A Testimony of God's Grace

At the 2012 Founder′s Day Dinner, Micah Yarger '12 reflected on his experience at Geneva. Here is some of what he shared.

"He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." 2 Samuel 22

Although I was brought up in a good Christian home with good Christian parents, somewhere along the line, I wandered far from God during my time in high school. By fall of my senior year of high school, I had already decided to go to Geneva.  Although I wasn't yet sorry for my sin, I chose Geneva because I thought, "Well, maybe this will balance out and keep me from going totally off the deep end of sin." But the summer before college, a deep, pungent conviction laid hold of my heart. For several months, I was simply devastated and depressed over the sin in my life.

I had a lot of questions about salvation and how real the whole thing was—if someone as hypocritical as me could still be saved. One day, my sister, who was a Geneva student at the time, said, "I think you need to talk to one of my professors. He is one of the smartest men in the world. I think he can maybe help you through this. His name is Dr. Byron Curtis." He took the time to talk to a distressed prospective student, explained some verses that were troubling me and explained God′s grace. That conversation helped me to climb out of my depression and into the confidence of the cross.

My parents were concerned about letting me go several hours away to college in such a fragile state.  But from the day I set foot on campus as a freshman, I knew I was going to be okay.  Just like in 2 Samuel 22, God had fought away my foes and had brought me to a “spacious place.”

Geneva was my spacious place. I met my discipleship coordinator (who is now a groomsman in my upcoming wedding). I also received the best mentors in my life in my professors. And I met the woman I′ll be marrying. Within two months, I became the class president and freshman homecoming prince.

I′d never stepped into a community and felt so wonderfully accepted and encouraged. Since coming to Geneva, I′ve also served as a discipleship coordinator, public relations intern, rugby player, writer for The Cabinet and Bible study leader.

Geneva has shown me grace. I don′t know where I would have been if I would have walked on to a state school campus that fall. Geneva came at just the right time. And now I′m graduating, getting married, starting a career—and I truly feel ready to face the challenges life is going to bring.

I couldn′t be more thankful for this community of people. And for that, I thank all of you here, who have made a way for these folks at Geneva to make an eternal difference in my life.

Noteworthy Alumni Event:

• Class of 2011 Gathering - May 11, 2012

Save The Date:

• Homecoming 2012 – Saturday, Oct 20
• Family Weekend 2012 – Friday and Saturday, Nov 9 - 10