Our Mission
Matthew 28:19–20 states, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We have been commissioned and empowered to spread the gospel “unto the uttermost part of the earth.” That may look like traveling out of the country to be a missionary for some Christians, but for most, it is telling those near us about the gospel of Jesus Christ. For most Christians, the uttermost part of the earth will be your workplace, your neighborhood, your local grocery store, the park up the road, etc. For me, three years ago, it was Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU).
Campus Bible Study
Freshman year at SELU was difficult, especially in 2020 when COVID-19 had just begun, and so much had changed. I tried to get involved in two different Bible study organizations. Both were Bible-based organizations, but they just did not feel right for me. During my freshman and sophomore years at SELU, I became known as “the girl who prays for people.” I would stop classmates and give them compliments and offer them prayer. When I had to wash clothes in the laundry room, I got to know whoever was in there with me, and I would pray with them as well. One specific night around midnight, I remember stopping a group of fellow students on their way out through the laundry room. There were five students, and I offered to pray for them; two stayed, and the other three ran away. Both of those who stayed would later end up becoming my close friends. On occasion, I would run into these girls and other people I had prayed for, and I would invite them to church. Every now and then, someone would show up at a service, but for the most part, my offer was rejected over and over. I kept inviting them, nevertheless.
During the summer of 2022, I felt like God was calling me to start a Bible study, but I felt extremely insecure and incompetent. I told my pastor I felt called to lead one on campus, and she told me to be prepared. That summer, I took a course offered through the COGOP about teaching young adults. After taking this course, however, I still had not completely submitted to God’s call for me to start a campus Bible study.
Starting
Starting is the hardest part. The devil plays so many tricks to stop us before we start what God has called us to do. I remember feeling incompetent, but I also remember every time being reminded by the Holy Spirit to start the Bible study. The devil continued to remind me of everything I lacked. I questioned my security in Christ and my position with God. It was like in the movies when an angel is sitting on one shoulder and a demon is on the other. I confided in our church secretary about how I felt the need to start a Bible study, but I also felt like I had nothing to give other students. I told her that I was the same age as them, and there was nothing I could possibly give them. I told her about the other Bible studies on campus and how nothing I could do would compare. These other Bible studies had resources that were unavailable to me. I told her I was going through the same things the other students were—struggling on a college student’s budget, trying to pass classes, the transitions of life—and that I lacked biblical knowledge. She encouraged me, “Just tell them what you learned at church. It doesn’t have to be that complicated.” I carried those words with me and still do.
We have so many reasons (excuses really) as to why we do not witness and why we cannot reach people. For every excuse I made, there was a solution. I was just the person to minister to those my age because I could relate to them easily. Although there were other Bible studies on campus, each group ministered in a different way, and each way was important for reaching different people. Do not allow excuses to distract you from the mission. Tell the devil he is a liar, and fulfill the Great Commission! I have friends who have said they cannot witness to people like I do because they are introverts. That is perfect for God because he needs someone to reach other introverts. There are several avenues for witnessing right where we are.
For four years, my mission field was SELU. Your mission field can be your job; offer a coworker prayer or encouragement. It could be the grocery store; let the cashier know that Jesus loves them. It can be the restaurant; next time you dine out, leave a church card along with your tip. Our biggest connection to the mission field today is probably social media; start the podcast, post the scripture, and comment on the post. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Start letting your light shine right where you are.
Progress
Starting the campus Bible study was not easy, but neither was continuing without it. After talking to our church secretary and revisiting the idea with my pastor, I said “yes” to God’s call. One Sunday, after none of the invited friends and classmates from campus had shown up to church, I decided to call some of them. I told them to meet me in my dorm hall because I wanted to tell them what happened at church. Having felt the unction of the Holy Spirit to start the Bible study, I now had a sense of urgency. I felt like the Lord said, “If they don’t come to church, bring the church to them,” so that is what I did. Our first Bible study was a group of three to five of us in my dorm’s commons area where we just talked about church.
In the beginning, our meeting times were irregular as we met on different days and at different hours. However, eventually, we were gathering regularly every Monday night at 8:00 pm. After two semesters, that group of three to five students had turned into 30 to 35 students, and at the most, we had 42 students meeting to earnestly begin and/or further their relationships with Jesus.
It was beautiful to see the various personalities coming together to talk about Jesus. We had students speak in tongues for the first time, receive the gift of salvation, experience the presence of God, and grow in their faith. It was an amazing group to be a part of. The lessons I learned from teaching others will go with me forever. I went from “the girl who prays for people” to “the girl with the Bible study.” If God can use me to reach my fellow students, he can use you. Live everyday ready to share the hope of Jesus Christ with someone around you. You never know what God will use you to do, and where he will do it.
– Suprina Howard, Lake Charles, Louisiana