Hi folks!
Guess what? I’m moving!!
Okay, now that I have your attention, let me update you on the last couple of months. It’s been a busier summer than I expected, with a lot of system changes to do before the school year begins. We had our staff summit at our University of Tennessee hub in Knoxville. 3 other co-workers and I drove there, and swung through New Orleans on the way back. Some of you know how much I love driving – I had a minor meltdown about 8 hours away from Knoxville on the way home. The others just laughed at me. Next time, I’ll take a plane. The summit meetings were very intense but very good. We refined our vision, and came up with some great strategic plans for this coming year. I can say in hindsight that it was worth the drive…
A Couple of Good God Stories
Staten Island is known in New York City as the forgotten borough because most New Yorkers don't visit there and much of what happens in the city is centered elsewhere. A staff worker from another ministry that we partner with, Miles, met with our president and told him, "I have great news! The College of Staten Island administration has given me permission to start a church on campus! Our students are praying now more than ever thanks in large part to Campus Renewal Ministries efforts. I want to base much of this new church on the principles of missional communities we learned in CRM's Spark Course. Can you help us?"
Miles and his students have been praying for breakthrough to have a church on the campus for a while. I learned from Miles that God has recently brought a new high level administrator to the campus who is a Christian. Miles went to see her in order to ask her if he could start a church on campus. Before he could ask her she proposed the idea to him, "Miles, have you ever thought about starting a church on campus? I think it would fill a need on our campus." What is amazing is that in the past the College of Staten Island has had a history of turning away any outside involvement from any religious group. Come on, God!
This summer, in a tremendous show of unity, as well as in an effort to cater to the summer college crowd, 11 ministries came together for 9 weeks of united teaching on the book of Acts! “It’s about creating a great place of worship with shared ownership, ” said Justin Christopher, our UT Campus Director. “We want to create a place for those who don’t have summer programs.” He and the other campus ministers wanted to develop a summer program to allow students from different ministries to come together and worship, as well as be exposed to different styles of teaching. We’re hoping that this in-depth study of the book of Acts will cause more students to be passionate about being missional and reaching those around them.
A Look to the Future
So, back to my first comment. In order to explain where I’m going, let me start with where I’ve been. I’ve been feeling for the last couple of months that I’m supposed to move to the Northeast. Now, that made no sense to me, because I know God called me to Austin. Some of you will remember, I received that promise – when Austin has been transformed, then I can go to France (that’s my long-term goal). God turned my heart to Austin, and I’ve been excited about what’s happening. So when that thought came, I pushed it away until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I told God if this was of Him, then I will go, but to be frank, I had a bad attitude about it. I reminded Him of the word He Himself had given me, and Jehovah Sneaky replied, “I never said you’d be in Austin when it happened.” Sooo not fair. Anyway, I was reminded of how dry, hard and apathetic the spiritual atmosphere was in Europe, and it reinforced my desire to return to France, and underscored why I’m in campus ministry – to grab a hold of and train this next wave of young people who are going into the market place and government and whatnot and change the status quo. That’s when God explained (it usually happens that way, you say yes, and then He tells you the details…). He said I’m sending you to the Northeast as a training ground before you go to Europe. Anyone who has been to both places can tell you of the similar spiritual climate.
What does this look like? Your guess is as good as mine. ;D I know for sure that I’m not moving tomorrow! As far as where, it will be to New York City, since that is where the president of CRM is, it will greatly aid in my duties as I assist him. I will probably look for a place just outside the city (for financial and sanity reasons) to live and commute in. I was looking at December, but it will more likely be June before I settle things here in Austin and raise my support. I would love to go into more detail and answer any questions to anyone who would like – please call, text or email me, and we can get together!
Thanks ever so much for your prayers as I live through this adventure that God has designed.
Blessings,
Akpene
512.293.9107
Find me on Facebook! Akpene at Campus Renewal Ministries
