An answer to prayer

As many of you know, I have been raising financial support for the past few months in order to share the good news of Jesus Christ with high school students in North Atlanta. As many of you may also know, I have found the support raising process to be difficult, and in many instances, the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do in my life.  For those who don’t know what the process looks like, I want you to know that it’s a journey of faith. The cliche term of “trust in God “has not just become a phrase for me, but rather, a way of life.

I would like to share a story that happened to me late last week. As the days went on and the financial support wasn’t coming in, I found myself growing increasingly angry and increasingly frustrated at God, the support raising process, Cru, and anything else that I could think of. I found myself discouraged because I wasn’t seeing any progress in meeting my goal of raising $3,177/month, and starting to feel like maybe this isn’t where God had called me.

I went into my room feeling angry and pleading with God asking Him why I have been struggling so much with raising support. I got on my knees and began praying and really just let out my frustrations to God.I felt like quitting. I wanted nothing more than to say I’m done. As I continued praying, I simply asked God, “If you want me here working for Cru, show me.” Immediately after those words came out of my mouth, I received an email from a current supporter telling me she was feeling led to increase her support amount from $50/month to $100/month.

People may see this as a coincidence, but I truly believe that God was reminding me that He knows what He’s doing and there is a reason as to why He has put me in this season of difficulty. When I was at my breaking point, not knowing where or who to run to, I am always reminded that God is always there.  I am just continually amazed at God’s goodness in my life and his provision in everything.

On September 1st, I was approximately $1,200/month away of reaching my goal of $3,177/month. Exactly 11 days later, I am only $330 away from reaching my goal. This month, the Lord has provided $3,100 of one time support and $975 of monthly support. I am not saying any of this to boast in myself, but I am saying all of this to boast in my God.

With all that being said, I feel the Lord leading me to continue to ask. When I first began raising support, staff members told me that it would take approximately 40 supporters in order to be 100% fully funded. I am sitting here today with 55 supporters and only $330 short of my goal.

For those on my support team, I would like to ask that you prayerfully consider raising your support amount if possible. For those who are not on my support team, I ask that you prayerfully consider joining my team. There is a great spiritual need in this area among high school students, and I am blessed that I get to invest my life into them. The link to give online is https://give.cru.org/0863747.

I also ask that you pray alongside me. I have never seen the true importance of prayer and dependence on God until this moment. I am really beginning to see how I need God in every aspect of life. Thank you again for your consideration.

Meltdowns and Miracle’s – Christ is Enough

“And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full.” Mark 8:8

I knew the support raising process would be difficult, however, the word difficult doesn’t do justice to just how hard it has been for me. As August 1st looms around the corner, I find myself growing increasingly anxious, growing increasingly overwhelmed, and growing increasingly scared.

On Sunday, I had my first meltdown in regards to support raising. I found myself at a Wendy’s at 9:30 at night wondering if this is truly where God has called me. I sought counsel from a few friends and prayer from many more. Still, the feelings of anxiousness grew in my heart throughout the night.

As I sit here three days later, I am reminded of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in Mark 6 and Jesus feeding the 4,000 later in Mark 8. I am reminded of how I had to raise support for three summer projects and how God graciously provided for all three. I am also reminded of how often I forget about God’s goodness and faithfulness and limit what He can do through my prayers.

When Jesus first fed the 5,000 in Mark 6, the disciples were in awe of what had just occurred. Even after Jesus had just performed miracle after miracle, the disciples were quick to forget of what Jesus had done beforehand. A few chapters later, Jesus finds himself in the same situation in Mark 8. This time he feeds 4,000 and without fail, the disciples do the same thing. They are in awe of what had just occurred, forgetting that Jesus had just fed 5,000 two chapters before.

Sitting here today, I realized I am one of the disciples. I am always quick to forget of all that God has given me and blessed me with. Three summers ago God provided over $1,200, two summers ago God provided over $1,600, and last summer God provided over $6,000. The amazing parallel between my financial situation in the past and Jesus feeding the hungry in Mark 6&8 is something that is often overlooked. In both instances where Christ fed the hungry, the people were fully satisfied with their meal and Jesus had provided excess bread. I really believe that the excess bread signifies that Christ is sufficient, and he will provide more than we need.

I am currently $2,000 short of my goal of raising $3,100/month. I have been praying vigorously that God provide my financial support and I ask that you pray alongside me. If you feel compelled to give, you can donate online at https://give.cru.org/0863747. We serve an amazing God who can do amazing things and I humbly ask that you partner alongside me to raise up more laborers for His Kingdom.

The Cure for the World

“Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” – Proverbs 25:25

Consider a man has finally found a cure to cancer. He’s jumping for joy because he’s realized that he can change the world for the better. Now consider how selfish it would be if this man kept this cure to himself. He has the opportunity to save millions of lives and he won’t share it with anyone.

