There was no burning bush, but today our ordinary classroom became unmistakably Holy. For a few moments, with the typical smell of pizza, the movement of students coming and going to class, and as two local pastors answered the faith/spiritual questions of students over lunch, our conversation turned from inquisitive questions about theology, faith, and the spiritual realm to "What is sin?" which ended up turning into a conversation with one student about the Gospel.
You remember "Holly."* She "found" our FREE LUNCH in January because there was FREE FOOD. She admittedly has no faith/spiritual background or comprehension. She came back today, for the second time, because she was curious to know more. As our conversation progressed, I glanced around the room at other students, mostly Christ followers, and by the looks on their faces could tell we all felt the energy of the room change as we realized that for about 15 minutes this conversation became a Holy conversation. A seekers conversation. The conversation moved from the most basic: sin, to an intro into 10 commandments, to who was Jesus, why He came in human form, why He died, our response to Him, & how to make Jesus the boss of your life. Tears came to my eyes as I witnessed the beauty of the Holy Spirit pursuing Holly.
After lunch, she and I chatted in the hallway. She mentioned that she knows there is a God, a "bigger Being." Although she does not understand and know that "Being" she wants to. She's unsure about religion and skeptical of Christians. She asked, "How do you pray?" So I told her the cool thing about God is that he's all about friendship (not religion) and showed her how to just say what's on her mind. We prayed in the hall with our eyes open, "God, I don't know you but I want to. Show me who you are."
Lastly, I asked if she had a Bible. "No." I asked if she wanted one. "Yes." So I showed her the youversion app and ended up giving her a Bible. She said she had never held or opened a Bible, so I gave her a quick tour explaining the division of testaments, books, chapters and verses (ALL completely foreign to her). I booked marked the book of John with my business card and challenged her to read chapter one by next Tuesday. Then I handed her the Bible. Her face light up with awe as she held HER Bible for the first time, "There's something special about this book!" I responded, "There's no magic in it, but it is a very special book."

PRAY FOR HOLLY:

• that God reveals Himself to her in a very real way.
• that she reads her Bible.
• that she lets go of the idea of reincarnation.
• that she comes back to BSM (there's only five more weeks till finals).
• that she connects with BSM staff with her questions.
• that she continues to find friends and make trusting connections with Christ followers through BSM and elsewhere.
• that God would soften her heart and that she decides to make Jesus the boss of her life.

* the names of individuals in this story have been changed.

It's the time of the year for an update on BSM! We're in a good place and it's all a God thing! Here's why: BSM Montgomery is a ministry of volunteers & we are blessed to have AMAZING VOLUNTEERS! I received the following text from my friend who attends our lunch regularly to help build friendships in what can be a very fast event. It's nice to have help making personal connection so students don't slip through the cracks.

"(Free Lunch) felt so different today! I saw lots of community forming! Loved having (a student) give announcements and the Valentine prep created a fun energy! Glad I got to talk to the two new girls before lunch and SO THANKFUL to meet "Holly,"* who only came because she saw our sign on campus about FREE LUNCH and now she has exposure to the gospel for the first time! I'm already praying for her."

What she experienced is the result of what I can only be a direct answer to your prayer. If you pray regularly for BSM Montgomery, YOU are a powerful and vital part of what happens on campus.  Your prayers are bringing fruit:

• Student Leadership - for the first time, it feels like we have a group of student leaders excited to plan and lead. They are planning THREE events this semester.  Feb, 13 - Jesus Loves You Valentines - telling the campus they are loved. March 22 - Spiritual Questions Booth - a promo on campus to engage students with their faith quesionts and invite them to the Ask the Pastor Free Lunch the following Tuesday on March 27. April 26 - Spikeball Tournament - a community builder & prep finals stress reliever.  PRAY for opportunities to share Jesus during these events!
• Campus Missionary - Corey Schmitt joins BSM (volunteer) staff. He's a resent grad from Texas State University and was active in Campus Crusade for Christ, comes HIGHLY recommended by his Cru mentors, LOVES college ministry, and is skilled @ engaging student with the gospel of Jesus. We are blessed to have him join what's happening on Lonestar Montgomery. Corey is an answer to your prayers!
• Local Volunteers - individuals who support local ministry to college students. Without the help of this network of volunteers behind the scenes - what happens weekly on campus would not be possible. Our volunteers: organize our lunches, connect with local churches, manage our financial books, mentors students, & mobilize our prayer warriors. We even have one that comes to campus when possible to support what's happening (obviously not everyone can/should come to campus because then we'd have more volunteers than students... and that would just be weird.) 
  
• Great relationship with LSCM Student Life Office - We have earned the trust with Student Life. They are always fast to help and eager to partner whenever possible. It's a true gift to have a working relationship with the leadership on campus.
  

WHAT'S NEXT?

• PRAY It works! Check our PRAYER page regularly, Tamara tries to update it  whenever possible & is currently recruiting a volunteer to update and mobilize our prayer warriors - so stay tuned. Matthew 7:7-8 NLT
  
• VOLUNTEER - organize your Bible study to provide a lunch, PRAY (see above), help raise awareness on social media by "liking" & reposting BSM social media posts, mentor a student leader, fulfill a BSM Wish List item, ask your pastor to add BSM to your church budget.
  
• SUPPORT TAMARA - she raises her support to do what she does, which makes BSM Montgomery happen.
  

*names have been changed