Then Speak Out
Jackie Bode has dedicated an entire row on her bookshelf for extra copies of the Bible and other inspirational books that she picks up at garage sales or at discount prices. “Wherever I go, I carry an extra Bible in my purse,” said Jackie, who is a campus staff member at Winona State University in Minnesota. She’s given these books to students and people she meets within her community. “I like to put things in people’s hands, to have something they can take away with them rather than just conversation,” she said.
Jackie’s frank and easy way of sharing her story is also something her students take away. Last year, InterVarsity students at Winona State spent time developing honest relationships with 70 non-Christians through one-on-one Bible studies. Jackie encourages InterVarsity students with Psalm 107:2, “Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies.” (NLT)
Blessed with Boldness
“God has blessed me with this boldness and unashamed sharing of God with others,” said Jackie.
While a freshman at Winona State, Jackie gave her life to the Lord during an InterVarsity fall retreat. Her experience in evangelism started with invitations. “I invited people everywhere I went—to Large Group meetings, to church, to InterVarsity events. I didn’t want to be the only one hearing and experiencing these things for the first time,” she said.
As Jackie’s graduation drew near, her InterVarsity staff worker suggested joining staff at Winona State. “I laughed it off at first,” said Jackie. “I said, ‘No, never, no way.’” But when Jackie began to reflect on the powerful work God did in her life, her attitude changed. She wanted other students to know that God loved them. And she wanted to be part of their stories. “I realized how much my heart was here at the campus,” said Jackie.
Finding Hope in Jesus
Now on her fourth year as staff, Jackie is still praying for and taking opportunities to speak God’s truth in students’ lives. “What breaks my heart the most is listening to students say Christianity is just a crutch,” said Jackie. She sees that these students who dismiss God are spiritually desperate and have no one to turn to. But it takes time to build trusting relationships before they will share the hurt behind their resistance or hear of God’s love for them.
Jackie met one such student, Sejal Dave, last year. For six weeks last fall, Sejal had kept to herself the secret of being raped. She was numb. Then she befriended Jackie and some women in InterVarsity. Gradually, Sejal opened up to them and her curiosity about God grew when she joined a Bible study and came to Large Group meetings. In April, Sejal joyfully accepted Jesus into her life as her hope for healing. She felt like a completely different person from when the school year began.
Two weeks later, Sejal organized an event to create awareness of sexual violence. Speaking to a crowd of 200 people, she shared her journey to healing and the renewed life Jesus gave her. “We had been praying so much for her, and now she is very boldly sharing her story of redemption,” said Jackie. “These stories of transformation are why I’m on staff.”
A Story Multiplied
This year, Jackie and InterVarsity students have been praying that Winona State would be known not for its championship titles or awards, but “as a public campus where God is present.” For their fall conference, 115 students gathered to explore the theme of personal identity. Many students were challenged to examine their hearts, and Jackie listened to students share their struggles with each other and realize they are not alone.
One student told the chapter that prior to the retreat, being a Christian was just a label for herself that meant little. Seeing how other people responded to God in worship and in small group discussions, the student realized her life was missing something—a personal relationship with God.
“It was learning about God among her peers when she realized this,” said Jackie. “Being among other students opened her eyes.” By the end of the weekend, the student committed to growing in a new relationship with God.
“I get excited about sharing my story, then watching students share their story, and seeing it multiply,” said Jackie. “It’s nothing for me to claim myself, but to see it, to be a part of it is truly amazing.” Jackie’s commitment to speaking out about God’s grace in her life continues to affect the lives of students around her.