Campus Leader Graduate Success Story: University of Nevada Reno
Tanner open air preaching during our Repent and Witness Evangelism Camp '09  |
When Tanner Thetford applied to become a CCN Campus Leader at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) in his sophomore year, he had no idea that he would take UNR students with him across the country to open-air preach on the streets of New York City for our annual "Repent and Witness Evangelism Camp". He also didn't know that he would gain the strong support of a local church, where he ended up serving the Lord in evangelism. The pastor of the church not only helped supply the campus ministry with additional materials, he also spoke alongside Tanner at one of CCN's many on-campus events (see video below). A constant encouragement to Tanner, the Pastor shared with him that "CCN is actually doing what all the ministries were originally established to do. Most people have parted from that, but CCN is still doing it."
Above: Tanner and his Pastor answer questions at the UNR CCN event, Stomp the Chump, a Christianity Q & A forum open to the student body.  | Article continued from above.
At first, Tanner had doubts about leading a fellowship. "I was able to overcome this through the [CCN] mentorship program," Tanner responded. "I was able to discuss my ideas and my lessons with my mentor and he provided me with a lot of guidance." A faithful leader, Tanner showered the ministry with prayer, and also added that the CCN mentorship program proved to be a great help. "I was able to receive prayer from someone who had already been a Campus Leader and knew what it was like."
Since CCN was planted at UNR, Tanner believes that the gospel has been preached with more clarity and consistency on and off campus. When addressing the topic of CCN's well-known evangelistic fervor, he reports, "Someone on campus came up to us and said that he was familiar with all of the campus ministries, but that we by far make the most noise."
CCN members at UNR witnessing  |
Besides establishing great friendships with like-minded believers that pray, worship, learn, and evangelize together, Tanner also says that he has grown as a teacher, leader and evangelist. "I have seen great fruit in my life from the big responsibility of becoming a Campus Leader."
Tanner recommends Christians to become Campus Leaders, admitting that it is indeed work, as all ministry is. However, he reminds us that for "the work that it takes and the effort that you put forth, you will receive twice as much rewards." Explaining that he grew in prayer, teaching of the Word, and evangelism, Tanner describes Campus Leadership as "a Crash course in leadership. You have to grab the bull by the horns. If you seek the Lord and prepare lessons that are Christ-centered, seeking to fulfill the great commission, God will prosper your efforts and he will help you to accomplish what you seek to accomplish!"
Committed to end, Tanner is graduating this year, and has successfully raised up a faithful Campus Leader to take his place: Michael Kubel, who will also be attending Repent and Witness Evangelism Camp this Summer. Please keep Tanner, Michael, and the CCN members at UNR in prayer as the Lord continues to use the students to proclaim the gospel on and off campus!
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