Danielle Wray - Update
Aloha NSAC Family!
On December 19, 2018 I finished my final course as a student with YWAM: Counter Culture School of Apologetics, and will begin full time staffing in January 2019.
As I mentioned in October, students in the Apologetics course are trained on how to better share the Gospel, engage with modern culture and communicate the Gospel to a post modern western world. We learned how to discuss and answer the difficult questions of faith (i.e. how can a “good God” allow suffering? Is God hidden?) with gentleness, love and respect.
The course was incredible! Each week we had different guest speakers and topics. We studied issues of government, science, ethics, theology, sexuality and gender, church history, the authority of scripture, historical evidence of the resurrection, philosophy, and communications. Each speaker challenged us to think for ourselves, observe, align ourselves to a Biblical worldview, and to grow deeper in our relationships with Jesus. We participated in bi-weekly evangelism, facilitated Q & A nights for the community (addressing difficult questions regarding Christianity), and reached out to those that God had laid on our hearts to share Jesus with. As well, I continued to lead a small group and grade and mentor newer Bible students on the YWAM campus.
Arguably my favourite part of school was the last week of the course—the “Counter Culture Apologetics Showcase” which was sort of like a small TED Talks event. Each of the 9 students in our program had 17 minutes to present an answer to an apologetics topic they were passionate about. My talk was entitled “It is Worth It? Finding Truth in a Meaningless World”.
LOOKING FORWARD:In 2019 I will be back at YWAM Kona to begin a 17-month commitment as full-time staff with SBS (School of Biblical Studies) Kona. I will be teaching books of the Bible, grading student’s work, leading a small group, mentoring students, and serving in the local community.
I am very excited, however it will all be completely new, so I am a bit nervous. I would be grateful for your prayers as I transition into this new role.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Thanksgiving for the incredible past season of learning in the Apologetics class and in the past year of intensive Inductive Bible Study! God is so good!
- Prayer for a smooth transition into full-time staffing–that I would serve my students with love and confidence (i.e. shed my insecurities).
- As I enter into the next 15 months of staffing, I am in need of monthly financial supporters. I invite you to pray and seek the Lord to see if this might be the way you could partner with me in what I’m doing. If you feel this is something you could commit to, please use my account with YWAM Canada (http://go.chimp.net/ywam/WD09#m). Make sure to include my missionary code ("Danielle Wray | WD09"). This form of donation includes a tax receipt.
I am so very grateful to you for your support these past months. I would love to connect with you if you have any questions, prayer requests, would like to be a part of my email list, or would like to talk more! My email is daniwr8y@gmail.com.
I am praying that you will know Jesus’ sufficiency to care for you and bring you rest this holiday season, and that 2019 would be filled with growing in true and deeper intimacy with Him.
With love and gratitude, Dani