Dear Campus Director,

I am writing to you in regards to some exciting things that we are experiencing in our movement at the University of Florida. The size of our movement has almost tripled in less than a year, students are sharing their faith with friends and family members, prayer is no longer another activity during the week, student ownership is at an all time high...what is going on? We believe that the Lord is answering prayers because things haven't always been this way.

Aaron and I have been on staff together at the UF for seven years. I came from a campus where ministry was fairly easy. Nothing was easy about UF. Aaron and I began praying more intensely asking the Lord to do something...anything. Over the years we have had three consistent requests: revival in the lives of believers, lost men and women coming to Christ, and for UF to be a sending ground for laborers. There were periods of discouragement for me as I wandered if the Lord even heard us at all. The Lord confirmed that we were in the right place and He continued giving us vision for what He could do on our campus.

Almost three years ago. Aaron fasted for 40 days. He went before the Lord on behalf of the future of our campus. One of Aaron's biggest concerns as the freshman class. We have all heard Roger Hershey talk about the importance of reaching the freshman if we are going to reach the campus. Aaron spent a lot of his time praying for the incoming freshman. That fall we saw more freshmen get involved and STAY involved than ever before. Aaron completed a second 40 day fast in the fall as some of our staff and students joined him in various ways to pray for our campus. We strongly believe that the Lord is choosing to honor these requests. Prayer has made the difference.

With the lack of women staff on our campus, we were committed to having mini-retreats for the women to pull together to build unity in our movement this year. In January, Laurie Killingsworth came to minister to our women in a special way. I knew that she would be focusing on purity, power and prayer but I can't put into words the impact that she had that weekend. At the end of her first talk almost every girl in the room had something to confess publicly and asked for prayer. My heart was heavy from some of the things shared yet rejoiced because of the bonds that were released that night. Relationships were restored between friends and family, commitments were made to the Lord, and a fresh sense of pursuing the Him was on everyone's heart.

In the midst of such a hectic campus schedule, I would like to challenge you to look at the calendar NOW to schedule a retreat with Laurie. Even though I don't know what the remaining fruit will be from this weekend, I already can sense a more genuine spirit among our women and a hunger for God I believe that God used Laurie to help give our women a vision for their walk with the Lord and living a dynamic life ministering for Him.

Sincerely,
Melody Read