Friday March 2nd a group of CSP Biola students braved the L.A. weekend traffic and headed to Torres High School in East Los Angeles for after-school witnessing. Crista Jansson, the Event Coordinator and Database Organizer for CSP staff, joined 10 campus mentors and 4 high school students to spread the Gospel.
Crista with her husband Daniel
A cop car idled in front of the school, and floods of students quickly entered and exited through 2 intimidating looking gates. The students seemed to have a rougher exterior according to Crista's initial observation, but she was eager to share the love of Christ that day because of the apparent hunger for something greater in the students' appearance.
That afternoon Crista joined a CSP mentor, Joey, and a freshman Bible Club student named Emanuel. This trip was Emanuel's first time witnessing on his campus to his peers. He explains to Crista that he has been praying for God's courage all week, and he was ready to share the Gospel.
Emanuel [pictured left] with members of the Torres High Bible Club [president pictured middle]
The trio approached a group of 3 girls. As the conversation progressed, Joey and Emanuel realized that Crista was engaged in a conversation with just 1 of the girls, so they moved on. Crista continued to ask the student questions about heaven and hell, and the girl's face became more engaged as Crista presented her with the Gospel. Originally shy and staring at her feet, the girl expressed her fear of hell and her earnest need for forgiveness. She was ready for the grace of God. Reading the prayer from the tract in Crista's hand, she accepted Christ that day on the sidewalk of Torres High.
Crista looked over at Joey and Emanuel and saw they were in a deep conversation. She states, "As I was sharing the Gospel and praying with this girl, they were leading 2 others to Christ at the same time...I just think that was so cool. Emanuel had a hand in both those conversations." Crista goes on to explain that after leading 2 students to Christ, Joey and Emanuel transition to another conversation and they were able to lead another 2 students to Christ in the same hour.
Reflecting on the exciting conversation, Crista states,
"I believe a huge reason that there was such a big result that day was because Emanuel was praying. I felt like he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord and he was ready to go. I feel like God was really faithful to him and I happened to be there when God answered those prayers."
That Friday the Gospel was shared 42 times and 7 students came to Christ. When those numbers were shared during the debrief meeting, the Torres High Bible club president broke down in tears. Overwhelmed by God's faithfulness, she stood in front of her high school filled with excitement and hope.
Ahlia Atterbury, the Torres High CSP mentor, was also in attendance that Friday. Ahlia rejoiced alongside her students for the incredible day of outreach. She reflects, "God showed me that He can use His children to talk to anyone if we trust Him enough to go start the conversation. Although we were discouraged [in the beginning] and were basing our expected outcome off of our own abilities, which were not very strong that day, God pulled through. God does not just use us when we feel spiritual. He uses us all the time, and it is such a blessing to see God work despite my own doubt. It just shows me once again how big our God is."
