God has always moved me most through music. Now, to be quite honest, I am not musically inclined, but for some reason, worship is how God has always hung onto my heart. One night in chapel (we have those at APU!) we were singing this amazing song, "Oceans" by Hillsong United. The bridge of this song is "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders/ Let me walk upon the waters/ Wherever You would call me/ Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander/ And my faith will be made stronger/ In the presence of my Savior". As I was singing this song, I had to stop. I realized in that moment what a dangerous prayer that was. "Lead me where my trust is without borders"-it is literally calling God to move me to a place beyond my comfort zone. I had to stop and reevaluate if this was what I actually wanted God to do.
Throughout this amazing journey of working with California School Project my comfort zone has been torn apart again and again. Sharing my faith with strangers, preaching to a group of sixty-some odd kids at a rally, and being put in a leadership role over the Azusa Pacific Chapter has redefined my definition of "comfortable" already, was I asking God to do more? To move me more? To break me of my desire to be comfortable all together?
I dare say I was.
In that moment realized that if God was going to do anything significant in these students' lives, I was going to have to wish my comfort zone a sweet farewell and set my feet upon the path where God has put me and not think about going back even for a second. I realized that I wanted to see God move more than I wanted my own false sense of security. I wanted to feel safety from Him and Him alone. Nothing else would ever suffice.
In that moment realized that if God was going to do anything significant in these students' lives, I was going to have to wish my comfort zone a sweet farewell and set my feet upon the path where God has put me and not think about going back even for a second. I realized that I wanted to see God move more than I wanted my own false sense of security. I wanted to feel safety from Him and Him alone. Nothing else would ever suffice.
God has already been doing so much at the APU Chapter, and we haven't even had our second information meeting yet! We have been meeting with high schools and sharing our vision with them: to equip them as leaders to reach their campus! We have been recruiting APU students (our last effort got us over 50 people who are interested in hearing more about CSP!). We continue on toward our goal of reaching 20 high schools in our area and have over 40 university students serve as volunteer Campus Mentors to work with theses schools. God willing, His truth will be heard in the San Gabriel Valley this year. Lives will be changed by the truth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In the next couple weeks, we will be having our annual Fall Retreat (which is the most deceptive name of all time, it is actually our Fall Boot-camp) where we will be training our new and returning volunteers and then our GO Conference, where we will be training our amazing, amazing high school students. I will post again, giving you all an update after those have occurred.
Thank you so much for your continued support, both financially and prayfully. I cannot put into words how thankful I am for you. May God keep you and bless you.
Love,
Nicole
Above: Our recruiting table where the Lord sent us 57 interest APU students! And RJ...being RJ.
For more information on California School project, please check out our website and watch this awesome explainer video!
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