STANFORD MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
From Jim Black
In light of that, I'd like to use a variety of pictures and captions to update you with the story of God's faithfulness here on campus. I love watching what He is doing here!
On Friday mornings I host an event in the athletic facility called ‘The Public Reading of Scripture.’ During that time we listen to extended passages from the Old and New Testament, and we enjoy breakfast burritos from Jimmy V’s Sports Cafe. Among the crowd this morning were two members of the men’s gymnastics team, who recently won their fifth NCAA championship in a row.
During the winter and spring quarters, we continued to see a remarkably high turnout at our weekly Monday Night gathering. My theme talks for the year were built around Athletes in Action’s 5 Principles for Christian Athletes. I'm presenting here to a packed crowd.
We were humbled to host former Major League Baseball All-Star Dave Dravecky at a special Spring Break FCA in March As you may remember, Dave became a national figure due to catastrophic injury in his arm His profound faith in Jesus through all of it has brought glory to God for years While most of the students were off campus, three quarters of the Stanford baseball team (among others) came out to hear Dave’s story of God’s goodness It was a wonderful night ministering to one of the most dynamic teams at Stanford
We were thrilled to be able to host Francis Chan on a Monday Night for the second year in row. Francis has become a good friend of our ministry; he lives near us in the Bay Area. Our room was packed that night as Francis spoke on the holiness of God from Isaiah 6. It was a life changing night for many students.
One of our goals for Monday Nights is to host a number of pastors from local churches to speak to our student athletes. As a former senior pastor, I desperately want students to get plugged into local churches during their time here, and especially after Stanford. In this picture, Phil EuBank, senior pastor of Menlo Church in Menlo Park, is speaking to our group.
In an incredible turn of God’s providence, we’re amazed that our dear friends, Kyle & Katie Smith and their sons, are coming to Stanford. The Smiths were some of our dearest friends in our NYC days (20112017) when Kyle was the head men’s basketball coach at Columbia University. We’re thrilled that Kyle has been named the head men’s basketball coach at Stanford! We’re so grateful for the Smiths, for our long friendship, and to be reunited with them here.
A group of our FCA students were able to come over to our home and enjoy a taco dinner in our backyard. It’s a joy to be able to host students and provide a home away from home as often as possible.
During one of our Monday Night gatherings we hosted a ‘Coach’s Panel’ where Stanford coaches who love Jesus spoke to the student athletes. One of the coaches featured was Ryan Deakin, a wrestling assistant coach (and former NCAA champion). Much of the Stanford wrestling team came out to hear him share about his faith.
Our family joyfully reunited in Wheaton, Illinois over spring break. Our two daughters are students at Wheaton (along with our nephew in the peach shirt). We had a great time together for a few days in Illinois; that trip coincided with meetings for a Wheaton College board on which I serve.
This is a picture of our 2024-2025 leadership interest meeting. As we continue to grow, more and more students want to be involved as servant leaders in the ministry. We’re in the process of revamping our leadership structure in order to provide more students the opportunity to serve and grow their leadership skills. Please pray for our student leaders at Stanford!
During Spring Quarter I lead our first ever Senior Class Bible study. Along with Scripture, we read and discussed Tim Keller’s, ‘Every Good Endeavor,’ and Randy Alcorn’s, ‘The Treasure Principle.’ We celebrated time together at lunch outside the Sports Cafe as I wanted to help prepare them as Christian leaders for life and work after Stanford.
These are some of the graduating FCA seniors at their last Monday Night prior to commencement. We celebrate all the Lord has done in and through them at Stanford, and we’re excited about what will come in their lives with Him
These are some of the young men who participate in the Stanford Football Bible Study. They received ESV Journal Study Bibles that were made possible through the generosity of financial partners. We were able to purchase 64 Bibles via 2023 “Giving Tuesday” gifts. We’re also grateful for partnership with Crossway Bible Publishers for their generous discount!
In early June I had the pleasure of baptizing four Stanford student athletes in Hoover Tower on campus With over 150 in attendance, it was an amazing night to hear the students give testimony to God’s grace and goodness in their lives!
PRAISE
PraisetheLordforanincredibleyearofministryatStanford.Heisopeningdoorsamong athletes,coaches,andteamsinwaysIwouldnothaveexpected.
PraisetheLordforprovidingstrength,energy,andfinancialresourcestocontinuetoservein thisministry.
PraisetheLordfornewstudentleadersandanewleadershipstructurefor2024-2025.Exciting daysareaheadofus!
PraisetheLordforHispresenceandblessingonthisworkatStanfordUniversity.
PRAYER
Pleasepraythatstudentswillberefreshedandstrengthenedoverthesummerandthattheir timeswiththeLordwillbelife-changingandencouraging.
Pleaseprayformyabilitytoconnectwithmanystudentathleteswhowillbeherethis summer,especiallythoseonthefootballteamandmen’s&women’sbasketballteams.
Pleaseprayforincreasedconnectionswithcoaches.
Pleaseprayforarestorativetimeoverthesummerandforgreattimeswithourfamily.
Pleaseprayforcontinuedfinancialprovision,includingthepotentialofbringingLaurieon full-timestaffwithme.
F A M I L Y U P D A T E
We'reseeingGod'skindnessinourfamilyinsomanyways!
AnnawillbearisingsenioratWheatonCollegeinthefall.Sheservedasamissionaryin Indonesiaduringthefirsthalfofthesummer,andisnowhomeworkingthesecondhalfofthe break.KristenhasfinishedherfreshmanyearatWheatonandhadawonderfulbeginningthere oncampus.She'llbeheadingbackinAugustafterasummerathomeworkingasacamp counselorhereinLosAltos.ReidwillenterhissenioryearthisfallattheTheKing'sAcademyin Sunnyvale.He'sbeginningthecollegeapplicationanddecisionprocess.He'salsopreppingfor hissenioryearoffootballwherehe'llbethestartingQBforthefourthstraightyear.Isaac completedthirdgradewithflyingcolors.Helovesschool,hisfriends,andhismanypursuits.He bringsjoytouseveryday.LauriefinishedhersecondyearofteachingfirstgradeatHeritage AcademyinLosAltos.She'srelishingtimeoffthissummerassheplanstoteachonemoreyearat Heritage.Afterthat,we'reprayerfullyhopefulthatwe'llbeabletoworkfull-timetogetherin ministryatStanford.I(Jim)continuetobestunnedbyGod'sgoodnessinmanyareasofmylife. MylifeisanexampleofofHisgoodnessandprovision.I'maverygratefulman.
jimblack@stanford.edu (832) 250-9926