Mule + Chihuahua = College Student

Over-commitment and burn-out.

To the average college student these two words encapsulate daily reality. In the consumerist driven marketplace of events, clubs, student activities, classwork, homework, internships, social life, social networking, e-mailing, and facebooking that sum up modern "Campus Life" most students who Rachel and I meet are scrambling desperately do at least two things: to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, and to do something truly meaningful and significant with their time. Together these two things seem almost impossible to accomplish.

I don't mean to be cynical at all here. It's really mathematical. Doing something significant and meaningful requires us to devote hours upon hours of our focus and energy toward one goal or purpose; while, on the other hand, taking advantage of every opportunity means juggling dozens of things at once, and giving each thing a superficial amount of attention.

Trying to explain this to most students is like trying to tell a smoker that cigarettes are bad for them. Most of them will nod in agreement, agree they should live differently, but honestly they don't have the motivation or know-how to actually change course. I don't blame them; the drug of over-commitment and hyper-involvement has been pushed on them ever since middle school. This is how they have been taught to live. This is what they are being told life is all about...and we wonder why most college students struggle with anxiety and depression.

Several of the students Rachel and I meet with on a regular basis confess they are tired, strung-out, exhausted, and overworked. Actually, it is not uncommon for students to constantly ask to reschedule our meetings, or to miss church on a regular basis because of how busy they are.

I wish I could say churches are a refuge from this type of over-committed existence, but Rachel and I have recently been counseling two young adults from a local church who feel so heavy-laden with ministry responsibilities that they dream of coming home just to rock in the fetal position for a few hours before sleep. A slight exaggeration, but you get the point; and I don't believe their experience is an exception to the rule.

The lofty expectations of college students and young adults in our culture to be as hyper-active as chihuahuas and laborious as mules needs to be done away with. Students don't know what rest is anymore. I don't know a single college student who actually has a solid day off outside of fall breaks and holidays. There is no Sabbath rest for the college students. I asked a Chemistry student and Intervarsity small group leader at Haverford College the other day when he rests and he said on Thursday mornings before class, and sometimes in the afternoon when he is working for the tech group on campus. Similarly I spoke with a student from Eastern a few weeks ago who was taking 21 hours of class a week, working 25 hours a week (that's already a 46 hour work-week not including homework and the student club she is involved with) when she rested, and she said "when I sleep, which is about 3-4 hours a night."

The question is no longer whether students will experience burn-out, but when.

As you pray this week, ask God that he would provide rest and rejuvination for Ben Thompson of Haverford, Betsy of EU, Zack Groff of Temple, Jocelyn Groff of EU, Ben and Jess Mell of Manoa Presbyterian, Hannah Maclean of EU, Rachel Lim or Haverford, John Bridges of VFMC, Brandi of Uarts, and many, many others.

Pray that as we disciple these students and young adults God provides us with the words and wisdom to teach the discipline of rest to each of them, and that they would learn to begin making time to experience the gift of Sabbath each week.

Thank you for your prayers, love, encouragement, and support.

In Him,
Elliott and Rachel

Eastern Small Group

During our second week of the Monday night Eastern small group, we went deep into Ephesians 2:1-10 and Romans 12. We discussed why it's so important to be transformed.

The conversation really stirred my heart. These students are remarkably thirsty to know more about God, and to live their lives unto Him. I wrote a little bit about it in my personal blog, so please check it out here.

Thank you for reading, and please pray for the students in our small group.

An Overflow

Hello, faithful friends!

The first few weeks of the school year are certainly busy. We've been booked with student meetings, class meetings, and various activities fairs. God has given us incredible opportunities, and we're trying to jump through each door that opens!

Recently at our church, we have responded to the feedback from the young adults for a more focused night service. Sitting down with young adults Zack (Temple student) and Jocelyn (Eastern student), we have been able to re-think what the night service should look like. How can it better serve the church community as a whole? How can it better serve the college students? How can we remain relevant to cultural issues while staying grounded in the true doctrine of the Gospel?

