Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.    -Romans 12:2

 

Two competitive young men from Texas, who were fiercely fighting a war on the soccer field against each other growing up, ended up being freshmen on the same team here at Xavier University.

Payton (front right in the gray sweatshirt) has been discipled by a Junior on the soccer team since the beginning of the school year. This semester Payton stepped-up to begin discipling some of his fellow freshmen.

making disciples who are making disciples

Five guys are coming together faithfully to study God’s word with Payton, including his formal rival, Deniz! (On the bottom left of the Bible study group photo) Deniz is the fellow Texan who grew up nurturing a strong rivalry with Payton. Payton felt similarly about Deniz. God has a sense of humor. They have become not only teammates, but brothers in Christ, encouraging each other to pursue a faithful walk with Him.

Deniz: “Being a part of our freshman Bible study has given me an environment where I can further build my relationship with Christ amongst a group of guys that I care about deeply. God is doing some amazing things in our lives and our Bible study helps us discuss those blessings or hardships in a way where we can all learn from each other and benefit in light of our common goal of growing in our faith.”

Payton: “I feel blessed to lead and teach close friends that don’t know the Lord as well. It has been a life changing experience for me. Thanks, Mark, for helping me start it. I think the open discussion created from it is the most powerful message that anyone can hear.”

Thank you for partnering with us in reaching these young men with the transforming power of Jesus Christ.