We make followers of Jesus and help his followers grow

We make followers of Jesus and help his followers grow

Christ’s Church at Virginia Tech campus ministry

is a non-denominational Christian community of students who:

--believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God

--believe the Bible is the infallible Word of the one and only true God, and therefore embrace it as our first & final authority for faith & practice as it contains all the truth needed for salvation and living in Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12)

--strive to put our faith in action, to keep growing in our knowledge and love for God, and to transform our world by living as Jesus lived. (James 2:14-26, Colossians 1:9-12, Romans 12:1-2)

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." -- Isaiah 40:8
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Thursday, September 24, 2009

Whatever You Like

Whatever you like on your pizza, that's what you can have Friday night, because CCVT is having a Build Your Own Pizza Night!

We will have all the ingredients ready to go for you, including the pizza crusts. All you have to do is decide what you want to put on it. You get to put the sauce, cheese, and toppings on your pizza just the way you've always wanted.

And it's all FREE!

While we wait for the pizzas to bake in the ovens, we'll play some fun games we have planned for the night. It's going to be a lot of fun.

So come join us, and feel free to bring some friends with you.

It all starts at 7pm, Friday (Sept. 23).

If you need directions to our campus house and live off campus, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts.

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

Don't forget: Build Your Own Pizza at 7pm Friday at CCVT's campus house -- 413 West Clay St.

Check out our schedule of other upcoming events three posts down.


See you Friday night,
Steve

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Was Jesus really God, or just a good teacher?

If he wasn't God, then how could he be a good person while he was making the outrageous, and blasphemous claim to be God? This middle ground idea of Jesus not being God but being a good teacher won't hold water. Either he was who he said he was, or he was a despicable con man, or just mentally ill. But would a con man stick to his story all the way to his death, without even trying to run away? And even more importantly, would his teachings be so wise, cogent, and coherent, and would his life have lived up to his teachings so well?

Maybe the reason most people find it so easy to claim Jesus was a good teacher, but not God, is that they have never even read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John enough to know he himself claimed to be God, let alone enough to see for themselves the cogency and wisdom of his words.

Maybe they are too quick to swallow what the majority of people around them believe, hook, line, and sinker, and too slow to think through it and examine the evidence.

Or maybe they don't want to know the truth, if it isn't what they already believe. Maybe they are afraid of what they might find, and the change it might require of them.

What about you? Do you really want to know the truth? If you think you know it, could you explain it to one of your friends who doesn't already know it? If you can't, what is going to happen to them?

"It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.... Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:10-12)

1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Are you prepared?

Come and learn. Be prepared.

If you need directions to our campus house, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts. It's much closer than most of your classes!

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

It all starts at 7:30pm tonight, and every Wednesday (during the semester).

Check out our schedule of other upcoming events two posts down.


Hope to see you soon,
Steve

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Nebraska, Football, and the 3G Network

Here's a post just for the men:
Hey guys,
Are you still reveling in the last minute victory of the Hokies over Nebraska? I am. I can't wait for Miami this Saturday. I just hope we get a lot more offense going this time.

Speaking of offense, how much ground are you gaining in your spiritual life? If you will play along with my metaphor, are you racking up yardage, or are you actually losing ground like Nebraska going from scoring a touchdown, to not even being in field goal range because they had so many penalties and made so many mistakes? It was such a bad run of events for Nebraska that I almost couldn't believe it, but sometimes we don't do any better when it comes to living our lives the way God intended us to. Are you honoring God with your life, or are you moving in the wrong direction?

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Look, we all make mistakes. We all screw up sometimes. But the question is, when you screw up, what are you going to do? Are you going to keep doing what you are doing, which will result in you continuing to move in the wrong direction, or are you going to get some help from some people who care, which will result in you changing direction and beginning to make progress again?

That's what the 3G Network (aka Guys' Gel Group) is about. It's just a small bunch of guys getting together once a week to support each other, talk about how their week has been, pray for each other, and study a little bit of the Bible together to gain insight into what God's will is for their lives. It's simple, and it is exactly what everyone needs, and few people find.

This semester 3G is meeting Tuesday nights at 8pm at CCVT's campus house and is studying 1 Peter -- How to Cope When the World is Against You, Faith that Works, Hope, Caring for One Another. Those are some of the topics that will be covered over the next several weeks.

