Fresh Start

God did incredible things in the lives of the freshmen that came to InterVarsity at the University of Tampa this semester. It has been a gift for us to walk alongside them as Jesus has called them into deeper relationships with Him, leading them to surrender their plans and expectations to His loving will. We wanted you to be able to share in that experience by hearing some of their stories in their own words. 

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I didn't know what to expect when I came down to Tampa for college. But within the first few days I met two of my best friends. One of them brought us to the Meet InterVarsity event and from then on I thought the community was awesome. When Sonburst came around I was not sure that I really wanted to go or what was it going to do for me, but it was the best decision I've made because I met Jesus there, and I gave my life to him. After that day I realized that the friends I had made so far this semester belong in my life and God put them there. This semester God has showed me what it is like to be accepted and welcomed into a community where everybody is loving and helpful. He has let me feel not so alone in this world, and when I think nobody is there, He is. So overall this semester was better than I expected and I have seen that I do belong here.  I’ve also realized that God has a plan for me and I have to follow the path He has laid out. -Julianne Johnson 

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This semester God taught me a number of things. For one I learned that I should never be relaxed in my relationship with him. I should always be trying to learn more about him and striving to be more like his son, Jesus Christ. He also taught me how to be a part of a Christian community of believers that are not generations older than me. I learned how to open up to the people in this community for the first time and how to truly love someone in a friendship. Most importantly God taught me that I shouldn't beat myself up about things that I have done in the past and to actually believe that he does love me and always has.  -Essence Hepburn

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Coming to university, I didn't know what to expect. I had grown up in a church but fallen away and just recently came back. After signing up with IV, I was welcomed by an awesome community of people who love Jesus. It was in IV that I was really able to learn and develop my spiritual gifts. Eventually, God instilled a desire to lead in my heart, and when I let the leaders know they were super enthusiastic in helping me develop. I've seen Jesus work in awesome and amazing ways in the hearts of college students. I've also gotten to see a whole other side of him. Joining IV was the best decision I could've made. -Lawton Ho  

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