|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends,
We wanted to share some of the latest news about how God has been at work through the 2:8 House and the OU Nazarene Student Center.
We thank God for the opportunity to serve as Christ's ambassadors and your representatives on the University of Oklahoma campus. We trust you will enjoy this update.
LOVE WINS.
Dave & Rhonda Kyncl
Craig and Anita Shepperd |
|
|
|
|
|
First Veritas Forum held at OU
Sponsored by the 2:8 House and other Christian ministries
Several Campus ministries, including the 2:8 House sponsored the first Veritas form at OU on Monday, April 26th. Dr. Os Guinness spoke on
"Where is God in Suffering and Injustice." The topic was selected to coincide with the 15th Anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.
Below is an article about the Forum from the OU student newspaper, the OU Daily. The article was written by Cassi Toney and is used by permission.
A Christian writer and social scientist said there are five steps to beginning to understand the meaning of life Monday night during a discussion with students and faculty.
Os Guinness said these steps are: recognize sources of evil, listen to questions, consider modernity of evil, assess different interpretations and take appropriate action.
Guinness engaged approximately 350 students with the question: "Where is God in Suffering and Injustice?" in Nielson Hall as a part of the Veritas Forum.
Guinness lectured and a discussion with the audience members followed.
"Nobody here has all the answers. I don't have all the answers," Guinness said. "There are no experts on evil."
Guinness holds a doctorate from Oxford University and has written more than 25 books.
"Suffering and evil are truly the greatest mystery we humans face in life," Guinness said.
Guinness said suffering has three sources: one's body, nature and other human beings.
He said the three deep questions humans ask when suffering are: "why me?" "where is God?" and "how can I stand to continue living?"
He said even atheists have blamed God for suffering.
"Something happens that is so irrational and so unjust that there must be an explanation," Guinness said. "They think someone must be responsible."
Guinness said there is a profound need for a sense of realism in order to understand evil better.
"Utopianism is the greatest evil of all," Guinness said.
Guinness said the last needs are to forgive and to step out to take action against evil.
"Even evil and suffering can be a rock of faith for those who know God," Guinness said.
Doug Serven, director of Reformed University Fellowship, said a Harvard student started the Veritas Forum approximately 20 years ago because she wanted to discuss the truth of topics.
Serven said hundreds of universities across the country have Veritas Forum discussions, which include other topics such as science, justice, art and sex trafficking.
"I know across the board on campus, this is a common question," said Julie Jarrett, OU campus liaison for the Veritas Forum. "It's not something that is normally talk about."
Jarett, public relations senior, said the OU leaders who brought the Veritas Forum to OU chose the topic of tragedies because of the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, other recent international tragedies such as the Haiti and Chile earthquakes and smaller things in each person's life.
"We at OU feel like people want to and need to talk about the truth," Serven said. "And we want to be a part of that discussion and to get that conversation going."
Serven said about 10 campus ministries worked together to bring the Veritas Forum to OU.
He said the target audience was anyone searching for the truth, both Christians and non-Christians.
|
|
"Style Your Sole Party" brings many to the 2:8 House
 More than 50 students participated in a "Style Your Sole Party" at the 2:8 House last week. The event was co-sponsored by the 2:8 House, the OU chapter of Habitat for Humanity and Metro Shoes.
"This event was a way to work with others on campus and meet several new people," Craig said. "Tom's shoes are very popular on campus. The company donates a pair of shoes to child for every pair sold."
Metro Shoes, which is a local retailer for Toms shoes, agreed to bring shoes to the 2:8 House. The students could purchase a pair of shoes and then decorate them with a variety of art supplies available. Free hot dogs and drinks were served during the event.
"This was a great event," Craig said. "We've already begun to talk about another event next year."
You can visit www.tomsshoes.com to learn more about the company's charitable efforts.
|
Efforts continue to raise finances
God continues to provide the financial resources through the faithful support of friends, family, churches and districts.Here are a few highlights:
1) The Board of Directors approved a new strategy which provides some direction in various levels of giving while emphasizing the power of referals.
The goal for 2010 is to provide the necessary funds through the following donation levels:
2--10,000 donors (we need one additional donor at this level.)
