What is it about the apocalyptic genre that fills the box office, hits the New York best sellers list, or captures a large percentage of television viewers week after week? Why are so many fixating on the idea of a global threat to humanity through what is being called the zombie apocalypse?
Recently I read the following Facebook status from a former student with whom I have shared the gospel but who has not embraced it, “Does anybody ever feel that dealing with student loans, taxes, health insurance, rent, car payments, credit card payments, and everything else, that it would be easier if we were just living in a zombie apocalypse and we were just trying to survive and get food and shelter or bullets and a baseball bat to protect us from the undead?”
What’s troubling about this statement is that it is, I believe, a serious lament about his and many other students’ present frustration and lack of hope in their lives. Perhaps this statement also reveals a glimpse of why there is such a popular fascination with the apocalyptic genre. Could it be that in the ups, downs, twists and turns of being entertained by fiction, we find a sense of comfort from knowing that in the end it will end well, and we desperately want that in our own lives? Perhaps the idea of being rescued from an end of the world threat connects us with an underlying hope we all have when crisis, pressure and fear throw us into what I call our own kind of micro-apocalypse, and the irrepressible feeling that our own world is coming to an end.
I believe that at our core we all sense an approaching apocalypse and a desperate need for a Savior to provide the cure for this infectious disease called sin pulsing through our spiritual veins. Without a Savior, we are like the “walking dead,” functioning at a sub-level of what it means to truly be created “in his image.” Our appetite to consume things of the flesh will never bring authentic satisfaction and change, any more than a zombie could be satisfied after feasting on human flesh. And I am convinced that all this… all of this…. points us to the only source of hope to be found, the only place where lasting transformation is possible, the only known cure and antidote for our broken spiritual immune system… the person and work of Jesus Christ! It is His sacrifice and resurrection that gives hope, His blood that cures, and His work on the cross that somehow becomes the syringe that injects His Spirit into our hungry veins, supplying us with the necessary pure blood transfusion to make us a new creation. And it is His very Spirit who then becomes our “Helper,” our new immune system if you will, who works to eradicate our former selfish desires while continuously transforming, restoring, sanctifying, healing and saving!
We resonate and are drawn to epic humanity-threatening stories about a hero who conquers the villain, saves the world, and corrects injustice because they connect us with the Gospel!
On campus we find that when approached correctly, these current popular apocalyptic stories can be used to reverse engineer and peal back the various layers, to reveal God’s core story of redemption and share the Gospel. One example would be this year’s Fall Retreat titled, “The Zombie Apocalypse and the will of God.” It was our largest fall retreat ever with over 180 students and staff from MA and NY. Our planning team came up with the popular Zombie theme and we used the hit television series “The Walking Dead” to connect current story to the core story. Before the retreat even began, without students knowing it, some of their name tags were marked with an ultraviolet pen indicating that they were already infected with the zombie virus, but more on that in a moment…
On Friday night after powerful student-led worship, I presented the first of a two-part message titled “The Micro Apocalypse” where I used three separate stories: The story of Peter in prison, John the Baptist in prison, and Rick Grimes (the hero in the Walking Dead series) who was facing his own personal micro-apocalypse in the midst of an all-out zombie apocalypse. I randomly alternated in small parts through each of the three stories to show how God’s will is often counter to our own expectations. I played a movie clip from an episode where Rick, depleted, full of despair, desperate for hope and direction, finds himself drawn to a small church. Standing alone in front of the altar, he quietly stares at a statue of Jesus hanging on a cross. With blood running down the Lord’s face from the thorny crown pressed on his head, and a haunting expression full of compassion, empathy and love captured by the artist… Rick awkwardly begins to pray… I don’t know if you’re looking at me with what? Sadness? Scorn? Pity? Love?… Maybe it’s just indifference… I guess you already know I’m not much of a believer. I guess I just chose to put my faith elsewhere. My family, mostly… My friends… My job. The thing is, we… I could use a little something to help keep us going. Some kind of acknowledgment. Some indication I’m doing the right thing. You don’t know how hard that is to know… Well, maybe you do. (Rick then begins to walk away, but turns and comes back) Hey look, I don’t need all the answers. Just a little nudge. A sign.. Any sign will do! Rick leaves the church and in the scene immediately after this heartfelt prayer seeking God’s direction and a sign, in an unexpected turn no one saw coming, Rick’s son is suddenly shot! Switching to the story of Peter, he is miraculously rescued from prison. And then over to story of John the Baptist waiting in prison… John receives these words sent from Jesus, “Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” Soon after, John hears the footsteps of solders approaching his cell, they are not coming to release him, and instead one holds a platter for his head to be placed upon… John is beheaded! I went on to emotionally explain that foundational to understanding God’s will is the realization that it can be messy and in our own micro-apocalypses there is hope to be found in the greater core story. At the cross Jesus in his humanity faced his own micro-apocalypse while at the very same moment his divinity eternally secured victory for us once and for all in the real and epic apocalyptic battle!
Right at the conclusion of my message a loud alarm sounded and a video made by some of our very creative students came on the large screen. Newscasters explained how a digital virus had mutated into a biological virus and was infecting people worldwide, turning them into zombies. Anyone exposed to a digital computer or cellphone screen could be infected! Staff dressed in military camouflage quickly entered the room as students were lined up to have their name tags scanned with a UV flashlight. Those previously infected were quarantined as zombies away from the others. (Many students opted for available makeup to really play the part.) Those not infected were given a strip of cloth clothes-pinned onto their waist. It was explained that if a zombie was successful at getting their strip of cloth they would become zombies too. We set up safe zones were no one could be attacked, however the dessert table in the cafeteria was not one of them. Picture zombies slowly dragging their feet in a zombie crawl around the brownies, taunting those who were uninfected to try to get one! Some staff were given the power (UV pens) to secretly infect people who were careless enough to leave their name tags unattended, as routine scans were done at multiple points through the day to identify anyone infected unaware. Then everything ended Saturday night in an all-out war played over acres of camp property in what truly was epic! Prizes were awarded for best zombie, last survivors and other categories. Then we had a huge bonfire concluding the night with hours of fellowship and worship.
On Sunday morning I presented the second part of my message that focused on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and how God’s will is to use us in His story regardless of how we may at times make wrong decisions. But the heart of the retreat was not my presentations, or the epic zombie game. The heart of the retreat was the large amount of time where students gathered with other students from their campuses into small groups as well as individual personal time to wrestle with their own micro-apocalypses, decisions and individual circumstances while seeking God’s will. Can you picture this… well over a hundred students talking with their campus ministers, working through prepared questions and material to challenge and focus them. And in a spirit of worship and prayer asking, seeking and praying for God to lead and direct them through their struggles… now that’s EPIC!!!!
For those who receive this newsletter and support our ministry, thank you for being part of this epic adventure. You make it possible for us to present the gospel in creative and relevant ways to this “generation in need.” If you are not currently supporting us, please consider making a commitment to support us on a regular basis, or even with a onetime end-of-year donation. Your generosity and financial sacrifice not only enables us to do this ministry, but serves as a confirmation that God has called us to reach students. It also serves indirectly as a witness to the students with whom I share. When I am able to fund a retreat like this for a student who otherwise would not be able to come, and I am able to explain how there are others churches and individuals who love them too, this helps to build the case for them that God loves them even more.
Thank you again so much.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and blessings in the upcoming year!
=== JOE ===
Annie’s Corner:
Joe’s health has been good this year. He is always very busy. Especially this fall with all his preparation for the fall retreat, meetings, Bible studies and all the other doings, he also performed two weddings, one for his niece and one for Sam and Kelleigh who are both former students and Sam is on staff with Joe serving at Fitchburg State! This Fall has also been one of change as I was given the opportunity to work in the mail room at Nichols College. This allows us to receive health insurance through my work and greatly lowers the amount of money needed to be raised for the missions health care premiums. In addition I am getting to know pretty much everyone on campus!
Our Son Jeremiah is engaged to Katie Smith a beautiful partner for our son. They met through the ministry at Worcester State and will both graduate in May. They have not set a date just yet for the wedding but we will keep you posted. Joey and David are doing well and are attending Quinsigamund Community College in Worcester and continue to be involved in the ministry. Our youngest son Sam began the school year off with a ruptured appendix and two days in the hospital. He has recovered nicely and doing well and very active in the high school marching band. Please continue to pray for Joe’s health, our family, the ministry, staff, and the need to raise support not just for ourselves but for Joe’s staff as well so they can all be on campus reaching students. God Bless and Merry Christmas to all!
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I am a very multi-sensory person. If I can see, hear, smell, taste and touch something I can often use the physical to explore and reveal deeper meaning and value in the spiritual. And then, if I can find a way to connect this with a thing called curiosity… well… I have a new way to engage others with the gospel. So I have a set of prayer beads that I made for myself a number of years ago. At the end of this string of thirteen beads there is a loop, so I can easily slide them through the handle of my backpack and then through the loop to secure them in a very prominent and “curious” setting. Allow me to share with you what a typical conversation often looks like on campus when curiosity collides with the purpose and meaning of my prayer beads:
What’s that hanging on your backpack?
Oh these?… well these are prayer beads that I made. Each bead represents something special and means a lot to me, in fact one of them is actually connected to you. Would you like to briefly hear the meaning connected to each bead? (This has now connected them personally and the same curiosity that started the conversation is about to move to the next level. – One word of caution, this must be both true and genuine and cannot be manipulative.)
That sounds interesting, sure, what is the meaning of each bead?
Well I’m a very tactile person, so I made these beads to help me pray for people and things that I care about. This first bead I’m holding represents my wife Annie. When I pray, I hold onto this bead and roll it around between my fingers and pray for her. I pray that she would be blessed and that she would grow closer to my Lord and that our marriage would be protected and blessed. And I won’t let this bead go until I have really probed my heart and mind on how to pray for her. And then when I’m ready to move on, I slowly move my fingers to the next bead which represents my son Jeremiah. I hold onto this bead and pray that he too would be blessed, that he would be a good student of life, and that his decisions would be godly ones, and that he too would grow closer to my God, and grow in His love. Then as I work my way down the next three beads my prayers are similar and yet very specific, because they represent my three other sons, Joe, Dave and Sam. And I pray for them with all my heart.
The next three beads are intentionally shaped differently and placed in the center with five beads on each side of them to represent the oneness of God and the triune relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So I spend time moving and kneading these three beads slowly between my fingers in a spirit of praise and gratitude, praying that God would be the center of my life. I patiently thank God for each of the first five beads that represent my family and in this same spirit of gratitude I move on to the next five beads, which brings me to you… This bead represents my ministry, the students, staff, faculty, and friends that I have on campus. So this bead represents you… And while holding this bead I’ve prayed for you to understand more of who you are, and what you are meant to be in Christ. I pray that you would discover an always deepening Christ-centered spirituality and that you would be blessed. This bead is very important to me because you are very important to me. Then when I am finished with this bead I move on to the next bead that represents those who pray and support our ministry, the people, churches and companies that sacrifice financially to enable me to be on campus to share my life and Christ with you. I am always amazed at how the body of Christ supplies the resources needed for a salary and for expenses like buying you a coffee, or lunch, or even the funding for you to go on a retreat. This too is a very important bead to me. Then when I am done here, my fingers move to the next bead that represents my circle of family and friends. I pray here for my sister who is fighting cancer, my friend who is looking for employment, for my other sister, and brothers, for my in-laws and friends as God leads. Then the next bead represents governments, local and global. I pray over world issues, and concerns brought out in the evening news… and then I hold the last bead. This oddly-shaped bead represents me and when I get to this bead I go back and pray for each bead again but this time from the view of how I can be used by God in their lives. I pray that I would be a better husband, dad, minister, support raiser and gratitude expresser, a better brother, and in-law, a better friend and neighbor, a better citizen and global activist, and a better follower of Christ in every way… So that’s the story of the beads. What do you think?
The response I receive is always one of deeper interest, and I often hear things like, “That’s cool, I should do something like that.” I have even been known to open someone’s hand and carefully place my beads in their palm, while slowly closing their fingers on the clump of beads. I tell them, “I think you should keep them.” I have plenty of beads at home and I can just make another set. I have never had anyone refuse hearing about the beads. Merging curiosity and the authentic love of Christ is such a powerful combination!
In an email one student wrote, “Thank you for coming and visiting me at the hospital. That was really kind of you and also thank you for letting me borrow your prayer beads.”
Another student wrote in a paper for the class I teach, “My most memorable part of the Christianity section was when Professor Shea shared his beads that he carries around every day.”
And the impact of the beads even extends beyond the campus! Shortly after teaching a conference on “How to engage our culture,” where I shared as an example how my beads can be connected with curiosity, this was posted on their church’s Facebook page:
“I wanted to make prayer beads as a draw for people on Community Day and also as a tool to witness–thank you, Joe Shea for that GREAT idea! As I walked into the store very concerned about my lack of crafting and wondering how the Lord was going to help me put my idea into a usable tool, I explained to a friend my idea of a “camo” colored type of prayer bead that we could hand out to military families. We found the perfect parachute cord—-camo colored! We found camo colored beads and now comes the BEST part! We were looking for a red bead to add to represent God’s love for us. As we perused the bead aisle, we just about tripped over a young woman and another lady. We all laughed that we were looking for similar things and they wanted to know what we were going to do with our beads. We began to explain my connection to the military, our participation in Community day and the prayer beads. The younger of the two was newly married to a man who is currently serving…..hmmmmm, do you think it’s possible God had us there on this day to meet this young woman and her mother? Anyway, she was really curious about the beads and what they stood for. I told her they had no power, they were just a reminder for me as I pray for my son who is currently deployed. I then went on to tell her what each bead stood for…..the first is his mind, I pray daily that God will protect his mind and head from injury and keep it clear and ready. The next is his body, I pray for his body to stay strong and healthy and ready to go. The next is his spirit, I pray that God will keep his spirits up and keep him joyful and at peace. The next is for his spiritual growth, I pray that he will see God’s hand every day and that he will take time to read his Bible and spend time with the Lord. The last large bead represents his family. I pray for their safety and for all of the same things above I pray for him. The last two beads are red and gold, the red represents the love God has for him and his family and the gold bead represents how God sees him and his family…..more precious than anything in the world. The girl and her mom listened and liked the idea. I’d love to say that right there on the spot we prayed and led them to the Lord. We did not, but we did plant a seed and I was able to try my prayer beads! And I was able to share with them about the Lord and the Prayer Warriors ministry and I was able to give out contact information! The same girl came and found us after in the store to talk more about the Prayer Warriors and to help us with the bead search! She then told me about another friend of hers whose husband is currently serving overseas. They have a new baby the father hasn’t met yet. I promised I would pray for her and the things we had talked about and she promised she would contact me and let me know how she is doing, she will be moving to be with her husband in in a few days. Sorry to be so wordy, but this was just too exciting not to share!”
So how can you use curiosity to engage others with the gospel? I lay awake at night thinking about new ideas, then after trying them, I teach them to other students, churches and groups. If you would like to invite me to speak at your church, group, retreat or organization I would love to hear from you. If you want to share with me your ideas for using curiosity I would love to hear them too!
=== JOE ===
It has been busy for the Shea household this year. Our son David graduated, Sam has two yeas left and then all four will be out of high school! Jeremiah, Joey and now David are involved in the ministry attending our summer college bible study. Dave is also concentrating on his Jamaican trip in July. He is going with the youth group from our church and is excited to see what God has planned for him there. He would like to thank all the people who made it possible for him to go. He had to raise $1500.00 for the trip and through some of our supporters, supporting churches, friends and family he has raised everything needed to go. When he gets back, he will send an update to those who helped. We ask for your prayers while he is there July 21-28th. We pray for God’s protection for the whole group, for their travels and for the good He has planned. We hope you all have a wonderful summer we look forward to all God has planned for us! Thanks again so very much for all the support and prayers!
=== Annie ===
To financial support our ministry
Online just click on the Donate tab in the menubar at the top of the page.
If you would rather send a check just fill out one of our response envelopes and with a check made out to Missions Door. Please include a separate note stating that you would like to support the Shea’s and how often in faith you plan to donate. If you do not have an envelope you can use your own and send it to Missions Door 2530 Washington St, Denver CO 80205.
Instead of writing a newsletter to our supporters about students, I decided to write a letter to students about our supporters….
In our newsletters I always try to paint a picture to help you, our readers, understand our ministry at a deeper level, one that goes beyond statistics or lists, one that connects your emotions to ours, one that allows you to be more than readers, but in a unique way sharers and partakers with us. I always want to communicate “Why” we do what we do and not just the “what we do”… As we head into the holiday season celebrating Thanksgiving and with Christmas and New Years just around the corner, I thought I would do something different… really different…. completely different… Rather than writing to you about the students that we minister to and serve; I am actually going to write this letter in reverse… instead of writing to you our supporters and potential supporters about students, I’m going to write to students about you! So you have my permission in a way to eavesdrop, and as you read this, know that it has already been given to students to read first…
Last week I received an encouraging email from a former student who was on campus back when I first started working with CA. I’ve seen him grow so much spiritually. I was given the opportunity to pour into his life the same way that I (and other staff) now pour into your lives… You see I watched him as he fell in love with another student from CA, and even had the incredible honor of performing the wedding ceremony for them. Over the years, as with many students, Annie and I have remained involved in their lives enjoying the view as he entered full-time ministry and as they became parents and now have two beautiful daughters. With permission allow me to share some of that email with you..
“Joe, I want to thank you for always being there for me and Colleen and my kids. You have always been a constant source of love and support to me even when I was a massive butt head. Without you in my life I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where or who I am today. Your impact in my life has stretched far beyond me and my family and is echoed in my ministry at Fellowship Church. What I do is a direct result of what you did and continue to do. So on behalf of myself, Colleen, Emilie, Erynne, and countless others at Fellowship church, Thank you!
Also Colleen and I are celebrating our 10 year anniversary next month. Can you imagine it was that long ago?”
I share this with you to point out that Annie and I have been reaching out to students like you for a long time, and the reason why we (and other staff) do this… is because we love you, we really do! In fact, I pray that I receive an email like this from each one of you someday, not that I am looking for a pat on the back, but that I want each of you to discover the depth of Christ’s love and the global mission of being a Christian. I pray that God would become fully integrated and woven through every aspect of your lives, that you would find love and reproduce that love advancing His kingdom and correcting injustice at every level…
But you may not be aware of the bigger picture…. Annie and I are directly connected to you, so its easy to be thankful for us, others on staff, and our ministry in CA, and yet you may not fully understand how our ministry to you is dependent upon the generosity, hard work and prayers of others, made up of individuals, churches and even companies who are all part of “the body of Christ” and who all love and sacrifice for you without necessarily knowing you, and without expecting anything in return and as a result they enable me to be available for you!
I remember the first time I spoke at a church to raise support. I remember exactly where I was standing when someone came over to me so compelled to help reach out to students like you that she became our first supporter and still sacrifices to support the ministry today…
I once led the worship for a men’s retreat in Connecticut and struck up a conversation with two men about evangelism and how to connect with the culture today. I shared my passion and love about you with them, and with just that short conversation they began supporting the ministry and have for many years.
Another time I was at a retreat in New Hampshire walking across the front porch, when a retired gentleman asked me my name and what I did. When I told him I ministered to college students, without question he said, how can I help… and he began supporting me faithfully until he passed away a few years ago.
When we were first beginning to build a worship team at Worcester State I posted in our newsletter that we needed a keyboard. Soon after, I received a call from someone I had never met. They told me to go buy a high-end keyboard and they delivered a check without even really knowing me. They have been supporting our ministry ever since. So when you hear the keyboard being played during worship, know that it came from someone who loves you and continues to express that love.
Over the years many times some of you could not go on a retreat because you didn’t have the money, and yet through the body, funds were there for you to go, and on that retreat, God spoke to you and you felt His love because someone in the body loved you and provided the funds.
Through the same body when you needed to really talk and we went out for lunch or coffee to get away from campus and we talked about Jesus you were being blessed by the body… and when you received a free Bible… or the coffee and snacks at our coffee table… the body was there. It was this body that provided the sound equipment we use to worship… the LCD projector… the banners… gift cards… meals for our free dinners, work done on the CA house, volunteers and materials.. all products of love… all God’s way of providing for you (and me) through this body of Christ!
A few times owners of companies and churches led by prayer, provided significant gifts to help complete large projects, or fill in the funds needed to cover the amount we are short in committed support.
After being invited to speak to a church group in someone’s home, people moved by the Spirit, joined our support team.
Friendships have been born, awareness raised, and churches from Maine to West Virginia love you! The list could go on and on and on, there are so many stories I could tell you about, so many beautiful people, and churches who believe you are so precious and valuable… but let me share with you one last example…
A few years ago after speaking in a supporting church, I mentioned how the Bible study we did at Nichols College was now beginning at 10:00 instead of 11:00 PM (it now begins at 9:00 pm). After the service a sweet elderly woman approached me with a smile, she laid her warm hand on my cheek, and in a soft quiet and shaky voice she said, “Praise God… that you have moved the study to 10:00, it is so hard for me to be staying up every Wednesday to be praying for you and the students during your Bible study.” She brought me to tears… can you picture the love of this woman who struggles to stay up late for the privilege of praying for you! And there are many who pray for you often.. they pray that you would be blessed, protected, and drawn into an ever closer relationship with God and they truly understand the secret of giving out of love to call, invite and welcome you into His kingdom. So this Thanksgiving holiday, give thanks for those in the body of Christ, the bigger picture, the people, churches and companies that live out the ideal of Christmas giving all year long for you and for the glory of God!
______________________________________
I hope you have enjoyed eavesdropping
To those who faithfully support us through prayer and donations, from the bottom of our hearts thank you!
If you are not currently supporting us, it would be so cool to be able to tell the students who read this letter how many more people have expressed Christ’s love for them by joining our support team.
=== JOE ===
Joe and I were at a missions conference in New Hampshire not too long ago, Joe was speaking at a church that we had never visited before. The service went really well and we met lots of nice people. After Joe speaks there is always a number of people waiting to talk with him and I was standing next to him when a young woman came over to me and pulled me aside, she wanted to talk with me. She wanted to thank me for supporting my husband and letting him do what he does best. She told me that she was praying for me and for all the things I do for our ministry that a lot of people don’t see. I am very happy doing things in the background. I don’t like being the center of attention. So I do a lot of office work and cooking for students and just being a Mom to some of them. I have to admit she really touched my heart and it meant a lot to me. I know there are many others who pray for me as well and I thank God for all the wonderful supporters and students He has brought into our lives and for the future supporters and students yet to come!
Joe and I and all our sons (Jeremiah, Joe, Dave & Sam want to wish you all a Happy Holiday season. Merry Christmas and may our Lord and Savior bless you all.
Annie
To financial support our ministry
Online just click on the Donate tab in the menubar at the top of the page.
If you would rather send a check just fill out one of our response envelopes and with a check made out to Missions Door. Please include a separate note stating that you would like to support the Shea’s and how often in faith you plan to donate. If you do not have an envelope you can use your own and send it to Missions Door 2530 Washington St, Denver CO 80205.
A Generation In Need