Seeking Teammates!

I am on a new mission, do you want to know what it is? [If you are not a good reader, or don’t have time, please jump to the bottom of the page where my contact info is and we can meet up or set up a phone chat to talk about this Ministry!]

As you probably know If you are reading my blog, I am an assistant at the Baptist Student Ministry at Lamar University. Over the years here I have seen a plethora of changes to the ministry. Some that have tested my energy and patience, some that have brought growth to me and the ministry, and some that taught me better ways to improve my future and develop better skills. In everything, I see the promise being fulfilled that “He who began a good work in me will surely finish it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)

I have another opportunity for you to partner with me in Missions! Isn’t it so great to be a part of something so big? You get to partake in a Kingdom reward by supporting me so that I can focus on the ministry full time. While preparing for the next step and future plans I have been constantly asked what is next. This year I have been challenged in so many ways and been able see so many life changes. People trust me and confide in me and expect me to be with them to pray and encourage them and give them support. In my first couple of months alone, I met with new students everyday and even helped to expand and create a more diverse group of leaders. We have expanded our Bible Studies to accommodate more students and through various events invited people to my church, some of which have been Baptized or will be baptized this Sunday! The work I am doing might not be your regular 9-5(it is actually a lot more hours), but as of now it is making the most impact in my life and others. And ultimately I am trying to keep my eyes up rather than behind or too far ahead.

That all being said, it is not work that can be easily done alone. I might be able to drive up by myself, talk to students by myself, and have my own office, but nothing can really be done well without a team of prayer partners and financial supporters. I made that mistake the first semester of never asking for prayer. And it was tough. I mean it was the most drained I had felt in my life. After a lot of stress and determination to stay motivated I realized there was a lot weight that did not need to be over myself or the ministry. I began asking for outside prayer  and it really really helped. My funds for the first year were already covered by the organization due to me just coming back into the States and not having time to fundraise, but this year I will need to find support in the same way that Paul received his needs from other Followers of God. So my question is, do you want to join in on what God is doing here in Beaumont at the Lamar University Campus? During praying about fundraising and going through a course about it I stumbled on this passage in Philippians 4 that sums up everything very well.

“10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

This passage is a reflection of the fact that God will always provide and make us content, but also that He will bless the partnerships that we have in supporting each other. I thank you for every ounce of care and support you have given to me in the past and want to remind you that it was an act of serving God and that he has blessings stored up for you if you haven’t already seen his faithfulness, I sure have and can vouch for his goodness.

I am asking that you would please prayerfully send in a gift of support so that I can work another year at this Ministry and that you would also add me to your prayer list so that I will be able to be the best I can be for the students this upcoming year. Every single donation is extremely appreciated. I thank you so much and hope you are able to be apart of this amazing ministry.

The best way to donate is through the website and set up an automatic monthly donation, other options are to send money a check in the mail to the order of Lamar Baptist Student Ministry, or I would love to find a time where we could meet up in person for lunch or coffee.

My number: 409-370-3582 (I don’t typically use my phone during work hours, so If I miss your call, please send a text so I know who called)

The website: https://texasbaptists.givingfuel.com/sarah-schultz

Current Prayer Requests:

  • Continued Motivation in support raising and to be fully funded by July 1st
  • Students continued growth and new ideas for their leadership roles. (We are losing 5 student leaders due to graduations and school transfers)
  • A new band for worship nights (We currently have two potential singers, but no people to play  instruments)

I want this partnership to be a two way street so text me your prayer request as well! And even if you are currently unable to support financially, I still want to follow Paul’s Example and be praying for you!

My Turn to do a Message

Often in my Job I get the chance to speak, this is the message and poem God gave me to share at Wednesday’s Free Lunch:

It is always frustrating, that I keep acting up and end up playing.

Falling short of everything I wanna reach, no matter how many times, I hear someone preach

Or sit in a pew under a steeple, we keep falling short of being good people.

Still playing

I’m a creature created to reach you, but Everytime I try to meet you, I don’t take time and begin to cheat you.

All my actions come with selfish gains to make me feel better, ive broken rules and discarded treasure.

Still playing

I could do nothing good of my own ability, I could only ask in humility.

I couldn’t reach you, but then I realize it’s because I didn’t really seek you.
And God I need you.

Started praying

God watch my steps and plant my feet, I’m nothing without you cause you’re all I need.

And At those words I could let it go and place it in your hands, so these would no longer be my plans.

It is no longer devastating, when I trust in you God and begin waiting..

Waiting for the established steps that you created because they are the best. I’ll know you’re standing next to me during every single test.

And when I drift or begin to swerve, I pray for a reminder that its not the world that I should serve.

And in the end It’s not about the things that I have done,
But about the way you reach for me with the sacrifice of your son.

You loved me before you formed me, and made me your own, and now I’ll give you glory and praise you at the throne.

1peter 1:3-7 is a passage that really speaks truth into this poem. It says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:3‭-‬7 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1pe.1.3-7.ESV

Life didn’t change for me until I began seeking him. I assumed or maybe got told that being a Christian and following God meant my life would be easier, but as time went on, I didn’t see that.