Zack has encouraged us to re-introduce a Reformed liturgy into the service, and Pastor Brown has encouraged us to incorporate more of the arts. We have started sharing more personal testimonies. We have been charged during a "Moment for Missions" in the service. Personally, Elliott and I have been encouraged by Zack's leadership in the night service, and many were blessed last week by a thoughtful, Holy-Spirit-centered, liturgical night service. Praise the Lord for Zack's leadership, and please pray for him as he continues to grow in this role.

We have also seen a great influx of students coming to the service. They have been inviting their friends, and our e-mail and text inboxes have been overflowing with students asking for rides. Please pray that we continue to find rides for every single student wishing to go--that we never have to turn away even one student. Pray that we continue to minister effectively in the night service, and that above all God's name will be glorified and we will continue to do His will.

Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto the Ancient of Days.

Because of Him,

Rachel

Viewing the World Biblically

The CCO sees a transformed student as one who loves Jesus intimately, views the world Biblically, lives obediently, joins Christ in the restoration of creation, and invites other to do likewise.

How does one view the world Biblically if one does not even know how to read the Bible?

The following is a quote from this poignant Christianity Today article:

"Even weekly churchgoers who know the names and places struggle to put it all together and understand the Bible as a single story of redemption."

-Collin Hansen, emphasis mine

One of our focuses in discipling students is helping them see that the Bible is not a mere collection of stories, but an overarching story of the world -- one in which they are still taking an active part. Through inductive Bible study and related books, we want to help them see the Bible in a greater context so that they may read and understand it themselves.

"Disciples of Christ do not merely pursue Bible knowledge for its own sake... It changes the way they live, but not by merely offering them tips for parenting or financial freedom. Rather, the Bible gets them in touch with the Holy Spirit, who conforms them to Christ's image."

-Chris Hansen, emphasis mine

For more insight, please click the link above for the article, or go here for a previous post on my other blog.

-Rachel

So It Begins

Yes, we are still here.

Well, the school year has begun, and we're feeling it! The past two weeks have challenged us to use (or find) our multitasking skills, and each day has been an event of schedule-juggling and meeting-hopping. Let's give you the highlights:

Move-in Days: Elliott and I spent last Thursday moving in Cabrini College freshman, and the better part of Saturday moving in Eastern University freshman. We felt that we had the opportunity to really connect with some of the Eastern students. Please pray that those connections won't be lost, and that we'll be able to form relationships with those we met!

Haiti Reverse: There's been so much planning and so many meetings surrounding this trip, but we still have a loooong way to go. We met with the President and some faculty at Cabrini College and have yet to hear back if they're on board with the project. The Haitian churches in North Philly have been really responsive to the project, and we were able to invite them into the trip this past Sunday at one of their youth worship services. Please pray that the details to make this trip happen will fall into place, and that we will have at least 8 students from Eastern/Cabrini and the Haitian-American community on the trip.

Manoa Life: Manoa Life is the young adult program at Manoa Presbyterian Church, headed by Elliott. We met with some people to talk about the past two years, and challenged ourselves on how to go deeper with the Lord in the coming year. We had a lot of feedback about changing the Sunday night service by introducing more testimonies, dance, art, and drama (among other things). Please pray for the desire of the young adults to see the Lord transform their lives through this program will be fruitful, and that the Sunday night service would honor Him and draw others closer to Him.

Meeting Students: At the beginning of the year, we like to meet with as many students as possible. Although everyone's schedule is still up in the air, Elliott and I have both been successful in meeting with and praying with students and young adults. Please keep the following people in your prayers: Brandi, Amy, Hannah, Zack, Jocelyn, Jeff, Jim, Jonathan, Kristin, Maggie, Ben, Megan, Jess, Ben, Mike. Pray that Elliott and I would be able to discern whom to really pour into for the next year.

Norristown Community House: Peter and Becky Bowersox, fellow coworkers of ours at the CCO, have pioneered an intentional community in Norristown for students. We were honored to be asked to come in and lead team-building games/exercises before their Open House Party. We connected with so many amazing people at the party, and were so thankful that God has brought such people into our lives. Praise the Lord for the conversations and relationships formed through this community!

