Remembering to Give Thanks

Friends,

The timeliness of this holiday season can not be overstated. I am not one who gives thanks in all circumstances. Neither am I one who readily remembers the blessings of God in my life. Thanksgiving Day brought me a renewed heart of thanksgiving from which I could offer a new song of praise to my Father who provides all things.

This week, I returned to Valparaiso with my teammate and friend David, Chinese freshmen Amy and Tracy, and my Taiwanese friend Henry. I am grateful for the Berube family for hosting my friends and me. Indeed, it is nothing less than an answered prayer that the internationals could be received by a Christian family, and that I would remember what that resembles.

Psalm 100

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

That for which I am especially thankful (an exhaustive list is not plausible):

* My salvation in Christ, from which I have gained identity as a child of God
* My parents, who have entrusted me back to God and continue to be an example of diligence and godliness
* My sisters, who love generously and strive to impact the world
* My adopted families, who have opened their homes to me in the physical absence of my family
* My friends, who run this race of life alongside me and encourage me to be a better man
* My ministry, which was entrusted to me and continues to yield fruit
* My ministry partners, who spur me on through prayer and obedient support

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Autumn Answers Prayers

Friends,

For some of you, this may be a mere reiteration of the things we have witnessed together. For the rest of you, God has answered many prayers in my life and ministry in the last three months.

He has yielded in me tremendous growth through challenges of my environment, my character & discipline, and my relationships. I say this not to boast in my own maturity, for I have only begun to assemble the framework to this new house. It is in Christ that I have continued to demolish the old house and remove the debris, making way for the new. This house of which I speak is me- my identity and my purpose.

Some of my fondest moments in the last three months have been shared with freshman students. Indeed, they are the first answer to prayer. They have not only become good friends but also faithful disciples, growing in Christ and receiving His teachings. I delight in knowing that, even while I serve at Purdue, they may mature into spiritual leaders on this campus and in this ministry.

"For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20

My role as House Director at Alpha Tau Omega continues to surprise me. I am humbled by the learning that is required to respond appropriately to issues intertwined with the so-called "Greek culture". The conversations the brothers and I have shared have been stimulating. As much as I trust that seeds of faith are being planted, I know that the roots of my faith are reaching deeper with every testing question they pose. I ask that you would join me in praying for the men in this house. Specifically, join me in requesting four men who will be transformed and equipped with the Gospel of Jesus, who will be the foundation for many spiritual generations to come here at ATO.

"The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." ~2 Timothy 2:2

Thanksgiving break will soon be upon us. Please pray for opportunities to give thanks to God with friends and family who do not yet know how. I will be in the company of other Thanksgiving "homeless" like myself. I am excited for what this week may bring!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Keeping it Fresh

Friends,

Last week, over forty thousand students return to the routine of classes and work at Purdue. It has been a delight to meet and converse with freshmen and international students as they transition into life on campus.

Through surveys, organized activities, and meals, we have connected with men and women from all over the world who are eager to become a generation of leaders.

"Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise." ~Psalm 79:13

Here are some highlights from my time on campus the last two weeks:

The "Noble" Men

For clarification, they are not all from Noblesville, IN, but I thought it clever to dub them as such. They are a small group of young men who came to Purdue this fall intent on continuing in faith. Having walked in faith together through high school, they thought it appropriate and prudent to remain united in faith. By God's grace made evident in their generosity, I have been attending their weekly small group discussions. They not only desire to maintain their brotherly bond, but to also make their lives a conduit for the Spirit to work in the lives of others.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." ~Hebrews 10:23-25

International Students

The surprise is not that I have encountered several internationals students, especially from China. No, that was quite expected. The thing that caught me was their reception of me and the Gospel of Jesus. Their eagerness, in some cases, transcends mere cross-cultural interaction and curiosity. They desire to know the source of our joy and unity!

"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations." ~Psalm 22:27-28

Fraternity Life

My time in Alpha Tau Omega has stretched me and taught me to be a faithful servant within a drastically different environment. While this house has its share of challenges, I am encouraged by the fraternity brothers' openness to me and willingness to assist me. Last night, I discovered that several of them have begun to have weekly group prayer time. They will soon organize a weekly Bible discussion. The Spirit is moving in response to their and my prayers.

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." ~Matthew 18:20

Please remember these people in your prayers. Please also pray for the staff team, student leaders, and incoming students as we hope to initiate our small group Bible studies for the semester.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Making Christ Known

Friends,

God has blessed me and this ministry abundantly. As I have meditated on God's sovereignty and faithfulness, God has responded with more than I could ask or imagine. On Sunday, I moved into the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house in West Lafayette, IN. The house has invited me in as their house director, introducing several new challenges and ministry opportunities with the Greek students. By God's grace and glorious riches, I am also fully funded for the academic year and a quarter of the way to being funded for the coming summer's missions!

