shaylyn, a senior in high school, answered the door. She donated a bag full of cans and immediately she was very welcoming and we jumped into a conversation.

“Together, we read through the Connecting with God booklet, which explains the gospel. Right from the start she was very interested in what I had to say and she opened up about her story. She was so amazed by the fact that God sent Jesus Christ to die for her, and saved her from all her sins. She was in awe that she was created with value and worth.

“After talking with Shaylyn for about forty-five minutes we got to the fourth point in the book. At the bottom of the page there is a picture of two circles. The first circle shows self is on the throne and Christ is outside the life and the second circle shows Christ is on the throne and self is yielding to Christ. I asked Shaylyn which circle best represents her life. She said, ‘Most definitely the first circle.’ Then I asked, “Well, which circle would you like to have represent your life?” And she replied by saying, ‘Definitely the second!!’

“She was really excited to begin her relationship with God. Right then, she prayed the prayer along with me. As I was praying with her, a smile came across my face. It was like God saying, ‘Katrina, my daughter, I am so much more powerful than you think I am.’ Right then I realized that it’s not through my own strength that I can reach people, but through God’s, and God’s alone
“Since then, I have been taking opportunities during lunch to talk to people who are eating by themselves. Or passing by people in the hallway, even if I don’t know them, and asking them how there day is going. Or telling the administrators how much I appreciate what they do. I don’t do these things as good deeds or to make myself known. But I do it simply to give all the glory to God, and to show people the everlasting love, joy, and peace I have found in my Father, Savior, and Best Friend, Jesus Christ. My purpose, even if I am an everyday, 14-year-old girl, is to be the salt and the light in this lost, dark world!”

Family Stuff

• Pray for God’s provision of our monthly financial support need.
• UPDATE: After two roofers unable to determine the problem, Greg was able to find the source of the leak and reapir it himself.
• On February 4, Ethan told Kristie that he wanted to be Jesus’ friend forever! Kristie and Ethan prayed together and he began New Life in Christ.
• While his vision is 20/20, Ethan is having problems with his eyes teaming together. So we think he sees double at close distances among other things. We’re putting him in a 36 week vision therapy program that we hope will train his eyes correctly.
• We also had Ethan evaluated by a neurologist as we think he may be having momentary seizures. We get the results later in February.

What’s the farthest distance you’ve ridden your bike in a single day?

I enjoy cycling for fitness and I log a lot of miles on the bike. One of my goals is to finish a 100 mile single-day ride (yes, 100 miles). Cyclists call these century rides. On February 28, I have the opportunity to test my mettle on the bike and attempt a century. I’m riding in the Tour de Cure, a cycling event organized by the American Diabetes Association.

I have family, friends and co-workers who live with diabetes and I’ve seen how it radically affects daily life. As a rider, I also have the opportunity to raise funds to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. So I’ve set another goal of raising $1000 for the ADA. To date, I’m nearly halfway there.

If you would like to join me as a sponsor, you may make a secure donation online through my personalized Tour de Cure Web page.

Engaging students through sports teams and other groups on campus is a proven strategy that allows our Staff to get to know the students, speak into their lives, and most importantly, to share the gospel with them. We hope you’re encouraged by this story from Chris McClellend, SV Staff serving in Cincinnati.

Early last week, I got to speak to 16 members of the Talawanda freshman football team. I told them about my athletic career in high school and how I always hoped sports would bring me lasting meaning and satisfaction, but it never lasted. I then explained how some friends in college explained to me how a relationship with God through Jesus Christ was the only thing that would satisfy me. I think the team was shocked that my past success did not satisfy me. They asked lots of questions about my life back then. At the end of my talk I explained how they could begin a relationship with God. Five of them prayed to receive Christ! Praise God!

The team talk was part of a pizza party outreach for the team. Eight weeks ago, the head coach asked me to spend 30 minutes with the team every Tuesday at practice. I gave short talks on topics like motivation, character, and teamwork. I also had trivia questions and team-building exercises to help the teammates bond together. The 22 guys on the team have really warmed up to me and seem to enjoy Tuesdays when I’m there. God has provided this unique opportunity to build relationships with the guys and share Jesus with them at the outreach.

