December 24th, 2008--

Merry, merry Christmas!

Thanks you all so much for your faithful prayer. It is humbling and encouraging to have such a faithful group of people raising up my ministry in prayer each week.

Would you pray for the following things this week?

1. Pray for the non-Christian guys I have interacted with this semester...Haroon, Jordan, Stuart, Paul, David, Cody. Pray that God would open their hearts and prepare them to hear the gospel next semester.

2. Pray for open doors in the dorms. Next semester, I hope to be much more active with non-Christians. God has the power to give me favor! Pray that he would give me a clear path.

December 10th, 2008

I am currently attending a training session in Colorado Springs. Enjoying the beautiful mountains, and also connecting with friends on staff with the Navigators.

The next few weeks will be busy. As you may have heard, our economy has hit a bit of a rough patch. Consequently, I have lost a few donors. In addition, I am hoping to help lead a missions trip to Russia this coming summer. Because of these two facts, I will be spending a large chunk of time fund-raising. Would you pray for me?

1. That God will protect my attitude, and that I would continue to rely on Jesus to meet all of my needs.

2. Pray for new contacts and open hearts as I fund-raise.

3. Pray for sacrificial givers in the midst of tough economic climate.

December 3rd, 2008--

Unbelievably, this is my last week of 2008 on campus! It will be a busy week of meeting with all the men that I have worked with this semester to try and impart a few more words of wisdom from the Scriptures. I wanted to thank everyone who has been praying this semester. Your prayers have had great effect!

Would pray the following for my Bible study guys (Andrew, Cavin, Rudy, and Ben)?

1. That they would maintain and strengthen their relationship with God over the break.

(I know from experience and observation that this can be tough)

2. That they would be blessed with good times in the Word and in prayer over the break.

3. That they could share with family what God has been doing in their lives.

November 19th, 2008

Two things spring to mind this week:

Cavin and Rudy, two of my favorite guys, have both made an exciting decision this week. I will spare you the details of it, but praise God for a significant step in faith for them! I am so proud of them.

I met up this past week with two new guys, both of them "on the fringe." I think God is strongly at work in each one of their lives, but these last few weeks of the semester could be crucial for them. Both are interested in growing in their relationship with Jesus.

Pray:

1. Praise God for his work in Cavin and Rudy's lives!

2. That these two guys would have a broad impact on the rest of my Bible study.

3. For Jordan and Austin, that God would call deep into their hearts.

Here is a picture of me and Rudy on our recent roadtrip to Sacramento. (by the way, the scruffy look is because the guys and I are doing "No-Shave November")

November 12th, 2008

Andrew C. is one of the "fringe" guys in my Bible study. I have been meeting with him on a weekly basis, but he comes to Bible study more sporadically; in general he is not quite as plugged in as the other guys in the study. I get a sense from him that he is still making up his mind about what he wants to do with himself.

Andrew grew up in a Christian home, but he began to party last year, and has been drinking this semester. He seems to be trying hard to fit in. We had a great time in the word this past week, going over the parable of the sower.

Pray:

1. That the Word would speak powerfully to him.

2. That God would convict him of sin, and give him a heart for holiness.

3. That God would give him a heart to take the gospel to the campus!

November 5th, 2008

I'm very sorry for forgetting to update this yesterday. I have no idea why I didn't, it just slipped my mind. Actually, I'm surprised that that hasn't happened more often.

Can I just say that I am so grateful for you who check this blog and pray for me? You are a blessing to me, and I am so encouraged by you.

Here are some requests for this week:

1. Would you pray for our students as they begin to make their summer plans? Summers seem like a time where students either grow a lot, or else stagnate. I would like to see my guys make decision that will help them grow this summer!

2. Would you pray for our staff team here at CSULB? We could use prayer for unity, love, and encouragement.

3. Would you pray for Haroon? Pray that he will continue to be open to the gospel and to reading the Bible, and that God would speak to him during our time together.

October 29th, 2008

Andrew H. is a Long Beach kid who grew up in a strong Christian home. He is one of the guys in my Bible study. Here are some facts about Andrew.

--He is very smart (valedictorian, full-ride scholarship)
--He has a wide variety of interests, including debating, opera, and Disneyland.
--He is possibly the most responsive of the guys I am meeting with right now.
--He is really excited about growing in his relationship with Christ.

