Calvary Chapel University is now forming a student government. In coming months, CCU will be adding more student representatives. Each “rep” will be charged with representing the student body to the administration regarding the current and future developments of the university. Because CCU is an online university, we will be inviting the student reps to contribute quarterly to the CCU blog on CalvaryChapelUniversity.com and on the Populi dashboard. We are proud to announce our first CCU student rep, Miray Jaksa! Below is her first blog post. If you are interested in being a CCU student rep, contact Deven Berryhill, Director of Admissions – deven@calvarychapeluniversity.edu
April 3, 2018~ “Here I am Lord, Send me”
My name is Miray Jaksa, I am currently a Senior at CCU, pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies / Women’s Ministry. It has been a blessing to be at CCU growing in my relationship with the Lord while serving at CC Living Word my home church. Eight years ago, the Lord started Hope Outreach Ministry as I was going through my own personal trial with our daughter who has special needs. The Lord opened my eyes to see that there are women worldwide who need the hope of Jesus, prayer support and comfort of the Body of Christ. Many families face the challenge of being in fellowship and getting to church when they have a child with special needs. Bringing moms together for encouragement through the storms they face is at the heart at Hope Outreach Ministry. Through each course at CCU the Lord has been training and equipping me to serve Him more effectively. Currently I am enrolled in the Christian Missions course where I’m learning about the missiological principles of missions.
After reading the chapter on Encountering Mission in the Gospels I was intrigued at all the references of the Father sending Jesus and Jesus sending His disciples. Jesus said in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” A key principle of missions is one must be sent from the Lord (Ex. 33:14).
Jesus is our example of being on mission in ministry going out to the lame, and to those who needed healing. Seeing how He has a heart full of compassion for those with special needs, I want to be one who reaches out to moms of special needs children, to be a friend, one who listens and bears their burden along with them (Gal. 6:2). Behind every child with special needs is a mom who carries a silent sorrow. Hope Outreach Ministry meets once a month for a time of fellowship, prayer support and encouragement from God’s Word. We are encouraged to do good to all but especially to those of the household of God (Gal. 6:10). As time is short we are to make the most of every opportunity, asking and praying for open doors, impacting those around us, investing in the Kingdom of God.
Even Jesus disciples fell short and failed in their ministry attempts, which gives me hope. Moreau (2004), “If God could use people who time and again failed to understand and believe Jesus to turn the world upside down, then there is hope that God can use you and me.” It is extremely comforting to know that God is bigger than my failures and that He consistently uses and chooses the weak and foolish in ministry (1 Cor. 1:27-29). This chapter reminded me of the importance of being Spirit led like Jesus, Moreau (2004), “Thus, mission comes out of the anointing and sending of the Spirit, not our own initiative.” It’s my prayer to be sent as one who brings the hope of the Gospel… may we all pray, “Here I am Lord, send me.”