Bella says she didn’t have a relationship with Jesus before coming to college, even though she did believe in God. When a friend first invited her to CCO, she felt pretty uncomfortable. She had never tried to read the Bible and apply it to her life before, but thankfully, she continued to come back. Last year, something changed. She realized CCO had become a second home for her and she found herself excited for our weekly Thursday night gatherings.
This past February, Bella had a powerful experience at the CCO’s Jubilee Conference. That Saturday night, she came to me and told me that she wanted to follow Jesus. She didn’t want to just make room for him on Thursday nights; she wanted to follow him in every part of her life. I met with her weekly for the rest of the spring semester to help her grow. She was full of questions and excitement, and I watched her desire for others to experience God’s love grow rapidly. We prayed especially for her friends and her dad.
Six weeks ago, Bella started a Bible study for her sorority. She told me, “The Lord laid it on my heart to plant seeds in those who are far from him, so I’m planting the seeds and waiting for the Lord to water them in hopes that my sorority sisters can become beautiful sisters in Christ as well!”
Two weeks ago, Bella was baptized. And after a summer of sharing her new faith with him, her dad was baptized with her. It still gives me chills when I think about it.
This is just one of the many stories I could share about how God is powerfully working in the lives of college students. Thank you for your partnership in this work, over many years and through so many different seasons. God has been good.
CCO-Coalition of Christian Outreach is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation.