“Hi! My name is Maren (left in the photo) and I am a senior at UNCW (University of North Carolina Wilmington) studying Nursing. I wanted to give a quick glimpse into the ways in which God has been working in my life since coming to college. To start, I became a believer my freshman year in college, so to say that God has been working in my life is an understatement!

“I was raised in a nominal Christian home and went to a Christian school all of my life, but it wasn’t until I came to college and was pushed out of my comfort zone that I realized that my head knowledge about what it means to be a follower of Christ is where it stopped – there was no heart knowledge.

“As I came to UNCW, I quickly joined Cru because I was used to being around Christians, it was what was comfortable to me. Throughout the course of my freshman year, though, God really broke down every expectation I had for myself and showed me how sweet it is to fully rely on Him and was so gracious by placing Christ-centered friendships in my life to walk alongside me as I truly explored trusting God.

“Throughout the rest of my four years in school, God has walked me through some really difficult trials with family, school, and identity, but has taught me so much in the process. He has placed mentors in my life to mourn and celebrate with me and point me back to the truth that the same God that gave David the strength to defeat Goliath lives in us!

“When I look back at the girl that entered college four years ago versus now, I see so much growth that has only been possible through reliance on God. God has taught me what a gift it is to relinquish control of my life into His hands and has shown me time and time again that His ways are far better than mine.

“Because of God’s relentless pursuit of my heart, I have been able to better understand God’s heart and God’s glory. All of this is to say college ministry is worth it. Every day there are broken people like me walking onto college campuses desperately in need of hearing the redemptive story of the Gospel.” Please pray for students like Maren who need to hear what it means to follow Jesus Christ and how it can change their life for all eternity.

We praise God for your involvement in our ministry with Cru so that people around the world are able to hear the good news of the gospel. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” (Philippians 1:3)

Yours in Christ,

Steve & Robin