The Promise of a New Year

God was so faithful and good to us in 2005. We learned so much about trusting Him and persevering as we faced significant financial challenges and important transitions in our ministry. Last year, like every year, God showed himself to be faithful to his promises. We finished 2005 well and 2006 looks more promising than ever. I now believe, more than ever before, that God’s people never lack God’s provision when they commit themselves to God’s work and do their best to do it God’s way. I hope you’re finding that to be true in you life too!

Now let me spotlight some of the promising new developments in our ministry for 2006. By God’s grace, I believe we’re going to accomplish some great things.

Promising New Ministry Staff
Dennis and Mary Ann Barnett, who have been ministering at the U of M with International Student Connection for the past several years, transitioned to CSF as of January 1. They come to us with years of missions and international student outreach experience and bring with them a strong base of ministry support partners.

Recent UMN graduate, Bryce Harcey, is now working with me about ten hours each week as my administrative assistant, while pursuing a Master of Divinity degree program at Bethel Seminary. He and his wife, Gina, are actively involved in CSF and volunteer many hours toward the ministry efforts of CSF.

Promising New Ministry Programs
We are expanding our main weekly meeting, CSF Together, to two nights each week. Starting this semester, we will have a Wednesday Together Group and a Thursday Together Group. More Together nights will make CSF available to more students! We hope to add yet another Together Group meeting by next Fall.

Dennis Barnett is developing a new series of Exploring Christian Faith events, to help international students understand who Jesus is and what it means to follow him. Jon Prins is now directing all of his ministry efforts toward reaching Japanese students on our campus. Pray for him as he builds his network of contacts and relationships within the U of M Japanese community. We are also beginning a new weekly worship service, Evensong Worship Community, at the St. Paul Student Center, Sunday evenings at 5:30pm.

CSF is growing and moving forward! God bless you for the faithful prayer and financial support you give to make our ministry possible. We thank you.

Yours in the Cause of Christ,
Dave Burkum


CSF Students who traveled to Ocean Springs, Mississippi to do Gulf Coast relief work to help those impacted by the Katrina Hurricane.