Locking arms and locking in

Redeemer Church in Lubbock is experiencing a massive movement of God among the college students it works hard to reach. The most recent surge started during a kickoff event at the church last summer.

“We had more than 600 students show up [that evening],” said Cody Carroll, Redeemer’s college director. Students from Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University attended, enjoying the free meal and a worship service which included singing, teaching, and a gospel presentation. The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention used Reach Texas funds to help with food costs for the event. 

“God moved in an incredible way. We had hundreds of students get connected to small groups,” Carroll said. “Students have come to faith all year and it’s been incredible.”

The enthusiasm has continued past the event. Some 500 to 600 students actively participate in the church’s college program. 

Dylan Dean, a Tech senior and Redeemer student leader, said lives are being changed through the ministry of the church’s college program. She offered the examples of Lili and Ryan.

Lili started attending Redeemer last year as a freshman. Her faith was lukewarm, said Dean, but she desired community. Lili joined a small group and started getting discipled. One year later, she leads a growth group.

“She can now pour into other girls’ lives,” Dean said.

Ryan, Dean said, always told his friends he would never follow Jesus.

“Ryan came to college, did the college thing, became president of his fraternity,” said Dean. Another student leader, Ben, consistently invited Ryan to small group.

“Slowly but surely, Ryan started showing up,” Dean said. He began attending Tuesday night gatherings and Sunday worship services. Then he started asking for prayer. Now he is saved and was baptized earlier this year.

“Consistency produced that,” said Dean. “At Redeemer, we all lock arms together [in] disciple-making and multiplication.”