by Alyssa Speicher, Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University students are making an impact in the lives of residents in the nearby city of Springfield through a partnership with Changing Lives Now Ministry.
Changing Lives Now is an urban evangelism ministry in Springfield. The students and ministry leaders meet every Friday night to focus on prayer and evangelism.
“Changing Lives Now is the type of outreach that engages lost and hurting people with the gospel,” said Keith Holcomb, assistant director for global outreach. “This is our calling for the rest of our lives. We desire to help people in Springfield through their difficulties.”
The students work in groups when visiting homeless shelters and gas stations, or when they’re walking the streets and talking with people. Students are pushed outside their comfort zones, but, as student leader David Elgersma puts it, “the beauty is that our reward is much greater than the risks we face.”
Elgersma has seen the ministry make an impact on the community because of students’ dedication, consistency and attitudes.
“The best thing about this ministry is its impact not just on the people who we minister to but also the students who go out and share the Gospel,” Elgersma said. “It’s really a two-way ministry in that regard.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.
Changing Lives Now is an urban evangelism ministry in Springfield. The students and ministry leaders meet every Friday night to focus on prayer and evangelism.
“Changing Lives Now is the type of outreach that engages lost and hurting people with the gospel,” said Keith Holcomb, assistant director for global outreach. “This is our calling for the rest of our lives. We desire to help people in Springfield through their difficulties.”
The students work in groups when visiting homeless shelters and gas stations, or when they’re walking the streets and talking with people. Students are pushed outside their comfort zones, but, as student leader David Elgersma puts it, “the beauty is that our reward is much greater than the risks we face.”
Elgersma has seen the ministry make an impact on the community because of students’ dedication, consistency and attitudes.
“The best thing about this ministry is its impact not just on the people who we minister to but also the students who go out and share the Gospel,” Elgersma said. “It’s really a two-way ministry in that regard.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.