As I reflect on the transition I am making into the campus, I am finding even more need for Christ. I have specifically meditated on John 17 alongside the staff team. It is a beautiful prayer from our Lord to the Father for us. The passage reflects the obedience of the Son and His compassion for us; the prayer is the verbal expression of all that Jesus desires. This is what I have learned from meditating on this passage:

Eternal Vision

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent... But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves." ~verses 3, 13

The reason for the gospel of Jesus Christ was this - that everyone would come to know God in a way unadulterated by sin and brokenness, permitting us to give God glory and enjoy Him for all eternity.

Unity

"I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are... The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You have sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me." ~verses 11, 22-23

It is the Holy Trinity itself that represents what we cannot possibly imagine yet hope for in the ages to come. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are united in power and purpose, and They have sent Jesus Christ to the world so that we may be united with Them and with each other. As a team, we have studied and meditated on Christ-modeled community. By our very unity in love, the world will come to know our Savior.

God's Protection

"I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one." ~verse 14

"But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head." ~Psalm 3:3

I ask that you continue to be fervent in your prayer against the evil one who strives to obstruct our vision of God and desires to shatter our unity with one another. The staff team continues to endure and persevere through early trials as we continue to grow in love for each other and for God. This week may be the busiest week so far, and we must not stop seeking the God that binds us together. We have prepared our hearts for this moment, for reaching thousands of students are moving onto a university campus for the first time. Give thanks for the harvest we will reap!

I especially ask you to continue to pray to Jehovah Jireh, our God who provides. Though my funding account suggests that I have reached my goal, do not cease in praying for funds to continue pouring into the team. I cannot fully rejoice if the team with whom I desire to be as one is not yet ready to remain on campus this semester.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Knowing God

Friends,

Humility is never easily learned. It is often too quickly taught, and too slowly received. I do not claim to have learned humility, but I hear God calling me to pursue it. How do I then pursue humility without then taking pride in it?

"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." ~Psalm 46:10

For me, humility was first experienced. Two years ago, I suffered an acute onset of psoriatic arthritis, a chronic condition affecting skin and joints throughout the body. In my worst state, I despised every waking second. Laying in bed and sitting in a chair was difficult; walking was nearly impossible. God spoke to me when I was angriest at Him, feeling unjustly crippled. He taught me to trust in His power and His name, when I was most helpless and resentful.

God picked me up that summer from a paralysis of which I was not aware until I suffered a physical paralysis. I trusted in my abilities and my energy, a fatal flaw of my service to Him.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness..." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Thus, the second thing I have learned about humility is that it is purposeful and practiced in the worship of God. While people have claimed to have asserted dominance over many things in this world, no one has salvation from sin without God's grace. It is an incredible thing, in view of eternity, how insignificant our achievements are with respect to our great insufficiency.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD... Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; Save me and I will be saved, For you are my praise." ~Jeremiah 17:7,14

The motto of The Navigators is, "To know Christ, and to make Him known." This week, the staff team will be training and preparing for a semester of life with the students, beginning with thousands of incoming freshmen. My ministry depends first on my willingness to allow God to be my trust and to be my praise. Not only is He the one I worship, but also the one behind the act of worship.

Therefore, I request only that you pray these verses for me, that I might see clearly the God I serve. Satan is working hard; I need all of you.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Amazing Answers in August

Friends,

"For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, 'They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.' But now, O God, strengthen my hands." ~Nehemiah 6:9

This has been a difficult, but deeply encouraging week. Thank you for your prayers these last few weeks. God has not only protected me on this journey. He has provided me with abundant measures of strength, wisdom, and perseverance through the last two months as I learn about being a member of the full-time ministry staff team.

This last week has not been an exception. I safely returned from my visits in Los Angeles. God has also blessed me this week with the safe return of a couple of my favorite people from Zambia, Africa. Their stories have fanned the flame in my heart for the nations; I can hardly wait to be on campus with students and faculty of all peoples.

I have more good news for all of you! We have surpassed the 75% mark. This gives me enough to go on staff for the fall semester. However, I have not yet reached 100%. It won't be long, but keep praying about this. I would love to be able to focus on student ministry by the time I move to campus.

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." ~Deuteronomy 7:9

We serve the one true God, and He is faithful and exceedingly able. Praise Him for these things.

By His Grace,

Jon Chen

Sweet Fruit and Sweet Goodbyes

Friends,

My time in Los Angeles is coming to a close. I have immensely enjoyed this experience. To be concise, this week has borne much sweet fruit. I am thankful for all the people with whom I have met and partnered. God has placed a magnificent and passionate team behind me for this coming year.

Someone indirectly reminded me of God's role in this summer. God has challenged me, guided me through, and provided for me. Most of all, He has proved Himself sovereign and faithful. Without realizing it, I have relied heavily on my own energy and enthusiasm to share of my ministry to others. As some of you have already heard, I have been tired these last couple of days and have begun losing my voice. As a result, I am relieved to know I will be returning home soon. I will be meditating on these things as I rest in the coming days.

