STANFORD MINISTRY NEWSLETTER From Jim Black
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close. We celebrate an incredible year as we saw the Lord do wonderful things in our ministry here on campus. I want to thank you for your prayer and partnership in all of it! Here are some highlights from this past quarter.
A new group of students stepped into key leadership roles in the ministry. A record number of students expressed interest in serving as leaders for the 2023-2024 academic year. Many of them will serve our community in new and exciting ways next year.
We celebrated a glorious baptism service in a fountain on campus right next to Hoover Tower. It was a joy for me to baptize students in the heart of this university! A large number of our students participated in our community FCA Bible reading plan. I met with 15 students a week for one-on-one discipleship, often focusing on a deep study of the Book of Romans.
I led weekly gatherings for the Public Reading of Scripture (reading through the Bible in community) and Just Show Up book clubs (we just finished going through "Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis). We enjoyed breakfast burritos and reading God's Word or classic Christian works.
I taught Bible studies for the football, wrestling, and baseball teams. Deep engagement with brothers on those teams is a wonderful gift.
As a religious life advisor for the football team, I've gained increased access to the athletes, coaches, and program; my growing involvement with the team is new and exciting. I was also asked by the men's basketball coaching staff to take on a similar role with that team.
Multiple students in our ministry spoke at FCA gatherings in local high schools. This is a wonderful opportunity to pour into younger believers!
Continue reading this article HERE.
HOWHAVEYOUGROWNASACHRISTIANATSTANFORD?
Attending Stanford the past two years has been such a great experience, and I am so incredibly thankful for the FCA community! Prior to joining FCA this past September, I really struggled to find Christian community on campus and was very silent with my faith as a result. I remember praying all summer to find a community on campus that would challenge and encourage me in my faith Joining FCA in the fall was an absolute answered prayer and has truly made my senior year so special. From attending Bible studies to making lifelong friends, FCA has been the missing puzzle piece to my college experience. I am so thankful that the Lord placed me here!
WHATVERSE(S)AREFAVORITESFORYOURIGHTNOW?
Ephesians 1:11-12: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity withthepurposeofhiswill,inorderthatwe,whowerethefirsttoputour hopeinChrist,mightbeforthepraiseofhisglory.”
These verses in Ephesians remind me of my purpose in Christ and how I have been chosen by the Lord to be His child. It can be very easy to forget the purpose that God has for each of us. I love how this verse emphasizes that we have been chosen by the Lord and He will work out “everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” I definitely do not need to stress after reading that!
Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Stanford Senior studying Human Biology - Global Women's Health concentration
Stanford Women's Rugby team player - scrum half (#9) and lock (#4)
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The Lord is so patient with each of us. I admire that these verses gently redirect us back to Christ, especially when we feel like we have our own motives and potential plans. I also love the action items that we are given to honor the Lord’s plans for us such as to trust, lean not, and submit.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LORD IS CALLING YOU TOWARD AND HOW DO YOU THINK FAITH IN CHRIST WILL IMPACT THAT CALLING?
Moving forward, I hope to enter the global health sphere and understand women and child health inequity from an academic and clinical lens. The Lord has called me to serve in many capacities within global health, and I am very excited to begin my graduate studies and learn more about how to address these disparities with faith as a main focus. I am currently deciding on which graduate programs to apply to and would appreciate prayer for that decision.
HOWHAVEYOUGROWNASACHRISTIANATSTANFORD?
Ever since my freshman year, FCA at Stanford has been my family. They have been the most consistent group during my Stanford experience and have produced lifelong relationships with some of my deepest, closest friends. I grew from being a Christian who knows the Lord to being on fire for Jesus. My relationship with the Lord influenced every aspect of my Stanford journey: my connection with teammates, my confidence in my sport, my relationship with my fiancé (4 years of long-distance!), and much more. Looking back at all I’ve accomplished over the last 4 years – graduating with a 3.98 GPA, having a major contribution to a win against Notre Dame my senior year, publishing my research – FCA has truly been the highlight of my time at Stanford.
WHATVERSE(S)AREFAVORITESFORYOURIGHTNOW?
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”-Jeremiah29
This is my life verse because it gives me so much peace to know God is guiding me through this amazing journey of life. It encourages me to be bold and pursue my ambitions (both in sport and my career) while constantly checking in with the Lord and praying that he directs my steps toward what he wants for me.
Home state: Minnesota Recent Stanford grad with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology Played on the Stanford football team for 4 years as a safety and inside linebacker
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE LORD IS CALLING YOU TOWARD AND HOW DO YOU THINK FAITH IN CHRIST WILL IMPACT THAT CALLING?
I am getting married to my high-school sweetheart this summer! Both of us will attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota this fall. I intend to pursue a career in sports and performance psychology and hope to utilize those skills in the NFL. I would love for people to pray for this next season of life for me and my fiancé, Elizabeth, and to open our hearts to all God has in store.
Gathering for Worship of the Champion in the Home of Champions at Stanford
Recent medical school graduate, Gaby Joseph, has moved to NYC for a surgical residency
High School graduation of our beloved Kristen Enjoying the graduation of cherished student leaders,
FCA 2022-2023 Worship Team
Opening night of our Summer Bible Study
PRAISE
IjustfinishedmysecondfullyearoncampusatStanfordwithFellowshipofChristianAthletesThe transitionfromChristIanUniontoFCAwascertainlyfilledwithopportunitiestotrustGod,andHehas beenfaithful!
Wehadawonderfulyearoncampus.WitheachyearataninstitutionlikeColumbiaorStanford,the opportunitiestobeatrustedmemberoftheoverallcommunitygrowexponentially.PraiseGodthat thishashappenedhereatStanford.
PraisetheLordforfinancialpartnerswhohavemadethisyearatStanfordpossible. Ourfamilyisallathomeforthissummerandwe'reenjoyingthesedaystogether
PRAYER
PrayforourSummerFCABiblestudyonthelifeofMosesWemeetoutdoorsoncampusonMonday nights;prayforawonderfulslowerseasonofministrywiththoseoncampus.
PleaseseekGod'sfaceforthefreshmenathleteswhoareintransitiontolifeatStanford-praythatwe wouldconnectwithmanyofthemandoverfillourfreshmenBiblestudies!
Praythatwewouldhaveawonderfulandrichtimeasafamilyoverthecourseofthissummer.