It all started on a college campus... before we even met each
other we knew that we were called… Both with similar upbringings, both with a
heart for missions and evangelism, both with a story to tell about a
radical moment in our young teen lives when we knew we were called...but called
to do what?
When you are 18 years old it is hard to see past your 21st
birthday let alone try to decipher what a lifetime of fulltime ministry might
look like, but even in our immaturity, we knew that our future
started on a college campus. College is where we began to form our true
identity in Christ, where we discovered the beauty and the hardships of living
in the real world, where we came to understand that relationships are hard but
so very important. It’s where we truly began to grasp the heart of God, the
meaning of the great commission, and the importance of growing in the knowledge
and understanding of the Bible. Yes, college is also where we fell in love. We
weren't even finished with our studies yet when we decided to commit our lives
to each other and get married, knowing full well that our future together would
be in ministry. In fact, our wedding was more a commissioning service then a
mere exchanging of nuptials. Now, in our almost nine years of marriage, we have
served in three different churches, birthed three children, led 10
mission trips, gone to 8 youth winter camps, rocked many a worship band, put on
VBSs, led small groups and bible studies, put on outreach events and preached
countless sermons. We can honestly say, without hesitation, that serving God is
FUN!
At this time in our lives, we find ourselves at a crossroads. We
have spent most of 2012 seeking God's will about a possible job change. The
church we were currently serving under, Christian Life Center, was going
through a pastoral leadership change which left us feeling uncertain about our
future. We spent many sleepless nights and late hours tossing, turning and
discussing what our future might hold. During this restless time I went to a
conference, heard a missionary speak from a college campus ministry called Chi Alpha
and was immediately drawn to it. I had already had a heart for higher
education and speaking into the lives of students and that moment was the first
inkling of the possible answer to our restless prayers. Over the next few months,
we decided to check into the Chi Alpha ministry in our area that happened to be
on the Stanford campus. STANDFORD?! We went to one of their meetings and
undeniably felt the Holy Spirit while we sat in a room full of college students
who were sincerely worshiping and seeking God with abandon. We drove
home that night feeling as if we had just witnessed something supernatural and
decided to seek God about being a part of this amazing ministry. A few months
passed and we remained uncertain with our current church situation. We got word
that the board had found their new pastor and our uneasiness increased. We
tossed and turned all that night and in the morning I shared with Kendra that I
had heard God speak to me during a wakeful hour. God said "I am telling
you what to do." I didn't even have to ask, "What is it Lord?" I
already knew what is was, God was calling us to Chi Alpha. A few weeks later CLC’s
new pastor and the board affirmed our calling and released us into our new
ministry. We now find ourselves on this journey back to where it all began...a college
campus! This time we will be returning to college as campus missionaries to
Stanford University!!!
I heard a sermon last Sunday that reminded me of something I
already knew but may have forgotten along the way and that is, we don't always
have to understand what God is doing we just have to know that God is in it! We
believe God is in this and we are so excited to continue on our journey of
serving him in this new endeavor!
We are currently living in San Diego with our gracious family and
friends. Our goal is to take these next four months to raise enough of our
funding to be able to start with Chi Alpha in January. We are excited about
the opportunity and flexibility we will have in this next season to
reconnect with many of you, to not only share what God is doing in our lives
but to also catch up on what God is doing in yours.
We would love to keep you updated through our facebook page
(www.facebook.com/BrandonKendrasChiAlphaPage) and blog (www.bkchialpha.com/). So please make sure to like our page and
leave us a comment anytime about what God is doing in your life! We would love
to hear it! Let’s walk through this faith journey together. Thank you for your
prayers and support!
Much love to you all!
I just love when you two share your hearts! Praying for you through this new season. Love you both!
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