Hi, my name is Deja :)
I first encountered the presence of Jesus during a church summer camp at 10 years old and soon made the choice to be baptized at 12 years old. At the time I believed Jesus died for me and and saved me but I still didn’t fully grasp His love for me. As I entered my teen years and even more so into college I searched desperately through the world for love only to be left broken and alone time and time again. Then one summer, at 20 years old when I hit my personal rock bottom, in my tiny studio apartment I cried out the most simple yet strongest prayer I’ve ever prayed, “Jesus, help me”. In that period of pure weakness, Jesus met me there. The Holy Spirit filled me and gave me a thirst for righteousness and the Word of God that I never had before. That entire summer, when I wasn’t working, I was reading my Bible and nothing else. It was in this secret place I came to truly know Jesus’ love, His power to save me, not just for eternal sake but to save me from my sin, to restore my soul and give me a peace that makes absolutely no sense. I was the prodigal who returned home, and I knew that my life would never be the same. At this point, I had experienced life without Jesus, and I knew I was never going back, He would always be Lord of my entire life.
Over the following year, through many radically life changing encounters with the Holy Spirit I knew the Lord was calling me to evangelize to my generation, specifically on college campuses but I had no clue how. Through many slow and steady moments of confirmation, I finally I knew where He wanted me to do this.
Many beautiful moments later, God has now provided me with an upcoming opportunity to serve as a missionary to HBCU campuses with YWAM Circuit Riders through the Black Voices Movement ministry as I will be attending their 6-month Discipleship Training school this fall!
I'm currently a 4th-year psychology student at The Ohio State University. Following graduation, I will be a part of this program during my gap year before attending Grad School for School Psychology in the fall of 2025. I have a passion for Jesus, leadership, positively impacting the black community, and such a heavy burden for the lost. This why I'm excited to be a part of this ministry as a messenger, sharing the Gospel to college kids across the country. With all that said, I am humbly asking for you to help support me in this opportunity financially.
“And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:15
The funds will be used in three categories:
• The first portion is $4,200, to pay for my housing and lecture fees in Huntington Beach, CA from October 1-December 15th.
• The last portion is $5,000-$6,000, the recommended amount of money I should set aside for personal funds - Flights,Food, Gas, personal care, etc throughout the six months of school and outreach.
Any donation would be greatly appreciated beyond measure, God bless all you are doing and your prayerful considerations!
- Deja