Fall Leadership Retreat

Early this semester the leaders of CSF got together to talk about the game plan for this year out at Krissy & Garys’.  We were able to create an even more set structure for our newly formed life groups too.  This year our goal is to keep growing as a whole while being open to new students as they explore CSF.  As leaders we want to set the example and set the bar within CSF.  We had a lot of fun within the seriousness of the weekend.  Jared brought his bow and we learned how to shoot a bow.  It was difficult to keep steady and keep the target in site but with practice each of us hit the target.  This exercise parallels our walk with Christ.  At times it is difficult to keep our faith constantly steady.  Life is a roller coaster so it is strenuous to keep our eyes on Christ.  Our aim might be off and we might hit something else instead of our goal.  As leaders we want to make sure that we keep our sites on and are available to help others point towards Christ.

[Written by Katy Riley for the September 2010 newsletter, which can be downloaded here]

Are You Moved Recap

This fall 5,000 new freshmen began their college experience here at WVU. Can you picture it? Trucks and SUV’s filled to the brim with everything from laptops to snow boots. New freshmen leaving everything they’ve known for 18 years and living on their own. It’s mind blowing, isn’t it?

‘Are you Moved’ is all about helping freshmen move in and inviting them to be a part of CSF. This year I was blown away by all of my friends that made ‘Are you Moved’ a priority. Helping to move in freshmen with CSF has always been dear to my heart since Gary & Krissy helped me move back in 2006. I personally know the value and importance in this project because it’s hard to imagine my college experience without CSF. Being involved in CSF as a freshman really helped me open up and make friends within a positive Christian community that loved me.

[Written by Renee Pugh for the September 2010 newsletter, which can be downloaded here]

It's Game Time!

It’s game time. Yes that means mountaineers, hotdogs, cokes, and the Band. It also means school is in session and it’s game time for us embedded in the college environment. We get 30-ish weeks of intensity, it is game on. We have 2 interns this year, Katy Riley and Renee (Hogmire) Pugh started with us last week. Krissy and I moved Renee in her freshmen year for Are You Moved? and little did we know we’d be moving in a future leader, mover, shaker, married woman, and intern of CSF! I’m excited to have two interns, we will learn a lot and I want to invest in people more than anything else. So we’re doing that. Pray for us during game time. Games come and go. Rankings are forgotten. There’s no score on the line, but lives, futures, families, hope, churches, ministries – Kingdom work is at stake, eternally significant things are happening. We’re on the front lines of Kingdom work at the premier educational institution in this state – to face the challenge of living eternally significant lives verses circumstantial ones. That deserves our prayer and support, keep it up, we need it.

[Written by Gary Gross for the September 2010 newsletter, which can be downloaded here]

Abiding....

*** The verses recited Sunday night are listed below.

The words and love of Jesus abiding within us, what does that look like? (John 15:7-9). Christ wants to move us, affect the way we think, affect the way we act and bring us in alignment with His will. God has spoken! We allow all sorts of other things to affect us, other people, our past, expectations, finances, the future, performance, parents, relationships, work, addictions, hobbies…fill in the blank. I know because I do it! He has spoken, can we allow His words to move us?

 “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves, do what it says.”  James 1:22

The point isn’t “works”. The point is that He has spoken and we can listen! We can be part of His plan for humanity, which starts with us, right here, in that chair where you’re sitting. Your next task, decision, celebrations, hopes, tonight, next week, those things you struggle with, where you’re going, who and how you date, He has something to say to you. He has spoken.

If you’re new or reconnecting to Christ that means different things than if you’ve grown up in church you’re entire life. We’re all at different places but His word will speak life into all of us and meet us right where we are one GLORIOUS step at a time if we’re open to abiding in Him and His words in us.

Here’s the list of verses recited Sunday night for service during our “camp fire”. These are verses that have moved and shaped my life. They have spoken life into me. They have increased my capacity to see this world through God’s eyes, in a much more beautiful and meaningful way than I ever imagined. When I’m 50 I hope I’ll say the same thing all over again. They also tell a bit of a story: The supremacy of God, His will, my tendency to sin, a Savior enters this world, and convictions.  

God has spoken and I hope each of us grows in our desire to listen. Simply listen to Him.

Gen 1: 1-31
Deuteronomy 6:5
Psalm 107:1
Eph 5:17
John 15:17
Ephesians 1:9
John 6:40
Rom 7:15 & 21
I Corinthians 6:18
Rom 3:23
Romans 6:1
John 1:1
John 3:16
II Corin 5:17
Hosea 6:6
James 1:22
I John 3:17
Proverbs 29:25
Phillipians 2:15
Phillipians 4:13
James 1:2
Luke 12:48