Some Place Like ________?
July 20, 2011When God called us to Chi Alpha we quickly realized he was also leading us to launch on a new campus where the Gospel is needed. Much like our call into Chi Alpha, God progressively revealed the location over a span of two weeks.
Noreen and I were attending a “support raising training” last Spring, led by a church planting missionary. As he was sharing his experiences, he often used his vision and calling to Utah as examples. During the week we also met with my Royal Ranger commander from Utah (the Assemblies of God boys mentoring program) from growing up. He mentioned in passing, there is no Chi Alpha in Utah. After that night following the training, Noreen and I were looking at the Chi Alpha map and checked out what was going on in Utah. Nothing. Nearly 3 million people, 60% Mormon, and we have no presence on the university campuses of Utah.
Up to this point, we were asking for God’s leading and had not sensed specific direction. So we were being practical by looking at universities with no Chi Alpha that were also in close proximity to family. Utah is definitely the first, but not the latter.
I had lived in Utah in the 80’s growing up, and loved it then. So the idea of living there is not as out of left field as some may think. It’s a beautiful state and very family friendly.
Now God had our attention. A few days later we met with some friends to share about Chi Alpha. As we talked about our desire to launch in a new area, the husband interjected, “Somewhere like Utah?” Pause. I glance at Noreen, she looks at me, “Did you tell him?” “No, did you?,” I replied. Noreen asked him why he said that. Why not New York, Maine, Montana? He had no good reason, just the first state to pop to mind. One week later meeting with another couple, a similar story, “Like Utah?”
As I’ve shared before there are no coincidences with God only providence. We could not ignore this call. So we began the process of launching Chi Alpha in Utah. There are some steps that need to be finalized before we move, but God has BIG PLANS for somewhere like Utah. To be continued...
