"ETSU Intervarsity College Ministry" 9-12-2017 Speakers: Lisa Forbes, Amy Yeary Holmes

This month, we were blessed to have Lisa Forbes of Intervarsity at ETSU. This is a non-denominational Christian fellowship at ETSU which is also a part of  600 other college campuses. This organization encourages student leaders to be world changers through small group ministry. Their foundation verse is Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. This is such an important ministry because 8 out of 10 students who were in church prior to college will leave the church upon starting college . 

We also received a blessing from Pastor Amy. She shared with us about "woman power" using the story of Jacob. Being a professional story teller, she made this story come to life in a way we may not have ever thought about before.  Jacob wanted Rachel to be his wife and worked for her father for 7 years only to be tricked into marrying Leah. Leah had always been shaded or hidden in the background because of Rachel's beauty. Leah's womb is opened by God and she gives Jacob a son, Rueben, while Rachel's womb is shut. For once, Rachel wanted what Leah had. Jacob still didn't love her, even after she bore him 4 children who could carry on the family name. By the fourth child, Leah had a change of heart and said, "I will praise the Lord", still wishing that Jacob would love her. God intervened, Jacob noticed a change in Leah, and he wanted what she had . She was a spiritual mentor who helped him to become a better man. When Jacob was dying, and gives his final words, he chose to be buried with his wife, Leah! 

What a wonderful story! We never really truly know the impact we have on others. We must have faith and trust in God so that our testimony and walk with him can hopefully lead unbelievers to him.