We recently had a Vision Night and students shared their testimonies and how the Lord has been working in their lives.  One student, Kevin (from Cal Poly Pomona), shared his story….

Kevin grew up in a very difficult home.  Anger permeated everything and his parents were continually yelling and fighting with one another.  Many times bottles would fly across the room and neighbors would call the police.  Police would appear on their doorsteps often to access the situation.  As Kevin began High School he became very involved in partying and drinking.  He began to steal and vandalize property.  The party culture he attempted to be friends with rejected him and he was a depressed teenager.  He graduated and went to college where he was assigned a Christian roommate in his housing.  It was through his roommate that Kevin experienced a real acceptance for the first time.  His roommate invited him to Epic (Cru’s Asian American ministry) on campus and it was there he experienced a real love and genuine friendships for the first time as well.  Kevin became very involved in Bible Studies through Epic—desiring to learn more about this Jesus the students believed in.  This past Fall Kevin went with his Epic friends to our Fall Retreat in the mountains.  Joseph was one of the speakers and Kevin shared how through the Fall Retreat talks he felt as though something was stirring within him.  Jared, a staff member on his campus, shared the gospel with him during the Fall Retreat and Kevin accepted the Lord into his heart!  Since then he has been growing in incredible ways in his relationship with Jesus!  He is meeting with another student leader on campus for discipleship and very involved in the ministry on campus.  He attended our Epic Winter Conference in January where he shared that he was so excited to see the Lord use him to share his faith with others for the first time!  And now he is preparing to go on a summer mission trip with Epic to San Francisco—where he will spend 6 weeks ministering to the people of San Francisco and grow in his own love for Jesus.

Praise God for always working in students, like Kevin’s, lives!  We love seeing hearts changed and lives transformed for His glory alone!

Kevin sharing his story at our Vision Night!

 The New Fall Session for the College Campuses have begun even though it definitely doesn’t feel like Fall in close to 100 degree weather here in Los Angeles!  Last week our team of 6 were out on the USC campus for their club week.  This week we are at Pasadena City College as well.  We were able to talk with students, invite them to our Christian ministry on campus, have some great spiritual conversations with those interested and pray for the campus.  At the end of the month UCLA and Cal State LA will begin as well.  

 “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…” Colossians 4:3

Please Pray:

• For all 4 of the campuses as they begin again this Fall.  That the Lord would use us on these campuses to bring many students into a relationship with Him!

• For our new team ministering together.  There are 3 full-time staff and 3 part-time staff on our team this year.  Pray that we would be united together and support one another.

• That the Lord would raise up more student leaders on our campuses that are passionate about Him and sharing the gospel.

“Prayer is where the action is.” John Wesley

Thank you so much for your continual prayers and support to us and the ministry here in Los Angeles.  We appreciate you greatly.

Fullerton Summer Mission Project

We recently finished our Fullerton Summer Mission Project! The vision behind this missions project was to dissect the layers of the city and allow  Christian college students to understand and engage the city for the gospel. Our desire is that they would now take back what they have learned to their own churches and cities around them. We partnered  with various ministries within Fullerton and helped to plant a new church, Renew, in the city  of Fullerton!   Here are some photos and highlights of the summer!

2 Minute Recap of Renew Church Launch!

One life we have recently seen changed at Cal State Los Angeles is a student named Ivan.  Last Spring, Joseph and another student (Caleb) went out on campus to share their faith with fellow students.   During that time they met Ivan.  Ivan was an International student from Taiwan.  As Joseph and Caleb began to talk with him they learned his story and were able to share the gospel with him!  Ivan was very interested and asked many questions.  Following their conversation Caleb continued to meet with Ivan as a friend .  Through their friendship Caleb was able to continue to share about the Lord with Ivan.  Last month Ivan returned to Taiwan and we learned through Caleb that he has become a Christian!

We praise God that Ivan is now a believer back in his own country and thank God for students like Caleb, who are committed to sharing the gospel to fellow students.  God is at work in the hearts of students! 

“In November I moved into my apartment complex and began to look for who God would lead me to. It was my neighbor, Rubi, who is a single mom raising two teenagers. I began to make friends with her as I knew she needed Jesus, just like we all need Jesus. At first she was not to open, but with love, laughter and shared experiences we became friends. I began a women’s group in my home a few months back and invited her. She came once, then said she was busy with her kids functions. I assured her we would be here in case her schedule opened up.

Last week she texted me before group and asked if she could join us. Of course I answered…we missed you. Then I invited her to church for Easter. She accepted the invite, her kids were going to be with their dad and she would be home. I told her she could ride with me. As soon as the worship music began my beautiful neighbor Rubi began crying…I put my arm around her and comforted her. She listened to the whole message but did not stand up to say that she wanted to receive Jesus. Hmmm….so as we got into the car I asked her how she liked the message. She said she loved it, and she was so glad she came. I then asked her if she had received Jesus into her life ever before. She said no, but today I did and I felt his presence!

She said she is excited to return next week and bring her kids…I am truly blessed to see my neighbor know Jesus! We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Your neighbor might be the grocery store clerk or the mail lady. Today look for your neighbor, so they could know the Love of Jesus as you do!”

~ Jessica

 We wanted to share a highlight of a former student! How the Lord is continuing to move in her life and through her to reach people for Christ, even after college.