Answered Prayer

Before coming to PLU I had this small fear in the back of my mind that I would become one of those statistics of good christian kids who fell away during college. Now I knew in my head and my heart that I wouldn't let that happen, but the fear still sat in the back of my thoughts. I thought that I wouldn't meet any Christians and that I would never find a good church. Looking back though, this was probably one of those healthy fears. By letting myself think this, it took me to prayer, and I earnestly prayed that the opposite would happen. And of course God delivered. From the very beginning, before I even moved, I had a friend who had invited me to come to her church and look into a Bible Study that she was leading. So I already had that small connection in place. Then within a few days of moving in, I discovered that there were a good portion of the girls in my wing who were in the same boat as me. They were Christians who were looking for Christian friends and a good ministry and church to get involved in, it must have been God who placed us all in that wing together! Now every Tuesday night, there is an on campus ministry called Ignite. They are sponsored and based out of one of the local churches, Puget Sound Christian Center, a foursquare church. A bunch of us were curious and decided to check it out. We were greeted by smiling faces and found some seats near the back, because it was so full. I loved it all. The worship was real and genuine and I felt truly encouraged by what was shared. Last night I went a second time and loved it just as much as before. They had a special speaker that was one of the people who helped start the International House Of Prayer (or IHOP) in Kansas City, and he has started another house of prayer in Federal Way, a region near Tacoma. His message was so encouraging, and left me with no doubt that Ignite was truly a ministry of God. Along with that, I am joining one of the small groups, the first meeting is Thursday night. I also visited the PSCC church, while it was a bit more Pentecostal that I was used to, I really liked it and felt a connection with it. I have heard many negative things about foursquare churches, but after one visit, I didn't notice many of the things that I have previously heard, but we shall see how that goes. Overall though, I have been blessed many times over by the friendships that I have made and how many opportunities that I have around campus. I know that God's hand is in my life and that he will guide me in the right direction on this campus!