I am going to share Matthew 28:18-20 with Andrew this week and tell him about the Great Commission. I would love for Andrew to get a heart for spiritual generations, and for him to begin investing in eternity!

Pray:

1. That Andrew would continue to grow in his relationship with Christ.

2. That God would give Andrew a friend to read the Bible with and invest in.

3. That I would have wisdom in how to best serve and help Andrew.

October 22nd, 2008--

I have been in Long Beach for about 12 weeks now, and I would appreciate if you would take some time to pray for me personally, apart from my ministry. I am still adjusting to a new place, a new job, a new staff team, etc. I would love your prayers on the following issues:

1. Would you pray that God would continue to bless me by opening up his word to me each day? I think of Col. 1:9

We ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

2. Would you pray that God would give me wisdom and direction as I consider my summer plans?

3. Would pray that God would continue to bless my fund-raising? I intend to some significant fund-raising over Christmas break.

4. Would pray this prayer from Philippians for me?

I pray that your love would abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best, and may be pure and blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a recent photo of me hard at work at a friend's wedding.

October 15th, 2008

Ben is a freshman in my believer's study. He is studying graphic design. Ben and I met at our survey tables and he expressed an immediate interest. It has been exciting to see his heart to grow and learn.

As I have been praying for Ben, God kept bringing up the phrase "Apollo, mighty in the Scriptures," which is how Luke describes Apollo in Acts. My intuition tells me that Ben can be a man who is mighty in the Scriptures. So I have been praying that for him lately.

Requests for Ben:

1. That the Word would be his "joy and delight" (Jer. 15:16)

2. That he would develop a heart for the lost.

3. That God would be calling out to his heart and molding him.

October 8th, 2008

The suites in Haroon's dormitory seemed to be designed specifically for successful Investigative Bible Discussions! Last night, for the first time, he and I read the Bible together in the common room of his suite, working through John 1. As I explained to him the oneness of God and the divinity of Jesus (important points for Muslims), around 7-8 people filtered in and out of the room, many stopping to ask us what we were doing, and a few even sitting down to listen and discuss!

The most amazing part is that Haroon himself is my recruiter! God clearly has a hand on his life, and I am fascinated to see what happens as we continue to read the Word together on Tuesday nights.

Pray:

1. For Haroon--continued openness, penetration of the truth, repentance.

2. For other students in the suite--Paul, Stuart, Charles (there are more that I haven't met yet)

3. That God would bless our time on Tuesday nights, that his Word would go forth with power, and that he would draw many men to himself!

October 1st, 2008

I Corinthians 3: 6-7--

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

This is one of those verses that is both encouraging and humbling. I am the planter of seeds, I am the waterer of plants...but I am nothing. All my planting and all my watering is empty unless God is causing growth.

This week, I want to come before God in humility, and ask him to cause growth in the lives of the guys he was brought me. He does this through my words, through my actions.

Pray:

1. That God would be causing growth in the lives of the guys in my freshman study: Cavin, Ben, Rudy, Andrew, and Andrew (not a typo, we have added a second Andrew).

2. That God would be blessing the seeds that I am planting in the lives of Haroon, Mo, Nick, Noah, Chris, Brandon, and others.

3. That God would cause growth in me as well!

September 24th, 2008

I just returned from a man-to-man with Cavin. It was such a joy! Cavin is one of the members of my freshman Bible study, and he and have been looking into what it means to have Christ as the center of our lives. Cavin is a real charismatic guy--as I walk around campus with him, every other person that we pass seems to know him!

Over the next few weeks, Cavin and I will be hanging out in his dorm, trying to read the Bible with his suitemates.

Pray:

1. For Cavin's continued growth in his walk with Jesus...increased devotion and the development of spiritual disciplines.

2. For opportunities to read the Bible and share Christ with his suitemates this semester.

3. For growth in the friendships in my Bible study.

September 17th, 2008

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

This is Colossians 1:13-14, one of my favorite verses. I think of it as I walk across campus to remind myself of what God is doing here at Long Beach. The dominion of darkness is real, and powerful! But God is redeeming men and making them his own, ushering them into the kingdom.

Pray:

1. For the kingdom to be advancing through me.
2. For non-Christian students to work with. I have met a few, but I would love to meet more.
3. For the students I am working with to gain a heart for their non-Christian friends.

September 10th, 2008

I apologize for being a day late.

