The Life-Giving Word of God

“I learned the importance of reading God's word to understand what Christ has done and how to walk in that daily, it's an active practice, that is what changed.” This is a quote from Justin Martin, a Pusch Ridge Christian Academy alum, reflecting back on his life and what he has gleaned from it thus far.

Justin Martin spent his high school years at PRCA, graduating in 2006. He is extremely grateful for the time he spent there, all that he learned but most importantly the support system that he built. The teachers were always available for additional help and sacrificed daily to help their students succeed academically and in their relationship with God. They modeled what an authentic faith looked like and created a safe environment for their students to grow and express their faith. The friendships that Justin made at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy were special and incredibly strong; so strong in fact he still keeps in contact with high school friends and teachers to this day.

After high school, Justin attended the University of Arizona to study business but when he got there he states, “ I became complacent.” Because of the strong friendships he had made through PRCA, he found it difficult to branch out at the University of Arizona and get connected to build community there.

This all changed, however, when during the summer between his junior and senior years, Justin traveled to visit his younger brother who was at a Bible school called Bodenseehof in Germany. Justin saw the depth of relationships between the people there and instantly became jealous. Because of this, he delayed going back to school in the fall and instead decided to enroll at this Bible school.   
  

Going to a Christian high school Justin had studied the Bible quite a bit and knew what he believed. However, it was at this Bible school in Germany where diving into the scriptures he began to understand how important it is to take control over your own faith and make it a priority to study God’s word daily. This is where his relationship with God really changed.

Together with the formative instruction he was receiving in the Bible, Justin also built more strong relationships with fellow believers just like his brother did. His new friends were from all around the world and it was through his experience in Germany that Justin says he realized how incredibly big Jesus’ impact is on the whole world. Because of the wonderful experience at Bodenseehof, Justin remained there for two additional years as a Resident’s Assistant before returning to the University of Arizona to finish his degree.

After graduating from college, Justin married his wife and began working for his dad’s company. Three years ago he moved to his current job of selling electrical equipment. He now has an 8-month-old daughter and is settling into becoming a dad.  Looking back the speed at which life goes by is surprising to him.

Though he has no regrets, Justin would tell someone younger to be adventurous and take the opportunities that God gives to you and trust his plan, because looking back he can see that God took care of him and his family. “God gives you exactly what you can handle and he will not let any struggle overwhelm you. As it says in Isaiah 43: ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.’ Go out there and get involved in life, be vulnerable, and let God’s life-giving word guide and direct you. Actively read it to understand God’s sacrifice for you and the ways he is calling you to follow after him.”