Monday, August 06, 2007

Our New Calling...

To Our Dearest Friends And Faithful Bloggers,


Denise and I are blown away by a need that we have seen, and are humbled by a call that God has put on our lives. Thank you for taking the time to read and learn about our new adventure…and even pray about how God might want you, too, to be involved.

Today in North America, many college students will never have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. College students, numbering approximately 16 million, are one of the most significant and unevangelized people groups in North America. The battle for the souls of collegians is growing more desperate each year.

Our love for collegians began many years ago when God allowed us to serve as the University Pastor for Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro, AR. It was during this time, that we began to understand the needs, both spiritual and physical, that this particular people group has. It was the beginning of a love that has burned fervently in our hearts till this day. We always prayed that somehow, someway, God would allow us to return this ministry. He has…and that time is now.

Beginning this fall, I will begin my ministry as Campus Pastor of Crosswalk Ministries at both Tiffin University and Heidelberg College, in Tiffin, Ohio, and Denise will serve as Support Staff for the campus ministry. Crosswalk is the Collegiate Ministry of the Ohio Baptist State Convention. Tiffin is a beautiful community, located in North Central Ohio on the Sandusky River, near the North Coast of Lake Eerie, with a population of approximately 19,000. The two universities have a combined enrollment of approximately 5,000 students, with only a minimal evangelical presence on either campus. We are currently in the relocation process. Denise and Tabitha have already moved, along with our housing, I've returned to Monticello to wrap up a few loose ends and to sell Dad's Place.

Never before has Luke 10:2 come screaming so loud and clear: ‘Therefore He said unto them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.”’


We will be serving as Mission Service Corp (MSC) Volunteer Missionaries through the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. What is needed now is for other Great Commission-minded churches and individuals to join this partnership through providing financial support and praying for our work. The amount to be raised per month is over $3000.00, so it will truly take a unified effort of Christ’s Church to see this vision fulfilled.

I’d like to ask you to please do two things:

1.) Please pray for our family, our mission and our mission field. As we are currently in the process of finalizing our relocation, there are so many ‘little things’ that need extra attention. We are truly praying to see a mighty work of God on both of these university campuses, and your prayer support is much needed and greatly appreciated. Also, we would encourage you to pray for the sell of Dad's Place in Monticello. It is our prayer and desire that this ministry would continue in Southeast Arkansas.

2.) Please pray about supporting our mission financially. We are in need of partners at many different levels of giving to make the vision of this Collegiate Ministry a reality. We truly believe the Lord who calls is the same Lord who provides.

We are constantly encouraged knowing that there are people like you with a kindred spirit toward taking the Gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth. Thanks for your prayers. I pray that Christ will bless you with every spiritual blessing today. Thanks for reading and praying. Drop back by often for updates, and, a new collegiate blog is on it's way!

For His Glory,

Jim & Denise Whaley

1 comment:

K.T. is Mommatude said...

Wow,what an endeavor,you will be in my thoughts and my prayers!