CSF celebrates another Rez Week on campus this week - - preparing for Easter by giving the UIS community an opportunity to wrestle with the claims of Christ!  The week includes 32 Hours of Prayer, Random Acts of Kindness, Prayer Walks, and a Good Friday service.  Check out these student testimonies....

As we fast and pray for the ministry in Peru, take a look at a few more specifics about the ministry we are partnering with and the people we will join them in serving.

Some Facts about the Ministry:

·       The name of the ministry is “Adalid”. 

·       Adalid works with the local church in two areas: 1.) outreach and 2.) discipleship to youth and college age students.

·       Their vision is to raise up a new generation of leaders to impact and influence the lives of youth with a new look           at the world... through the eyes of Christ.  

·       They desire to teach values that would transform lives across generations. These values include- commitment, servant leadership, significant relationships, teamwork, capacity, excellence, boldness, and innovation.  

Some Facts on Lima: 

·       In Peru, 57% of the population is under 29 years old.  

·       Gang violence and teenage pregnancy are two prominent problems among youth.  

·       Lima is South America's fifth largest city where almost two-thirds live in slums and are subject to abject poverty.  

This ministry seems so far away…I confess sometimes it’s hard for me to feel connected to them.  It’s making me look forward all the more to going to see them this summer. In the meantime, I’m revisiting this list.  Lets pray that God would break our hearts for these people and this ministry.  And lets continue to be open to the possibility of him even guiding us to GO and be a part of what God is doing in Peru this summer on the CSF Summer Mission Trip.  

I’m so thankful for a community of believers to journey with in fulfilling God’s mission to spread the Gospel not only in our own backyard but also to the ends of the earth. Love you guys.

-David

Hello all!
So it’s been about one week of #2weeksofnothing and I’m so excited! I’ve been really pumped about going to Peru this summer and giving to the community there. However, one thing I’ve found really hard during this is not spending money on eating out! I honestly thought that I had cut back on spending money for eating out, whether it was fast food or in a sit-down restaurant. I’ve found out that I would normally spend money on eating out almost every other day of the week! That’s so much money!! I am glad that through this experience I’ve found that out so I can budget better. AND I’m glad I will be giving all this money to help the ministry in Lima, Peru. I hope that this will also better prepare my heart for what we’re getting ourselves into. I’ve never been on a mission trip abroad, so I’m hoping to understand more and more what it looks like to serve others across languages and cultures. So far I’ve been learning about their needs through this #2weeksofnothing fast, and I will be learning more as we prepare for the trip. BUT, one thing I have heard from many people who have traveled abroad is that the natives love to host and give you food to eat! They want to know if you love their food, because that means you accept them. I’ve heard many stories of this and I’m so excited to experience it! I want to love all of the foods they put in front of me! (This is saying something because I’m a very picky eater). AND there is a passage that says “taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8a), so I definitely want to do that by accepting their different types of foods. Soooo essentially #2weeksofnothing has been teaching me about the different Godly aspects of food. The end! :)

-Hayley Beran, UIS Senior 

Thoughts by Freshmen Danny Gregor - Honestly, I have never fasted before. Nevertheless, I think these two weeks will be a great opportunity for me to grow closer to God and help bless the campus ministry in Peru. I know that my relationship with God has blossomed because of the CSF campus ministry, and I cannot wait to see how God will work through the ministry in Peru to bless so many more! I may even get to experience this firsthand if I am able to go with some of my brothers and sisters in Christ on this mission trip. Our theme for this semester is “Do Big Things,” and I feel as though that is exactly what God is calling me to do. I am excited to go on my first mission trip to Oklahoma over spring break to help with tornado disaster relief, and this will be a big step for me. However, maybe Peru is in my future too! As I give up unnecessary spending for two weeks, I will be praying that God bless those going to Peru, the ministry in Peru, and maybe it will be in his plan for me to go as well. I think this fasting experience will be challenging for me because I will be giving up trips to go out to eat with friends, entertainment, and the rest of the excess in my life. Yet, I know that it is all to honor God, and I know that He will do BIG things in Peru!!

Thoughts on 2 weeks of nothing by Senior, Allison Duncan: 2 of weeks of nothing. Yikes! This is going to be hard…but also so cool! I’m excited to get started on this because I feel like it will be a great way to honor God and show Him what our community truly cares about, which involves this awesome opportunity to serve a different campus ministry in Peru!! Although I’m unable to go this summer, I love that this is a way that I can serve God and the team members and people in my community that will be going! When I first heard about the two weeks of nothing, I was initially concerned, because I thought to myself, I really don’t spend all that much in a week. But then I thought again, and really thought again. I realized that last week alone I had gone out to a movie, gone roller-skating, and eaten out at Steak n’ Shake. I think it’s fair to say that that would be a fair representation of most weeks on average. This gave me a new mindset for the whole challenge and got me excited about rethinking where my money is going. And for these 2 weeks of nothing, I know my money is going to Peru!! I never said it was going to be easy, either. I think the hardest part will be changing a routine that I am used to. Instead of using that money to go out and do something or buy that extra milkshake at midnight, I can stop to pray and think about how wonderful it will be to bless the campus ministry in Peru! It’s also great to know that with the community is doing this together and can support one another in glorifying God through this challenge!

In the Fall of 1993, a handful of students began meeting for the first student Bible study at Sangamon State University.  We're amazed by all that God has done in 20 years - - deep friendships, spiritual transformation, leadership training, and the launching of missionaries into all walks of life - business, education, IT, social work, human resources, and every other field!

Please join us for a special 20th Anniversary Celebration Dinner on Saturday, March 29th, 2014 at 6pm at the Rochester Christian Church.   Mark it on your calendar - - more info will be coming very soon!

CSF has been blessed to have an absolutely incredible staff, with its foundation being laid by the example of our founders, Todd and Gretchen Magruder.  While Todd is no longer on staff, his legacy is carried on by his wife, Gretchen, and their "mentees" David and Lindsey Lasley.  We are so grateful to God for this team that we really like to call our "family."