Drew Grunauer

Robert Morris University 2013, actuarial science major

“I came to college to get a degree, to get a job, to make lots of money, to have lots of things,” says Andrew Grunauer, a sophomore at Robert Morris University. “That made sense to me. I did not want to build relationships and make lifelong friends; I certainly did not come to college to grow closer to Christ. I came here to succeed.”

“When I first met Drew, he was 100% focused on achievement,” says Lizz Heimann, CCO staff worker at Robert Morris. “Drew’s transformation over the last year has been amazing.”

This transformation began when Drew met CCO staff member Randon Willard at an ice cream social at the beginning of his freshman year. He started showing up for various ministry opportunities when he had time, but his desire to chase “the American Dream” trumped all other activities. Over time, and through persistent invitations and challenges from Randon, Lizz and other students, Drew’s involvement deepened. Bit by bit, Drew began surrendering his life to Christ.

”The CCO’s ministry changed the way I look at life and how I choose to walk through it,” Drew says. “I found people in the CCO that were willing to sacrifice parts of their life to help me find Christ. God reached out to me through his community of believers, and softened my selfish ambition. He sent mentors, like Randon Willard and Lizz Heimann, that showed me God’s love, and shared with me what it means to be in community. They drew me into their CCO community with genuine, Christ-centered relationship, and in that community, I found belonging, contentment, joy, and above all, I found Christ. Their example has developed in me a love and passion for Christ, and I want to share that with others.”

The Jubilee conference also made a huge impact on Andrew. “At Jubilee, I gained a greater understanding of my role in God’s creation, and found encouragement to give up the excuses that prevent me from doing God’s work,” Drew says. He names Jubilee as one of many events that God has used to transform his life.

“The community I found at CCO walked beside me as I learned more and more about what it means to be a Christian and I learned how to overcome desires that distract me from my new first priority, God,” he says. “The relationships that I found in the CCO have helped form who I am today, and these peers and mentors continue to walk beside me as we learn about being true Christians together.”

“I’ve seen Drew go from being so intense about getting ahead to this place of amazing freedom and compassion,” says Lizz. “He has gone from living for the American Dream to living for God’s glory. And obviously he’s not doing this perfectly and he’s still learning and growing, but I’m so very proud of him. Most of all I’m so grateful that God allowed me a front row seat to watch Him working this amazing transformation in Drew.”