In early October, NCF staff Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner and Lara Kaiser traveled to Michigan—known as the Mitten. Visiting 17 nursing schools over 5 days, they shared about Jesus and
NCF. Despite attempts to set up appointments in advance, response was spotty. But they sensed God wanted them to visit all 17 campuses.
Thank and praise God with us at NCF for these clear evidences of his direction and outcomes of this venture:
- At the first school, the person Kathy and Lara wanted to meet stepped into the office just after they entered! She referred them to a student activities director--who had an InterVarsity Press Bible study on her desk. She’s excited to be part of starting NCF ministry on campus.
- At school #2, the nursing office was locked. While standing in the hallway, a faculty member walked up and asked what Kathy and Lara needed. Once she heard the words, “Nurses Christian Fellowship,” she started pouring out her heart about needs at the school. She jumped at the offer to pray together. As Kathy and Lara left, this faculty member said, “God sent you to me today, I really needed this…”
- Among the other schools visited, they interacted with a dean who, once she understood what NCF is, wants to move forward; an accidental encounter with a faculty member excited to discover NCF and JCN, and a secretary who’s relaying NCF to her friends.
- They met a student with a well-articulated vision to start a combined undergraduate and graduate student NCF group and set up “Buddy Mentors.”
- A conversation developed with two political science students--one is checking out InterVarsity on his campus.
- A brilliant young educator wants NCF to come alongside and make Jesus known at their school.
- Students and educators related promising article and research ideas that the peer-reviewed Journal of Christian Nursing can help them publish.
“Like the church at ancient Antioch that sent out Barnabas and Paul (Acts 13), God
sent us out by the Holy Spirit” Kathy said. “The Spirit connected us with real needs, created
divine appointments, and planted seeds to start new ministry.”
Thank God with us for such a bounteous trip! Pray for the fruit of these visits to produce more NCF groups and more students and nurses following Jesus.
Want to attend or start a student or nurse group with NCF? Visit our website for information about groups, free downloadable Bible studies, spiritual care resources and more.
