Hey everybody, happy Halloween and happy November! Good luck as you all enter the final stretch of classes. Here's what we have going on at the CCSC this week.

First are Purpose Groups on Monday at 5:30 p.m. We'll meet at the CCSC to carpool at 5:15 p.m. Freshmen and sophomores will be going to Neil and Katie's. Juniors and seniors will be going to Craig and Jessica's. We will be having Halloween parties at both! Everyone is invited as we reach out to the neighboring families. I'd love to see your best costume, but you don't have to dress up!

Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Young Ballroom is Midweek. Given the political season, Neil Reynolds will bring us part two of his lesson titled "Vote for Jesus," a series about current events. Be sure to invite friends! Young Ballroom is right in the middle of campus, next to the bookstore. 

Guys and Girls Retreats are this weekend! For more information on the retreats, click here. We will be leaving from the CCSC at 5:30 p.m., so try to be there by 5:15 p.m.. It's going to be a great weekend and an awesome opportunity to get closer to friends. 

Sunday at 9 a.m. we will meet for college bible class and service at West Side Church of Christ, which is located at 2300 West C Street in Russellville. If you'd like to join, just let one of us know and we'd be happy to give you a ride!

Sunday at 5 p.m. are Share Groups. These are groups that include CCSC students and members of West Side. We leave from the CCSC at 4:50 to go to Share Groups. Anyone is invited, so join us if you would like to check it out. 

Also, sign ups for a summer mission trip through Let's Start Talking and Christian Relief Fund have begun. Here's a post from Corey with more information. 

If you start to feel stressed out by classes, calm down, pray, and remember that Thanksgiving is just three weeks away. 

 -Matthew

Summer mission trips are huge part of what we do at the CCSC. Last summer we sent fifteen students to five different countries to put their faith into action. This year we are excited to offer opportunities with Let’s Start Talking and Christian Relief Fund!
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I asked my friends Bryce, Heather, and Madison to help me come up with reasons why a mission trip is a great choice for your summer. I hope you’ll find their reflections helpful and inspiring!

​Here are the top three reasons why YOU should sign up for a summer mission trip…

When people get back from mission trips, they feel like they have to talk about their accomplishments: the houses they built for underprivileged families, the hours spent poring over Scripture with nonbelievers, the restless nights of thumbing through lists of Spanish verbs in an effort to communicate.

These are good conversations! They lie at the heart of why people go on mission trips in the first place. But conversations like these leave out a crucial part of the story.

The truth is, mission trips are a lot of fun!

It feels strange to say this, but fun is one of the best things about a mission trip! You get to experience a whole new set of sights, sounds, and flavors, and build relationships with people you would never meet otherwise.
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If you’re looking for a fun, exciting way to spend your summer, this is it!

Though mission trips are a lot of fun, they can also be very difficult. Heather agrees. She says, “Going on mission is challenging. It's challenging physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Other students express similar feelings. They tell stories about culture shock, about exhaustion, about that time they had to go three days without showering, and at first glance it doesn’t make much sense—why would people willingly put themselves in difficult situations? But here’s the thing:

Without challenge, you'll never grow.

Heather finishes her story this way: “I went thinking I would be the one that was giving, but in the end I feel like I received more than I gave. The challenge is more than worth it, and God will use you to change the lives others and allow others to change you!”

Mission trips are hard. Yet that is precisely why they are meaningful. Through these challenges you will find yourself a different person. If you want to grow in your faith this summer, a mission trip is the perfect way to do so!

In a survey last semester, the CCSC asked students what they wanted most out of life. Overwhelmingly, students said they wanted to live with purpose and have a lasting impact on the world. One of the best ways to do this is through summer mission trips.

Jesus tells his followers, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). According to Bryce, mission trips are “the most practical way to live out” these words.

He says, “To know Jesus we must be like Jesus, and what better way is there to serve others than to give them a drink from a well that will never run dry? What better way is there to show God's unfailing love than to travel halfway around to world just to help someone in need?”

