S3 Stories of Strength

How I went from a picnic table seat at a S3 Send-Off Party to a seat at the S3 Boardroom Table.

Growing up in a wonderful family, church was a big part of my life and we spent every Sunday and Wednesday night there. However, I remember a pivotal moment in my walk with Christ, and that was when I attended my first Students Standing Strong (S3) get-together at the end of my 5th grade year. In fact, it was the inaugural S3 event, then called “The 5th Grade Big Send-Off Party.” I still remember the excitement and sense of belonging I felt with my classmates that day. It was the start of a journey that would profoundly shape my faith.

From that point on, the weekly Bible studies became a foundation for my spiritual growth. Through the teachings, I gained a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how to apply it in my daily life. The large group gatherings were equally impactful, bringing together students united in worship and fellowship, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in my faith.

One of the most transformative aspects of my journey with S3 was the opportunity it gave me to step into a leadership role. Leading meetings not only helped me grow in confidence and accountability but also allowed me to pour into others. Watching those in attendance grow in their relationship with Christ was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I continued leading and serving in S3 through my senior year of high school. This routine of doing something “different” was the foundation that led me to be the man, husband and community leader that I’m called to be today. In 2 Corinthians 1:4 we are reminded to share with others the love that Christ gave us. Therefore I am excited to still see S3 moving in the lives of students and parents nationwide and I am humbled to be serving on the Board of Directors for this organization that so profoundly affected the trajectory of my life. 

Through every event, study, and gathering, S3 gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to develop a stronger, more personal relationship with Christ. It has been an incredible blessing, and I’m so thankful for the community and mission of Students Standing Strong.

Beau Jacobson

“The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 (NASB)

The prophet Jeremiah writes about God’s mercies being new every morning. It means that God’s love and compassion for His people are constant and never-ending, and that He gives them fresh blessings and grace every day. God’s mercies are not based on our performance, but on His goodness and faithfulness.

This is good news because life is FULL of struggle!  So full of change! We look around and wonder why the road on which we journey seems to be filled with more unexpected turns, bumps and ditches than those traveling around us. In our ponderings, we question the onslaught of our difficulties and disappointments and like Job, of Old Testament days who was called a friend of God, we ask “Why? Is it because of the sin of my youth?” Perhaps we even question God’s goodness because we have sought to obey and love Him with not only our lips but with our life and still we feel pressed down under the heaviness of hurt.

The path of life was difficult for many heroes of the faith. Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years with the grumbling Israelites and was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Joseph was sold off by his brothers, sent to a foreign land and was in prison for over 10 years for crimes he did not commit. Paul, the evangelist whose Spirit-inspired letters comprise much of the New Testament, was beaten, stoned, imprisoned, and shipwrecked multiple times. Even our Lord and Savior Jesus never did anything that displeased his Father and yet even His life could be defined as a road of suffering. 

Since my youth, although a sinner, my highest priority and purpose has been to learn, live and lead the truth… the only Truth.  But my journey is not without scars. 

An unburdened path, free from anxiety, physical pain and piercing heartache is at the core of our longing. A highway that’s smooth, straight and hazard free, at least for longer stretches of time, is our hope.  But that has not always been my experience.  Although my life is defined by incredible joys and even many happinesses, it’s been tempered at times with sadnesses that have caused me to desire heaven before my earthly travels and calling are complete.  I’m often road weary. 

But I can still celebrate because it’s then, in the struggle, I have not only come to know myself,  but  have experienced the intimate love of God.  And no matter what struggles you may be facing right now, this is my hope for you – that you can know and experience God’s great love for you and that you know that God is merciful and is faithful to walk right beside you. 

Terry Ann Kelly
President and Founder of Students Standing Strong

Hello! I’m Tracy McCrea (I’m on the left in the picture with my two sisters, Julie and Terry Ann). I love S3, and not just because it was founded by my sister, Terry Ann Kelly! I have been married for 37 years to my husband Michael and we have five grown children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren. Michael and I named our property in Vanderpool, Texas “Shamar,” after the Hebrew word which means “to watch, guard, preserve.” Our desire is to preserve the land, and more importantly, guard our hearts. I enjoy painting as a way to express and share God’s faithfulness, beauty, provision and deep love for His children. When I’m not busy painting, I help Michael grow trees and vegetables. 

