Introducing... The New Executive!!

From January 10-12, Barron, myself, and six students went to Galiano Island to receive vision and plan for this upcoming semester.  This is the first time since Barron and my arrival to SFU that we had an Executive Leadership Team.  This team holds the overall vision for the ministry, does the administrative work (planning events, etc.), is in charge of our core leaders team (training and passing of vision), and focuses on continued relations between IVCF and SFU.

Back Row:  Abraham, Justin
Middle Row:  Edward, Anika, Lida
Front Row:  Barron, Esther, Catherine

Introducing our Executive (In alphabetical order):
Abraham - Teaching & Small Groups Development
Anika - Spiritual Development, Pastoral Care, Minute Taker
Catherine - University Relations/Support & Partnership Development, Developing Emerging Leaders
Edward - Logistics, Outreach Development, Grant Requests
Esther - Generosity Development
Lida - President, leader of Executive Team.

During our time in Galiano, as part of our visioning process, we studied the life of Moses.  The idea of a man who was straddling the gap of so many identities and also one who was most unlikely to be a leader, God called him to lead what was the most glorious points in Israel history in the Old Testament.  We were amazed and shocked at this and we saw that Moses was also a man of incredible vision.  Our team took hold of this and after studying this, we felt far more empowered to go into our planning process and assignments knowing that God has chosen each and everyone of us to lead.

Praying after studying Exodus

The planning process in itself exhausting and tiring, but out of it came life and a leadership structure of what we can expect from each other and the hopes and dreams for the campus.  Specifically, a vision around our Clubs Days and New Student Outreach.  Clubs Days/New Student Outreach is primarily a place where we advertise our club and hopefully recruit and invite more students to be a part of IVCF.  We spent about an hour going back and fourth trying to determine what was going to be the "hook" for SFU students to come be with IVCF but we couldn't land in it.  It was then that Lida spoke up and invited the team to stop, listen, and pray.  After a few minutes of this we came back and in that short period of silence, we all felt the Holy Spirit say that the hook was "Us".  The hook was for us to be present there and for our fellow students to see what type of community we are.

The result of this prayer and planning?

Welcome Back Event

35 people crammed in mine and April's basement suite.  Both returning SFU students (~25) and brand new students (~10).  The biggest difference is that we had students leveraging their invitation power and inviting their own peers.

Emerging Leaders "Small" Group

Another new development is our Emerging Leaders "Small" Group (formerly Core Leaders Group).  This group we have decided to open it up to students who want to take their leadership to the next level.  Over this past semester we only had about 7 students coming out, this semester we have around 15.

This indeed has only the start of the new semester, but from the looks of it.  It's a VERY GOOD start =). 

A Snapshot of Esther's Experience

Last Semester (Fall 2013)

At the start of the fall semester, I was hesitant to be more involved in IVCF due to my future plans changing. Before the school year started, we had an SLC (Student Leadership Conference) which really helped me with my decisions about my involvement with IVCF. I realized that my decision of moving schools within the next year doesn’t mean that I need to step back as a leader in IVCF, but rather finish my time at SFU with IVCF strong. The guidance of Justin throughout this semester played a tremendous role in regards to my growth this semester. Being my mentor isn’t always the easiest thing but Justin definitely managed to break through to me in many ways. I’m so grateful for the leadership skills I have developed more of these past few months. Leading a small group with Justin also challenged me to get out of my comfort zone. He pushed me to trust in God for guidance and to be confident in leading a group of my peers. At the time, I was a bit reluctant in trusting Justin that I was capable of leading a small group but in the end I could see that all he was doing only made me into the leader I am today. This semester has shown me so much about trusting in God and that it is not by our own doing that makes us great leaders but rather through God and the Holy Spirit that we exemplify God.

This Semester (Winter 2014)


This semester I started out a bit hesitant about being on the executive team because I didn't really know what that entailed and if I would be adequate. Since our student leadership conference in the beginning of the semester, I have become more confident in the team we have leading IVCF SFU. As well, I've being very excited for this semester with the small group I'm co-leading and the student I'm mentoring. I'm learning so much about myself as a leader and the role I have as an SFU student. It's been great having Justin mentor me and help me through lots of things in my life that I'm wrestling with or trying to understand about myself or others. This semester is bringing so many good things and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

Catherine's Experience and Hopes

Catherine's Family.  Catherine is in the back row, second from the left.

