Look up!

“What am I doing here? Why does life matter?”

When Ashley started college, she was lost in a fog of questions that troubled her. She felt sad and alone.

But last year, Ashley was smiling as she invited freshers to her InterVarsity/USA campus group, offering them the purpose and friendship she’s found in Jesus.

How did this transformation occur? Ashley met Grace.

Seeing the Spark

It was their first day at Scripps College in Claremont, California.

Ashley walked into the classroom. Although she had a choice of many empty seats, she felt strangely drawn to someone already sat there – Grace.

“I immediately relaxed when I saw her – like she could be a friend. I sat down and asked her what her name was and what she was studying. But I felt compelled to ask more. I could see that there was a spark in her.”

From further questioning, Ashley learned that Grace wanted to go into biblical counselling – and that she was a Christian. Ashley had met other Christians before and heard worship songs, but she couldn’t fathom it:

“They were always talking about loving God, but I had no idea what this meant. I mean, how do you love God? Who is God?”

So, when Grace later invited her to a place of sharing about life, vulnerably asking questions and honestly studying the Bible together, she jumped at the chance.

Seeing the Light

At the Bible study group, Ashley experienced love and care. She recalls:

“I felt at home. I felt with God. It completely blew my mind what a community could be like – about love and healing, about depth, meaning, and purpose.”

Grace loved Ashley’s curiosity. They enjoyed meals together, and Grace responded to Ashley’s questions about faith. As they were talking one night, Grace explained the gospel to Ashley and invited her to follow Jesus. Without hesitation, Ashley said yes.

Seeing God at Work

Looking back, Grace is mindful of how God orchestrated the encounter on that first day in college:

“This had actually been something that I was praying for. But I wasn’t looking for it on the first day of class! Then, in comes this girl, and she’s sitting right next to me, when there are other seats available.

“If I could go back to that day, I’d tell myself, ‘Look up!’, because God is doing something.”

Pray

Praise God for saving Ashley from her emptiness and for using Grace in that process. Pray that Christian students on the USA’s 6,000 campuses will “look up” and see the opportunities around them. Ask that authentic, honest, and loving friendships will draw curious students to Christ.

The group ask, “Please pray that our Bible studies would embody the Acts 2 community and be a witness to the campus through this radical way of living!”

Scripps College states it is, “dedicated to educating and shaping the next generation of women leaders”. So, let’s thank God for the way that InterVarsity/USA is supporting this campus group so that such women can lead with Jesus-centred lives. Pray they will have a godly influence in society in the years to come.

Spiritual curiosity like Ashley’s has been identified as one of the hallmarks of Gen Z students. Learn more in the Gen Z Insights for Global Ministry report.

Hear more about Ashley and Grace in this InterVarsity/USA blog and video.