Embedded Files
Here is a quick overview of the ministry work I’ve been involved in this past month:
CSUF
As the spring semester nears its end, we’ve continued a range of gospel-centered initiatives at Cal State Fullerton (CSUF). One of our most effective tools has been our whiteboard, which sparks meaningful conversations around questions - this month about the identity and message of Jesus of Nazareth. We’ve had numerous powerful conversations with students from a wide variety of beliefs and backgrounds as well as many clearly answered prayers!
We’ve also had multiple ongoing interactions with members of the RCW cult. Surprisingly, we’re seeing what appears to be growing openness—both among individual members and leadership. Please pray that God continues to soften hearts and prepare the soil for His Word to take root.
Alongside outreach, we’ve also had the joy of discipling Christian students on campus who are eager to grow in both their walk with Jesus and their boldness in evangelism. Unexpected opportunities have led to encouraging and equipping these students to actively join in ministry. Please pray for continued fruit in our remaining time on campus this semester and that God would bless ministries that proclaim the Gospel while hindering those that distort it!
An unexpected Bible study with students at CSUF (and a dude in a carrot suit in the background!)
A conversation with a nonbelieving student discussing the justness of God's commands despite our potential disagreement with God.
An unexpected conversation with *Nicodemus and a group of Christian evangelists discussing why they chose Christianity over every other religion.
*Marvin, a student at CSUF, and me discussing who Jesus is and sharing the Gospel with him.
DMCs (Disciple-Making Communities) and Bible Dialogues
This month we’ve continued meeting with several ongoing DMCs and Bible Dialogues and launched a few new ones. I recently began leading a DMC of young adults who are walking through the Sermon on the Mount as we explore what it means to follow Jesus as His disciples.
Nick and I have also started training members of my home church in Hutchinson, Kansas, in how to lead Bible Dialogues—a tool that helps people engage others meaningfully in the Scriptures. We’ve just begun this training, but we’re excited about how this will equip people to witness in their own everyday communities.
In addition, I helped lead a prayer-walking training with Friends Church Fullerton, and we’re looking forward to more outreach-focused training opportunities as we head into the summer months. Please pray that God would continue to strengthen and equip those participating in these groups to step boldly into the works He’s prepared for them!
Preparing and praying before the Friends Church Fullerton prayer walk.
Other Ministries
This month, we have continued serving the community of Fullerton City Lights in our time delivering food donations, praying with residents, assisting with various tasks around the facility, as well as helping provide a Bingo and BBQ! It’s a wonderful blessing to serve this community and see the increasing openness to Jesus that our time and relationships appear to be cultivating!
I have also been engaging with a handful of Jehovah’s Witnesses who set up in my neighborhood. Through conversation I’ve learned more about them and their personal beliefs about the Bible and have sought to provide them clear and thoughtful responses to their objections towards some of the key issues such as the nature and identity of Jesus. Despite claiming superior knowledge over me, they were resistant to address any of the evidences that I provided using only their approved resources. Since our last discussion where I provided the responses that I had promised from our prior conversation, I have not been able to find them to continue the conversation. I deeply desire for these people to come to the realization that the Watchtower is a cult and teaches doctrines contrary to the Bible by providing clearly corrupted resources and Bibles. Please pray that God will grant me further opportunities to converse with these sweet people and that they might come to a saving knowledge of who Jesus is and how we are saved!
Nick, Viany, and me serving with Friends Church Fullerton at the City Lights BBQ and Bingo event!
Other Updates
I am excited to share that I am now fully funded financially for this apprenticeship! Thank you so much for your generosity and support for the ministry that we are doing out here! Your generous giving makes it possible for me to participate in this ministry with more freedom and flexibility to operate full time! Thank you for your continued partnership in prayer for our team and the ministry we are able to participate in!
With love and peace,
Ivan Penrose
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