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Some scripture passages possess a gravitational pull that I can’t adequately explain. My life’s trajectory may take me closer to a passage at times and farther away at others, but no matter the time and distance I’m somehow pulled back into its orbit. Philippians 2 is one of those sections of scripture that won’t let me wander too far into space. 

The specific part pulling me back on this occasion is verses 1-2. Paul writes to the church in Philippi, a city on a major trade route with travelers from far and wide coming and going, “If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” These verses come to mind because, in the last few weeks, I’ve witnessed this unified Christ-Spirit in action amongst our entire LCM Campus Ministry community. 

Friends of LCM near and far, in school and out of school, Bobcat and non-Bobcat, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian or some other type of -an, -ist, or -ian, keep coming together in the same mind, love, and Spirit the apostle wrote about so many years ago. Could it be that we’re all caught up in the same impactful and joyful gravitational pull? 

Evidence of this unifying Spirit is everywhere. 

  • You contributed approximately $3740 through our Rent-a-Cat program engaging the students in over 20 projects. 
  • You helped us exceed our MSU Giving Day goal raising $9,950 for that campaign alone. 
  • General contributions for the Guatemala trip are up to $4,280. 
  • 50 people showed up to our Guatemala Luncheon at First Presbyterian Church-Bozeman to hear our students’ presentation and contribute the $1,280 needed for playground materials at the La Puerta Abierta school in Santiago Atitlan. 
  • First Lutheran Church in Havre, MT donated 50 feminine hygiene kits for the CEDEPCA ministry in Guatemala City to distribute. 

These numbers, of course, only convey the actions that are easy to measure. The immeasurable action, namely the transformative work of Christ in each one of us as join together in his love, is what really makes this happen. 

Thank you for entering LCM’s orbit. Thank you for sharing in our ministry. Thank you for making our joy complete. 

Yours in Christ, 

JP Carlson, Campus Pastor 

Ministries
Encounter One Another