April 2011 - God Answers Prayer!

How are my donations used in Christian Challenge?

- You are creating a position in ministry that would not be there without you.

- You become part of a team that reaches students for Christ who are not being reached by a typical church.

- You allow there to be light on a spiritually dark campus of 15,000 students.

What type of donations are the most helpful?

- A regular monthly donation helps provide a consistent salary for this huge ministry task.

- One prompted by God. He is the Provider, and He does so through His people.

- One which you want to see make a difference all over

Pre-Marital Counseling: GREAT resources (even if you're single or already married)

Another facet of the ministry that we really enjoy is premarital counseling. When you’re in college, you are at the age where getting married is not very far off. We actually have three engaged couples in our group right now, and I wouldn’t doubt it if we had more next year.

We really believe this as an important part of the ministry when it comes up, because so many marriages end in divorce. Often times, students have been taught awful habits by their parents and they have no idea what is about to come if they go in without learning how to have a Godly marriage. We go through Love Languages (http://www.5lovelanguages.com/), Personality styles (our favorite is: "Personality Plus" http://www.amazon.com/Personality-Plus-Couples-Understanding-Yourself/dp/0800757645/ref=pd_sim_b_1 ), and Fear Dance (http://www.smalleymarriage.com/resources/pdf/The%20Fear%20Dance.pdf) by Dr. Smalley. Each of those things helped our marriage SO much. And Personality Plus has helped us tremendously in every day life. It (in our opinion) is a MUST read for ANYone, married, single, etc. It has also helped us understand our children better.

Pray for Joe. He’s one of our students who we’ve been writing letters to while he’s at boot camp

Ministry in Odd Places

As some of you may already know, my car broke down in a major way. It’s wasn’t a water pump or radiator that ended up being the problem. It was a hole, a new hole that wasn’t supposed to be there in the side of my engine.

Needless to say, that rendered my car useless, and I made the decision to part out my car because you can’t sell a car that doesn’t run for very much!

Through selling parts to the car, I met a guy who ended up coming a couple times and we were having conversations back and forth just based on a common interest of Toyotas. I was able to direct the conversation to the spiritual, and we actually talked for a while about where he was with his views on Jesus and I also was able to share what I thought about Jesus.

We are continuing our conversation, and I am going to keep sharing Jesus with him through an open door that God provided though a unique avenue. Side note: God miraculously provided money (seemingly out of nowhere!) for a new (to us!) car for me so Jamie can use her vehicle for kids’ appointments, etc. Thank you to those who gave.

Coach-Daddy

Powers Update

Dallas is playing T-ball now with Bryan as the coach. It has been a VERY fun thing to get to do an organized sport. Dallas hasn’t enjoyed it as much as we have…but we’re sticking with it!

The babies toddlers ;) and I enjoy going to the games and watching. More on our Fam Blog: http://powers411.blogspot.com/ .

We have had three major answerd to prayer: #1 Dallas’ Christian education paid for the first year (PRAISE GOD!) through ACSTO (more below). #2 Ten new Ministry Partners this month! SO encouraging and helping fill the gap of a huge need. #3 Money for a car for Bryan. Thank You, Father!

Our twins and Dallas with some sweet baby twins, Parker and Weston

AZ: Support that doesn’t cost a penny…

We put this in last month, but there is still time to be a part of this ministry THIS year (donation made by 4/15/11 to apply for 2010. Can even be done online) or anytime to apply for 2011). If you are going to owe any AZ Tax, please consider blessing us. If you already filed and paid any AZ State income tax, please consider us for next year:

Instead of paying State Tax to the State, you can donate (for a tax CREDIT, DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR) that money to be used for Christian education, specifically to benefit a missionary family. You can bless us tremendously by using some of your owed Arizona State income tax dollars to donate to ACSTO (http://acsto.org/, Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, Inc.) designated for Dallas Powers at (please email me for school as I don't want to post it. but if you don't have time to email me, just donate and we can let them know his school as soon as poss. But we have to meet the deadline.) You will receive a tax credit dollar for dollar against AZ State income tax.

How God Used You;

We could not do this ministry without our team:

§ We have a recruit who has said they want to go forward with the process of becoming a Christian Challenge staffer at a new campus! More to come as that process takes place.

§ Awesome premarital counseling.

Thank You for Your Prayers!

Please pray…

§ The older students I’ve been reaching.

§ Recruiting some more people to come on staff.

