Posted by Greg
“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.
July 01 2009 | Family and Monthly Updates | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg
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!
May 13 2009 | Family and Monthly Updates and Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg
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!
April 16 2009 | Monthly Updates | 1 Comment »
Posted by Kristie
What’s going on? The group middle school girls I am ministering to are a mess. You know how middle school kids can be at times—cliquish, backbiting, hurtful in word and action. Sadly, many hearts are bruised from each other’s lack of love, thoughtfulness or kindness. The drama has been spiraling through the roof!
So I’m praying that they will fail.
It’s simple, they can’t love each other like Jesus loves apart from His power. John and other NT writers used the greek word agape to describe this selfless, unconditional kind of love.
I set a time for the girls to lovingly reveal their hurts to each other as well as discuss how we should treat each other. But that’s not enough. I know they can learn to change their behavior in their own strength to an extent, but their self-efforts will ultimately fall short.
Why? Because agape love only comes from God (1 John 4: 7–12). It’s only when they come to the end of themselves will their hearts be broken and ready to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirt by faith. Then Christ will be the one loving through them.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. —Galatians 2:20 ESV
Just the other day I received a prayer request from one of the girls and am so encouraged to see how the Spirit is working in her life. She said, “Please pray for peace in my life and for the various ways in which [excluding others] is causing pain and tears in many lives, including mine.”
This is exactly what I’ve been praying for— brokenness to “see.” Will you join me in praying that these precious young women will come to the end of themselves and see that loving each other with an unconditional agape kind of love is impossible apart from the power of the Holy Spirit?
Family Stuff
We’re praising God with how well Ethan is doing. Gymnastics is such a blessing for him and we’re seeing changes weekly. It is even helping his thought processing. We’re praying for increased hand strength and abilities in the next five months.
There are some logistics with the middle school ministry that are getting difficult to manage. Please pray God would work things out each week.
March 06 2009 | Family and Monthly Updates | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg
Repose, Lake Eola
Greg was honored with the invitation to include four of his photos in Orlando Magazine’s 7th annual Paint the Town exhibition. The show will run from March 19 through April 11 at the City Arts Factory on the corner of Pine and Orange in downtown Orlando. Admission is free. His image Repose image is also featured in the March issue of Orlando Magazine.
See all four images on Greg’s Flickr page.
March 05 2009 | Family | 4 Comments »
Posted by Kristie
It’s not a typical school morning in the Wiedle household. Three lunches, three backpacks and three students. Today Mommy is off to school too.
Kind of intimidated, but prepared, I head off to class. Campus Crusade provides theological training by offering graduate-level seminary courses to Staff Members — moms included. Among the 50 or so people taking the Christian Worldview course, I’m one of only two moms (Greg is working at home this week to free me up).
My mind feels like it’s going to burst as I take in the often confusing tenets of Marxism, Theism, Naturalism, Humanism, Deism, Pantheism, Existentialism, Nihilism, Postmodernism and Islam. I think I’m coming to a better understanding of how some people view life.
But the course is not all lectures and textbooks. A big part of the grade is interviewing three people with a questionnaire that taps into how they view the world. I’ve already interviewed two of my neighbors and my hair dresser.
One neighbor is a new believer in Christ and is excited about growing and raising her 12 week-old daughter to know Jesus. My hair dresser is a Jehovah’s Witness and I enjoyed taking the conversation deeper than we normally do.
But I really want to tell you about my friend Jessica who serves with me on the neighborhood board. Her interview lasted two and half hours because she was so interested. I listened as she shared about her shuffled, difficult journey. Recently, her four year-old daughter asked, “Who is God?” Jessica was at a loss to explain and it really got her thinking.
Jessica told me she wants to know the God who created her. Wow! The Holy Spirit enabled me to share a great deal about God’s love for her and His desire to draw her into a personal relationship with Himself. I explained how sin separates us from Him, but that God’s loving grace provided a way though Jesus to re-unite us to Him. She was amazed.
The next day Jessica sent me this note. “Thank you for sharing all you did last night. It has really made me think in a way I’ve never thought before—in a good way.” Please pray that Jessica and I have more conversations about Jesus together. She’s also interested in attending church, although her husband is not at the same place in his journey. Would you remember this family in prayer?
Ok, got to go, it’s time to turn in my final paper!
Family Stuff
We’re not sure if Ethan will be ready for Kindergarten in the Fall. This weighs heavy on Kristie’s mind. Would you please pray for wisdom and discernment and for Ethan’s continued development?
We’re thankful that Ethan and Hannah can both be in gymnastics through June. They’re having a blast. Ethan is so motivated to attempt everything with the other kids, even though it is difficult. We hope to see increased body strength and abilities.
We are deeply grateful for your prayer and support. Thank you for being a part of our lives and ministry!
Greg & Kristie
January 21 2009 | Monthly Updates and Prayer | 6 Comments »
Posted by Kristie
As a kid, I took swim lessons every summer at the local high school swimming pool. By age eight, I had become a pretty good swimmer. At the end of every session was “free swim” in the amazing Olympic-size pool and the opportunity to jump off the low and high diving boards. One day—you guessed it—I chose the “giant” high board. I remember climbing up each of those 15 steps wondering what it would be like at the top. Once up the ladder, I walked out to the end of the platform.
Then, I just stood there.
I couldn’t jump. I was struck by fear. After what seemed like ten minutes, an instructor came up and held me over the side. And then down, down, down I went. After that moment, I had no problem jumping off the “giant.”
