New identity, new purpose

Hey y'all!

I'm sitting in Panera in Destin, FL still absorbing everything that I've heard from the missions conference this weekend. Todd Ahrend was the speaker. I've heard him talk several times, at SMC last winter, at StuMo nights at KSU, and now here at Kaleo. He is so much fun to listen to and I learn so much without even knowing that I'm learning. He talked a lot about how many of the major missions movements in history were started by people my age and how students have such an opportunity to make an impact on the world. It really got me thinking that it might be something I want to do for a couple years. I definitely know that after this summer I won't feel the same about short-term mission trips. You have to stay if you're truly going to make a difference somewhere. He also talked about the things that typically hold people back from going overseas and how all of them are selfish reasons. God calls us to make disciples of all the nations. As a college graduate I won't have to worry about house payments, kids, maybe even a job. I'll have the freedom to dedicate a couple years to people that might never have another opportunity to hear the gospel. How cool would it be if by the time I'm 30 I can say that I reached an unreached people group? That because of me there are churches planted and growing in anywhere from remote tribes to the inner cities of India? Answer: REALLY COOL!

Another message that really impacted me this week was our StuMo night on Thursday. (I know, I know, they're always good!!) Cody spoke about our identity being found in Christ. He talked about how the things we're most dedicated to are the things that are going to show in our daily lives and they're the things that people will recognize us by, and how Christ should be that identifying factor that makes us stand out.

I'm a little behind on my study so I had to make this one kind of short. Hope to update again soon!! Until then...

Sarah
XOXO

Prayer Requests:
*That God would use this conference this weekend to really grow our hearts for the world and give us a vision to reach those people
*That God would be the identifying factor in our lives, and that people would be able to see that what makes us different is our personal relationship with Christ