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Ministry Seen & Unseen

April 26, 2012

This past month was another excellent month of ministry.  Here are a few of the highlights.

Engaging those on the journey

Not everyone I (Bryan) interact with on campus is a Christian.  Increasingly, God is giving me opportunities to talk to students still trying to figure Jesus out.  Recently, I’ve been meeting with one student who shared that, while he thinks that Christianity’s central message is true and sees much good in it, his faith is still “like a jigsaw puzzle with a few missing pieces.”  I told him that I will pray for God to bring clarity and encouraged him to join me.  Please pray with us!

Leadership transitions

With this year’s leaders starting to study for boards, we have now seen leadership transitions at all our area campuses.  I’ve been meeting with many of them to help them develop, and implement, a strategy specific to their campus and am always available as questions come up.  I also check in with our leaders to help them stay focused on the vision and maintain balance among their key priorities.

Ministering to couples, together

One of the greatest joys Sharon and I have in ministry is working together.  In addition to one couple we’ve already been meeting with for pre-engagement counseling, Sharon and I will be meeting with another medical student and her fiancé for pre-marital counseling.  Please pray that God gives us wisdom as we try to wisely “speak into” these relationships with God’s truth and grace.

Under the hood

If our ministry were a car, its body would be our ministry on campus.  It’s the essence of what we do and the part everyone sees.  And yet, like a car, its performance ultimately depends upon what lies “under the hood” – the engine, the transmission and other crucial, yet largely unseen, parts.  In our ministry, the engine and transmission are our council, campus laborers and supporters.  I’d like to lift up the hood for a moment and give you a quick peek inside.

Over the past few months, our ministry council, responsible for providing accountability and reaching our campuses with me, has lost two of its six members due to time constraints.  While these two members will continue serving on campus, they simply don’t have enough time to play a larger role in the ministry.  Please ask God to raise up additional members, and especially a chairperson.

Campus advisers are volunteer healthcare providers who are willing to share their lives with students as they journey through their training.  They provide encouragement, mentoring and a living example of what it looks like to walk with God in medicine.  Just this past week, I enjoyed an extended meeting with Jefferson’s campus adviser where we caught up on what we’re doing there, the leadership transition and how we can work together to see God’s work thrive there.  Quiet moments like these are vital to the campuses’ ongoing health.

Finally, our supporters are so crucial in providing the prayer and financial infrastructure that makes it all possible.  We received a major encouragement this past week when a significant donor committed to a sizable monthly gift, freeing me up to focus on the core work of our ministry.

Regardless of the particular role God has called you to play, if you’re receiving this update you are part of our team, a vital, if hidden, piece of what lies “under the hood”.  We want you to know that we see, and appreciate, all that you do on our behalf.

Warmly,

Bryan & Sharon

PS Beyond the requests in the update above, please pray for:

  • Summer gatherings, and times of discipleship, we’ll be having with those students who are staying around.
  • Details to come together for an overnight, fall retreat.  A great way to help new students get plugged into their campus groups up front!

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The Best Week Ever

March 15, 2012

Just this morning, Dr. David Levy drove off to New York City for the final stage of his East Coast trip.  It marked the end of a wonderful week of ministry in Philadelphia, so I wanted to provide you with a brief report of his time here.

Intermed

This was our biggest event of the week, with well over 100 in attendance on Friday and Saturday.  In addition to our usual student population, we made an effort to attract more residents and graduates this time, and we made good progress on that front.

Without exaggeration, the talks by author and neurosurgeon Dr. Levy were some of the best I’ve heard in a long time.  His messages on sharing faith with those around us, forgiveness and joy combined humor, real-life experience, Scripture and specific application in a very special way.   At the end of the sessions, he walked us through practical exercises on forgiveness and letting go of offenses that created an atmosphere that was, at once, both serious and light.

After the exercise on forgiveness, one student said, “Up until now, I’ve been angry with my mom, but I couldn’t really say why.  Dr. Levy’s practical examples helped me put words to my anger so that I could confess it and forgive my mom.”  She was almost giddy with joy as she shared, and many related similar stories.  God was at work!

Campus Events

In addition to Intermed, Dr. Levy spoke at the Temple, UMDNJ-SOM (Stratford, NJ) and Penn medical campuses.  These were exciting events, with an unusual mixture of Christians and others at various points in their own spiritual journeys.

At SOM, about 55 people came out to hear Dr. Levy speak over dinner.  Jasen, one of the student leaders, had attracted a unique group of believers and spiritually-open folks from the school and surrounding community.  One student said the presentation was the best he had heard the entire year!

Later, 12-15 of us went back with Dr. Levy to the Hrics’ home to continue the conversation over dessert.  Dr. Hric and his wife Susan have made their home a ‘safe place’ for people seeking truth, and our time together there was phenomenal.  Dr. Levy invited each of us to share our spiritual journey, starting with our experience growing up.  One student, honest about being agnostic, expressed his respect for the humility he’s observed in Christians.  He understands the connection to the Christian faith, where our God, though strong, came to serve the weak.  The next day, another student texted me, saying “last night was the most enriching night I’ve had in a very long time, possibly ever.”  I’ve heard testimony today that those came are still telling others and that there’s an overall buzz and excitement!

It’s really hard to communicate in an email how absolutely wonderful this week was.  Everyone who participated came away challenged and encouraged.  ‘Friendships with a purpose’ were created and renewed.  And, there has been a real synergy created by so many people coming together for a common purpose.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers!  Please keep praying that God continues working, and that we intentionally engage others, in the weeks ahead!

Amazed by God,

Bryan & Sharon

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Three ‘Nights’ And Intermed Just Around The Corner!

March 5, 2012

Doubt Night

“So, when can we do it again?!”

That’s the response we received after holding our first Doubt Night at PCOM, one of our area’s medical campuses.

You may be wondering, though, what Doubt Night is all about.  (First, credit to liberti Church for giving me the idea some years ago).  In short, Doubt Night is a time where seekers and others with questions about the Christian faith can come and dialogue honestly with Christians about their concerns.  To facilitate this, I took part in a panel that also featured Dr. Keith Herzog and two PCOM students.  Throughout a 1.5 hour discussion, we heard questions dealing with:

  • heaven – is it real?  Is it right to be moral because we want to go there, or, should we act rightly because it’s inherently appropriate?
  • the apparent contrast between God in the Old and New Testaments – why does ‘the God of the NT’ seem more gracious and loving?
  • the trustworthiness of the bible – Christians put so much faith in the Bible, but what makes it more special or reliable than any other book?

Of the 15 who came, I’d say it was about a 50/50 ratio of seekers:Christians, which is what we were hoping for.  We look forward to continuing the conversation on campus, and, in future Doubt Nights!

Men’s & Women’s Nights

Later that week, we also hosted Women’s and Men’s Nights at our home on consecutive evenings.  Sharon led nineteen women in tackling the sensitive area of sexuality and how to live for Christ in a confusing, sexually-charged culture.  The best part about the night was that it provided a safe place to deal with the questions everyone has, but is afraid to ask.  We need to speak to topics like this!

For our men’s night, nine men joined me for an exploration of the topic of why men are so passive, and, what we can do about it.  We took a look at our culture’s portrayal of men, then surveyed key bible passages that help us ‘diagnose and treat’ not only the symptoms, but the underlying causes as well.

Both nights were greatly aided by Sharon’s baking, especially the flourless mocha cake and Ghirardelli brownies!

Prayer Needed for Intermed This Weekend

This Friday night and Saturday morning, MCO and CMDA are hosting Intermed, our annual gathering of local healthcare students and professionals for worship, fellowship and teaching.  But this is not our usual Intermed.  God has allowed us to invite Dr. David Levy, neurosurgeon and author of Gray Matter, to be our speaker.  Based in San Diego, Dr. Levy is going to speak to us at Intermed, but also at other medical campuses throughout his week in our area (March 8-15).