There are two more weeks left in the season, so I will continue to go to practice on Tuesdays. Then I will challenge the guys to meet with me on Wednesdays after school so that they can continue to learn about Christ.

Family Stuff

• Pray for God’s provision of our monthly financial support need.
• We just discovered a roof leak and water damage in our house. We appreciate your prayers as we get the situation soundly resolved!
• Pray for Ethan’s heart, that he would be “good soil” ready to receive the seed of God’s Word.
• It seems like the Thanksgiving-Christmas-New Year season gets more hectic every year. Can you relate? We would like to bring simplicity back into these important celebrations. Please pray for us!

What teenage girl isn’t into fashion?

Imagine over 90 middle school girls crowded into the normally quiet media center on campus. The room is transformed into the venue for the Fall Trends Fasion show, an outreach hosted by Student Venture. The theme of the event is Inner and Outer Beauty. Four sophomore girls from the local high school step up to take center stage and run the show. You’ve heard of Extreme Makeover? Now imagine a “blind” makeover.

Yes, a game where the girl giving the makeover is blindfolded.

The results are… well, fun that only a teenager could appreciate! As the powder settles, the fashion show begins and features a mix of high school and middle schoolers.

Once the show is over, the stage is set for Marissa, who went on an overseas mission project this past summer to Hungary and learned how to share her faith in Christ. She explaines how she once tried to fill the “God-shaped vacuum” in her heart with many things — clothing, relationships, grades, activities — but always ended up feeling empty.

Marissa illustrates her story by filling a large plastic jug with objects that represented those many things. Then she fills the jug completely with two gallons of water.

She explaines that Jesus offers each of us living water. In John 4:14 Jesus said, “Anyone who drinks this [well] water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Marissa continues to share who Jesus is, how we’ve become separated from Him because of sin and how we can be restored into right relationship with Him.

Nine girls indicated they made decisions to follow Jesus. Please pray for these girls and the other 80+ who attended. Pray for them to get plugged into a group where they can continue to grow spiritually, have their questions answered and know how much they are loved by their Savior.

Family Stuff

• Pray for God’s provision of our monthly financial support need.
• Pray for Ethan in his Kindergarten class. He is receiving some great one-to-one time each afternoon with the Varying Exceptionalities teacher. We are continuing to hire additional private therapies outside of the school day. Please pray for his processing abilities and his hand/finger strength.
• Praises for Hannah’s sweet faith and love for the Lord. She asks great questions about what she hears on the playground (like horoscope stuff). She discerned that people who follow the stars are worshiping the creation, rather than the Creator. Please pray that God would protect her precious heart and that she’d continue to develop a Biblical world view.

It’s the first Friday of the school year. The final bell releases 1,600 middle school students into their first weekend of excitement and freedom. There are lots of options to consider for fun after school. However, 80 of them cram into a small portable on the far side of campus for a 90 minute Student Venture meeting.

All eyes and ears are intent on Rachel, a sophomore from the local high school as she shares the story of how God changed her life. Most of the kids are new to Student Venture and Rachel explains what the group is all about. One of the new girls, Aly, is the daughter of Hannah’s first grade teacher from last year (how fun, as I prayed for Aly throughout last year and wondered how God might work in her life).

After the meeting, Jodi, who is new to SV wrote, “[This] was a great first experience. The other day I was listening to my iPod. The song, We Will Stand by Avalon was playing…It talks about how we need to break down walls, we need to stand for God. Listening to this reminded me of the Student Venture meeting and how we are united to share our beliefs and stand. Thank you.”

This gathering is simply God at work. Just 12 weeks ago I learned that our SV teacher sponsor was assigned to another school and our other leader was no longer available. But God moved and raised up a new volunteer ministry team of two men, two women and two high school age assistants!

Please pray for the ability to get these new students plugged into groups where they can begin and develop their relationship with God. Please pray for Kristie as she leads the leaders. Pray for her ability to keep the team on the same page, provide the appropriate materials for growth, and to be able to encourage and build into them.

