Josiah started going to Campus Life his Freshman year. Maybe he heard about it on the announcements or from his Youth Pastor, he wasn’t sure, but he gave it a try and liked the pizza, the message, and meeting other Christians. “It was a place where I was welcome and I felt like I was spiritually fed,” he shared.
He quickly joined student leadership, speaking, leading games and carrying the responsibility and commitment for sharing Jesus with other students. “We’re looking to shine the light of Jesus on campus. We’re giving people who may not have friends or feel welcome a place to meet new people and learn about Christ.”
This is Josiah’s second full year with Campus Life and now the club has grown to over 100 kids! “I’m seeing new people; so many people I don’t recognize from church coming to check it out” he said.
Student leaders like Josiah are discovering their gifting and calling in life as they take on roles in the ministry now. This year YFC set Josiah up to lead prayer at United Worship and Prayer with over 1,000 other kids and to pray at the Fresno/Clovis Prayer Breakfast. “These other opportunities have been pretty cool. God is giving me a lot of experience before I hopefully go into a career of ministry. I’m learning how to do that and gain confidence.” Campus Life is a place where future ministry leaders are formed and encouraged.
This is a critical time for this generation. They are highly anxious, very lonely, and even suicidal. In the midst of this darkness kids like Josiah shine very brightly. “What this generation needs,” he confided, “is spiritual guidance and encouragement on how to be bold in our faith. Adults have that wisdom and experience to pour into us. We need that.”
Each week YFC mentors are doing just that – training, encouraging, teaching, showing and displaying a walk with Jesus. Each week they’re encouraging lost kids to check out church for the first time alongside student leaders like Josiah. Alongside Josiah are two key leaders, his youth pastor from CrossCity Church, and another youth pastor from Bethany Church. These guys, and these churches, are working together alongside YFC for kids to meet Jesus through Campus Life. This display of unity particularly spoke to Josiah as he saw both youth pastors encouraging kids to check out the other’s group!
As important as Christian adults are in the life of a kid, and they are extremely important, so is the impact and influence of a Christian peer. In fact, social acceptance and close friendships in the life of a teen are predictors of future wellbeing in relationships, jobs, and society. So many teens become Christian through the influence of a peer. Kids like Josiah are critical to reaching the lost effectively.
Right now there are over 40 student leaders in Campus Life. These are future interns, volunteers, staff, and partners. Wherever God takes them they’ll be shining for Jesus and his sharing his saving gospel.
Way to go Josiah! Keep walking with God into every place He takes you.