§ Small groups – God to move mightily

§ Healing with losing Madison Grace

§ Health for us and the boys.

§ Us to train our boys up in a Godly way.

§ Our support

§ Sanctuary Church

§ More salvations

We jokingly call this, "Baby Jail." This is where the twins and I (and if we're lucky, big kid, Noah) hang out during Tee Ball games.

March 2011

The Harvest is Plentiful!

When we came to Christian Challenge there were about 20 students in Metro Phoenix (excluding ASU, Tempe Campus) that would say that Christian Challenge was ministering to them. The thought of reaching the quarter of a million students that didn’t go to ASU Tempe was a relatively new idea.

Fast forward four years. (I can’t believe we’ve been here that long!) There are now campuses all over the Valley with Christian Challenges on them. We’ve personally been blessed to get to recruit some of the staff members to come on and take those campuses. We’ve also been personally blessed to get to start some of these from ground up and turn them over to other ministers who could lead the growing campus so we could start another.

Over the course of four years, Christian Challenge has gone from 20 to 200 and we saw some of the excitement that comes from that as we all worshiped together this month. Our group actually led the worship for all the other groups and did very well to be such a new worship team.

We have one new leader stepping up into the role as a worship leader, and we have a girl playing violin with us who was saved last semester, and another leader with one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. Nick, our new leader is maturing into this role of being a worship leader, something that could end up being a life calling.

Fast forward another four years and we have endless possibilities. That is why we need people to be a part of our team financially. We are committing to see more campuses and salvations and callings to the ministry, and that can’t happen without you.

How does even $10 a month help reach college students?

It’s easy. Because that’s part of a salary. When you give, you are creating a position in ministry that would not be there without you. God adds your gift to the other monthly gifts and He (through His people) provides for all of our needs. This is a staff position that is so needed because ASU Downtown has such a need for Christ. We are the only Christian club that doesn’t treat Downtown as a minor addition to ASU Tempe. With 15,000 people who need Christ, we don’t view it as minor.

It is also very encouraging to know people are supporting what we care so deeply about and are praying for our students. As people who also support campus ministers, it is encouraging to give because you know you are a part of something that is making a significant impact in a spiritually dark place.

The two most important reasons which we have no control over is obedience. IF God is telling you to give and be a Ministry Partner, then He provides and He blesses. The second important reason is: God uses each dollar for His Kingdom purposes.

Recruiting

It turns out that recruiting other people to be campus ministers alongside me has become a large part of our ministry. The largest community college in the nation now has a Christian Challenge minister on it because God allowed me to bring him onto our team. We are also really excited to see a couple of friends of ours start volunteering with ASU Tempe this month.

Please be praying that the guys that I am talking to now will go where God is leading them, which hopefully will be serving with us. There is one guy that I am talking to seriously who is out of state. Several others are here in the city near unreached campuses. New staff are such a strategic way to follow the vision be sharing Christ on every campus throughout Metro Phoenix (300,000+ college students).

Powers Update (by Jamie)

Support that doesn’t cost a penny…

Instead of paying State Tax to the State, you can donate (for a tax CREDIT) that money to be used for Christian education, specifically to benefit a missionary family. You can bless us tremendously by using some of your owed Arizona State income tax dollars to donate to ACSTO (Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, Inc. designated for Dallas Powers at Bethany Learning Center. You will receive a tax credit dollar for dollar against AZ State income tax. Pls. call me or visit http://acsto.org/ or http://acsto.org/faq.html

Thank You for Your Prayers!

Please pray…

§ PRAISE: Student who accepted Christ being very involved in Bible study.

§ The older students I’ve been reaching.

§ PRAISE: Worship Night with a great worship team!

§ Recruiting some more people to come on staff.

§ Small groups – God to move mightily

§ Master’s degree

§ Healing with losing Madison Grace

§ Health for us and the boys.

§ Us to train our boys up in a Godly way.

§ Our support

§ Sanctuary Church

§ More salvations

How can we pray for you?

How God Used You;

We could not do this ministry without our team:

Read more about most in the sections below

-Worship leader stepping up

-Christian Challenge growing more than ever

- Incredible Bible Studies.

- Great Leadership

- Guys coming closer to surrendering to Christ.

-Passionate leadership team ready to do the work it takes this semester.

-New and old students are being reached.

-Getting to guide students through different stages in life.

-Investing in a local church.

Made possible by God’s mighty power and your prayers & giving:

thank you!

