Hearing the Soul's Cry for God

One of the UCLA InterVarsity seniors, Layla, had been friends with a woman named Stella all year. Stella is not a Christian, but knew that Layla was. So when Layla invited Stella to come to an InterVarsity meeting geared toward people curious about God, she figured she owed her a favor and reluctantly agreed. But something happened in that meeting. As she sat and listened to the InterVarsity students perform a cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You”, Stella suddenly began to weep. The speaker shared the story of the prodigal son—how we were made to have more relationship with our Father than we’ve known—and ended with an invitation to consider studying the life of Jesus in the Bible, with a Christian. At the end of the meeting, Stella approached Layla, “What was that thing the speaker was talking about? Where you meet with someone to learn more about Jesus and what he really has to offer? Because we need to do that!”

God is at work on campus. Whether students know it or not, he is in pursuit of each and every one of them. The mission of Inter Varsity is to nurture witnessing communities of students who love their neighbors, who invite them to experience God, and who are equipped to lead them to Jesus. Because we’re living this out with hundreds of students at UCLA, today Stella has heard her soul’s cry for God, and is responding to it by intentionally exploring what Jesus has to offer her. Layla is learning, first-hand, how to let God work through her in the life of her friend.

These things don’t happen without you.

InterVarsity ministry is funded entirely by individuals and churches that have a heart to see the next generation encounter Jesus, be transformed by him, and be equipped to live lives that impact our world. Our mission is one that requires partnership, and you are one of those partners. Thank you for participating in this significant and vital work.

As we come to the close of the calendar year, would you consider giving an extra gift to help us continue to sustain and expand the work on campus? At the halfway point of the academic year, we find ourselves $15K shy of our goal. Any part you feel led and able to play in helping us reach that would be a blessing and encouragement.

As we celebrate the entrance of God into our world this Christmas season, I invite you to also to join me in celebrating the ways that God is entering into the lives of students on campus.

Merry Christmas!