Infact I felt the opposite and distanced myself from God for a time. And not even intentionally. I honestly thought I was saved (I wasn’t) and thought i didn’t need to apply effort to grow or follow him in any particular direction.

But then wondered why he didn’t speak to me or why I didn’t have these cool things happen to me. *And when good stuff happened I never thanked him. But you better believe when bad stuff happened I blamed him.

How are we going to act like God doesn’t care when we’re the ones that aren’t seeking? He’s saught us. Hasn’t he? Don’t we have millions of churches? Don’t we have millions of Bible’s in this world? FULL of HIS word? Don’t we have ample amounts of free time we could talk to him? Or see beautiful works of nature that scream his name? Yet we let ourselves get distracted and fill up the silence with anything and everything else.

My problem wasn’t the absence of God, my problem was my absence of looking at his presence. And so one day, I ACTUALLY said, God, fix me. Direct me. Help me to seek you and your will, not the will I think you’d like me to have. I let that go. I actually had to pray that he would help me want to want Him and His plans.

And you know what? Life still gets tough. However, I have a Redeemer who restores me and my soul and stands and walks with me through the storm. He fights with me and for me. (Isaiah 43:2) When God is for me who can be against me? (That’s Romans 8:31) The enemy can try, but he isn’t going to win because I’m gonna fight with scripture, and prayer, and community, and fight with love and love always wins. Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection won it all. And not only that, Romans 8:34 mentions that Jesus is at the throne interceding/praying on our behalfs.

Who do you want to lead your life? Do you want to join this winning side? Everyone, saved or not is going to be challenged. That’s life. But do you want to win or be defeated? Jesus is the champion that fights for those who love him and call on his name. Take time today to pray and surrender and let God lead you. I promise it’s worth it.

And even in all this, I am still imperfect and have messy moments. Maybe even more so when I deliver messages like this. So please, if you’re reading this, pray for me. Pray that I would be filled with Joy and stand up against the enemy and choose joy no matter what. And also that I remember that it is okay to not be okay and that I don’t always have to have it all together.

Small Victories

What is an exciting story? What is it that compels a reader to check in on me? Do I have to be half way across the world? Maybe so, but even still, I think my story is still important. And the importance doesn’t even come from me, but from the impacts God has on students through me that I might not even get to see the end result. Have you ever thought of the ripple effect you have on others?

This type of ministry really forces us to focus on the big picture. You just have to hope and pray that in the end, the one message of encouragement you gave to a group of 100 distracted students reached even one soul. And we have to know that even encouraging that one soul with the word of God is an immense victory. God has been reminding me a lot that he goes after the one, so I should do the same.

It can be difficult to minister to a bunch of students without worrying about who is there and who isn’t, it can be tough to realize that the most important thing about any event is not the quantity of people, but rather the quality of the love and message. And I think our big turn around for this school year is just that. We keep reminding ourselves of the truth that God is a loving shepherd that searches for the lost one even though he has many more. And so likewise, we should be that way. If we focus on that one person, that one ripple might make a big impact one day. Realizing that means that no victory is a small victory.

Now the trick is to not make projects out of people and instead make relationships that are not about anything other than love. To make time for people outside of just check-ups. So you see, working where I do is not a small task, it is not at all easy to balance, but I am enjoying it and seeing a lot of growth in the ministry. Because of our focus switch, we have seen a lot of lost people coming back into the arms of the father.

If you think of me this week, please be praying for:

-Quality of love and value in relationships

-Preparing for speaking at free lunch next Wednesday(That the message comes from God and not me, and that those that need to hear it hear it.)

New Blog, Who This?

Another Blog with another Job…

When asked to start blogging for my job, I was very much annoyed. Let me be honest, I did just spend a year being prompted to write a new blog at least once a week. At first it was a simple task as everything was new and exciting, but the more I wrote, I realized that less people were reading than I thought. People I assumed would want to know about my life and trip, continually asked me questions to which I had already given the answers to inside of my weekly updates. As time went on realizing this, the less I wanted to share. I thought to myself, “If they don’t care, then I will keep it to myself and use a journals.” “If they don’t care,

So naturally, I assume that maybe a couple important people like yourself will actually take the time to read up on me and that is about it, but really I do appreciate you immensely. Enough to use the word, “immensely”. (Thankfully spell check showed me how to correctly spell the word.) And all this to say, I will be blogging as a part of my job to gain more support as these campus streets are tough.

You read that right. If you have not heard, my job, that I have had since coming back into America, is to work with College Students. Meaning I have almost the same college schedule, except I don’t have as long of breaks and typically go to sleep at a time you would expect from a 60 year old grandmother. Specifically I spend my days planning events, making a mess on my desk, organizing that chaos, and continually meeting with students in between in order to talk about their lives and relationships with God. It is exhausting, but pretty fulfilling. I plan to do this until the semester ends, and am praying to see what is next. I might even try it for an additional year. That topic will be expounded on at a later date, as of now I just wanted to warn you to look out for my blogs.