Tracy is a sophomore attending the Rochester Institute of Technology-New York, majoring in New Media Publishing, Print Media. Tracy has attended InterVarsity Christian Fellowship since her freshman year, and she went on the Bible and Life retreat with students from her InterVarsity chapter last fall. On Friday evening, knowing that something needed to change in her life, Tracy prayed that God would use every talk and study to show her what she needed to do.
That evening, Tracy realized God was beginning to answer her prayer as she heard the speaker talk about Christ’s forgiveness. Tracy believed that God was telling her she was forgiven of every sin she had ever committed. On Saturday morning, it again seemed as if God was speaking directly to her as the speaker discussed God’s grace.
As Tracy listened to Mike Hernberg, InterVarsity staff at New York’s University of Rochester, talk about the Lordship of Christ on Saturday night, she felt closer to God than she ever had. Mike explained that as Christians we need to let Jesus be Lord of every area of our lives. Tracy realized that she had never fully allowed Christ to be Lord of her life. Again, Tracy felt as if God were speaking to her alone, with no one else in the room. She was convinced that God had definitely answered her prayer and spoken to her throughout the weekend. Remembering her prayer from Friday evening, Tracy now prayed and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Throughout the retreat, Tracy learned of God’s forgiveness, grace, and desire to have a personal relationship with her. “I’m giving every aspect of my life up to God. I hope that he will use me to reach others in my academic major. I hope to make a change in the publishing industry by using my faith to reach out to others. I’m looking for ways to spread the Word of God,” Tracy said.
Back on campus, Tracy continues to attend InterVarsity’s weekly large group meetings with her two roommates. She is also involved in a small group that meets to pray for people’s personal needs, as well as the entire campus to consider the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
