Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside a student named Janine as she’s gone on an incredible journey of discovering who Jesus really is. Her story has been a beautiful reminder that God is always at work—drawing people to Himself in both quiet and powerful ways.
I looked up from prayer before an outreach hour early in the semester, and immediately spotted two girls sitting on the lawn with their laptops. Holy Spirit nudged my heart, and without hesitation, I told the rest of the pairs “shotgun those girls!” and walked over with another student. We quickly connected and found out that one of them, Veronica, was a Christian, who excitedly asked us several questions about how we share our faith, eager to learn. The other girl, Janine, quietly listened in.
Towards the end of the conversation, Janine shared that although her family used to go to church and she believes in God, she didn’t really know how to have a relationship with him, and wanted to learn everything from the beginning. We responded – “you’re talking to the right people!” They were keen to meet up again, and agreed to go through the Christianity Explained course with us – Janine to learn the basics of our faith, and Veronica to learn how to use that tool as a way to share her faith.
As myself and Carla (another missionary) journeyed through the Christianity Explained series, Janine asked deep, thoughtful questions and willingly shared her heart. One significant lesson was on Jesus’ death on the cross, which aligned quite well with the timing of Easter.
While I explained how Jesus was separated from God when he took on our sin, Janine was so touched that she started crying! Then as we reflected on how he suffered and died for our sake, she was filled with so much awe, excitedly saying that she wanted to go home to her mum and ask, “Did you know about this!?”
On the day of the final lesson, while meeting in a busy café, two nearby students started mocking Christianity loudly. I prayed silently that Janine wouldn’t be distracted, and she wasn’t. In fact, she told us later she hadn’t noticed at all! Then, casually but confidently, she told us she had decided earlier that week to commit to a personal relationship with God. In her words: “I just suddenly felt like I believed everything.”
She shared how much lighter and less stressed she immediately felt, and how she’d begun talking to God first, even before her parents. We celebrated with pizza, and she’s continued meeting up with us for discipleship and Bible study. She and her friend Veronica have even been messaging each other daily, sharing what they’re learning from Scripture. They also both attended our Winter Conference, growing deeply in their faith and God’s heart to use them to also reach others.
It’s been such a joy to witness Janine’s transformation and to see how gently but powerfully God has been leading her. I am still astounded by the undeniable clarity which drew me to walk up to her and Veronica, and the unfathomable, personal love of God who had clearly been already at work and knew His daughter was ready to respond. Please keep praying for Janine as she continues to grow in faith.
Cassie Jarvis, campus missionary in Brisbane