by Purshia Gambles,
The college ministry of Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa is devoted to building up the next generation of gospel-fueled college students to be on mission for Jesus Christ on Iowa State’s campus and all around the world. This endeavor is supposed to transcend the 4 (or more) years of college education, making way for life-long devotion to God and love for His people, through leading weekly discipleship groups (D-groups) consisting of student small-group leaders. During such meetings, I have gotten to know and invest in such an amazing example of humble leadership and faithfulness to God amidst some really hard temptation and uncertainty.
I currently lead a sophomore discipleship group that meets weekly in my apartment. In that group, a female leader has confessed to us that she struggled with same-sex attraction, and before becoming a Christian last school year, identified as a lesbian. Since placing saving faith in Jesus, this young lady has laid down her life for the sake of knowing Jesus and making Him known through serving the local church, but this comes with continual struggles like constant questions about the future (how to follow Jesus after leaving college), frustration about her temptations, feelings of anxiety and shame, and unclear paths forward on how to interact with fellow group members.
In true, “Paul from Ephesians” fashion, she is such a “But God” type of story. Despite all these challenges and more, this woman chooses Jesus above all else and strives for Godliness even in the trenches of doubt and isolation. I have gotten to see her take ownership of her faith and preach the gospel to herself with such passion that it makes me want to chase God more fervently. I continually pray for her strength and ask God to speak to her about the future and how to walk in freedom from her sin. But I feel so much faith and confidence in the God that we trust because of how far He’s already brought her.
