On the way to the Valley

Pslam 145:5-6 "They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 

⁶ 

They tell of the power of your awesome works— 

    and I will proclaim your great deeds."

Reflecting after the Vail valley experience, God is worthy of SO much praise for all he did this summer -- I would love to share some of his awesome works! This is the first of 3 parts (On the way, In the Valley, Comming down the mountain). Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Why Vail? "Suffering for Jesus," is a phrase often joked about as we walked under the shade of the aspen leaves in a beautiful Colorado valley. Vail needs Jesus too. I chose to spend my summer in Vail for a few reasons:

Vail Summer Project is a project that focuses mainly on three things: inward growth toward Christ, Relational (co-worker) ministry, and leadership development. I needed to grow in all three of these areas (don't we all?). I especially liked the coworker ministry development. My dream and purpose in life is to be a part of a movement for Christ, a generation of multipliers through evangelism and discipleship. Learning how to share the Gospel in a real world context would benefit me and help me train others how to do the same. This summer experience may be some of the most important training for my personal ministry and for God's kingdom.

I was scared, excited, and unsure all at the same time. I simply prayed "God, would you be glorified if I spend my summer for you?". He said he would. So I confirmed my spot and began to trust God to raise 3,500 in a couple months!

P.S. If you are a college student and this even somewhat excites you, begin praying now for two things: Opportunities to serve Him and the heart to say YES! when he presents such and opportunity.

And of course, living in and outdoor enthusiast's heaven on earth also drew me to this project :)

My car was packed and I was heading to spend a summer full of growth and love with 24 other college students, non of whom I had ever met.  (More posts on the way)

Vail Support Project Support Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

                                    

I would like to update you on my current adventures.  I am wrapping up my junior year at Fort Lewis College.  I am a student leader with Master Plan Ministries which is in connection with Cru (a mission organization that is committed to bringing the Love and Gospel of Jesus Christ to those all over the world. Focusing on winning (evangelism), building (discipleship) and sending (mission trips) college students all over the world). Through this ministry, among other activities, I encourage college-aged men through discipleship and reach out to my campus by sharing God’s Good News about Jesus.

I am majoring in Psychology while my plan after graduation is to join a full time college ministry staff.  Serving and encouraging college students to make His Glory known has become my greatest passion.  God has done so much in my life in these three years and He still has so many great opportunities ahead of me.  One such opportunity is to go on a Summer Missions Project this summer in Vail, Colorado. 

Vail Summer Project is 9 weeks, May 31 to August 5, involving about 40 college students.  The project uses the outdoors as a training ground and education tool to teach about the Holy Spirit, Evangelism, and living lives of authenticity with each other and the Lord.  We will experience what it looks like to “do ministry” in a real life context, the workplace. We will also serve the community through outreach and community service. Vail Summer Project is going to be an awesome opportunity for me, my future co-workers, and for my personal ministry (more details about the project can be found at: http://www.arkpages.com/vail/ ).

In order to make this project possible I need support from a team of partners—a group of people like you to be involved through prayer and finical support.  The total cost of the project is $3,800 (this includes housing, some meals, materials, etc.).  This is a great opportunity for me to trust God’s provision.

I wrote this letter to ask if you would prayerfully consider joining my team of partners through prayer and finical support.  Are you willing to support my Summer Project by donating $50, $100, or $200? Of course, any amount will be helpful and greatly appreciated. 

All donations to Campus Crusade for Christ are tax-deductible. Donations can be made on a secure website: http://www.arkpages.com/vail/team-members/brandon-cox/ . Checks can be made out to Campus Crusade for Christ (memo: Brandon Cox) and sent to:

Brandon Cox

FLC 7594 1000 Rim Drive

 Durango, CO 81301

Also, I probably don't have your mail address (my generation doesn't utilize address books). I would love to send you a support letter through the mail; could you message me your address? You can contact me at bcox90@gmail.com or facebook.com/bcox90

I appreciate your time, prayers, and consideration about supporting my Summer Project.

Thank you,

Brandon Cox

Climbing for the Glory of God

Phew, it's been a while since I've updated this blog. And so much has happened. A sufficient highlight would be "God is good!" Or, as Psalms 117 puts it, "For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever".

Over that last several months I have seen non believers become new believers. I experienced God's protection walking away from rolling a Jeep 1.5 times totaling it in the process. I participated in a 1,300 student flash-mob doing the "Tebow". Then we initiated spiritual conversations with people in downtown Denver. I got to see my girlfriend lead a high school girl to Christ. I got to help, encourage, and follow one of my brothers in Christ start a deep devotion to prayer for revival on our college campus, our generation, and for all of the world. We will share stories from this semester for all of eternity.

"... do it all for the glory of God."

God has been teaching me through tangible examples of what 1 Corinthians 10:31 means. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." I like how a friend of mine put it, "If we are called to glorify God when we're eating a sandwich, how much more should we glorify God in our relationships!" The same can be said for anything that we do, especially the things we do often.

A growing passion in my life has been rock climbing. I love it all, scrambling on a boulder low to the ground with a crash pad or ascending large cliffs overlooking beautiful Colorado. But what does it look like glorify God in a harness?

One cool story: My roommate and I have been training in the indoor climbing wall many days of the week. Fort Lewis college students are so down to earth and climbers are exponentially more welcoming. All to be said that we have been easily building relationships with the local climbing community (an area I have been trusting God to grow). We met "Tom". We transitioned small talk and route "betas" into friendship and invites to our events. "Be wise how you act among non-believers, making the most of every opportunity" Colossians 4:5. Last Thursday, Dakota, my roommate, invited Tom to eat dinner with us and several other college students. The cool part of the story is that one of our brothers in Christ, Joseph, has been praying for Tom and inviting him as well! In fact, minutes after Dakota's invite, Joseph unknowingly chased down Tom to invite him to dinner."Well since I've been invited twice in five minutes, I guess I should go". The rest of the story involves deeper friendship, getting contact info, and exposing Tom to the gospel. Pray for Tom that he comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior if he hasn't already done so and that we would be faithful to the opportunity to guide him to the Truth.

A day or two later, we went climbing and invited several students that are "new" to the group. It is essential in ministry and proved true through my own life that newcomers need to feel welcomed and loved by other Christians. How cool? We can use climbing as outreach and as strengthening relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ!

I pray to keep learning how to glorify God in all I do. I know that God has put me in Durango, Colorado, one of the best climbing areas in America, so that using the Holy Spirit through me, people would seek God, perhaps reach out to Him and find life in Jesus (Acts 17:27).

I encourage you to do the same. Use you passions and desires to glorify God. Build relationships, share the gospel, and strengthen those around you.

Please pray for me Paul's prayer in Ephesians 6:19 "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be give me so that I will fearlessly make know the mystery of the gospel."