When Bryan Lenartz decided to attend Maranatha Baptist Bible College, his parents told him that besides a little money, insurance, and some snacks, he would be responsible for the bulk of the college bill. Determined to get a Christian education, Bryan knew he would need ongoing faith to get his bills paid. In addition to working every semester, Bryan, now a junior, has seen the Lord provide in amazing, faith-building ways. Consider his testimony:
How has the Lord provided for you in college?
The Lord has always provided me with jobs, but sometimes, the Lord provides something extra—although it is usually absolutely last second. For example, last year during winter break, I needed $2,900, and I had a personal conviction not to take out any loans. During that time I read a book by George Mueller and, based on his life, decided not to tell anyone but the Lord about my financial need. By the end of that break, I had exactly $2,900 from anonymous givers.
I started praying that the Lord would do the same thing the next semester. I traveled on an evangelistic team for the summer, and it didn’t pay much. I worked as much as I could, but three days before school started, I was still about $3,000 short. I got a call from one of my friends who told me, "Hey, I heard someone put $1,000 on your bill." And I remember thinking, I know I need $2,000 more, but if the Lord has done this, "Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it." By the end of the week, the other $2,000 came in through anonymous gifts.
One time the Lord provided in a funny way: I needed $1,000 for a payment, and a girl ran into my car when it was parked. I could still drive my car, so the insurance money went to my school bill—paying it off exactly. Now whenever people ask about my dented car, I can share a testimony with them!
The Lord really has answered your prayers!
Yes, this spring semester was the most amazing of all. I prayed again that God would provide last second. I came in on the day of registration to see whether the Lord had put any money on my bill, but there wasn’t anything; in fact, I was about $900 short.
I called my mom and said, "Mom, I want to let you know I don’t have any of the money, but I think the Lord wants me at Maranatha. What do you think I should do?" My mom said, "Bryan, don’t listen to me. If you had listened to me, you’d be in debt right now from taking out loans. Keep doing what you’re doing. Keep trusting in what you’re trusting. God’s going to provide for you." I went to talk to my dorm sup, and we were thinking of ways I could get the money, when his phone rang. The deans’ office was calling him to let me know that someone had put $500 on my bill. The Lord was providing last minute again! I went back and paid the money I did have—about $300—and it turned out I was $49 short. One of my best friends from South Carolina was visiting and lent me $29, and I dug in my pockets for a $10 bill and some crinkled-up dollar bills, which made it come out to $1 short. When I was getting out of the car earlier, I had grabbed some quarters and said, "I’m going to need these quarters to go back to school." I put all my money on the table and ended up having 15 cents left in my pocket.
These stories break my mom’s heart. She can’t understand why people would give that much money to me to go to Bible college, but she gets to see what the Lord’s done. I keep track of every time the Lord provides for me, and in the last three semesters, the amount I’ve received (not including the money I work for) is up to $12,850, over half of which is through anonymous people.
Which verse in the Bible is most important to you?
My life verses are Psalm 40:2-3: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." God took me out of where I was and put me on a rock. And although I tried to get off that rock sometimes, or I fell, the Lord has always kept me there. He really has put a new song in my mouth, and I believe the Lord’s work in my life is a testimony of His love and provision.