I'd Rather Have Jesus

My freshman year at Baylor, a group of students started a ministry called Vertical that brings college students here in Waco together on a weekly basis to worship and talk openly about the Christian faith. Their mission was to encourage students to 'actively pursue an authentic and "vertical" relationship with Jesus.'

Vertical is now entering its third year here at Baylor and the ministry continues to grow and flourish. We're blessed to have Jeff Johnson Band leading us in worship and the incredible Afshin Ziafat as our speaker. Afshin has one of the neatest testimonies I've ever heard - coming from an Islamic background, disowned by his own father after becoming a Christian, and now being a lead pastor of a church in Frisco as well as leading us at Vertical every week. He has such charisma and passion behind his messages, it's hard not to love him immediately. I have so enjoyed having him around the last couple years and feel really lucky to hear from such an authentic speaker.

Keep in mind that Vertical is not a substitute for church by any means but instead provides a platform for students to come together and praise Jesus under the same roof. We all go to different churches, are members of different Greek clubs, have different friends, and come from all over the country... but there's one thing we all agree on and that is that Jesus Christ is Lord. I can't even begin to tell you how humbling it is to sing alongside hundreds of fellow Baylor students that have the same beliefs as I do every Monday night. I go to a very unique school and Vertical is just one thing that makes Baylor a special place in this world.

This next part is specifically for those of you reading my blog from places other than Waco, TX:
I would love to ask for your prayers and encouragement with this ministry. We have been so blessed these last couple of years and each semester kids continue to find Jesus and get plugged in at churches all over our community. All I'm asking is for you to keep Afshin, his wife Meredith, Jeff Johnson and his band, and all of the incredible student leaders of Vertical on your heart and in your prayers. These people continually make sacrifices and are trusting God in some huge ways to make Vertical happen every week. This ministry has been incredible to me and so many others at Baylor so I just want to encourage anyone (and everyone) to keep praying for all the amazing things that are yet to come with Vertical Ministries. There is so much to be thankful for! Love you all.

Blessed.