Tom Lin

I believe that Max Dupree said that the first job of a leader is to “define reality.” As I’ve begun leading InterVarsity’s Central Region, I have committed this academic year to doing quality assessment of the ministry – defining where we really are. At the same time, I’ve begun working with my regional leadership team on vision, determining where we want to go in the coming years. I’ve enjoyed the process, but also covet your prayers. Specifically, please pray for my team meeting this coming week, Oct. 22-24 in Iowa City.

I will be leading a study on Haggai, who asked the Israelites to consider their current situation and then called them to build the Lord’s temple: ”Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD.” (Haggai 1:7-8)

*ASSESSING REALITY:
Part of the assessment process involves me going out to meet all 29 staff and interns in the region. It’s been a tremendous joy for me to do this, as there have been several opportunities for this recently. One particular highlight was our region’s New Staff Training last week (see above pic), where 7 of our new campus staff came together for 3 days of training on “campus vision and strategy”. Listening to their stories and their vision for ministry on their individual campuses was not only informative but energizing! Please pray for Amy, Andrea, Allison, Jon, Mandy, Rachel L., and Rachel D., for the Lord’s blessing on their new ministries.

My next trip to meet staff in the region will be to Des Moines, IA on Oct. 30-31. I will speak to the InterVarsity chapter at Grinnell College and meet with the staff and interns who serve there. Then I will meet with 6 other Iowa staff at Drake University for an assessment of the health of our local IV chapters. Please be praying for Grinnell students to be impacted, encouragement for our staff through my visit, and my learning about the Iowa Area’s ministry.

*OTHER PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. Speaking at Emerge! Asian American Conference, Nov. 2-4. There’s already some blogging and buzz about the conference! Pray for my speaking engagement in Chattanooga, TN, as I am the keynote speaker for the IV Southeast Region’s Asian American student conference. Pray that I will be an encouragement for Asian staff in the region, as well as IV’s Asian American focused ministries.

2. Relationships with our local community. We’ve finally decided on a local church! After a few months of visiting churches in the area, we are now regularly involved with Harvest, a new church plant just minutes from our home. We have also seen God provide a few friendships in our local neighborhood. Please pray for the Lord to grant us opportunities to go deeper with our new friends and church community. Pray also for opportunities for us to share the gospel with our neighbors!