#13: Being Part of God’s Greater Plan – Roger Hershey

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith Podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Roger Hershey, a national traveling speaker and campus ministry consultant with Cru. Roger has ministered to university students for 50 years now, sharing truths and wisdom that has changed the lives of thousands of students. I know this firsthand, because I was one who, now four decades ago, had the privilege of being discipled by Roger while a student at Miami University.  I am thrilled to have Roger on the show and have him share some of his wisdom on this podcast. In this podcast we discuss: What led him and Jason Weimer to write The Finishers Why he believes this generation of students can finish taking the gospel to all people groups How his time in college deepened his vision to be part of fulfilling the Great Commission of Matt. 28:18-20 His challenge to students to reject a posture of entitlement, and their reaction The difference between rights and privileges Breaking free of our “Pea-sized Christianity” and being a “World Christian” Why God often uses students to begin spiritual revivals The Christian Chinese “Back to Jerusalem” movement Defining the “10-40 Window” and why it is important Why understanding the return of Christ should motivate us to be World Christians The role students can play in helping fulfill the Great Commission while still in college The importance of students getting involved in a campus ministry (see https://everycampus.com/ for a list of good campus ministries on your campus)   The three key elements to use when evaluating which campus ministry to join The importance of having the correct understanding of calling and of God’s will Finding one’s “sweet spot”: gifts and strengths, passions, and the needs in the world Seeing our work as having both intrinsic and instrumental value The greatest challenges students face in fulfilling their callings The current confusion between the gospel and social justice, and how this influences students and ministry The cautionary example of the Student Volunteer Movement How the gospel and justice do fit together Why students must understand God’s grace, their identity in Christ, and that God loves them and likes them Living life with an “eternal perspective” Living in light of the Holy Spirit’s leading The centrality of God’s Word and “thinking Christianly” The importance of knowing Christ is the only way to God The three things to look for in a mentor (someone to disciple you)  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Roger Hershey and Jason Weimer, The Finishers The Campus Ministry branch of CRU Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism The U.S. Center for World Missions (Now Frontier Ventures) Greg H. Parsons, Ralph D. Winter: Early Life and Core Missiology Global Scholars David Bryant, In the Gap: What it Means to be a World Christian The Jesus Film Project Wycliffe Bible Translators J.P. Moreland, Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit’s Power Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle: Discovering The Secret of Joyful Giving Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life William Lane Craig on the Problem of Evil Todd Ahren, In This Generation: Looking to the Past to Reach the Present Thaddeus Williams, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice Eric Metaxas, Amazing Grace: William Wiberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery (also a major motion picture) Rob Bell, Love Wins, and response  Roger Hershey’s website, containing his message for students trying to discern God’s call Joshua Project Joshua Project’s Unreached of the Day App Jason Mandryk, Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation