Sending World Changers into the World
“God brought me to the University of Nevada, Reno to save me, build me up, and send me out. Through InterVarsity, God planted the dangerous idea of being a missionary.”
No one could have predicted that today Brendon, a junior, would be making such a bold proclamation.
Growing up, Brendon’s spiritual environment consisted of “a mash of Bible stories, Native American drum circles and vision quests, tree-hugging, and everything in between.” While Brendon personally studied world religions, philosophy, Buddhism, and Islam for answers to life’s big questions, he also lived removed from community. Coming from a family that moved around a lot, Brendon had given up on the idea of making friends or caring for people.
But then, God started sending people into Brendon’s life that would persuade him to investigate Jesus. Brendon recalled one of those important moments, “Some students in InterVarsity helped me move into the dorms freshman year. John, an InterVarsity Bible study leader, asked me, ‘What’s your spiritual background?’ Next thing you know I’m going to Bible study and getting involved in InterVarsity. Funny what God can do with four words.”
It wasn’t until Brendon’s sophomore year that he experienced extremely personal and unique encounter with God. While attending his second InterVarsity conference called “Revealed on Campus,” Brendon was sitting in a seminar about prayer. The next thing he knew, the particular verse of 2 John 1:12 was suddenly on his mind. So he looked it up and read it. Brendon had never read 1 or 2 John before in his past research of the Bible. As soon as he found the verse, Brendon felt God speak these words to him personally:
“I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.” 2 John 1:12 [NLT]
That night, his friend and old Bible study leader, John, asked Brendon how his day at the conference was. Brendon responded, “I think I believe in Jesus.”
Since then, God has transformed Brendon’s life. Brendon began reaching out on campus by getting involved in clubs and communities outside of InterVarsity. He became an officer of the Japanese club and started many friendships with international students from other countries. As a result of these friendships, Brendon invited these students to study the life of Jesus with him.
“Few things are more exciting than seeing people who have no idea who Jesus is study scripture for the first time,” said Brendon. “No matter how untalented or unequipped you feel sharing the gospel with other people, God is faithful and your work is not in vain. Just be willing to open your mouth. When you can’t, pray that God would open it for you.”
This summer, Brendon plans to go with InterVarsity on a Global Urban Trek to Kolkata, India where he will continue to share the gospel with others and learn about issues of poverty and globalization. After returning from the Global Urban Trek, Brendon plans to continue his study of linguistics, which he hopes to use one day as a missionary in other countries. But before then, Brendon plans to continue bringing the good news to the people that God puts in his life, whether they are students in Nevada or the urban poor in Kolkata.
Praise God for the ways that He reaches out to college students, transforms their lives, and then sends them out to change the world!