Life Update 1/26/09 January 26, 2009
Posted by Nathan in General, Life, Ministry.Tags: Jesus, Life, nathan jenks
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Hey everyone,
I hope your holidays and new year has been pleasant. Mine definitely were. Let me get to the update.
I am still working in the Student Life Department being in charge of a dorm with 80 guys and ten RA’s. I work most directly with the RA’s helping them grow and mature as believers and accomplish the purpose of our department on campus.
I have recently decided that I am going to go to seminary sometime in the near future. My top choices for seminaries are the following:
1. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX)
2. Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (Lynchburg, VA)
3. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC)
I am looking for God’s direction as to the when/where. I would like to (ideally) have my undergrad loans paid off before I go into seminary. We will see what happens.
For this summer, I don’t have anything lined up as per a job. The following fall is also a question mark. I don’t know if I should just move somewhere on faith or what. It’s all up in the air but I know that God can deal with it and it’s not my job to do His job.
What is going on with you?
Hey, don’t forget you can follow me on Twitter
Add me as a friend on Facebook.
God bless!
Belated Update #12390259213 December 5, 2008
Posted by Nathan in General, Life, Ministry.Tags: faith, Jesus Christ, Life, Ministry, word of life, word of life bible institute
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Hey my title is quite an exageration. For that, I apologize. I also apologize for my lack of posts. This is an awful lot of apologizing in the beginning…let me start over.
*clears throat*
Hello, it’s been a long time! Let me update you on my recent activities.
I have been working at the Word of Life Bible Institute. The quarter ended the day before thanksgiving. It was a great quarter of growth and change for many. It’s a privilege to be a part of the process with many.
I am right now in the thick of the final week of my undergraduate career. I have three classes that I am finishing up. Math is the scourge of my life. Daniel/Revelation is challenging, but enjoyable. Church History is very thought-provoking.
I also have been able to devote some more time to MinistryLIVE.
Next Friday I am headed home to see the family for Christmas. It’s been awhile…I don’t recall the last time I was home, but it should be a good time. Thanks for your prayers.
Here are two books I am going to read during my time of break at home…
#1 Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
#2 Why We’re not Emergent: From Two Guys who Should Be
I am looking forward to thinking through the ideas and philosophies presented in these books. I’ll let you know how it goes!
God bless you all!
For your enjoyment…(Courtesy of Elf Yourself)
Merry Christmas!
First-Time Gospel Presentation October 11, 2008
Posted by Nathan in Uncategorized.Tags: fall river ma, gospel, salvation
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Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, I am taking a few guys from my dorm and we are driving to Fall River, MA to be a part of a youth event. I am going to be preaching the gospel and hopefully, by God’s grace, see every lost person put their faith and trust in Christ as their Savior.
I know this is short-notice, but if you think of it, could you pray for me that I would preach God’s Words and not mine? I pray that nothing I do or say would get in the way of the clear proclamation of the Gospel that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.
Pray that we arrive safely as it is over 4 hours drive each way. Pray that the Holy Spirit would convict and convert.
The passage is John 8:31-36
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
I covet your prayers.
God bless,
Nathan
Opening Weekend September 15, 2008
Posted by Nathan in General, Life, Ministry.Tags: bible colleges, bible institute, wolbi, word of life, word of life bible institute
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Hey sorry about the lack of posts, but things have been a little busy around the Word of Life Bible Institute as of late. I have been here working for about a month going through the training process for myself as well as the selection process for my RA’s and now finally, the entire student body arrived for opening weekend. Almost all of the expected students came to register and our numbers are just over 500. I am excited to get the year started. Tomorrow the classes begin for the students. In first year, they will be learning the book of James and in second year, they will be learning about discipleship. Please pray for this year that many students would be sensitive and allow the Word of God to change their lives.
The Next Step August 19, 2008
Posted by Nathan in General, Life, Ministry.Tags: bible institute, discipleship, liberty, liberty university
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Often, people wonder about what God wants them to do next or what further preparation God is going to allow for them in their journey towards His will for their lives. For this update, I am going to fill you in on what’s going to happen for me this year.
I have accepted a position as a discipleship coordinator at the Word of Life Bible Institute. Basically, what that means is, I will be in charge of 1/3 of all of the guys in campas. My responsibilities are basically to disciple or mentor my RA’s (Resident Assistants) and in turn have them influence the rest of the guys under me. The main Biblical principle is from 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Here’s how it reads in the NIV.
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
It is going to be a great deal of practical experience for the future being a missionary with Word of Life. The same principle applies and I will be training youth leaders to influence their students and children.
I believe God has richly blessed with this opportunity and I am grateful to Him for it. Please continue to pray for me during this time. This semester will be a busy one seeing as I have my last semester of academics with Liberty University as well.
Because of the cross,
Nathan
…one more thing.
Next Saturday I have the unique opportunity of going to a New York Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium.
I bought my tickets about five months ago. I figured since it was the last year of Yankee Stadium, and I had never been there before, I had better get there! I will let you know how it goes.
