Unlike my wonderful wife, who might be part mermaid, I was not a natural. What I remember most though about swimming lessons was jumping into the deep end on the last day. By Thursday of swimming lesson week I was very comfortable in the shallow end, but the diving board end of the pool may as well have been an ocean filled with giant sea monsters. Way, way back in the worship group Hillsong United released a song called Oceans, which speaks to the idea of Jesus leading us out upon the waters.
Both of these songs are awesome and both remind me of what God is calling us to on our campus. This fall semester a group of students started a Greek Life worship service. It has met only three times, but there is a plan to make it a weekly event in the spring. On the night before the third service, I got a text from a student named Jack. Jack shared that he came to college for two reasons: to get a degree and to party. His journey through his first three years of college reflected how serious he was about both of those reasons.
He joined a fraternity, became familiar with the bar scene, and eventually made good money tending the bar. But this past summer, one of his reasons changed. He talked about being broken, surrendering his life, and letting go of things that were keeping him from Christβ¦including quitting his job as a bartender. Jack let Jesus lead him out from the shallow into the unknown of deep waters of faith. Guys in his fraternity have taken notice of the growth in his life.
Because he followed Jesus further and deeper, others are joining him out on the waves. I believe we are on the edge of something great at ULM. Our plan is to keep our eyes on Jesus and take all the steps he calls us to take, wherever they may lead. Even though there is much uncertainty swirling around the denomination with whom we are connected, in oceans deep our faith will stand.
Sixteen years ago we began this journey of ministry in Monroe. Some of you have been with us the whole time, while many more have joined us along the way. We are far out from the shallow now. Swim out here with us. Back Our Vision Staff Connect. Back Events Burgers on the Bayou Christianity Back Alumni. Back Kayaks Paddle Boards. Back Wesley Club Donate. Out of the shallow. Christ Reigns! Alan Johnson. End of Year Giving.
