Two years after first publishing The Bonny Lane Club, I found myself sitting in the cafeteria at my old college. Much of my surroundings remained the same from my days as a student. I stood and envisioned myself as a college sophomore, sitting among the other football players at long, plain tables, now replaced with aesthetic, modern seating.
A student brushed passed me, thumbing through their smartphone, and I was brought back to reality. At 34 years old, I could still probably blend into the crowd of busy college students — although I felt like a fish out of water. It wasn’t just my age. As a local pastor, I knew that my beliefs and my worldview were far different than most people at this small, secular liberal arts school. I often felt that way as a young evangelical Christian student — much more now as a pastor, 13 years later.
Life at that college was hard. My faith was tested and tried through social temptations and academic philosophies. Playing on the football team helped… until a knee injury prevented me from participating. I remember being in desperate need of friendship, community, and spiritual healing. 
Thanks to my physical therapist, Bob, and the backyard fitness club he created, my life changed forever. God used Bob to lead me into a closer relationship with Jesus — to become secure in who He made me to be. As I gained back physical strength, I learned that true strength only comes when I lean on Him.
“Pastor Russ?”
I looked over my shoulder and smiled.
“Hey, Mo!” I reached out for a handshake. “You ready to grab lunch?”
Mo was a sophomore and helped lead the football team Bible study, similar to the one I attempted to start during my playing days. Mo and the others on his team had much more success, however. Sometimes, they had a dozen players showing up on a single weeknight. Like many college campuses around the country, this one has also witnessed a renewed interest in religion among students. Sports team Bible studies began popping up all over campus. Feeling both overjoyed and overwhelmed, the campus minister reached out and asked if I’d be willing to come walk alongside the football guys. Having prayed for a spiritual awakening at my alma mater for many years, I couldn’t say no.
Mo pointed at a long seating area with multiple tables. “This is where the football guys sit.”
I nodded, and we walked over to set our things down.
For the next 45 minutes, Mo and I talked over our lunch, surrounded by other football players. I shared stories of my playing days and discussed the knee injury that nearly ended my athletic career. I discussed how missing out on football made me rethink my purpose at school. Several nearby players would sometimes glance over, catching parts of our conversation.
Suddenly, another boy leaned in and asked, “So, what do you think our purpose is?”
Surprised by the frankness of his question, I paused to gather my thoughts.
“Well, I think our purpose is to be in a right relationship with the God who made us… do you believe in God?”
The random student nodded his head.
“Yeah, of course. Although I’m not really religious.”
“I see. Don’t you think if God made us, He would want a relationship with us? It wouldn’t make much sense for Him to create us and never hear from us again, would it?”
The student paused to consider again before speaking. “So, how do we have a relationship with God?”
The Holy Spirit slowed down time as I looked into that student’s thoughtful but searching eyes. How many more young people are out there, just waiting to ask these questions?
I smiled. “Well, God is perfectly holy and good. And we’re definitely not. Wouldn’t you agree with that?” He smirked and nodded again. I continued, “Because of that, it’s impossible for us to be with God on our own. Sinful people can’t be in a right relationship with a perfect God. It’s like light and darkness. Light always casts out the darkness. But Jesus restores our relationship with God by being what we couldn’t be and doing what we couldn’t do. All we need to do is put our faith in Him.”
I explained the Gospel to this student, and Mo invited him to the team Bible study.
From that point forward, the student showed up every week. I met with him and other players on the team regularly to talk about life and faith.
Just before the end of the first semester, that student put his faith in Jesus. And at the end of the school year, I had the privilege of baptizing him in the local creek, with many of his teammates watching – several of whom gave their life to Jesus during the school year, too.
What was the student’s name?
Bob.
The same name as the man who mentored me when I attended school over a decade ago — the one who changed my life.
It’s a powerful reminder that God sees us. He knows us. And He wants to use us.
The truth is, I wasn’t planning on “evangelizing” to anyone that day in the cafeteria. I was just grabbing some lunch and encouraging a new friend. But God knew I was prepared to share the Gospel, and He gave me an opportunity.
What are the opportunities God is giving you? What are the simple acts of faithfulness where God could use you to change someone’s life?
You may be thinking, ‘What do I have to offer? I’m not a pastor. I don’t have all the answers.’
Like the boy bringing simple fish and loaves to Jesus, God will take and multiply what little we have to give.
Over the past few months, our church has been talking about what it looks like to B.L.E.S.S. our neighbors in practical ways. Through my experience, I learned that what’s required isn’t complex or extravagant. Rather, it means bringing intentionality and faith into the mundane.
Share a meal, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and keep saying “yes” to the little opportunities God gives you.
With God, the greatest adventures often begin on the simplest paths.
Creekside baptisms begin in school cafeterias.
Life-changing breakthroughs start in local coffee shops.
Follow Jesus and Make Him Known. What is your next step?
