Campus Crusaders on for the movement to uplift the young generation!

It’s the start of the second semester! School works and pressures are again just waiting around the corner, ready to “distress” students. Before facing academic lessons, however, students still have a lot to discuss about their semestral break experiences. Chitchats may include things and people they have encountered way back in their hometowns or these could be their memorable moments with loved ones while savoring the chance to be away from school even just for a short while.

But there are some who have gone beyond these little talks and have a lot bigger things to share. They are the 96 college delegates from the different universities here in Central Visayas who joined the annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) of Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) last October 23-26, 2007 in Liloan, Cebu. CCC is an interdenominational Christian organization founded by Bill Bright in the University of California, Los Angeles in 1951 and it is now present in universities worldwide.

They dared to be different. Instead of having fun in the usual way that most students do, they utilized their break by taking part in this LTC which trained them to be knowledgeable in the words of God and equipped them with essential skills for them to be effective in sharing Christ to other people, especially to those in their own campuses.

“They were a batch who responded to the call of knowing God and make Him known. I have seen their passion to share Christ to 253 people in an hour. (This was during their witnessing blitz wherein they all went out of the venue to share the gospel.),” shared Mr. Arturo Besin, the CCC Central Visayas Director.

The theme of this year’s conference “My Mission, My Generation” fueled even more the desire of these young Christians in fulfilling the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) of making Christ known most particularly to the young generation.

Maria Zenaida “Jade” Ancog, a third year Pharmacy student from Southwestern University, recalls: “In this year’s LTC, God taught me to have an eternal perspective and to love others just the way He loves them. I’m encouraged to continually stand firm in reaching out to this generation for Christ. Most importantly, the LTC has helped me become more dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit in helping fulfill the great commission.” Jade has now gained a better understanding on how to live in God’s will by faith.

Working for the expansion of God’s kingdom through this generation needs great effort and genuine commitment. Others might think that the idea of participating in an LTC is silly for the delegates are just mere students. Indeed, reaching out to the present generation is not an easy task and this reality is recognized by the young delegates.

When asked how she could touch her generation, Ella Beverly Sarmago admitted, “It is quite a challenge for me knowing that my generation grew up with worldly things instead of with Christ. Well, I just have to be courageous in everything that I will do. I should not be ashamed of God’s words. I will gladly share it to them.” Ella is a freshman taking up Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines- Cebu and a first time attendee of this conference.

First Corinthians 16:13-14 says, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.” For Jade and Ella, everything can be done with Christ in their lives, all for the glory of God. It is just a matter of faith, courage and constant prayers.

One of the sessions during the conference talked about the characteristics of young people today. One of the descriptions revealed that “Lives of the young are pointless”. However, another depiction stated, “They are ready for Jesus”. The young generation is lost in the dangerous paths of materialism and purposelessness but there is much hope to put them back on the right track through Jesus. Everyone who already has Jesus in their lives has the responsibility to introduce and influence this generation for Him.

“We really need to see our generation through the eyes of Christ. We must move with His heart. We don’t need to be “positional” leaders or whatever for us to effectively touch our generation. God placed us in places and positions that best suit His purpose,” expressed Dom Antonoine Fortin, a college senior and CCC Student Coordinator from Silliman University. He feels compassion for the lost youth, hoping that others would help lead them to Jesus and His offer of salvation.

Dom, along with Jade, Ella and other delegates, received the challenge to mobilize all resources in possessing the land that God has intended for His kingdom.

Young lives with amazing testimonies and spiritual-boosting lifestyle…they are the campus crusaders, to uplift the young generation!

They are just around in their campuses, willing and zestful to share Christ and their great experiences in life under God’s love and wonderful plan.