Changed Lives :: So. Idaho, From High School To College

Over the last couple of years, Student Venture and the Campus Ministry (Crusade’s ministry to college students, a.k.a. Cru) have focused a great deal on the partnership between us, which God is using to mightily increase our abilities and opportunities to reach high school students. It is a natural partnership and a win-win situation.

Another focus for Student Venture is connecting our graduated SV students with their college’s Cru to continue their spiritual growth, training and influence.

Today’s story represents both priorities:
• The O’Briens, who wrote this story, work with Boise State students and with high schools in that area;
• Jared, who is now in college and involved with Cru, was involved with SV in high school.
We look forward to what God will do through our partnership!

As Thanksgiving approaches, we remember you with sincere thanks to God for your partnership.  We pray that God will fill your heart with all He is and all He does for you, His cherished child.

From High School to College

by Matt and Kim O’Brien, Senior staff reaching HS and College students in So. Idaho


Jared first got involved with Student Venture before coming to Boise State.  Last month, Ryan, after wrestling through his objections to Christianity, placed his faith in Jesus after two years of being influenced by his friend, Jared.  
 
In September, Ryan (pictured at right) came to our fall retreat. One of the realities that kept him from surrendering to Jesus was the realization that the decision would result in significant life changes. A couple days after the retreat Ryan sat in his parked car and talked with God. After 45 minutes, he eventually surrendered his life to Jesus!
 
Since placing his trust in Jesus, Ryan has said: “It’s been awesome! I really needed this. I feel like I need to tell people about this. . . I believe my purpose is to talk with people that others won’t approach.
 
A few weeks ago Ryan stood in front of 50+ students at our weekly meeting and said, “If you just accepted Christ, you might not feel like you have the ability to spread the Word and share with people. I just want to urge you guys to do it.”

Changed Lives :: Lake Tahoe Summer project

When Jesus called His disciples to faith in Him, He then spent three years “building them in their faith and sending them to reach others”. We strive to do the same; in fact, Campus Crusade for Christ’s mission is to “win-build-send”. This is an example of the building and sending part of what we do. We rejoice to see the work that Jesus has done (and is doing) in the life of Jared, and the work Jesus is doing in the lives of others through him. We echo Robert Frazier’s statement that appeared at the end of his story, and we sincerely thank you: Your investment has given Jared a place and opportunity to grow and develop and multiply himself in ministry.

Jesus grows his Children
by Robert and Malia Frazier, staff serving in Boise, ID
When Jared was a freshman in high school, his father pressed him to be involved in a confirmation process with his church. Jared was very interested in the true meaning of life and how spirituality and religion could be a part of his life. As he went through confirmation Jared started to read the Bible on his own and got to the book of Romans. Reading Romans 10 Jared gave his life to Jesus on his own and sought out a church where he could grow in faith.

Jared’s senior year of high school he showed up at a Student Venture meeting. We started to meet regularly to pray and study and train him to lead at his school. Over the fall semester he went from young believer to student leader. He was driven to share his faith with his friends and peers at school and started to lead small groups at our SV meetings.

As Jared graduated from high school in May of 2008, he headed off to college. Over the course of the year, he taught an evangelism course to a group of students on campus, shared his faith with a few dozen peers and helped as an adult leader for SV.

This summer Jared went to the Lake Tahoe Summer project with the college ministry of Campus Crusade. While at the project God gave Jared a heart to reach the homeless that hang out on the beach during the week—so he rallied other students on the project and raised money to bring lunch to 25+ people every day. While he fed them and their physical need, he also took initiative to share his faith with dozens of men on the beach. Several received Christ, he helped find jobs for a few and plugged some of them into discipleship groups at local churches.

Most recently, Jared has been accepted and is working as a SV intern. God has worked in Jared’s life to draw him in, raise him up, and heal him in Christ’s redemptive power.