Dear praying friends,

I love love love love sharing Jesus at Universities. It’s a tremendous mission field, where God sends our way students from all walks of life, and from all over the world!

We had a fruitful Fall, focusing on The University of New Hampshire and a trip out to the University of Massachusetts.

In addition to reaching unsaved Students, University ministry is also a blessing because we run into Christian students, some of whom have never seen effective Open Air Ministry. I hope and pray that God uses us to embolden Christian students to share the gospel with strangers.

You just HAVE TO hear about a really encouraging student named Paul. You can read about this skeptical young man who came to faith in the photos below. Seriously encouraging!

Something new that happened this Fall… I decided to write a Letter to the Editor of the Student-run School Paper, and they printed it!

(Second letter in the photo.)

Praise God that students were reading it because a young man named Lucas approached my partner, Chris, and said, “Are you Mark? I read your letter in the paper.” They ended up having a very productive conversation about the gospel!

Here’s the text of the letter, in case it’s hard to read from the photo:

I’m the guy with the “Are You Going to Heaven?” sign who hangs out by the Dimond Library. Students often ask me why I do this? Here’s why…

When I was a UNH student, waaaay back in the early 90s, I was an outspoken Atheist. I was vicious to Christians. I began studying the Bible to disprove it. But instead I came to faith at the beginning of my Junior year (1993).

I remember that preachers would come to campus who were mean-spirited, loud, and rude. But there was a local Pastor who was kind, and he had a sign that said, “Will You Go to Heaven?” I liked that guy. 25+ years later, I’m a Pastor (and UNH Alumnus), and now I get to be “that guy with the sign,” but not like the nasty preachers. I promise to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

I’ve seen students trying to discretely take photos of my sign as they walk by. You can take a photo anytime. And please say “hi.” My name is Mark, and I promise not to be impolite. I often have my Poodle, named Jarvis, with me. Please say hi to Jarvis! He loves everybody!

I’ve been “the sign guy” for over 6 years at UNH and I’ve had terrific conversations with students from all walks of life, most of whom don’t share my religious beliefs. But that’s what being open-minded is all about – considering other ideas.

So please stop by to chat, or email. And if you want to talk about something else, I’m always open to discussing the Patriots, Star Wars, my dogs, or my kids (not always in that order). I look forward to meeting you on campus!

In the photos and descriptions below, I make reference to “The Good Person Test.” This is a tool that I’ve found to be very very effective in getting students to think about eternal things.

Please feel free to click on the graphic below to download a copy of “The Good Person Test.” Please print it out and use it in your own personal evangelism. And if you want it as a Microsoft Word document, so you can edit it and add your own contact information, just let me know and I’ll get it to you.

You can always find the latest version of “The Good Person Test” at: https://luke-15.org/good-person-test.pdf.

I’ll let the following photos explain what has happened on campus recently.

In addition to the people in the photos, there were a couple other notable interactions, but we didn’t get photos.:

• Rainer: Rainer is a very thoughtful young man who spoke with Chris. He had questions like, “Where does truth comes from?” “Is the Bible true literally?” They spoke for over an hour. He said he really does need to think more about this. We’ve spoken with Rainer before in past years.

• Rachel: Rachel Rachel grew up Catholic, but was disappointed and disillusioned to go to Church since she knew she had no desire to worship God. Her mom was an alcoholic who got saved and was set free from alcoholism. Just that morning she told her Mom that she’s been thinking about God. Rachel said to Chris, “Then I saw you guys, and I wouldn’t normally stop to talk, but today is different.” Chris read to her John 3 and Nicodemus, how he came to Christ with simple genuine faith. Rachel took a Bible and info for a Christian Student Organization.

• Stella: Stella was interested, but didn’t know much about God. Chris took her through “The Good Person Test.” Then Stella was concerned. She listened to Chris explain the Gospel and gladly took an evangelistic DVD. Chris suggested she get to know Jesus by studying the Bible. He asked if she had one and she said no. He asked her if she’d like one and she said yes. She took a Gospel of John.

• Lance: Lance is Greek Orthodox. Lance initially said, “I only have 5 minutes, so we’ve gotta be quick.” But once they got talking, Lance stayed for much longer than that. He talked with Ted for a long time. Ted explained the Gospel and Lance was able to explain it back. He really seemed to understand.

• Andreas: Andreas is a former Roman Catholic, but now studying Buddhism. He asked me A LOT of apologetics questions, but he did not want to admit that he was a sinner. He wouldn’t budge on that. He hated the idea that he has no ability to save himself, and must rely on The Savior. Since he was into apologetics, I gave him an essay on the Historicity of the Resurrection.

• Pat: Pat was very receptive. He had never heard the Gospel. It was all new to him. He told Chris, “I want to change my ways.” Chris said trusting in Jesus is needed. Pat took a Gospel of John and an Evangelistic DVD.

• Cecilia: Cecilia came right up to Ted and said, “I’m a Christian and I’m Gay.” Quite an introduction! Cecilia attends a Gay-affirming Church. Get this, she said, “If I didn’t have to be this way, I wouldn’t be.” Cecilia agreed to study the Gospel of John. She gladly took a New Testament from Ted. Please pray for Deliverance for this sweet confused young lady.

• Christina: Christina is a Lesbian student. She and I spoke about hostility between the LGBTQ+ Community and Christians. I assured her that she’s made in God’s image and has value and dignity. She said she hasn’t experienced persecution from Christians but appreciated me saying that. She did take a Gospel Booklet.

• Destin and Madison: Destin was interested in taking “The Good Person Test” but Madison wasn’t. Destin asked lots of questions about how God reveals Himself over time. He wanted to know how other religions are different from Christianity. Then he told me he’s been watching The Bible Project videos on YouTube and he recently received a Gideon Bible. If you haven’t seen “The Bible Project” videos on YouTube, definitely check them out! They’re at: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject

• Autumn: Autumn had a Catholic upbringing, but never heard the good news. She wanted to know what is The Gospel. What stood out to me was when I explained that Jesus paid the fine for our sin. She said “The person who pays your fine sounds like a great person.” Indeed He is!!!

• Jenny: Jenny is culturally Jewish and went to Israel recently. She was very open. She listened to my testimony, and took a written copy of how I came to believe in the Jewish Messiah! (You can view that at: https://mystory.Luke-15.org.

• Andre: Andre is another Jewish student who spoke with me. He wanted to know if a Jewish person could go to Heaven. I told him, “Of course, through the Jewish Messiah, Jesus.” He took a copy of my testimony, A Jew and His God.

• Taylor and Amanda: Both Taylor and Amanda said they were good enough to go to Heaven. They were Very friendly and willing to talk. I took them through “The Good Person Test” to illustrate that none of us are good enough. Amanda, thought about this, and asked, “So even a rapist can be forgiven?” I explained that we’re judged not against rapists but against perfect Jesus. She said, “I never thought of it that way.” They thanked me for taking the time to talk to them.

Please pray for us and those we meet!

As you can see, God uses University Ministry to reach a lot of people who might not otherwise hear the truth about Jesus. I’m sad that it’s over for the WInter. But I look forward, Lord willing, to ministering at the Universities again in the Spring!!!

We love you and thank Jesus for you!

Thank you so much for your prayers, financial support, and notes of encouragement, without which we would not be able to reach the Lost for Jesus Christ!

Please contact us anytime and let us know how we can pray for you!

And please feel free to forward this to anyone you think would be blessed by it!

For Christ and His gospel,

Mark, Shelby, Vivienne, Juliana, Caleb, and Gabriella