All the while we’ve been hard at work juggling parenting or lively kids, and our “real” job of directing our staff team in the ministry of making Christ known on the campuses of Portland.

Thankfully, we’ve had time to sit and reflect on how gracious God is in his provision and protection as well as how thankful we are for the relationships we have in this life. Many of you have offered words of encouragement along the way and we’re so thankful for you.

We are more committed than ever to seeing God’s Kingdom expand here in Portland. We believe whole heartedly that the students of Portland are a key step in seeing the city transformed for the glory of God. Please continue to pray for this place. God is on the move. We’ve seen more momentum in the last 4 weeks than ever before. Even today I heard a story about a student placing her faith in Christ at University of Portland.

Have a wonderful weekend!

“Thank you so much Cru Conference! You saved me from the destructive lifestyle I have set for myself. Without this event I don’t know where I’d be. Please tell all the staff about this. I am the reason you guys do what you do, I am the reason you CAN’T ever stop. God is so great to ME I can’t than you enough. I have changed my life around and set in motion a life I want want to live for God!”  – Riley, Univ. of Idaho

“I first came to God because of all sorts of pain. After a while, I started to give up on God to heal all of my pain from the past. I used ultimate Frisbee to escape from it all and fill my time. After Holly’s talk, instead of giving up, I want to surrender the pain. Instead of escaping, I want to rest in Him.” – Andy, PSU

“I gained confidence in sharing the gospel, and I loved being reminded to listen when I share. I gained new perspective on how sharing is not out of obligation, but out of a need for others to hear.” – Bekah, Univ. of Portland

“I was reminded that everyone is on a spiritual journey, and that people want to talk about deeper things. I want to continue to scatter all the seed because who know what will grow. I’m praying for big things to happen at PSU.” -Renee, PSU

“I gained confidence in my walk with God and facing the lies about sharing my faith.” (In reference to how people don’t want to talk about spiritual things”. – Amanda, Univ. of Portland

“I spirituality is the most important thing in our lives, why isn’t it the most talked about? With the 80 students we have involved at UP, I be collectively we know everyone on campus. We literally could give every student at UP, all 3300, and opportunity to hear the gospel. We could reach our entire campus!” – Zach, Univ. of Portland

Jody continues to recover from surgery. There’s been more pain than we expected, but the Doctors reassure us that everything looks great and it’ll just take time to recover. In the mean-time I’ve been juggling kids and work as Jody can’t lift Isaac so I have to be around just about all the time.

Housing update: after getting some much needed pro-bono help from an attorney our landlord settled on our offer to move out by February 6th with a small compensation to help with our moving expenses. We didn’t have to agree to this, but we’re pretty ready to be out of this house and not have to deal with her/showings/inspections any more. I won’t bore you with the details, but we’re clinging to a slight hope that we’re going to get word that the offer we put in on a house will receive approval by the first of the year, which would be a miracle. We’re asking the Lord to move heavens and earth to get this done. Join with us in prayer! If we don’t have the opportunity to buy that particular house, we’ll either make an offer on another house or rent again (more expensive) if we can’t find anything that we’re excited about. We’re doing our best to trust that the Lord knows what he’s doing and he’s got a great place lined up for us.

Lastly, Christmas is here and I reminded again what the incarnation of Christ means. God stepped into our neighborhood and was completely present with humanity. What a crazy and beautiful reality and what a joy that I serve a God who’s experienced what we’ve experienced and who dives into the muck of humanity to rescue us. For that I worship him this season!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Matt, Jody, Jenna and Isaac

Campus Crusade for Christ — Christmas Thank You from Masterworks on Vimeo.

Thanks for all your prayers. We feel richly blessed by our friends, family, and ministry partners. Your prayers have been carrying us along the last couple of days.

Housing update tomorrow…hopefully.

• Pray for Jody as she goes into surgery in the morning. She’s having a hysterectomy.
• Pray for strength for us as we deal with our landlord who gave us 30 days notice to be out of our house last Thursday. We feel like she is taking advantage of us and it’s not great timing with surgery, Cru Conference and the holidays.
• Pray that we would hear about the house that we have an offer in on and we’ve been waiting forever to hear from HUD on if it’s a go or not.
• Pray that God would provide great temporary housing for us if needed in the meantime.

This has been a stretching time for us (to say the least), but at the same time God has used many of you to affirm our call to make Christ known on the campuses of Portland. Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement and blessings. We need them!

Stay tuned for updates on the 3-circus that is our lives at the moment.

Dear Wonderful Staff!!!

I just wanted to say a special thank you to all of you and for everything you do or did at Bozeman Campus! Four and a half years ago, Bozeman was not my first choice but God knew better! He lead me straight to Bozeman. I had heard about CRU and was really excited to get involved. And so thankful that I did. Thank you for being such a positive influence in my life, and for helping me grow deeper to our Lord and Savior. I am so thankful that God directed me to a wonderful community, Christ-focused and loving. There are so many things that I learned in those four and half years, besides school, that have shaped my walk with the Lord and will be with me for a lifetime! You all are special to me and I just want to say thank you so much for walking with our King!!! I am now graduating in two weeks and just wanted to extend the invite. I know it is a very busy time of the year and traveling, but I really just wanted to let you know I am done and thank you! If you are able to attend just let me know.

So thankful for you
In Him,
Nicole

Merry Christmas!!!
Please, when you remember, pray with me in the next steps God has for me.

What a joy it’s been to see God at work over the past couple months. We’ve seen lives changed, we’ve seen communites formed, we’ve seen leaders link arms to start reaching their peers with the good news of Christ. There’s been bumps along the road, but what a joy to step into the city and bring the beauty of Christ into people view!

We understand that many of you face financial burdens right now, so there is no expectation to give. But, we would like you to consider how you might help with us continue on in this ministry unhindered by having to raise additional financial support. If you would like to give right now, just click on the contribute button at the top of this page and it will walk you through the options.

We’re so thankful for all of you. We’re so thankful that we get the privelige of being on the front lines of engaging this generation with the life-changing message of Jesus. We couldn’t do this without you! Thanks for giving so that we can proclaim Christ to the students of Portland!

If you have any questions please let me know!