On Friday evening, he’ll show us what it means to talk about Christ with the people around us, as well as challenge us on what it looks like to let go of anger we harbor toward God and others.  More than just raw information, though, Dr. Levy has dealt with these topics very personally in his own life and medical practice.  As we minister to students and professionals, we’re excited about offering them one portrait of who we hope they’ll become.

As you can imagine, we very much need your prayers for Dr. Levy’s visit:

  • for protection from the evil one.  Already we’ve seen evidence of spiritual resistance, and need God to protect us.
  • for the Spirit’s power as Dr. Levy speaks.  His messages will be powerful, but lasting change only happens through Christ’s work in our hearts.
  • that weary people would come away not only changed, but refreshed!
  • for God to put together “divine appointments” for Dr. Levy in between speaking engagements.  He very much wants to minister to those who need what God wants to do through him.  Pray also for me and others as we interact with students at these events; I expect that God will be giving us similar opportunities in response to his work through Dr. Levy.  We want to be His instruments of healing and change here in the city!
  • pray for all the last-minute details that need to come together.  This leads me to praise God for our entire planning team (a collaboration of students, MCO & CMDA) for all the amazing hard work they’ve done to make this week a reality!

Thank you, dear friends, for standing so faithfully with us!

Bryan & Sharon

 

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Winter Conference Recap

January 18, 2012

God gave us a great turnout!

Thanks so much for praying for our CMDA Winter Conference!  God really blessed our weekend.  In this update, I want to give you an inside look at the weekend through some “statistics”, pictures and snapshots of what God did.

Winter Conference By The Numbers

One of our group worship times.

Mere numbers can never capture the relationships they represent, but these quick “stats” may give you a unique perspective on my experience at the conference.

  • 160 students, healthcare providers and other attendees from Connecticut to southern Virginia
  • 53 hours from start to finish over 3 days and 2 nights
  • 3 hours of driving, 10 hours of sleep and 40 hours of conversations and logistics
  • conversations with 89 different people, many of which were in-depth
  • 30 new people met
  • 4 talks and times of worship with our students and healthcare providers
  • 2 car rides with our speaker and his family where we spoke at length
  • 1 phenomenal time of planning for a spring mini-retreat with other Philly students and physicians

Zooming In

Although Winter Conference takes place on a larger scale, in many ways it’s also about the many individual and small group interactions that God provides.  This is where some of the most intense ministry takes place, often unnoticed.  Here are snapshots of some of my favorite times at the conference.

The Penn students from this year's conference.

Throughout the weekend, I enjoyed sharing a room with three of the Penn guys.  After I agreed to help the Penn ladies pull a prank on them, I was discovered and wound up being pranked myself, with my reaction unwittingly captured on video!  These are the kind of rare opportunities to connect and have fun together that only happen at conferences like these.

Dr. Charlene Brock with some of the Drexel students

It was a joy watching two of our local council members, Drs. Charlene Brock and Jerry Hric, make it down for the conference.  Like everyone on our council, they have such a heart for investing in the students, and it’s exciting to invest in God’s work as a team.

God gave me lots of great conversations with students from Philly.  One shared about a new dating relationship he had just begun and ways in which God was helping him re-engage spiritually and relationally.  In between sessions, a leader asked if we could talk about the lower turnout from his school, and what we could do to strengthen involvement at his campus.  Another leader mentioned that her campus had significant involvement from first-year students, but that as of yet none seemed ready to lead for next year.  I was thankful for the chance to encourage these students and learn about important campus dynamics that I can follow-up on now that we’re back in the city.

