Part 1: Meet Kyla Deitz, University of Saskatchewan
P2C Blog: Kyla, tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying? How did you get involved with P2C-Students?
Kyla: My name is Kyla Deitz and I’m currently studying civil engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. I’m in third year. I came to Saskatoon straight out of high school, but grew up in the small city of Estevan.
My interest in engineering started when I went on a missions trip to Guatemala in 2012, saw the need for better infrastructure, and knew that God was calling me to do something about it. Someday I hope to be able to use engineering for missions, whether that’s returning to third-world countries to do humanitarian-engineering work, or being a missionary within whatever work projects I am a part of in Canada.
When I’m not overwhelmed with school work (which isn’t as often as I would like), I love spending time with friends and being able to go through life with them.
New place, new identity, new friends
Growing up in a smaller city, I was used to most people either knowing me or knowing of me. Coming to Saskatoon was my opportunity to continue building my identity, and to find who I am beyond what people already think of me. I was raised in a Christian home, and had identified that as my own personal faith for a long time, so I knew I needed to find a church when I moved to Saskatoon. I quickly got involved in a church and spent my first year of university actively serving but only half-heartedly learning. It wasn’t until my second year of university that I became involved in Power to Change.
I was shocked to see that there were other Christians living out their faith on campus!
Feeling that I was still lacking Christian community, at September Orientation 2013 I agreed to fill out a Cravings survey and meet for follow up. The first Friday of the semester I met with Brittany and Robyn. I had originally just wanted more information, but with that information came an invitation—so I went with them to the first Weekly Meeting. While there, I was shocked to see that there were other Christians living out their faith on campus! I was hooked.
A radical realization about those who don’t know Jesus
P2C Blog: Since becoming involved with P2C-Students, how has your attitude or perspective changed concerning those who do not yet know Jesus?
It’s heartbreaking for me to know that people are missing out on having a personal relationship with God. To know they don’t have someone to put their identity in, nor somewhere to find answers or take refuge.
Kyla: I was raised with the philosophy: “live your life in a way that people know something is different, but let them come ask you about it”. With that view I had occasionally tried to bring up my relationship with Jesus in conversation, but it never really seemed to be as much of a priority as long as I was still being loving towards people.
Involvement with Power to Change hit me with the radical realization of how important initiative evangelism is. I now have a sense of compassion for people who don’t know Jesus personally. It’s heartbreaking for me to know that people are missing out on having a personal relationship with God. To know they don’t have someone to put their identity in, nor somewhere to find answers or take refuge.
Something that has really motivated me is Romans 10:13-15. This shows the flaw in my former thinking.
“For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
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!’”
How can someone ask about something that they don’t even know they’re missing? I believe that the Great Commission is still, today, an invitation for us to be involved in sharing God’s love, so we are called to be the ones going forward and preaching in order that people can hear of, believe in, and call upon God.
So much more to come…
P2C Blog: Thank you Kyla!
Stay tuned for part 2 of this interview when we talk to Kyla about her experiences sharing Jesus with her friends and classmates at the University of Saskatchewan. You’ll be encouraged, inspired and equipped, we promise!
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