August 20, 2001

Student missionaries discover a world of need in Texas
___By John Hall
___Staff Writer
___"Take care of your own house first" could have been the motto for Texas student missionaries serving in their home state this summer.
___In addition to nearly 300 student missionaries sent beyond Texas by the Baptist General Convention of Texas, about 30 stayed in the Lone Star state to do everything from inner-city ministry to youth camps in rural areas.
___"I have met just about everybody in my neighborhood," wrote Joey Buck, who worked with Rehoboth Baptist Association. "I am convinced that God wants me here, living with these people. So many of them have told me about how they are surprised that I chose to do missions and why would I choose them. They are all friendly and 'good people,' but I believe they are all lost. Only a few go to a church."
___Many student missionaries said they faced amazing opportunities regardless of their locations or circumstances.
___A pair of students worked at the Seaman's Center in Freeport handing out Christian literature and videos as well as assisting the sailors with on-shore transportation. They greeted four or five boats a day, allowing them to minister to more than 100 people daily.
___"The Holy Spirit has completely taken over," wrote Preston Amend, a Stephen F. Austin University student. "Nothing we can do is stopping it. Jesus is claiming his glory day after day after day. The men have become so open. They are coming to us."
___Amend's partner, David Forshee, echoed this sentiment.
___"I have seen Christ opening doors to make it possible for Preston and me to share God's truth," said Forshee, a Baylor University student. "These men would usually not even allow us to talk about Jesus, but the men have been the ones to ask the questions, and then God speaks through us."
___The ministry opportunities were not limited to the docks, Amend said, as he began to minister to people around him through the day. At a local gym one day, he began to talk with a man sitting outside on the curb. "God sent you here to talk with me today," the man said.
___North of Freeport, another duo worked at the Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock, leading groups of youth at summer camps. The missionaries were able to share their faith and counsel the youth.
___"My ministry is to be a Christian role model for the kids," explained Bonny Sarvis, a University of North Texas student. "This is great. The kids get to see, through me, that Christians aren't stuffy and uptight."
___Student missionaries described their time on the field as joyful, yet not without challenges. Forshee reported he saw the many spiritual needs of the men at the Seaman's Center but knew God would provide for them.
___"They say this is a 'seed planting' ministry, which concerns me because I think in their minds that's all they expect from God, so in a way they limit him," he said. "But for myself, I try to just let God do the impossible."
___On another occasion, Forshee said, God provided in a more physical manner. A man asked him for a Spanish Bible. Forshee looked through several boxes but could not find the Bible. He said a quick prayer, and the next box he opened had a Spanish Bible lying on top of it.
___The students formed personal relationships with the people around them and through those relationships were able to better the future.
___"While at camp, I was able to counsel two girls who were wanting to rededicate their lives," Sarvis wrote. "One girl was from my cabin, and we had a real long discussion, and I was really touched by her. If she stays on track, God can really use her life."

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