When 18-year-old literature evangelist Darcy Sturges knocked on a door in the Cambrian Park area of San Jose, she and Jeff Kimmel began speaking with the lady of the house. They soon learned that her daughter had brain cancer.
Sturges showed her Peace Above the Storm (an edition of Steps to Christ), and she bought it. Only a few hours before, this mom and daughter had prayed that God would somehow give them strength to get through this difficult situation. Before they left, Sturges asked if she could pray. When she said amen, there were tears cascading down the lady’s face. “There is no doubt,” she said, “that God sent you here today to help with our struggle.”
The California Youth RUSH 10-week summer literature evangelism program immerses students into a real, and often new, experience filled with outreach opportunities. It can be a life-changing experience.
The students’ aggressive, positive outreach mindset also has a contagious effect on local churches. “We have been tremendously blessed by hosting the summer literature evangelist program here at the Cambrian Park church,” says Pastor Thom Garner. “The commitment and enthusiasm of these young adults have been an inspiration to me personally and to the church body as well. We are still following up on the more than 100 Bible study leads we received as fruit from their labors.”
Three groups averaging 20 students each worked from rotating bases in San Jose, Salinas, Modesto, Fresno, Exeter and Bakersfield. Students from SOULS West, the Pacific Union’s leadership training school in Scottsdale, Ariz., provided leadership and management. Bible workers follow up evangelistic interests.
These students often leave deep impressions with those they contact. A Hanford, Calif., man phoned to say thank-you for Jonathan Sanchez’s visit. “My name is Rod.... I’m just so impressed with this young man that came over here—Jonathan. He’s going to get me some Bible studies. God bless you. I’ll read this little book he left me, Passion of Love [abridged Desire of Ages].Thank-you very much!”
Perhaps the deepest impressions are left on the students. Those who participate leave with a sense of urgency and commitment. Amy Gerber, a SOULS West graduate from San Bruno, Calif., sums it up like this: “I am convinced that this is what God has planned for my peers and me for this end time.”
Central California Youth RUSH Summer 2006 Report
67 Young People Working
241,000 Homes Visited
51,200 Books Distributed
$320,571 Received for Books
$156,788 Scholarship Earnings*
349 requests for Bible studies
90,000 Bible Study Interest Cards Distributed
*Does not include school matching scholarship
