Even More
It's important that you know there is a foundation underneath "everything Passion." We're not just about events and CDs. For eleven years we have been galvanized by a clear and unwavering passion for the university campus. In saying that, I think you know that we love all people and are thrilled that we can connect with people in every stage of life. Yet we are compelled by a desire to reach students in the campus culture during the collegiate years, a window we feel that both holds and shapes the future.
This has been well said by former Harvard professor Charles Malik: The university is a clear-cut fulcrum with which to move the world. The problem here is for the Church to realize that no greater service can it render itself and the Gospel than to try to recapture the universities for Christ. More potently than by any other means, change the University and you change the world.
In the same way, you could say, "lose the campus and you lose the world."
This is why Passion exists. We are full on for the glory of God, yet riveted to the needs and opportunities of the university setting. Again, that's not to say that we are ambivalent to what God is doing with other demographics. We love teens, non-college young adults, singles, moms, grand dads, kids.... and are humbled that the ripples of Passion's collegiate gatherings have intersected their lives and bound us together.
And our hearts are not just beating for this nation, but the world. While there are 16+ million college and university students in the US there are 132 million worldwide. That number is up from 68 million in 1991, with the largest increase coming in the Pacific Rim/East Asia. China alone has 19.4 million university students. India 11.8 million. Russia, 8.6. Even more than in the US, these are the few among the college-aged population of these countries (China has 105 million university-aged young people) who have the privilege of higher education and THEY WILL be the shapers of the destiny of nations.
I know we could get lost in the numbers (forgive me if this stuff bores you), but the numbers matter. We are praying Passion will continue to be a catalyst, calling people to consider the moment, elevating the opportunity to plant a church within reach of every campus. We must use whatever resources necessary to engage the university culture with a message of substance, purpose, redemption and hope.
Wherever and whomever you are, please join us on this journey, and pray that Passion 07 will not just be "more" for the spiritually rich, but an explosion that propels us to the campuses of this nation and the world.
This has been well said by former Harvard professor Charles Malik: The university is a clear-cut fulcrum with which to move the world. The problem here is for the Church to realize that no greater service can it render itself and the Gospel than to try to recapture the universities for Christ. More potently than by any other means, change the University and you change the world.
In the same way, you could say, "lose the campus and you lose the world."
This is why Passion exists. We are full on for the glory of God, yet riveted to the needs and opportunities of the university setting. Again, that's not to say that we are ambivalent to what God is doing with other demographics. We love teens, non-college young adults, singles, moms, grand dads, kids.... and are humbled that the ripples of Passion's collegiate gatherings have intersected their lives and bound us together.
And our hearts are not just beating for this nation, but the world. While there are 16+ million college and university students in the US there are 132 million worldwide. That number is up from 68 million in 1991, with the largest increase coming in the Pacific Rim/East Asia. China alone has 19.4 million university students. India 11.8 million. Russia, 8.6. Even more than in the US, these are the few among the college-aged population of these countries (China has 105 million university-aged young people) who have the privilege of higher education and THEY WILL be the shapers of the destiny of nations.
I know we could get lost in the numbers (forgive me if this stuff bores you), but the numbers matter. We are praying Passion will continue to be a catalyst, calling people to consider the moment, elevating the opportunity to plant a church within reach of every campus. We must use whatever resources necessary to engage the university culture with a message of substance, purpose, redemption and hope.
Wherever and whomever you are, please join us on this journey, and pray that Passion 07 will not just be "more" for the spiritually rich, but an explosion that propels us to the campuses of this nation and the world.
posted by 268gen at
3:28 PM
16 Comments:
I pray that the Passion movement and not only Passion '07, will cause a huge explosion on the campuses around the world! If I look at my own country, i see so many young people who need God! Esp students, as a student you are free, no bounderies (maybe only getting your degree, but even that isn't necessary..it's cool to be a student!) free in every way! So a lot of people overhere (like in any other country) experience with drugs and sex.
I believe there is already an awareness, christian young people are aware of Passion around the world...but I pray that this awareness will go beyond the christian young people!
By
Jacoline, at 11/03/2006 4:36 PM
hay louie, it's the same random guy from wednesday afternoon(sorry if that was weird)....as I reflect on the effect the passion movement has had on me I only have memories of mavericks. Summertime, passion on the hill, church of the apostles, one movement, one phos hilaron, one passion. New Years, tennessee, God just breathing on hearts to bring change in our world, "in that newspaper world"-piper. One day, the word of God resounding throughout the earth, and one summons, to not waste life, to boast only in he cross, "don't buy it, don't buy it, don't waste your life on fatal success"-piper. Thank God for the passion movement, there is many trillion memories of the glory of God now and still trillions more to be made. I'm still waiting on the website my friend of the words said to Crowder's chest. the address is thesixthman@tmail.com. "Winter" wants to write a song about the words said in his chest. Thanks louie for following the vision of God for your life, you have blessed many. Finally then brethren we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus.............just as you actually do walk..........that you excel STILL MORE.