During worship, Matt Redman’s “Never Once” became our theme song over the weekend.  Its words were, at the same time, our experience and prayer:

Standing on this mountaintop
Looking just how far we’ve come
Knowing that for every step
You were with us
 
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did you leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful
 

Some of the guys & I at Denny's

As the song mentions, the conference was a sort of “mountaintop” for many of us, a vantage point from which we could see all that God has done, particularly as we look back on where we were just one year ago.

One student, “Mark”, was wrestling through what it meant to be a leader during last year’s conference.  God blessed us with an important conversation then that He used (in part) to help Mark take important new steps of faith and courage that transformed him and the ministry on his campus.  It was incredibly gratifying to watch Mark – without any prompting on my part – take initiative in advance of this year’s conference to gather the Philly area folks there for a spring ministry planning meeting.  Even better, his vision is to provide direction while enlisting others to step up so the conference can be self-sustaining from year-to-year.  While God gets the credit, I’m thankful to have played – and continue to play – a role in Mark’s development as a leader who is beginning to develop other leaders.  This is how the Kingdom multiplies!

There’s so much more I could share, but I hope this view from the ‘mountaintop’ gives you a taste for what God did.  Thank you for making weekends like this one possible through your faithful partnership with us.  To God be the glory!

Bryan & Sharon

PS – A special thanks to Jefferson student Sharon Li for permission to use her (fantastic) pictures!

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CMDA Winter Conference Starts Tomorrow!

January 12, 2012

As I write, the first of 160 students, physicians and other healthcare workers from around the Mid-Atlantic region are getting ready for our annual CMDA Winter Conference at Sandy Cove.  Located on the shores of the Chesapeake, Sandy Cove provides an ideal backdrop for a restful and renewing getaway.

I’ll update you on all that God does during our time here later, but I want to ask you to keep me, and everyone here, in prayer through Monday.  Here are some specifics:

  • Pray for God to pour out His Spirit on our time here – everything that’s good, and lasting, comes from Him.
  • Pray that God would give those who come deep rest.  The students in particular are exhausted from a grueling semester, and another one is already underway.
  • Pray for me as I have conversations throughout the weekend.  About 45 are here from Philadelphia, so this is a strategic time of connection for me.   Pray that I would be sensitive to God’s Spirit on a moment-by-moment basis!
  • Pray for our speakers, Drs. Paul & Susan Lim, physicians who have both domestic and foreign medical experience.  Their theme concerns joy in the Christian life, something we all need more of!
  • Pray that God would use the Christian community here to strengthen, encourage and challenge itself.  We are trusting that God will be at work during simple interactions over mealtimes, free time, and late-night talks.

That’s all for now.  Thank you so much for standing with me in prayer!

Bryan

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Beyond What We Can Ask Or Imagine

December 23, 2011

As the end of the year approaches, our family and partners in ministry are grateful for all that God has done in and through us this past year.  We’re already looking forward to another great year, beginning with the students’ return in early January and our CMDA Northeast Winter Conference, where students and professionals from the region will gather together for a weekend of encouragement and refreshment over Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

For now, though, I want to encourage you that your prayers and gifts are making a tremendous difference.  As you know, throughout the semester we have been hosting 20-25 students from the area for an in-home bible study breakfast and study of Jesus, MD, a book by our CEO Dr. David Stevens.

At the end of that book, Dr. Stevens shares about how God worked in nearly-miraculous ways to provide a hydroelectric dam for the mission hospital (Tenwek) where Dr. Stevens served some time ago.  For many years, the dam had seemed like a pipe dream, entirely out of reach because of the exorbitant expense.  And yet, God “showed up” in unbelievable ways so that this need was finally met, allowing critical medical equipment to operate throughout the night, thus literally saving many lives.

In our study, this hydroelectric dam has become a tangible symbol for what the ‘impossible’ things God wants to do in and through the members of our group.  At the end of our final meeting for the semester, Sharon and I were humbled as the students presented us with a card of appreciation.  But it wasn’t just any card.  It was a pop-up card, made by one of the students, featuring a representation of the hydroelectric dam from Jesus, MD (pictured above)!  The gratifying part was not so much that we were thanked, but that the students are “getting” how great God is and what He wants to do in and through them.  This is why we’re in ministry!

