In our last newsletter I mentioned that there are changes coming for Erika and me. I moved into a new position with Campus Crusade for Christ this fall. We are excited about the transition for a number of reasons. The best way to so this is by asking (and answering) some questions that we are asked as we talk about the new role.
What is your new role?
I took my boss’ job! Instead of having one campus to over see and reach with the Gospel I will now work with a team of 7 others to lead and resource 16 teams in 6 states (CO, WY, NM, NE, MO and KS) and another 14 teams in 7 nations (Serbia, Russia, China, Ireland, Mexico, Spain and Chile) In some ways to think of my new job as campus ministry with a bigger campus.
Will you still work with students?
Yes! I will be on campus at the School of Mines in Golden and still part time at UNC. This was a deciding factor in taking this role. In this position I can take more responsibility in reaching the world with the Gospel and not lose too much face time with students.
How many staff and students are in your “scope” of ministry?
Currently there are about there are about 32 teams with about 400 staff representing over 3 million students! This is overwhelming to think about at times, yet we have never sensed God’s calling to what we are doing more than now. And we are assured that God has led us to this new role.
Will this mean more travel?
The simple answer to that is “yes”. I will visit all of the campuses in the US this year and in the next few years I want to visit those overseas as well. I will connect with the directors of all these campuses and walk through getting the gospel to every student in their area of responsibility. On a daily basis I will track with them through phone and email.
Why did you take this new role if you like being on campus so much?
The first reason is that we believe in college students and the impact they can have on the world. Those first years away from home after high school are the defining years of a person’s faith. We want to be there as they work out what it means to walk with God. In this role I will have a direct impact on the way that we (our region) gets to all those students with the Gospel. People in college have more time, energy and are free to do what God calls them to do. Erika and I want to be a pat of mobilizing these laborers for ministry while they are in school and ensure that they are trained for a lifetime of ministry. Imagine if every year hundreds of thousands of students graduated with a heart to do ministry and a mind that was devoted to Jesus.
Do you still need to raise support to do this new job?
Yes, still have the privilege to raise all our own finances for insurance, income and retirement. We are grateful for a system that makes us dependant on Jesus to provide daily bread. And we are grateful for you as a conduit of his grace!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
LB Movement Planting #2
Disc Golf in Flagstaff, Andy Wood throwing through the trees to an unknown target...
We spent the summer planting spiritual movements in Long Beach, CA. I mentioned in an earlier post about the summer (LB movement planting #1) that we started by praying. Next we trsuted God to lead us to pockets of people to minister to.
This sounds easier than it actually is, most Christians have few if any friends that are not believers in Christ. So to find a group of people with a common interest that is NOT Christianity can be challenging. Personally I think that often in the Christian sub-culture we have no idea what we like to do because we are told what to do and what not to do rather than told to be who we are created to be...another thought for another time.
After a few weeks most students were plugged into people groups that either suited their gifts and abilities (playing soccer in a park with the same people wvery day, or joining a pottery club), or groups that they had compassion for (Homeless shelters or the Gay, Lesbian, Transsexual community center. I chose the former.
I chose a pocket of people that suited my gifts and abilities, I chose a group of Disc golfers. If you are unfamilier with the sport click this link...it will open your eyes a little to the game. Disc Golf.I met these guys at ElDorado park in Long Beach. I did not know what I was getting into when we first arrived, in fact I did not even know that there was a group of disc golfers to join. However, after visiting the park a few times we realized that there were about 60-150 disc golfers in the community that knew eachother well. They connected at tournements and local parks, during the week they met almost every day to play and smoke dope.
It seems as though it is fairly easy to get a medical marijuanna liscence in California so most of these guys were legal. It was strange to play disc and to be offered a hit regularly. When people ask about my summer I mention that I learned how to smoke pot (I did not smoke, just learned how to) this gives indication into my sheltered background. Anyway, this group truly had a shared interest, and we jumped into this group with the Gospel.
More to come.
