2026 September Update: Lives are Changed

The sprint that comes with the beginning of the year has slowed down to a fast-paced run. Our cores are consolidating, people are committing to coming, friendships are being formed. It is such an exciting time because for so many, this is pivotal to the next four years of their life and beyond. I wanted to share a story from the first week of school!

First Week Changing Lives

For the first week of move-in, we set up in the middle of the dorms outside with lots of sports games, music, and board games for multiple evenings. It's right on the walkway to the dining hall, so you can't miss us if you're on campus. There was one student who had his headphones on and walking along the edges of the event. Most people do this is they want to avoid us, but I have a personal policy to not let anyone get by without an invite. Better that they say no, than I never invite them in the first place! I ran after him and asked him if he wanted to come play. Quietly, he said sure and came and played some cornhole with me. As we played, I tried to get a conversation going. I asked about his family, his hometown. his church background. He expressed that he wasn't interested in coming to church and that he wasn't really looking for community. As a first-generation college student from a poor family background, he intended to focus solely on his academics. He was very quiet, seemed pretty shy, which is typical of a freshman who has just moved in. I introduced him to some of our student leaders and started them off on another game as I went back to trying to support and invite more students to join in. 

The next evening, he came by again to play more games and meet more people. And then he showed up the next night as well. Each evening he came back and made more and more friends. On Sunday, he showed up to our carpool to church and came to church. As I had been helping run the services, I had already been at church when he showed up with the group. When I saw him, I was a little surprised given that he had mentioned he wasn't interested in coming to church. I flashed him a big smile and went up to say hi, opened up my arms and gave him a hug. Now every time he sees me he makes sure to come up and give me a hug. From a reserved first-week freshman with an idea of what he wants his college experience to look like, to a growing disciple of Jesus, just one invitation can change the trajectory of a whole life.

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for investing in lives like this student's. As a shy college student, I needed others to pull me out of my shell. I was waiting for an invite, an opportunity. Just as Jesus came along to his disciples and gave them an invitation to follow him, it seemed that those who responded were those who had been overlooked or rejected and were just waiting for an invitation. Because of your support, we get to be Jesus' hands and feet offering that invitation. And those who respond will see how much their lives can change by making him Lord of their lives.