The Center

From time to time The Center has special needs that give people the oppotunity to contribute financial gifts, material gifts, or gifts of service. This blog will be updated on a regular basis to keep you informed of current needs. Helping to provide for the needs of The Center helps to insure the continued success of this vital mission/ministry. Thank you for becoming a valuable participant in the lives of these students.

Needs as of 3/14/10:

This list is not in any particular order of priority

Shure SM-58 Microphones for the music team (Qty. 4)
Microphone Cables (20 ft. - Qty. 4)
One-time financial gift
Monthly financial gifts
Clothes Dryer
4 Direct Boxes for musical instruments
Tequila Lime Chicken Wings (Sam's Club)
Horse Shoe Game Set
$150.00 for a canopy tent (I can purchase from VSU bookstore at cost)

The Center – January/February 2010 Updates

Oh man! Can this be any more exciting? So much is happening that it is difficult to recall it all. However, I will attempt to recall and summarize at least the highlights!

The year started with a BANG at The Calvin Center in Hampton, GA. The Center students asked for a retreat that would be more in-depth spiritually than past retreats that they were familiar with. Knowing and understanding the fundamentals of the Christian faith is crucial for spiritual survival after the college years. So, for three and a half days the attendees worshiped, played, prayed, and even cried together. The theme for the retreat was “What Is This All About?” These three days were packed full with fun, study, worship, prayer, and education of Christian fundamentals. There were talks, sermons, and devotions on Priorities, Christian Study, Prayer, Worship, and Communion. Special times of personal prayer and worship were set aside and students were seen spread out over acres of land gazing on the face of God!

So many of us know to pray, study, worship, and take/receive communion. We know when to sit down, stand up, and say Amen. But, do we really know why we do this or even how to do this? By exploring the Scriptures, The Center retreat attendees know more of the “whys” and “how to’s” of what we do as Christians.

A new program has been added through the hard work of Lew Thompson, President of The Center and Michael Staub, Vice President of The Center. They initiated the start of “David and Goliath Sporting Events” at The Center. These events are scheduled on various Sundays throughout the semester. There is no need to be in prime athletic condition. The events are designed for anyone regardless of athletic ability. Events like, kickball, basketball, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee have been scheduled.

The praise and worship band is maturing and offers the students the chance to learn more about worship while leading others into the presence of God through the spoken word and music! The band’s name is “Sliced Manna!” and will be leading the night of music at Celebration of Faith in March. “Sliced Manna!” will also be leading worship at Trinity Valdosta and First Valdosta on April 11th and 25th.

“Jehovah and Java” Mondays! The Truth Project began in January and the program is presented each Monday evening at The Center throughout the spring semester. This thought provoking, discussion-generating program has been received well by the students. It challenges the participants to think, pray, and meditate over the issues that form their personal world-view (beliefs). The intention of the program is to help people develop a Scriptural worldview (beliefs) and not just a “worldly” world view.

Thursday “Food for Thought” lunches are still terrific thanks to First Valdosta, Trinity Valdosta, and First Moultrie! This is a great time of fellowship and affords the opportunity for students to bring guests in a relaxed environment. “Burgers and Dogs” Tuesday evening cook-out events have also been scheduled throughout the semester.

Man! Is there more? “You betcha!” “ROCK” is the word. (Reach Out for Christian Knowledge) “ROCK” happens every Thursday night at 9pm at The Center. This program is a student-led bible study where The Center students learn by leading. Bible studies from the traditional to the contemporary have been held on these Thursday nights. Great discussions are generated by these studies and, believe it or not, the last student normally does not leave until 11:30pm and sometimes even midnight! Believe me … these students are hungry for the Word!

The smell of popcorn and the sounds of laughter fill The Center during “Friday Night at The Movies”. This is a time of relaxation when current movies are shown through the projector/ surround sound system at The Center. Can I hear you say “Singles and Date Night?”

