MAY THE LORD GO BEFORE US
“Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.’ The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8
“Be strong and courageous…The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you” were the words given from Moses to Joshua, and now these same words apply to 4 campus students in the “VINE” campus ministry! The Lord promised Joshua just as he promised Moses, that he would give him “…every place [he] set [his] foot…” (Joshua 1:3). The land of Canaan was to be conquered and the Israelite territory to be expanded! The blessed promised land was theirs!
The “VINE MINISTRIES” has already set a big foot on the University of Maryland, but now we are about to set another giant foot on the prestigious George Washington University of about 26,000 students! We have been fighting and battling for God and His kingdom on campus, just like Joshua and the Israelites! This striking similarity continues because once Joshua entered the promised land he had to conquer the surrounding nations to have peace for God’s people. Dale Bryant our devoted campus ministry intern! the same way, we have entered the promised land of University of Maryland (UMD) and now it’s time to expand and conquer the surrounding universities! The “VINE” is stretching is branches over from UMD to the distinguished George Washington University in downtown D.C.! The “G.W. 4” (pronounced “Gee-Dub-Four”) to be sent, include: Myself, Santana, Ola, and Catty! Through the grace of God and the power of His Holy Spirit, this campus will also become a pillar of truth for generations to come!
But why go to George Washington University? Well, because God’s church today, needs leaders! If one was to read through all 21 chapters in the book of Judges, they would notice an obvious trend. When God established a leader to govern His people they walked in obedience to God’s commands, but as soon as Israel had no one to lead them, they quickly fell into sin and disobedience. Paul had an idea of where he could find and convert faithful leaders for God’s kingdom! In Acts 19:8-10, Paul spoke to religious people in the synagogue for 3 months, yet once they refused to believe, Paul left them and “he took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannnus” for 2 years! Paul had campus “bible talks” and found dynamic leaders there! We are doing the same thing!
George Washington University accepts less than 40% of all its applicants (making it a very prestigious school, just to get into) and it consistently ranks in the top 10 of “Most Politically Active” and “Most Popular Study Abroad Program”, according to the Princeton Review. George Washington’s student body is full of natural born leaders who (don’t know it, yet, but) are waiting to put their God-given skill to work for the right purpose! Many just need direction on how to use their talent for God.
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8
Just a little less than a year ago, the Sprit blew Richie and Elizabeth McDonnell here to D.C. and they have faithfully and valiantly made an everlasting stamp on this church and especially on the campus ministry. As we approach a year of them being our courageous, church leading couple, the Lord is now using them to direct a new windstream! Santana, Ola, Catty, and I will place our foot on that campus this week as we “spy out the land”! Lord-willing, many souls will be won for God’s glory at George Washington University, in the near future!
Just a year ago, we started with 9 campus disciples, we have now tripled our number! In faith, we believe that this multiplying ministry will continue to spread throughout Maryland, throughout D.C., and throughout all nations in our generation, just like the first century church! Please keep us in your prayers! May the Lord go before us! – Dale Bryant
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