I’m in Hungary now, as I have been for the past week and a half. Before this conference I was at my stint Midyear and now I’m at a conference in Tihany, Hungary (about 2 hours from Budapest) with about 1200 people, national staff, international campus staff (ICS), and stinters. There are 19 countries represented here at the conference and it truly is a taste of heaven.

It’s been fun to hear of the stories of life change that God is producing all over this area. I am increasingly aware of the fact that God is at work even when we can’t see it. I feel encouraged.

I feel hopeful for the salvation of Slovaks, Czechs, Croatians, Serbs, Russians, Israelis, Romanians, Ukrainians, Bosnians, and others.

Just the other day I heard a story of 35 students coming to Christ in Russia and 100 in the Ukraine. I feel truly amazed and blessed to be a part of a ministry that is so deeply committed to evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication. The process which has the name; movement building.

We’ve heard talks by speakers who have a deep passion and desire for us to understand the doctrine tucked inside the gospel. Which takes us back to the essential core of who we are as believers. I believe that we do need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily. I’m not so good at doing this type of thing. But, I do believe, if I’m ever going to really succeed in a lifetime of ministry, I will need to develop a deeper understanding of the gospel and who I am because of Christ. Isn’t this what we all need to get back to?

I’ve been so encouraged by the Global Leadership of Campus Crusade. As an Area of Affairs (including Eastern Europe, Russia, and Israel) there has been a general expression of our need to depend on God. That as an organization we need to get on our knees together and petition before the One who is able and ask in His name for the salvation of these countries in which we are serving.

In a global context songs like, “You Said” those that we tend to not sing any more, really get to the very core of what I feel like my heart is crying out.

“You said, ask and you will receive, whatever you need. You said, your glory will fill the earth like water the sea. Ask and I’ll give the nations to you, Oh Lord, that’s the cry of my heart, distant shores and the islands will see your light as it rises on us.”

I’ve really enjoyed the worship here. The other day we sang “Holy, Holy, Holy” each of us in our own language. It was a beautiful chorus that struck deep within me, my heart felt so encouraged by the reality that one day in heaven, we’ll listen and see something much more glorious, but it was a taste and at this point I’m very thankful.