“When I began following Jesus, God truly set a passion in my heart for the lost and for introducing others to God,” said Lizzie, a senior nursing student at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania.
Lizzie is a leader of evangelistic Bible Studies called Groups Investigating God or GIGs.
Last year, she co-led a GIG for a couple guys from Bloomsburg University’s Atheist Club—one of whom was the club’s president. She also led another GIG for a couple of girls from the freshmen dorms. This year, she plans to lead a GIG for nursing students.
Bible study is a central part of Lizzie’s ministry. It is a central part of her story as well.
Looking back
When Lizzie was thirteen years old, a friend brought her to a Bible study—a Bible study that would change her life forever. The leader explained to Lizzie the meaning of Romans 6:23. In that study, the gospel became clear to Lizzie, and she committed her life to following Jesus.
Now that Lizzie is in college and is a leader in InterVarsity, she is passionate about letting other people know who Jesus is.
“Students come to college ready to make new friends, and usually pretty open-minded, wanting to learn new things,” noted Lizzie. “We should take the four years of opportunity now to introduce others to God’s overwhelming goodness.”
Saying ‘Yes’ to Learning Opportunities Now
Lizzie didn’t immediately walk onto campus and begin leading Bible studies and GIGs, though. She first needed to learn how to reconcile with family members. She had to learn to put God first in her life. She had to follow God in taking risks.
Lizzie also said yes to learning opportunities, from chapter camp to a summer urban project with InterVarsity, which both influenced her spiritual growth and maturity.
Learning what it means to live in the kingdom of God on campus and seeing the world through “kingdom eyes” was especially important for Lizzie, as it has influenced the way she builds relationships today.
“I remember doing a Bible study on Matthew 13, which describes the Kingdom of heaven as a mustard seed that grows into a tree where birds can come and rest in the branches,” said Lizzie. “I want to be a part of God creating a community like that on campus, where people love each other and take time for each other.”
Now that the fall semester is about to begin, Lizzie has one hope as this academic year begins for InterVarsity leaders like herself:
“I hope that at the beginning of this semester God reminds us all in InterVarsity to set up habits that put God first,” shared Lizzie. “I pray that God works in the outreach that is happening across the nation and shows us how to invest well in the communities around us.”
Lizzie is also a leader with Nurses Christian Fellowship at Bloomsburg University.
