Taking the Gospel to the workplace!

Here's an account by one UBC student about how God has used her in her teaching practicum....

"As you might recall, I have begun my long practicum on Feb 1st, 2010... I was amazed about the importance of influencing the education sphere, especially as I pray and ask God to send out laborers into this field. This program has sharpened my spiritual eyes to see the realness of the spiritual warfare raging in this domain, especially as values and the truth are distorted in the name of "embracing diversity." Recently, the teachers of VSB (Vancouver School Board) and representatives of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual) movement have started pushing forth this movement to shape the BC curriculum. How important is prayer as we stand up and fight for our next generation! (As you might be aware, teachers are not permitted to impose any religious values in the school--you cannot openly share the gospel.)

Keeping this in mind and continually asking the Holy Spirit to use me, I was amazed at certain moments during the practicum. One short story: I have been praying for my sponsor teacher since the start of the short practicum in Oct 2009. She knew I was a Christian. During one of our conversations, she suddenly turned to me and asked, "Why are we here? What are we doing here?" (I was taken aback by the sincerity and abruptness of the question.) Then, my sponsor teacher told me that her friend's baby and the mother recently died in a plane crash... Soon, this conversation turned spiritual while the class was in session!!! (She was speaking to me in private. She briefly told me she's thinking more about death and heaven. She's really afraid of death now...)

Fast forward a few months later...in the second week of the extended practicum, I was alone with my sponsor teacher again. It was after school. We were talking, and suddenly she began to share about her asthma problem. What happened next was simply the spirit of God working in our midst. I was so surprised. As a Christ-ambassador, I need to clarify something with her: "I understand the school policy stipulates we are not permitted to openly discuss spirituality in the school. Isn't this correct?"

"Oh yes, that's right. You cannot speak speak about your religion to the students, but it's fine now. There are no students. You can tell me. I'm really interested.."

'What did she just say??!!' I thought to myself. WOW! God, you are Amazing! So, this conversation turned spiritual...I got to share my personal testimony with her, and a bit about Jesus' love...So, yes, this is just a simple story that I wanted to share with you! I hope you are encouraged! God is the God of the impossible! He makes all things work in His timing. There were moments, where I found myself paraphrasing the Scripture and sharing Biblical allusions to a student. Again, those moments were amazing and inspiring!

I hope you are encouraged because winter conference 2010 at the Hyatt really inspired me to apply the transferable skills of the gospel to the marketplace! "

Searching for meaning and finding God in Victoria

Over spring break a group of about 18 students and staff headed out to Vancouver Island to do a week long missions trip to the University of Victoria. During this time they did evangelism on campus, hosted conversations about destiny and purpose in life and grew together in prayer and community. On wednesday, my staff team and I headed over to Victoria to join the team in a day of outreach.

While there, I had a great conversation with a guy who told me about his struggles with faith and sexuality. Raised a Catholic, he came to believe in his teens that he was gay and upon coming out faced rejection and turned to drugs. After hitting rock bottom he turned back to God and has found love, forgiveness and acceptance in his Catholic Church. While he still has lots of lifestyle and heart changes in his journey (as we all do!), it was really exciting to hear about the healing he has found in a relationship with Jesus and the beautiful community he has found.

I had another conversation with a student who had just returned from a medical trip to a country in Ecuador. She was searching for meaning and order in the chaos and poverty she had witnessed. As my partner and I chatted with her, we longed for an opportunity to share with her the great news of our suffering Savior. She was not, however, eager to hear about God. Please pray for students at Victoria that God would lift the veil on their hearts and allow them to see the truth of who He is.

Quotes from Campus

The following quotes are a sampling of conversations I've had the past few weeks on campus...

"So you really believe in God? In my home [China] I have never met anyone who believes in God." -SFU international student Jamie and I met in the cafeteria

"There's so much to share, and I did get opportunities for spiritual conversations/my personal testimony/use of hidden Biblical allusions to encourage my sponsor teacher and 1 specific student on the first week of practicum." -A UBC student shares about her teaching practicum at local high school, and opportunities she's had to share her faith in her workplace

"I'd really like to believe in God, I just get so confused in my science classes. I know evolution is true, so how can I believe in God?" - First year science student at UBC

"I realize that I need to trust God with these things and surrender to Him everyday."- A UBC student referring to her journey in raising financial support for a project

"It's weird that you're talking to me today about Jesus, some bad stuff has been happening recently and I've started praying, and now you and i are talking about the Bible."- UVIC student I met during a trip to Victoria during the Uvic spring break project

As you can see, God is stirring up students hearts and transforming believers. Keep praying for a revival at campuses in Vancouver!