Podcast Episode 10 with Jenifer Pepling

The transcript is of an episode from the podcast Bibles and Bullhorns. Hosts Jonathan Morris and Jon Neifert interview Jenifer Pepling, a campus evangelist from Pittsburgh affiliated with the Christian Collegian Network (CCN).

Key Points:

Introduction and Humor: The episode begins with light-hearted banter and a humorous reference to a Calvin and Hobbes comic, setting a casual tone.

Jenifer’s Evangelism Journey: Jenifer shares her path to campus evangelism, starting with outreach at public events and eventually focusing on universities. She emphasizes the importance of consistency and building relationships with students over time.

Campus Evangelism Approach:

• Jenifer speaks to students weekly, aiming to build rapport and offer consistent, gospel-centered conversations.
• She highlights using friendly gestures, such as distributing candy with gospel tracts, to make connections.
• She uses creative questions and signs to engage students in spiritual discussions, ensuring her approach is caring and non-confrontational.

Challenges and Observations:

• While some students resist or avoid gospel conversations, many are surprisingly receptive.
• Jenifer discusses societal changes, like the rise in atheism and Marxist ideologies among students, but notes the importance of a loving and empathetic approach to counter resistance.

Discipleship and Fellowship:

• She stresses the significance of follow-up, including Bible studies and personal discipleship, to nurture faith in those she engages with.
• Jenifer encourages building community and fellowship among evangelists to sustain motivation and spiritual growth.

Creative Initiatives:

• Jenifer organizes kids’ clubs during free lunch programs in Pennsylvania, combining games, crafts, and Bible lessons to share the gospel with children.
• She underscores the transformative impact of these efforts, recalling heartwarming stories of children embracing the Bible.

Motivation and Impact:

• Jenifer urges evangelists to focus on glorifying God and genuinely caring for others.
• She emphasizes the importance of joy, love, and a servant-leadership mindset in sharing the gospel effectively.

Encouragement for Evangelists:

• Jenifer provides practical advice for those hesitant to start evangelizing, suggesting simple steps like handing out tracts or starting conversations with basic questions.
• She advocates for consistent effort and trust in God’s providence to open opportunities for sharing faith.

The hosts thank Jenifer for her insights and humor, particularly her contagious laughter, which added a unique charm to the episode.

Jenifer can be found at her blog, Gospel Pep Talks, and at changeyourcampus.com. The hosts conclude by encouraging listeners to actively share the gospel.