Author: River Falls Ministry

February 10, 2023 River Falls Ministry

I recently heard a song with the lyrics, “The time has passed for choices…” I imagine the writer was expressing something each of us will experience at some point: the realization that we’ve run out of time. We all know the feeling. Maybe it’s the deadline for that ten-page paper that just came too fast, or perhaps something more difficult, like realizing we’ve crossed the point-of-no-return and ruined a treasured relationship. Whatever the case, we can find ourselves bankrupt of the time that once seemed a luxury.

For Tomorrow We Die

The world apart from Christ has conflicting notions about how we should use our time. On one hand, the message is, “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” On the other, we see countless schemes teaching us how to work hard now so we can relax in the future (some call it retirement). While we Christians likely presume we have a different way of doing things, it’s entirely possible that we’re not handling our time in the way God intends.

Spending Time

If we stop and think about it, most of us treat our time like our money. We’ll “spend” time on what like to do and what makes us feel good. And, for those of us who think we have a lot of time, we’ll spend a lot of it on a lot of inconsequential things. We can act like ridiculously wealthy billionaires with a near infinite amount to spend. But this thinking is wrong. No matter who we are, all our spending eventually catches up with us – we all eventually run out. And if we’ve handled it poorly, that’s when regrets and questions set in: “Why did I procrastinate?”, “What was I thinking?”, or “If I could only go back in time, I would do things differently…”

Buying Time

Unlike money, we can’t save up time – we can only learn how to better spend it. The Apostle Paul taught the Ephesian church how to think about their time:

…“Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:14–17 (NKJV)

To redeem something means to buy it back, to regain possession of it. So when Paul says redeeming the time he means for us to make a lifestyle of wisely taking back our time for the will of God.

When it comes to doing the will of God, our excuse can never be that we didn’t have enough time. It can only mean that we didn’t figure out how to use it well. God has given each of us the same amount of time every day: 24 whole hours. The time He gives you will match the tasks He gives you. It is possible by God’s Spirit to learn how to redeem the time, and it is possible to understand what the the will of the Lord is. If we don’t seek these things out, we’re likely headed for serious regret. I wonder, when your time has passed for choices, will you be eager for the Lord’s review of your life or will you be embarrassed for how you spent it?

Questions for Reflection

  • Have I ever critically examined how I budget my time in a given week?
  • Am I seeking to understand what the will of the Lord is for today? (Ephesians 5:17)
  • Are there ways I’m spending my time right now that is setting me up for certain future regret?
  • Imagine myself 1 year from now: is how I’m investing my time going to give a return for God’s Kingdom?
January 19, 2023 River Falls Ministry

Coffeehouse Under Construction

January is typically the month when we prep for the spring semester. We have been working nights at the coffeehouse, doing minor construction projects and plant preparations for the upcoming sale. There is also now a new shelf in the kitchen area to add some appreciated extra space! We also took the window out of the kitchen door and added a drink pick-up spot for customers hanging around the coffeehouse.

Sledding and Limited Injuries

We joined up with Street Level Menomonie & Twin ports for a sledding day. There were some epic “sled-less” options to take down the hill. The massive TV box, a giant painter’s cover, and even a chariot were some favorites. We made it mostly unscathed. Don’t worry, Justin still has all his fingers, and Ben fixed them up pretty well (Thanks, Ben)!

Spring Semester Starts Monday

We are looking forward to students returning back to campus in a few days. A few outreaches are already planned on both the UW-River Falls and CVTC campuses. The coffeehouse kiosk will be set up on the first day of class to giveaway coffee at CVTC, and then again a few days later at UW-River Falls. We hope God uses these and other outreaches lead to new connections and relationships.

Prayer Requests

  • For us to meet new people, college students, and non-college students alike
  •  Upcoming outreaches – at CVTC, UWRF, and the plant sale at the coffeehouse
  •  For consistency and growth with students at Campus Church and Street Level

https://streetlevelministries.com/uw-riverfalls.html

https://www.jfbelievers.com/riverfalls/

December 20, 2022 River Falls Ministry

As you read this, the students at UWRF are finishing up fall finals, and we are finishing up our last few meetings before we welcome in 2023. Keep reading and find out what the River Falls ministry did over the month of December.

Believers Campus Church

Earlier in the month, we had the pleasure of having Pastor Tim come visit us and teach the book of 3 John. Last week we met for our last on-campus Believers Campus Church for 2022. We added a few holiday decorations to the room and went through the book of Jude together. This week we plan to join the Menomonie church for the children’s Christmas play. Over winter break we will change things up a bit and will meet at The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse at 6:30 pm to join in the weekly “Rewinds” of the Sunday messages from Menomonie.

Street Level Ministries

We also just finished up our last Street Level for the year. We spent the evening watching a movie, eating pizza, and enjoying snowmen in a hot tub (aka hot chocolate with ice cream). It is finals week, so it was fun to end the year with fellowship. We will be spending the break still meeting, but working on projects around the coffeehouse.