Now consider the Christian and consider the Gospel. The Christian is jumping for joy because he’s realized that he can change the world for the better. He’s realized that he can save souls for eternity. Again, consider how selfish it would be if this man kept this Gospel to himself. He has the opportunity to save millions of lives and he won’t share it with anyone.

As Christians, we are called to share our faith. We are called to share this “cure” that can save souls for eternity, yet we conceal and hide this cure from people who are dying day after day simply because we are too afraid to share our faith. C.S. Lewis has a quote that has resonated with me throughout the years. The quote reads, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

As I begin ministry with high school students I ask for your partnership in prayer. I ask that we pray specifically for boldness in proclaiming the Gospel. I ask that we pray that the Gospel changes lives, penetrates hearts, and save souls. Lastly, I ask that we pray that students come to know the Lord.

In order to begin ministry I must be fully supported financially. I must raise $3,100/month and am currently at $670/month. If you would like to partner alongside me please email me at Patrick.Choi@cru.org and you can give online at https://give.cru.org/0863747. Thank you for considering partnering alongside me to reach high school students for Christ

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Cultivating a Vision for Support Raising

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

I’ve heard time and time again that vision leaks. Just like any New Year’s resolution or goal that someone may have, the motivation they once had quickly leaves. People today are quick to be motivated for a month or two and lose interest. I know personally, this happens to me in a spiritual sense on a daily basis.

When I first began support raising I truly thought it would be much easier than it actually has been. I laid out a perfect 3 month plan where I would be fully supported by August 1, but here I am sitting at $600/month. Here I am sitting $2,400 short, twenty-three days before August 1. As I began thinking of different ways to raise support, it finally hit me. I lost my vision as to why I was support raising.

I joined staff with Cru thinking I would be ministering to high school students only. I’ve slowly been learning that support raising allows me to develop relationships with a much larger group than only high school students. God has given me an avenue to share my faith with many more people. Support raising must be seen as an opportunity to share my faith with others rather than a meaningless chore as a means to get to my end goal of being fully supported.

Going back to John 15:5, support raising has shown me the truth behind this verse. The reality is that without God in the support raising process, I actually cannot do anything. Remaining in Christ through His Word, prayer, and community will only further cultivate my vision for support raising. God has called me to ask for support and I must learn to embrace that calling on my life through remaining in Him.

As I continue to raise support, I ask for you to join alongside me in prayer. I ask that you pray specifically for my heart to be rooted in His word and to be fervent in prayer. As difficult as support raising has been, it is an amazing opportunity for me to share how God has radically changed my life with others.                                                                                  

 

God’s Calling On My Life

Four years ago I decided that I would attend Georgia College and State University and four years ago God decided that he would intervene in my life. Throughout my four years at Georgia College, I truly realized that God was the sole reason for my existance and my life was meant to further glorify His name. Therefore, I want to share with you the future that God has called me to and share different ways that you could partner with me prayerfully, financially, and through other means as well.

I am now on staff with Cru High School, which is the US ministry for Campus Crusade for Christ. Cru is a ministry that is passionate about connecting high school students to Jesus. We do this through many different avenues such as large group meetings, small group meetings, retreats, one-on-one discipleship, and school-wide events that allow kids to feel comfortable talking about Jesus.

God has clearly put in my heart to work with high school students, specifically students from Centennial and Johns Creek High School. My girlfriend, Erica Wright pictured above, also shares the same passion to reach high school students for Christ and we plan on embarking on this journey together in the near future. I began to see the need that these kids had for Jesus after attending Fastbreak, Cru’s winter retreat for high school students. It was at this retreat where I began to understand the struggles and difficulties that high scool students are currently facing. A lot of these kids were seemingly happy with their lives, but when I truly pressed into their lives many confessed struggles such as thoughts of suicide, drug addiction, alcoholism and much more. There is a great spiritual need in the North Fulton area, and I am excited to invest my life in such a significant way.

My two biggest needs are of course prayer and financial support. Honestly, I do believe that the prayer aspect is far more important than the financial aspect. I know that if I want to see these students reached for Christ I must be on my knees daily begging God to save souls. In terms of financial support, I need to raise $3,177 a month. I am looking for monthly donations of $50, $100, $200 or other amounts, as well as one time donations. This money will go towards my living expenses in Johns Creek such as paying for housing, food, miscellaneous supplies for Cru as well as paying for retreats and missions projects in the future.

If God leads you to give simply mail your check, made payable to Campus Crusade for Christ, in the enclosed envelope, or you can give online at https://give.cru.org/0863747. If you have any questions or concerns please call me via cellphone: 678-467-1538 or email me at Patrick.Choi@cru.org. I would love to follow up with you and meet face-to-face and share more in-depth what my vision is for Cru and how I got involved with the ministry.

Jesus gave us the Great Commission not only to start it but to finish it as well. Thank you for considering partnering alongside me to help reach Centennial and John’s Creek high school students for Christ.