Hope Offered in Aftermath of MSU Shooting, College Students Ripe for Revival & Hearing and Following Jesus

The shooting at Michigan State University that left three dead, five in critical condition and many more traumatized will be met with counseling as well as an introduction to the gospel.

Experiencing such a tragedy is tough enough. But there is also the prospect of facing your own mortality. That leads to questions of eternity and weighs heavy, Tim Patterson with the Baptist state convention in Michigan.

The Commons Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in close proximity to the MSU campus, opened its sanctuary the next day for anyone who wanted to “sit, pray and process.” Church staff were also made available for counseling and a prayer gathering held that evening.
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Baptist collegiate minister Daniel Johnson is not surprised that revival, now nearing 10 continuous day, would break out among students at Asbury University.

Johnson, Lexington regional campus minister for the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) who helps coordinates Baptist outreach to Asbury, notes college students as leaders in several movements both spiritual and secular.

He points to Facebook, founded by college students Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the Holy Club of Cambridge founded in the 18th Century by college students John and Charles Wesley, and Charles Spurgeon’s call to ministry in his mid-teens in 19th Century England.

College students, Johnson believes, are ripe for influence and revival.
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Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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Jesus often taught using parables, metaphors and imagery, so that his hearers could understand spiritual truths in everyday language. John 10 is no exception. In this chapter, Jesus likened Himself to a gate and a shepherd. He wanted his disciples and others to know who He was and what He came to accomplish. These two descriptions reveal significant truths about his identity and purpose.

In John 10:11-14, Jesus compared Himself to a good shepherd who willingly dies for his sheep. Hired workers may run away when they see danger, but not Jesus. He knows His sheep, and they know Him. This description emphasized the personal relationship Jesus has with His followers. They are His “own” (v. 14). They belong to Him! Jesus already declared His care and knowledge of them. Believers can trust Him to provide protection and His presence at all times.

Believers face dangers and difficulties of all kinds today. Stress and fear seem to be at an all-time high. We worry about our finances, health concerns and family relationships. There is good news, though. With Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we do not face these challenges alone. He is with us and He has promised to guide us. What changes might we need to make this week to more easily hear His voice? Take those steps and be ready to follow in obedience. “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

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