Hi, my name is Catherine and I am in my second year studying Health Sciences for my bachelor of science.

Justin asked me if I could share a little bit about myself and what God has been doing in my life.  I guess I'll start off with a few things I like to do in my spare time. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I like to visit with my dearest family and friends.  Together we like to make meals, laugh, sing, and enjoy conversations with one another.  I've come to learn that my love for hospitality comes from my parents, parents who have always taught me to be open and welcoming to others.

In my first year at SFU I was eager to find a Christian club on campus, this was a bit daunting because there were so many to choose from!  I was thankful that my friend, Daniel, was already connected with IVCF and invited me to join him.  I chose to stay with IVCF because of the community, the same welcoming and hospitable vibe that I was accustomed to.  My passion is to share God's love where ever He may take me, including SFU.  Intervarsity Christian Fellowship has provided a way for me to do that.

I was very excited to hear about the idea of an executive team, and seeing that grow from an idea into a reality has been amazing to witness.  I feel like God is using this as an opportunity for us to grow as leaders, and to help further His kingdom on campus.  It is empowering to be surrounded by others who want to seek change, and be proactive about it.  It has been a blessing to come together each week and see the progress we have made as well as plan ahead for the future.

God has presented me with a multitude of possibilities as I continue in my studies at SFU.  He has challenged me to take on leadership roles not only at SFU but at my church, too.  I know that He does not give anything I cannot handle, so I continue to walk in faith alongside Him.  Through all these experiences, I've learned about my strengths and weaknesses, it has been a blessing to have Justin as a mentor who will speak truth into my life.  The most prominent theme in this past year for me, has been to fully and completely trust and rely on God's character, which is never failing and good.

I want to see change on SFU's many campuses, I want to see bridges being built, strong relationships that can withstand trials and tribulation.  I want God's love to ring true throughout the university; through His children.  I want a community that is welcoming to everyone, no exceptions, because that is what Jesus would want.  I want the students and staff to step up, and stand up for what they believe; to be examples and disciples of The Lord God Almighty.  I want IVCF to provide a safe space where any one can share unending joy and happiness, yet will feel comfortable enough to lament and confide in us.

These are my prayer requests.  Let us rise to be all that we can be, always looking to God first and honouring Him in all we do.

Thank you for your time and for your support in IVCF's ministries,

Sincerely,

Catherine Luu

Upcoming Events & Prayer Requests

Upcoming Events

• BC Staff Days - Feb. 11, 12
• SFU Ski Retreat - Feb. 12 - 14
• Justice Conference - Feb. 21, 22

Prayer Requests

Students & Campus

• Pray for the transition from a core leaders group to an executive leaders group this upcoming semester
• Pray for our Wednesday Emerging Leaders Group meetings.  Pray for vision and discernment on how to be keeping the vision and also passing the vision for Leaders-in-training.
• For the SFU Executive Team.  That they will continue to grow in shared vision
• Pray for Barron, Lida, and I as we are discerning what it looks like to lead a student executive team.
• Pray for  the Ski Retreat that we can have more Non-Christians coming out to it.

Personal

• Pray for my growth as a leader and mentor.
• Pray for me as I continue to network and connect with other Chinese Churches in the Lower Mainland.
• Pray for the Next Generation Dialogue between 1st and 2nd Generation Chinese Pastors.  We are now communicating with the Ministerial in March.
• Pray for mine & April's relationship in our new marriage.  Pray for opportunities to be witnesses to our neighbours and landlord.
• Pray for discernment for April and I as April is trying to figure out what is the next step in her career.
• Pray for me that I will rest well during my Sabbaths
• Pray for me that I will be exercising more regularly.
• Pray for my health.

Praise Item

• I am nearly fully funded!  Praise the Lord.  Please be praying for the rest of the donations to come in.

A Transition in Leadership

Over the past few years of IVCF @ SFU, we have had the privilege of running small groups which invite students into deeper community and fellowship with Jesus and His Word.  This semester, we have had the chance to invite new 1st years, mostly Christians, into a deeper understanding of their faith.

However, even though we have an maxed out small groups this semester, something seems to be missing.  Barron, Lida and I feel that we are missing the vision of IVCF @ SFU in Reaching the Lost.  We have lots of Christians and they are finding it difficult to invite their friends to Bible Studies so what can we do?  We need to create other venues to invite our friends into.  Simple things like social events (potlucks, laser tag, extreme air park, etc.).  Ones that will encourage people who would normally not associate themselves with Christians to start building trust.

