Sports Science faculty: “This bible study is something we have to do!” - Jade
A couple months back I introduced you to Jade Davids and shared her exciting story with you. I’d like to revisit her story and update you on how God is using her to advance the Kingdom today! The Lord’s creative plan humbles me as I look back and think about all Jesus has done in Jade’s life.
In May this year the Lord creatively brought Jade into a relationship with Him. She attended an outreach for Sports Science students, that three of our student leaders, Sbu, Anele, and Mdu organized. These men planned this event after realizing there was little available to their peers for spiritual exploration and growth. Their decision to change that fact started with a survey, which eventually led them to organizing a speaker and discussion time.
Surprisingly, the boys asked me to be the speaker. I was asked to give a short talk on how students can engage their spiritual side while participating in and studying sports. Jade and two of her friends decided to randomly attend after seeing a poster in their class. The three of them sat in the front row that day! The talk was designed to communicate to students that finding success in sports is not about winning or losing, but to find yourself fully dependent on God. I shared my struggle in sports of desiring strength, pride, and power over humility, weakness and dependence on the Lord. Following the talk we had a brief discussion time where students who attended had the chance to process all they’d heard. After the talk Jade stuck around to chat with some summer project students. I remember looking over at her group as I finished a discussion with a few students and seeing the two summer project students praying over her. Tears streamed down her face as she tightly grasped a bible they'd just given her. I’ll always remember that picture. I knew that God captured her heart that day!
Two weeks later I had the privilege of officially meeting Jade and hearing her story at our CCC camp (retreat). When she talked about her new relationship with Jesus you could feel her passion. At the camp Jade expressed a deep desire to develop her relationship with God and others. Once we got back on campus Jade asked me if I would consider discipling her over the next semester. She’d spent her winter break praying through her growth and felt led to both discipleship and sharing her faith with others! So, for the past six weeks I’ve been meeting with Jade, focusing on her growth in Christ.
Our time has been spent praying for the campus, sharing our faith and exploring what it means to live as an example of God’s love at UKZN. A majority of our times together the Lord has put it on Jades heart to do something for women in the sports science faculty. Jade was bothered that there was nothing available to the women in her major. After praying for guidance and direction she felt God calling her to lead a Bible study! She was hesitant at first, but day after day her heart grew heavy for her peers. Setting her fears aside, she asked her friend Jess to co-lead a study with her. Today she is co-leading the first women’s bible study in the sports science faculty!
Jess and Jade’s bible study can be traced back to three men who felt burdened for their peers, and said yes to the Lord’s call. Three men were obedient to Christ and the Lord’s faithfulness is before us! This movement started with a few faithful and obedient men, and today God has used it to bring forward two faithful and obedient women! We truly serve a creative and faithful God.
No comments:
Post a Comment