Ending University
So, I am finally reaching the end of my time studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at the University of Southampton, it’s been an incredible 3 years, both with its joys and hardships along the way. I shall be expecting to graduate during the middle of July, but I wouldn’t say at all that my journey stops there, as one chapter ends, another begins.
Though I’d probably suggest that I have matured and changed quite a lot, one thing I can be sure of is that I have got older in this time.
We all seek direction in our lives, from what to have for dinner, to ‘what will I spend the next chapter of my life doing?’, or even, ‘what is beyond this?’, ‘beyond my life?’, ‘my future?’, ‘after death?’.
As a Christian I believe that there is more to life than just what we see around us, that we do have a hope and a future, far beyond the boxes we have been confined into.
Finishing my degree now has marked the end of this past chapter in my life and has allowed me to look forward to starting anew and experiencing being in different and exciting new environments as I continue through the next stage in my journey of life.
Before I get onto talking about my immediate plans for next year, I’d just like to say thank you to all those who have supported and encouraged me during my time at university, and I also thank God for how he has been able to use me and grow me in so many ways. I now feel ready for the path ahead wherever God takes me and am looking forward to the joys and challenges that it brings!
For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. – Psalms 32:7-8
YWAM Los Angeles
That’s right! After much prayer and thought, I have applied and been accepted onto the YWAM Discipleship Training School in Los Angeles in California!
This came as quite a surprise to me also after having sought God’s direction in my life so much over the last year especially, but I am glad to say that I shall be going and am so excited about it!
“A Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a 5-6 month, hands-on Christian discipleship training program with 3 months of lecture phase followed by 2-3 months of international, cross-cultural outreach. The DTS is a remarkable, transformational journey that gives you the opportunity to fully focus on Jesus, hear His voice, and step into the calling He has for your life.”
I am hoping to have part of the course focussed around the idea of ‘Compassion’ where for the particular Compassion DTS, the mission is to respond to a hurting world by ministering out of the compassionate heart of the Father. We come alongside and share the love of God with those who are in spiritual, economic, and physical poverty. We will be trained with people from all over the world to pursue our destinies and to minister to the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the desolate. All throughout Scripture, we see that God’s heart breaks for “the least of these.” We want God to break our hearts for what breaks His through worship, prayer, and intercession, preparing us to love those we encounter. A love that is not just with limited human sympathy and emotion, but through the heart of the Father, eternally aching for justice, redemption, and hope for His children. This true compassion for another fuels acts of kindness and mercy.
Dates
The course shall start on January 6th 2018 and we shall arrive back home around June 10th 2018 where the first 12 weeks of the DTS will be the lecture phase spent on the YWAM Los Angeles campus, living, studying, worshipping, praying and joining together in community focussing on different areas of discipleship from the Nature and Character of God to Effective Evangelism.
Over this time, I am hoping to be developing the gifts that the Holy Spirit has given me and am eager to see how God uses me and grows me throughout this time.
The second part of the Discipleship Training School will include about 3 months of international outreach journeying into different areas of the world being a shining light in all nations. I love the idea of being able to do this especially since, as well as my personal excitement about travelling and experiencing new cultures, as Christians, we are all called to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has taught us as in Matthew 28 in the great commission.
How can you help?
Prayer
If you’re interested in supporting me and helping me throughout this next year, prayer is one of the most important things that you can do for me, this will be a lot of new experiences and it won’t come without it’s challenges and so shall be needing to be constantly at a state of overflowing with the Holy spirit and under the provision of the Father.
Finances
More details to follow shortly if you’d like to support me financially, as I’m sure you’re aware, this 6 Month Discipleship Training School isn’t free and I shall be relying on God’s provision and the support of others to raise the amount.
Currently the lecture phase costs approximately £2600 as well as with travel, visa and insurance and the outreach phase shall cost approximately £3200 also having travel and insurance costs.
I appreciate any form of support you are able to give me, and if you would like to support me financially, to donate online please follow this link to my ‘Paypal’ page which allows you to donate without any fees: Click Here to Donate via Paypal or you can transfer via other services by contacting me on donate@bengrist.com
But for now, thanks for reading and I’ll be back soon to update you further, thanks.
Ben
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. – Psalms 37:23-28
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