Ritz's Update

The Ritz Family (Jason, Carla, & Timmy) have come on board to serve as our Mission Service Corps missionaries at Lock Haven University! This huge leap of faith was actually made up of several "babysteps" of obedience. The first babystep happened when Jason started taking seminary classes - working toward a Master's of Divinity. The next came about a year ago when they contacted the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board and asked to be considered as applicants to be career missionaries in the area of Collegiate Ministry somewhere in the US.

Over the next 9 months they connected with some great old friends, talked with folks from New York to Nevada about ministry opportunities, attended a collegiate ministry summit, and little-by-little learned that there are very few fully-funded collegiate ministry positions available outside of the Bible belt. The next babystep was a 12 hour drive from Nashville to Lock Haven to visit Big Woods and the New Life Ministry on the campus of LHU. This was probably the biggest "babystep" of faith of all. By visiting this location they opening the door to the possibility that they may very well end up in a position where it would be necessary to raise support - which, in their mind, was synonymous with begging for money... It was hard enough asking someone to babysit their kid - let alone to give them $50 a month!!!! But, everything they heard about the school and the community in Lock Haven seemed tailor-made for them, so they bit the bullet and made the trip.

That trip sealed the deal. After meeting the "Big Woodsers", seeing the area, and some heartfelt conversations, the questions changed from "do we really want to raise support," to "how will we go about raising support." They are so excited about this new adventure. Raising support was a bit scary, but they confided in that God doesn't order what he can't pay for, so they set out to find ministry partners who helped them get the resources together that they need to do the work of the ministry here, knowing that God already has a plan and that they will be blessed as they seek it out!!  They met with folks and sought out those who will become their ministry partners, and did so with unwaivering faith, trusting God to meet their needs.

You can continue to help by your prayers, financial support, & your encouragement.  Get to know our new Campus Ministers by viewing their video: