Who do you say I am?

Most of our leadership team still smiling after five hours of serving students, their families, and the university during move-in.

 It is a great pleasure to minister alongside such committed Christ followers at UNC. They give up breaks, study times, even a simple stroll across campus, to minister to those around them.
    They are kind, humble, loving, seekers of the truth. And as such they are bright lights of the gospel in a spiritually dark place.
     Thank you for lifting us all up in your prayers, giving, and friendship. We have seen 30% growth numerically this semester; but more importantly we have seen great spiritual growth and opportunity to answer the question of “who is Jesus?” Rest assured, we are endeavoring to see Christ revealed and known across Chapel Hill.

Pre-K, football, cousins and all things boys 

First day of school! (pre-K)

Josiah making a play (#22)

Cousins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      It’s Fall in the Newell household. And that means football. Josiah and the Mighty Eagles have had a great season thus far. Si plays linebacker, punter, and wherever else he is needed. Hard to believe he turns 10 years old this November. He has continued to excel at school, especially in math.   Yes, it’s official! Elijah has started school. He is in the pre-K class at Fayetteville Elementary and absolutely loves it. He even teased Josiah (who was home on break) that he had to stay home while Elijah got to go to school. His favorite thing? Snack of course.

Meeting Travelers On The Road Less Journeyed

 From helping freshmen to move in, Fall Fest, and meeting students in the Pit by the student union, Chi Alphans have challenged themselves and others to choose God’s Road Less Traveled. We’ve been exploring who God is, who we are, and who we are with Christ. One of our seniors, who is new to XA, says this is the fellowship she has been wanting for over three years at UNC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On The Hill-Spring Update

Does University Ministry Make A Difference?

“In Chi Alpha I’ve learned that God accepts me for who I am; and I’ve been challenged to be who I should be.”-- Zawadi
     “Through Chi Alpha we are making connections (with people) that our culture says aren’t supposed to be made.”-- Lauren

“I’ve never seen a group of people like this. Chi Alpha has given me a better glimpse of the Kingdom.”--Christian
     “Through Chi Alpha God has been killing the ‘Perfect Me'. I am no longer letting school (achievement) define who I am.”--Julie

 

Baptisms at Atlantic Coast student training. God is stirring this generation!

God Is Breaking Out Into The Open

Micah 2:13 “He who opens the breach goes up before them; they break through and pass the gate, going out by it. Their king passes on before them, the Lord at their head.”

One of our leaders(Zawadi) was leaving a class recently when a muslim student, who arrived on campus from the Middle East the night before, asked her for directions. Zawadi was the first person this student connected with at UNC. Since that encounter these two have become friends and had multiple faith conversations. Other students have built relationships with gay, atheistic , and agnostic students. God is breaking out into the open one life, one divine appointment at a time. Pray for continued boldness and courage in our students.
 

Last day of classes Chi Alpha barbeque at UNC

Fundraising

We are truly blessed by your partnership in reaching this generation through society’s most critical juncture-- the university.
     Together we have seen many lives impacted, and destinies changed. We are believing God for so many more. Over the course of our first two years at UNC, our level of support has diminished
     In order for us to continue reaching students, we need to raise an additional $700 per month to help cover ministry related expenses.
     Partnerships are all about relationships. We value yours highly; but we also need to find additional partners and financial support for the ministry.
     Would you consider recommending us to like-hearted people you know, or an increase in giving?

Students worshiping at ACSICM

 Atlantic Coast SICM

This past May 12th through 18th we hosted 140 college students and staff from 16 universities in Nags Head, NC for the Atlantic Coast Student Institute of Campus Ministry (ACSICM).
     These students left their campuses immediately following the end of the semester to train in areas of Theology, Evangelism, Relationships and Small Group Leadership.
     Chi Alpha Campus Missionaries from as far north as Vermont, and as far south as Florida, taught on how to reach one’s community for Christ.
     We even had four students get baptized! (See front page) Now is not the time to shake our head and complain about this generation’s moral and spiritual decline. Rest assured that God is truly raising up a generation for these days. And they are responding!

