Leading with Courage
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
Dear Family and Friends,
Bonjour! I hope this message finds you well.
We’ve started a new school year, and as with most beginnings, there is excitement as well as hesitation. Nevertheless, God has been reminding us to boldly live out our faith because His powerful Spirit lives within us. I hope you, too, are encouraged by this reminder, and that it allows you to live and lead courageously, loving Him and others generously and without fear!
In this letter : Photos from outreach events, a link to a video greeting from a student leader, and praises/prayer requests. As always, thank you for reading, praying, and giving! Your support helps make this ministry possible.
Outreach and Kickoff Events
What we did during the weekend:
- Learned what it means to lead a group.
- Learned strategies for responding in different situations (ex. nobody shows up, the conversation is not going well, how to delegate roles so members feel that the group is their own, etc.)
- Reflected on strengths and weaknesses in terms of leadership and group dynamics and set goals.
- Organized logistics and started preparing for the first meetings that would take place in the following week or so.
Meet a Student Leader! Click on the Image to Watch
Praises!
- Lots of students boldly set up stands outside of their campuses to spread the word about the GBU, and we met many who were eager to check it out.
- The students who decided to take on leadership roles this year. So many of them walked away from the training weekend filled with hope and enthusiasm.
Prayer Requests
- For the bible study at Sorbonne University-Malesherbes that I am accompanying. It’s totally new and the leader was disappointed that only one student showed up the first week. Pray that she wouldn’t lose hope and stay positive for next week.
- For the students and my colleagues to stay motivated and close to God in this busy season.
- For wisdom and diligence in preparing and leading my two (and growing!) student one-on-one bible studies.
- For energy and focus as I continue to progress in French.
Your Supports Makes a Difference—Thank You!
Merci for all your prayers, gifts and encouragement as I’ve transitioned. This ministry truly wouldn’t be possible without you. I am humbled and amazed by your partnership as I’ve reached the goal set out for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Praise God! The fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th, so, taking into account the surplus from last year, my new financial goal to make up the difference for 2026-27 is $37,000. Thank you for your generous gifts towards this ministry. I’ve already reached out to some of you and will continue to do so and send updates of my progress in the upcoming months, but if you’d like to give, please click here. Thank you and blessings to you, your communities, and families.
Finally, I’m praying for you, too—please don’t hesitate to reach out with specific requests or just to say hi! (I also love snail mail if that’s more your style.)
May you be surrounded by the love, peace, and joy of Jesus today and always!
With love and gratitude,
Kelsey
I love hearing from you!
Email — kelsey (dot) weidmann at intervarsity dot org
Instagram — @kelsey.in.paris.ministry