A new blog home

Hello everyone,

For those of you looking for stories and updates from campus, please click here to be redirected to my new ministry blog.

Peace and love,
~Archi

Winter Update: Director's Cut

Hello everyone, It's been a while since my last update, and I'm the process of writing my spring update, but realized I hadn't posted my winter update.

So, instead of merely uploading my file, I'll also include the bits that I wanted to include but had to edit for the sake of paper space.

Peace + Love,
Archi

I’ve come to the end of my first semester away from campus support-raising. It’s been a challenging transition as I really love working with students and seeing their lives transformed by Jesus; but in my absence from campus work I have received many blessings and gained a renewed understanding of my calling to serve God and do His work on campus.

I’d love to share some highlights from this term and what’s coming up next for me.

COOKIES, CHRIST + CAMPUS

Cookies, Christ + Campus is an event I hosted in early November to bring together students and alumni of the Ryerson Inter-Varsity chapter, members of my regional IVCF staff team and members of my church family; to share and hear stories of God’s work on campus. Though few could make it to the event, those who came were able to experience an intimate setting for sweets and storytelling. I asked two members of the Ryerson Inter-Varsity chapter to share how they’ve been impacted by Inter-Varsity, and here is what they said:

When I first came to Ryerson, I was reluctant to get involved with IVCF. But the group warmly welcomed me, and the Thursday night meeting quickly became part of my schedule. In second year, I and two other guys from IVCF rented a house near campus together, making it available to others in the group who needed a place to meet up or stay for the night. We lived there for two years, and I was profoundly blessed by the community and friendships that blossomed there. I'm now in fourth year, leading a small group with my friend Iven, and I couldn't imagine my university experience without the growth and renewal I experienced through IVCF. - Joel, 4^th Year Journalism student

IVCF had a big impact on my life through two main things: manuscript bible studies and mentorship during a crucial time of my life. Studying scripture manuscript style was really meaningful for me, the more I became familiar with the words of Jesus through study, the more it became clear that Jesus had so much to give and teach me through his words; it is through these studies that I truly got to know who Jesus really is. This became especially poignant when studying scripture in smaller groups with the mentoring of a Campus Staff Minister. A Campus Staff Minister is essential for an IV chapter – in my experience, as I studied scripture with someone who was mentoring me, they were crucial in helping me realize how the scripture was applicable to my life. – Naomi, Ryerson Inter-Varsity alumnus

INVITING WIDELY

Late in November, I participated in a training weekend for New Inter-Varsity staff in Kingston, Ontario. During this weekend, we studied the parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24). We paid close attention to the Master in the parable, who sends his servant to compel people to come to this Great Banquet and let his house be filled. During our application time, we were given an opportunity to live out the parable: each New Staff was put into pairs, given invitations and had the afternoon to invite students to come to a party planned by the Ministry Directors. We were to invite Queen’s University students to a three-part party: part one was dinner at a local pub, part two was a city-wide scavenger hunt game with cash prizes and part three was dessert at the home of an IVCF friend and supporter in her mansion overlooking Lake Ontario. Students came and had a wonderful evening as they ate great food, played a fun game and got to share good stories and conversations with new friends. Everyone who came wanted to do it again and the winners of the game used the prize money to throw a party for all their friends who didn’t come to this party! In the process of inviting widely, I yearned for this place to be filled and for these students to choose to want this good thing, despite the cost of time and the fear of the unknown. Since returning from this training weekend this scripture continues to shape my life and ministry in profound ways.

COMING UP: URBANA 09

Urbana is a missions conference hosted by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship USA & Canada that happens every three years; this year it is in St. Louis, Missouri. At Urbana 06, I was a student and was part of the Canadian Student Leadership Training (CSLT), at this Urbana I will be leading a group of students taking part in the CSLT. There are about ten students from Ryerson going to Urbana, with a few participating in the CSLT. My hope is that these students experience God’s love and presence move in their lives in profound ways and that they return to campus changed and excited to invite others to experience this good thing!

FUNDING UPDATE:

After some long months of support-raising, I have reached 25% of my budget. I need to raise an additional $2800/month before I am fully-funded and can serve full-time on campus.

If you would like to consider partnering with me financially, please see the following gift options:

Two gifts of $200/month

Two gifts of $150/month

Eight gifts of $100/month

Ten gifts of $75/month

Ten gifts of $50/month

Ten gifts of $25/month

Donations – both one time and monthly - can be made securely online at http://ivcf.ca/donate

Or by sending a cheque to:

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship

64 Prince Andrew Place

Toronto, ON M3C 2H4

Please make cheques payable to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and designate “Archana Balakumaran”

All gifts over $5.00 are tax deductible.

Monthly donations can be adjusted by emailing Karen at kmillimaci@ivcf.ca

PRAYER & PRAISE:

Please pray for the Ryerson Inter-Varsity student leaders who are struggling with feeling overwhelmed and stressed trying to juggle schoolwork and leadership.

Praise God for the students choosing to go to Urbana! Please pray that they arrive safely and with open hearts to meet God.

Please pray that the financial support needed to get me to campus would come quickly.