Sara & Josh – November Update

by Alex

“So we do not lose heart.

Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For these light, momentary afflictions are preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Hello! and happy November 🙂 I share the verse above knowing every person is facing struggles of some kind. In Jesus we can rejoice in the reality of our savior who overcame the world and its troubles and gives His people enduring hope. Take heart! Press in to Jesus today.

We are doing well and are amazed to only have 5 ish weeks of the semester left. Halloween already feels like it was a month ago and we’re getting ready for turkey time– blessed and excited to host several international students with our family celebration.

We’ve seen growing momentum with International Friendship Night since the last update. Thank you for praying! Pray for the Christian students to not grow weary of doing good, but to continue prioritizing reaching out to new friends to share the Gospel with them (even as everyone feels the grind and has a lot of work on their plate), and for hearts to be soft and open to hearing.

Ignite Youth Group packed some Operation Christmas Child boxes last week and prayed for all the children who will hear the good news of Jesus and receive their boxes next month. Its not too late to pack your own box!
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
Youth small groups have continued and we’re grateful for college student and adult volunteers from the church body making that possible. Pray for wisdom, patience, and compassion for the leaders, and pray for the youth students to have a desire to study the Bible and grow in their faith–for heart change through faith, not just doing religious activities.

The Challenge students had a really excellent weekend at the Fall Discipleship Conference. Partnering with USC and Kansas State’s Challenge groups, there were awesome times together of learning from the book and ministry of Jeremiah, worshiping, connecting, hiking, and eating 3 very square meals a day hahaha. I loved hearing freshman K share about how God was speaking to her in such clear ways through her personal time reading the Bible and praying. Sophomore B made a decision to follow God in all areas of his life, and then came home and had some tough conversations with roommates and peers. Since then he has shared about his freedom in Jesus with several peers struggling with addictions and destructive lifestyles. And there are more stories, to God be the glory!

Last week the students hosted a Reformation Party to mark the 501st anniversary of the protestant reformation. There were still costumes and games and goodies involved, and new freshmen inviting their friends! So cool!

Pray for us to abide in Jesus, stay firmly rooted in God’s word, and to live each day filled with and following the Holy Spirit.

Pray for the brothers and sisters of our church, Del Cerro Baptist, to all seek God together in unity as we move into more transitions with new leadership. We are excited about the direction we’re heading, but change is difficult! May we each take our own dreams, idols, and expectations off of the throne, keep Jesus at the center, and build one another up in love.

How are you doing?? I love getting replies, and knowing how we can pray for you.

and, in advance, Happy Thanksgiving!

love, Sara and Josh Jenkins

Alex