Russell D.

Madison college
1972

In 1969 at Madison College in Virginia, I met several Christians, two of which were Carolyn and Dottie Sue, who invited me to a Sunday night gathering. Not being a Christian, I ‘politely’ declined, actually I thought they were a bit crazy and I gave them grief about it. “Believing in the Bible” I would test them, “that’s fairy tale stuff and you're in college!” As months went by my ‘frat-life’ began to unravel, what I thought would make me happy wasn’t and these young ladies continued to show me care and love no matter what I would say to them. Also, they exhibited real peace and happiness - and I couldn’t understand why. So, my girlfriend, who is my wife now of 47 years, went to this Sunday gathering. My girlfriend/wife was/is long time friends of Carolyn and Dottie Sue. I felt genuinely accepted there. After several meetings, I found myself sneaking off to a Bible study in a dorm room, lead by Charlie Sutton. Several weeks later the gospel came very clear to me and I prayed in the dorm lobby by myself and gave my life to Jesus Christ! Now I have been leading home Bible studies, taught Sunday school classes and lead other men and women in discipleship studies. Praise God! And by the grace of God, Carolyn and her husband Bruce live 10 minutes from us and we enjoy Christian fellowship with them!

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For more than 75 years, InterVarsity has had a vital presence on hundreds of college campuses, courageously proclaiming Jesus as Lord, seeking his kingdom, and engaging in discipleship around Scripture.

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“I became a Christian in 1970 through InterVarsity at a college in central Pennsylvania.”
—Tim Keller

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