We spent the summer planting spiritual movements in Long Beach, CA. I mentioned in an earlier post about the summer (LB movement planting #1) that we started by praying. Next we trsuted God to lead us to pockets of people to minister to.
This sounds easier than it actually is, most Christians have few if any friends that are not believers in Christ. So to find a group of people with a common interest that is NOT Christianity can be challenging. Personally I think that often in the Christian sub-culture we have no idea what we like to do because we are told what to do and what not to do rather than told to be who we are created to be...another thought for another time.
After a few weeks most students were plugged into people groups that either suited their gifts and abilities (playing soccer in a park with the same people wvery day, or joining a pottery club), or groups that they had compassion for (Homeless shelters or the Gay, Lesbian, Transsexual community center. I chose the former.
I chose a pocket of people that suited my gifts and abilities, I chose a group of Disc golfers. If you are unfamilier with the sport click this link...it will open your eyes a little to the game. Disc Golf.I met these guys at ElDorado park in Long Beach. I did not know what I was getting into when we first arrived, in fact I did not even know that there was a group of disc golfers to join. However, after visiting the park a few times we realized that there were about 60-150 disc golfers in the community that knew eachother well. They connected at tournements and local parks, during the week they met almost every day to play and smoke dope.
It seems as though it is fairly easy to get a medical marijuanna liscence in California so most of these guys were legal. It was strange to play disc and to be offered a hit regularly. When people ask about my summer I mention that I learned how to smoke pot (I did not smoke, just learned how to) this gives indication into my sheltered background. Anyway, this group truly had a shared interest, and we jumped into this group with the Gospel.
More to come.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Praying for the Rietema's
Please join us in praying for the following things:
1. We recently lost $800 in monthly support. A generous friend and donor told us that they would not bu giving financially to our ministry next year. We are grateful for their support for the past 10 years, and are sad to lose them. In the meantime we have the additional support to raise. We know that God is faithful and will provide.
2. Please pray for our transition. Both Erika and I are taking on more resposibility in our region and will need God's wisdom as we pursue 1,000,000 college students with the Gospel.
1. We recently lost $800 in monthly support. A generous friend and donor told us that they would not bu giving financially to our ministry next year. We are grateful for their support for the past 10 years, and are sad to lose them. In the meantime we have the additional support to raise. We know that God is faithful and will provide.
2. Please pray for our transition. Both Erika and I are taking on more resposibility in our region and will need God's wisdom as we pursue 1,000,000 college students with the Gospel.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Life Change in Long Beach
These past two months we followed a vision the Lord gave to us to teach, train and encourage college students to plant spiritual movements all over Long Beach, CA.
On May 27, 32 students arrived eager to see God move in their lives and around them. We sent the students out into the city to work, live, and connect with the people of Long Beach. Our prayer was to see God raise up among the people of Long Beach leaders of new spiritual communities, new Bible study leaders and new churches. The faith steps were not easy but we learned a ton about our sin, our fears and the power of God.
The first week 3 students and a staff gal, Brandon, Brian, Chelsea and Tawnny adopted the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender community center as a place to serve and love and to beseech God to move. They participated in pool parties and some pretty sensitive discussions. During all their interactions our students prayed that God would break hearts and
minister to the people. Initially Dawn, the operations manager, was shocked that Campus Crusade would want to serve in her community center.
Three weeks ago Brandon and Tawnny initiated with Dawn, to talk and go out for ice cream. Dawn was too busy but still wanted to talk. They showed up at the center and the doors were locked but Dawn let them in. Dawn shared her pressures in life, hurts and then she started crying.
