So much good news to report, so I'll jump right in!
* The headlining news relates to staff hiring and placement (thanks so much for praying!) I'm super excited to report that we've decided to hire 10 new staff and will be accepting another transfer, which means that our Iowa Area staff team will more than double next year from 9 staff (currently) to 19 staff serving across Iowa next year! I'm so grateful to God for his provision, and can't wait to turn these new folks loose on campus!
* Because of this influx of new staff, we are planning on planting three new chapters in the upcoming year! We'll be planting brand new chapters at the University of Iowa, at Des Moines Area Community College, and one other school to be named. At this time last year we had 6 chapters, and in September, we'll potentially have 10! Unbelievable growth for only a year and a half!
* On a more micro level, witness and evangelism has been happening across our area in ways that are unique to my time on staff. Already this Spring, I'm aware of almost a dozen students who have made decisions to follow Jesus as LORD, and it's likely that dozens more are in the process of making that decision. (Often, we find that folks realize that they've made decisions over the course of the year in April/May, so we typically find out about that change about this time of year!
* Beyond this, our area has been exploding with new GIGs (Bible studies for non-christian students). We don't have firm numbers yet, but I expect that before the end of the year upwards of 25 GIGs will have been hosted across the state, many of which lead to students making decisions to put Jesus first in their lives.
As people ask me how things are going with IV, I tell them honestly that it's been as encouraging a semester as I remember on staff! "For everything there is a season" and we've seen our share of hard times, but I rejoice in the goodness of God for this season of harvest!
All praise to the one who desires transformation far more than we do, and may you be blessed knowing that you have played a role in this incredible outpouring of blessing through your prayers, support, and finances!
With deepest thanksgiving!
Jon
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