Family Stuff

• Pray for a successful year for Ethan as he has begun Kindergarten. We are working closely with the school. Please pray that God would proved a good friend for him.
• Wisdom in what to say “yes” and “no” to this year.
• We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on August 29. What a fun treat is was to go away for a day and night while Hannah and Ethan stayed with their special friends.
• This year, Kristie and I celebrated 16 years with Campus Crusade for Christ. So this summer we got our picture taken with the President, Steve Douglass, and his wife Judy.

GREETINGS from the Campus Crusade for Christ biennial Staff Conference!
Here’s a couple of ways you can pray:

• As we seek Him, we desire to hear from the Lord through His Word and through His people.
• Kristie and I need to pause from a busy year and have some meaningful, uninterrupted conversation!

As always, we appreciate you!

“My name is Tyler and I just finished my first year at UCLA. I went to Rancho Bernardo High School where I was involved in Student Venture. With high school how it is these days (academic pressures, extra curricular activities, drama with friends, the social scene and what society says is ‘normal’ for teenagers), I see how so extremely important it is to have a group like Student Venture on campus. It points students to the gospel and teaches and encourages them to follow Christ who loves them and has a plan for them. For me, getting plugged into a Bible study with Student Venture and going to ‘Big Mondays’ (monthly outreaches), was a way to keep me grounded and grow in the one thing that truly matters the most in life—following Christ.

“I was not always the most passionate person about my faith in high school and had more than my share of stumbles. Weekly Bible study and my great leader, Shawn, were invaluable in helping me learn and grow in my faith. I am intensely involved with Campus Crusade for Christ at UCLA and on complete fire for God. I’ve grown in my walk with Christ so much, especially this last year, and I have a personal and strong faith that wants to follow Christ with all my heart. And where I am now can be greatly attributed to my involvement with Student Venture, and the great work God did in my life through all of it.”

Sadly, percentages of students who leave their faith as they exit high school and enter college are high. Because of this, Student Venture desires that every college-bound freshman get involved with Campus Crusade for Christ’s ministry at their campus. We believe this is a critical step to help them in their walk with Christ!

Family Stuff

On June 19th, Kristie hosted eight neighborhood women for a night of inner and outer beauty. Our neighbor treated everyone to a Mary Kay facial and then Kristie was able to share about where we can find true beauty as women. She shared that only though a relationship with Jesus can we have the character qualities that make us truly beautiful on the inside and out. Jesus will transform us into people who live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. That evening three women indicated that they prayed to have Jesus take control of their lives and five want to come back for the next three weeks for a follow-up Bible study.

Please pray for our time at our biennial Campus Crusade Staff Conference in Colorado this month and that God will provide the additional funds to cover the costs. Pray for Hannah and Ethan as they stay with grandparents — or maybe we should say pray for their grandparents! : )

Hannah donates to Locks of Love.

In June, Hannah had 10+ inches cut from her hair. She gave her hair to Locks of Love. Prayerfully, her hair will encourage some little girl somewhere who is going though a difficult time. This was a big step for Hannah to let go of her hair. To catch the whole story, visit Kristie’s site.

Ethan graduates pre-K!

What a big day! I can’t believe our little guy is going to kindergarten next August. Please be praying for us as he enters elementary school. At this point I’m feeling a little overwhelmed about what next year will look like, scheduling therapies and the different needs he may have. Please pray for the principal’s wisdom to place him in the right class. Pray that we and the school will work well together and that Ethan will be able to thrive in this setting and not become frustrated by his lack of fine motor skills. He is a smart little guy and has such a sweet heart! He is continuing to love gymnastics and we’ve seen his body strengthen over the course of his sessions.

Often God opens doors for Student Venture staff to work with students as coaches, cheer leading sponsors, debate team leaders, etc. As we connect with the students, we have opportunities to share the gospel and speak into their lives. Your partnership sends us forth to reach students in many different ways. We thank you for coming alongside to allow us to reach these students. You are making an eternal difference in their lives.

