Let me guess. You saw the word “beach,” and you had to read more? It’s almost time for college spring break, and that means there is no shortage of beach ministry to be done! Thousands of spring breakers are about to descend on some of our most beautiful beaches, and at the same time, hundreds of college students are going to spend time serving through BeachReach, making sure that these spring breakers have an opportunity to experience and hear about the extravagant love of Jesus!
We know you are faithful champions for people knowing Jesus (even during spring break and even on the beach), so we wanted to share a few ways that you could get involved in BeachReach, even if you’re not attending. Here are four ways you can pray for the BeachReach ministry happening in Panama City throughout the month of March.
- Prayer Feed.
Sunday through Thursday nights during spring break, BeachReachers will be giving free van rides to other college students between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. Yes, you read that right. 2 a.m. Each van ride is an opportunity to verbally share the gospel of Christ. Please pray for boldness and open conversations to happen on the vans during these hours. Often, the spring breakers start the conversation themselves by asking, “Why are you doing this?” Lots of specific prayer requests also come up in the wee hours of the morning, so we’d love to have you join in by checking the live prayer feed (http://www.beachreachlive.com) each day and praying over some of the specific requests (even if it isn’t at 2 a.m.).
- Jesus Is Better.
Students look forward to and save up for their spring break experience all year long. Often, by mid-week, they are fighting with friends, out of money, tired of empty conversations about girls or guys, and all the other spring break-y topics. It is in these moments that many become very open to a conversation about Christ because He speaks to the longing of their soul in a way that none of the other things they’ve tried could accomplish. Even the BeachReachers are faced with the truth that Jesus is better than the pursuits of the world. Pray that BeachReachers will represent Christ well and that spring breakers and BeachReachers alike will come face to face with the reality that Jesus is better than all the other substitutes the world has to offer.
- Disaster Relief.
As many of you know, areas of the Florida panhandle experienced one of the worst disasters ever back in October with Hurricane Michael. Our BeachReach teams will also be partnering with local schools to provide disaster relief and create better learning environments for the families impacted by the hurricane. Please pray for the schools most affected throughout Panama City. Pray that our teams will be able to offer meaningful relief to these communities by serving in their schools. Pray also for our local church partner, Emerald Coast Fellowship, as they work alongside us and as they continue to minister in the Panhandle, serving the children and families who attend these schools.
- New Believers.
Whether on a van, sitting at the table across from a plate of pancakes, or even out on a beach blanket, we always experience scores of college students who express the desire to begin a new relationship with Jesus. Please pray for these spring breakers as they step into a lifelong journey with Jesus. Pray for us as we seek to connect them with other Christians back on their campus, and pray for them as they immediately experience a new worldview and life direction pursuing Christ.
We are excited to have you join us as a meaningful part of this ministry. The downside of not physically attending is that you won’t be soaking up the rays on the white sandy beach, but the upside is that you will be snug in your bed by the time our vans are ready for the first potty break of the night. Your prayers will be an important part of fueling all that God will do during this powerful three-week span of ministry (March 2-22). Regardless of what you are seeing on the news or reading about on social media, know that God has not forsaken the spring break beaches but is working powerfully to draw college students to Himself!
Bill Noe is the Collegiate Ministry Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. A former campus minister (and current collegiate ministry volunteer at church), Bill loves being a part of seeing college students grow in their walk with the Lord. Connect with Bill on Twitter.
