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?

      Sorry it has been so long since we last updated the blog. The beginning of the semester proved to be very busy-- and a blessing. We were able to launch  the new Graduate School fellowship, add a second men's life group, and see amazing spiritual growth among our student leaders.
      Each week one of our student leaders shares a story of how they have had an "unexpected" opportunity to witness to other students. Recently, one of our student leaders decided to go for a late night snack at one of north campus' many establishments. It 'just so happened" that a friend he had not seen in the past three years was there and invited him to eat with him. He wanted to talk about God and what "it" all meant. In a place where secularism and individual focus are championed, the Holy Spirit continues to work in the hearts of man.

XA Fall Retreat 2012

      Approximately 40 students from the Triangle area universities traveled to Concord for Fall Retreat. It was a great time of fellowship and being challenged. Pastor Jonathan Martin of Renovatus Church was our guest speaker. Two different students approached me afterwards to say how much more refreshed they felt as a result of having come. I spent my last breakfast there talking with one student about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. He has recently become more aware of the Spirit's supernatural work in his life.
      Upcoming events include a Fall Fun Night that students can invite friends to. We'll also be partnering with the university for Safe Halloween, when we will divide into patrols to help students get to a place of safety on Halloween night; and participate in a day hike at Pilot Mountain with three other Chi Alpha Fellowships.

Guest Speaker Jonathan Martin challenges our students

     The boys are doing very well. Elijah believes he can do anything, and often tries. For all of his "life experiments" he is a joy and a very polite child. Josiah is finishing up another season of Pop Warner football, where he moved up to starting middle linebacker. He has done very well in school, grading out in the top 2% nationally in the Cognitive Aptitude Test, and making the A/B Honor Roll.

Mr. Cool

Josiah getting ready for the big game

     Please be in prayer with us for continued favor with the university, and for a revelation of God in the hearts and minds
of the students, staff, and faculty. Thank you to everyone
for your continued support. It makes making a difference
possible

Prayer Walk at UNC & NC State

The Bell Tower at UNC. Prayer walked this past week with the Triangle XA team. The words Momentum & Revelation keep coming up. Please pray with us as we head into the 2012-13 school year. We are growing.

Prayer walked the NC State campus this past week. Please pray for miraculous encounters for the Wolfpack this year.

Prayer Walk at Duke University

Duke University Chapel. We prayer walked the campus today with the Triangle XA team. Please pray with us for this school and the Nolands as they pioneer Chi Alpha there.