We can’t wait to see what “hydroelectric dams” God may have in store for us in the coming year.  Be encouraged that God is at work, and join us in praying that He will meet and exceed our expectations, as He always does (Ephesians 3:20).

With prayers for a grace-filled Christmas and New Year,

Bryan & Sharon

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A Team Approach

October 19, 2011

Again and again, the Bible emphasizes that our ministries for the Lord are meant to be a team endeavor.  Jesus sent the disciples out two-by-two.  Later, Paul talked about the church as one body with many parts.  Peter described God’s people as a temple, made out of “living stones.”

As another year of ministry continues, Sharon and I are so glad we aren’t in this alone.  God has provided other co-laborers to share the work with us, making it far more effective for the Kingdom.  In this update, I want to take a moment to introduce you to our local CMDA Ministry Council and how they’re impacting students in the area.

Dr. Charlene Brock, a pediatrician, mentors our leaders at Drexel, all of whom happen to be female this year.  They get together for bible/book study, prayer and mentoring.  Charlene has done a fantastic job balancing her career and four children for many years, and is a terrific role model for the students.  She also serves as our Council Chair and has been a great resource for us personally.

Dr. Jerry Hric is a neonatologist, and he and his wife Susan have been hosting students from “SOM” (the medical school in nearby Stratford, NJ) for a weekly bible study in Philippians.  They have been instrumental in rebuilding the ministry at SOM, which had been weaker over the past year or two.  Jerry has also been on campus frequently and helped the leaders in thinking strategically about reaching unbelievers.

Drs. Jim & Thanh Kirkpatrick have been critical to strengthening God’s ministry at Penn’s medical campus.  Jim, a cardiologist, has gathered medical faculty for weekly prayer and fellowship, launched a faculty-student mentoring program, and encouraged his colleagues to become more involved.  Thanh, a pediatrician, has done a great deal in recruiting female physicians to mentor the female medical students, even approaching her bible study to fill in needs that could not be met by others at Penn.

Ms. Deborah Moss is a nurse practitioner at Esperanza Health Center in North Philadelphia.  She has helped host and organize monthly medical outreaches sponsored by MCO, and has a huge heart for holistic outreach in urban environments.  As a nurse practitioner, she also helps our ministry remember that healthcare is much broader than physicians.

Dr. Rich Shoemaker is an emergency physician and serves the Temple campus along with his wife, Ana.  Last year, when the leaders were all women, they hosted the leaders at their home regularly for dinner and mentoring.  This year, they have continued to host an annual fall retreat at their family’s mountain home.  This is a real rallying point for the students as the year begins, helping to build important relationships that will continue throughout the year.  Rich also mentors some of the men on campus, and models for them how to invest in others.

Dr. Jim Weidner is our newest council member, and, along with two other physicians, is heading up the newly-formed CMDA physicians group in South Jersey.  This group meets monthly for encouragement, fellowship and prayer.  Jim’s site will also be accepting students from the new (opens fall 2012) Cooper Medical School for their pediatric rotations, which will open up additional opportunities for outreach and mentoring.

Finally, I’ll mention briefly that God gave Sharon and I another wonderful home bible study breakfast last week.  Even though exams are upon the students, 18 came out for another wonderful time of study, fellowship and prayer.  This past weekend, I (Bryan) also had the opportunity to do give a medical evangelism workshop for 35 healthcare students/professionals from one of our partner churches at their retreat at the shore.  Many are excited about receiving a fuller version of the training.