By
Anonymous, at 11/03/2006 4:45 PM
Amen! Yesterday a student from my stint in China (five years ago) emailed me. She's taking a university class on the Bible and had some questions about Jacob and Esau. She wanted to know which I thought was the hero of the story.
I've been waiting for this moment, praying...anticipating...celebrating in advance. Thank goodness for email's ability to mask my complete loss of composure when I read her email!
I told her about Yahweh's promise to Abraham, that all nations of the earth would be blessed through him, and that Jacob and Esau were Abe's grandsons and heirs of the promise. One was chosen before birth to be the heir. Both of the sons and the parents were imperfect. All wanted to win the inheritance prize, but none were able to earn it (though they tried bullying and deception to gain it). Yahweh had already promised and planned who would get the birthright blessing prior to their birth. Yahweh is always the hero of Hebrew literature. Yahweh keeps his promise. Jacob and Esau's lives were imperfect, but known and planned into Yahweh's promise-keeping plan to bless all nations of the earth through Abraham's descendants. Yahweh is the hero of the story.
I hope for more questions to arise along the journey of her literature study! Passion last winter connected me with a sister on vacation from her job in China who was able to hang out with my student overseas a bit this spring. Now she is taking a Bible literature class. Thank you for your work, Passion team. It has helped to touch one life in China.
Can you hear it? Can you hear the holy roar?
By
Kendra, at 11/04/2006 9:53 PM
i'm with ya, louie!
"the campus today, the world tomorrow!"
By
steph, at 11/05/2006 12:20 AM
Interesting.. Praying for Passion 07!
By
Anonymous, at 11/05/2006 1:53 PM
Go to China. Hey everyone, let me encourage you to give yourself for China and she will reach the world for Christ. Thanks for the encouragement.
By
Ashley Beam, at 11/07/2006 6:47 PM
Yep... this is already going worldwide... to the students in Europe! Asia! Africa! America! and everywhere! Good thing Christ is big enough to reach students everywhere (even when we're not), but it IS sooo exciting!
I'm tickled to know that my former baby-sittee is over the ocean trying to live for HIS glory...
By
Silke, at 11/07/2006 8:44 PM
Louie , we are praying with you and Passion's desire to see the university campuses connect with Christ.
The numbers do matter as every number is a precious soul who could come alive in Christ if reached with the gospel.
So go to the nations in the name of Jesus knowing that you have an army of people praying for God to minister through Passion !!!
By
gail, at 11/08/2006 8:10 AM
Amen. There are so many students that don't even know that they could do stuff differently - religion is all they know. But reliogin won't save them - they need God! Poland needs a Passion movement!
By
Anonymous, at 11/08/2006 12:35 PM
It would be cool if the Passion team could travel to other parts of the world too. We who live in America are fortunate to have it in our country! But if there could also be an event in Europe and Africa and some of the other big countries that would be really awesome too!
By
Anonymous, at 11/08/2006 2:09 PM
Louie - i just noticed on iTunes that it says "Christian" instead of "Inspirational." I remember you talking about this a year ago at Passion 06. Finally happened. That's awesome!
By
Anonymous, at 11/08/2006 5:38 PM
louie, last year I shared with you two words: Remember Mexico City!
We are praying for Passion 07 and for more students to join us this year.
So, just Remember Mexico City!
Blessings and see you in Atlanta
By
Anonymous, at 11/08/2006 8:13 PM
It is amazing what God is doing among college students all over the World. I spent two weeks in Romania with some of the most amazing students I have ever met that are leading their nation by creating christian movements on each one of their college campuses. I know that 4 of these outstanding leaders are trying to come to Passion this year!
Please pray that they get a visa in time and that we are able to raise proper funding by Dec. 1. These kids are on fire for God and I know that he has big plans for them in their country and throughout Europe.
By
Anonymous, at 11/09/2006 12:18 AM
leah...
e-mail me. i wanna help "get" europe. i know 2 girls in "college" in Germany. not much going on yet, but it's starting. when it comes, it'll be huge.
silke
silke_smooth@hotmail.com
By
Silke, at 11/09/2006 11:13 PM
praying for the students from romania!
By
Anonymous, at 11/10/2006 1:09 PM
Dear 268gen,
Thank you so much for these last two blogs on Numbers Matter and Even More -
they seem to articulate well your mission statement for passion and explain your vision, purpose, and direction.
particular portions that resonated with me were
'We are not pouring our energies into Passion07 just so we can have another fantastic event for believers. Rather so that every student might have a chance to breathe mercy and be embraced by hope.
Wherever and whomever you are, please join us on this journey, and pray that Passion 07 will not just be "more" for the spiritually rich, but an explosion that propels us to the campuses of this nation and the world.
I'll be praying with you that each person who attends will have a renewed hunger and thirst for God that will be replicated to others as they return and are used to help ignite a spiritual awakening on their respective campuses around the world!
By
Kimmer, at 11/26/2006 3:34 AM
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