Every year Power to Change - Students (P2C-S) connects with over 1000 students. We hope to journey with a student from their first year all the way to graduation.
We recently interviewed one student who is graduating this spring. Rachel was involved with our ministry at UBC, and knows what it’s like to trust God through different seasons of life.
As you read Rachel’s story, we hope it reminds you that God is at work in the lives of university and college students across Canada, and brings hope wherever you are trusting God.
Rachel, what’s your testimony?
My life story has involved a lot of spiritual warfare. You know the verse, “You intended this for evil, but God intended it for the saving of many lives.” That resonates with me.
When I was young, I experienced a lot of spiritual oppression and could sense bad spirits. At the time, though, I didn’t understand what this was. It was hard because no one in my family understood what I was going through or why I wouldn’t go into a temple. I didn’t feel like myself and I kept crying myself to sleep at night from the ages of 10 to 12.
Around that time, a family friend invited me to participate with an Awana (kids) program at a local church. A pastor prayed for me one night and I had a lightbulb moment. I felt lighter with God. Once I became a Christian, the spiritual oppression I was feeling left; it was replaced by God’s presence.
"I felt lighter with God."
Coming from a family that wasn’t Christian brought its own challenges. I didn’t know how to grow my walk with God. I looked up online apologetics videos and I’m grateful for the friends who came alongside me. By the time I reached 16, I was really committed and excited to have given my life to God.
Right after my first year of university, I was in a bad car accident. Our car rolled and I lost a friend. It was a miracle I survived. It was hard to recover; I experienced survivor's guilt, even though I knew my friend was in heaven. I’m so glad I found God before this happened. I don’t think I would have been able to handle the accident and the after-effects without him.
When did you get involved with P2C-S?
In my first year of university, I was involved a bit with P2C-S. After the car accident, I needed a break and got involved with a different Christian club. I decided to get involved with P2C-S again after my third year.
I got re-involved for a few reasons. One of the big overarching reasons was because I wanted to make the most out of my university days. There were opportunities to grow and participate in sharing my faith. I also was given a chance to become a leader, which helped develop my faith too.
During a time in university when life was really challenging, how did your P2C-S community play a role?
Right after the car crash, as I processed the grief, I didn’t know who to turn to at first, which forced me to turn to God. I was reminded in that season how no else but God can save me.
As time passed, I was in a healthier place to see God’s goodness through community. It was a joy to bump into P2C friends on campus—it always seemed to be when I needed a boost of encouragement. One guy continually asked over three years how he could be praying for me. I felt cherished and valued.
What have you learned about yourself through leadership in P2C-S? How do you expect to use what you’ve learned after graduation?
I’ve had the opportunity to be UBC’s evangelism lead and then president. There were multiple reasons I said yes to being a leader. I thought that it would hone and develop my leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills—which it did.
There were also things that I wasn’t thinking of when I said yes, like developing a deeper reliance on God. I had to rely on him in the unknowns and as I helped lead others.
"I had to rely on him in the unknowns."
As I look towards graduation, being a leader has helped prepare me for what’s next. It has helped solidify my values as a person. It’s made me realize that whatever career I have, it doesn’t mean as much to me if God’s not a part of it. If he is in it, then it matters.
Being a leader has also helped give me a greater desire to be active in ministry. I’m openhanded right now with what’s next, in a way that I wasn’t before. I’m open to continuing with more school, but I’m also open to God leading me in a different direction, like working in Christian ministry.
I still don’t know the direction of my life, but I know him and know he will give me direction. Whatever I decide to do, I can be confident.
What are some of your favourite memories within P2C-S?
I have so many favourite memories! I loved our end-of-semester parties, like for Christmas. It’s special seeing everyone come together, including people you’ve been reaching out to.
I also loved “boothing”—creating opportunities to engage the wider student body in faith conversations. One tool we used was “Perspective” banners, which go through five different questions like “Who is Jesus?” or “Where do you find spiritual truth?” It can feel daunting when you don’t know who you’ll meet, but God used these conversations for people to take steps closer to him and even enter into a relationship with him. It’s really hard to do evangelism alone, so to be encouraged together as a group makes it so much better.
Why do you think an organization like P2C-S is important for people your age?
There are so many things that you can prioritize in university. You want to invest more in your potential career, but being in a Christian community on campus grounds you. Everyone wants to be there; they want to know God and serve him. There are so many opportunities to do good while also developing devotion to Jesus.
What will you miss about P2C-S after graduation?
I’ll miss all the ministry opportunities to reach out and talk to people on campus about faith. People are so willing to talk about faith and spirituality. That’s not the same outside of university. There’s a level of trust on campus that you don’t get anywhere else.
Another thing I will miss is community. P2C-S was a place where I felt safe and protected. I came from a place with limited to no community and was often doing things solo. I could do so much for him alone, but as I started meeting people, I realized that I didn’t need to do it alone. There were other Christians passionate about the same things I was, who would spur me on.
"P2C-S was a place where I felt safe and protected."
How has your time with P2C-S set you up for life after university?
Being involved with P2C-Students restored my faith in a lot of different areas. I’m diving into church again and learning that I can trust Christian leaders. I was hurt before by poor leadership examples, but P2C-S offered a place for me to experience healing and see that I can trust Christian leadership.
P2C-Students has also helped me understand people more. I’m more confident in ministering to people who aren’t Christians and have learned different ways to bring God into different situations. I’m excited for the opportunities I’ll have to continue pointing others to Jesus after university.
What would you say to donors who helped support your campus?
Thank you for your generosity! In giving to the Lord, you are being faithful to him, even though you might not see the immediate fruit.
Speaking from my own time with P2C-Students, your contribution has made a difference in my life and the salvation of others. Your support has gone further than you might know. Thank you!