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Lessons Learned

ORU alumnus knows that God provides

By Lacey Clay

Click Photo to Enlarge
With God's help and a persevering spirit, De Lascurain is taking the message of hope to Hispanic youth.
With God's help and a persevering spirit, De Lascurain is taking the message of hope to Hispanic youth.
Click Photo to Enlarge
De Lascurian came to ORU with a call from God and only $50 in his pocket.
De Lascurian came to ORU with a call from God and only $50 in his pocket.
Juan De Lascurain (Class of 1994) is practicing what he learned at Oral Roberts University. In chapel, classes, and through experience, De Lascurain was taught to believe in God to provide for his needs. And that's exactly what he is doing.

De Lascurain came to ORU because he felt God calling him here. He came with a heart for God, $50, and a limited English vocabulary. He said that each time tuition was due, he had to believe that God would provide the finances. De Lascurain excelled in varsity tennis and track and graduated in 1994 with a degree in international business. Obviously, God provided.

Today, De Lascurain still believes that God will provide. In 2003, he founded VIDA Youth, a ministry focused on Hispanic youth. The goal of VIDA Youth is "to produce programs that will be morally uplifting and contain a message of hope..." The VIDA Youth ministry consists of:
  • VIDA Youth TV
  • Spring Break Youth Rally
  • VIDA Boy and VIDA Girl scholarship programs
  • VIDA Films
  • VIDA Youth clothing
The VIDA Youth TV program is a 30-minute program in a talk show format. De Lascurain interviews people who have had experiences with God; they talk about hardships they have made it through. The program also discusses peer pressure, sports, healthy lifestyles, values, and topics that focus on God. De Lascurain's vision is to also cover large entertainment events that previously haven't been covered from a Christian viewpoint.

In the spring of 2005, De Lascurain plans to launch the first Spring Break Youth Rally. The format will be similar to popular secular TV spring break parties, but will feature current Christian bands, speakers, and possibly Christian celebrities.

Recently, De Lascurain felt God calling him to create a scholarship program for young people who want to go to college. He followed God's call, opened an account, and is depending on God to finance the scholarships. To apply for the scholarship, applicants will write a short essay about their dreams and what they feel God is calling them to do.

The goal of VIDA Films is to produce wholesome films that will encourage people to have faith in God and dream big dreams. VIDA Youth clothing is a brand of young, hip clothes geared toward infants, children, and teens.

De Lascurain strives to send encouraging messages to youth across the world. He wants them to know that what the world offers them is nothing compared to what God has for them. He teaches youth to learn to listen to God and depend on Him for all of their needs. He tells them, "Money doesn't matter if God puts a dream inside of you."

Recently, De Lascurain received an e-mail from a boy in a small village in Peru. He wrote to De Lascurain saying that he had been feeling hopeless and was giving up on life...until he saw the VIDA Youth TV program, whose message had given him hope.

De Lascurain may have never been able to personally find that young person in Peru to relay God's message of hope, but through the TV he is reaching kids all across the world.

Those interested in supporting or finding out more information about VIDA Youth may visit the Web site www.vidayouth.com.
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