Emmanuel College

Fall 2010

2010-08-31T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about this upcoming new school year. There is ALWAYS such an excitement in the air of anticipation concerning the arrival of new students and the return of old students.

We are gearing up in full force for this Fall. We will continue our Sunday morning schedule as follows:

10:15 am: Worship

11:30 am: College Bible Study and Lunch

Our Wednesday schedule will also continue:

5:00 pm: Fellowship Supper ($2)

6:00 pm: The Coffee Table (Mid-Week College Gathering)

SNAC (Sunday Night After Church) will meet at Sam and Patti's house once a month for an incredible meal and time of games and fellowship.

I am super excited!

Jonathan and Erin Clark

2010-06-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer! As you know, summers in Ruston for a College Minister can be pretty quiet. Several of our students are back home, on the mission field, serving at camps, taking classes, etc. However, there is a handful of Emmanuel students who are here in the summer-time and we are having a BLAST as a small group! We are still doing Wednesday Night Coffee Table. It is taking a different (and creative) twist. We are having a really good time with it. We are also doing Post-Worship Bible Study and Lunch on Sunday mornings. In addition to that, on Sunday nights, Erin and I are having those who are here and interested over to our house for snacks and games.

We are TOTALLY available for serving ourchurch members out with anything that you might need done around their house or yard (...assuming we are qualified and knowledgeable...I am not much of the handy-man.)

Thanks again for all your support and for loving on these students in this wonderful season of college!

Jonathan and Erin Clark

scripture #2

2010-03-17T20:13:00.000-07:00

Time for scripture #2. Simply post what scripture you intend on memorizing in the comment section.. =)

Mission Trip: 6th (and Final) Day: March 8, 2010

2010-03-08T20:04:00.000-08:00

As I write this last post, concerning the Mission Trip, it is 10:07pm and I am back in Ruston, Louisiana and in my own bed, not on an air mattress on the floor of a Sunday School room.

Today we concluded our trip by spending most of it at Whispering Pines Baptist Camp, just north of Mobile, doing some elements on their ropes course. It was meant to be a day of team building, fun, and encouragement. It was all three of those things to the max!

We started the adventure on a low element called "Mo-Hawk Walk." It required a lot of teamwork, communication, cooperation, and encouragement. Apparently, we are the first and ONLY group to have ever completed that event in its entirety with a 100% completion rate and zero mistakes. That built moral.

Then we went down the zip line and climbed on this tall obstacle element called the Play-Pen. Both of those were quite exciting and EVERY team member present went! I was so proud.

The final element was the most adrenaline rushing of the ones. It was called "Leap of Faith." Basically you climb up a telephone pole 45 feet up, stand up on a 1x2 foot platform and jump 8 feet out in front of you in attempt to catch and hold onto a trapeze bar. It was quite nerve racking and difficult.

We came home and had a wonderful time. Even at the conclusion of our trip, spirits were high and attitudes were good. We praise the Lord and we thank you for your faithfulness to pray for us.

Please continue to stay up to speed with what is going on in the world of Emmanuel Baptist College Ministry at this site.

Jonathan Clark

Disregard personal space when doing group building initiatives.

Trust and cooperation are HUGE and our team rocked it!

This "Play-Pen" was much more difficult than it seemed.

I was very proud of all our students for taking this plunge on the zip line

More Zip Line!

This was step one of the element "Leap of Faith"

This is step two in the element.

Third and final result!

Mission Trip: 5th Full Day: March 7, 2010

2010-03-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

Today (Sunday) was our last full day here in Mobile. It has been a really good day of ministry and very humbling as well. We went to the Alabama Baptist Homes for Children and cooked out for them while they were at church. We spent our afternoon playing with them and building relationships and even having eternally significant conversations with those kids and staff. It is a really cool ministry and I couldn't have been more proud of our students and the work they did. There were about 15 kids there who ranged from 5 years old to 14 years old. They could be there for 3 weeks or 18 days, just depending on their situation.

Tonight we will have some share time and some encouragement time. Then tomorrow, we will head to Camp Whispering Pines to go through their ropes course. We will finish off our trip with some group building time there and then head back to Ruston.