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." ~John 15:7,8

"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; in whatever he does, he prospers." ~Psalm 1:3

Please pray these verses for me. I will be flying back to Chicago tomorrow night. Only two weeks remain until I join the staff team on campus. Pray and give thanks for the funding the LORD will provide by then.

By His Grace,

Jon Chen

From Los Angeles With Love

Friends,

It is often overwhelming meeting so many people within such a short span of time. However with each passing week, I am growing in my understanding of the body of Christ. It is certainly a miracle, that we of infinitely varied backgrounds come to dwell on a common rest and find peace with one another and our God.

"And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." ~Matthew 24:31

After a busy week so paradoxically characterized by loneliness, I was encouraged by a semi-realization of this verse. From all corners of the world, the LORD has been assembling a ministry team like a giant puzzle. At first, I could not see the purpose behind each seemingly random experience. However, the people from these moments in my life have found their way back into my life at such a crucial and exciting time as this.

"It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren." ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

I will be in Los Angeles until my next post. By His exceedingly abundant grace, I will be very near to funding goal set before me. Get the confetti ready!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

I apologize for this three week photo drought. It hasn't occurred to me until the end of each week that I haven't taken my camera anywhere. This will change.

Learning to Walk, Then Learning to Stand

Friends,

Wherever you are in the world or in your life, you may understand the struggle that is faith. Some of the things I have investigated thus far this summer are the things that beckon us to have faith, protection behind faith, praying in faith, and the power we can have through faith. As my good friend Alex often suggests, all we need faith. It has not been an easy summer thus far, generally devoid of consistent fellowship and full of excuses to be discouraged. Even as I learn to walk, I am really just beginning to learn how to stand.

"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." -1 Corinthians 16:13

It has been most comforting to know that many are daily praying on my behalf. It is even more comforting to know that it doesn't come down to my faith and all of its insufficiencies, but on God's faithfulness.

"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him." -Lamentations 3:25

I would specifically like to ask for prayer in this area as I continue to learn to walk and stand. I truly value those of you reading and interceding in prayer. Please allow me to do the same by emailing me your prayer needs.

By His Grace,
Jon Chen
chenjonathanillin@gmail.com

Rolling into July

Friends,

I have been blown away by the way that the LORD continues to teach me this summer. This week, I have been blessed by my mother's visit from California. For those who don't know her, she is to me the representation of steadfastness and spiritual intercession. I have no fear of flattering her. If there's one thing she can't do, it's anything requiring a computer, blogs especially.

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend the annual Green Lake Retreat in Wisconsin with the Evangelical Formosan Church of Chicago. It is a church I used to call home before it became too much of a burden to drive the distance to Sunday service. The retreat was a great opportunity to catch up with friends with whom I haven't been in touch since I left that church five years ago. It's amazing how this generation has developed such a heart for non-believers.

Yesterday, I turned twenty-two, and I think of how blessed I am to have been given these many days to enjoy this life. As far as I can tell, everyone else I know survived another explosive 4th of July. A good friend of mine prescribed a birthday walk, so I spent the morning walking around Green lake, reflecting on how God has manifested himself this last year in my life. To say the least, I have been given a good life. Thanks for your birthday wishes!

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Waking Up After Summit, Holding to His Promises

Friends,

As expected, the challenge of faith is not experienced in the company of the faithful or during the times of great spiritual fruitfulness, but in seeming loneliness as demonstrated by Philip on the road to Gaza (Acts 8) and in times of spiritual drought. Perhaps that is part of the purpose of this summer - to increase in faith in the power and sovereignty of God.

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." ~Mark 11:24

Certainly, I have many things for which to be thankful. I have been shown the faithfulness of God to the promises He makes repeatedly. Jehovah-Jireh has brought me a third of the way to my goal, and I continue to be encouraged by so many of you. We have six weeks remaining before the semester begins. Pray that I would grow in faith and my vision as I approach my funding goals and preach the Word out of season (if the school year would be "in season", 2 Timothy 4:2).

By His Grace,
Jon Chen

Each week, I shall devote time and prayer for the needs of all of my partners and friends. If you have need or concern, I would be willing to receive your requests by email or phone.

EDGE Summit - June 2010

Friends,

I am making my first post within the valley walls of The Navigators' Headquarters and Glen Eyrie. Here, they are training me and helping me develop an extraordinary and unforseen vision of God's plans for the Purdue campus and other campuses all over the world. On June 24, I will leave this little piece of paradise on earth with my experiences from the most spiritually dense ten days my life has known. Along with the knowledge I will have acquired, I will also carry with me friendships with several faithful servants of the LORD. It is a blessing for which I give insufficent thanks to Him who provides.

"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." ~Isaiah 49:6

I ask for your prayers and support as I resume my journey through fundraising.

By His Grace,

Jon Chen