 Last year, my sister Terry Ann asked me to create a painting for the 2023 S3 fundraiser. She told me the theme for the event was “Be the Light”. I was visiting with my son Campbell about the vision for this painting and he said, “Mom, you should paint a moon! The moon reflects the sun!” WOW. I knew this was from the Lord. 

The moon, just like us, has no light of its own. We both were created to REFLECT light! The moon reflects the sun and we reflect THE SON. This is the only way we can “Be a Light” — a light to those living in darkness.

 2 Corinthians 3:18a says, “and we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image.” (NKJV)

 We reflect Him!

 We will ONLY reflect the Son– and light paths for those who are lost, searching and desperate– if we truly know Him and He knows us! The more time we spend in His presence, the more we will reflect His likeness.

Go and “Be the Light”.

Tracy

Connecting Students at school to Learn, Live and Lead Biblical Truth through student-led clubs.

The S3 mission and vision appeals to me, in part, because of my own faith journey as a student. In my small town, I often felt alone in my faith walk. There were a few other Christians at my school, but they seemed to lack commitment to their faith. I was verbally put down with names such as preacher, holy roller, and Bible thumper. I knelt alone at the flagpole the day of the first See You at the Pole. As a senior, a few others did join me in the gymnasium for prayer – I had to fight for our right to meet there.

 After college as lay leaders, my wife and I helped start community groups at our local church.  We understood the need for others to feel connected within the Christian community. I see that same value in S3’s desire to create community for students through on-campus clubs.

One of my favorite Bible verses is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This Scripture inspires me to love the Word of God and use its wisdom in everything I do.

The S3 lessons allow students to strengthen their foundation on God’s Word, while growing in their faith and leadership skills. The clubs help form connections and unity with other Christians at school who may be from different churches and denominations.

It reminds me of Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

I want to see Students Standing Clubs grow across the nation to connect more students and help them stand strong in their faith, and not feel alone.

Jason Reynolds

My journey with prayer began as a small child. The first prayer I ever prayed is actually recorded in my baby book: ”Dear Lord, we do not say, ‘shut up’.” Despite being a bit short and rules focused, it was the beginning of my story with God to learn about prayer. 

Today I am a mom of two school-aged kiddos. Over the years I have asked God for wisdom, patience, peace, healing, forgiveness–and even sanity–as I have learned to care for them. I noticed my prayers changing as they started school and left the protection of my home each day. About three years ago, I began to feel the Holy Spirit stir in me a desire to reach out to other moms with these same concerns and join with them in prayer. 

I remembered that my mom was part of Moms in Touch back when I was in school. After a quick internet search (thank you, Google) I found out Moms in Touch is now called Moms in Prayer International™. Although our school district did not have an active group at the time, the Lord led me to some wonderful Christian moms and we started a Moms in Prayer group for our school district. The heart of Moms in Prayer International is to see every child and every school prayed for. My faith has been strengthened as I gather weekly with other moms to cover our schools and community with prayer. It has shown me the power of prayer. 

A little over a year ago, I started working for Students Standing Strong (S3) and noticed a clear connection between the ministries. S3’s mission is to connect students on their school campus to learn, live and lead Biblical truth. As Moms in Prayer connects women to join together in prayer, S3 connects students on their school campus to help them stand strong in their faith. I believe as Christians we need a Christian community to strengthen our relationship with Jesus and keep us connected to Him. 

Recently, I spoke to a high school student who felt God nudging him to start an S3 club. He shared with his youth group friends his desire to start a club, but was discouraged because he didn’t know any other Christians at his school. So, he decided to pray. He prayed and asked God to show him other Christians on his campus. The very next day in his homeroom class he saw a student sit down next to him and get out a Bible to read. God answered his prayer for a Christian community!  

 Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We serve a personal God who longs for us to abide with Him in prayer.  He also desires for us to be in community with other believers “sharpening” each other as we live out our faith and giving us brothers and sisters in Christ to pray with.  

-Amber

For more information on Moms in Prayer International™ or Students Standing Strong please visit:

Moms in Prayer International

Students Standing Strong