If your offense could use a little help (and since there is always room for improvement, who couldn't?) then come join the guys meeting Tuesday nights at 3G.

That's 8pm at the campus house.

If you need directions:
Remember, our campus house is right on the edge of campus by most of the dorms, over by the Washington Street tennis courts -- probably closer than most of your classes if you live on campus. If you need directions from off campus, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps.

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here!

Finally, to borrow a phrase from EA Sports, "Get in the Game." You won't regret it.
Steve

Friday, September 18, 2009

Upcoming Events

Sept. 19, Saturday, 1pm -- Tailgate with grilled corn on the cob before the game vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers (grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available)

Sept. 22, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group (small group Bible study)

Sept. 22, Tuesday, 8pm -- Guys' Gel Group (3G network) small group Bible study

Sept. 23, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis (large group Bible study) -- Questions about Jesus

Sept. 25, Friday, 7pm -- Make Your Own Pizza Night & Games -- Ingredients supplied, just choose your toppings and pop it in the oven. We have some fun games lined up to play while they bake.

Sept. 29, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group

Sept. 29, Tuesday, 8pm -- 3G (Guys Gel Group)

Sept. 30, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis -- Questions about Jesus (part 2)

Oct. 2, Friday, 7pm -- Out to eat at CiCi's Pizza & a Movie

Oct. 3, Saturday, 7pm -- vtONE -- VT campus ministries unite for worship and prayer

Oct. 6, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group

Oct. 6, Tuesday, 8pm -- 3G (Guys Gel Group)

Oct. 7, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis -- Questions about Suffering


Oct. 7, Wednesday, after Oasis -- Core Group Team (student leadership) meeting

Oct. 9, Friday, 12 noon -- Dragon's Tooth and The Homeplace -- No Classes, Fall Break!
Meet at the campus house at noon to carpool to the trailhead. Hike Dragon's Tooth trail, building up a big appetite, then eat all you can eat family style at The Homeplace restaurant. Delicious!

Oct. 13, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group

Oct. 14, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis -- Questions about Prayer

Tailgate -- Corn on the cob...

As most, if not all, of you know, VT is playing the Nebraska Cornhuskers tomorrow at 3:30pm in Lane Stadium.

What you might not know is that CCVT is having a Tailgate starting at 1pm.

We are having grilled corn on the cob to foreshadow what the Hokies are going to do to the Cornhuskers on the field. Of course, we will also have grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and sides like potato salad, etc. And it's all FREE!

You are invited! Feel free to bring some friends with you to hang out and enjoy a great tailgate before making the short walk on over to the stadium from our campus house. (It's only about 300 yards away!)

If you need directions to our campus house, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts.

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

Don't forget: Tailgate at 1pm Saturday at CCVT's campus house -- 413 West Clay St.

Hope to see you there,
Steve

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Who wrote the Bible -- God or men?

Did God write it all on stone tablets? Did he write it on gold plates? No? If most of it was written with ink by the hands of men, then on what basis can we say that it is more than just different men's ideas? How can we say it is from God?

There are good answers to these questions. Would you be able to give a good answer to a friend who asked you one of these questions?

1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Are you prepared?

Come and learn. Be prepared.

This is what we will be studying and discussing at Oasis tonight.

For those of you who may not know, "Oasis" is our main, large group gathering that we have every week. It's kind of the center of our life as a campus ministry and includes Bible Study, group discussion, sharing with friends, prayer, & celebration through heartfelt worship. It all happens at our campus house every Wednesday night at 7:30 during the semesters.

If you need directions to our campus house, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts. It's much closer than most of your classes!

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

All of us at CCVT are really looking forward to seeing you at Oasis, so I hope to see you there.


Don't forget: Oasis Bible study at 7:30pm every Wednesday (during the semester).

See you soon,
Steve

Friday, September 11, 2009

Back by Popular Demand

Ever play Flashlight Tag when you were a kid? If so, Friday night is your chance to play a nostalgic game of it by Duck Pond. If not, Friday night is your chance to enjoy what you missed out on as a kid!

We did this last year and it was sooo much fun. I think it exceeded everyone's expectations. There are so many great hiding places over by Duck Pond. So we are doing it again this year, by popular demand. Come join us!