I had my first freshman Bible study, so over the next four weeks I want to quickly profile the four members of the study. If you guys want to keep all four of these guys in your prayers on a weekly basis, that would be great. There names are:

Rudy, Cavin, Ben, Andrew

First, Rudy. Here is a picture of Rudy:



Rudy is a first-year student, studying music. He is a very talented musician who made the top band, a rarity for freshmen. He is has been fun to hang out with already because of his eagerness to grow.

1. Pray that the guys would bond together and become friends. They are very different.
2. Pray that God would continue to create a hunger for his Word in the study.
3. Pray for wisdom and humility for me as I lead.

September 3rd, 2008

I have some names for you guys to pray for!!!

1. Rudy--freshman

Pray that he would connect with the other freshman, and for open doors in his dormitory.

2. Ben--freshman

Pray for a heart to grow in his relationship with Jesus, and for a heart for the lost.

3. Haroon--freshman (Muslim)

Pray for openness, patience (for me), and for opportunities to share the gospel.

August 27th, 2008

Today I leave for our student retreat. On the 2nd, school will start. This is an important time of recruitment and laying the foundation for the whole semester. I really need your prayers!

1. For me...meeting new people, establishing new relationships, etc. These things are draining for me! Pray for grace and strength as I interact with a whole host of new friends.

2. For the ministry...pray that God would guide me to the right young men. Guys who are hungry to grow and through whom I can reach the lost.

3. For our returning students...that they would have a heart to take the gospel to their fellow students!

August 20th, 2008

Prayer requests for this week:

1. Two of my teammates are struggling some in their fund-raising. Would you pray for them to be fully funded by the time school starts on Sept. 2nd? Their names are Mikey and Michelle.

2. This weekend, we are having a staff retreat. We will be getting to know one another and also planning for the year. Would you pray for unity, friendship, and wisdom?

3. Next week, we have a student leader's retreat. Would you pray for vision, zeal, and unity for our student leader's team?

August 13th, 2008

Back again! This blog will now be updated every Wednesday with new prayer requests. I would love to coordinate prayer each week with a few people committed to pray on each day. Interested? Email me and let me know what day.

steven@edgecorps.org

I am moved into Long Beach and preparing for my new role with the Navigators...ministering to college students at California State University-Long Beach. Here are some prayer requests as I prepare for the new school year.

1. For unity and love on our team. Four of us are new, from four different campuses!

2. For humility and wisdom as I adjust to a new campus and a new culture.

3. For three faithful, available, and teachable guys to invest in this semester.

April 16th, 2008

This Saturday night will be an epic journey!

The culmination of our 9-week Biblical manhood class, called Noblemen, is an all-night ceremony which takes place in the Rincon Mountains outside of Tucson. Nineteen students, mostly freshmen, each of whom have attended every session, will be undergoing an event designed to be the capstone of everything they have learned. This can be a very important event in the lives of the men in our ministry!

Please pray:

1. For Dustin and I as we finish off this program in the midst of a busy time of year (Dustin just got engaged a few weeks ago).

2. For all the details to fall into place well.

3. For the guys attending--for endurance and learning hearts.

4. Pray for heart change in the men who are undergoing the ceremony! We want this to be something God uses to bring spiritual maturity.

April 9th, 2008

Richard is a Tucson native who became a Christian in high school through a friend. When we met him, he was hungry to grow but very young in his faith. His whole family is Catholic in a cultural way, the way many Hispanic families are in Tucson.

This past week, Richie's father decided to leave his wife. Although this may or may not be a permanent decision, it has rocked Richie's whole family.

Pray for Richie:

1. Pray for comfort and a clear sight of God's goodness.

2. Pray that this would strengthen Richie's faith and cause him to rely more on God.

3. Pray for his mother and father, that God would use Richie to introduce them to the love of Jesus.

April 2nd, 2008

On finishing well...

Strangely enough, the school year's end is only five weeks away! It is crazy how fast the second semester goes. Here we are already on the homestretch!

With only five weeks left to input into the relationships God has given me this year, I really want to use my remaining time wisely. Sometimes, these last few weeks can significantly effect the attitude of a student going into his summer. My heart for my guys is that these last few weeks would lay a foundation for a summer of growth and intimacy with Jesus!

Pray for the following:

1. For diligence and wisdom in my relationships.

2. For two of my guys, I am devising discipleship schemes that will change each week. Pray for creativity and good communication.

