Spring is in full swing here at Collegiate Ministry. The weather is warming up, the grass is getting some much needed rain, and students are starting to hang out outside again. And along with spring comes a bag full of events in Collegiate Ministry. So, here are our upcoming events we’ve got going on.

Price of Life Invitational

This Thursday a group of us will be leaving in the afternoon to head to Ohio State for the OSU Price of Life. We will get back later in the evening, but the time is not definite. Price of Life is an event where many different social justice organizations are coming together in order to raise awareness about the sex slave trade around the world. Please go to this website for more information about what the Price of Life is: www.osupriceoflife.org

Relay for Life

This Friday night and into Saturday morning we’ve got a team to run/walk the relay, lead by Mary Gsellmann.
We’ve also got a team to do pancakes (make and serve) for anyone and everyone. If you would like to help out with the pancakes. contact Allen Teklitz at ateklitz@gmail.com

Next Year’s Leadership Applications Due!

If you plan on joining the leadership of Collegiate Ministry for next school year, then you better get your application from Ken and get it in by April 30th. We’ve got a new leadership structure planned and we’re always willing to get new people in the leadership and get some fresh ideas. So, if you’re interested, get your application and get it in.

Read the Bible Through

We’re reading the Bible, all the way through, from Genesis to Revelation. From May 10th to the 14th, each day from 6am to 7pm, we’ll be out on McMicken Commons reading the bible. You’ll be able to sign up for 15 minute reading spots here. There will be an announcement at Crosswalk, and an update here, on when you can sign up. Or, you can just stop by when we’re reading, and if there is an open spot, feel free to start reading.

Scratch and Spit & Scratch and Sniff

The Scratch and Spit is a tradition for the guys in Collegiate. It’s a guy’s retreat where very manly things are done, like eating steak, and chopping down trees. Now, we’ve got something for the girls as well, the Scratch and Sniff. Both events will take place from Friday May 21st to Saturday May 22nd. Contact Ken (ken@collegiateministry.com) for more details.

So there is also another thing I am passionate about… involving students in growing in and sharing their faith in God. Even better than watching your backhand rollout from the front left corner is hearing a friend pray for God’s grace to cover their sins and begin a new walk as a new creature in Christ. So there is some similar advice here as well.

Position: You have to put your self out there with folks who need to know the good news. The best place is where you are. There are 40,000 students on our campus and less than 1000 are actively involved in campus ministries. Put yourself where the rest are. Take the light to darkness where it does its best work.

Repetition: Sharing your faith is usually awkward at first. You are not sure you know enough. You may be nervous about the outcome. Whatever… You just need to get in there and love folks enough to talk to them about God. Let God take care of the details. He can do it better than we can anyway.

Keep an eye closed toward the other player: I mean, pray. Pray specifically, by name, by opportunity, but with a passion and compassion that is unwavering. Are there specific needs you can pray for? Have they shared a peek into their lives that you sense the Holy Spirit is just anxious to become a part of?

Look, just get in the game. You don’t know how cool it is until you are making the effort required to play. There are tons of your friends out there that need to get involved with God and maybe a good game of racquetball. See you on the courts. See you on campus.

Anyways, we’ve got some awesome events coming up soon! And even more later.

Give Me An Answer Conference

First up we’ve got the Give Me An Answer Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from Feb. 12th-13th.
It’s an apologetics conference with this year’s theme being “Does God Still Speak?”
There will also be a select number of breakout sessions to join in too.

“Give Me An Answer 2010 will equip you with a firmer confidence in the truthfulness of God’s Word and how He can be heard speaking to all areas of life. Theologians and pastors will be at Give Me An Answer to answer the question Does God Still Speak?, and discuss Biblical truths that will help you reach your friends, your family, and your college with the Word.” – SBTS.edu

For more info check out http://events.sbts.edu/give-me-an-answer-collegiate-conference/
or contact Kim (kim@collegiateministry.com) for info and for registration.

Not a Date, Date Night

Next up we’ve got the Not a Date, Date Night.
Don’t have a special someone to spend Valentine’s Day with? Don’t like the idea of Singles Awareness Day? Would you rather spend time with great friends and have a great time? Good, then come join us for Not a Date, Date Night. It will be held on Valentine’s Day.
Meet at theHouse (2715 Clifton Ave.) at 1pm where we’ll split up into groups and go out and have fun.

Spring Break Study Conference

Don’t have plans for spring break? Come join us for a study conference in Ft. Myers, Florida!
From March 19th-26th we’ll be down on a Florida beach for some intensive bible study.
The cost is $199, which includes transportation, lodging, breakfast, and lunch daily, insurance, study materials, and a groovy beach T-shirt.
You will be responsible for travel meals, dinners, and souvenirs and scooter rentals.
You will also need to bring your own towels and sleeping linens, casual clothes, bible, pen, sunscreen, and appropriate beachwear.