Thanks again for your prayers. Specifically, you can pray for:

1. The children at the Children's Home: that they would know Christ, grow in knowledge of Him, and understand the love the Father has lavished on us that we could be called sons of God

2. The Children's Home is in need of another set of house parents.

3. Our safety and unity on the Ropes Course

4. Safety as we travel home.

This morning we had to clean out the Sunday School rooms we are sleeping in. Ashley decided it would be fun to climb on top of them all.

Faith had the opportunity to talk to these kids about Jesus and she took it!

Since Chase is obviously the most spry of our team members, he spent the majority of his day giving piggy back rides.

Tim, on the other hand, just stood there and allowed the kids to gnarl his face.

The Home has a really nice playground, including this merry-go-round. Just watching it made me nauseous.

Some of our students rode bikes with the residents.

Human knot: It was a lot of fun to watch the kids figure this out and work together.

Rebecca was helping this child on more of the playground equipment

Mission Trip: 4th Full Day: March 6

2010-03-06T19:56:00.000-08:00

Today marks the final day of our work on the Habitat site. We were the only "group" there although there were about a dozen Habitat Home Owners putting in some of their volunteer work. It was humbling and joyful to talk to them about their homes and the opportunities they have to help build other people's homes.

Our team was able to work really hard and efficiently. We can see a HUGE difference in the property from the start of Tuesday compared to the end of today. It was great and the Habitat staff were VERY complimentary and appreciative and impressed with the Emmanuel students! Be proud.

Tomorrow we will go to the Alabama Baptist Homes for Children to give them and their staff a cookout and then we will spend our afternoon playing with them and loving on them. I don't really know what to expect, but I am really excited about it.

Thanks so much for praying for us. Here are some ways you can pray specifically:

1. Tiredness+close quarters+hard work can lead to irritability and we want to be on guard against that. It is those little things that can destroy.

2. The children at the Alabama Baptist Homes for Children: That we will love on them and minister to them and show them great affection.

3. Tomorrow (Sunday) will be out last night together. Pray that it will be a sweet time of closure and sharing.

Thanks so much.

Jonathan Clark

Chase is drilling through concrete, although Tim did most of the work...INCREDIBLY tough work.

Catherine getting her skill saw on!

Putting down the roof, Atom, just as chill as ever.

Sam Wheat and Keith Barnes: TEAM HEROS! These guys are incredible. We have eaten like royalty and have been transported with safety, accuracy, preparedness, and a servant's heart!

Our Team!

Mission Trip: 3rd Full Day: March 5

2010-03-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

Today put is over the half-way mark when it came to our time at the Habitat site. We have completed three full days of labor and have one more day at that property. It is really fulfilling to see tangible progress of our ministry and service. It is also really fulfilling, in a different kind of way, to NOT see progress of our ministry and service, as we trust God that the seeds planted in lives will continue to be brought to fruition for His glory. Today was our final day working with the other college students from Pennsylvania and New York. I find it is really difficult to have significant conversations with folks when we are hammering nails, balancing on trusses 60 feet high, measuring boards, holding ladders, and things of the like. However, it did happen. Continue to pray for those folks and those relationships built.

Tomorrow we will be working on the Habitat site for the last day. We will be the only volunteer group there (to my knowledge), however, there will be several Home Owner volunteers (Habitat recipients have to put in 300 hours of labor on Habitat Homes). We are really looking forward to spending time with them.

Today was our first evening of not having structured evening activity. It was nice to come home to Sam's cooking and just to be able to relax and enjoy one another. People were playing cards, playing basketball, sleeping, fellowshipping, watching TV shows on-line, spending time with the Lord, etc. It was nice.

Please pray for:
1. The seeds planted at the International Ministry Center
2. Seeds planted amongst the college students from NY and Pennsylvania we worked with
3. Our ministry and conversations with Habitat Home owners
4. Our ministry preparation for the Alabama Baptist Homes for Children on Sunday.

Thank you so much! We really value the vital role you are playing on your end.

Roof decked!

Soffet on its way!

Jackson got in on the action too!

Free time...FINALLY

Sam is ALWAYS full of games.

