Winter 2014

On The Hill          WINTER 2014

A Bible in the Bricks

Chi Alpha - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Two years ago “David” stood outside the door to our Large Group meeting in the student union and asked to speak to me. He was crying and wanted to know what I thought about how God viewed suicide.

       He has since become a regular XA member. David’s life group leader challenged him to read the Bible more. He struggled with wanting to until one day he prayed that God would encourage him to read the Bible. 

       That same day David was walking along a brick wall on campus when he noticed something sticking out of the bricks. It was a Bible, seemingly placed there at random.

       Sparked by God’s answer to his prayer, David recently approached Joe about taking the “Intro to Student Leadership” class during the Spring to become a student leader! 

Students spell U-N-C at Fall Retreat.

Life group prayer

Over 40 joined us for our Fall gathering. 

Has it been four years already? 

       Strange to think that four years could go by so quickly! Thanks to your prayers and giving we have seen an increase in disciples, small groups, and graduates giving back as campus ministers over the last four years. We will need your support over the next term to continue raising up students as followers of Christ. If you chose to give once-per term, please consider partnering with us again now. 

Underfunded

 A few months ago we sent out a request as it relates to our funding. Several of you have stepped up your support. It has made a significant difference in our ability to minister. We want all of you to know how grateful we are. That said we are still $500/month short of where we need to be.

      God is doing a deep work amongst us at the nation’s oldest public university. 

       It has, however, become critical that we raise the funds we lack in order to remain on campus and not have to leave to raise funds full time.

How you can help:

Recommend us to friends

Pray for provision

Invites to services (We have openings throughout the year. Joe will be in Arizona in April for the 75th Council.)

Duct-taping trees

  As many of you know, we expanded our family on May 31st of this year to include three amazing souls. What could not be known in the intervening months was that two of the children would turn out to be severely therapeutic. 

       Through months of crisis intervention, hospital stays, and many sleepless nights, it was determined that the children needed a level of care that we were unable to provide. As a result they were removed from our home. This has taken an enormous toll on our entire family.

Much like the tree in our front yard we are in the healing process. The duct-tape is attempting to hold all the bark that was ripped off the tree to see if it can be made whole. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time.

How to partner with us financially 

There are multiple ways that you can partner with us at UNC. You can give monthly, once-off, annually, by check or by credit card. Below are ways to pledge and give. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with us financially. 

By check: Make out to “US Missions”  put 292733-3 on memo line. Send to US Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. 

 click here to GIVE ONLINE monthly, or one time gifts.

Elijah 5 yr old with his cousin/ best friend

Josiah 11 yrs old

6102 Coronado Lane, Durham NC 27713/ joeandmishael@gmail.com

919.452.9539 or 520.603.4888/ www.joeandmishael@gmail.com

www.xa-unc.com/ Facebook: Joe Newell or Mishael Walker Newell

AGUSM Missions account #292733-3

This Fall we will be challenging ourselves to Live Dead. This is counter-intuitive of course in a time where we worship choice and personal happiness. But Jesus challenges us to lay our lives down for others. There is no greater love (John 15:13). So we count the costs not just of going against the flow of culture, but the cost of loving others by living dead. Live Dead is a mission to unreached peoples that we are partnered with in West Africa. This Spring we will send the second of five teams to Mali to give ourselves away.

Summer 2014

Making a difference?

Chi Alpha - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

       “I got healing from freshman year. I was confused and wounded. Through Chi Alpha He (God) grabbed my attention.”

       “In Chi Alpha God is stretching me until I’m about to break, and then molding me.”

       “I wouldn’t have made it through college without Chi Alpha. The major difference with XA is the intimacy. It’s made me stronger.”

       “People took the time to know me. I feel like someone cared about me.”

XA Students, staff head to Rwanda, Liberia, Mali, India

“Every student prays, every student gives, every student goes” has been the mantra of Chi Alpha for years. This year our students have given even above their means to see others go and share the gospel. They not only gave generously financially, but they gave of themselves. Three of our students joined missionaries Glen & Karen Smith in Mali over Spring Break to reach out to local schools and the street children known as the Garibu boys. In addition, XA-UNC students spread the word in Liberia and Rwanda. This August one of our staff members will travel to India for a two-week mission. 