I hope this begins to give you a feel for all that God is doing through our team.  It’s far, far bigger than Sharon and I.  In addition to our ministry council, I’d like to also acknowledge specifically the efforts of Dr. Loren & Anne Chen, Dr. Karen Fritz & the Medical Campus Outreach ministry, Drs. Steven & Joy Greer, Drs. Josh & Susie Uy, and Aaron & Dr. Amanda Wonnacott to name a few.

It really is true, as Jesus said, that “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”  We are so thankful, though, that God has provided these co-laborers in reaching healthcare students and professionals here in Philadelphia and South Jersey.  Together we are making an impact that will last!

Finally, I’d like to specifically ask for your prayers for our financial situation.  As of this month, our account has been in the negative substantially (about $6,000) for the first time in many years.  This has been primarily the result of the extended financial downturn.  While CMDA is able to ‘float’ us for a time, if our account reaches a $10,000 deficit part of our salary will be withheld until this corrected.    We are working hard to do what we can, but understand that we need God’s blessing for our efforts to be successful.  So, please join us in concentrated prayer in this area.

That said, we are entirely confident in God’s call to this ministry, and thus, in His desire to provide all we need.  Thank you, faithful friends, for your giving and prayers.  We value you more than you could ever know!

Warmly,

Bryan & Sharon

Please join us in these prayers & praises:

  • Praise God for all He’s doing on our area campuses through our ministry team!
  • Praise God for a great medical evangelism workshop and breakfast bible study in our home.  Please pray for the next one on Oct. 29th.
  • Pray that our students are able to grow in their relationship with God.  As exams bring greater stress, this gets much harder.  We need wisdom in terms of how best to help the students at this time of the year.
  • Pray for the one-on-one, and smaller group, meetings many of us have with the students.  These are key times of impacting them for the Kingdom and, again, much wisdom and the Spirit’s power are needed for that to bear lasting fruit.
  • Pray for God’s blessing on our ministry account, as we continue to need new supporters and a small ‘cushion’ in our account to weather difficult financial seasons such as this one.

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God At Work!

September 9, 2011

Some of the students from our last home bible study

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

Many of you will recognize that line from a familiar Christmas song (yes, it’s a little pollyanna), but I feel that way every August and September when our students come back to campus.  This is the time when we meet the first-year students we’ve been praying for, and, renew friendships with those who are returning.  This is the season for intense planning and strategizing, a time I meet with campus leaders and figure out what initiatives we need to take.  And this is the time where I’m looking for up-and-coming leaders, people who will change the face of Kingdom medicine for the next generation.

Now do you see why I love it?!  Let me give you a few quick snapshots of this “most wonderful time” as we’ve experienced it over the past month.

Developing Leaders

I love working with our campus leaders.  It’s a huge challenge because, every single year, the turnover is 100%.  Our leaders have only been on campus for one year when they ‘take over’, and, half of that year has been spent adjusting to the rigors of med school life.  Furthermore, the student leaders are juggling leadership with an academic load that some estimate is five times as intense as college.

As you know, though, huge challenges bring huge opportunities.  Since I’m here for the long haul and involved with various campuses, I bring a unique perspective to the table.  I sit down with the leaders and/or graduate faculty volunteers and help them figure out how we’re going to reach their particular campus with the particular people and hurdles God has placed before them.

At Jefferson, for example, I had the privilege of being invited by (faculty advisers) Dr. Loren Chen and his wife Anne to take part in a mini leaders’ retreat they hosted at their home.  Sharon and I were able to offer suggestions on developing an agenda for the weekend, and I joined them for lunch and part of their planning session.  It was wonderful to watch Loren and Anne do such a phenomenal job, and, to start developing relationships with the leaders.

In It Together

Our involvement with the Jefferson retreat illustrates a subtle, but real, change in our ministry God has been directing for some time now.  Although we still do a lot of ‘hands-on’ work with students, more and more we feel called to help others shine where they are.  Without a doubt, there is so much potential medical ministry in Philadelphia that it will take an army to accomplish!