Mission Trip: 2nd Full Day: March 4, 2010

2010-03-04T20:05:00.000-08:00

On behalf of 27 sunburned-faced, construction-working, siding-painting, house-framing folks, I say thank you for your prayers. I believe God is honored with our work, our attitudes, our relationships, and our fellowship. Things are really going well. It is 10:11pm on Thursday, March 4th.

Today at the Habitat site, we saw a tremendous amount of improvement with our work. We are also having some good conversations and building some neat relationships with the other college groups we are working with. There was SIGNIFICANTLY more work to be done today and it was much warmer, so you would be very proud of all these students as they were work horses.

This evening we had the opportunity to go to the International Ministry Center here in Mobile. This ministry is run by a gentleman who spent 10 years in Asia as a career-missionary. Due to health reasons with his children, he had to come back to the states. He is running this ministry center and seeing Internationals coming to faith in Christ left and right. It is incredibly neat to hear the stories, as well as humbling, in addition to challenging. Tonight was Filipino basketball night. We got there with time to do some heaving moving, rearranging, cleaning, vacuuming, etc before the Filipinos came. Once the internationals started trickling in, our students kicked it into high gear by loving on those guys, playing ball with them, shooting pool with them, engaging them in conversation, etc. Some ladies also came (one of which had a son who was my son's age, so it was exciting to see my Jackson, age 2, running around, loving on, playing with Victor, a Filipino child). I couldn't have been prouder of this team. They were incredible.

Continue to pray for us for the following:
1. Tired bodies (construction is HARD work)
2. Wellness (one student already had to go home due to a stomach virus)
3. Opportunities (we are working 8-4 on these Habitat homes with people who need the Lord)
4. Boldness (to actually follow through and initiate Christ-centered conversations)
5. Discipline (to maintain our individual times in the Word)

God is answering prayers. Thank you for this opportunity to serve alongside your loved one!

Jonathan Clark

Lunch Break on our Habitat Site

We framed a decked this house...many Mothers would be extremely nervous

Lots of hours spent on the on this soon-to-be-roof (reason for the sunburns)

LeAnn Moore with a Skill Saw

oing a bit of house keeping at the International Ministry

Pre-game intros!

Jackson and Victor, new buddies!

Drive Day and First Full Day of Work

2010-03-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks again for your consistent prayers and words of encouragement. I write this at 8:47 pm on Wednesday evening. We have officially finished our first full day of ministry. We arrived safely and joyfully last night (Tuesday) around 8:30 and were welcomed by the WONDERFUL accommodations of Spring Hill Baptist Church's Activities Center. We have everything we need and plenty of space.

As for today, Wednesday, we left the church at 7:30 am to go to our Habitat for Humanity Site. There were already a few other college groups there that started working yesterday. They had already established quite a bit of work, so it was difficult to really be able to jump right in and take ownership with some projects. However, our students took initiative to do what needed to be done and worked extremely hard. We are working on two houses and can already see a lot of work being done. The other college groups we are working with are groups from Villanova, New York, and Widener University. It is fun getting to know them. Pray for us as we build relationships there, as they are not necessarily campus ministries.

Since we are at a church Activities Center, we were not able to use the facilities tonight due to church activities. We went to this BBQ joint called The Shed and then went bowling. I figured we could do activities and have fun while we are still relatively fresh.

Tomorrow, we will be back at the Habitat Homes to continue work and then we will be heading to the International Ministry Center to play basketball with and hang out with the Filipino guys and gals that come there on Thursday. Pray for our conversations.

As for what to pray:
Attitudes as we work and share close quarters with one another
Habitat for Humanity work and safety
Opportunities to share Christ and encourage others with God's Word

Thanks so much!

Mission Mobile 2010 Participants

2010-03-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of those going on the mission trip, just so you can be praying specifically for each person!