Bring yourself and a flashlight, and maybe some friends too. If you have any extra flashlights you could lend to somebody who doesn't have one, please bring it.

Meet at CCVT's campus house at 8pm and we'll go over to the Duck Pond together. Or, if you live over towards Duck Pond and just want to meet us there, meet by the gazebo on Duck Pond at 8:15pm.

When we are done playing, we might go get some ice cream or something at Deet's or someplace, so you might want to bring your Hokie Passport with you, or whatever. We'll see what everyone is in the mood for.

Hope to see you tonight.

Steve

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Evolution

Are you evolving? Do you believe in evolution?

There is at least one kind of evolution I believe in. I believe that you and I should be evolving and improving in our spiritual growth every day. I believe that if you are not growing and strengthening your faith on a consistent basis, your faith is destined to be extinct by the time you graduate college. I just read "There is a 42% drop in weekly church attendance from high school graduation to age 25" in America. How about you? Do you want to be one of the 42%, or one of the 58%? It's your choice. No one can make it for you.

Am I buggin' you? Don't mean to bug ya. I just feel responsible to God to tell you the truth and not let you become one of the 42% without ever even being warned about the spiritual dangers that seem to be part of the college years.

So how do you avoid becoming one of the 42%? Make good habits now, at the beginning of your college career. If you quit being involved in church now, you are likely to continue in that pattern indefinitely. If you make time to be with other Christians studying the Bible a priority now, even when you feel like you have too much homework, you will probably continue to make it a priority the rest of your life. (You will always feel like you have too much homework, so it is futile to wait for a time when you think you are fine on your homework. Ask any Senior.)

Think I'm just saying this to get you to come to CCVT campus ministry? No, actually it's the other way around: CCVT exists because what I have said is true. CCVT is a place where you can make friends with other Christians, study the Bible together, worship God together, pray for each other, have fun with each other, support each other, be there for each other in good times and in bad, and basically just be what Christians are supposed to be for each other so that they don't end up as lunch meat for that lion that is always prowling around looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.")

By the way, you won't experience that just going to a local church, sitting in the back pew, and leaving right after services without talking to anybody. You don't make any friends that way. For your Christian faith to be real, you need to be in community with other Christians -- real friendships. Going to church is not about having your ticket punched enough times so God will let you into heaven. That's not the way it works. Go somewhere where you can make real Christian friends.

Are you still with me? Or have I become your enemy? (In Galatians 4:16 the apostle Paul says, "Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?")

CCVT is a great place to make real Christian friends, because that is what we are all about. It is our focus, and we are here specifically for college students. Why not start tonight by making some friends at "Oasis"?

Tonight's "Oasis" Bible study is about evolution and creation, and what Christians believe about those. To find out what CCVT believes you'll have to come tonight. It's going to be pretty interesting.

For those of you who may not know, "Oasis" is our main large group gathering that we have every week. It's kind of the center of our life as a campus ministry and includes Bible Study, group discussion, sharing with friends, prayer, & celebration through heartfelt worship.

If you need directions to our campus house, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts. It's much closer than most of your classes!

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

All of us at CCVT are really looking forward to meeting you at Oasis, so I hope to see you there.

Feel free to bring a friend.

Don't forget: Oasis Bible study at 7:30pm every Wednesday (during the semester)

Check out our schedule of other upcoming events on the post below.


Looking forward to seeing you,
Steve

Monday, September 7, 2009

Upcoming Events

Sept. 8, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group (small group Bible study)

Sept. 8, Tuesday, 8pm -- Guys' Gel Group (3G network) small group Bible study

Sept. 9, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis (large group Bible study)

Sept. 11, Friday, 8pm -- Flashlight Tag @ Duck Pond

Sept. 15, Tuesday, 7pm -- Girls' Gel Group

Sept. 15, Tuesday, 8pm -- 3G (Guys Gel Group)

Sept. 16, Wednesday, 7:30pm -- Oasis

Sept. 16, Wednesday, after Oasis -- Core Group Team (student leadership) meeting

Sept. 19, Saturday, 1pm -- Tailgate with grilled corn on the cob before the game vs. the Nebraska Cornhuskers (grilled hamburgers and hot dogs will also be available)

Friday, September 4, 2009

Food, Football, Friends, and Alabama vs. VT Saturday night

Do you love watching football? Do you love eating delicious food while you watch football? Do you love eating delicious food while watching other people watch football, because you really don't like watching football, but you like hanging out with friends? If any of these is true of you, then you should come join us this Saturday night to watch the Alabama vs. VT football game.

