A math professor told the audience of more than 100 students how God had sustained her through the slow death of her husband from lung cancer. A forestry professor spoke through tears about God’s comforting presence since her six-year-old daughter died in a tragic accident in January. A music professor related to the students how his inaccurate view of God had for years adversely affected his walk with Christ.
The Christian professors at Stephen F. Austin University obviously relished the opportunity this spring to serve as spiritual mentors for the students who attended their What I Can’t Say in the Classroom presentations. The professors had advertised the event on their office doors, and 10-12 additional faculty members attended, too! One, a math professor who did not indicate he was a Christian himself, said he came to hear his colleague tell her story.
The Q&A time after the talks prompted some great discussion. One student, who was attending a Cru meeting for the first time, was excited to learn she could have a ”faith conversation” with a professor in her office. A new student at SFA, she learned after the talk that her academic advisor (also in attendance) was yet another Christian professor in the math department. Another student was eager to continue this professor-student interaction asking if they could pray together for their campus? The professors’ enthusiastic response? “We would love to make the time to do that!”
One student asked the professors why they were willing to come and talk to the students about their faith. All responded that they sense God’s prompting to see their work at the university as their ministry. Though they are active in their churches, now God is urging them to pursue ministry opportunities on campus with students and colleagues.
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