From September 22-30, I had the privilege of traveling to the University of Oregon—a trip that all of you helped make possible through your donations and prayers. I want to share what your support accomplished.
The Oregon Team
Our church in Midland, Mid-Cities, is connected to Grace City Church in Eugene through Every Nation Campus (ENC). Oregon ENC reached out at the beginning of the year asking for a team to travel to the University of Oregon to help spread the Gospel. The leaders at Mid-Cities put together a team of believers with gifts of faith and encouragement. When we Texans arrived in Eugene, we were introduced to an amazing group of people. Many of us became close with them and still stay in touch.
Two people who made a real impact on me were Thompson and Mason. Thompson is incredibly gifted—he effortlessly navigates conversations and preaches the Gospel effectively. Seeing his heart for the campus and for taking ground for the Kingdom is inspiring. The way he carries himself makes a big impact on students.
Mason is hilarious and has a way of making you feel like you've known him your whole life. He's very caring and clearly loves the Lord. He was always concerned about my well-being and was there for me when I felt low. We even have a secret handshake!
Jacob and me during the trip
Brook: A Divine Appointment
Back in Midland, I went shopping and found some pocket Bibles. They usually just have the New Testament, but I bought one that included Proverbs and Psalms. Even the checkout clerk remarked, "How cool—this one has Proverbs and Psalms."
When we got to Oregon, I was eating at a burger shop when a homeless man walked in, asked for a burger, then stumbled out before anyone could answer. I felt the urge to pray for him but continued eating.
On my first day evangelizing on campus, I wore sandals and got blisters. My best friend Jacob and I went back to our Airbnb so I could change shoes. I saw the pocket Bible and debated taking it with me. I thought, "If the right person really needs it, I'll come back for it."
Jacob and I headed back toward campus, and the first person we talked to was that same homeless man from the burger shop. He introduced himself as Brook and shared about his love for music and his search for community. We offered to buy him a meal, and he gratefully accepted. Over a huge Chipotle burrito, Brook told us about his life—how he's from Jamaica and spent time in Texas.
Then, out of the blue, he said: "You know what I want? A pocket Bible, with Proverbs and Psalms."
I couldn't believe it. I told Brook I had just bought one in Midland. Jacob and I quickly rented bikes, raced back to the Airbnb, grabbed the Bible, and headed back. As we walked toward campus, we saw Brook riding away on his bike. We shouted, "BROOK! BROOK! STOP!" We caught up and handed him the pocket Bible. At first, he thought we had forgotten about him. But when he realized what we'd done, he was overjoyed. He sang praises to the Lord as he rode away.
It's amazing how God knew exactly what Brook needed, even before I did. He guided me to buy that specific Bible in Midland, knowing it would bless someone in Oregon.
A Lesson in Contrast
One night the campus hosted a "flock party" where student organizations set up booths. There was a group of men who were instigating arguments by yelling at students that they were damned to hell. They claimed to be Christians but only seemed interested in making people feel condemned.
It broke my heart to hear students cursing God's name in response. These men caused so much hurt. Students may not be believers, but they're still human beings who need the love of Jesus—not condemnation. It was deeply sad to see men with lifeless eyes yelling at students while claiming to know God.
My heart was sorrowful for both parties: those with veils over their eyes and the unreached students who needed to hear the true Gospel. I pray that God would lift the veils from those men and help them understand His heart. And I pray He offers healing and growth to every student who was hurt that night.
Hope and Phoenix
Two students really connected with our team during outreach.
Hope connected deeply with the girls on our team. Kailey Ibarra wrote this about her:
She wanted to leave her small town and come to Oregon for a better life. She grew up in a "Christian household" that never practiced what they preached, and her family didn't portray the love of Jesus. She seemed hurt and wanted out of it all—out of her city, her family, and Christianity. When she arrived in Eugene, it wasn't what she expected. She spent the first few days crying herself to sleep because of how lonely she felt.
But then she decided she'd had enough of that. She dressed up and went out—and met the very people she was trying to avoid: Christians. She found that we were the people who made her feel happy and loved. She spent all her time with us, even if it meant her first weeks of school were with "Jesus freaks." As the days went by, she became hungry to know more about Jesus. She started asking Maci and me questions about Christianity, and we were able to explain that Jesus is so much more than what she thought she knew back home.
Phoenix was sitting on a park bench when Rob from the Oregon team and I went to talk to him. We had a great conversation and invited him to play spikeball with us that night. He showed up and had a blast. The next night, he brought some of his friends. Every time I saw him on campus, his face lit up.
He texted me: "I'm gonna miss you and all the other ENC members heading back to Texas! It was super great to connect, and you all really helped me with integrating into campus!"
While writing this newsletter, I gave him a call and found out he'd hurt his ankle. I prayed for him and encouraged him. He was thankful I took the time to check in. I'll continue praying for him throughout the year.
One More Conversation
Because my grandparents live near Eugene, I stayed a few extra days with Thompson and Mason. On my last day, I decided to visit campus one more time. If I could reach just one more person, it would be worth it.
I walked around for four hours with no conversations. I felt discouraged and decided to head back. As I approached the final turn to leave campus, I saw two students smoking weed. I walked past them at first, then turned around.
"There's a better way, dude," I said.
"Like what?"
"Jesus."
"Do you think Jesus is mad at me for smoking weed?"
"No. He's not mad. He's sad—He wants His son back."
I told him how much my life was changed by Jesus, and that His hand will always be open whenever he's ready to grab it. I said, "I know you want to have fun in college, but when you get to that low point, He will be there. Just surrender and grab His hand."
It was a heartfelt moment, and we were both on the brink of tears. He gave me a big hug and said thank you. His friends showed up and he had to go. I turned the corner and burst into tears. To connect so deeply with just one person made the entire trip worth it.
By the Numbers
During this trip, I had meaningful conversations with over 40 students and encouraged at least 200 people. I stopped people just to pray for them. I saw God's heart for that campus unfold before my eyes. I met incredible people I still keep in touch with. It was hard work—taking on each person's burdens and praying for them. I learned to trust the Holy Spirit even when I felt tired and drained. It was exhausting, but also exhilarating. And in the end, it was all for the glory of God.
The crew that made this trip possible
Thank you for your support in sending me on this life-changing trip. I pray that God will reveal His will for your lives.
If you want to be part of what God is doing on college campuses, get connected here or partner with us to share in reaching students across the country.