Congratulations go out to our recently engaged students. John Milam and Caitlyn O’Neal both recently completed Army training and were engaged following their completion. They will be married at “The Crescent” in Valdosta where yours truly will have the honor of officiating u nion of two of God’s blessed children. Racheal Spears has accepted the proposal of marriage by Will Saylor as recently as the last week of February. The wedding date is yet to be determined. Our prayer is that God will richly bless these two couples and Jesus will be “At The Center” of their lives together!

Ok, I will stop here! I will try to coral my enthusiasm a bit in next month’s newsletter. However, when you see the Holy Spirit working as I do here, it is difficult to curb the enthusiasm.

Blessings,

David C. Adams
Director of Campus Ministry

At The Center – November, 2009

Can someone PLEASE tell me where the time has gone? As the days go by, I know that some time has been misplaced because it is already past mid-term here at VSU. So much has happened this semester. There have been celebrations, and tragedies. There have been grand accomplishments as well as disappointments. The Center is growing stronger than ever before because it is evident that the Holy Spirit is alive and working in this roller coaster world that we live in.

The Center has participated in on campus events including “Genesis VI” and student move-in days. We have had several mid-week “Interlink”cookouts and “Food for Thought” Thursday lunches are going strong. ROCK (Reach Out for Christian Knowledge) Bible studies have seen very good participation. The Center welcomed a guest speaker, Brent Dixon. Brent has been wheelchair bound his entire life but credits God for his survival and spoke to the students on faith.

The music team is rocking for Christ and will perform for the first time at the “Full Deck” event at The Center on Saturday, November 14th. The Center will be hosting each campus ministry that day and music teams from the Baptist, Methodists and even the VSU Mass Choir will be leading worship throughout the day. Hotdogs will be cooking on the grill all afternoon as we expect more than 200 students to attend this exciting event. Everyone is invited and this serves as YOUR invitation to attend.

The students attended a Christian music concert that was held at Cross Point Church in Valdosta. The popular band “Fee” provided the concert and worship experience. The students packed into a van and were transported to the event where they met up with several more students. An ice cream social was held after the concert and all the students had a great time socializing with old and new found friends.

The Center has celebrated successful test scores and survived not-so-successful scores. There have been marriage proposals as well as heartbreaking relational issues. The Center has mourned the tragic suicide death of a student’s brother and the ripples are still being felt! We have also experienced the loss of a great friend and strong supporter, former Interim Center Director, Buck Thomson.

Though The Center has felt the sting of death this semester, new life has been found in the hearts of the students through The Center’s programs and counseling sessions … all made possible by your support and the ever present Christ Jesus!

Feel free to place this newsletter in your own newsletter or your church group email and I encourage you to visit The Center’s website at: www.thecentervsu.org

Blessings,
David C. Adams
Director of Campus Ministry

Philosophy of Campus Ministry

Strong, active college campus ministries are perhaps more important today than they have ever been. As colleges and universities seek to mold the intellect strong Christian based campus ministries should actively seek to mold spiritual minds also. Campus ministries should work with the education institutions to help mold individuals who are not only informed but who are aware of personal values and who seek to serve especially those in need. Working in tandem with the campus staff and outside community leaders, a strong campus ministry can also play an active role in molding effective Christian leaders.

An effective campus ministry should provide opportunities for students to grow in their relationship with God. The ministry should also provide opportunities for the non-believer to hear the gospel and feel free to openly discuss their thoughts and have their questions answered. Opportunities to discuss issues of importance to spiritual growth should be provided as well as counseling and personal guidance. There should also be programs or events that foster lasting relationships among the participants.

The overall success of the campus ministry cannot be solely measured by the activities within the walls of the student centers. The centers should also be involved with the campus and local communities in which it operates. Outside community involvement can help insure success of the campus ministry not only because of potential resources the center can gain but more opportunities to serve will become apparent.

The physical center should provide a warm, inviting, and welcoming atmosphere for believers and nonbelievers. It should be considered a home away from home where students as well as faculty can always find a listening ear and a warm heart.