Cheryl's Story

Prior to IVCF, I grew up in northeren Indiana going to church and being active in youth group, Bible study, and other activities. The idea of being a missionary wherever I was in the world just meant loving people and being nice. I was not challenged to lead Bible atudies. When I got to Indiana University, I had Never heard of IV, but I can look back and see how God used the IV training and experience to make me a dedicated follower of Jesus. There are too many strong memories of InterVarsity to choose from. I was first invited by my IU piano teacher and doctoral candidate Bev Hilmer. Meeting with my staff worker Jerry Frederick and looking at passages of Scripture were so meaningful. I learned the wonderful manuscript Bible study method, learned about friendship evangelism, the Lordship of Christ, the importance of prayer, the importance of missions, how to talk about Christ in a natural way, I learned that being a Christian is an everyday choice and lifestyle. I grew to love Jesus more. I learned that God and His love for me will not let me go. I learned even more about significance of the cross and resurrection. I had the opportunity to do contact evangelism in the student union building with Jerry and later with Garry Poole. As an undergrad, I had the opportunity to lead a Bible study in my dorm, my sorority house. During grad school, I had a study right in the Speech and Hearing Department. I met overseas missionaries for the first time and heard their amazing stories. I got to attend Urbana84 and hear incredible speakers in plenary sessions and in the smalller classroom sessions. In those few years, I spiritually grew the most. The leaders invested in me, and the knowledge I gained served to build a firm foundation by God’s grace and mercy. I watched how our undergrad chapter grew, shrunk, and grew again and what that taught me about trusting God. IVCF prepared me to lead Bible studies back in my hometown during summer breaks during the college years. IVCF encouraged me to think about my identity in Christ. I experienced seeing open air evangelism done well and respectfully by Cliffe Knechtle. I met my husband Paul through IVCF. When Paul went to grad school, we were part of an IV graduate Bible Study at Stanford. What did God do? He showed me a life with Him versus a life going my own direction and where that led, and He helped me give up the wrong loves for the world to love Him with my whole heart and want to serve Him. And I’ve seen miracles and blessings in my life that were personal and faith deepening. About five years ago, I started working part-time with IVCF, and I was able to attend Urbana again. And since leaving college, IV training has been with me lifelong. In April, I will begin mentoring an IV student who approached me. Only by God’s grace and mercy and to His glory alone will there be good learning and growing for both of us, but I’m sure my IV experiences will play some part of our time together.