Dec 31, 2020

Pictures + Praying for 2021!

By Jay Denton • Issue #27 • View online

Like the new header picture? When we are all together we call it “Fam-Jam Time” - I’m not sure who loves this title more…the girls or me! This was taken during our summer vacation to the Oregon coast. While 2020 was so hard in so many ways, we are also so thankful for the small blessings - especially more “Fam-Jam Time”! Here are some ways to pray for RUF and our family for 2021.

(Keep scrolling for a bunch of photos and if you are thinking of giving a year end gift, there is a link to our giving page at the end of this email!)

Freshman Fellowship // Halloween Edition!

Praying for RUF Plans and People

Our staff met before Christmas break to outline plans…and contingencies…and more contingencies for the spring semester here at BSU. While Boise State will be partially in-person, there are school guidelines, city guidelines, and a desire to minister to students, while still being safe! Here are some of the things we have planned for next semester that we would LOVE your prayers for:

Weekly Large Group - we meet together on Tuesday Nights for worship, teaching, and connecting. I will be teaching through the first half of the book of Genesis this coming semester. We have a place to meet with all the physical distancing and care necessary, but we still may have to change up our format. Would you pray that God would help students connect with one another and grow from hearing God’s word taught to them?
Small Groups - We will be offering a number of different small groups. They usually get started a couple of weeks into the semester. Would you pray that our leaders would feel prepared and for new students to come? Also pray for transportation needs, safety, and connection.
In-Town “Retreat” - One of the highlights of our semester is a winter retreat that we usually go on in February. This is a great time for students to hear teaching from our staff as well as really feel like they are a part of our community. This semester we are planning to host an in-town retreat, bring in a speaker, and play outside (we LOVE to be outside here in Boise). Would you pray for the thousands of details and all of our contingency plans? We want to serve our students safely and we need wisdom to put this retreat on (even if it winds up being a retreat of smaller groups!).
RUF Quads - These are groups of 4 students meeting for 3 weeks to get to know each other and grow in fellowship and service. Would you pray as students sign up that the Holy Spirit would spark friendships and community?
Freshman Fellowship - We have been so thankful for so many freshmen involved this year! During our staff meeting, we were struggling to figure out how to safely get our freshmen together for our monthly freshman fellowship. Would you pray that as our staff comes back together in 2021 that we would be given wisdom and insight as we serve these first-year students?
Ministry Team - we have a group of 15 students that meet up twice a month to learn and grow in their understanding of loving and serving others on campus at BSU. Would you pray for our spring semester study, for the relationships they are forming, and that the Holy Spirit would grow them for a lifetime of service in God’s church?
Our Seniors - Since March of 2020 it has been such a hard time for our (now) seniors. Would you pray for them as they faithfully lead in RUF, finish out their last year of college, search for employment and/or seek to get into grad school?
Our Staff - Pray for Rachel (our intern) as she continues to get settled in Boise, ministers to freshmen and fringe students, and connects with friends here in Boise. What a year to move to a new city! Pray for Alex as she heads up our small group ministry, trains leaders, counsels students, and continues to take classes for her MA in Christian Counseling through Westminster Seminary. Pray for me (Jay) as I prepare to preach next semester, for fundraising opportunities here in Idaho, and as I seek to lead this ministry I’ve been so graciously given in humility and trust in God.

Praying for the Denton "Fam-Jam"

Pray for School - We opted to homeschool this year and most days we have been thankful for this decision. Pray for Bet as she is already lesson-planning and getting things in order for starting up soon. I am so grateful for her work, her dedication, and her giftedness to lead and love our family as she bears the weight of homeschooling. Pray that I would be a good support to her and more aware of ways to come alongside her. Pray for our girls that they would learn the beautiful truths of this world that God has given in all the different subject areas…and that they would be kind to one another and show respect for Bet as she teaches.
Pray for Community - We have been in Boise for 20 months…we have been in a pandemic for 8 of those months! We love our church, our neighborhood, and the people that we have gotten to know. Would you pray that we would continue to have the opportunity and the energy to connect and grow friendships (that’s for ALL of us!)?
Pray for Health - Working with college students is one of the best things in the world! It also tends to expose us to a few more opportunities to get sick (and not just from COVID!). Would you pray for the health of our family this winter season?
Pray for Sweet Times of Rest - During an RUF training I remember one guy saying, “we don’t put up boundaries to get away from people, we create boundaries in our lives so that we can minister to people!” I loved this so much. One of the ways I recharge is with my “Fam-Jam.” Time with the five of us is precious to me. We laugh, we dance, we make fires in our fire place. There are so many things that seek to interrupt this time. From scheduling to all the things on my mind and heart. Would you pray for our family time in 2021?

End of Year Giving

Give to RUF at Boise State

Give a year-end gift to RUF at Boise State. Donations are tax-deductible and help us to continue to reach students for Christ and equip them to serve!

givetoruf.org • Share

PICTURES!

Rake Up Boise

Each girl gets 1 American Girl Doll - Welcome Nanea!

Snowshoeing in the Sawtooths

We got an early snow this season!

Teaching a small group of RUF Interns

Students making "Halloween" Gingerbread Houses...HA!

Happy New Year from our RUF Staff (Rachel, Jay, Alex)!!!

Did you enjoy this issue?

By 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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The Dentons, 711 Wyndemere Drive, Boise, ID 83702