Trained in the Gospel (NTE22)
Recently, 5 other students and I from Launceston spent 5 days in Canberra for NTE, which is the AFES national conference. This was an exciting event as it has been 3 years since the last time NTE was in Canberra. Surprisingly the conference also reached its capacity of 2000, which is the largest amount of registrations ever!
The conference had the very appropriate theme of identity this year, with Vaughn Roberts delivering the main talks. We were continuously encouraged to go back to the book of Genesis to find our purpose in life, which is to glorify God because we are created in his image. To live out this secure identity in Christ, we were asked this great question.
"What is it that I can do, as the person I am, with the gifts that I've got, that can most bring glory to God through the spread of the gospel?"
I was there 2 days earlier for the staff conference. It was exciting to hear about some of the thinking AFES has been doing nationally to help address the common problem of the new reality of less presence on campus. During this time I was able to make more connections with other AFES staff, including a guy serving in South Australia in a similar position to me. We hope to stay connected afterwards to share ideas and to pray for each other.
I also had the privilege of leading strand 2, which focuses on biblical theology. It was an encouragement to see all of these guys wrestle with 1 Samuel 8 and come to see its significance from the perspective of the wider biblical context. We were a bit worried for a while if they were understanding how Jesus fulfils our need for a king but after they gave their talks, the lightbulbs started to come on which was great to see.
NTE is always a highlight of the year in the AFES calendar. It's a uniquely rich opportunity for students to be trained in the gospel and have their eyes for God's mission lifted from just the campus to the rest of the world.
Current Support Progress
During this busy time of year, I am still seeking people to partner financially with me so that I can continue to encourage the students and grow our outreach on campus. Currently, I am at 14% and need to increase this to at least 80% before I can start next year.
Would you be willing to invest in this ministry by making a regular pledge? You can do this by searching for me on the AFES donation portal.
Prayer Points
Please pray with me, as there is much to thank and ask God for.
- Thank God for the valuable time of 2000 students gathering together to be trained with the gospel! Pray for them as they get ready to go back onto their campuses to further proclaim Christ in 2023.
- Pray for God's provision as I continue to seek the generosity of others to financially partner in this gospel work.
- Ask for good rest during my two weeks of leave (Jan 2-15), before starting my new position at The Branch.