In the summer of 2021, I was offered the opportunity to teach engineering. Having had a career as an engineer, I made sure that I sought God’s guidance for my decision, and God gave me peace about the idea of moving from Florida to South Carolina. So I did.
I understood that if He wanted me to be here, the purpose was more than to enjoy a great career opportunity. The purpose was to give young engineers the benefit of what I had learned in the engineering profession. And, hopefully, to give them an opportunity to hear what I had learned in my faith, if they were interested.
He Knew I Was a Christian
However, for a year or two I struggled to find a way that my Christian ministry was to be accomplished. One fall semester morning as the class I was teaching was dismissed, I was feeling discouraged about my lack of action in sharing my faith.
At that moment a student in my class, who is a member of Cru, came up to me. He excitedly indicated that he knew I was a Christian and a member of Faculty Commons. He asked if I would be interested in starting some activity between Faculty Commons professors and Cru students.
The Opportunity I Wanted
This interaction would involve discussion or activities that would strengthen our faith and connect students with faculty who are believers. In my mind, I was saying “Absolutely!” This was just the opportunity that I wanted.
At the very moment of despondency about my ministry, God brought a student to me who was charged with excitement for the gospel. God provided encouragement and the very opportunity that I was seeking.
Students Spread the Word
After consultation with Cru students about panel discussions and Scripture studies, we settled on a Bible study of Romans. We started this study late in the fall semester but really moved forward in the spring semester.
We met weekly in the mornings, and had a regular attendance of about 6-8 students and one other faculty member. Students spread the word, and we had new attendees several times.
God Is the One
Having not led a Bible study before, I knew I had much to learn. But I found that God’s Spirit gave me insight for our discussions. It meant something to the students to have professors spend time with them in a Scripture study. The student that came to me that autumn morning has been a solid anchor for the group.
God is the one who gave me the opportunity and direction to teach here. God is the one who brought the Cru student to encourage me to seek meaningful interaction between faculty and students. God is the one who gave insight and excitement for wonderful times of meeting to study the Bible. God is the one—to Him be the glory.
Jay Northington
Mechanical Engineering
Clemson University