This much is clear:

By going on a mission trip, you can make a lasting impact on someone’s life.

Madison says it this way: “The past few years of serving with LST have dramatically changed my life and have created meaningful relationships that I still maintain today. God is moving globally, and if you have the opportunity to be a part of the movement, go!”

God is working powerfully all over the world, and you have a chance to participate. I hope you’ll consider signing up for a summer mission trip!

— Corey
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​If you would like to sign up for a summer mission trip or would like to know more about our partner organizations, contact Corey Harrison ([email protected]) for information about LST, or Neil Reynolds ([email protected]) for information about CRF.
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Hey guys! I hope you all had an awesome fall break and were able to take it easy for a few days. We're back at it again with what I think will be a great week at the CCSC! 

First we have Purpose Groups on Monday at 6:30 p.m. We'll meet at the CCSC to carpool at 6:15 p.m. Freshmen and sophomores will be going to Neil and Katie's. Juniors and seniors will be going to Craig and Jessica's. 

Wednesday at 7 p.m. is Midweek. Given the political season, Neil Reynolds will start a whole new lesson titled "Vote for Jesus," a series about current events. 

Sunday at 9 a.m. we will meet for college bible class and service at West Side Church of Christ, which is located at 2300 West C Street in Russellville. If you'd like to join, just let one of us know and we'd be happy to give you a ride!

Sunday at 5 p.m. are Share Groups. These are groups that include CCSC students and members of West Side. We leave from the CCSC at 4:50 to go to Share Groups. Anyone is invited, so join us if you would like to check it out. 

Also, we have a few trips that'll be here in the coming weeks that you guys definitely don't want to miss! You can read more about them by clicking here.

Good luck getting back into the swing of things this week. There's only a handful of weeks left this semester, so keep charging forward and it'll be over before you know it!

-Matthew

Hey, everyone! We've got a few big trips coming up. Here's what you need to bring!

Girls and guys retreat is November 4-6.

Gulf Coast is January 13-16.

Put these on your calendars because they're events you don't want to miss. More information on each of these events is posted below!

This year the girls are headed to a cabin in Higden, Arkansas, where we'll eat a lot of snacks, play games, and usually laugh until we cry. This is a great opportunity to form life-long friendships.

The cost is $20 for the weekend, this includes: cabin, snacks, four meals, and fun.

Here are some things you'll need to bring:

• Air mattress (if you want)
• Sleeping bag
• Pillow and blanket
• Towel
• Toiletries
• Warm clothes
• Hammock (if you want)
• Bible
• Journal and pen

This year the guys are headed to Ozark Campgrounds, where they'll hike, build a fire, play games, and more. Many friendships are built during this weekend, so if you're a guy, you don't want to miss it!

The cost is $20 for the weekend, this includes: camping spot, snacks, four meals, and fun.

Here are some things you'll need to bring:

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Tent (if you have it)
• Toiletries
• Warm clothes
• Hammock (if you want)
• Bible
• Journal and pen

Gulf Coast Getaway is a campus ministry event for students across America. It's three days on Panama City Beach! 

​The cost is $160, which includes: conference, t-shirt, six meals, travel, and a condo on the beach. The deadline to pay is November 9. We'll be posting more information on what you need to bring as it gets closer!

More information can be found at: gulfcoastgetaway.org

Only three more sleeps until fall break begins! As a result of fall break, it will be a short week for us at the CCSC. 

The only event we have going on this week will be Purpose Groups, Monday at 6:30 p.m. Freshmen and sophomores will be going to Neil and Katie's, while juniors and seniors will go to Craig and Jessica's. Both groups are grilling out, so bring your meats and friends! Meet at the CCSC at 6:15 p.m. 

Once you make it back to Arkansas Tech, Sunday, at 5 p.m. are Share Groups. These are groups that include CCSC students and members of West Side. We leave from the CCSC at 4:50 to go to Share Groups. Anyone is invited, so join us if you would like to check it out. 

Remember, there's no Midweek this week. I hope you guys have a great and safe fall break! 

-Matthew