For that, we will actually need a team to organize and plan this.  We will be shifting from a core leaders group to an executive leaders group.  We'll still be holding our core leaders meetings for the spiritual nourishment and passing off of vision to the broader IVCF ministry but we need a group of committed students to take charge of things like social events, leadership development, teaching, etc.

Barron, Lida and I are really excited about this because it will help accommodate the growing ministry of IVCF.  Please be praying for us as we make this shift and transition into the New Year.

Annual Christmas Party

Extreme Air Park!!

Linsanity! - Jeremy Lin's Documentary

Burnaby Parables Small Group

Life After the Wedding

What?!  April and I have been married now for 2 months?!  It was weird that the wedding just came and went.  We're both finding it hard to believe that it actually happened.

The wedding though was incredible.  With the blessings of our family and friends and countless volunteers (over 50 volunteers) the wedding itself for us was a great deal of fun.  I wish I could share with you more pictures but here is a sneak peek on the photobooth pictures.

Stay tuned for the video of our wedding.

It has been a joy to be married finally.  I am really enjoying having someone to talk to everyday and wake up to every morning.  Yes, we have had our challenges especially around what we should be doing with our time but overall, it has been such a great experience.  The current place we are living in was an incredible blessing from God.  It's everything we could have asked for for our first place to live together.  It's strategically located right at the base of Burnaby Mountain (very close to SFU) and close to April's private practice.  The only downside to it is that it's quite far away from one of the places that April works.  Regardless, God has blessed us with this place and we want to use it to host well for students, family and friends.

Over this holiday, we will be going on our honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico.  We're REALLY excited about it.  Please be praying for safety in travels as well as on-site.

We're learning how to play the Ukulele's together

The Story of Abraham (The Student)

In his poem “Chicago,” the late American poet Carl Sandburg described it as a city “under the terrible burden of destiny, laughing as a young man laughs.” But as a young student at SFU, I never felt like laughing under this burden.

I grew up in a Christian household and was raised in the church, but much of my upbringing was very similar to the rest of my peers who didn’t grow up in the church. This similarity is that we all carry the burden of destiny: the burden to succeed and the burden to find purpose.  As Christians, we often carry this burden of destiny in the question of “what is God’s will for me?” This single question is related to so many others such as pursuing a career, relationships, finding a church, moving to a new city, and so many more. This October, I underwent a month long season of deep unhappiness caused by feeling “stuck.” I would spend despair over my lack of purpose and how I felt that I did not belong in the life I was currently living. The core of this unhappiness was ultimately due to a lack of understanding what God’s will for me was. I thought that God’s will was a bulls eye, a single target that I must aim towards and that “missing it” or living outside of God’s will and desires would lead to a derailing of my life. I would pour prayer upon prayer upon His alter, in hopes that He would tell me what I needed to know to fulfill His will but often to no avail.

It was during this time I felt the need to seek God again in the Scriptures. During my time in Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship at SFU (and under Justin’s mentorship), I began to seek solace and happiness from Scripture and how it was indeed “alive and active (Hebrews 4:12).” While I was studying Mark with IVCF SFU, God completely transformed my understanding about how I think about his will. Mark 1:38 says that Jesus went all throughout Galilee to preach; He came to preach about the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14). God’s will is actually remarkably clear, his will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day (John 6:40).” This is the will of God: the salvation of all and the destruction of none. It is that all people would be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, who became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is His will from Genesis when he promises Christ as an answer to humanity’s sin and brokenness, all the way until Revelation when he says, “Behold, I am making all things new (Revelation:21:5).” Rather than analyzing every action I make and whether they are a part of God’s will or not, I am instead led to ask, “How can I join into God’s great plan of redemption and reconciliation?” Rather than trying to fit God’s great will into my tiny life; I can ask myself how I, with the gifts and talents that God has given me, can participate more in His will rather than seeking to my own will. No matter where I am or stage of life I am in, in conversations with friends and family, within my church, within my school and community, and with IVCF SFU, I can join into God’s great will. God set me free from the terrible burden of destiny and instead set me free. And in my freedom, I am free to join in God’s great will, not just for me, but for all people. He has made known to me the paths of life and made me glad in His presence (Acts 2:28). Because in Christ, I can truly laugh as a young man laughs; not because I am under the “terrible burden of destiny,” but because I know I am living under the great will of God.

In Christ,

Abraham Wu