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Green Letters |
April, 2001 |
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Back To Campus It’s the first day of spring! But one would not guess it from the weather. Rain falls in cold sloppy buckets. The wind is a good thirty knots. I’m standing on the campus of Duke University. The wind has blown my umbrella inside out. It’s 7 P.M., pitch black dark, 40 degrees. Half-soaked, I’m searching for the Kappa Alpha entrance to Wannamaker Dormitory. I’m supposed to speak at a chapel service for students. Earlier in the day I’d called my son, David, a senior at UNC. He was going to try to meet me for the chapel and dinner following. As I ask a hurried student for directions and as the cold rain drips down my back, I suddenly feel like a fool. “My son won’t make it,” I despair. “What’s more, no student in his right mind will come out on a raw night like this.” Hunched against the cold, I feel like a poor actor in a slow motion black and white eerie movie as I make my way to the meeting. Opening the chapel door was like stepping into a color movie! The room is wall to wall with students! Keyboards and guitars sound forth; eager voices praise Christ! And standing to hug me is my son David! I’m greeted by Preston, the chapel leader. He tells me he’s been reading my column in a magazine since junior high school. There’s praises, a report from an inner city mission work, then a skit. I’m introduced as one who will share on sexual purity. Before I teach, I explain how special is this night for me. You see, I’ve just left a good church job to return full time to college ministry, my first love. Now for 45 minutes I preach from a soggy Bible. The students are rapt in their attention; many take notes. And as I call for prayer, heads bow in faith. Afterwards all of my Bible study handouts are snapped up. And a young coed, her face beaming with joy, extends her hand. “Thank you,” she exults! “Thank you for returning to the campus to preach what you know. It will make a difference! We need to hear such teaching.” Walking me to the car, the president asked me if I’d consider leading a retreat on the same subject. I say yes. He will call. And as I drive off into the cold, rainy night I am fulfilled. Now is the time. This is the ministry. I am the man. And Jesus is the Christ.
Financial Update This year’s budget will be somewhat higher than normal because of extra start up fees. Our goal is around $115,000. Of that amount, over 65% is in hand or pledged. Approximately 26 individuals and one church have undertaken support in prayer, in finances, and encouragement. Thanks to God, a car, a computer, and a web site are nearly up to speed. Between now and year’s end, I’m going to try to spread the support team out to around 100 persons so that we’ll have a broad base and no one will be overburdened. We’ll keep you updated in each newsletter. Christ is good. Where He leads He supplies! Letters, We Get Letters! February 12: Grace and peace be multiplied to you through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! (I prayed this for you after writing this.) I was reading the Jan-Feb issue of Sharing the Victory and your answers in “Locker Room” ministered to me! I felt motivated, comforted, and well-instructed by the time I finished the last A. I thank God for all the extra “lunch” today.
Dear Mr. Crotts, I just had the pleasure of hearing one of your sermons while at Campus Crusade for Christ. Your sermon truly touched me. I wanted to pick up a copy of your book, but the time I got to the front of the room they were already gone. I got to speak to you briefly afterward and you gave me your card. You said if I emailed you that you could send me a copy of your book. I would very much appreciate it if you would. Thank you ever so much. You don’t know how much what you said tonight meant to me.
Check-Out Our Website
It gives our purpose, how to book a ministry event, and soon will include over 70 teachings, all vital to college student interests: self-esteem, sex, dating, guidance, etc. A work in progress, it bears checking out from time to time to see what’s up.
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