Ashton G

It is so easy as Christians to go through our day to day routine and get so focused on the tasks that are before us and lose sight of what our real goal should be and that is spelt out clearly in Mathew 28:16-20
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-Before the trip to New Orleans I found myself getting so caught up in the busyness of my life, but during the trip God really laid some things on my heart.
God really spoke volumes to me on the true task, the goal that I should be really focused on and this is what He taught me:

-Show His love through your words-

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”- 2 Cor.5:20

-We are Christ’s ambassadors- we are mediators b/w God and man- God uses us to reconcile the relationship b/w Him and man by going out and telling what God has done for them through: the Gospel and our testimonies.

- God has given us a precious gift, the Gospel, but the thing about a gift is that is should be shared! So go out and share the gift of God’s love with Richmond.

-through your actions-

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18

-not only talk the talk, but walk the walk, don’t just speak love,Show it in your actions.

-Serve others- Even Jesus washed the feet of the disciples – Jesus was completely selfless- He lived to serve others- We are called to walk in Jesus foot steps.

-God is using Aletheia to train up believers, so that they can take part in fulfilling the Great Commission. Showing us how to love on people both in our words and actions. And when we went on this trip God was able to show us the talents and the gifts that He has given us, and to strengthen those talents. Which we see clearly in

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11

-Love on New Orleans- One thing I noticed about New Orleans was its diversity, there was people there from every background, region and language. God really used us to put into action those things I shared earlier to these people that came from all over. We really saw God move in and through His people in New Orleans. One thing that was so amazing to see was that God is using the church to impact and rebuild Nola. It was so amazing to see what a witness that was, in fact, if you ask most people in Nola who is rebuilding the city they will tell you the church! When we saw this God laid it on our hearts that the same effect that the church has in Nola we can have in Richmond! Down in New Orleans we meet their needs, but he has also called us to take care of the needs of our own city.

That is why God calls us to love on our city.

-Love on Richmond- Just like New Orleans- very diverse- We are surrounded by people from other countries and places all over the United States-the people of the world are coming to us every semester. By sharing with these students God creates a ripple effect ( drop a rock in the pond) b/c those students will then take God’s message back to their countries! Their cities! All it takes is saying a few simple words- Hi, how are you?- everyone has a story- and God has a story with everyone.

Aletheia: Impacting the Nations by Impacting Me
By Shing Yue Tang

As I was an international student from Hong Kong, China, I was very blessed getting involved in Aletheia Richmond since its founding in spring 2006 on Virginia Commonwealth University campus. Aletheia was my home away from home. Through Aletheia’s weekly Community Group Bible study, Large Group Worship Gathering as well as Leadership Retreat, I learned how to apply the Word of God to my daily life and set my biblical standard so that I would faithfully follow Jesus in my daily spiritual walk.

Through my service to Aletheia Richmond, I had wonderful opportunities to meet other VCU international students from different countries, invite these students coming to Aletheia activities and meetings. This gave me the opportunities not only sharing the gospel but also encouraging each other in our lives especially when we were away from our home countries and our families. I pray that Aletheia has equipped me well, so that one day when I return to my home country, I would be a person who could touch people’s hearts and change people’s life for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Impacting the World by Praying
Nathaneal J

I grew up in a Christian home that told me God works in mysterious ways. My faith was naïve then, because even though I understood the meaning of those words, it never hit me until recently. Now I realize how my Maker's creativity is beyond any artist's comprehension. The other day, at our prayer group, I saw something beyond amazing & magnificent. I saw someone pray for people that lived across the world, across the ocean, for people they would never meet and for people he might never see, but without taking that in to consideration. I heard a simple prayer that moved my heart and a prayer that I believe can move mountains.

I am a sinner & I really don't have to go that far to see that we live in a world that is filled with so much sin, but the irony is that good things happen everyday, even in a world I know to be condemned. It gives me this slight glimpse of how much God's presence is among us, though we are fallen.

I started thinking about that and I got overwhelmed, but then I started to think that this same magnificent presence that is here with me is there across the world which my friend prayed for. I felt this joy settle in me. Even though I want to go across the world to tell people about this presence that I see so vividly, there is something so mysterious and powerful that a simple prayer can do. I realize I can make a difference because a power that goes beyond all my understanding will hear and take it into account while He does His mysterious and marvelous work, and at the end of the day, it makes me smile.