As a kid, I was a “church person” not until I started to experience the bittersweet facade of reality. I have experienced emotional trauma from past experiences and so, I started to deeply hate several people in my life and even questioned the existence of God. But then, things changed drastically as I entered college.
A friend of mine introduced IVCF when I was a freshman. At first, I was hesitant because never in my life did I include myself in any Christian Fellowship organization. But then, something inside convicted me to join the IVCF UM Chapter family and everything changed thereafter. I started to join small groups and prayer meetings every week. IVCF introduced me to Christianity, God’s greatest sacrifice and eternal life. During the first semester though, it was still hard for me to open up. My personal baggage is too heavy that I thought sharing it would only cause a burden to others.
God started to touch the deepest scars in my heart during the last two months of the first semester especially when we started to talk about God’s grace. The night after, I cried a lot. There was unfathomable guilt and pain I felt inside and suddenly, there was a deep longing. I longed for the deeper meaning of life; I longed for forgiveness, healing and restoration. God came running to me and embraced me all with all my flaws.
From that moment, I decided to surrender myself to the Lord and acknowledge God’s grace for me. I started to view things differently and little by little, my personal baggage became lighter.
Just this year, my journey of being a discipler began along with other 5 students. We were introduced to the world of discipleship and were trained to be student-leaders. However, during these times, we were busied by so many academic demands that attending to our role as student-leaders became almost impossible. So I thought that I can’t continue anymore. But then one day, during a very stressful week when I almost gave up, God encountered me. He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” As God revealed His words upon me, I realized that I was being too hard on myself again and worst of all, to God. I realized that I was too selfish for accomplishing things alone with my own beliefs and that I made God as my only resort when I am on the verge of giving up. But God consoled me and said “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” I felt stronger and regained my focus.
After a few months, I became a student-leader and was appointed as the Secretary of IVCF UM Chapter. Today, as I share my life in Christ and share the Word of God with other students, I realized that being a student-leader and a Christian is an everyday battle so I need more of God’s guidance, protection, and discernment.
Thinking about how my life was transformed because of God through IVCF assured me that God was there for me all along and will always be with me until my last breath. How blessed and grateful I am to finally find my solace, my Knight, my Savior, my Father —- to finally find my home. Glory to God!
(Jessa Ann Marie Lucero is a 2nd year Political Science student of University of Mindanao—Matina Campus)
PRAISES AND PRAYERS
the various campus-based small groups and evangelistic trainings and workshops;
His continuous provision in our region. God has been so faithful in providing the needs of His work here in Southern Mindanao. `
the TAP Retreat this coming October 17-21 in Zamboanga del Norte. Some of our team-mates will be joining this retreat including an MBB student;
the preparation for DLTC on January 2-7, 2020. Pray for a Spirit-filled camp and its provision.
Area-wide IV Day Celebration
November 30, 2019
Discipleship Leadership Training Camp
January 2-7, 2020 @ Keith Williams Bible College, Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City
