2:8 Update

October 18, 2013

October 18, 2013

Dear Friends,

Greetings, once again, from your friends at the 2:8 House. This has been an exciting semester in many ways, so we hope this email will "catch you up" on a few of the things happening here.

Be sure to read Anita's column on the right-hand side of newsletter. She shares about a recent interaction with a student during our Tuesday lunch this month. You will also find an article about the recent lecture by a Physics professor on campus entitled, "The Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God." You can also follow a link to additional financial information, if you are interested.

God is at work! Thank you for your continued, prayerful partnership with us.

LOVE IS.

Dave, Rhonda, Mary and Jonathan Kyncl
Craig, Anita and Jude Shepperd

Standing Room Only Crowd attends lecture about the "Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God."

Students packed the Meachum Auditorium last month to hear Dr. Mike Strauss present a lecture on "The Scientific Evidence for the Existence of God."

"We had well over 500 individuals were in attendance, Jonathan Rutledge, a Philosophy graduate student, said. "How incredible and overwhelming to see the fruit of your labor multiplied many times over by the Spirit. No doubt God was at work far in advance of the lecture and it was clearly a much needed talk for the people of Norman."

"Professor Strauss had a Q&A time that lasted well beyond the official ending time of the event as interested Christians and non-Christians alike huddled around him to challenge his thoughts on science and God."

Rutledge spearheaded the event in his role as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Grads on campus. The 2:8 House served as one of the co-sponsors of the event. We also hosted a followup discussion with Dr. Strauss at the house the week following the event.

"God has been building a network of cooperation and support among several of the Christian groups on campus," David Kyncl said. "We want to encourage Jonathan and the Fellowship of Christian Grads as they seek to support and reach their fellow graduate students."

Year-end giving goals established

As we share a few stories about how God has been at work, we work to continue to expand our prayer and financial support team. We have included more specific financial information at this link.

"God continues to provide for the financial needs of this ministry through the generous support of individuals, Nazarene churches and districts," David Kyncl said. "Many of our donors have supported this ministry for years."

"It is important our friends realize that we are raising ministry team members while we are raising financial support," Kyncl said. "We encourage our friends to follow God's leadership as they participate."

This partnership is discussed in the following quote from Henri Nowen's "A Spirituality of Fundraising, pp 24-25:

"Fundraising is a very concrete way to help the kingdom of God come about...Even a seemingly small act of generosity can grow into something far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine: the creation of a community of love in this world and beyond this world; because wherever love grows, it is stronger than death. So when we give ourselves to planting and nurturing love here on earth, our efforts will reach out beyond our own chronological existence. Indeed, if we raise funds for the creation of a community of love, we are helping God build the kingdom. We are doing exactly what we are supposed to do as Christians."

Host families sought

New international students enroll at OU every year, and the 2:8 House staff and friends are working to recruit families to participate in an International Friendship program at OU.

This program facilitates friendships between international students and American families. It is a great way to get to know a student from another country. Students enjoy getting to know an American family.

We encourage any interested families to contact us to learn more about this great opportunity.

Prayer requested for various activities

Fat Tuesday
We host free lunches the first Tuesday of every month. It is a great way to meet new people and support other ministries of the 2:8 House. Even though this is a free event, donations will be gladly accepted.

Fireside Chats
We will host regular discussions about the inter- relationship between faith, calling and the academic community. We hope to coordinate these events with a group of Christian graduate students and host the discussions in our living room.

International Friendship
We encourage local families and students to participate in existing friendship programs with international students.

Scripture Memory
We encourage students to begin the process of scripture memory. The first set of cards were distributed to students this week.

Discipleship/Mentoring
We meet students individually to "spur them on" in their faith journey.

2:8 Recovery
meets Thursday nights during the semester. The evening includes dinner, small and large group meetings.

In This Issue

Lecture well received

Financial update

International friendship opportunity

Prayer requested

Math Professor and a Prayer Wall

Mission Statement

Math Professor and a Prayer Wall

By Anita Shepperd

Fat Tuesday Lunch has returned to the 2:8 House. On the first Tuesday of the month we provide a free lunch to students. The October lunch was going as planned with a few students and staff coming and going. I heard the door open and close, but didn't see anyone come into the living room.

Naturally I went to welcome whomever it was that came in. I saw a student standing in the entryway and had just put some money into our donation jar. I invited him to come in and have some lunch. However, he explained he didn't have time but wanted to just leave a donation.

As you can imagine this was VERY strange. Usually, typical starving college students are known for the draw of a free lunch, but not for giving money without lunch.

He wanted to know a little more about what we did here at this House. I shared with him what we do and he nodded politely and said he was on his way.

I all but forced him to take some cookies to go and inquired about the donation. He shared about a math professor that he had recently. He couldn't remember her name, but this math professor was his favorite; and he missed having her as a teacher. He knew this professor often came to the 2:8 House, and he respected her. Therefore he thought the house must be a good place.

Of course, I knew exactly whom he was talking about: Cherith Tucker. She is one of our graduates that finished her doctorate in math last year. She has been a committed participant at the 2:8 House for several years and is now a math professor at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee. I was so proud of her upon hearing the impact she had made on this student.

He went on to share that he also enjoys stopping at our prayer wall on the side of the house. This small brick prayer wall was constructed a couple of years ago by some students doing a Bible study who wanted to provide the community with a place to bring their needs to God. So, before every test this student said he would stop and pray. I was struck with a moment of gratitude and wonder to think about how God used students to reach out to others without knowing the impact they would have.

prayer wall

Thanks, Cherith, for letting your light shine, and thanks to those students who built the wall.

Another life is different because of your faithfulness.

2:8 House Statement of Mission

The mission of the 2:8 House is to serve and build relationships with the University of Oklahoma community, its students, faculty, and staff, in the following manners:

Making the person and work of Jesus Christ known, including proclaiming, by word, and demonstrating, by deed, the reality and love of God;
Acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God;
Supporting the ministry of the local church; and
Making Christ-like disciples of those in the nations.

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

David & Rhonda Kyncl, kyncl@28house.org

Craig & Anita Shepperd, cranita@28house.org
www.28house.org

700 Chautauqua Ave.

Norman, OK 73069

405-447-7027

Donations may be sent to: 2:8 House, P.O. Box 3211, Norman, OK 73070.

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