3. Most of all, pray that God would capture the hearts of the guys in my life: Justin, Jon S., Jon M., Tyler, Colton, Danny, David, Matt, Richard, and Ryan!

March 26th, 2008

A few praises:

1. Our Spring Break was fun, safe, and a meaningful experience for many of our students. In other words, exactly what we had prayed it would be.

2. I am encouraged by what God is doing in the lives of some of the students I meet with, especially my friends David, Justin, and Jon.

3. God has moved in many of our students hearts to call them to overseas mission projects this summer. God is reaching the nations through the Navigators here at the University of Arizona.

Some requests:

1. Pray for increased hunger for evangelism.

2. Two of my guys started relationships last week. Pray for Jon and Tyler as they seek to start these relationships out right.

3. Pray for refreshment in the word for me!

March 12th, 2008

Spring Break! During the time where most students head down to Cabo or Cancun, the Navigators at the University of Arizona have traditionally headed down to Mexico to spend a week working in the hot sun.

This year, however, we are headed north to Colorado Springs, the site of the Navigators Headquarters. We will be staying with older couples who have been involved with the Navigators for at least 30 years. One couple we are staying with are 95 and 93! In the mornings, we will hear from our hosts as they share the Word with us. Then, we will work at their houses for the rest of the morning. At lunch, our hosts will share with us a story of God's faithfulness to them. The afternoons will be spend in various activities, including hanging out at beautiful Glen Eyrie, which is the Navigators national headquarters.

The goals of the trip are to expose our students to the Navigator heritage, which is rich. Here are some prayer requests for this trip, which begins this upcoming Friday:

1. Although the turnout has been less than expected, many of our older student leaders are coming, as well as some key sophomores who will be stepping into leadership as our older students graduate. Pray that there will be a "passing of the baton."

2. Pray for a good time of fellowship, that we may be learners as we hear from our hosts.

3. Pray for safety on the drive up (about 12 hours), and for safety driving in Colorado (us Arizonans sometimes don't handle snow driving so well).

4. Pray for heart-change among the students who go!

March 5th, 2008

What do I want to see in the students I am working with? How do I want to see them grow over the course of the semester? These questions have been on my mind lately as I strive to work in a wise and Spirit-filled way.

Here are some thoughts:

1. I want the men in our ministry to understand God and themselves through the Word.

2. I want them to be growing in their intimacy with Jesus each day.

3. I want them to learn to love and protect those around them.

4. I want their hearts to break for the lost around them.

If these guys were growing in each of these areas, what could God do on our campus through them? They would be like the generation Joshua led into Canaan!

Would join me in praying for these four things for the men in our ministry?



A group of freshmen in our ministry!

February 27th, 2008

I have some things to praise God for!

1. Nobleman is going great. So far we have had only one guy drop out, out of 20, which is impressive because even one absence (and two tardies) disqualifies you from continuing onward.

2. God has been faithful in my discipling relationships, and it seems like many of the guys are growing and responding to God.

3. Even though it has been a busy semester, God has been faithful to be energizing me in my relationship with him through the Word and with the help of some good friends.

Prayer requests:

1. Pray that our students would invest in the ministry at the U of A. Pray that they would take possession of it, rather than have a consumer-mentality.

2. Pray for our upcoming Spring Break trip to Colorado. Pray that lots of students would sign up, especially the guys I am working with. We have found this to be a significant experience in the past.

3. Pray for continued unity on our team, and for encouragement and strength for me as I continue to lead several events.

February 20th, 2008

Nobleman is a nine-week course on manhood that Dustin and I are leading this semester. Since our campus director is on sabbatical, we have been planning the sessions with the help of other men in our ministry who have graduated from the course (existing Noblemen, as we like to call them). The course is basically divided into four parts, called the four "pillars" of manhood.

1. Resisting Passivity
2. Accepting Responsibility
3. Leading Courageously
4. Expecting God's Greater Reward

We have about 20 young men attending. The course is demanding, requiring 100% attendance, several assignments, and culminates in a ceremony that is intended to mark their entrance into manhood.

Pray:

1. For wisdom for Dustin and I as we lead. It is demanding designing each week's course. Neither of us is particularly experienced with teaching.

2. For unity amongst the guys. There are several strong personalities in the freshman class, and it has been hard to prevent cliques from springing up. We are hoping this experience will bring them together.

