New Letter to Salt and Light
To the Old and New members of Salt and Light Christian Fellowship (SLCF),
I hope the summer is treating you well wherever this might find you. My name is Jared Kempson. Many of you know me and many of you do not. About 2 weeks ago, I was appointed "Director of American Student Ministries" at Kossuth Street Baptist Church (KSBC). I know some of you who know me probably get a kick out of that. =)
If I could have a moment of your time (come on... just a moment... 5 minutes tops), I would like to bring you up to speed with what has been going on in SLCF. A lot of changes are happening, and we would LOVE to have your prayer and feedback on the changes and issues we are working through.
First I would like to introduce the new leadership team and structure!
Please pray for each of these leaders, and ask how you can help them as they establish the future of Salt and Light's ministry through KSBC on Purdue's campus.
You might say, I have a "bone" to pick with you on this subject.
Currently, it is the attitude of some that Christianity is attending church on Sunday or a Bible study during the week, possibly both. College arrives and you might seek out one or both depending on time, convenience, and availability. This attitude is based on comfort, and sadly, many who claim to be followers of Christ lean toward this comfort. You might argue, "I don't have the time for much else. After all, isn't the point of college to get an education, spread my wings, etc?" Using that logic, isn't the point of education to get a subsequent job. The job would then equal income, which would equal house, stuff, family, and so until you get to die. Yay for you! You lived the American dream. I hope you can sense my sarcasm. The point of college, job or life for that matter for Christians is very different from the American dream.
In college or wherever you are now, you have the opportunity to lay a foundation for living a life that is... well normal. That is to say, you will do what is expected of you or what must be done. OR you will start a style of living as one who is begins to realize that following God will require you to change the way you think and subsequently the way you live your life. I say "beginning" because once you start down this road, you'll find there is never an end to understanding what is is to truly live for Christ.
This brings me to the main point I am writing this letter to you. Currently, from my experience observing and serving in ministry for the past 10 years, the majority of the work is done by a small percent of those "involved" in that ministry. The rest are by no means bad or not christian at all, but simply believe that they are not able, not "called", or feel that serving others, sharing their faith, and making sacrifices, (Mark 16:15, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Romans 1:9)are commands
Christ gave with an astrix.* They think, "Christ couldn't possibly have meant that I was to go out of my way or cause myself to be inconvenienced in order to do those things!?! Rather I should do
those things when and if I can fit them into or around my lifestyle and schedule." This of course would never be admitted but is the way they live their lives in actuality.
"God's children live in rebellion whenever and wherever they cheapen grace by living out their dreams, establishing their petty kingdoms, and maintaining structures merely to ensure their security." ~VanGemeren
Purdue is home to 40,000 students from all over the world. They all need God. Sadly they will not be reached by a form of Christianity that is not willing to change they way they live in order to love and serve God. The goal of SLCF is to lead students in a growing relationship
with Jesus Christ and to see students reconciled with their Creator.
I would like to challenge you to grow in your faith and would like to give you opportunities to be more than a convenient follower of Christ. If you have any desire to grow, to learn, to serve...to not be sitting old and gray one day wondering what you really were supposed to do with this life you've been given, please join us in serving on campus. Whatever skills and desires you have, however much time you can give, we would love for you...WE NEED YOU to join our team. If we want to see God move at Purdue, it is going to be through you.
We are not perfect as leadership in SLCF. In fact, we are far from it. We know we need to
grow and would love to have your help.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for your time.
~Jared Kempson
Jared.Kempson@KSBC.net
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dp6cqg6_32dxwxrxdq
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