Prayer Requests
- Clear guidance from God’s Spirit as we pray through what the future holds for us after graduation this may.
- That I would have consistent time alone with the Lord that is marked by knowing Him, not by knowing about Him.
- Relationships and ministry opportunities with our neighbors.
Upcoming Events
- Mudfest 2.0
High School Mud Volleyball Tournament Outreach
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A 24hr-$24 Lockin for Jr High to kick off the school year and get students connected to their leaders and to each other.
Support Update
- Mo. Support Goal - $1,430
- Committed - $875
- Needed - $555
Make Tax Deductible Contributions:
Thank you for your partnership through prayers and financial gifts to SMI.
Student Ministries, Inc.
300 W. Davis, Suite 530
Conroe, TX 77301
SMI ID# 21498
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| Ministry Moment |
“So, what does it feel like to be a believer?…cuz I think I might need to do that,” an eighth grade girl asked a guy who had gone on the Great Adventure with her a week earlier. The Great Adventure is our Junior High camping, caving, climbing, rafting swimming adventure trip to Chattanooga, TN. Every night we had campfire devotional talks and every morning we had quiet times in booklets all focused on Jesus being the light of the world. We taught
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them that we are born in spiritual darkness and that just like someone with outstretched arms handing you a lantern in a dark cave, you aren’t automatically delivered from the darkness—you must believe and personally receive the deliverance they offer (receiving the light by faith, if you will). Three students became believers in Jesus Christ on the trip! Thank You God! Two of them said, “I’ve always heard all this stuff from my parents and known all the right answers in my head, but
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never personally believed it in my heart for myself before.”
After we returned from our Great and Adventurous trip in TN, two other girls from the trip became believers within a week. At Wednesday night Splash Bash, one of them asked one of the new believers, “So, what does it feel like …I think I might need to do that.” She called her leader and believed that night. I’m currently working with their leaders on follow-up dis-cipleship. Please pray. |
| Ministry Update |
This summer has been awesome. 36 of us went on the Great Adventure in Chattanooga, TN. Five students became believers in Jesus!
Junior High met on Wednesday nights for Splash Bash (which included pizza, canon balls, teaching and singing) at a home, where we walked through the book of Romans in eight weeks.
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High School met for Wednesday nights at the Hangar (which included refreshments, slam dunks, spikes, teaching and singing). The teaching topic was “It’s all about Christ”—that every aspect of our lives revolve around Jesus—or should.
I’ve had some really cool one-on-one talks with students lately—many directly about the |
gospel—especially on the Great Adventure. But more recently working through struggles with lust and pornography with one student, dealing with divorce with another, and being a part of the Body of Christ with another.
It is so satisfying to be able to share not only the Gospel with these students, but my life as well. (1Thess.2:8) |
| Personal Update |
It has been a huge summer for the Vanderveers! We were blessed to be able to go to Sea World in San Antonio! It actually turned out to be a restful vacation…that we actually didn’t feel that we needed a vacation from. Tysen is in love with Shamu!
We have done a lot of swimming this summer. Tysen is fearless. He already jumps in by himself and kicks up to the surface to grab my hands, |
and can tread water for like ten seconds.
This year Ian will be starting kindergarten and Logan will be starting first grade! How did this happen? Kristin and I still can’t believe we’re parents. They are truly the best earthly gift anyone could ever give—second only to my wife. God is so good!
This is big year for the Vanderveers. I’m beginning my fourth and final year of seminary. |
This semester, I will be gone for class from 5:30am to 7:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday. Please pray for my tenacity and God’s grace with time management and being there for my family first and for my grades second.
We’re now praying through what the future holds for us after graduation. Please pray for peace and the clear leading of God’s Spirit, and that Kristin and I would be clearly unified behind that leading. |
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