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Campus Coffee Break - CNU InterVarsity News
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December 2009
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Dear Friends,
We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here are some things that have been happening on campus and in the IV ministry here at CNU.
In Christ,
Eric & Beth Gambardella |
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 Living Out the Vision: Mercy Ministry
Caring for those Christ compels us to love
Back in August we wrote about the vision that the students chose for this school year-showing the love of Christ through caring for the poor and socially outcast. In November, over 50 students gathered at a gazebo in downtown Newport News to meet and minister to the local homeless. The event was organized and run completely by the students, who went to multiple Walmarts the week beforehand and bought out their stock in sleeping bags. The sleeping bags, along with an array of hot food, were distributed at the gazebo as several students presented the message of the Gospel.
Senior David Comeau is at the heart of the mission. Several years ago, he began going downtown and making friends with the homeless who shared "the gazebo" as a common place. Slowly, a few other students began coming with him. "At first it was difficult," the students explained. "Some of the men told us to leave. They said, 'What trouble have you ever experienced in your privileged life?' But when we kept coming back, they realized there was something compelling us. 'Why are all you kids coming down here?' they'd ask. And we'd get to share about Christ."
 In the last year some of the homeless men have even become attenders of IV large group, and some of the local churches. Every Thursday night David gives them a ride to CNU, and Eric and I have gotten to know them, too. It's a humbling experience to welcome them into our community. If I'm on stage speaking, and I see Abraham in the audience, I'm reminded that the message I'm delivering better be centered on Christ, and not college students. The Gospel is for the world, not just the university.
This is the truth we saw our students living out last month. We're continuing to pray that more opportunities arise for them to come out of their comfort zones and serve those who Christ calls us to love.
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Prayer Requests for the New Year
For the Students
1. Ask the Lord to sustain the students during winter break, that they would stay strong in their faith and remain in the Word.
2. Pray for the families of students who became new believers this semester, that their parents would be understanding and welcoming of their new faith.
For Us
1. Pray that the Lord would provide rest for us within the next few weeks in the midst of much traveling.
2. Pray that we would be prayer for each other as spouses and co-workers, and for our students, as prayer is often hard to do!
3. Ask the Father to guide us in His wisdom as we plan for Spring retreat and leadership training.
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Conferences That Change Hearts
222 and Urbana
We have also found our own niches as far as leading at conference-Eric leading worship and speaking in a track, me running the book table and this year directing the Scripture track. After planning for many hours its always rewarding to see things come together-and even more rewarding to see students impacted by the truth of the Gospel. This year was especially exciting for us because of being joined by fellow alumni who volunteered for both worship and small group leading. The students commented several times on how great it was to have the volunteers there-people who are just a few years older than them, talking about how they lean on faith in their marriages, jobs, and everyday life.
Sadly, the economy affected our students in big ways this fall, and our numbers were lower over all at the conference. However, we believe that God brought all of those He intended to be there and will use those students to take the things they learned back to their campuses!
Many of you know that Urbana, InterVarsity's missions conference is happening this December. This is a unique opportunity for our students, who get to hear speakers from all over the globe and meet other students from across the world. Please be in prayer for 25 of our students and Eric as they travel to St. Louis December 27-Jan 1. Please also pray for upcoming retreats in the spring-Vision Team Retreat Jan 9-11, Leadership Day Jan 16, and CNU's Chapter Retreat Feb 12-14!
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Year-end, tax deductible giving
The end of the year is a great time to make donations to non-profit organizations like InterVarsity.
If you are interested in extending your partnership through a one-time, year-end gift,
- Simply click the link below to give by credit card.
- Or, mail a check designated to "CNU" to:
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA
Attn: Donation Services
PO Box 7895
Madison, WI 53707
As always, you will receive a receipt for tax-exemption purposes.
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About CNU InterVarsity Christian Fellowship CNU IVCF is an on-campus club that provides Bible-study, worship, teaching
and fellowship for Christians of all denominations and ethnicities. Our aim is to be a witnessing community
- a group that nurtures students' spiritual lives: maturing and growing
those who are already in relationship with Jesus Christ while also
teaching and pointing to Christ those who are still seeking the Truth.
For more information, visit our website at www.cnuiv.comEric - eric_gambardella@ivstaff.org, Beth - beth_gambardella@ivstaff.org
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