MERIDIAN BSU OUR STUDENTS REACHING OUR CAMPUS, OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD Meridian BSU Winter Update The Fall Semester has ended, Christmas break has come and gone, and we have just kicked off the Spring Semester on our campuses. Through it all we have had a lot of fun, and seen the Lord working in and through our college students. Since our last update, we have held our 7 th annual Holy Ghost Weenie Roast, Bon Fire, Costume Party and Pun kin Chunkin Competition. This is one of the fellowship events that we host at our house every October that the students love. We just roast hotdogs and marshmellows and then sit around and watch It s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We had around 40 students show up this year for the event and you can view some pictures of the event later in the update. In November and December our BSU ministry stayed busy with mission projects, Bible Studies, Discipleship and Fellowships. We held our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox packing party. We celebrated Christmas together with our BSU Christmas party. We carried 10 students and 2 adults to Costa Rica on a mission trip. And we have several students who have attended the annual Passion Events in Atlanta. In the general ministry of the BSU, we have continued to see a strong attendance at our weekly Noonday Meal finishing the semester with an average of over 50 students weekly. The Arise Morning worship and prayer times saw the attendance dip a little as the semester wound down, but this is the norm as students begin to feel the pressure of papers and assignments. We also had one student who has completed the process to apply for summer missions and who will be attending the State Interviews at the end of January. We just ask you continue to pray for all the areas of our ministry on the campuses. Weekly BSU Activities NOONDAY ARISE COLLEGE BIBLE STUDIES A $1 lunch on campus for students every Wednesday at 11:15 and 12:30 Monday morning worship, prayer and devotion time complete with donuts @ 7:14am We have Bible study groups that meet around Lauderdale County to encourage and strengthen students in their walk with God. Meridian BSU Meridian_BSU@bellsouth.net 601-693-2674
Operation Christmas Child Every year Meridian BSU host a shoebox packing party for Operation Christmas Child. This year we hosted the party on Friday November 14 th. We had over 20 students participate in this years packing party and we packed 37 shoeboxes to send to children all over the world. We know that some of our shoeboxes made there way to the Dominican Republic, and we are waiting to hear where the others have gone. But as with anything that we do at Meridian BSU, our shoebox packing party is not exactly like anyone else s. We encouraged our students to wear tacky Christmas sweaters and meet at our BSU house. From there they were given the basic instructions of what could be placed in boxes and what couldn t. Then as a group they proceeded to the closest Dollar Store in true college student flash mob fashion. While at the store it is our custom for our students to sing Christmas Carols to anyone who will listen before finishing their purchases and returning to the BSU house to pack the boxes. Our students also write letters to the children that will receive the boxes. It is always a blessing to have the opportunity to bless children around the world. Nullam ac ipsum gravida sem placerat suscipit. Meridian BSU Students Kristen Hull and Sophie Hodge packing their shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. 2
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD PICTURES 3
January 2015 Meridian BSU COSTA RICA MISSIONS Most college students can t wait for Christmas break, they plan on sleeping in and enjoying some much need rest and time away from school. But 10 students from Meridian BSU decided to spend at least part of their Christmas break in Costa Rica, helping the ministry of Templo Bautista (Temple Baptist) in Upala Costa Rica. As we prepared for the trip we had a plan to spend the week discipling the women, youth and children of the church through Bible stories and Bible studies. But as is common with many mission trips, the Lord had other plans for us and His plans were greater. We did get to do some discipleship with the women and students there, but the unexpected surprise was the opportunities we had to do evangelism in the community around the church and the next town over. In all we celebrated 13 salvations on this trip as the Lord opened doors for us to communicate the Gospel. The trip was not without challenges (illness and rain), but God proved Himself faithful. We ask that you continue to pray for the ministry of Templo Bautista in Upala, Costa Rica, as they begin to disciple the new believers. Meridian BSU Students join in on a little Selfie fun with our Tico family in Costa Rica. This mission trip truly changed the lives of our students and the lives of those we met. TEMPLO BAUTISTA UPALA, COSTA RICA The churches of the Lauderdale Baptist Association have been working with Templo Bautista for more than a decade. It has been a blessing to see how this once dead church has been resurrected by God through the work of Pastor Elian Cabrera. Elian and his wife Grabriela have grown this body of believers from nothing, working with the youth and children of the area and growing them in Christ to adulthood and leadership. They are an example to all of us on how to impact a community and love them to the Lord. Please pray for their ministry and pray about having your church partner with them in the future. 4
January 2015 Meridian BSU COSTA RICA MISSION TRIP PICTURES 5
7 th Annual Holy Ghost, Weenie Roast, Bonfire, Costume Party, and Pun kin Chunkin Competition 6
Our Future Vision 7
Even The Smallest Gifts Make a Big Difference! Time has come for Meridian BSU to take the next step toward completing God s vision for our future ministry. God has provided us the perfect location, a working vision of what is needed, and a desire to minister to and with the students who are the future of our churches. And we believe that God is going to provide the resources needed to complete His vision here in Meridian through individuals like you and your churches. I know that times have been tight for everyone over the last few years, but I also know that every little bit helps. We can do more together than we can alone. Pray about what God might have you give to further this ministry, because even the smallest gifts make a BIG DIFFERENCE! Will you help us make a difference? Meridian BSU 5200 14th Street Meridian, MS39307