From Our Director: Thank You!

An interesting word caught my attention as I was reading about Jehoshaphat – volunteer. Jehoshaphat was a direct descendant of King David and Judah’s third king after Israel and Judah divided. He led Judah to follow God during a time when kings were not wholeheartedly committed to God. In 2 Chronicles 17:16, the chronicler was listing off the leaders of the regiments of soldiers defending Jerusalem under Jehoshaphat, and this notation pops up:

Amasiah son of Zichri, who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord, and with him 200,000 courageous men. Five commanders are listed in service to King, but only Amasiah is noted as a volunteer for God. Were the other military leaders recruited? Paid? Why this special representation of Amasiah?

Intrigued, I read other scriptures about volunteers. After nine years of cruel oppression by the Canaanites, the Israelites cried out to God and he sent them Deborah, a prophetess, to lead Israel to fight for freedom (see Judges 4). In Judges 5 after a great victory, Deborah and Barak sing a song of praise: When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the Lord!... My heart is with Israel’s princes, with the willing volunteers among the people, Praise the Lord! (v. 4 and 9, NIV). The Message translation says in verse 4, The people volunteered with abandon, bless God!  It was the volunteers who made the difference for Israel. Other scriptures speak of people giving freely and wholeheartedly to God (i.e., 1 Chronicles 29:9; 2 Corinthians 9).

I immediately thought of you, a volunteer among the people for the service of the Lord. The volunteers in Deborah’s day were part of bringing freedom from oppression. Amasiah led his regiment to protect Jerusalem. These volunteers made all the difference. That’s exactly what you are doing—giving yourself to the service of the Lord and making a difference in nursing! Thank you for giving freely and wholeheartedly to God to lead your NCF group. You are leading students and nurses to know Jesus. You are counted among God’s amazing volunteers. - Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, PhD, RN, National NCF Director

Giving Tuesday: Days Wage

November 29th is a global movement encouraging people to think about radical generosity. Christians are called to give a portion of our income as tithe, but what if we also trusted God to cover us for a sacrificial offering of what we make in one day?

NCF Student Ministries is a mission-based organization. Our budget is 100% based on the generosity of our donors. NCF Student Ministry needs you! Would you consider becoming a donor today? We invite you to consider giving one day's wage to help support NCF Student Ministry; whether you are a student or faculty, every day's pay makes a difference! Click here to give.

Your Voices: Group Prayer Experiences From Students at Jones College, Ellisville, MS

NCF is a fantastic way to start the week. We ask if anyone has prayer requests when we finish our devotion, and we come together as prayer warriors and pray over requests. For me, this blessing gives me peace and patience for the week. On test days, we gather together and pray over each other and ask God to calm students' nerves; we pray we can remember what we have studied. Our prayer times are one of the most important moments because I know I'm not alone. - Kolbi Holifield

Throughout my life, I have always been in church whenever the doors were open. However, I have been less faithful to attend since I started nursing school. NCF has helped me to remain faithful. Every Monday, we have a devotion, apply it to our lives, voice our prayer requests, and go to God in prayer. Although all of NCF is important, prayer is the most significant thing for me. Each week, we ask God for guidance, safety, patience, wisdom, strength, and courage to be a light for him. We ask God to forgive us of our shortcomings and thank him for his many blessings. Finally, we ask that everything be done in his will. This is all significant because it allows me to worship and reflect on the things I need to be a better Christian. In addition, NCF enables me to worship with classmates and instructors who all want to succeed by the will of God. I will forever be grateful for NCF and the many ways it has helped me grow in my prayer life and as a Christian. Again, I tell you that if two of you shall agree on earth about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20, NIV.  - Madison Warren

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