Our students were praying that God would do a miracle and then they shared the Gospel and Dawn expressed a deep desire to know Jesus. That night in the middle of the center she prayed to receive Jesus. Since then Chelsea has continued to serve, love and interact with Dawn. Dawn has many hurts, fears and questions that
have yet to be healed and answered by God. Please pray for her to trust God’s love. Hurts, fears, loneliness and doubts are experienced by many of the people we interact with. We know that God desires to transform Long Beach. Please continue to pray that God will use our students to plant spiritual movements and to share his love with others
On May 27, 32 students arrived eager to see God move in their lives and around them. We sent the students out into the city to work, live, and connect with the people of Long Beach. Our prayer was to see God raise up among the people of Long Beach leaders of new spiritual communities, new Bible study leaders and new churches. The faith steps were not easy but we learned a ton about our sin, our fears and the power of God.
The first week 3 students and a staff gal, Brandon, Brian, Chelsea and Tawnny adopted the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender community center as a place to serve and love and to beseech God to move. They participated in pool parties and some pretty sensitive discussions. During all their interactions our students prayed that God would break hearts and
minister to the people. Initially Dawn, the operations manager, was shocked that Campus Crusade would want to serve in her community center.
Three weeks ago Brandon and Tawnny initiated with Dawn, to talk and go out for ice cream. Dawn was too busy but still wanted to talk. They showed up at the center and the doors were locked but Dawn let them in. Dawn shared her pressures in life, hurts and then she started crying.
Our students were praying that God would do a miracle and then they shared the Gospel and Dawn expressed a deep desire to know Jesus. That night in the middle of the center she prayed to receive Jesus. Since then Chelsea has continued to serve, love and interact with Dawn. Dawn has many hurts, fears and questions that
have yet to be healed and answered by God. Please pray for her to trust God’s love. Hurts, fears, loneliness and doubts are experienced by many of the people we interact with. We know that God desires to transform Long Beach. Please continue to pray that God will use our students to plant spiritual movements and to share his love with others
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Discipline Follow Up
Walker started to pee in our backyard today...Not sure what to do about that... Apparently my discipline a few days ago didn't take.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Discipline
Growing up I had the impression that when my parents disciplined me it was more about their desire to inflict pain and damage into my life rather than to benefit me. Now that I have my own children I see things a little differently. To discipline someone requires a level of selflessness and sacrifice.
For example; yesterday my daughter told me that my son had peed in the plastic blow up pool in our backyard. When she told me about this I was in the middle of figuring out some finances and getting ready to have guests for the next few days. Immediately two things arose in me; first there was a deep sense of anger. I was angry that I had to stop figuring out what I was doing and teach my son something that we talked about many times before (there was also a little shame involved because Walker’s lack of peeing discernment reflected on me as the male leader of the household). Second, I though “can I just ignore the fact that this happened”.
In all reality I did not want to discipline or train my son at that moment. I wanted to be selfish and do what I wanted to do. But, in order to properly train Walker I needed to drop what I was doing and address the character issue(s) he was dealing with.
So I sent him to his bedroom and walked him through why it’s wrong to pee anywhere other than the toilet. Apparently, after all the confessions, he didn’t pee in the pool just in the bathtub. He was appropriately moved by my words of what would happen to him if he urinated anywhere other than the toilet in the future.
This disciplinary process showed me something about the nature of God’s discipline. As humans we can discipline selfishly in hopes of changing people so that our lives our easier, God’s discipline is selfless and done so that our lives our bettered.
Currently our family is undergoing some disciplinary measures by God, it is not pleasant. At times I question his love for us, his provision and even whether or not he truly knows what is going on. Last night he brought this thought to my mind: “Ethan, disciplining you is not something I sadistically enjoy, its something that I do (and enjoy) because I love you and I want you to know more of me.”
In my hour long commute to Boulder this morning the thought of God's heart towards my discipline comforted me. I am grateful to know that he disciplines us for our good, and he does not revel in sadistic pleasure as we go through hard times, but walks with us in disciplne so that we see him more clearly.
For example; yesterday my daughter told me that my son had peed in the plastic blow up pool in our backyard. When she told me about this I was in the middle of figuring out some finances and getting ready to have guests for the next few days. Immediately two things arose in me; first there was a deep sense of anger. I was angry that I had to stop figuring out what I was doing and teach my son something that we talked about many times before (there was also a little shame involved because Walker’s lack of peeing discernment reflected on me as the male leader of the household). Second, I though “can I just ignore the fact that this happened”.