This fall semester somewhat mirrors those summer days when I first encountered that giant diving board. God has placed many opportunities before me and ordered my path enabling me to swim in this “Olympic size pool.” Along with directing the middle school Student Venture ministry at our local school and leading a group of students, God gave me a wonderful opportunity to train two young SV staff women in ministry philosophy and methods.
Kristie is training two young SV Staff women this year, Abby (left), and Kaye (right).
Abby and Kaye are both moms of young children. Their husbands are new to campus fieldwork this year. Please pray for the three of us as we meet together regularly. I’m concerned of my ability to train and know I can also become very task driven. Pray for my ability to love and encourage these special gals and that I would give them the best training possible. Pray for protection for all of our marriages in the midst of the work never seeming to be done (the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few!). Pray for good communication between these women and their husbands and that I can encourage them, through the Word, to be a helper and encourager suitable for their husbands, as God made them to be.
I love how Student Venture uniquely reaches out to students on the campus sharing the good news of Jesus. It is a special privilege to be a part of it in a more hands-on way this year! Thank you for your partnership!
How you can pray…
God creatively arranged for Coral to show up last minute to the ice cream party outreach on October 24 and she gave her life to the Lord. Coral, an 8th grader, has returned faithfully the past two weeks for Bible studies on the basics of her new faith and is bringing new friends with her who don’t know the Lord.
Praise God for Rene, a seminary student God just placed in my path. She is eager to help out with middle school ministry!
Greg is going to be in California for two weeks in November to participate in Cypress Church’s Missions Week. He will also be visiting ministry partners and will be looking to meet new partners. We are trusting God to provide some significant new monthly support. We appreciate your prayer!
Pray for Kristie as she devotes much time to Ethan’s therapy program at home. We are praying the additional home therapy can help him catch up on his cognitive development this year. Please pray too for leading and wisdom as to the best schooling situation for Ethan’s kindergarten next year.
In grateful appreciation,
November 03 2008 | Monthly Updates and Prayer | No Comments »
Posted by Kristie
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
My Plan
I (Kristie) was all set to kick off another year of SV ministry at the middle school—that is, until tropical storm Fay descended over central Florida. The county shut down all campuses the first week of school. Then, I learned that due to a conflict with the new school schedule, our teacher sponsor of six years was no longer available to lead the eighth grade girls. Eeek! When it rains it pours!
God Determines
God is so gracious. The storm week gave me some extra time to pray, prepare and find a new leader. Getting back on campus every week was not part of my plan for the year. But with both kids in school (or pre-school), I realized I have more time. I just needed to figure out what to do with Hannah and Ethan since their school day ends while I’m at the middle school on Friday afternoons.
Hannah is able to go to a friend’s house most Fridays after school. And, I met a new friend who picks up Ethan along with her son every Friday after school. God solved the childcare and transportation issues!
Now, He just had to work through my fear. Yes, after all these years of student ministry, I felt insecure interacting with these girls on a regular basis. It’s so much different from coaching someone else to lead for you! 
After seven weeks my heart is growing fond of the girls. God is giving me a passion for their spiritual growth and is showing me areas where they need to step out in faith and trust Him.
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Building a house of cards during a Bible study titled “The Rock.”
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The girls did a trust fall for our Bible study on faith.
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Kristie disciples 13–20 8th grade girls every Friday after school.
How you can pray
- Pray with me for their spiritual growth.
- Pray for two outreach parties coming up on October 24 and November 7.
- This year our high school volunteers are in class until 5pm and can’t help with middle school ministry. We are praying for some college students to become available. Would you pray with me for God to send laborers into this spiritual harvest field?
In grateful appreciation,
October 13 2008 | Monthly Updates | 1 Comment »
Posted by Greg
We are always looking for ways to spur on Ethan’s physical development, so we signed him up for soccer. He’s all laughs and smiles while jogging around the field behind the herd during practices and games. It’s the most physically intense two hours of his week.
Ethan runs downfield against the Sharks.
Ethan also tried out gymnastics as the guest of a friend. Being around other boys in such a fun and physically challenging environment was so great for him. Would you please pray with us as we decide if gymnastics is the right opportunity for Ethan and figure out how to rearrange the finances to make that happen?
Hannah has already graduated from her first grade Dolch site words and loves to read. She’s reading so well we’re going to have to check out more difficult books from the library! She loves her brother and has the job of helping him dress Dapper Dan in the mornings when they wake up. Hannah and Ethan slept in the same room all summer and didn’t want to separate once school began. And believe it or not, they sleep better in the same room.
Greg is going to be in California for two weeks in November to participate in Cypress Church’s Missions Week. He will also be visiting ministry partners and will be looking to meet new partners. We are trusting God to provide some significant new monthly support. We appreciate your prayer!
October 10 2008 | Family and Monthly Updates and Prayer | No Comments »
Posted by Greg
Family Vacation
Our family enjoyed refreshing time with our extended family in California in August. We all drove up to Mammoth Lakes and took in the beauty of the mountains. The kids got to experience some exciting adventures with their cousins.
Burglary
Just before returning home from vacation, our neighbor called and informed us that our house was burglarized the night before. The burglar(s) stole about $1000 worth of items and did about $1000–$1500 worth of damage. Thankfully, both Kristie and I had a strong sense to hide certain small valuables before we left.
Tropical Storm Fay
Tropical storms are not usually a big deal, believe it or not. A lot of gray sky, rain, and gusty winds. But Fay decided to hover over central Florida for four days dropping 7.5 inches of rain. Schools were closed for two of those days (the calmest days, of course!). The ground was so saturated that our after the storm, the normal afternoon showers caused street flooding all over the county.
September 08 2008 | Family and Monthly Updates | No Comments »
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