BOLIVAR, MO—The Campus Ministry and Discipleship department of Southwest Baptist University isn’t just ministering to students; they’re ministering through students. That hasn’t happened by accident but as an outflow of the school’s D-Groups ministry, which included 65 students in 14 separate groups this past semester.
Stedman Valentine, Campus Pastor and Director of Discipleship, says these groups are “the primary, but not only, way we help our students connect all of reality to the Triune God of the Universe according to His Word for their joy, others’ good, and God’s glory.”
As students have participated in D-Groups, they’ve been challenged to grow, stretched to lead, and empowered to share their faith on campus and beyond. Since November, they’ve shared the gospel 712 times and seen 12 people saved, including both students and locals in the community. “Our plan is to reach students and the local community with the gospel through students who have been equipped to serve and ready to lead,” says Valentine.
Below are a handful of select, condensed student testimonies collected from participants in the D-Group ministry this year. You can read the full 13,000 word document of all student testimonies here.
Valentine says that in these testimonies,
“You will see shared language, shared experiences, and shared love for Jesus as we try to emulate Him in all His ways and build a culture that glorifies Him. You will see a shared sense of depravity in multiple areas but also a shared sense of victory we have in Christ since He has rescued us from the penalty of our sins and is rescuing us from the power of our sins. And by God’s grace, you will see students compelled to share their faith with others so that they may come to know Jesus as LORD and Savior also.”
SBU Student Testimonies
D groups is the first time I have ever shared my entire story. It was very scary but very freeing. My D group hated my sin well but did not hate me for my struggle…They still loved me, walked with me, and did life with me … The Lord showed me I am not defined by my struggles but by His sacrifice and that is what makes me worthy of anything. My D group embodied that truth well.
—Anonymous
Before D-groups I struggled to share the gospel, but being in D-groups really encourages you to share the gospel in every way that you can… By the grace and will of God, I got to lead my first person to Christ while being in D-groups as well. This was such an awesome experience and has given me a desire to share how my life has been changed since coming to Christ. Thankfully, God has let me lead another person to accept Christ since then. Without D-groups, there is a good chance that I would have never been able to have these conversations. Souls are being won to the Kingdom of God because of how He has used us at SBU through D-groups.
—Jacob Gaskins, So. Nursing Major
D-groups set the standard to expect great things from our God, especially as we pursue the Biblical principles of Pursuing Relationally, Living Authentically, Admonishing Faithfully, Counselling Biblically, Engaging Missionally, and Devoting Daily. He does not disappoint for I have grown to know and love Him more.
—Rachel Francis, Sr. Economics and Finance Major
While I haven’t been in my D-group for very long, I have been impacted positively and am very grateful for this opportunity. Each aspect of D-groups; from the training to weekly readings, meetings, scripture memorization, accountability, and D-group-wide events, has been an encouragement to me.
—Chaya Mauk, Sr. Elementary Education Major
Before D-groups, I did not go out of my way to share the gospel with others or to even talk about Jesus. My D-group leader took me to Walmart and showed me how she goes and prays for people. I started doing that often with other members in my D-group … Sharing the gospel with others is the most important thing we can do for them, so being able to grow in that and experience it has by far been the most life changing part of D-groups.
—Ella Ryan, Jr. Business Management Major
Throughout my two years being in D-groups…I became consistent in my Bible reading and Scripture memorization … My knowledge of the Bible has grown immensely. Because of the Scripture I’ve been reading and memorizing, it’s helped me fight off sin and changed how I interact with situations in life and points me towards Christ rather than handling things the way I would on my own.
—Alex Crawford, So. Exercise Science (Pre-PT) Major/Men’s Tennis
D-groups has given me an offensive weapon against the enemy because I know that my group will pray and lift me up after a single text message or conversation… I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to be in D-groups and how much it has changed my daily walk with the Lord.
—Brice Knoll, Sr. Art Education Major
D-groups have helped me become bolder when it comes to sharing the Gospel. I help with Mid-Week at FBC Bolivar and a few weeks ago we had done some door-to-door evangelism and though I was still nervous (mostly because I was helping leading kids in this) I knew multiple ways to be able to share the Gospel with people and help the kids as they were trying to share as well! That day my group of 5 was able to share with 10 people!
—Naveah Drake, Fr. Youth Ministry Major/Cheerleading
The person I am today is not the same person who transferred to SBU in the fall of 2022. Over the course of the last 2 years, the Lord has had me on such an incredible journey of growth and sanctification, and a huge portion of that is because of my time in D-groups.
—Katelyn Middleton, SBU Fall ’23 Graduate, Psychology Major/SBU Employee
Through D-groups, I have fallen more in love with Christ and His word and have been encouraged to share my faith with others. Joining D-groups is one of the best decisions I have made during my freshman year, and I wouldn’t take it back for anything.
—Andrea Shuford, Fr. Organizational and Strategic Communications and Spanish Double Major
Joining D-Groups at Southwest Baptist University ranks among one of the best decisions of my life. This decision is obviously behind accepting Jesus as my personal Savior and other major life decisions, but I have never seen my faith grow in such a substantial way since joining the group.
—Bryce Jennings, Fr. Psychology Major
D-groups have allowed me to develop habits that have never really consistently stayed with me in my walk with the Lord. I am now reading my Bible every day … D-Groups have also allowed me to break out of my shell in several ways. Because my group pushed me, I have shared the Gospel more times than I have ever in my life…I also broke out of my shell by telling people sin struggles… Overall, D Groups has greatly grown my walk with the Lord and has helped me develop good habits and grow closer to other believers.
—Olivia Heineman, So. Business Management Major
Through D-Groups I now have a support system I can call on if I find myself in need, and I am able to support the other group members with prayer and encouragement. During these last two semesters in D-Groups, I have made progress in my walk with Christ that I don’t think would have been possible otherwise, and I am continually thankful that I had the opportunity to take part.
—Jesse Phipps, Sr. Computer Science and Math Major
I have decided to narrow it down to one main change that D-Groups has made in my life, and it comes down to the word bold. Being surrounded by people through D-Groups who want to know God more and want others to know Him more has made me bolder in those things. I am now bolder in confessing sin, speaking the truth, handling conflict, and sharing the Gospel with everyone and anyone.
—Paike McNeil, Sr. Elementary and Middle School Math Education Major
I was extremely shy with my faith prior to D groups and now I am willing and ready to share the gospel with anyone and everyone. Along with that I lead a core group for 7th grade boys at First Baptist Church Bolivar and D group has equipped me with the skills and knowledge on how to lead a group like that.
—Cael McCullah, Fr. Biology Education/Marching Band
With my time in D-groups, I had the privilege to lead multiple people to Christ alongside my brothers in Christ. With each step I take, I am driven by a fervent desire to live out His teachings and share His message of love, grace, and redemption with the world.
—Colby Miller, Fr. Ministry Major and Business Minor/Chapel Band
