Discovering the Bible
We have been attending a church small group in our neighborhood focused on outreach and encouraging each other in evangelism. I (Naomi) really love face-to-face ministry and I’m so thankful that the bulk of the neighbors that our group has been developing relationships with are internationals! It’s so fun! We have built enough trust with these couples that we are starting a six-week Discovery Bible Study this month.
We’ll use the same materials that Bridges staff use on campus with students who have never studied the Bible before. So far, one couple, Peter and Jenny from Taiwan, have said yes. Please pray for three more couples to join us. Pictured below: Naomi has her arm around Jenny.
Welcome Parties
Bridges events are in full swing on campuses all across the country right now, as staff are busy welcoming new international students, befriending them, helping them to get settled into life in America, hosting welcome parties, and gauging spiritual interest. On the Houston campus ministry team, they are currently following up with new students they met on the City Tour and Welcome Party. Pray for the staff, student leaders, and volunteers, that they would find students who are spiritually interested. Pray for the team as they start Discovery Bible study groups on campus. Pray for the hearts of students to be open.
Lost in Space
I (Zack) have been writing a faith-based science-fiction novel. It’s a near-future story about three siblings who travel to deep space, and together go on a spiritual journey.
Why write this? If you’ve been following the news lately about space exploration, you know that we’re living in a new golden age of discovery. There are serious plans to build permanent human settlements on Mars. NASA has discovered over 3,000 planets around other stars. Within a few years, we will be able to detect whether or not there are signs of life out there. Are we, as Christians, ready to confront the theological issues inherent in these advancements?
Sci-fi is a “thought simulator” about the future, and the genre is largely devoid of a Christian voice. I believe there is a huge opportunity to engage students in spiritual discussions with a story about these topics.
My goal is to finish the first draft in the next six months and have revisions done by the end of 2019. Go to zackaryrussell.com for more info and updates. I am thankful Cru gave me its blessing to pursue this, although it’s a nights and weekends project (not my main role).
Sleepless in Austin
Our children (particularly Paxton and Cassia) have not been sleeping well lately. They wake up sporadically throughout the night and scream or cry. We are often exhausted, so need prayer that, as a family, we could all sleep through the night.
Upcoming
Have you ever met an international and thought, “I would love to reach out to them, but I don’t know where to begin or what to say?” Zack has been working hard on editing the training videos for Every International. It is our hope and prayer that this training curriculum will give Americans confidence in reaching internationals. We plan to launch in October. We hope that it will be a tool for you to use as well.
Praise Reports
- New international friends in our neighborhood and lives.
Prayer Requests
- Spiritual protection over the neighborhood Bible Study, and for 3 more couples to join.
- Peter and Jenny would accept Christ as their Savior soon.
- Bridges Discovery Bible Study groups that are being started on many campuses.