Prayer Requests for 2023

  • For direction for direction from God for the ministry as a whole as we go into a new year
  • Reaching out and connecting with college age individuals in the community
  • For the students during break that they contiue forward in their walk with God
November 19, 2022 River Falls Ministry

We have had a lot of fun opportunities for fellowship and outreaches in River Falls over the last Month.

Outreaches

We brought the Blind Munchies Coffeehouse trailer to the River Falls CVTC and UW River Falls Campuses to give away coffee and cookies. This allowed us to invite students to Street Level and Believers Campus Church. It was the first time we set up at the CVTC. They let us set up outside the main entrance, and we interacted with many of the students and staff.

UWRF OUTREACH
CVTC RIVER FALLS CAMPUS OUTREACH

Street Level Ministries – UWRF

At the end of October, a few of the people in River Falls attended the greater Street Level Summit. We hopped in the church van and drove up to Duluth for a full and eventful weekend. The summit included a number of sessions focused on the life of Jonah in the Bible. This study led us to discuss God’s calling and direction in our lives. We also attended Believers City Church in Duluth that Sunday. And the weekend was completed by an outreach event on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus involving costume kickball. It was great to fellowship with the other locations.

Street Level River Falls continues to meet on Monday nights at the Blind Munchies Coffeehouse for a meal and Bible Study. We had a few extra laughs on Halloween. Since it was during one of our regular meeting times we decided to have a costume-friendly Bible study and game night.

  • Believers Campus Church Photos
  • Believers Campus Church Photos
  • Believers Campus Church Photos
  • Believers Campus Church Photos

Prayer and Looking Forward

Please continue to pray for:

-Fruit from the coffeehouse outreaches advertising Street Level Ministries and Believers Campus Church

-That God is at work in the hearts of the students, staff, and community on campus and in the city

-For future planning of outreach events for the coffeehouse

-That students would desire to get more involved and committed as part of a local community

October 19, 2022 River Falls Ministry

What do living magnets and limestone kilns have in common? Keep reading to find the answer to this question and, more importantly, what other things we have been up to in River Falls.

Trail Walks, Movie Nights, and Bible Studies

Street Level ended September with a few fellowship events that we invited other students from campus to. First, a small group of us enjoyed a trail walk in Glen Park. We walked along the river, up a small bluff, and checked out an old limestone kiln. We also hosted a B-Movie (featuring a magnet that turns into a monster) at the coffeehouse with popcorn, candy, and some good laughs. Planning is underway for more events and outreaches yet this semester.

On Monday nights, Street Level has been enjoying a meal together while going through material focused on culture and how we should engage with it as Christians. Taking a fresh look at scripture and discussing with the group has been a good opportunity to challenge our practices and beliefs.

Campus Church

Campus church is halfway through 1 John. Recently, we discussed what it looks like to practically lay down our lives for one another within the church. We also were able to enjoy the fireplace for the first time that is in our meeting room this last week. So far, the new space this year has been a nice place to meet. We are still meeting new students, some of whom have returned for a few weeks.

Prayer Requests

  • There are a lot more distractions this year for the students on campus. Pray that God would be working in their hearts to seek after them.
  • Pray for growth and maturity among the participants in Street Level and Campus Church.
September 19, 2022 River Falls Ministry

With the UW-River Falls students back on campus; we have been spending the month of September out meeting new students and connecting with past students.  Street Level Ministries, The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse, and Street Level Radio have joined forces to do this.

STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES

Street Level Ministries will continue to meet this semester on Monday nights at 6:30 pm at The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse. Early in the month, we headed to the student involvement fair to connect with interested students.  Also, on Thursday nights, we have been holding events for people to have an opportunity to get to know us more. We did a bonfire on campus, a grill out and games at the coffeehouse, and are planning a trail walk. So far, we have interacted with a variety of people, and we hope to have some get connected with us.

COFFEEHOUSE

The Blind Munchies Coffeehouse, Street Level Radio, and Street Level College Ministry hosted a coffee giveaway on campus.  The Menomonie campus let us borrow the food trailer, and we set up games for people to hang out and play. We set up right next to the UW-River Falls University Center and gave away about 20 gallons of Cold Brew.  This allows us to share information about Street Level and Believers Campus Church.

BELIEVERS CAMPUS CHURCH

This year Believers Campus Church is in a meeting room next to the university cafeteria. It allows us to have a lot more visibility on campus.  (Also, there is a fireplace, so in the middle of winter that is where you will probably find me sitting.) We are starting the semester by going verse by verse through the book of 1 John.

PRAYER REQUESTS

  • For God to connect the students with us that He is calling to be a part of Street Level
  • That God would be stirring the students’ hearts on the River Falls campus to want to know and be disciples of Him
  • For continued vision, direction, and wisdom from God