ruperik

a friend of mine and i go to college and are involved with a specific college ministry (ucsc). they have a building right off campus, and quite often people that attend the ucsc hand out there at all times of day. on thursdays, we do a trash ministry where we basically go from dorm to dorm and take out people's trash. it gives us a way to make contact with people on campus and serve them. occassionally we can talk to people about things, but we focus on the serving part first, and let god present opportunities for more as opposed to pushing for anything.

my problem/question is that we seem to be having difficulty getting people to attend, especially on a regular basis. often times, you can walk around the ucsc when we are about to start, and many people are playing pool, ping pong, facebooking, etc. (non-school related activities), but they won't come and help out. it is a great opportunity to serve and show the love of christ to our campus, but they won't get up off their butts and join in. we don't know if we should challenge them in person, talk to the whole ucsc at one of our weekly meetings about this, let it go, etc.? any ideas?

NearertoGod

I say, keep doing what you are doing. People are more interested in themselves than they are serving Christ. What you are doing will not go unseen; God appreciates what you are doing and that's one thing that matters most to me.

This goes on to a lot of people. It is the same thing with people you think are your "friends". One minute, they're there for you, then, when trouble comes up - POOF! They're gone! That just shows you how reliable people can be.

Also, you can try and encourage people to start doing it. Maybe even ask to have a certain day set up where the whole school participates in this activity. Along with persisting, you have to be determined.

smellycat

free trash cleaners ,i would say you were being used ,and i would get together and make a more pro active agenda.

ruperik

i think you might misunderstand which is probably my fault. this is a college ministry where we go from door to door in the dorms and ask people if we can take their trash out for them. its not much, but it is more work then you think when you take into account how many dorm rooms there are on a 10k+ college campus. its not a matter of having the school involved, but rather others at the ucsc.

ruperik

our agenda is to show people that we care and are there to talk to them if they want. we also do a meal/games/whatever at the ucsc one or twice a month and invite people to come while we are taking out trash. it gives those that are interested in what we are doing a way to come and talk to us if they don't feel comfortable broaching the subject while we are taking out their trash.

smellycat

i think you need to sit down and put priorities in order.read Jesus only,get into his way of thinking to show you the way forward .why not come up with a world problem commitee,debating from christian view,evolution view,scientific view,muslim view,all types of views,and have the athiests to decide on the best solution to diffrent causes.maybe then the athiest might wake up before going into satan sleep,land of nod.and others also.

Boanerges

Ruperik if I were you I would keep planting seed and trust God for the harvest.
Many blessings in His Name, Larry.

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Anything that dims my vision for Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me; and I must, as a Christian turn away from it. – J. Wilbur Chapman

BreathOfGod

I think it sounds like a wonderful ministry you are doing, and a great way of reaching out for God. Being God's hands, feet, mouth, etc.

I wouldn't worry about the fact that you have difficulty getting others to help out. Sometimes it is about changing your attitude, not changing what you are doing. Instead of focusing on how many people refuse to help out and are too wrapped up in themselves, focus on how many people will help and what a great service you are doing for the Lord.

College is a time when many young people fall away from God. It is also a time when many young people are discovering who they are and exploring new ideas and philosophies. Those seeds you are planting may not sprout fruit until individuals have long left the campus and moved off into other areas of their lives. If you really need volunteers to help out, you may want to try recruiting off campus through local churches.

Dusty

Ruperik... The main thing like you said is to show people that you care. Everyone does not have the same ministry as God leads . I think that is very creative what God has given you to do. That will open up many doors for you to plant seeds as people will wonder why you are doing that. God bless you for being obedient. Keep on doing what you are doing and God will ultimately bless you.

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Who am I

Look at what Jesus did with only 12 people to start. He could have had more, but He knew He didn’t need any more.

I think it’s the same with a lot of Churches. Very few people do most of the work. Don’t let the ones who don’t want to do the work, ruin your attitude. You are still doing the work for God. Even if it’s just you, do it for God and pray for the others as you work.

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Blessings to all

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.