In all my years of serving the campus ministry, I have never seen God move to bring four NCAA Division I athletes onto one team as unified, totally surrendered disciples of Jesus. Even now we are studying with more students and another star of the track team! Editor's Note: This article was posted on the website of the Los Angeles Church of Christ on October 24, 2006. To view the original article, which contains additional photos in a flash slideshow, click here.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." -- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
At the University of California Riverside, the campus ministry is running for the ultimate prize -- eternity with God in Heaven. They run to get a crown that will last forever.
Last year, Ashley Zamora, a member of the UCR track & cross country team and student leader of the UCR campus ministry in the Inland Empire Region of the LA Church of Christ, began fasting and praying for God to save souls on the UCR campus. In May of 2006, God answered her prayers as Tiffany Young began studying the Bible. After much encouragement from her sister, who is a disciple in our Hampton Roads, Virginia church, and many prayers, Tiffany Young was baptized into Christ!
Excited about her faith she brought out her fellow dorm resident from UCR, Laquiesha Arnold, who was seeking God, and she also was baptized into Christ. Meanwhile, Ashley was actively sharing her faith (Philemon 6) with her fellow track team members and studying the Bible with her teammate, Celene Reyes. Celene let God's word move her heart and she broke off her non-Christian dating relationship and surrendered her life to God in the waters of baptism on June 30, 2006!
Ashley and Celene brought out Andrew Tachias, the captain of the men's cross country team. He too saw how much God had done for him and how much he needed God, and he was Baptized on July 27, 2006. Andrew, Ashley and Celene devoted themselves to the Word and to their fellowship, and their faith inspired Maryann Hanks to begin studying the Bible.
Maryanne is the captain of the women's cross country team. Maryanne had grown up going to church but knew that something was still missing in her relationship with God. After some deep talks and powerful Bible studies with the Women's Ministry Leader, Carie Lounsbury, she humbled herself and the power of God took over. Maryann was baptized Sunday, October 8, 2006 at an inspirational Park service for the Inland Empire Ministries of the LA Church of Christ.
God's fire of faith is burning bright in the hearts of disciples in the Los Angeles Church of Christ. God is working in such powerful ways. George Abraham, another student leader, was filled with excitement as he said, "God is truly with us; he has sent so many people our way!"
In all my years of serving the campus ministry, I have never seen God move to bring four NCAA Division I athletes onto one team as unified, totally surrendered disciples of Jesus. Even now we are studying with more students and another star of the track team! God further encouraged the students of the EMPIRE CAMPUS MINISTRY at the annual campus block party, when out of over 100 student clubs and fraternities, the ECM club was voted "MOST SPIRITED" and was awarded a cash prize to further club activities. As 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him ..."