3. For the attitudes of the guys. Pray that they will be willing to not just passively accept information, but to examine their lives and act on what they receive.

February 13th, 2008

I know my update is a little late this week, and I apologize. I have been sick.

Jon M. and I have been meeting for about a year now, and it has been encouraging to see how he has grown in the past year. Jon grew up in the International Church of Christ, a very legalistic cult. In early high school, his family left the cult, and it wasn't until his freshman year college, through the Navs and some other friends, that he became a Christian.

When we first started meeting, Jon was just beginning to taste the goodness of the Word of God. It is encouraging to see him growing in his faith in many ways, such as evangelism, prayer, and being a leader within our ministry. I really enjoy hanging out with Jon as well. He's just a fun guy.
This is a picture of Jon and me on our camping trip last September. He's wearing a bedroll as a hat. I am wearing his hat and also a bandanna.


Prayer requests for Jon:

1. A deep intimacy with Jesus.

2. Courage to share Jesus with his family.

3. For the opportunity to lead someone to Christ this semester.

February 6th, 2008

Imagine 18 young men, packed into a small room, seated on couches and on the floor, Bibles and notebooks open in their laps, intently listening as Dustin and I discuss the Biblical curse placed on men by God after the fall.

Nobleman has begun!

Dustin (my Edgecorp teammate) and I have the privilege of leading Nobleman, a nine-week journey of Biblical manhood that most of out students go through. We were excited to see almost all of our key freshmen students there! In the past, Noblemen has really rallied the men in our ministry to be servant-leaders and to treat each other and the women with respect and care. It culminates in an all-night ceremony that "initiates" each guy into a brotherhood of Biblical manhood.

Pray:

1. For wisdom for Dustin and I as we lead
2. That each of the guys would have the courage to confront their fears
3. For Biblical truth about men and women to shine forth
4. For all the details to fall in place

January 30th, 2008

It has been exciting to me to see how God has been working in the lives of our students over break. It seems like each one of the guys I have been working with has come back excited and eager to grow in their faith! But Justin has been particularly encouraging.

I met Justin at the beginning of the year, and he has been in my Bible study since September. Justin is an pre-architecture student--a very demanding major at the University of Arizona. His first semester this past fall was difficult; he was balancing a tough transition, a difficult schedule, and some family problems. He began to withdraw from his friends and become depressed.

Near the end of last semester, he began to spend time with two of the guys that I discipled throughout the fall. At the beginning of this semester, he was excited when I asked him about getting together to read the Word. There was a marked difference in his attitude and in his excitement!

Pray for Justin:

1. Praise God for his growth and hunger!
2. For daily habits in the word, continued zeal for God
3. For a heart for others, both fellowship and evangelism

January 23rd, 2008

Here is an urgent prayer request!

The four single staff women on our team here at the University of Arizona all live in a house in the same neighborhood as me. This morning, we got a call from them that their house had been broken into. This is following two incidents last semester where the girls had their cars broken into and their radios stolen. Three of the girls had their computers stolen, and one had her purse taken.

1. Pray that the police would recover the computers. None of the girls had backed up their data.

2. Pray that no further harm would come on these women as a result of having their personal information stolen.

3. Pray for the sense of safety and well-being for these women in their home.

4. Pray for their ministry. This is an important time in our ministry and Satan is clearly using this to attack them.

January 16th, 2008

Another semester begins today!

As I said in my newsletter, I have been praying that this would be an important semester of spiritual growth for the guys I meet with. My desire is that they would "flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace." Would you pray that these guys would be pursuing God's heart, growing daily in intimacy with him?

I will (I promise!) be updating this blog every Wednesday. My plan is to give an update on a different guy each week with specific prayer requests.

Here is a prayer request for an event that I am helping to coordinate. I am hoping to bring all the campus ministries together for 24 hours of prayer...6 pm Friday until 6 pm Saturday. This event would be the kickoff for forty days of 24/7 prayer on campus. Is that not exciting?

1. Would you pray that God would give the ministries united hearts of prayer for our campus?
2. Would you pray that God would excite students from each ministry to help out with the project?
3. Would you pray that God would use this event to spark revival on our campus?

That last one is a big prayer, but I feel that God is poised to work in powerful ways on our campus. The University of Arizona needs your prayers!

Here is a prayer for me (taken from Ephesians)

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel."