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Is it Worth It?

The Denton Dispatch
Is it Worth It?
By Jay Denton • Issue #17 • View online
Many times when I am tired and down I think of you all. I think about the time that you spend praying, the money that you invest in this ministry and I ask myself, “Is it worth it?” I’m grateful for the seasons of the RUF year when I get to actually reflect and see that what Jesus has called our family to isn’t just worth it - it’s life-giving to us and that Jesus is building his kingdom through our work. He really is establishing the works of our hands. What follows is a month by month look at 2019 and our life and calling from Wilmington to Boise. I hope you will take great joy in ALL that Jesus does because of your prayers and support.
Students are finding Jesus, growing in his grace, and committing to the local church BECAUSE YOU GIVE your prayers and your money. The more I do this the more I am willing to ask you to invest and the more thankful I am that you do!
As of November we needed $50,000 by year’s end. By God’s great grace, we have raised $31,000 of that and we are praying that God would provide the last $19,000 between now and December 31st. If you’d like to support our work with RUF at Boise State you can give securely online HERE. I’d also love to chat on the phone if you want to hear more! My email is jay.denton@ruf.org and my phone number is 919-561-1955.
Now for our year in review!

January - Bet and Jay Visit Boise
We visited Boise to learn more about RUF here and see if God might be calling us to come here and serve. It was a great trip and we were able to clearly see that God was calling us.
February - Telling Our UNCW Students
In February at the end of a large group I stood in tears and told a group of beloved students that we were moving to Boise to serve with RUF at the end of the semester.
March - Celebrating the Ingram Center
In March our family traveled down to Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate the opening of the Ingram Center at Rio Vista Community Church. Bet’s parents served this church faithfully for 20+ years and they named a new addition after them.
April - Preaching, Leadership and Banquet
In April I had the honor of preaching at our annual Community Good Friday Service. A number of churches come together for a special service. It was a beautiful evening of prayer, praise and God teaching us! We also hosted our annual fundraising banquet and leadership weekend. Whew!
Good Friday!
Good Friday!
Annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Banquet
Annual Blue Jeans and BBQ Banquet
Leadership Weekend for RUF at UNCW
Leadership Weekend for RUF at UNCW
May - SUCO, Selling the House, and Exams
May was CRAZY. We packed all of our belongings in PODs, I took a group of UNCW students to Summer Conference. I traveled to Seattle for my transfer exams, then a week later we left Wilmington and went to the Raleigh area for a week before leaving for Boise!
Summer Conference 2019 - Last Event with RUF at UNCW
Summer Conference 2019 - Last Event with RUF at UNCW
June - Arrive in Boise!
My good friend Brandon Lokits and I traveled to Boise in a minivan with two dogs. We spent most of each day in the car, but also had the chance to camp along the way.
Camping in Wyoming!
Camping in Wyoming!
Teton National Park
Teton National Park
We just woke up here!
We just woke up here!
July - New Job, New Staff, RUF Training
We hit the ground running here in Boise. We spent time with our new staff and hosted students for summer RUF events. Our staff really began to mesh and we all attended our RUF National Training in Dallas.
Our First RUF Gathering in Boise!
Our First RUF Gathering in Boise!
Hiking with some RUF Guys!
Hiking with some RUF Guys!
Training in Dallas - Sam and I are two peas in a pod.
Training in Dallas - Sam and I are two peas in a pod.
August - RUF Semester Kicks Off!
We hosted over 200 students for a welcome back pizza party and had our first large group of the semester, not to mention my first Boise State Football game!!!
Staff at the Welcome Back Party
Staff at the Welcome Back Party
Tabling at the Involvement Fair
Tabling at the Involvement Fair
Go ORANGE, Go BIG BLUE, FIGHT, FIGHT, BSU!
Go ORANGE, Go BIG BLUE, FIGHT, FIGHT, BSU!
September - BSU Fall Conference!
In September we took 30 students to our annual fall conference and heard from a great speaker - Rev. Tom Hart from East Carolina’s RUF! I also saw my first Idaho snow. :-)
October - Speaking at UCLA's Fall Conference
In October I had the chance to go to Lake Hume California and speak at UCLA’s Fall Conference. It’s a joy for me to serve other RUFs out west! I also got to see some HUGE trees.
November - Leadership and Service!
Below is a picture of our leadership team eating a Sunday lunch together. We meet twice a month. Our group also participated in Rake Up Boise - a way to serve those in the community who aren’t able to rake up their leaves.
Leadership Lunch!
Leadership Lunch!
Rake Up Boise
Rake Up Boise
December - Christmas Party
This is more than a picture of a fun night - even though it was! It’s a picture of the story of this semester. There are students in this picture who have begun to follow Jesus, students called to missions, students who didn’t even know what RUF was who are now a great part of our community. There are engineers, musicians, history majors, honors students, and our great staff. This is a picture that reminds me that all we do and all you give is WORTH IT!
We are less without you...
Jay, Bet, Laine, Remy, and Breck
Did you enjoy this issue?
Jay Denton

We are so thankful for those that pray, give and encourage our ministry. We will keep you up-to-date on ministry and life, share great resources we come across and give you ways to pray for us!

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