Re-Launching St. FX
Last week I made my first trip to St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. I was a initially a little hesitant to begin working at St. FX because of how hard it was to build a campus movement there two years ago. However, my day-trip turned out to be one of the most encouraging days I’ve had in ministry this month! It was also quite evident that God has been at work on campus and in the hearts of students. I met with the leaders of the only other Christian group on campus (Xavier Christian Fellowship) and they are very excited to see Power to Change back at St. FX. For the last year or so they have been praying that more students would encounter the gospel, and that they would see more of a Christian presence on campus! With how well our two groups complement each other–their focus being fellowship and bible studies, and ours being prayer, evangelism, and discipleship–I do believe, and am praying that God will do great things at St. FX in the upcoming school year.
While I was at ‘Life’, the Friday night gathering that Xavier Christian Fellowship holds every week I was shocked and encouraged to see Sarah there! Sarah was one of the three girls we saw accept Christ when our team was at St. FX in 2013. When she first accepted Christ I was able to go through two of the new believer follow-up studies with her, and kept inviting her to attend ‘Life’, but was unsure if anything was really sinking in for her–especially since I only had two weeks to do follow-up and try to get her connected to other Christians. Which is why it was so cool to see that I played only a small part in her spiritual journey, and God has continued to grow her and use other Christians to spur her on! She is doing great, is involved in a church and the on-campus fellowship, and is looking forward to meeting with me the next time I’m there!
St. FX is a beautiful campus (even in the winter), but it felt kind of weird to be back without the rest of the traveling team.
Seeing Fruit!
At Mount Saint Vincent University Brian was training Julia how to initiate spiritual conversations and share the Knowing God Personally booklet on campus when they met Isobelle. After a lengthy conversation Isobelle made the decision to follow Christ! Brian and Julia have already met with Isobelle twice to go through new believer follow-up with her.
Last week Fran, one of our students at Cape Breton University, was talking to her brother about God and decided to use the Knowing God Personally booklet to explain the gospel to him. He also has made the decision to give his life to Christ!
Fran and Julia are just two of many Christian students across Atlantic Canada who are taking steps of faith to share the Gospel with their family, friends, and classmates. What a privilege it is to help equip Christians to change the world by helping students discover Jesus!
February will be a very busy month for our staff team, so please be praying for us:
1. Reading Week Help: Students from PEI and UofGuelph are giving up part of their reading week to come help with ministry in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Please pray for safe travels, and softened hearts!
2. Relationship building in Antigonish: Please pray for me as I seek to build relationships with Pastors and Christians in the community.
3. More Fruit! Please pray that the Lord would lead us to those who are seeking.
As always, I thank God for each of you, and am so thankful for your prayer and support. Please let me know if there are any specific ways that I can be praying for you.
Blessings,
Julie Bainard