Back from the West Coast August 4, 2008
Posted by Nathan in Camp, General, Life, Ministry.Tags: california, Camp, christian camps, in-n-out, jamba juice, mount shasta, west coast camp, word of life, word of life west coast camp
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Hey all,
If you read my previous post, you know why I haven’t posted for a few weeks. I was in Viola, California at Word of Life West Coast Camp! I actually got back last Sunday. I was involved in the counseling ministry.
Let me first give credit where credit is due. If God wasn’t in it, then everything would have been meaningless. He deserves all the glory for the successes we saw at camp.
Here are some of the highlights:
@ – Many children and students who were at camp because of scholarships trusted Christ as their Savior. Only God knows, but if it hadn’t been for God’s people giving generously, would they have had an opportunity to hear the gospel clearly presented otherwise?
@ – Climbed Mount Shasta. See a cool picture of it below.
@ – I had In-N-Out Burger. See their wares below.
@ – I also had Jamba Juice!
I can just say that I am so thankful to God for giving me an opportunity to be a part of the ministry. Since I am back in New York, I am working at HQ for Word of Life and going to be starting my last semester of college in about two weeks. Keep that in prayer. Thank you for everything.
Because of the cross,
Nathan D. Jenks
Prov. 12:5a
To California! July 10, 2008
Posted by Nathan in Camp, General, Life, Ministry.Tags: california, summer camp, west coast, west coast camp, word of life, word of life west coast camp
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Hey everyone, although this is my first post in awhile, it will also be my last post for a while. Here’s why. I am going to California to Word of Life West Coast Camp!
On Saturday, July 12, I will be getting on board a plane at the early early early time of 5:30AM. I have a very vivid childhood memory of getting on a plane from France to Africa earlier than that, but I am not sure the exact time on that flight. For now, we’ll say this is the earliest I have ever gotten onto a plane.
I am thrilled about the ministry. I have the opportunity to work in a leadership role in the counseling ministry. Please pray that there will be much spiritual fruit from this ministry.
Thus far, the summer has gone quick but well. I am working at Word of Life HQ in the shipping department. Our responsibilities are to ship out the materials for our local church ministries partner churches. It’s a great opportunity because some day I hope to be a missionary partnering with local churches to develop their youth and children’s ministries. By God’s grace, He will allow me to do this in the future, but for now I am enjoying the training I am receiving along the path towards that. I appreciate your prayers for this as well.
Thanks again & God bless.
You’ll hear back from me in a few weeks with updates.
Because of the cross,
Nathan
Belated Update June 19, 2008
Posted by Nathan in Camp, General, Life, Ministry.Tags: california, Life, Ministry, west coast camp, word of life, word of life west coast camp
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Hey everyone, sorry about the fact that this update is three days late. I have had some problems with my internet connection. It hasn’t been working right.
This summer, I am able to work full time at Word of Life Headquarters in the shipping department. It’s a great job so far. I am learning a lot of new skills and gaining life experience. In less than a month, though, I will be departing to California for Word of Life West Coast Camp for two weeks. I will be involved with the counseling ministry and whatever else I can get my hands on. Be in prayer now for the staff, that every bed would be filled and that hearts would be prepared to hear the gospel and grow in their relationship with Christ.
I hope everything is well with you all.
God bless,
Nate
Marriage in Michigan June 9, 2008
Posted by Nathan in General, Life, Ministry.Tags: age of empires, age of empires 2, halo 3, just married, lake michigan, michigan, quiet time, rock band, south haven, weddings, word of life, word of life quiet time
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Hey everyone, I just returned last night from a trip out to Michigan to be in the wedding of two close friends, Brandon & Megan. We left Wednesday morning and got to South Haven, MI that night. They had a great beach along Lake Michigan. The boys and I jumped in. It was freezing, yet refreshing. Another highlight was some good video game time. We played some Age of Empires 2 (My personal favorite), Rock Band, and Halo 3.
I am back to working my full time job at the headquarters shipping room of Word of Life in Schroon Lake, NY. I made another blog that logs my personal meditations on my daily Word of Life quiet time. Click Here
Let me know what I can pray for you about.
Because of the cross,
Nate
Graduation/The Speed of Trust/Twitter June 2, 2008
Posted by Nathan in General, Life.Tags: graduation, Life, speed of trust, stephen m.r. covey, twitter
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This update will consist of three different elements.
#1 – Graduation
On Saturday I was able to be home for my sister’s graduation from high school. She graduated from a small private school and the ceremony was very nice. Several family members also attended. It was good to see a lot of people I don’t normally see.
#2 – The Speed of Trust
Since I was traveling by train, I was able to devote a great deal of time to reading. A new book I just picked up is called The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey. I am almost 1/3 of the way through it and let me just say at this point, it’s phenomenal. So often we think that trust doesn’t matter that much, but it truly does. Covey gives great insights and illustrations to establish the fact that trust is necessary in our day and age more than ever.
Click Here to check it out on Amazon.
#3 – Twitter
If you want more than the weekly blog post updates, you can follow me through a service called Twitter. The following link will take you to the site. You can receive updates through text messages on your mobile phone. It’s a great tool to keep in touch with others.
http://twitter.com/nathan_j_86
More to come soon! Stay in touch.
Because of the Cross,
Nate
