Equipping the Saints in Reno
By Hannah Lewandowski
Think about a time you met someone, thought they were really cool, and wanted to see them again, but it just didn’t work out. For the one in college ministry, we know this feeling all too well, and frankly, it’s so incredibly easy to be discouraged by. But in our longing for a relationship with this person, we have two choices: control the situation to bring about a desired outcome, or let God do something far greater than we ever could do as we submit to Him. God’s sovereignty should humble us and lead us to a deeper trust in Him.
For Olivia Martin, this tension between desiring a friendship and even discipleship with a freshman she met as she moved her into her dorm was the story of her experience this past fall semester at the University of Nevada, Reno. She recalls meeting this particular freshman, Madi, and was immediately captivated by the “ray of sunshine” she was and the cross necklace she wore around her neck. After moving her into her dorm, Olivia began to exit the building by first hopping on the elevator, when Madi's mom happened to enter just as Olivia realized she hadn’t gotten her phone number to continue pursuing friendship with her. Olivia shared that she worked for Resonate Church, a collegiate church, to which Madi's mom responded in excitement, handing over Madi’s phone number to her and sharing their background with the church and their recent baptisms. There’s something that sets apart a believer from someone who doesn’t know Jesus, and whether or not that’s what Olivia was drawn to when she first met Madi on move-in day, God was sovereignly at work.
After meeting Madi, Olivia began to hang out with her every couple of weeks, despite her not coming to village and the other things Resonate was putting on. It was clear Madi wanted to discover her path and figure out where she belonged on campus, but she still valued the spiritual mentor that Olivia was becoming to her. Because of how much they had in common and the sweet friendship that was brewing between them, Olivia was discouraged by the end of the semester as Madi continued to do her own thing and didn’t reciprocate a desire for formal discipleship. However, during Christmas break, Olivia felt like the Lord was asking her to reach back out to Madi and invite her into starting a bible study together since she knew Madi’s faith had been deeply impacted by that before coming to college. She quickly responded in excitement and felt a conviction to pursue the people in her dorm. The University of Nevada, Reno, isn’t known as a place where people go to follow Jesus but rather fall into the distractions of the bar on campus, substance abuse, partying, and venturing to the casinos three blocks from campus. Yet, God was changing the narrative from the inside through Madi.
It became clear to Olivia that many people began to first attend the weekly bible study because they too were captivated by the radiating joy of Madi, but they would continue to show up out of unique and genuine curiosity. The students at UNR are interested in being a part of a “good and positive community”, and what is better than the steadfast love of Christ? No matter how or why these people show up, they get to hear the gospel, learn about Jesus, and experience what it’s like to belong to a group of people living in alignment with God’s will. They get to see that “they aren’t supposed to be anxious and depressed all of the time” and that “there is something more to life,” Olivia shares. These students are longing for more than the regretful nights of partying; what they’re looking for is something eternal, something hopeful, and how beautiful it is that a freshmen would leverage her free time and influence in her dorm to reveal to them that this eternal hope they long for is found in Christ alone.
“These students are longing for more than the regretful nights of partying; what they’re looking for is something eternal, something hopeful, and how beautiful it is that a freshmen would leverage her free time and influence in her dorm to reveal to them that this eternal hope they long for is found in Christ alone. ”
Looking back on the last few months of laboring alongside Madi, Olivia shares that “discipleship and seeing God work doesn’t always go the way you thought it would or think it should” and that that’s a good thing. God knows what His people need entirely more than we ever could; He is trustworthy, let Him lead you as you lead others. Because of her pursuit of Madi, she’s gotten to answer countless questions from the other people who are a part of the bible study, from things like Christian dating to living differently than the world during college. This isn’t what Olivia had in mind or even hoped for when first meeting Madi, but by the grace of God, far more has come from this encounter during move-in than she could have anticipated. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose”. God works through our joy and how we represent Jesus to others as we interact with the world, and that attracts people to Him as we bear His image. Our idea of successful discipleship is no match for the sovereign plan of our Heavenly Father, and thus, may we rejoice in individual relationships with Christ, regardless of what church they call home. Formal discipleship is important and highly impactful, but ultimately it is the Holy Spirit convicting those we lead, not us. Grow groups and huddles are stellar discipleship vehicles, but not the only way God can speak to His people, to Madi. God is faithful, kind, and in control. May we be a people who delight in His will being done, even if it’s not our preference or doesn’t make sense to our limited minds.
