There’s so much to celebrate! God has done so much at UC Davis just in the first few weeks!
We have seen 9 students place their trust in Christ , many non-Christians investigating Jesus and Christianity, and a ton of Christian freshmen find a community of believers to belong to.
My main focus has been reaching out to freshmen guys in the Segundo dorm. Here’s a look at a few students that I’ve been able to build relationships with from that dorm these past few weeks:
Shin– Upon arriving to college, Shin decided he wanted to investigate Christianity. He wants to believe in something, and senses that he could be someone who becomes a Christian. He has come to our weekly meeting, my small group bible study, and we have been meeting up individually. Pray that God would open Shin’s eyes to see who Jesus really is, and that he would give his life to Him.
Jon– Jon has been involved with his church at home for 18 years. He’s struggling with many doubts, however, and would call himself an agnostic right now. He’s also stuck in some repetitive sin. After talking with him, I don’t think Jon has really ever known Jesus. Still, he’s a regular our bible study. We’ll be meeting individually to discuss a book we’ll soon start reading together called “The Reason for God” by Tim Keller. Pray that Jon’s doubts are sufficiently addressed, that he truly comes to know Jesus, and is liberated from sin.
Sam– Sam comes from a liberal Catholic background and had been involved in his church’s youth group growing up. However, he had never really understood the Gospel. A fellow staff member and I met with him to share the Gospel and Sam finally understood that he couldn’t work his way to a relationship with God, but that he needed to rely on grace through Jesus and his death on the cross. He placed his trust in Jesus that day. Sam has begun to build some solid relationships with people in Cru and is coming to my bible study in Segundo. Pray that Sam would grow in his knowledge of Jesus.
Jason– Jason comes from a home skeptical of religion. However, upon arriving to UC Davis, Jason decided he was going to investigate a religion, and decided that religion would be Christianity. We met for dinner a few weeks ago. The only thing that Jason had heard about Jesus was in his classroom. I was able to share the Gospel with him, and Jason has been a fixture at our events ever since. We’re continuing to meet up individually. Please join me in praying that, as he investigates Christianity and hangs around Christians, Jason would meet Jesus and decide to place his trust in Him.
Thank you so much for partnering with me to proclaim Jesus to students like these. As Paul says, “I thank my God in all of my remembrance of you” (Phil 1:3). Please let me know if there is any way that I can pray for you.
An Update on Cameron and Me
Cameron and I are getting married on January 7, less than three months from now! We’re trying to fit in wedding planning in the midst of a crazy fall quarter on campus. I’m loving living in the same city as her; I don’t know how we ever did long distance!
One thing among many that we’re trying to plan is our honeymoon. Our dream destination is Kauai. There are a few things we’re asking God to provide for us though. Do you or someone you know have a place to stay in Kauai (or somewhere else in Hawaii) from January 8-13? Do you have any mileage stored up that you could donate to help get us there? If you have any leads, email me at jeff.clay@uscm.org.
Special Prayer Request
I’m realizing more and more that I’m a very anxious person. No matter the circumstances, I would love my life to be characterized by peace. Please pray that God would bring about change and healing in this area.