Ministry Update from Robert Knuth: October 2022

Beauty changes people.

Maybe that's a hot take. But regardless of what you believe, I would imagine that you only do things that you find to be beautiful. The beauty of it has "drawn you in," so to speak. The allure of it, the pleasure of it, the comfort of it, the prize that comes along with it, the list goes on. 

Christianity agrees. The Bible puts forward that the most beautiful object that could ever grasp your attention is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. YET, even as Christians, we have to ask the question: is that how we view Jesus, more than anything? Beautiful? 

I don't know what your experience is like with Christianity. Maybe you just receive these emails because you just really love our family well (thank you!). But I would have to imagine that for most of us, Jesus is good. He's the truth. He saves. You name it. But...beautiful? Lovely? Delightful?

This semester, I can't tell you how much I've loved watching students catch a glimpse of the beauty of Jesus. Whether that be through our sermon series through the picture book of Revelation, weekly life groups, month ministry team meetings, or Sunday nights at my house with core group students---we've sought to give students an EXPERIENCE with the majesty of King Jesus Himself.

And the thing about that is...when you've had an experience like this, where Jesus is actually beautiful, you can't help but to want to serve. Not out of duty (it isn't worth the time commitment to Michigan students), but out of an eager, even obsessive, willingness to have more of this Jesus. 

Tim Keller once said, "if you want to experience God, then you have to get out into mission."

This is a picture of the culture in RUF nowadays. Our students have a growing missional zeal. There are 11 core group students and close to 35 students on our ministry team (and this doesn't include freshmen who have expressed interest!).

There is someone new at every large group. Just last week, I got an email from a senior who expressed interest in meeting because "I want you to answer my questions about Christianity. Is that something you do?" 

Y'all, I can't make this stuff up! If you don't believe there is a God presently at work in the affairs of the world, then I would love to tell you about what just one day on campus at the University of Michigan looks like doing campus ministry. 

The place often referred to as "one of the most secular and progressive campuses in the country" is pulsating with the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Come visit me and see for yourself! 

Love abounding,
Robert

Listen to the Revelation Series 

Katherine is due with our 3rd child in late January! We're naming our boy, Thomas, largely in part because of the BEAUTY that is found in Jesus' interaction with Thomas in John 18. I encourage you to go read it for yourself!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1) Will you pray for our family as Katherine approaches her due date? She had a rough bout with pneumonia the entire month of October that required a trip to the ER 3 weeks ago. She's recovered well, but it was still a very scary period for our family. 

2) Will you pray for some of the non-Christians in our midst to have eyes to see the loveliness of Jesus? I'll give you 3 names in particular: Andy, Gavin, and Elyse. 

3) Will you pray about either upping your monthly gift to RUF, or giving me the name of a friend, coworker, or other acquaintance who would be interested in joining our support team? With the cost of living having increased due to inflation, I'm having to raise more money in 2023. 

4) Lastly, will you pray for me? Pray that I would continually find Jesus as lovely as I just described. I have no greater desire than to gain greater clarity into the wonders of His grace.

As always, feel free to text or reach out. I love hearing from you guys. (757) 971-1501