In all reality I did not want to discipline or train my son at that moment. I wanted to be selfish and do what I wanted to do. But, in order to properly train Walker I needed to drop what I was doing and address the character issue(s) he was dealing with.
So I sent him to his bedroom and walked him through why it’s wrong to pee anywhere other than the toilet. Apparently, after all the confessions, he didn’t pee in the pool just in the bathtub. He was appropriately moved by my words of what would happen to him if he urinated anywhere other than the toilet in the future.
This disciplinary process showed me something about the nature of God’s discipline. As humans we can discipline selfishly in hopes of changing people so that our lives our easier, God’s discipline is selfless and done so that our lives our bettered.
Currently our family is undergoing some disciplinary measures by God, it is not pleasant. At times I question his love for us, his provision and even whether or not he truly knows what is going on. Last night he brought this thought to my mind: “Ethan, disciplining you is not something I sadistically enjoy, its something that I do (and enjoy) because I love you and I want you to know more of me.”
In my hour long commute to Boulder this morning the thought of God's heart towards my discipline comforted me. I am grateful to know that he disciplines us for our good, and he does not revel in sadistic pleasure as we go through hard times, but walks with us in disciplne so that we see him more clearly.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Long Beach Movement Planting #1
We (My family, 32 students and 9 staff) spent this summer in Long Beach, trying to launch spiritual movements among different cultures and people groups. As a Campus minister I know a lot about leading, training and equipping Chirstians for a lifetime of ministry, but this summer I experienced firsthand working only with non-believers. We wanted to see God raise up spiritual movements, not from an experienced Christian worker, but from lost and broken people. My next few blogs are about this process and some of the things I learned.
Practice of Prayer
Our first step was the Practice of prayer. In the way that we organized the summer prayer was the supreme priority. I know that it seems simplistic, but often we as a group would have a tough time filling 30-90 minutes of prayer, especially prayer that focused on those who did not know Christ. We asked our staff and students to pray daily for large amounts of time even before they had a place to minister in, or a group of people that they would be a part of. This practice led me to one of the first things that I learned this summer:
I am not as spiritual as I think I am. In other words, my heart does not beat in concert with Christ's in regards to the lost, or seeing his kingdom established, or in many other things that he values. It is convicting to see your own heart far away from the heart of Jesus.
The good news is that, though I am not as spiritual as I think I am God already knows this and does not hold it against me. It was a growing experience to confess my hard heart towards prayer and the things of the Lord and to see him changing me. By the end of the summer I found myself praying spontaneously for things that I never thought of before. Often Zach (my ministry partner for the summer) would spend 30-40 minutes praying without running out of things to pray about.
The practice of prayer changed the way that we did ministry. Often times we would leave an hour before we were scheduled to meet at our ministry location so that we would pray, and trust the Lord with all that we were going to do. This gave both Zach and I a deep sense of joy and freedom.
And i need to experience the joy and freedom of God. More often than not I am frustrated that I don't see more fruit than I do, and I work hard to produce it. But in these times of prayer we entrusted the results to God. In trusting God we were freed up in our relationships with our non-believing friends because through prayer and repentence we saw that we needed Jesus as much as they do. So by the time we met with them we were freed up to be ourselves and engage others as friends, not ministry priojects. Knowing full well that Jesus loves them as much as he loves us. I can't begin to describe to you the lifechange that this broguht to me as I prayed for others.
This picture contains some of the people that we met. Please join with me in continuing to pray for (Left to right) Martin, Zach, Joel, Howie, Me, Lester, and Ted.
