“When God made the earth He decided to sing, and He wrote His song into everything.”—Ellie Holcomb, Singer-Songwriter
“When God made the earth He decided to sing, and He wrote His song into everything.”
—Ellie Holcomb, Singer-Songwriter
Dear friends,
Lea and I recently had the opportunity to spend a few days in the Pacific Northwest and, on one uncommonly sunny day, we hiked some trails near Mount Baker. It was breath-taking—the layers of textures, the skyline of snow-capped peaks, the slopes of vibrant flora and rock.
Isaiah 55 was our soundtrack:
“The mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song,
All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause.”
(Isa. 55:12 MSG)
In awe, Lea and I spoke little. The mountains and hills, however, were “bursting with song,” a tune that has been resonating since the Trinity so poetically spoke, or perhaps sang, everything into existence. The preceding verses in Isaiah’s vision reveal abundant fruitfulness, the echo effect of each and every word God speaks:
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
(Isa. 55:10–11 NIV)
God’s word, His song, “goes out,” and instead of a fading echo, rises and returns in a crescendo of praise—an upsurge of creation, renewal, restoration, transformation, and redemptive purpose.
This is the echo of the Gospel.
This is the soundtrack of the abiding presence of Jesus which, in His words, always bears fruit.
In our context, specifically, fruit looks like re-storied lives as people within the Purdue community encounter the faithful presence of Jesus, experience a sense of belonging in the Campus House family, find healing and wholeness through His care and people, are equipped in whole-life discipleship, and are commissioned, sent out, to be on mission together—locally and globally—for the glory of Jesus and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Within our ministry, we see the Spirit moving in a myriad of spaces. Each week, Sunday gatherings welcome hundreds of students and year-round residents to explore life with Jesus, Align serves as a midweek opportunity for students to belong and grow in discipleship, and Alpha offers a safe space for those who do not yet know Jesus to ask questions, explore Christianity, and build deep friendships within our community. The men of Joshua House reflect Christ’s love to our campus through hospitality, intentional conversations, and their sense of brotherhood. Greyhouse and The Lobby by Greyhouse welcome hundreds of people from our diverse community every day, demonstrating extraordinary hospitality to many who may never walk into a church. Each year, Starry Night Music & Arts Festival offers thousands of our neighbors a taste of God’s goodness through beauty and creativity.
As always, the Kingdom is not limited to the walls of Campus House or our ministry initiatives. It echoes out
into spaces of pastoral care and counseling, of prayer and worship, of Bible studies and conversations,
into pockets of international students, classrooms, and university departments,
into Greek houses, cooperative houses, residence halls, and apartments,
into families, marriages, and neighborhoods,
into emails from alums writing from, literally, all over the world.
In our context, specifically, fruit looks like re-storied lives as people within the Purdue community encounter the faithful presence of Jesus, experience a sense of belonging in the Campus House family, find healing and wholeness through His care and people, are equipped in whole-life discipleship, and are commissioned, sent out, to be on mission together—locally and globally—for the glory of Jesus and the advancement of His Kingdom.
Within our ministry, we see the Spirit moving in a myriad of spaces. Each week, Sunday gatherings welcome hundreds of students and year-round residents to explore life with Jesus, Align serves as a midweek opportunity for students to belong and grow in discipleship, and Alpha offers a safe space for those who do not yet know Jesus to ask questions, explore Christianity, and build deep friendships within our community. The men of Joshua House reflect Christ’s love to our campus through hospitality, intentional conversations, and their sense of brotherhood. Greyhouse and The Lobby by Greyhouse welcome hundreds of people from our diverse community every day, demonstrating extraordinary hospitality to many who may never walk into a church. Each year, Starry Night Music & Arts Festival offers thousands of our neighbors a taste of God’s goodness through beauty and creativity.
As always, the Kingdom is not limited to the walls of Campus House or our ministry initiatives. It echoes out into spaces of pastoral care and counseling, of prayer and worship, of Bible studies and conversations, into pockets of international students, classrooms, and university departments, into Greek houses, cooperative houses, residence halls, and apartments, into families, marriages, and neighborhoods, into emails from alums writing from, literally, all over the world.
Without a doubt, the harvest is plentiful. This season is one of both massive opportunity and deep need, with many students experiencing profound isolation, mental health challenges, and spiritual confusion. Jesus continues to call us to both pray for workers and become the answer to those prayers—all of us, students, families, retirees, engineers, businesspeople, teachers, baristas, and yes, even pastors and campus ministers—as we participate in building a Jesus-centered community being formed together in His ways for the sake of the campus, city, and world.
In this pivotal season of their lives, so many Purdue students are hearing the tune for the first time, finding a place to belong and grow, and experiencing the healing grace and missional calling of Jesus—thank you for your participation in this good work. Through your prayers and support, will you again step into the opportunity to be part of their stories with Him?
The Year-End Need
As our ministry continues to grow in both depth and breadth, we’re recognizing the need for additional support for Alpha, other outreach initiatives, and leadership development, as well as for rising costs in our standard operating budget. This season is critical for us. We historically receive 37% of our annual income in November and December; this year, we’re praying for $345,000 by the end of the year to meet our budget goals and allow ministry to echo into 2024 (and beyond). We realize that economic uncertainty is not limited to Purdue’s campus or Greater Lafayette, and that for some of you, simply maintaining last year’s level of support would be a sacrificial step of faith. If this is you, we invite you to give as you feel led; know that we treasure your support at whatever level you can offer. Others of you may have the capacity to make a larger gift—would you prayerfully consider doing so?
Will you continue to partner with us in the sustaining note, the ongoing crescendo of the abiding presence of Jesus?
We’re praying for $345,000 to allow ministry to echo into 2024 and beyond. Please help us close this year’s gap with a generous gift!
With prayer and discernment, we will keep pursuing wise financial decisions, ultimately trusting Jesus to provide for the work He’s called us to. The Gospel story has always been one of radical faith, whole-life transformation, and the Spirit ministering through the Body of Christ, including all of you. Your prayers and support are echoing throughout Purdue, Greater Lafayette, and the world, and you have our deepest gratitude.
Isaiah ends with the big “why:” “This will be for the Lord’s renown.”
May it be so.
Rob Schrumpf, Lead Pastor
On Behalf of the Campus House Staff
Will you give to help reach and disciple the Purdue community in the way of Jesus?
Join us in celebrating God’s work on campus this semester by viewing our fall photo gallery!
Save the date for the Annual Thank You Dinner Saturday, February 24th at Campus House.
Formal invitations will follow.
GIVE ONLINE
Visit campushouse.church/give and click “Make a Gift” on your desktop or mobile device.
GIVE BY MAIL
Mail a check to Campus House at
1000 Mitch Daniels Blvd.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
DONATE STOCKS
To initiate a stock gift, please email Dana McKinnis, our Chief of Operations, at [email protected]