8--$5,000 donors (we need one additional donor at this level.)
5--$2,000 donors (we need one additional donor at this level.)
25--$1,200 donors (we need 16 additional donors at this level.)
2) Fundraising Dinners--Two dinners were scheduled in April. We hosted a small dinner at the Silver Creek Church of the Nazarene in Owasso on April 23rd. To date, a total of $1,300 in donations and pledges was raised. A dinner in Norman, scheduled for April 30, has been postponed.
3) $10,000 in 10 days--In early April, I felt God directed to raise $10,000 in 10 days. A total of $8,000 was given during the designated time. One of our friends had written a $5,000 check before they received the e-mail. Periodic donations are essential as we continue to build our monthly financial support base.
THANK YOU for your continued prayer and financial support!
LOVE WINS. |
| Ways to join the 2:8 House ministry team
We are often asked by individuals, adult Sunday School classes or pastors about ways to become more involved in the 2:8 House. Here are a few of the possibilities:
- Pray for our students and ministry--Every week we meet new students. As our friendship grows and we share each other's personal stories, we believe that God will be glorfied. We also believe He will continue to draw students to Himself.
- Organize a 2:8 Support Group in your local church--We are beginning the process of recruiting individuals and/or couples who would be willing to organize a support group within their local church. These leaders would help us identify others in their local congregations who would be interested in learning more about our ministry at OU. This might begin by developing a list of e-mail addresses of people who might be interested in receiving this newsletter. We also would be willing to host a dinner for memers of a particular church who are interested in learning more about our current ministry and our vision for the future.
- Introduce us to a student-- If you know an OU student, bring them by so we can meet them.
- Join our Century Club--We believe that God will provide for the needs of this ministry through the faithful giving of 100 individuals, churches and districts. Our current monthly donations range from $50 to $620 while our periodic donations have ranged from $5 to $10,000.
|
|
|
The Road to Recovery...
By David Kyncl
A funny thing happened on the road to recovery. More accurately, a Godly thing.
For the past few months we have requested prayer as we continue to prepare to launch a recovery ministry in August. Part of that preparation is attending Celebrate Recovery Bible studies.
This process has been very humbling, and very beneficial. At the study, the participants don't know I'm a campus minister and church board member. They don't know Rhonda is an assistant dean or that Craig and Anita have been and continue to be missionaries. They don't know Stephanie has been involved in prison ministry and campus ministry for years.
What do they know?
"Hi, I'm Dave. I'm a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, and I struggle with..."
For several weeks, we have been meeting with a group and working through the studies. Of course, the studies do address the "big addictions" of drugs and alcohol, and I thank God I don't deal with those issues. However, the Holy Spirit has been dealing with my attitude toward food, spending and other areas as I walk "in the light" toward recovery.
God continues to meet with each of us.
Craig said, "the very first time I went to Celebrate Recovery, I heard someone tell (the leader) that they weren't sure they needed to be there. She said that no matter who you are, what you've done, or what you haven't done, we all need CR because we want to follow Christ more closely."
"The whole point of redemption is to recover God's image that is created in me," Craig continued. "For me, that has become my personal pursuit, and CR has been very helpful in that process."
Anita agreed.
"It's hard to dig so deep into yourself, but through the process ou find yourself growing closer to Christ," she said.
We all have grown closer to Christ through this process, and our excitement builds as we prepare to launch the ministry at OU in August.
Please continue to pray for us as these studies continue through the summer months. You might even consider visiting a Celebrate Recovery ministry in your community. If you don't find one, maybe you can be the one to help bring recovery to yourself and your community.
LOVE WINS. |
|
|
| Deuteronomy 32:1-2 (The Message) |
|
Listen, Heavens, I have something to tell you.
Attention, Earth, I've got a mouth full of words.
My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain, my words arrive like morning dew,
like a sprinkling rain on new grass, like spring showers on the garden.
For it's God's Name I'm preaching--
respond to the greatness of our God! |
| Contact Information |
|
700 Chautauqua Ave.
Norman, OK 73069
405-447-7027
|
|
|
|
|