So that's just a brief look at the last two weeks for the Simkos!

in Him -

Rachel

Jesus Changes People's Lives

"Jesus Changes People's Lives" is CCO Core Value #2.

It's important to remember daily because it's why we're here in the first place. Jesus changed our lives, and now has called each of us to serve.

It's important to remember daily because it's not the program or Bible study or church service or Elliott or Rachel that changes people's lives -- it's Jesus.

We're just available for whatever way He wants to use us.

During New Staff Training this summer, we were asked to share so many testimonies -- the larger ones ("How did you come to know the Lord?"), as well as the small ones ("How has God worked in your life this past week?"). We were all so eager to share, and hear. Who doesn't want to hear about the mighty work of God? But what was striking was how thirsty we were to hear -- because, quite honestly, we don't talk about the daily work of our Father nearly as much as we should.

We should talk about the Lord every day, because every day He is doing mighty things in our lives. Our excitement and awe should bubble over and salt our every day conversation.

So why doesn't it?

Elliott and I, along with a number of young adults, have been asking this question. Why don't we talk more about the Jesus who changed our lives? Why aren't we always sharing testimony after testimony? Instead of just asking those questions, we decided to do something about it.

Last night, we joined two other young adults from the Manoa Life Project (the young adult program at Manoa Presbyterian Church - Elliott's CCO partnership) for a night of worship and testimonies. We offered ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and before we knew it, an hour of prayer and worship had flown by. Two people shared their testimonies. We praised the Lord for the ways He has saved, and also prayed over the individuals -- that God would continue to release them from old-formed habits. It was powerful and moving, albeit very simple.

Young adults and college students are thirsty for transformation. And sometimes, ministries can get caught up in flashiness and show -- believing that they need over-the-top-compelling programs to transform and bring people to Christ.

But all it takes is the simple (awesome) account of Jesus changing your life.

Please share your testimonies.

Please ask others to share their testimonies.

Talk about Jesus.

And pray for true transformation to come onto Eastern and Cabrini's campuses.

What's in Store? - Haiti Reverse Mission Trip

Hello friends,

Since it's the summer, it would seem that we don't have a lot to update in terms of student encounters, but we wanted to give you a taste of what we're currently working on in preparation for this year. If you received our most recent newsletter, you might have read about our plans briefly.

So let's start with our biggest project this year: it's a transformational experience, and we call it the...

Haiti Reverse Mission Trip

What: Haiti Reverse Mission Trip

• REVERSE mission trip
• We receive and learn more than we provide
• We affirm culture rather than foster dependency
• We work alongside rather than “work for”
• We travel a short distance rather than a long distance
• Going to Philly, NOT Haiti
• We encourage long-term deep relationships
• We empower and encourage Haitian natives to help their own nation, as they are more equipped then we will ever be
• Fundraiser
• Cost of traveling to Haiti, avg. $2000 per person
• Avg. annual Haitian income = $500
• We will ask participants to raise $1800 in order to attend
• Benefit Gala will raise money
• Money raised will be given to
• Haiti Relief
• Long-term sustainable missions
• Ethnographic Study
• CCTI’s Justin Poole will be assisting in the interviewing of many of the people involved in order to create a play that will be produced in Philly

When: Friday Dec 31^st—Sunday Jan 9^th

Where: In Haitian-American houses, churches, and communities in North Philly

Who is already involved:

• World Vision and World Vision Act:s
• Beyond Borders
• Eastern University Missions Department
• The Coalition (Board of Haitian Churches in Philly)
• Equitas Group
• CCTI
• CCO’s Cross Cultural Ministry

How you can help:

• For our friends and supporters reading this blog, please keep this trip in your prayers. Pray that the Lord provides at least one other person to step up and help us plan. We have a lot to do in a short amount of time. And yet, we've received confirmation from the Lord and fellow believers "not to be discouraged" in these efforts, but to keep going.
• Please keep the prayer as a whole in your trip - the students going, the leaders going, the churches involved, the connections and relationships established, the money raised, and that above all, we would remain in the center of God's will.