Zach’s drinking had started to become more of a “Monday through Sunday” thing. Sobbing in his bed, feeling unfulfilled and without a future, Zach texted Trevor, his older brother, “I’m so sick of this lifestyle.” Trevor’s reply? “Go to Cru.” Trevor had encountered God through Cru a few years earlier. At the time, 16-year-old Zach couldn’t understand how Trevor had been able to change from the angry brother he’d known his whole life.
Feeling empty, doubtful, conspicuous on that unseasonably warm Minnesota night, Zach walked into a church where students had gathered to experience Cru’s virtual Winter Conference. He heard the band playing a song tailored just for him, and the weight fell away.
“Like a toddler in a new world,” is how Zach sums up his spring semester experience of salvation, discipleship, Bible study, church … “ups with a few downs,” the downs dwindling when he moved out and away from his party friends mid-May, opting instead for gym workouts and basketball. “You can’t have one foot in and the other out.” He even spent four weeks of intensive evangelism and discipleship at North Myrtle Beach Summer Mission, and came back ready to reach others.
Back on campus, Zach met up with some of his old buddies, enduring their taunts of “Preacher Boy,” and agreeing with them, “You’re right. I’m not better than you. We all need help.” Zach’s been asked to leverage some of his newly discovered gifting, helping Cru reach out to other students, initiating Christian community in the dorms, and emceeing Cru’s weekly meeting. Pray for Zach to grow steadily from “spiritual toddlerhood” to a leader, firm in his faith.
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