Amanda LaBorde

Ashley Birch

Atom Hammons

Braden Smith

Catherine Abel

Charity Jackson

Chase Louviere

Chase Rolland

Chris Harris

Erin Clark

Faith Miller

Haley Hoffpauir

Haley Ogea

Heath Jones

Jackson Clark

James Blazek

Jeff Rollins

Jonathan Clark

Keith Barnes:

Landon Troxclair:

LeAnn Moore

Lydia Stebbins

Macy Jarmon

Mark Whisenhunt

Rebecca Benton

Sam Wheat

Tim Francis

Tyler Matherne

Mission Mobile 2010

2010-02-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

March 2-8, the College Ministry of Emmanuel is going to be going to Mobile, Alabama for our Spring Break Mission Trip. 28 total people are going and I am super excited about the opportunities for service and growth that we will have.

Thank you for committing to pray for us. Here is a brief idea of what we will be doing:

1. Traveling
2. Habitat for Humanity: Wednesday-Saturday 8:00-4:00
3. International Ministry Center: Thursday 6:30 with Filipinos
4. Alabama Baptist Homes for Children: Sunday
5. High Ropes Course for our group for Team Building

I will do my best to update this daily whilst on the trip.

Thanks so much!

Super Bowl Sunday

2010-02-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

Super Bowl Sunday was a GREAT day all across the board! Wonderful time of corporate worship with the Emmanuel Body, wonderful fellowship over soup with the Emmanuel body, wonderful fellowship and exercise with the Emmanuel college and youth over football (whereas the YOUTH won), wonderful time of fellowship with the Emmanuel college students over at our house to watch the Super Bowl...all topped off with a wonderful victory!

We are QUICKLY approaching our mission trip to Mobile, Alabama!

The college students' look-of-intimidation was NOT backed up on the field.

Jason Hogg is simply unstoppable.

We had a great time and a great turnout!

Heath Jones and Haley Hoffpauir...cutest couple EVER!

We had 29 people crammed in our tiny living room watching the Super Bowl

Tyler Matherne, James Blazek, Chase Louviere (now bald), and Lydia Stebbins

What will you memorize?

2010-02-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

This is for the Ladies, but Gentlemen you can get on board if you would like. I am encouraging the ladies to "hide God's word in there heart" by memorizing 1 verse a month. We will get a new verse at the first of every month. I hope that this is an intentional way for us to grow in our love for God and His word!! I am asking that you simply post on a comment what your verse is so that you can be held accountable. I love you guys and I am glad that God put us on this journey together.

Mission Trip 2010

2010-01-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

For our Spring Break Mission Trip, we are, for sure, going to Mobile, Alabama. I am still not 100% sure of what ALL we are doing, but I am 100% sure of SOME of what we are doing. We will be leaving on Tuesday, March 2nd and start working with Habitat for Humanity Wednesday through Saturday. We will have Sunday and Monday to work with other ministries, one of which is possibly the Alabama Baptist Children's Home. Be in prayer for the college ministry, the students going, and those with whom we will be ministering.

Christmas Season!

2009-12-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

Since students got back from Thanksgiving break, we have really been enjoying the two point five weeks of classes and basking in the Christmas season! We had our annual Christmas Party at Sam's house, which of course, resulted in good eats and lots of gaming fellowship. It was a soup smorgasbord featuring baked potato soup, chili, and shrimp/corn chowder. Delicious! And, he had many of his famous homemade desserts and finger-foods. We also made s'mores, but that didn't really compare to Sam's desserts.

Instead of bringing gifts for one another, we decided to bring gifts for two local ministries: The Hub in Shreveport we provided new blankets, new socks, and used warm clothes. For CCA (Christian Community Action) in Ruston, we provided bar soap and light bulbs. It was nice to NOT make it about us, but to give missionally and sacrificially!

Now, we have another 2 week break for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Break

2009-12-01T14:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to a new Quarter at Tech. It has been nice to have a break from school, but I trust everyone is ready to get back into the swing of things! I know November has a big, fat break in it for the Thanksgiving/Quarter Break and that there is another big, fat break right around the corner for Christmas. There is MUCH to do between now and then!

Several Emmanuel students spent several days on Mission during the Thanksgiving Break. Several students went to Mission Arlington with the BCM to do apartment ministry, prepare to feed over 20,000 for Thanksgiving, and do a large yard cleaning project. It was a great time.

This was an apartment church. Mission Arlington's philosophy is "take the church to the people." They have TONS of apartment-based churches all over the Arlington area.

