BrianKloefkorn's blog

So it's been a long time since I posted something... For a while it was because I didn't have anything of significance to write about. Then school started and so much was going on, I didn't want to pause long enough to write something. The pace has lessened a bit and I find myself at the moment having just finished a project for work and not too eager to get back to a large ongoing project...

At UCLA, classes begin in late September. A major strategy in college ministry is to connect with as many students as possible in the first two weeks and get them to show up to some events and hopefully one of your first services. And so we had big events and simple fellowships and one-on-one appointments. This is certainly not where the process ends, but is how it almost always begins. The great part about it is that by building relationships and making people a priority, real ministry happens and God begins to work in lives.

In the first few Chi Alpha services, several students either entered into a relationship with Jesus for the first time or renewed a commitment they had wandered away from. This week, we had a special guest speaker, Sean Smith, come in. He became a follower of Jesus when he was a college student and after graduating became a Chi Alpha campus pastor. He now ministers throughout the U.S. and around the world. We had services both Monday and Tuesday evenings, and God showed up in a big way. Several more people made commitments to Jesus and the Holy Spirit really touched some lives.

The biggest thing for me was what God spoke to me during those two days. Some of it came from Sean and the two guys traveling with him praying over me. The rest of it, though, was the Holy Spirit rekindling some things in me that I hadn't thought about for a long time. Where do I stand now...? Continually develop the fundamentals, look and listen, and position to receive the greater gifts God has in store.

I've been back from Haiti for ten days and finally have an update for my website. In short, it was a great trip and though part of me was happy to head home, part of me wanted to stay longer.

Read about the trip and view pictures on my Haiti page.

I've mentioned our upcoming Haiti trip quite a lot and I wanted to share some more details now that we're actually about to leave. There are twelve people on our team. We fly out tomorrow, July 2, and return July 13.

We'll be doing outreach, having church services and spending time with the kids at the orphanage. We need people to pray for us while we're traveling and doing ministry...

Prayer requests for the trip:

1. Physical protection – from sickness, injury and violence.
2. God’s power and anointing. This is crucial to accomplish His plan.
3. Guidance. We must hear clearly from God to best minister to people’s needs. We need to invest time and resources wisely.
4. Changed lives. Salvations, healings and maturity in the faith.
5. Changed nation. In short, Haiti needs God.

To learn more about our past trips, visit the Haiti section of this website.

So, like I said, God is bigger than situations...

I spent part of Thursday evening helping pack supplies for Haiti. Things went more quickly and easily than we had anticipated. A little before 10PM, we actually were running out of things to pack so Jessica and Sara went to Target to buy some more of the supplies we need while Adam and I headed to campus to pick up some more stuff from our office. The process was finished Friday evening except for some perishable items that have to wait until the last minute.

Kayla's passport arrived! Well, it didn't really arrive - she had to drive from St. Louis to Chicago to wait in person at the passport office. Not convenient, but at least she has it and will be able go with us.

Our team members have successfully moved out of their apartments. Uwe, Curtis and I helped Flo today. Afterwards, she treated us to lunch at Doughboys (mmmm...). Jonathan is staying with us a couple of days because the carpets in his new place have to be cleaned before he can actually live there.

Pastor Winston's plane back from Colorado is scheduled to land any moment now...

In less than 48 hours we'll all be in the air, making our way to Haiti!

It's amazing to think that I'll be in Haiti in less than a week. A lot has to happen before we head out, though. I'm trying to make needed website updates for my clients before I head out. As pressed as I might feel, though, I have it easy compared to some. Kimberly is pregnant and won't be going on the trip this time so Jessica and Sara are in charge of packing. They've been running around getting supplies. I've offered to help with packing it all, but I don't know how much help I'll really be. Winston is heading out on Thursday for his sister's wedding and coming back on Saturday. Two of our team members are moving on Saturday. One of our team members is still waiting on her passport (it's taking longer than the 10-12 weeks stated by the Passport Agency). Our team needs prayer throughout the two weeks of the trip, but we also need prayer for these last five days leading up to our departure. Fortunately, God is bigger than situations...