Thanks for praying over my early-Spring prayer e-letter below,
We are praising God for ministry opportunities this Spring. One was the presentation Dominos CMO Ken Caldwell made at I.U. on marketing and how his Christian testimony and biblical understanding of ethics affected his ad campaign on "The Apprentice". He was quite clear on his commitment to Jesus and the MBA Christian fellowship and the marketting club were both influenced by his understanding of the Lordship of Christ and the business world. I took these pictures of the event below. http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeWhitchurch/IUMBA/photo#5045651336086634002
http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeWhitchurch/IUMBA/photo#5045651340381601314
A similar praise item occurred at Purdue when Francis Collins , speaking on his involvement mapping the human DNA genome, spoke for at least 15 minutes on how he came came to faith in Christ . It was in part due to (he wouldn't call it this) the Intelligent design of the macro universe (he was rather blind to it in his own field in the micro universe) and the most satisfying reasonable response to the problem of pain and suffering. He quoted much from C.S. Lewis's writings in 'The Abolition of Man' and 'Mere Christianity' . Even though only two grad IVCF fellowship connected students heard him with me, they were both duely impressed with his bold witness. The event was sponsored by an engineer academic society.
Then over Purdue and IU's Spring break I went with new GFM colleague Tom McCormick and Purdue university staff, Matthew Phelps to see U of Chicago grad and former Attorney General John Ashcroft speak at Wabash College . It is wonderful to see and hear men of faith making a difference in global and national security without resorting to some of the over-kill (internment camps) of the past. Here is a picture Tom took of me after I attempted to engage protesters in friendly (they weren't too) conversation. http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeWhitchurch/JoeWhitchurch09/photo#5045651207237615074
At IU and Purdue the weekly Bible study in Galatians is continuing as are the two, weekly prayer meetings but our challenge is the raising up of student leaders for the 07-08 academic year . Pray they will follow in faith's obedience and serve with the Spirit's fruit, with integrity, excellence, and bold witness among their generation and academic colleagues. Click link for a short video of one of the Small Groups visiting after a meeting.http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeWhitchurch/JoeWhitchurch09/photo#5045960955984035378
I am praising God for an upcoming phone conference call with key student leaders from around the State this Monday night. Pray that many join the call, encourage one another in the Lord, and connect with resource opportunities that might energize growth, faithful witness, and service that is meaningful and Christ honoring in the university, in their teaching, law, medicine, business management, industry and research. The call will be from 9:30 - 10:30 p.m. EST in case you want to pray during the call too.
This season immediately before Easter, more graduate students are involved in community service than I can ever remember. Some went to do Katrina relief work and some are service projects on campus as an alternative to more hedonistic, high profile activities these weeks. Pray they share Jesus with their words and have added authenticity of godly service in action.
A bit of painful news. My ministry support is about as low as I can remember it in the past three of four years. Inspite of a wonderful Christmas my current ministry support is $6900 dollars in deficit . I do not know if it is the much smaller pool of graduating grad students or the enormity of their student debt upon graduation but transitioning to graduate and faculty ministry has been faith stretching for sure. Please pray for this to turn around and if you can assist with a one time gift above your normal prayers and support, we'd greatly appreciate it. Also if you have people or programs you know which you can connect us to that might help, that would also be awesome. We are praying, working, and watching, and waiting on God as well.
This April we have an important multi-State grad conference on sharing Christ in grad school . It is a long road trip for IU and Purdue. Pray several students from IUPUI, IU and Purdue can make it this year. Thank you. This is another large request needing much prayer and faith. Know grad students in MN, WI, IL, or IN who might be interested? Send them this link below to the brochure and registration information.
http://mwgfm.org/images/april07.doc
A couple of particularly gifted students and Christian influencers are in situations that involve the fine line between deadlines, expectations, publications, exams, teaching and grading, demanding groups, and prioritizing Christian nurture, witness and yes a day of rest as well. Add to this (for one of these two students) an overbearing faculty advisor. Please p ray for EZ and WM especially. Thank you so very much. And thank you again for your prayers and support.
Yours in Christ gladly,
Joe Whitchurch
For your info, a couple movies have some application contexts for law students and for business students. Below for fun. Amazing Grace : Wilberforce, Law, Abolishing Slavery, Newton, Song http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q6Cv5P9H9qU
Flywheel : Business Ethics http://youtube.com/watch?v=asg2NMGkATQ My photos, the latest of bonding with one of my grandson's in his new Top Gun flight jacket . Go Jaxxon!http://picasaweb.google.com/JoeWhitchurch/Feb07cellcamera
To support online click here. To do so via a check and U.S. mail, send check made out to 'IVCF' to IVCF. P.O. Box 7895. Madison, WI 53707 with a separate hand written letter inside merely stating 'for the ministry support of Joe Whitchurch'.