                                                                                                                                                                         Josiah & Elijah

 “The Boys” continue to grow into amazing followers of Christ. Elijah turned 4 on May 12th, and usually won’t let anyone pray at dinner or devotions before he does.
     Josiah is learning through Bible study and church every day the person that God wants him to be. He is just finishing up the 3rd grade, where he made A/B Honor Roll the entire year.
     Both boys played soccer this Spring. Josiah is already signed up for football in the Fall.                                  On the Foster Care front
     We have submitted our family for consideration to Social Services for a number of children. To this point we have not been a match. Please keep us and the boys in prayer as we continue to seek the right opportunity for our family in the adoption process.

Spring Has Sprung?

Josiah's first game for the Red Devils. He moved up an age division and did great!

Siah breaking free up the sideline

Assessing the situation?

Just a little footwork

Elijah played despite battling a stomach bug and did phenomenal. First game ever

Yup. He's a big body.

Comin' through!

He even made time for a new friend-- in the middle of the game!

Merry Christmas

The boys with their Christmas bedding. Ready to go.

       The weather has finally begun to chill here in Chapel Hill. Students are winding down their exams and preparing for time with family. It has been a very busy and productive Fall. As we look out at the new year coming, we say thank you. Your partnership in prayer and giving continually place the hope of Christmas in the hearts of students from all over the globe. Together we have impacted the eternities of young adults from within and without the USA this year. From our family to yours we want to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Pondering A Call to Serve
       Each week Joe has the privilege to meet with our student
leaders in Chi Alpha. Recently, one of our seniors shared
that he felt like God was calling him to serve somewhere,
and that Chi Alpha is where. With one semester left on an
economics/computer science degree, this decision may
sound a bit drastic; but then again, when God speaks we
must respond.
       Chris has experienced God in a new and refreshing
way these last few months. He has led worship, been
baptized in the Holy Spirit, and exhibited a mature grasp
of scriptural matters. While most of his classmates look to
receiving their degrees and beginning their careers, Chris
has found a passion for God that compels him to stand for
God and to help others find Him.

Day hikes have become a staple for our students, helping them get "away" and gain a bigger perspective.

Halloween & new small groups

22,000 students crammed Franklin Street on Halloween night

       This past October we once again partnered with the university for Safe Halloween. Our students set up two distribution points where we gave out 15 gallons of hot chocolate and emergency blankets on a very cold night. We were just a block off Franklin Street where 22,000 gathered. Also launched this Fall was a second mens small group, and a graduate school fellowship. Both have seen steady attendance.

5,000 are expected in Fort Worth at this year's World Missions Summit

              Give a year, pray about a lifetime
       On December 28th Joe will be traveling with four UNC students to Fort Worth for the third World Missions Summit. Approximately 4,000 college students, and hundreds of missionaries, will meet over New Years to consider giving a year of
service in missions, while praying about a lifetime. Students will have the opportunity to meet with missionaries and ministries face to face as they seek God’s direction. Please pray with us all as we seek God’s call together. You never know where the next
missionary might come from.

 Josiah started at middle linebacker for the Durham Eagles this Fall

Some of the wild animals that live in our house

Elijah trying out his tractor driving skills











  

                   

      

 

Elijah break-dancing to the Happy Feet song on his gift bag.

Dancing frees the soul

Umm, yeh? Fill in the blank here

When the party got slow, the boys started a cranberry punch chugging contest.

College students like the more mature gifts for Christmas

Josiah (far right) and the Durham Eagles finished the season in style by winning their Bowl game against the Jacksonville Storm 36-8

Some of the local farm animals that live in our house.

Franklin Street Halloween night. We served 15 gallons of hot chocolate to some very cold students. We also gave out emergency blankets as part of our partnership with the university's Safe Halloween.

Duke & Carolina students on our recent day hike at Eno River. We had a great time and returned mostly dry.

This is what happens when you take Duke & UNC students on a hike together. A Bridge Too Far?