For the first several years I worked at Campus House, one of my roles was leading worship. I was never much of a musician myself, but I loved helping shape those spaces and working with so many truly talented musicians and creatives who used their gifts to serve and glorify Jesus. 

One of the ongoing conversations we would have centered around the “both/and” nature of worship—namely, the need for both structure and improvisation. For us, that meant living into the reality that the Holy Spirit speaks and works through our planning three weeks out, and He is also likely to do a new thing or bring a fresh Scripture or song in the moment. In other words, there is wisdom, clarity, and kindness in planning ahead, but it is crucial to have the flexibility and expectation to be able to pivot with open-handed surrender. Life with Jesus is a process—a journey—that is organic, relational, dependent on Him, and interdependent on one another.

Over the past few months, we have shared with you some of the plans for both changing roles on our staff team and renewed vision for Campus House that have this “both/and,” organic dynamic. We have prayerfully and open-handedly sought to listen and respond, to plan and build, with sightlines on becoming a Jesus-centered community being formed in His ways for the sake of the campus, city, and world. This process calls for more of a trellis than a template. It requires experimentation and improvisation. It’s an invitation into deeper faith, trust, and obedience. 

At the risk of being redundant, I want to again express that this transition is not primarily about Shane and me. This is about abiding with and surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus. It’s about each of us identifying the gifts He has given us and committing to use them for His glory. It’s about all of us working together interdependently to participate in the restorative work of His Kingdom—here at Purdue and to the ends of the earth. We treasure your prayers for the journey and your partnership in this good work!

Several weeks ago, as the summer was coming to an end, we as a church community had the privilege of baptizing a grad student who came to the United States in order to attend Purdue. She stood on stage and shared with us her journey with Jesus, which began as a shy—even scared—new arrival to campus trying to figure out life in the States. 

One of her first tasks was to set up a bank account and debit card for her time here as a student. To try her new card, she ventured into Greyhouse, which led her to a conversation with a barista, who was also a student at Campus House. The conversation about the new debit card led to a conversation about other needs that came with being new to the country, which led to this barista helping meet one of those needs—a kitchen table. The table led to further connection, which led to both young women attending Alpha together, which led to this international student finding Christ-centered community at Campus House, which led to her experiencing the overwhelming love of Jesus and responding through baptism. 

This journey from stranger to sister in Christ is just one that I’ve been privileged to watch in our Body over the past few years. And in them all, I’m convinced that God is not just with us in the mundane, everyday rhythms and routines of our lives, but that He loves to use them to bring His life. 

Since this baptism, I have found myself praying that stories of God working in the mundane will change the way we see everything in our daily lives. I am praying that Purdue students will be awakened to God. I long for everything in their lives—even, or especially, that which seems mundane—to be used in His great plan to redeem and restore all things. Having experienced Him in the daily-ness in their time at Purdue as students, I am praying He would transform the way they approach the rest of their lives—their careers, their families, their communities and churches. I believe God can do that. And I have seen Him do it over and over again. 

One of the great privileges we have as staff at Campus House is to help these young men and women see their place in God’s larger story, because He’s already at work around them. If they have eyes to see and ears to hear, there is an invitation in everyday, ordinary life—in classes and jobs, residence halls and cooperative houses, clubs and teams—to participate in the work of His Kingdom. 

Will you pray with us that students will become more aware of God in the seemingly ordinary moments of their lives here at Purdue? Will you pray that they will catch a growing vision for how they can not only see, but fully participate in, what God is doing? Will you pray that they will see caring for their classmates, friends, and even strangers as more than an interruption to their academic pursuits—as perhaps the reason He has placed them on this campus?

This work, these stories of transformation, would not be possible without your faithful prayers and support for Campus House. All we can say is “thank you.” We’re grateful to be in this with you.