Jacob Frusher
My story starts on the first day of university. I’d just moved into my halls of residence at the University of Southampton and my flat mate asked if I wanted to go to church with her. ‘No’, I answered, thinking church was the boring brick building back in my hometown that all the grannies went to.
I went back to my room for a bit thinking about how I was going to fill my evening when I thought, why not? I went straight back to her and asked if it was alright to join.
As we walked to the church, I remember feeling a bit nervous with a bunch of preconceived ideas as to what a church was. These were all quickly dispelled as soon as I walked in. The congregation was mostly students at this service, and I made friends as soon as I walked in the door.
I was given leaflets and brochures for all sorts of things, and I was told about the CU. Again, I thought to myself, why not, the service had been a blast and I wanted to see how I could explore faith more.
The first thing I did was go along to the Tuesday Impact Group Bible study in our halls. We played a bunch of games, and I met people who would become some of my closest friends and housemates for next year. On that Friday, I also attended what we called Unite – our main weekly meeting as a CU. I felt such a powerful feeling –I am still in awe of it to this day – as we worshipped together.
Over the next few weeks, I was gifted a Bible and I made more friends in the faith.
I was told about our CU weekend away and felt really nervous at first, thinking I was going to be a black sheep with all these Christians around me. Then I remembered how I already felt so at home with them so decided to make the leap and go. I never looked back. I loved every single second of the weekend from the wide games to the prayer meetings and worship. During a session of extended worship, I felt the Holy Spirit lift me and make me feel on top of the world.
Leaving that weekend, I did everything I could to read my Bible and pray. I talked to my pastor James about becoming a Christian and we prayed together to accept Jesus as my Ruler. From that point onwards I knew I was saved and I knew the power of the Father. It’s a day I never want to forget because while my journey’s been short, I feel like I’ve transformed as a person.
I wouldn’t go back to who I was for anything. I am constantly struck by His sovereign plan and how much He loves me, and I wish everyone can get to know Him like I did.
I’ve grown into a boldness in my faith so now I feel happy to talk to others about it. At Southampton CU events week this year, I loved throwing myself into serving at events and doing outreach on campus.
I play rugby for the university, and I’ve been having amazing conversations with teammates at training following CU events or them just grabbing a cookie from a CU member on campus and being intrigued by faith. I can see how my faith has grown massively in the past few months to bring me to this point.
Praise God for Jacob’s testimony of a friend’s simple invitation to church leading to his finding new life in Christ. He was baptised on 17 March at the same church which has now become his spiritual home.
Across Great Britain, there are hundreds of students just like Jacob who are considering the Christian faith following a friend’s invitation to church or a CU event this term. Please pray that many would come to know Jesus for themselves through the witness of a friend, hearing the gospel clearly proclaimed and the support of the local church. Pray especially as many return home from their university campuses for the summer.