Space is limited to the first 50 people, so get your $50 deposit in ASAP!
Our proposed schedule is as follows:
9:30am, Lite breakfast
10am, Study, Noon lunch
1pm, Free afternoon or service projects
6pm, Study
8pm, Free time

The disciples did some of their best learning along the shore, and you can too! So join us for a wonderful time is sunny Florida.
For info, call Ken at 513-295-6785

“Every man starts with all there is.” This is talking about the reality of potential. I’m not talking about the potential my math teacher said I had but didn’t seem to capitalize on when it came to homework. I am thinking more about the potential of being connected to the God of the Universe who says…

Mar 10:27 “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Now our part is not great in quantity but again there is that potential thing. Just a mustard seed of faith is all that the Father is looking for from us. But that mustard seed is stuffed full of obedience, desire, risk, adventure, dreams, discipline, persecutions, and more. We lump all of this into the word “faith.”

Faith is the price of admission. Without this, the potential only remains potential and not reality. Major Ian Thomas, an English theologian, once said “All that God is, is available to the man who is available to all that God is.” I especially like this quote because it reminds me that the “all things are possible God” is the same who describes faith as the assurance of things hoped for. The things that I can hope for, He can make happen. Now don’t get me wrong. God is not waiting around to grant my wish list. Fact is, He is probably waiting around for me to come online with His wish list.

So this year, I think I am more interested in His resolutions for me. What will I have to look back on twelve months from now? I’m not sure, but I can’t wait knowing that ‘every man who puts his faith in God, starts with all that God is.”

Description
This prayer week is for Ohio Collegiate Ministries and is designed so that each ministry can pray all
week long in observance of Christ’s prayer example which He wanted each Christian to follow.

Purpose/Goal
The purpose of the prayer week is not to just get campuses involved in prayer. It is designed to show all
of the participants how to pray and to inspire prayer as well.

Introduction
Prayer is a very essential activity in our walk with Christ. It is our very own communication line
between God and the believer. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus Christ shows us an example of how to pray.
Christ’s example in Matthew 6:9-13 has now been called “the Lord’s Prayer.” The prayer week will
explore each key point of the Lord’s Prayer, so that by the end of the week, we all will have successfully
used its structure.

Monday November 2—Our Father Which Art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name
As Christ has showed us, in all of our prayers we are to acknowledge the divinity and sovereignty of
God in the name of Christ. We should also acknowledge Him as the head of our lives as well as bringing
honor and glory to His name.
Suggestion: Each believer should take this day to acknowledge that God alone is in control of the
universe. We should recognize that science, art, political leaders, material things, etc. are all things that
make up this world and should not be confused with or put in the place of God. The name of Jehovah is
the name that is above all names.

Tuesday November 3—Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven
The will of God should always be put first. We should always pray for God’s will to be done and
continue to wait and pray for the establishment of His kingdom.
Suggestion: It is recommended that this be a day in which we reflect on God’s word and the things that
he commands us to do and not to do, because His will is sovereign over everyone else. If there is
anything in our personal lives that do not reflect what God would have us to do, we must cease and do
the will of God. This day is also Election Day. We should pray that the people who get elected to their
respective offices be instruments in God’s kingdom being established on earth.

Wednesday November 4—Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
Repentance is vital for forgiveness, but in order for us to be forgiven for our sins, we need to forgive
those who have offended us.
Suggestions: Each person should obviously use this day to repent. If there is anyone who has been
offended by or hurt by anyone, they are encouraged to go to that person and forgive them. If they do not
have the strength to forgive that person, they can always pray that God gives them the strength to do so.
(Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something
against you; leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then
come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23, 24 NIV)

Thursday November 5—And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Obedience and temptation are two completely different things. A person can aspire to be obedient to
each of God’s commandments, but Satan will always use temptation to lead us off God’s path. There are
also trials and tribulations that will serve as snares in our walk with God.
Suggestion: Each person should pray that God deliver them from any vice or temptation that is
threatening to lead them away fro God. We should also pray for endurance during our trials and continue
to keep sight of God.

Friday November 6—For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever.
Amen.
We all have to surrender to God’s glory and His power. He will reign forever and he is worthy to be
worshipped by all that has breath.
Suggestion: Today is a day in which we shall completely surrender. Today is a day in which we should
inspire all believers around us to just simply pray a prayer of praise acknowledging God’s unending
power and reign over all that is in existence.

Notes: Each prayer suggests the things that should be prayed about in accordance with its corresponding
scripture. It is up to the discretion of each campus ministry as to what activity they would like to
perform in response to each day of prayer. It is recommended that each person observes each day, but an
event can be held to observe at least one of the days. This activity can also be used for any local church
that decides to participate as well!

