A great beginning!

The semester has started off very well here at the BSU. Here's what has happened since I last wrote back in July! 

• The BSU hosted the USM International Student orientation on August 13th. We have had the privilege of having a group of about 100 students from all over the world be here for the day while the USM International office goes over what they need to know as students at USM.
• The BSU Leadership Team came in on Thursday, August 14 and we met with them for the day going over what is coming up and how they can be prepared. There are 29 students on our leadership team. We have 22 Family Group Leaders. 
• We participated in Freshman Move in on Friday and Saturday (August 15-16)
• The First 6:01 and 12:01 of the year happened on August 19 and 21. At the first 6:01 we served pizza and set up our round tables so students could meet and mingle. The first 12:01 of the semester Dr. Ken Hester from FBC Pontotoc, MS came and spoke. Ken also spoke at Survival Weekend. Ken has been one of our best friends and supporters of what God is doing here at USM. Thank you Ken! 
• Survival Weekend 2008 was on August 22-23.  We had about 200 students here that weekend. It was a great success. As far as we could tell, there were no major glitches or malfunctions! Ha! All of the family groups seemed to go very well. Family groups will continue to meet once a week until the end of September. 
• 6:01 has started well. Even though we did have a little setback with Hurricane Gustav coming in. Dr. Ivan Parke from Mississippi College has been asked to speak for the first three 6:01's this year. This year at 6:01 we are studying the Sermon on the Mount. Dr. Parke is a professor of New Testament at MC and an incredible Bible teacher. 

Here are a few pictures of what's been going on here at the USM BSU.

Friends at 6:01

Survival Weekend family group showing their pride at the Wacky Water Olympics on Saturday afternoon at Pride Field.

Coach Larry Fedora came to 12:01 and shared with our students on the Thursday before the first home game. He was a great speaker and very passionate.

6:01 friends. 

Please pray for what coming up this semester:

• Students to be challenged to go on a mission opportunity through BSU this Christmas or this summer. Please pray that we as a BSU staff will get the word out to students about opportunities where they can serve. 
• Fall Bible studies will begin at the end of this month. Please pray for God to speak to our students through His Word. 
• Pray for our study of the Sermon on the Mount this year. 

Thank you for your support and prayer!