February 9th-15th, 2025 - Impact’s National Week of Outreach
During the second week of February, the Impact Movement focused on evangelism! Numerous colleges partook in numerous different initiatives ranging from Talent Showcases, to Evangelism Trainings, to individual 1 on 1 conversations. Regardless, for me during evangelism week, I felt led to start conversations on campus and ask Black people if there’s a way I can be praying for them.
Ex: “Hello, my name is Maurice, and given the state of the world right now I’m just checking in with people and wondering if there’s anything I can be praying for you about?”
And when I tell you that little conversation starter can go a really long way. Ask a stranger that question and see what happens…
The White Man’s Religion?
Nonetheless, after going around campus and feeling comfortable with this conversation starter. I stumbled upon a grad student and asked her if I could be praying for her. Yet to my surprise, instead of receiving a yes or a no, I received “why would I need prayer when you are following the white man’s religion!”
Well then I thought, I wasn’t expecting a conversation like this today; yet I listened to where she was coming from as she wrestled wondering how could a good God let slavery happen, how could He sit back and watch so many Black people die, does God even exist, religion is hopeless; and in many respects I can completely understand where she was coming from…
BUT in that moment, speaking from my personal experience I made the argument that God wasn’t just sitting back and watching the horror take place, but the fact that I’m standing here talking to you is nothing short of a miracle that I come from ancestors who somehow survived that darkness in Africa, during the Middle Passage, and even in America. The fact that I’m alive, and even have returned to West Africa (see the picture attached) and walked back through the slave castles against “doors of no return” to me is evidence of a loving and gracious God who fearfully and wonderfully made me in his image.
This is a picture I took at the “Door of No Return” at Elmina Castle when I went on Summer Mission with Impact to Ghana.
Nonetheless, after talking some more, I circled back to the beginning and asked if there’s anything that she would like prayer for. “Well does prayer even work?” She responded, “whenever I pray nothing seems to happen.” “Well what have you been praying for?” I asked. “To know God” she answered, and I stood in awe of such a prayer request. “Well how will you know when that request gets answered?” “Well I don’t think I’ll ever know” she answered. “Well what if God sent me here to encourage you and let you know that He loves you, He sees you, and He wants to know you?” The woman paused for a second then replied “Hm, I need to catch a bus, but maybe you deciding to talk with me does show that God exists” (and a couple days later she would text “please pray for me. I truly want a personal relationship with God!”) Therefore, if we can continue praying for Ari to grow in her relationship with God, I think she would greatly appreciate it!
What Would You Do?
After sharing this story about Ari, I’m curious. What would you do if someone challenged you and said that Christianity was only the white man’s religion? How would you respond? How might you face this situation differently?
February - Events and Conferences!
This month has been absolutely amazing from speaking at a Cru meeting at Westfield State, to talking at the Black Student Union’s Melanin Mixer at UMass, to volunteering and attending my first ever Black Campus Ministry Conference run by InterVarsity New England. I’ve had an amazing time meeting new students, PRAYING for both them and their campuses, and I’m excited to see what God continues to do throughout the semester! There are numerous students who are looking to grow in discipleship, and I’m excited to continue updating you all in the future!
Photo from the UMass Black Student Union “Melanin Mixer”
And last but most certainly the most important update from me is that after meeting four years ago at MercyHouse Church in Amherst, and connecting over Black campus ministry at our respective schools (me UMass, her Amherst College), and yesterday I decided that it was time to ask the question. So, I got down on one knee at UMass’ Durfee Conservatory and asked “Imani will you marry me?”
February 27th, 2025 - She Said Yes!
Imani is a recent graduate from Amherst College who graduated with a Bachelors degree in Education Studies and Spanish. She currently started her PhD track in the English Department at UMass Amherst, and she’s also working part-time with Intervarsity at Smith College, SHES AWESOME! With that being said we’ve been dating for a little over a year and a half, are currently going through pre-engagement counseling, and are super excited to now be in the engagement phase! From serving at the Impact Conference together, to serving together at the Black Campus Ministry Conference this last weekend, we are super grateful for all your love and support, and would love continued prayer for our future.
In conclusion, thank you again so much for supporting me in the work that I’m doing! None of this would be possible without you!
My Prayer Requests
1. Pray for my future relationship with my Imani (my fiancee).
2. Pray for God’s will to be done in me and in the hearts of students at UMass and Westfield.