Praise the Lord for His move in Reno! The saints in Reno are quite exercised and motivated as they joined the FTTA trainees to go out in one accord in the spirit of the gospel to the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) to contact the students, distribute tracts, preach the gospel and give away Recovery Version Bibles. On at least one day, 88% of the saints were involved in the outreach here.

Yesterday (Jan 29) we set up three tables around campus and split the saints and trainees into three teams of about 4 to 7 saints. The majority of the students at UNR are very polite, respectful and open. Even if they refuse a tract, they thank us for the free offer. There were more interactions with people than simply handing out tracts. A few times, so many students came to the table that every saint was needed to care for them all. There was one student who just stood across from the table watching us. Later when we talked to him he simply said he liked to hear things about Jesus and we gave him a Recovery Version Bible. It was really hard to keep track of those contacted for more than 30 seconds.

One of many highlights in preaching the gospel was when a quiet female student came up to the table to learn about the Recovery Version. She listened to everything we said very seriously. Then she asked, “What is the difference between your church and other churches?” When we explained and then mentioned that we met in the homes, she was so happy and exclaimed that she would bring her friends tomorrow because we reminded her of her professor in China, “He was English but he used a Chinese Bible and he invited me to his house where his friends offered me food, love me and everyone shared about Jesus.” It sounded like she had touched the church life before in China. Whoever the Lord brought, He really led them to the table. There were many testimonies regarding the students’ openness toward their contacts, and a brother likened this campus to a koi pond full of hungry fish. In total, 60 Bibles were handed out and many follow-up contacts were responsive!

Today the 30th, we went out to UNR campus again to hand out Bibles and tracts. The weather was a little warmer than yesterday and more saints were able to join the time. Similar to yesterday, many students were contacted for more than 30 seconds. Out of 28 students who wanted further contact, 11 wanted to join a Bible study and three were open to come for dinner and fellowship. One of the many highlights in preaching the gospel was the way the older saints were going out on the gospel becoming an encouragement to the other saints. One sister says she literally cried because she was moved by the way the older brothers were tabling. They were like a real father caring for his children asking, “Hey son, what football team do you like?” The more they talked to the students, the more the students were opened. One brother illustrated that it took three brothers conversing with a student who initially did not want a free Bible to ending up being open to receive a Recovery Version Bible. Also, the sister who was touched by the love of the older brothers decided to support them by praying for incoming students who were walking towards the table, hoping they would be contacted by the brothers. One older brother testified that before she started praying, probably 1 out of 6 would receive a tract, but after she prayed, about 5 out of 7 would receive the tract and be opened to receiving a free Bible. The only thing that changed was the prayer. May the Lord gain some college students for the testimony of the church in Reno shining on this campus!

Prayer Burden:

• Pray that in these weeks, this would just not be a gospel event or move but that preaching the gospel would be incorporated into the saints’ daily life, for the saints to have a prayer life and gospel living. Pray that the Spirit of the gospel would continue to burn in the saints in Reno.
• Pray that the Lord would gain some solid, seeking students, captured by a vision of His economy, to be remaining fruit on this campus for His shining testimony. Pray that the homes would be filled with young fruit to be shepherded and nurtured for His increase and spread of the gospel at UNR.
• Pray for more saints to migrate to Reno to support the campus work. Pray for a full-time team in Reno.