May

22, 2012 Dear family, friends, and partners of Steve and Larissa Marks, It has been a joy to supervise Larissa and Steve. They have poured themselves out for college students. Im sure you know what great people they are and how deeply they are commiEed to making disciples of Jesus on campus. However, what you may not know is what a great job they do. Steve has been leading the undergraduate group helping the fellowship undergo a signicant cultural shiI to empowering students to be witnesses on campus. Larissa has been planJng an InternaJonal student ministry and giving herself to the largest populaJon of InternaJonal students on any college campus in the naJon. Together, I have seen many students and sta experience God and grow in their faith through their leadership. Im very happy to announce were giving Steve and Larissa a six-month sabbaJcal, beginning in July this year. The sabbaJcal sets apart Jme for spiritual and physical restoraJon, Jme for meeJng with God, Jme for God to renew passion and vision, and Jme for deeper spiritual transformaJon. During their sabbaJcal, Larissa and Steve will have a sabbaJcal supervisor and a director who will guide their spiritual development and oversee the sabbaJcal. Many of our sta have taken sabbaJcals in recent years and have been transformed profoundly by them. Im sure this will bless them, and will bear dividends in their life and their ministry for years to come. Would you join me in conJnuing to support Steve and Larissa through sabbaJcal? Please pray about how you might be able to bless them. Here are a few ways we can rally around them. Their sabbaJcal will require conJnued nancial support through the enJre six months. Would you consider conJnuing to give so they can focus their aEenJon on God and spiritual growth? You may want to consider a small cost-of-living increase at this Jme (the federal esJmate is usually 2-4%), or an addiJonal giI to strengthen their account to carry them through the sabbaJcal. I am asking them not to send out their regular partnership updates unJl they return from sabbaJcal in January. However, would you conJnue to pray for them? If I may oer a few suggesJons Pray for the IV sta and students they have been serving to be blessed in their absence. Pray for their transiJon into a slower pace of life, with a more internal focus, creaJng space and Jme to be with Jesus. This is not easy with a small, energeJc child and another one on the way! Pray for their marriage and partnership. Pray for their funding to be solidied before July so they can give full aEenJon to sabbaJcal pursuits. Pray that the Lord will bring deep spiritual transformaJon and teach Larissa and Steve new things to equip them for their future life and ministry.

And perhaps you have a word of encouragement to share with themplease feel free to do so! I pray the Lords blessings on you as you partner in the Gospel with Steve and Larissa and with InterVarsity. Grace to you, Tracey Gee Area Director Los Angeles Area