This was Jackson's first Mission Trip. It was really sweet to see him serving and helping and giving to the children.

One way to connect with families in apartment complexes is to love on their children. There are several after-school programs which do just that.

This yard took 80 people and about 10 hours to clean. Mission Arlington acquired it to use for a home for Down's Syndrome students once they graduate.

Others, were on Mission to New Orleans with the Wesley doing similar deeds of feeding the poor and cleaning up the city.

Still...OTHERS, were being on Mission in their hometowns, with their families, amongst friends, etc. It was a GREAT, missional Thanksgiving break.

October Recap

2009-11-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

There has been much going on lately.
1. Annual Church Picnic
2. SNAC at Sam and Patty's
3. Halloween Pumpkin Patch

Plus Wednesday night Coffee Table has been going quite incredible. There is a such a vibrant spirit at the church. The students are incredible and are investing in the total church package, which is quite encouraging.

Keep track with the calendar on this page for important upcoming events.

Church-wide Picnic: This is the starters for our football team...the rest of the team came later and we surely did wreck shop on the youth, 4 touchdowns to 1. It was cute.

Large group games at Sam's house on SNAC nights are always tons of fun!

Church-wide Annual Pumpkin Patch: The college department was in charge of the ping pong toss and pumpkin painting...and eating massive amounts of candy, all of which were done with expertise.

Tim Francis and Jackson help one another in clean-up efforts.

College Bible Study/Lunch: Sundays

2009-10-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday after corporate morning worship, we gather together as college students for Bible Study and lunch. It usually proves to be an excellent time of fellowship as we share a meal together, share life together, and share God's Word together.

Morning Worship: 10:15
College Bible Study/Lunch: 11:30

4th Annual Great Giveaway!

2009-10-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 3th, 2009 was Emmanuel's 4th Annual "Great Giveaway," which is an outreach event/service project for our community. Goods, such as clothing, furniture, toys, household items, etc are collected and then folks from the community can come and take whatever they need for free. Also, they are given a Bible if they need one and are presented with the Gospel! It was an incredible event. Here are some pictures from it.

This is a glimpse of folks shopping in the gym. As you can see, the turnout was amazing and people left with LOT of things they needed.

Mark and Jason helping some kids.

Cory and Tyler helping a lady with some heavier items

Catherine and Erin working the registration table.

September 27th SNAC @ Sam's

2009-09-28T09:19:00.001-07:00

Seriously, does it get any better than Sam Wheat's cooking and hospitality? I think not! The weekend of September 25-27 was a great weekend for those in Emmanuel's College Ministry. There was the state-wide collegiate conference, Ignite, in Shreveport. Great times of challenging teaching and significant relationship building.

Then, we get home from that weekend and get to hang out at Sam and Patti's home as they prepared the most delicious jambalaya I have ever eaten as well as peanut butter pie and brownie pie. Incredible! We played games and had a lot of laughs.

What a great God we serve who ordained the concept of "relationships." I truly believe we are experience a glimpse of what he desires for His Church.

September 16th Church Road Trip 2009

2009-09-17T19:35:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, September 16th was the annual Church Road Trip. About 130 Freshmen met at the BCM and loaded up on church busses and proceeded to go to each of the 5 churches in Ruston for a progressive dinner. We had the fourth stop: Dessert! It was incredible. We gave away mesh laundry bags with our logo and information on it. We served up Cheesecake, several of which were homemade! Spectacular! We showed a killer video that will be shown in the morning worship service September 20th. The students did a PHENOMENAL job working and helping and loving on Freshmen. Thanks so much to Allison Brister for heading that team up!

Fellowship at Sam's 9.6.09

2009-09-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

Labor Day weekend students moved back at Tech! Sam Wheat, Minister of Education/Administration, had students over to his home (a common occurrence) for an evening of pizza, chips and salsa/cheese dip, and a wide-array of homemade desserts with coffee.

We usually try to have SNAC (Sunday Night After Church) at Sam's house at least once a month. September 27th is the date for the next one! Sam is a masterful chef.

2009-09-06T20:59:00.000-07:00