This conviction was expressed during our nightly de-briefing meetings when the students discussed how they could take what they learned in Arlington, and apply it to the Georgetown campus community. They challenged one another to continue the mission by reaching out and loving those who are in their own Georgetown College backyard. It was such a blessing to see how God moved in the lives of those we ministered to, and the team itself. The students not only connected with the kids on site, but also with each other. By the end of the week, the group bonded and connected into a family unit. They truly respected and cared for each other!

Through everything we experienced and learned that week, the idea that the mission doesn’t have to end in Arlington, but that it is an everyday act of love, compassion, commitment, and responsibility to those with whom we are surrounded by, was the most important lesson and blessing that our students took away from their spring break!

This spring break, 32 folks from Murray State University turned south for the beaches of “Spring Break Capital, USA.”   For most college students, spring break in Panama City Beach, or “PCB,” means a week of throwing cautions to the wind and indulging in every activity your momma told you not to do.  The streets are packed with low riders, loud thumpers, slick racers, and trucks packed with partiers.  You can always count on the beaches being littered with beer cans and sun-burnt co-eds(no time for sunscreen, too much party for just one week).  For some participating in Lifeway’s “Beach Reach,” this is completely new territory.  It takes nearly the first 24 hours to get the bottom jaw back up to the proper position, and for good reason… For others, like myself, it’s a reminder of our former life in the flesh that has now been marked and forever changed by God’s grace and love.
This was my second trip to Beach Reach.  On the long and seemingly never ending southbound road through Alabaman boiled peanut country, I hashed through the memories from last year.  I was really nervous.  I had never shared my faith quite like that before, e.g. walking up to someone and striking up a spiritual conversation, or taking the van-ride small talk to a deeper level.  I was afraid of rejection, afraid of being stuck by someone’s questions, afraid of being the evangelistic weirdo and so many other things.  On that first trip, the Lord gave me Romans 1:16 to stand on, the simple truth that “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…” That week allowed the Lord to break through barriers that I had to sharing the gospel.  It led me to realize that I did not have to be ashamed because the Gospel really is good news, and people are actually hungry to hear it.  It also helped further articulate the vastness of God’s love for the lost to me.
First night out on the streets last week was a little bit different. I could feel his love burning in my heart more than my fear.  I walked out the door equipped with the heart-knowledge that God is desperately pursing every single one of the spring breakers.  I didn’t have to break through the initial discomfort, or have anxiety about if and how it was going to work.  God has taught me to [begin to] walk in the joy, freedom, and power of His love.  This year, I had the awesome experience of getting to lead a fellow college student in prayer to receive Christ.  To see a new life begin in an instant made the whole trip worth it.  I was continually amazed at how open people are to talking about the Lord, especially when you offer them a pancake or a van ride rather than a megaphone.  Everyone that goes to PCB is looking for something: joy, fulfillment, pleasure, relationship, etc. All of those things are nicknames for Jesus, and there is nothing more exciting than getting to be a witness to that fact.
After the first night of ministry this trip, the Lord revealed to me that, “Boldness is not confidence in yourself. Boldness is confidence in God.”  The Lord has been challenging me to become so confident in His love for people on my campus that every day is like mission trip, and that’s the way it should be.  I don’t have any excuses left. I realize that the people at PCB for spring break are the same people I sit next to in class every day (literally, you see them down there).  I realize that the conversations I have in front of club La Vela, I can have in front of the student center.  I realize that the protective little ‘mission trip bubble’ has been burst, and I have no choice but to live each moment of my day on purpose, in the confidence of God’s relentless pursuit of the lost, even those at Murray State University.

Have you ever been really amazed?  Last year, I was amazed as a 

freshman swimmer… I won 3^rd place at nationals!

This year, I am a sophomore and I am going for 1st even though

the stakes are higher!  I hope I will be even more amazed!

Meredith Dement, UC

NAIA  All-American Swimmer

If you are in the Owensboro area or feel like traveling, join us for this FREE event! Entertainment will be provided by the Owensboro Area Impact Creative Ministries Team in the form of interpretive movement, puppets, acoustic worship, a short film, and so much more! Youth groups and church families are invited to join us on Monday, January 26th at 7:00 at the Daviess-McLean Baptist Association Building on Scherm Road. FREE dessert and drinks will be provided. Owensboro area college students are invited to attend during our regular CROSS meeting at 5:00 on Tuesday, January 27th for dinner and dessert.

According to Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Don Trosper, Thomas May and Bradley Hall were fatally injured as a result of the accident just south of Berea.

The students were traveling back to Lexington after a Baptist Campus Ministry retreat in Laurel Lake, Ky. Trosper said May was driving a 2001 Ford Taurus when it crossed the median and struck a tractor trailer in oncoming traffic. The accident, which is still under investigation, occurred at 1:37 p.m., he said.

Ben Cooley, and 18-year-old freshman from Harrodsburg and passenger in the Ford Taurus, was injured and transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment. The truck driver, James A. Donaldson, 51, of Oregon, Ohio, was taken to Rockcastle County Hospital as a precaution. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.

May, a 20-year-old junior from Louisville, had been an active member of the University of Kentucky’s Baptist Campus Ministry for three years, according to Daniel Berry, campus minister.

Hall, an 18-year-old freshman from Rockfield, Ky., was new to campus and new to BCM, but not new to ministry. He was active in Kentucky Changers, a week-long summer missions camp where students repair homes for low-income people. He participated in Kentucky Changers for the last four or five years, according to Joe Ball, youth ministry associate for the Kentucky Baptist Convention and a veteran Kentucky Changers leader.

More than 100 students gathered at the University of Kentucky Baptist Campus Ministry center Sunday night as news of the tragedy spread. Students hugged, prayed, shared stories and talked with counselors.

“We are all saddened by the tragic loss of these fine young men and the injuries sustained by the third. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and fellow Baptist Campus Ministry students,” said KBC Executive Director Bill Mackey. “Difficult days are ahead for all of those connected to these students. As we mourn, we also reflect on how thankful we are to have had these young men as part of our campus ministry.”

A memorial service for May and Hall will be held Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m., at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington.  Doors will open for the memorial service at 7:00 p.m.

Visitation for Bradley Hall will be Nov. 11th from 4 – 8 p.m. and Nov. 12th from 1 – 8 p.m. local time at the J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel in Bowling Green. Visitation will also be held Nov. 13th at 9 a.m. at Clear Fork Baptist Church, Rockfield with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m.

Visitation for Thomas May is 2-8 p.m. Wednesday at J. E. Ratterman & Son, 7336 Southside Drive, Louisville. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Kenwood Heights Christian Church, 5610 New Cut Road, Louisville, followed by burial in Resthaven Memorial Park.