Our campus ministry has always been an important part of this church. So, the start of a new semester is always an exciting time for us. But this semester we have something new that God is doing to look forward to. Over winter break Street Level became an officially recognized student org at the UM-Duluth Campus! In the last month, students returned back to campus for the start of another semester. Which means Street Level started back up after mostly taking a break through the winter break.
Two Campuses: One Mission
Our local Twin Ports chapter of Street Level is now on two campuses but still with one mission: to encourage, lead, and provide opportunities for college students to seek Jesus wholeheartedly and to follow Him with every aspect of their lives. We begin the semester with information tables at both campuses. We gave away coffee and let students know more about Street Level.
Street Level Road Trip
We also launched into this semester with a fun trip off campus to the Street Level House in Menomonie. Street Level all piled into a van and headed south where we joined with the other US-based Street level groups (sorry Cebu) for a night filled with fellowship, games, and snacks. We took time to hear about the different things God is doing in the ministries and individuals from each campus. It is always encouraging to hear about the ministry that is happening that we sometimes aren’t aware of. In the morning we fueled up with breakfast provided by the Blind Munchies. Then we headed to the ice where we took part in the great SL Broomball tournament of 2020.
Judging by the amount of time people spent on their backs, we may have lacked some talent. But it was made up for by enthusiasm. After the victors claimed their prize, we had a bbq on the frozen lake and even made a snowman.
Word on the Street Magazine
We are currently printing our 43rd issue of Word on the Street. The magazine has changed a lot over the years. We are always hoping and looking for ways to get better at what God has called us to do. In the last week, JFB Duluth hosted a WOTS workshop where we came together to talk about everything magazine and writing. We spent the morning launching our next issue and talking about some things specific to our magazine and staff. In the afternoon we were blessed to be joined by a professional writer. She shared her insights and taught us how to be more creative and effective in our writing. See the picture below of the notes from our meeting… don’t worry we don’t really know what it says either….
Fellowship
The typical month has four Wednesdays in it. Occasionally we will see a month with one extra. When this happens, we take the opportunity to get out of the church and do something fun in the community. January happened to be one of those months so we took over a room at a local pizza place and set up an easel and played Pictionary. It was an entertaining night, probably more so because it turns out that God did not intend for many of us to be artists…
The Super Bowl is always a good time for us to all come together and enjoy each other’s company over some delicious food. (I think there might be a TV on with the game somewhere too, I’m pretty sure I heard that the Packers won)
We Can’t do This Alone
Despite how it might read it has not been all fun and games up here. God had a mission for us, and it isn’t easy. We will never be able to be the church that He intends on our own. We can train ourselves to the best of our ability as we did at the WOTS workshop, we can be together united in fellowship, we can gain new ministries as we did at UMD, but if God is not behind it these things are of limited value. If your inclined to pray for us, pray that Street Level would be an organization that is lead by God, grown by Him, and used by Him at both campuses. Pray that these opportunities for fellowship go beyond a fun night but deeper to true unity as the one body of Christ that we are to be.