Facing the Future with Faith

 

Facing the Future with Faith

Being involved in Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) during my college years, the testimony of a member of our church, Ella Layer, caught my attention one Sunday morning. After graduating from Marquette University in Wisconsin, Ella will be interning with CRU for one year on a university campus in Bangkok, Thailand.

CRU began under the leadership of Bill and Vonette Bright in 1951 on the UCLA campus, and is now an international organization. The connection that we shared with CRU prompted me to arrange an interview with Ella a few days later.

Because her father’s job required traveling, Ella and her family lived abroad for many years. With about half of her life spent in Asia, she credits her relationship with God starting during high school at the Shanghai-American International School in China.

Even though she had grown up attending church in Michigan, it was when Ella and her family went on a week-long outreach to the Philippines that she first became aware of God working in her life.  The Layers went to an impoverished area where a missionary had started two schools, and spent time connecting with the school children and villagers.

At the time, Ella was a sophomore at the high school in Shanghai, and had been feeling alone and without friends. Her eyes were opened by the joy of the children she met. They had few material possessions, and yet they were happy.

“Looking back on it, the kids had joy and I didn’t. I grew up in a privileged home, but was never satisfied. The world thinks that those who have everything are happy. But that isn’t true.” She felt the Holy Spirit speaking directly to her that week, and by the end of the trip, knew that she wanted her life to change.

During her last two years of high school, Ella became involved with the youth group at the church their family attended in Shanghai. Through the influence of the leaders and youth group members, the desire to follow God was firmly planted in her heart.

 At Marquette University, Ella earned her degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Theology. Her convictions were strengthened through the courses she took in Theology and also through the campus ministry of CRU.  

Despite challenging health problems that lasted for five months during her sophomore year, Ella led a weekly Bible study and also met weekly with CRU staff who trained and discipled her.

Later that year, she attended a Christian conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where “there were 55,000 who were just like me!”  Imagine such a gathering of young people who were on fire with their love for the Lord!

 During a worship time at the conference, Ella had a special moment with God. Falling to her knees, she surrendered her life to the Lord. “God, I want to give it all to you!” The conference inspired her to spend more time growing personally in her relationship with the Lord, while keeping up with her studies and being involved with CRU.

            In the second semester of her junior year, she studied at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Ella wanted to fully depend on God while she was in Australia, so that God would be glorified. She continued to grow spiritually and found community in an evangelistic group, where she became more intentional about sharing the Good News. Her prayer was, “Lord, please use me as Your witness.”

Ella returned to Marquette with a desire to “make God known,” but wondered what that would entail.  Along with many opportunities to share about Christ, came an invitation to intern with CRU for a year. Her heart had been prepared, and was tugging at her to go!

 Excited about returning to Asia in mid-August, she is currently involved in raising support… another test of faith! May the Lord bless her as she goes to Thailand and continues to be His witness.

Go in the peace and love of the Lord, Ella! Thank you for your inspiration!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14-15 NIV)

*For more information on becoming a partner with Ella, please contact me at: judylynnlowery@ocsnet.net