We’ve Got:
Friday, October 30th: Girls’/Guys’ Night, both with different details.

Girls:
Time – 7pm to Midnight
Place – Mary G, Veronica H, and Karen D’s apartment (2902 Bellevue Ave. Apt 2)
Description – “We’ll be watching One Night with the King, eating lots of chocolate, talking and having fun! No guys allowed. Princess costumes are optional…”
Facebook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165096225886
For more info contact Rebecca Clarkson (clarksre@mail.uc.edu).

Guys:
Time – 5:10pm to 3:10am
Place – theHouse (2715 Clifton Ave.)
Facebook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161232832583
Details pending, for more info contact Ryan Cummins (cumminrn@mail.uc.edu) or Allen Teklitz (ateklitz@gmail.com).

Saturday, October 31st (Halloween!): Halloween Party at theHouse
If you don’t have Halloween plans already, we’re having a Halloween Party at theHouse (2715 Clifton ave.).
It’s going to run from some time in the mid afternoon and into the night.
There will be a photo scavenger hunt (5pm), a movie (8pm), and pancakes at some point (because it’s our specialty).
For more information, or to learn how you can help, contact Bethany Taylor (btphonehome@gmail.com).
Facebook Event – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184756571881

Dodgeball
Family Meal Cookout
First Crosswalk of the Year
Cookout Before the Concert
Midnight Pancakes

Don’t forget to get your free breakfast on Main Street on Wednesday morning!
And don’t forget to get your free snowcone on McMicken Commons Thursday afternoon!
Check the Events Calendar for more information.

Wow! I really had no idea. I do remember being totally overwhelmed with freshman orientation. Too much information in too little time. Some things never change. I hear that it is the same way still. Especially at UC. Sorta two days crammed into 24 hours. So what did you learn while you were here?

Can I tell you a couple of things you should remember from your orientation or disorientation experience? First there are a lot of names to remember. You will remember your SOL. You will remember several of the folks in your orientation group, especially that goofy one or that cute one. But some names you should remember will be the couple of folks you met around the Collegiate Ministry table. And other names will be CrossWalk and Dinner@theHouse. But you will hear more of these later. I also hope you will remember the name of the Collegiate folks that contact you this summer. They really want to connect with you and help ease your transition to college life.

Another thing you should remember from orientation is that there is so much college life before you it is really hard to wrap your mind around. I promise that you will be amazed at the transformation of your life by the end of the first year ahead of you. You will be much more comfortable in your new surroundings and with your new friends. Who knows, you may even want to apply for one of those SOL positions or to be an RA in one of the resident halls. Just remember this, every vital piece of information that you need to know will be repeated. If you don’t get it all the first time, don’t panic. Every vital piece of information you will need to know will be repeated (oh, I just said that).

Here is a very vital piece of information. Part of your continued development as a young adult fresh out of the “kid” stage is the spiritual part. My desire is to challenge the way you look at your faith. The way you develop your faith over the next few years will most certainly impact your pilgrimage with God for a long time. I just read some facebook comments from “old” people who have been out of school ten or fifteen years. Some regret the things they didn’t learn or didn’t do to enhance their faith walk. Others are commenting about the way that a special friend, a retreat, small group, or summer experience really enhanced their faith in God. Your end of the deal is to choose wisely at this point. It may not be the holy grail you are looking at but it will really could be a holy moment.

Get ready. I hope to see you soon.

Ken, the campus pastor guy.

We’re starting off the week with Dodge Ball on Monday!
Play a game of Dodge Ball with us at Sheakly Lawn on Campus.
We start playing at 2pm. Hope to see you there.

Tuesday we’re celebrating the start of the year with a cookout at theHouse.
It starts at 6:06pm, you can come earlier if you want to help set up.

Wednesday, come visit us on MainStreet on Campus for some FREE breakfast on your first day of classes.
Just stop by and say hi, and we’ll throw you some food.

Thursday, come join us on McMicken Commons for some FREE Snow Cones!
Take a break from the heat with some cool flavored ice. We’ll start distributing them at 1pm.
Then after your lovely second day of school, come join us for the first Crosswalk of the year.
It’s in 400 TUC and starts at 7:07pm. Join in celebrating in the Lord.

Friday, we’re having another cookout! This time it’s on Sigma Sigma Commons, right before the concert at 5pm.

Saturday, keeping with tradition we’re having Midnight Pancakes! They’re the best kind. Looking for something to do late Saturday night? Come join us for pancakes at theHouse at midnight. You can also come a couple hours before if you want to help setup and even distribute pancakes to our hungry visitors.

Can’t wait to see you during Welcome Week!