Last year, for instance, I met Jasen, then a first-year student at “SOM”, a medical school just across the river in South Jersey.  I asked him to get together in an effort to both understand his fellowship’s needs and how we could help.  It became clear that there was a need for graduate advisers, but also that I could not serve that role consistently due to my other ministry responsibilities.

That’s where Dr. Jerry Hric has stepped up.  Jerry is one of our newer council members, and ‘just happens’ to live 10 minutes from SOM’s campus.  He and his wife also have a huge heart for students, and they have started hosting students – Christians and others – at their home regularly.   At a planning meeting last evening, 12 students – now leaders – showed up at Jerry’s home and decided to meet weekly on campus for sharing and fellowship, as well as getting together weekly for bible study in Philippians.  They aim to involve all 60 students signed up for the fellowship and spend nearly half their energy on outreach.  Just last year, SOM’s fellowship was really struggling.  Isn’t God wonderful?!

Our heart is to walk alongside people like Loren, Anne and Jerry to bless and encourage them in the ministries God is giving them.  In this way, the Kingdom spreads in ways that we could never dream of accomplishing on our own.

Home Bible Study 2.0

As I mentioned above, Sharon and I are still involved with students directly.  We’re especially excited about our home bible studies, which started a week ago.  They’ve been well-attended in the past, but during the summer we decided it was time to more intentionally equip those who come to reach those around them.  To do that, we’ve asked them for a greater commitment – to come consistently, be vulnerable with each other, meet every 3 weeks (instead of 4), and, do some ‘homework’ in-between meetings.

With that in mind – as well as a 9am start time – we expected a smaller turnout.  What happened, though, was just the opposite!  Twenty-four students from all over the city attended, not to mention several who wanted to come but couldn’t!  Needless to say, we’re looking forward to our next meeting later this month!

We hope that gives you a nice snapshot of what God has been doing.  THANK YOU for playing such an important role through your prayers and giving.  We could never, ever do it without you!

For the Kingdom,

Bryan & Sharon

Please praise & pray with us:

  • Praise for a huge turnout for our first home bible study breakfast!  Please pray that God draws many back next time (Sept. 17th, 9am), and that those who come develop an all-out passion for reaching the people around them for Christ.
  • Praise also for the opportunity to meet the new students as I visit our various campuses, and, to invest in many of our leaders.  Please pray for wisdom to develop further relationships with the leaders and to speak into their situations in a way that furthers their ministry.  Pray along the same lines for our relationships with the graduate advisers.
  • Please pray, too, for the many meetings I’m having with key men from around the city.  Please ask God to help me help them become difference-makers for the Kingdom.
  • Pray for several students who are “seekers” at one of our campuses, especially that believing students in their lives would continue to represent Christ faithfully to them.

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From The Field

July 13, 2011

Part of our team debriefing right after the outreach.

With our first SMI Philly outreach under our belt, I wanted to send you a report “from the field” that I hope will encourage you and guide your prayers over the next three weeks as the project continues –

Yesterday afternoon, we held our first Summer Medical Institute (SMI) Philly outreach for the year.  Based in Philadelphia’s second-poorest community, we offer free health screenings and discuss spiritual matters with anyone and everyone who wants to.

Although we held four hours of training the day before, including what to say when we knock on doors and how to address spiritual concerns, we came away with a profound sense that there’s really no script for this kind of thing.  In all honesty, that can be kind of scary, and all of us had some level of anxiety even though most of us had done it before.

After all, following Jesus can land you in some pretty interesting situations.  Like a community hair salon, where we wound up spending our entire afternoon.

At first, I’ve got to admit, it was a little awkward.

Although the owner had invited us, when we opened the door we discovered other members of our team were already there due to a change of plans.  No one on our specific team had ever done the screenings we were about to offer.  Demographically, none of us looked like we belonged there, something that was not lost on the salon’s patrons.  And, as a guy, I felt a little out of place.

