FALL 2023
STANFORD MINISTRY NEWSLETTER From Jim Black
Dear Friends, Greetings from Stanford! I hope this newsletter finds you well. We've had an incredible beginning to the academic year here at 'The Farm.' As many of you know, the academic calendar at Stanford is built around the quarter system. This means that our ministry year starts later (and ends later) than at many other universities. I want to highlight a few key developments about which I'm very excited. First, our FCA ministry at Stanford has taken new steps to emphasize reaching out to freshmen athletes as they begin their time here. We hosted an initial welcoming event for To donate by check, please see the freshmen in the heart of campus (with In-N-Out hamburgers!) last page for instructions. on the night before classes began. Over eighty freshmen varsity athletes attended! Then flowing out of that, over thirty varsity freshmen have participated in a Bible study I'm leading specifically for their class. That's approximately 15% of all possible freshmen athletes here at Stanford! Please keep praying for vibrant community and spiritual growth among these new students. DONATE
Second, we wanted to grow the amount of upperclass students who are providing leadership for the ministry. A record nineteen upperclassmen are now serving in official capacities in our efforts on campus. All of those leaders are identifying teammates and friends whom they will intentionally pursue for one-on-one discipleship meetings consisting of conversation, Bible study, and prayer. We're praying that the Lord builds an intentional discipleship movement within our ministry. Leading these students leaders are our Co-Presidents, Jason Miranda and Camille Peisner. Last, I'm personally overwhelmed by God's faithfulness to me in this situation. The doors that have opened for relational ministry are incredible. As I walk around campus I find myself constantly running into athletes, coaches, and staff with whom I have relationships; it is an enormous blessing to engage in conversations about the Lord and His kindness almost everywhere I go around here. His kindness and favor to me in this setting is a sweet gift. In closing, I want to simply say, “thank you!”. We could not engage this work without the generosity and partnership of so many of you. As I work at Stanford, meeting with students, leading Bible studies, etc., my heart and mind often think of all of you. I am so grateful!