February 12, 2011

Big Change!

NAMB has changed their online donation system and so ALL RECURRING donations have stopped. This has greatly affected our paycheck this month and so if you feel led to give an extra one-time gift, it would really help a lot AND if you had a recurring donation, could you please set it back up @ http://www.namb.net/givenow/ And if you would be willing to become a monthly supporter (our greatest need), please pray about setting one up, too. Below is a way to give (for AZ taxpayer's) that doesn't cost anything...

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Powers Update (by Jamie)

Well, as you can imagine…time is flying by! We have continued to LOVE and praise and thank God for our church. Although Bryan is no longer the Interim Youth Pastor, we still love being a part of the student’s lives and being youth leaders….especially Jamie because I have not been able to be as “hands on” with activities on the college campus because of two toddlers and a Dallas! The church is exceptional at always having quality childcare…and I enjoy serving and ministering.

We have some BIG news: Dallas is going to be a Kindergartner! And a request: We have prayed (since Dallas was two) about where he should go to Kindergarten and feel strongly led that despite our income as support raisers, that he needs to be in Christian school. Even if you disagree with Christian education, you would bless us tremendously by using some of your owed Arizona State income tax dollars to donate to ACSTO (Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization, Inc.) designated for Dallas Powers and his school name (I'll email it you, please just email me) and you will receive a tax credit dollar for dollar against AZ State income tax. Couples can donate up to $1000 and individuals: $500. Please call or email me with any questions. Their website with lots of FAQ's about the dollar for dollar credit: http://acsto.org/

Dallas at his school’s “Macy’s Day Parade”

How God Used You;

We could not do this ministry without our team:

Read more about most in the sections below

-Student accepted Christ as Lord and Savior during Bible study

-Winter Retreat- students drawing closer to God

- Incredible Bible Studies.

- Great Leadership

- Guys coming closer to surrendering to Christ.

-Passionate leadership team ready to do the work it takes this semester.

-New and old students are being reached.

-Getting to guide students through different stages in life.

-Investing in a local church.

Made possible by God’s mighty power and your prayers & giving:

thank you!

Girl Saved in Bible study!

The semester is back in full swing and so are our Bible studies. Kelsey has been a great Bible study leader and very welcoming to the new girls, some of whom are not Christians. During our first Bible study of the semester, one of our girls accepted Christ. It has been amazing to see God work in the lives of these college students.

We’ve had tremendous success bringing people who would never go to a Bible study if it weren’t through their friends on their campus. I’ve become friends with the guys in my study and they are coming along spiritually. Please keep praying for them though, because some of the guys are rough. “S” is very close to becoming fully committed to Christ as are many of our other guys who are growing.

I’m also getting to preach some more than usual, some at our church and once at a nursing home to fill in for a friend. So I am getting to share with a large group of people.

We are also seeking God’s direction on when to start a Bible study on a new campus. We want to continue growing Christian Challenge as much as possible and not just be limited to one campus. I have been recruiting one friend from out of state to come be on our team as another staff member, and we are praying that he comes. Pray with us as we grow on so many different levels.

Great Retreat

We went up to Pinetop had some amazing worship, some great preaching, good fellowship between campuses and went sledding. I got to know some of the new students better on the retreat, one being a newer Christian, who accepted Christ last semester. I also got to be a part of leading worship and played bass for the band. It was the perfect weekend after taking some extra classes in January.

School

I cannot believe that last semester is over. I learned so much. In fact, I’ve been thinking about sticking with it longer. Soon I will be done with my Masters, and I am taking some extra language credits to prepare for a PhD in Old Testament or Hebrew. Last semester I fell in love with reading Hebrew. In fact, it became a great tool to witness to students at ASU. I would study with students on campus, and the Hebrew would always intrigue them, and I could share with them what I was studying and why.

Pray for us as we seek out what we should do in this. It just opens up some doors to stay long term here in Arizona serving in Christian Challenge, which we love.

Thank You for Your Prayers!

Please pray…

§ PRAISE: Student who accepted Christ

§ The older students I’ve been reaching.

§ PRAISE: Winter Retreat

§ Recruiting some more people to come on staff. One guy is considering moving from New Mexico.

§ Small groups – God to move mightily

§ Time management

§ Healing with losing Madison Grace

§ Health for us and the boys.

§ Us to train our boys up in a Godly way.

§ Our support

§ Sanctuary Church

§ More salvations

How can we pray for you?