Almost three years ago, Emily came to the University of Texas-Austin ready to experience all of life’s pleasures. Though she was a Christian, she wanted to live by her own rules and feel free to do whatever she wanted. After a while of testing the boundaries, she experienced a depression for two-and-a-half years. Last fall, she was at the depth of her sadness and depression.
In January 2004, students from the Texas Christian Fellowship spent the first few weeks of the semester hanging out in the student union and inviting people to join the Fellowship. Emily had heard about InterVarsity and went to the student union, hoping to find out how she could get involved. She knew she needed God’s authority, direction, and community. Emily and Rebekah Kern, InterVarsity staff at the University of Texas, talked for a while about Emily’s questions. She left knowing more about InterVarsity and some of the group’s upcoming activities.
Emily shared some of her background and questions about faith with Rebekah the next day at lunch. Rebekah offered to study the Bible with her. Since then, Emily and Rebekah have been meeting to discuss how God wants us to live our Christian lives. Emily has been experiencing much spiritual growth since she began studying the Bible daily and responding to God with lifestyle changes. “I now have peace and joy. It’s amazing what happens when you’re in God’s will,” Emily once told Rebekah.
Recently, Emily led a friend to Christ, and she is planning to increase her involvement with InterVarsity next year as a member of the Student Leadership Team.
