Friday, March 28, 2014

March Update

Living on Purpose
Next fall we will have four upperclassman moving into the dorms.  Their reason?  They want to live in the most strategic place possible to love their peers and share Jesus with the campus.  These students will be hosting bible studies in their dorms in the hope of building Christ centered community.


Involving the Community
We are currently looking for volunteers in the community to help support the ministry through hosting  and mentoring students.  Something we hope will connect the students to the community as well as help the community to learn from the perspective of the students.


Finances of the future
To continue ministry here at WSU by the fall I need to have to bring in $4,000 a month, and I am about half way there right now so we are down to needing $2,000!  So this summer I will be working to try and find new financial partners to help fund the ministry here in Winona.



Prayer Request
Please Pray
  • for volunteers to come forward to help engage students on campus
  • for ministry partners that believe in our mission and want to financially support the ministry
  • for students as they continue to connect with their peers to share christ
  • for myself as we work to wrap up the year well while planning for the fall


-Please consider supporting our ministry by becoming a financial partner.-
mike.thornton@ivlp.org

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Transformed Lives that Change the World

The Present

This last weekend we had our annual Fall Retreat where over 50 students spent time engaging the book of Philippians. We studied rich themes of personal motivation and action and the call to be more, while examining things are necessary to leave behind in order to move forward and REJOICING in all circumstances. In short, learning more about what it means to follow Christ as Savior and Lord.

A highlight video will be completed soon, so be on the lookout for that to gain a glimpse into one of the best weekends of the year.


The Past
Through your help Fall Retreat has impacted hundreds of students over the years.
This last week marked the anniversary of two alumni who celebrated on Facebook, they are worth taking a look at: 
(Click the pictures to enlarge)

Chris now works for the Navigators, sharing Christ with college students in Rochester.

Jackie works with Consumed Ministries, coaching and developing worship leaders. 
                (a song she wrote can be heard here)


The Future
It's always a blessing to have a glimpse into how InterVarsity not only changes an individual, but collectively moves forward to impact the world.

With your support, and the power of our Creator, Winona IV is doing just that: making disciples that make disciples, bringing the kingdom of God here on earth.

Pray for us as we move forward in establishing a witnessing community 
growing in love for God, 
                    God's word,
                    God's people,
                    and God's purposes around the world.



-Please consider supporting our ministry by becoming a financial partner. -

Friday, July 5, 2013

Change is Coming



New Staff
Andrew Helms has just been brought onto staff to help lead with me. Many of you know Andrew is an answer to many prayers for all of us involved with Winona IV 

 About Andrew: 

 -Alumnus of WSU 
-Served IV for a year at Michigan Tech 
-Passionate about people
 -Really likes Cribbage
 -Enjoys puppies

Getting Married
I am getting married in three weeks! 

For those of you that maybe out of the loop, I am currently engage to marry Cassie Torkelson on July 26th! 

 It has been quite a summer planning a marriage and planning for the fall. Thank you all for your prayers and support in the midst of it. Cassie and I are very excited for how God is going to use us in this coming year.

Prayer Requests:


As we gear up to bring on a new staff member and as I move towards marriage we are in high gear for finiding ministry parters and planning for the fall please join us in prayer:

  • Pray for people to financially partner with us so we can continue God's work on campus
  • Pray for Andrew's transition onto staff
  • Please pray for Cassie and I as we begin to find out what it means to be married

Friday, December 7, 2012

Winona IV updates as our semester comes to a close:

Cross Training
                                  345 Students  
                                             from four states 
came together to learn how to live lives on mission for Christ.

"The weekend challenged me to see how Jesus cares about every decision I make, and that He just might be asking me to sacrifice personal space, kitchen space, and cheap rent in order to build His church in a place that it doesn't currently exist (namely, the dorms)."
Timmy Turner
Winona IV Leader


Move:DC
12,000 people came together in Washington D.C to hear global leaders speak about justice in a global comunity.
read what happened here and here.

The year has been fantastic! 
Please continue to pray for us as we head into winter break and Urbana 12!
Thank you all so much for your continued prayer and support.



winonaiv.com - facebook.com/winonaiv - twitter.com/winonaiv 
-Please consider supporting  us by donating to Winona IV -

Friday, October 12, 2012

Making a Difference


Things have been very busy here in Winona.

At Fall Retreat 75 students (most of them there for the first time) came together to build relationships and learn about calling, Gods role in developing passions, and our call to help those in need.
One new student claimed it was "The best week ever."

It has been amazing since then to see students lives transform as they develop community centered on Christ.

This week InterVarsity hosted Invisible Children challenging many students (both in IV and not) to find the issues they care about in the world and work towards a solution.

As a result students will be driving to Washington D.C. to take part in a rally to bring about awareness of the LRA and call world leaders to action (learn more about it here).


Midterms are here so students are tired and stressed. Please pray for our perseverance as we move forward and engage the campus Christ's love.

Thank you for all of your prayers and support.


winonaiv.com - facebook.com/winonaiv - twitter.com/winonaiv 
-Please consider supporting  us by donating to Winona IV -

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Beginning

The year is in full swing here at Winona State and so much has happened already.

The Lead Team at the Cabin


Our anual leadership retreat at the cabin went very well. In this time of transitioning to being the only IV staff on campus, it has been amazing to see students step up into more involved leadership roles.  We are blessed to have some of the greatest men and women I have had the privilege to know here with us this year helping to move InterVarsity forward.



Last week we had our first large group, where over 150 students (most of them there for the first time!) gathered to worship and learn about what InterVarstiy has going on this first semester.
Durring this time Lauren, one of our student leaders, shared the story of her freshman year and how God met her where she was.

And now we are gearing up for Fall Retreat!  Toward the end of September we will be taking a large group of students to Living Waters Bible Camp where we hope to continue the tradition of meeting new people, building friendships, and encountering Christ.

Please be in prayer for us as we embark on this new year of ministry in Winona!


winonaiv.com - facebook.com/winonaiv - ttwitter.com/winonaiv 
-please consider supporting Winona IV by donating -

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Students arrive in less than a month!


We just got done planning our events for freshman orientation, and it's looking to be a great fall. We have a dynamite group of student leaders this year, and I know that God is going to to amazing things through them.


Please pray for:
  • Incoming Freshman.  That God would be preparing them and protecting them as they leave their homes and move to Winona.
  • Guidance. That we woud see where God is at work and join with Him in His plan for the semester.
  • Perseverance . As I venture into my first solo year on staff I know there are going to be times of difficulty.  Please pray for me as I strive to keep my head on straight and lead the students here at WSU.
  • Support. Now having only one staff member we are in greater need of support in prayer, financially, socially, and in need of volunteers.  Pray that God would bring people passionate about the ministry forward to help support the chapter here at Winona.
Thank you for all of your support!  
I can't wait to share with you the things that happen this year.