Boys going to the same school

This year Josiah and Elijah will attend the same school for the first time. Josiah is headed into the 5th grade after receiving an award for academic excellence. Elijah (right) just graduated from pre-K and will enter kindergarten at Pearsontown Elementary later this month. Both are very active. Josiah will begin his fourth year of football on August 1st. Elijah will be starting gymnastics this Fall.

Josiah at the beach this summer. He'll turn 11 in November

Elijah just "graduated from pre-K. He turned 5 in May.

Blending together a family of seven

As some of you know, we expanded our family on May 31st of this year to include three amazing souls. God placed on our hearts many years ago the desire to adopt. After many starts and stops we became licensed foster-to-adopt parents in December of 2012. And after much prayer and searching we were matched and blessed with two more boys and a daughter. This continues to present many challenges to all of us. But we are proud to be their parents, as well as to Josiah & Elijah. In case you are wondering, here are their ages: Lazavia 13, Kyron 11, Josiah 10, Myon 9, Elijah 5. (We are not able at this time to post photos or full names of the children)

How to partner financially with us

There are multiple ways that you can partner with us at UNC. You can give monthly, once-off, annually, by check or by credit card. Below is the address for sending in a check, as well as the online link for pledging and giving. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us. Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with us financially. 

By check: Make out to “US Missions” & put 292733-3 on memo line. Send to US Missions, 1445 N. Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802. Online: https://giving.ag.org/Give/Details/1f979284-1aa3-4019-8d75-83c6f67bb6ed?CookieCheck=1

Underfunded

It has been many years since we’ve found ourselves in an underfunded status. At present we are in need of additional monthly support ($750/month), as well as cash offerings to bolster our outreaches and lean months. 

      God is doing a deep work amongst us at the nation’s oldest public university. We are very grateful to all of you for your continued partnership in this mission. 

      It has, however, become critical that we raise the funds we lack in order to remain on campus and not have to leave to raise funds full time.

How you can help:

Recommend us to friends

Pray for provision

Invites to services (We have openings July, September, October, November & December)

Sittin' by the pond.

 Creating A Community of Christ Followers

Above: Day Hikes have been a popular outing. We’ve had Buddhists, Atheists, and Agnostics join us for some great introductions to Christ and His followers.

Below: Meeting new students through campus outreach. Above: Our annual Pumpkin carving/painting attracts many new students.

Celebrating the end of the semester with our XA Christmas party.

Year off to a great start     
      From a student being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and significant growth in Spiritual maturity and students joining the fellowship, our third year at Carolina is off to a great start.
      In the upcoming semester we’ll be adding new leaders, sending students to Mali, and hosting international students on a week-long trip to Washington D.C.

Run! No, really.

The boys on the family land

Josiah and the Durham Eagles finished off their year with a bowl win over the Jets!

Enjoying being the young men they were made to be
The boys continue to grow faster than is acceptable. Elijah participated in his school’s Christmas play as a reindeer.  He’s very clever, always wanting to figure out how things are put together. His other love? Tackling his brother! Josiah had a blast playing linebacker for the Durham Eagles. He continues to thrive in sports and school (math). He also loves visiting his cousins in Virginia during breaks. He turned 10 this past November.

Upcoming Events
February 7-9
Winter Retreat
March 9-14 International Student Missions trip (Washington D.C.)
March 7-16 Mali Mission Trip

Our Ministry Needs      
       Thank you all for your partnership in reaching students. Together we are sowing into their eternities.
       As the ministry’s impact has grown, so too have our needs. Firstly, we ask for your prayers over the upcoming events (see right).           
       We also have a strong need for additional support on a monthly basis. At present we are in need of $700 per month in new financial giving. Accordingly, we are available for services, coffees and meals. Any opportunity to share what God is doing is appreciated.
       We pray you all have a fantastic new year filled with God’s intentions.