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Leah Farr

farr_l.jpg“I attended the Jubilee conference for the first time as I was finishing schooling to be a journalist,” says Leah Farr. “This was one of the first times that I had heard that it was okay to pursue a career outside of the Christian community. In fact, I learned that as a Christian, I could be a voice and influence the world of a stereotypically liberal media. I remembered this calling to live out my faith in a faithless world many times during staff meetings at my first job, as I pitched stories of faith-based lives, or those with a positive message. I brought a perspective of faith to the newsroom.

“Though it wasn’t always understood, I was often surprised by the positive response I got from my peers and readers. The best way to love our neighbor and bring the lost to Christ is to live, work and play among them. Jubilee taught me practical ways to ‘put my lamp high on a mountaintop,’ and the CCO gave me the foundation to keep that lamp burning brightly.”

Leah graduated with her journalism degree from Shippensburg University in 2004. After her most recent position as an associate editor for a medical publishing company, she has recently returned to the Harrisburg area to prepare for her 2009 wedding. She is currently serving as Editor for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, and pursuing freelance writing and reporting opportunities. And she is grateful to the CCO for helping to prepare her to live her Christian faith out in the workplace and everywhere else.

“I chose Shippensburg University because of its highly active Christian Fellowship group,” remembers Leah. “Attending a Christian college was not an option for me financially, but I wanted a school that would still have a strong community of believers who would be my foundation during my time away from home and my church. It was amazing to see more than 150 young believers spending their night worshiping together on a secular campus, receiving good biblical teaching, and focusing on living out their faith in practical ways. Meeting like-minded students at the beginning of my college experience helped to form the relationships that would develop into deep, meaningful friendships.”

Leah began to meet regularly with CCO staff worker Mike O’Brien during the last two years of her college experience. “This was by far the most faith-challenging relationship I have ever experienced. For several years in school, I encountered a health crisis that affected my faith. I also faced the pressure of school, balancing jobs, and several broken relationships. I felt like I was at a crux in my life, reevaluating everything I thought I knew about myself, the world and God.

“Thankfully, by His faithfulness, God revealed Himself over and over in the people He strategically brought into my life during each crisis and trial. The most consistent of those people was Mike. He became a trusted guide, and eventually a friend. His investment in my life during this difficult time was an answer to prayer. And as I walked out the other side, Mike encouraged me to use my experience and the truth God had revealed to me to mentor and encourage others. Not only did I walk through this crisis, I was able to stand on the other side stronger in my faith and more equipped to minister to others.”

As Leah prepares for her wedding and adjusts to the responsibilities of a new job, she continues to be grateful for the experiences and friendships she built during her years at Shippensburg.

“There was not much of my college experience that wasn’t shaped by my faith,” she says. “From the friends I chose, to the ways I spent my time, to how I interacted with my peers and professors—being a Christian was central. That core value system was upheld and reinforced by the investments of Shippensburg’s CCO staff. Who I am today is a direct correlation to my college experience.”