Boston Winter Conference: GLORY

Thank you for praying for the Boston Winter Conference on January 2-6. The week was a great success. Nearly 500 students and staff attended and were challenged to live and lead courageously for God's Glory.

A few highlights for us:

• We were a part of a Men's and Women's Panel discussing sexuality and relationships.  Read more here.  Very scary but rewarding for sure.
  
• Geoff had the privilege of teaching about giving and stewardship to 500 in the main meeting on Tuesday morning.  
• Hundreds of staff and students were privileged to serve alongside local churches in ministering to a variety of communities throughout Boston.
  

The email below from a student really captures the conference well and much of what God did in so many students' lives last week.  Thank you for praying.

My name is Andy and I am a junior at the University at Albany.  This was
my first time going to BWC.  For the first time, I was at a retreat among
other college students who were just as committed as me to seeing our
lives and our campuses reflect God's glory.  The friends I made here will
last for a long time and into eternity, I am sure, and I can't wait to go
back.

I guess what struck me the most about being with these people was how much
everyone owned thier faith.  It was no longer a parent's faith, or a youth
pastor's faith.  It is ours, and it is real because of the Holy Spirit who
lives in us.  I just saw others like myself seeking after God in a
personal relationship and it reminded me that the battle is still being
fought everywhere for Jesus to be lifted up.

God really showed me a lot about the "win, build, send" model of
evangelism and discipleship and missionary work.  God helped me become
more secure and willing to accept my position as a small group leader and
as one entrusted with Jesus' disciples.  I can say in a fresh way: I am
honored to be part of the Great Commission on my campus because of the
breath of fresh spiritual air that came from BWC.

God also gave me some specific directions for my educational path that
have challenged me to "walk by faith, not by sight".  Although I am still
scared, I trust God and I am so appreciative for all of the examples of
faith I was able to witness at BWC so that I could "run with perserverance
the race marked out for me" because of "this great cloud of witnesses"
(Hebrews 12:1).

Overall, BWC was an awesome experience, allowed me fellowship time with
other Christians, allowed me worship time to thank God, let us experience
the joy of outreach and partnering in God's sovereign salvation, and, most
of all, gave me time to stand on the mountain and hear the sweet voice of
my Savior.  So thank you, Jesus, and thank you, BWC!