Dwight K. Nelson

She's an international student here at Andrews. And when I met her, she was on a mission! And I don't mean a Christian or Adventist mission either, since she made it clear that she was somewhere between an atheist and an agnostic. She was in my Pioneer office on a class assignment-interview a religious leader and discuss the world view of that faith community.

And though English is a new second language for her, her questions and her give-and-take were lucid and penetrating, as we explored the biblical premise for a loving God. Near the end of the interview I suggested she read through the life of Jesus Christ in the four gospels. Could it be that you're not here by accident, that this God of love directed your steps to this campus? She didn't answer.

A few weeks later her Andrews professor dashed me an email. Aware I'd met her, he shared his sense that the Spirit of Christ might be opening this young adult's heart to the Eternal. Would I please join him in praying for her?

A few days later, there was a knock at my office door. She had come back to report on her research, and that she had in fact read all four gospels through. And now, she asked, how do I pray?

Trying not to look surprised, I asked her why the change of heart. Her reply: "The Christians here at this university have been so friendly and warm . . . I want to become like them."

Her faculty and classmates have proved true Jesus' words on the eve of his death: "'By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another'" (John 13:35).

It took an agnostic student to remind me that loving each other as Christ has loved us may be the most potent and effective strategy there is for fulfilling Andrews' divine mission.

Who else on this campus does God need you to love to Him today?