Student Venture staff, Ken Vensel, in Jacksonville, Florida, has volunteer coached wrestling at the high school level for many years. Twelve years ago, he began a wrestling program at Switzerland Middle School and more recently a 2nd program at Fruit Cove Middle school. Coaches can have an incredible impact on a teenager’s life. Ken states, “I like to tell them that wrestling is the only sport that God participated in (He wrestled Jacob all night)! The famous missionary, Jim Elliot, said that wrestling was the sport most like a Christian’s life. Even scripture tells us that, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood!”

At the end of every season, Ken hosts a pizza party and presents the gospel. This year, six boys put their faith in Christ and joined the army of God! Some of these boys are unchurched, one has a catholic background and one’s uncle is a former mayor. It’s cool to see God take students from all walks of life and different family situations and bring them together to hear His Gospel. Ken shares, “Over the 12 years that I have been working with these wrestling teams, every team has heard the gospel and over 120 students have prayed to receive Christ.”

Thank you for being a part of our personal ministry to students and enabling us to encourage and equip through materials, and one-to-one evangelism and discipleship.

PS— Here’s an encouraging note that one of the 8th grade girls sent to Kristie.

“Thanks so much for leading our study. You have really opened my eyes to see the importance of our friendship and relationship with God. Please be praying that these next weeks that I will be like a sail boat and catch the wind of the Holy Spirit!”

Family Stuff

• Please pray for the 8th grade students as they transition to high school. Prayerfully they will connect with other believers there and get involved in Student Venture or another ministry and church that will encourage them to continue to grow in their faith.
• Pray for us that we’d make the most of our summer days coming soon. That we’d get on a good schedule and continue in the progress we’ve been able to make with Ethan. Please be praying for Ethan’s ability to process information and react to it in appropriate timing.
• Please pray for our time at CCC’s staff training in CO this July and as we leave the kids in California. Pray, too, that God would multiply our short amount of time in CA to connect with many of our ministry partners. We are so grateful for you! As we look at the calendar, this seems mind-boggling. We know God can make it happen!

As Kristie and I serve in the SV headquarters, we get ministry reports from around the world. Our National Director, Darryl Smith, recently introduced this encouraging story from our New York City team.

One of the most effective ways for Student Venture staff members to reach lost students is to use a “Team Talk” strategy. At a recent football “Team Talk” in NYC, David Tyree (wide receiver for 2008 Super Bowl champs, the NYC Giants) spoke of his life in Christ.

God Uses a Football Hero
By Kevin and Ginnette Young, SV staff in New York City

Big Thanks for those who prayed for the outreach last night to the Grand Street Wolves Football team. The room was stuffed tight with over 100 players, and as we stepped into the room, it erupted. David Tyree is the home town hero, the guy involved in the catch of the century, as some have called it. It led to the Giants’ Super Bowl victory. David said his favorite part of the whole season was the parade down Hero’s Canyon in downtown Manhattan where over a million jubilant fans skipped school and work to roar for their team!

I’ve been to many outreaches over the years, but none has compared to what David did in the 45 minutes he spoke. He talked their language, having himself grown up in the hood. The first words out of his mouth were that he loved Jesus Christ, and everything about his life was now centered in Him. He talked about the low points, and the high points, about mistakes and how Christ brought him out of the lowest hell he could possibly imagine. The young men in that room were riveted, not a word by anyone. He brought the gospel to them in all its simplicity and all its glory. Wow! The coach was ecstatic. The young men who have been tracking with us in our meetings—you could see their chests swell. It was the depth of the impact that was so apparent. Only the Holy Spirit could have fashioned that evening. He did it by indwelling a young man sold out to His purposes.

Because these kinds of outreach meetings are held in the school, we can’t have an open invitation to receive Christ. Kevin and the NYC staff members will follow up with the students in the coming weeks. At these follow up meetings a clear gospel presentation is given with an opportunity for the students to respond.

Your partnership helps make team talks like this possible all across the country — we’re so grateful!

PS— Please pray for wisdom in all the details as we make our summer travel plans. Thank you!