But, there we were, and we weren’t about to miss the opportunities God had put before us.  So, with hair dryers blazing all around us, and our interpreter as our primary ‘lifeline’ between us and the Spanish-speaking customers, we started screening anyone who was interested.

Our last interaction turned out to be our best one.

“Maria” (not her real name) is a woman in her early forties, and she was clearly worried about her health.  Although she had been seen by a local clinic, she was not getting adequate services for her high blood pressure and GI issues.  Without getting into all the details, she had been eating just once a day to avoid embarrassment at work.  And, as the single parent of a two-year-old, she was (rightly) scared about what would happen to him if her health didn’t improve.

Although we weren’t able to do much for her medically on the spot, we did connect her with Esperanza, the local, Christ-centered clinic that will provide excellent care for her.  And, although she wasn’t ready to discuss spiritual concerns deeply in a public setting, she responded to our offer of pastoral follow-up, even requesting a worship service in her home.  Only God knows how Maria’s story will end, but our team left encouraged, feeling privileged to be part of God’s work and believing she will receive the medical and spiritual follow-up she needs.

So, although the day didn’t unfold anything like we expected it to, God’s script was better than ours.  And that’s exactly what we needed to see – practically – on our first outreach.  Strengthened by that experience, we’re resolved to trust Christ for every interaction we have over the next three weeks:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

If there’s any ‘script’, it’s Him!

Please continue to pray for us, the people we’ll be meeting, and our partners who will be following up in the days ahead.  Thanks, as always, for your heartfelt prayers!

With Christ’s love,

Bryan & Sharon

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SMI Outreaches Starting NOW!

July 12, 2011

Students in small groups during yesterday's evangelism training

In just a few hours, we will hold our first Summer Medical Institute (SMI) Philly outreach of the year!  We will be offering free health screenings as a service to the Hunting Park (in North Philly) community, and using that as a bridge to share about Christ to anyone who will listen.

Here are some quick prayer requests for our outreaches and other aspects of the project:

  • Pray that the evangelism training I led yesterday would be helpful as we do the outreaches.
  • Please pray that our team of 20 students and other healthcare providers would trust in God, not ourselves, for every moment of the outreach.  Pray that we would not be fearful of rejection and not knowing what to say in difficult interactions.
  • Pray that we would be mindful of the spiritual battle all around us, and ask God for help ‘in the moment.’
  • Pray for the people we will meet on our outreaches.  Many of them are un/under-insured, in significant poverty, and facing many other challenges most of us have not experienced.  At the same time, this is a blessing because often a sense of physical need translates into a sense of spiritual need, and we have much to learn from them.  We long for them to know Jesus deeply.
  • Of the 20 students on project, only 4 this year are men, so pray that I (Bryan) would invest in Alan, Dan, Luke, and Sam deeply.  At the same time, I am so thankful for Sharon, who is spending a good deal of time on project and ministering to the women, so please pray for her as well.
  • Please pray for the many graduate healthcare “faculty” who will be joining us at various points throughout the project.  They will model for the students how to care for “the whole person”, but more importantly just “living life” with the students and investing in them informally.  Pray for us, also, as we do some teaching throughout the project, the next session being Thursday morning.
  • I’d like to express real thankfulness for Medical Campus Outreach (MCO), another medical ministry in the city, and Esperanza Health Center, a local Christian clinic, who are sponsoring SMI and have invested so much of their time and resources in this project.  So many people have come together to make this project a reality, and we are truly grateful to be joining them in this Kingdom work.  Please pray that God blesses them in every way.
  • Finally, I will be at SMI Texas next week (Monday 18th – Friday 22nd), serving in a similar capacity, before returning for the third and final week of SMI Philly. Please pray for my time at SMI Texas, where roughly half of the students are from the Philadelphia area.

As always, we are thankful for you, our partners in this work.  We have a deep sense that you are there with us through your prayers and gifts that make it all possible.  We can’t wait to share more with you as the project unfolds.

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