It starts at 8pm this Saturday and we are going to watch it on our 84 inch screen at our campus house. A bunch of us are pitching in to bring all kinds of traditional football party snack food to share and we need your help eating it. Feel free to bring some food to share, or just bring yourself and a friend. We'll have plenty of food so don't feel like you have to bring anything to come.

We're hoping to meet some new people besides enjoying the game with old friends, so please come whether you are a fixture at CCVT or coming for the first time. Maybe this is your first year at Tech and you are just now adjusting to classes and a new campus enough to feel ready to leave your homework behind for a few hours and kickback and relax and checkout our campus ministry.

At any rate, CCVT's student leaders who planned this party are really hoping you'll join us this Saturday at 8pm at our campus house. I am too.

Remember, our campus house is right on the edge of campus by most of the dorms, over by the Washington Street tennis courts -- probably closer than most of your classes if you live on campus. If you need directions, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps.

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

See you 8pm Saturday.

Steve

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Want some Good Answers to the Tough Questions?

How about that? First day of September and all of the sudden it feels like fall is here and summer is gone. It's like the weather was watching the calendar closely. Well, I hope you have been able to enjoy the cooler temperatures between classes and homework, and that you will be able to enjoy some time meeting and talking with some other Christian students here at CCVT's "Oasis" Bible study tomorrow night.

If you weren't able to make it out last week for the free spaghetti and Oasis, well, I'm sorry we won't have any spaghetti for you this week, but we will have Oasis, this week and every Wednesday, at 7:30pm. We understand that the first week of school is always extra crazy and you may have had a hard time finding time to come out and join us, but now that things are starting to settle down, we expect there will be a lot of people who are coming for the first time, so you won't be alone. Don't be shy. We are still looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to CCVT. Only don't put it off too long or you will make a habit that you may regret later on when you realize how much easier life would have been on you if you had taken the time to make Christian friends in CCVT early in the semester. Students I've talked to in the past often express regret that they didn't get involved sooner.

Those of you who were here last week, we are definitely looking forward to seeing you again and getting to know you better.

For those of you who may not know, "Oasis" is our main large group gathering that we have every week. It's kind of the center of our life as a campus ministry and includes Bible Study, group discussion, sharing with friends, prayer, & celebration through heartfelt worship.

This week we are starting a new lesson series, "Storm". We will be discussing a lot of the tough questions people ask about Christianity and what we believe. This series will help you be better prepared to answer those questions in the future. It would also be a great place to bring your non-Christian friends, or your friends who are from a Christian background, but have really been doubting their faith recently. This series could really help answer a lot of their questions and revive their faith, or maybe bring them to faith for the first time. Please bring your friends.

If you need directions to our campus house, probably the best way to get them is to type "413 West Clay St., Blacksburg, VA" into Google maps. You'll see that our campus house is only about a block away from most of the dorms on campus, over by the Washington Street tennis courts. It's much closer than most of your classes!

If you are walking from on campus, do this: When you are standing on Washington Street between O'Shaughnessy (O'Shag) Hall and Johnson Hall you are only one short block away. Cross to the other side of the street and take the sidewalk up the hill towards VT's Cranwell International Center. (You will see a sign for Cranwell on Washington St.) VT's Tennis Courts will be on your right. As you are walking up the hill veer to your left off of the sidewalk and walk up the grassy hill. (Veer left before you get to the chain link fence with all the vines growing on it. We are on the other side of that fence.) You will see the campus house facing you. It's a two story red brick house with a big front porch and a banner on the balcony railing that says "Christ's Church @ VT Campus Ministry" -- so you'll know you found the right place once you get here! It's really pretty simple, but feel free to call me if you have any trouble: 540-552-8292.

All of us at CCVT are really looking forward to seeing you at Oasis, so I hope to see you there.

Don't forget: Oasis Bible study at 7:30pm (Wednesday, Sept. 1)

Check out our schedule of other upcoming events by scrolling to the bottom of this page. Thanks.

Looking forward to seeing you Wednesday night,
Steve