By Teresa Buschur

Three Stories of Christ’s Transforming Power

Students at the University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls are grateful for God’s work in their lives, for the ways he changed their views on worship, racism, and being made new creatures in Christ. Three students share their experiences of accepting Christ and how their personal relationships with Jesus have transformed their lives.

Beth is a sophomore who became a Christian after attending InterVarsity’s Eastern Iowa Area Conference. “For a long time I didn’t believe in God. I thought it was just me against the world.

Students at the University of Northern Iowa-Cedar Falls are grateful for God’s work in their lives, for the ways he changed their views on worship, racism, and being made new creatures in Christ. Three students share their experiences of accepting Christ and how their personal relationships with Jesus have transformed their lives.

Beth is a sophomore who became a Christian after attending InterVarsity’s Eastern Iowa Area Conference. “For a long time I didn’t believe in God. I thought it was just me against the world. I came to college thinking that I would just party it up like I had been doing for the past several years. That changed within the first few weeks I was here.

“A senior girl who lived down the hall from me kept inviting some of the other girls and me to watch her sing at InterVarsity meetings. None of us were really sure as to what that was, but one night after a few weeks we finally went. As we were standing there singing worship songs, I began to tear up. This strange feeling had come over me. After spending more time with the InterVarsity crowd, I began to realize what that feeling was. It was God’s love. God loved me even with all the mistakes I had made. I am thankful every day for being surrounded by wonderful Christians to help me in my journey towards Christ,” Beth said.

Steve is also a sophomore who accepted Jesus Christ after he attended an InterVarsity conference. He shares how God forgave him for his racism. Steve says, “I have always been racist, and just didn’t care. At one time I didn’t even want to talk to someone of another ethnicity or culture.

“God opened my eyes to his love for people from all nations and cultures. I was challenged when the speaker asked the group whether we would stand up for people of other races if we found ourselves in the midst of people telling racist jokes. At one time, I never would have. I would have laughed along with everyone else. I realized Jesus would take a stand in love.

“At that moment, I knew I would as well. Jesus has been changing my attitudes and beliefs ever since. I would now welcome a friendship with someone from another culture.”

Andrea has been involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for three years. She is a senior who has been challenged to reach out to the student community.

“InterVarsity has been a great place for me to step out in faith and obedience to God. I have seen many ways in which God has been faithful to my simple attempts to obey and follow Him. God has changed my life. As I get to know the freshmen, I reflect on where I was when I was a freshman. When I compare that person to who I am now, I realize how true God’s promise is to make us new creatures,” Andrea said.

There are many students like Beth, Steve, and Andrea across the country. InterVarsity seeks to introduce students to Jesus Christ and help them develop relationships with him as he transforms their lives.