Looking for a way to start out each day on the right foot? Sports Spectrum has a devotional that will help you keep grounded—it’s called Training Table (formerly Power Up), and it provides a short devotional message by a different author each day, each with a sports-focused theme. You can download the September edition (PDF) at the Sports Spectrum website.

In addition to Training Table, Sports Spectrum has a number of changes and new additions coming up later this month, when their magazine switches to a quarterly format. A more interactive The Daily blog and an online version of their magazine are among the promised features—so check their site on September 15 to see all the improvements!

What’s going on with XXX Church? Now you can keep up with the people and personalities behind their ministry by watching their weekly video podcast at xxxchurch.tv. The first episode is online, and follows the XXX Church team as they head out to set up a ministry presence in—where else?—Sin City:

You can subscribe to xxxchurch.tv though iTunes or RSS, and you can become a fan on Facebook.

For most high school and college students, summer is officially over and the new school year has begun. All around the country, school campuses are full of nervous freshmen trying hard to plug into campus life, make new friends, and get their personal and spiritual lives organized. If you’re an upperclassman, that means there’s plenty of opportunity to reach out to new students who could use a helping hand as they adjust to school life.

Several articles at StudentSoul.org look specifically at the challenges and opportunities of campus ministry during the opening weeks of the school year:

• The Power of a Personal Invitation: if you’re an upperclassman, you might be surprised how much of an encouragement you can be to a new student trying to find their way around campus life!
• Help, I’m a Freshman! remember how overwhelming your freshman year was? Here are a few ideas to help you lend a helping hand to new students on campus.
• New Student Outreach: Get Ready! a list of some fun and unique ways to minister to your fellow students.

If you’re an upperclassman, you’re in a unique opportunity to help struggling freshmen on your campus. Next time you see a freshman wandering lost around campus, don’t point and laugh—think about how you can show Christlike love and encouragement to them. And keep an eye on StudentSoul.org for more ministry ideas like the ones above.