09/21/2025
Fall semester is here!
Although it's been awhile since we last updated you on our campus outreach at Indiana University (an understatement), we want to be more proactive this year at keeping you in the loop. Over the last two years pastor Lucas Weeks and I, Jacob Gonzales, have ministered to a very small, but faithful, group of students. Our ministry included conducting weekly studies in Scripture at the Indiana Memorial Union and having one-on-one meetings with students about their souls. Some of these students have attended Trinity Reformed Church since they began at IU and it is a blessing to see the fruit that is being born in them by the Holy Spirit. It has been a privilege to get to know them. In particular, a young man who, three years ago, confessed agnosticism has now made a profession of faith! He is currently in our membership class at church and will be baptized. Praise God for His saving grace!
At the beginning of the summer pastor Lucas made a transition, with his family, away from ordained ministry. It was bittersweet for all of us. His work among the students has been invaluable. Without him, our ministry on campus would not have seen the fruit that it sees today. I am so thankful for his love and for his continued prayers as I, along with some the students, take up the mantle of the campus ministry.
A few weeks ago I began teaching through 1 Corinthians, a letter filled with so much practical theology. The apostle Paul lays out so clearly how we are to live in this world in light of the fact that everything in heaven and on earth will soon pass away at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Students at IU come to Bloomington hoping to get an idea of what they want to do in the future, but so many of them refuse to think about eternity. Many of them spend their time in dissipation while at college. As Christians, we want students to turn away from the vanities of youth to embrace the narrow path of Christ.
Last year, Trinity Reformed Church launched a young adult ministry called The Mix. It has been a wonderful gateway for integrating college students into the life of the church. We are grateful to the leaders of The Mix for providing students with a place to have meaningful fellowship with other young believers.
In addition to our weekly study this year, we want to put an emphasis on personal evangelism. Today a few young men from our college ministry and church went out near campus to evangelize. We handed out many tracts and had many conversations about Jesus. Please pray for us as we do this work. We plan on going out this school year every few weeks to lift up Christ. Pray that our young men would be protected from the enemy as we plea with other students to turn to Christ.
God has sent us a good group of students this year, around fourteen! Pray for all of them as they study and deal with the temptations of being on campus. Our work is weak and small, but God is faithful. I’ve included some pictures from our bible study, evangelism, and Mix fellowship group for your encouragement.
Your brother Jacob Gonzales, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.