Practice of Prayer
Our first step was the Practice of prayer. In the way that we organized the summer prayer was the supreme priority. I know that it seems simplistic, but often we as a group would have a tough time filling 30-90 minutes of prayer, especially prayer that focused on those who did not know Christ. We asked our staff and students to pray daily for large amounts of time even before they had a place to minister in, or a group of people that they would be a part of. This practice led me to one of the first things that I learned this summer:
I am not as spiritual as I think I am. In other words, my heart does not beat in concert with Christ's in regards to the lost, or seeing his kingdom established, or in many other things that he values. It is convicting to see your own heart far away from the heart of Jesus.
The good news is that, though I am not as spiritual as I think I am God already knows this and does not hold it against me. It was a growing experience to confess my hard heart towards prayer and the things of the Lord and to see him changing me. By the end of the summer I found myself praying spontaneously for things that I never thought of before. Often Zach (my ministry partner for the summer) would spend 30-40 minutes praying without running out of things to pray about.
The practice of prayer changed the way that we did ministry. Often times we would leave an hour before we were scheduled to meet at our ministry location so that we would pray, and trust the Lord with all that we were going to do. This gave both Zach and I a deep sense of joy and freedom.
And i need to experience the joy and freedom of God. More often than not I am frustrated that I don't see more fruit than I do, and I work hard to produce it. But in these times of prayer we entrusted the results to God. In trusting God we were freed up in our relationships with our non-believing friends because through prayer and repentence we saw that we needed Jesus as much as they do. So by the time we met with them we were freed up to be ourselves and engage others as friends, not ministry priojects. Knowing full well that Jesus loves them as much as he loves us. I can't begin to describe to you the lifechange that this broguht to me as I prayed for others.
This picture contains some of the people that we met. Please join with me in continuing to pray for (Left to right) Martin, Zach, Joel, Howie, Me, Lester, and Ted.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Partner With Us
We would like to invite you to join us in our ministry to the students in the Great Plains Int'l Region, (Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Serbia, East Asia, Mexico, Spain, and Chili). We believe God is calling us and thousands of others to provide a network and set of relationships that will give every single student an opportunity to be part of a Biblical community.
We are trusting God to train and raise up thousands of laborers who we can coach, train, and send out to their communities to plant spiritual movements in every nook and cranny of these states and nations. Ultimately we aim to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great commission in this generation through passionately following God and making Him known.
Your prayers and financial support are crucial. God called us to develop staff and students supernaturally and we believe He will provide supernaturally all the necessary financial support and prayer laborers to make this about Him and the Gospel touching every single life. If God is leading you to join with us, then you can partner in a variety of ways.
We are trusting God to train and raise up thousands of laborers who we can coach, train, and send out to their communities to plant spiritual movements in every nook and cranny of these states and nations. Ultimately we aim to fulfill the Great Commandment and Great commission in this generation through passionately following God and making Him known.
Your prayers and financial support are crucial. God called us to develop staff and students supernaturally and we believe He will provide supernaturally all the necessary financial support and prayer laborers to make this about Him and the Gospel touching every single life. If God is leading you to join with us, then you can partner in a variety of ways.
- Commit to praying for us daily.
- Giving a special needs gift. See below.
- Joining our monthly financial support team.
You can support us financially in the following manners:
- Send a check by mail and payable to:Campus Crusade for Christ Contributions P.O. Box 628222 Orlando, FL 32862 Please include a note that reads: Ethan and Erika Rietema #0457390.
- Make a contribution by phone using your credit cardCall 1-888-CRUSADE (option 1)Direct the person to make your gift toward Ethan and Erika Rietema account #0457390.
- Give via the web using your credit card Give to the Rietemas Here you can give special gifts or set up monthly gifts.
- Give via monthly bank transfer (EFT) Each month your gift will be transferred directly from your bank account to our Campus Crusade for Christ account. A record of each gift will appear on your bank statement. To set up a EFT click here to download a Bank Account Direct Giving Form. Under the "Please divide my gift this way" Enter "Ethan and Erika Rietema #0457390". Follow the other instructions on the form and mail to Campus Crusade for Christ.
Thank you for laboring with us.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
New Audio Resources
Here are my most recent talks given at St. Patrick Presbyterian Church.
HT: Saint Patrick PC
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)